A Wholesome Experience

Years back, when my maternal uncle chose to name his daughter “Aami”, I wondered what that meant. Later, I came to know that it was the pet name of the legendary, iconoclastic bilingual writer Madhavikutty alias Kamaladas! He is an ardent fan and hence the choice.

I too am a passionate reader! While I am into the world of English literature, and teach English, most would assume I enjoy only classics. There was a time in my life when I really desired to take up my main subject as Malayalam. But for various reasons, I had to leave behind the idea. Just like the many things that I have allowed to let go in life, I had to give up this passion too. But, my love for Malayalam Literature has never faded. 

Of late, I find myself glued to malayalm books, and one writer whom I would like to read and reread is Madhavikutty. I got acquainted with her books and poems while doing my PG. Later, I got to meet her when she came to UC, as a special guest for the English Day hosted by the English Department. Clad in a simple jet black saree, she just took the audience with her with elegance and speech. I still remember the way she spoke, just like an innocent kid. 

She was quite good with histrionics (or generally what we call as histrionics?????) A lot is being talked about  her works. Many people consider her a maniac, for she has written very openly about love and lust! But I feel, if you read her books in the real sense that you should, you can never look at her with those eyes. People who can’t really comprehend her are the ones who are hypocritical. She was an eternal lover, a feminist in the typical mould, and a very independent soul who was hungry for love. Her autobiography "Ente Katha - My Story" was almost a shock to most critics, and she was labelled a rebellious and unconventional writer! 

Loved the time with it!
Any time, would love to read again!

For me, she can be loved in all the ways, for her works have always made me believe I have at least some broken fragments from her! Most of her works are autobiographical, but the one which I took up to read now, “Neermathalam Pootha Kalam” is not just her story. I loved every single minute that I spent with her, for it gave me the feeling of listening to it, directly from her with all her passion. This was one book which I missed reading earlier, and so was very happy to find it on my ammavan’s bookshelf, this time when I visited him. No melodrama, and nothing extraordinary, just mundane life. It is just the plain diary of the young Aami. I confess, there were many points where I felt I was Aami. Neermathalam gave me a feel of journeying with Aami. 

If you are a Mallu , you owe this read to yourself. It is surely a wholesome experience! 

Well, my resolution of being more regular on the blog has really found some success. I love the time I spend here,  but now, I am not sure if I would be hibernating for a while. Exams are getting started next week and I would surely be thrown to my cozy seat with a bundle every other day! I just hate this period, for evaluation is really boring, still I have to do it with a great deal of concentration! 

Whatever be the case, I have to grow to love those sessions! Let me try looking forward to it.....

Some Chess Stories...

Miss, Gauri looks just like you!

Miss, here comes the ‘male version’ of you!

Miss, you smile like Gauri!

Miss, you talk like Gauri!

Miss, the same expressions you both!

                             - My students say!

Sunie, your son is your Xerox copy!

Gauri is so much like you!

Sunie, ur copy!

Appidiye, unne pole!

Ithu nee tanne!

                            - My friends say!

In most families, it is almost a controversial topic if the kids have taken after the maternal or paternal side! We here, have not given it much thought! In fact, I really don’t bother if he has taken after me in looks. Mostly, I feel he has taken after me only in looks, but when it comes to other traits, he is surely an “acha boy”! For instance, he is very much sensible (obviously not like me)!!!!!!! But, I do say it very often – all his good traits are maternal and bad ones, if any, are paternal!!! Lol! 

While I don’t bother if he looks like me or not, I want him to get hold of some traits from me too. Just like any other mother, I too wish! Recently, it gave me a great deal of happiness when I found it! Whatever I take up, I do it with passion and I feel that is my BIGGEST Plus Point! Gauri has it in him and I can’t be happier! 

It all started with Primrose deciding to open Chess classes for this academic year. My little guy didn’t even know what chess was when he was sent for these classes, but from day 1, I could make out his interest in Chess from the way he talked about it at home. Most of the topics revolved around chess and its rules and coins. He even gave a ‘study class’, as he could make out that I was not really familiar with it! I enjoyed these conversations and I kept encouraging him. He was overjoyed when Pappu gifted him a magnetic chess board. 

Why I mentioned passion here is ‘coz of the way he gets ready for each class and the moves planned! The chess classes are usually on Thursdays, and I can see him waiting for Thursday from Monday morning. Keeps a countdown too! Wednesday evening, it will be , “Amma, tomorrow is Thursdayyyyy”, Hhh Chess!” 

He plans ahead too. Once I was stunned when he asked me “ Amma, what are you planning for Thursday’s lunch?” It was a Sunday, I was bit confused when he came up with such a question. Then came the next line, “ Amma,I have chess class on Thursday, soon after the lunch break. I don’t want to take rice on that day, it takes me much time to finish it, you can plan chappathis, okay?” 

This one totally amazed me. He usually gets up at 7, and finds it really difficult if I ask him to get up a lil early, but on Thursdays, he gets up at 5 and wakes me up!!!!!!!!!

Last week, when we took a week off for Lekshmi’s wedding, he was much worried about taking an off on Thursday, as he would miss his chess classes and chess sir!

Can’t you call it ‘passion’?

All this is fine, have a look at this one!

And, don’t miss the answer given by Dhanesh! I just overheard!

G: Acha, in most movies that we have watched and most of the stories we have heard, men are powerful, men are stronger and men are given more importance, but in chess, my sir says, it is the queen who is mightier? Why, why is it like that?

Dhanesh looked perplexed for a second, and then came the reply!

“Athu Makkale, vazhiye manasilayikollum”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - along with a mysterious smile!

You can imagine what would have happened after that! Knowing me, you would guess it right!!!!!!!!!

Any working day, the best news for students is “the teacher is absent”, rt?

You can always hear a “Hurray!” as soon as this news is confirmed. I was no different when I was a student. But, this time when I took a week off from school, I decided not to give the tenth graders that ‘Hurray’ feeling. Yeah, I gave them two essays to be done with by the time I am back. 

Creative writing is given more weightage in ICSE and the topics they choose are entirely different from the ones that you see in the other boards. I chose two topics – 

1. A dream that you would like to turn into reality

2. Ten weird things about yourself

Everyone seemed to be very happy with the first topic, but when I read out the second one, there was a big hue and cry – for no one wanted others to know how weird they are!!!!! I didn’t change the topic; instead I said I would also write down ten weird things about me. In fact I liked the idea of writing about myself, as it would almost be like a self analysis. Also, I thought it would help me clear some cobwebs from my head! So here it goes….. 

Weird is a word, which is a bit confusing to me. For most people ‘weird” means strange, peculiar and unusual. I now allow my mind to wander and fetch me some aspects what other people think to be weird, but to me which appear very much normal. Yeah, just like an obedient student, my mind brings me the weird things about me. 

#1 - I love to be BUSY! I can’t seem to like idling away my time. I always find some reason to be busy! In fact, I am busy most of the time with something or the other, but I try and make it a point to blog, put up pictures, make calls, mail friends, chat, wish people on their happy/special days whenever possible. It’s not that I have time to spare, but I make the time, because I don't want to get lost in my day-to-day life. I consider myself to be a well-oiled machine which keeps running without any need for rest! Workaholic or Weird – what would you call me? 

#2 - Age is a matter over mind, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Though I feel just like a fresher out of college, I keep telling I am getting old, but can’t figure out why I keep telling it again and again. Some of my students can’t really stand this attitude of mine, but I do say it very often. Ain’t I weird? 

#3 - I can’t restrict myself from telling out what I feel. I am not really bothered if people like it or not. This mainly happens with students, in no way can I think of pampering them to get them going. I am happy if they take it positively in order to better themselves, or my thought is – ‘let them learn it the hard way’! 

#4 - I am not really self-obsessive, but I have this weird habit of writing down every single happening in my life. This desire is quite insatiable too. I had this diary writing habit right from the high school days and now it has been replaced by my blog. One of my thoughts in those days was “if at all there was some kind of a machine that could record every single happening on a daily basis” – I am definitely weird! 

#5 - I am scared of silence!!!! Silence is a word very much liked by teachers, but I am otherwise!!!!!!! Weiiirrrddd! I want people around me to be lively all the time. I don’t even mind if it is ‘noise’! My better half keeps telling me I should practice meditation to get rid of this phobia! 

#6 - This is an age where Mobile phones are a craze with everyone. Be it students or oldies, the fascination for mobiles can’t be explained. It has become almost equivalent to oxygen. I wonder how I have gone in a different track when it comes to my mobile. I am just more than satisfied with a basic model, and here my point is “phone is just for communication”! Many people ask me why do I continue to use the basic model! I am not bothered, ain’t I weird? 

#7- Next comes TV. Once upon a time I was a movie -TV buff, but not any more. Its gonna sound a bit weird when I say I have no TV at home. My old idiot box is still here, but just as a box! In this era, it is quite weird and so am I! 

#8- Sans Internet, No me! It is my slogan. It is very difficult for me to stay comfortable without Internet. I have become too much dependent on this web that I feel like a fish out of water without it. Why I consider this weird is ‘coz, there was a time in my life, when I used say “I hate computers and anything related to it!!!!!!!!! So there is every reason to ask - Ain’t I completely weird???? 

#9 - This one is totally weird – I know. Yellow Metal is a great fascination for almost every lady I know, there are a few exceptions, though! I have never been able to bring myself to like it. It sounds really weird when I say I don’t wear gold at all. But I am quite happy with all the other stuff like black metal, mehndi gold, plastic, silver and others!!!! Yeah, you are almost convinced - I am weird!!!!!!! 

#10 – I can’t really go with the flow, I do specialize in swimming against the tide! I would like to stick to my own rules! That spawns a lot of enthusiasm! By now, you might have concluded, there is some truth in me telling you I am totally weird! 

This is not the end, there are many more, but for me, all these are absolutely normal! But for all these, I can’t be “Me”! Hence , it is better to stay the same!

Well, that’s it!

But, how do you know if the above TRASH is true!!!!!!!!Lolz!

Nostalgia

Aluvappuzha 

“I am in love with Pondicherry” – This is my usual reply whenever people ask me how life in Pondy is. Yeah, I love Pondy and the life here. No doubt, Pondicherry is one place I have always wished to live, still love to live, but no place can be like Aluva. The reason is simple – among the many things that kindle nostalgia, Aluvappuzha and Manappuram hold a very special place. As we go through life, there are some moments, some days, some phases which can never be forgotten. I feel I have a box full of memories and it is just like the Pandora Box, which is difficult to close, once opened. The only difference is that my box has only good memories!

When I visited Manappuram last week, I got reminded of T.S. Eliot’s lines where he conveys a very strong point in life. Where ever you go, how much ever you earn, how long you have been away, you always would long for your native land. 

True! Can’t agree more! 

To Chitta, With Love !

It all feels like yesterday 

When you bounced into our lives! 

Then a teenager, now a beautiful bride, 

Oh! Can’t just believe, so much time has just flown away! 

When I reflect, 

Those little sparks flash before me, 

I can’t but thank you 

For all the laughter, smiles, and tears, 

For all the crazy times, 

For all the love and life 

For all the fun we have had together! 

For the special bond that you share with Sankunnis, 

For all the care, love and those lovely moments 

You have gifted him. 

A beautiful path opens before now, 

To tread on with love for each other 

Go ahead with confidence, 

And fill in each others’ life with joy!

As we gear up for that very special day of yours

Which is just a week away,

We pray,

Let God Almighty shower all His Blessings on you Both!

Days ahead are gonna rock for you Girlie!

Chitta and Sankunnis @Aluva

Chitta and Sankunnis @ TV Malai 

@Pondy

@Chitta's Engagement

The Language of Love....

Happy Teachers' Day!

My Salutes to all my teachers on this special day! May your tribe increase and inspire the coming generations…..

Some days just turn out to be beautiful, and today was one such!

My day started with a lovely Teachers’ Day wish from my son! 

It feels great to know that students still remember me after those long long years! Many of the students from the Jeeva Velu days called up to wish! Many of them messaged too! Many of the old colleagues too made it again! It’s just that “WOW” feeling that can’t be explained! It feels good, yes it feels good! Extremely Good! 

With every wish, frames kept moving, faces kept flashing, and so stunned was I with what I saw……so many years, so many faces, so much love …………….it is pure joy to be loved and remembered by my students! 

Bharathi Mam made me feel great with a simple message, I understand I am so much liked! 

Anu Ma’am keeps on surprising me!!!!!!!!!! For the kind of schedule she has, these cannot be on her list! But she found time to wish me, I can’t help admiring her! 

Japna just made my day with a few words, I absolutely loved those words! She proved it time and again that words have so much power to gift you a wonderful feeling! Lovely Gesture from a Lovely Girl!

Arvind literally made me cry with his message on FB! You are so much loved, Arvind! Thanks for being the craziest, weirdest, yet one of the most sensible students of mine!

Vaibhavi sent me a wonderful message with my name attached, one of the most unique messages I have ever received, unique, just like her!

Rheu n Miru never miss a chance to wish! Lovely wishes from both of them!

From Chennai came the Happy Boy's Wish, Sunil, attached with a Happy Morning wish !

At school too, it was wonderful to receive all those wishes!

This is indeed the Joy and Satisfaction of being a Teacher…

This is the good, the better and the best part of being a Teacher…

Thanks so much for all those wishes, it makes me feel out of this world!

'Awesome' is the answer!

Nothing can be more energizing than a good weekend. We had a beautiful kick-start to the weekend, with Babs joining us on Friday!

A word about Babs, alias Babuchettan – a guy with contagious enthusiasm, he is elder to me by almost 12 years, but looks younger than me. (Oh No! I hate myself for writing this).

A weekend experience unfolds here! I love to jot down each of such experiences, just for one reason. It is fun to read it after a long time and it always gifts me the same feel again.  

As soon as Babs got home, he told me, “ Mole, I am moving to a new apartment next week, would like to buy some cute furniture from Pondy.” Whenever my folks visit Pondy, it is my duty to take them around for shopping, something which I thoroughly enjoy! So I was more than ready and assured him that we would go around Pondy the next day. I even thought about a few shops which I knew, but on Saturday when I landed back from school, they were all ready to go to some “Kenji” furniture. I had never heard of such a place, I kept wondering how he got info about this one. Anyway, I didn't kick up any fuss, I got ready and we headed for “Kenji”. 

As I had got hooked to just one thought, it came out from me involuntarily! “Where is this place, exactly?” 

He said, “Auroville!” 

Aaahhhhhh, I got it! None other Dhanesh could have given him the info, ‘coz, Auroville is one of his favourite haunts. Visiting Auroville is like pouring some 'energy tonic into the soul' for him!!!!! Needless to say, he didn’t even mind driving through the rough suburban roads there. ( Hey, I can use this point elsewhere!) 

I guess I had written about Auroville in one of my earlier posts. It is such a terrific place to visit and stay! Auroville is a universal township in the making, with people from around the globe living here. We have been to Auroville a no: of times, but I should say, this one was unique altogether. Usually, we make a good research about the community we wish to visit, collect info about the people there and get a route map to the place, but as this was a sudden plan, and we weren’t really prepared, but decided to follow Mohanlal’s policy of “chodichuuuu chodichhhuu pokam!”

We advanced through the ECR, and reached the point where the roads diverged. Here started the confusion! As my Tamil is as good as the English of the people there, I requested Babs to take up the task of asking the route. We proceeded along an empty stretch of road, with not a soul to ask the route! The lady whom we asked said it was some 6 km from the visitors’ centre. The roads were good till the visitors' centre!! From then on we ‘enjoyed’ the mud roads, which gave us the feel of a boat journey. The car stopped at a place, where it looked like the end of the world!!! But when we asked around, we found there was some 3 km to our destination. At this point, I even doubted if we would be able to get back to Pondy, it almost resembled a small forest, the ones similar to the ‘woods’ described by Frost in his poems! I kept the thoughts to myself! But, Sankunni voiced it, like mom, like son.........what a lovely combo we make!!!

Confused!

Not a soul to ask the route....

Avoo..we caught sight of this lady, who helped us with finding the way...

We decided not to give up, Babs was in full enthusiasm, he got down at several points to make sure we were right on the track….we met many foreigners on the way, all Aurovillians. The weather was pleasant and the cool breeze energized us! It is a pollution-free zone and the way was sprinkled with the many guest houses of Auroville. We were also able to spot many of the unique training centres of Auroville, which we had always longed to visit. Their websites were familiar, though!

http://www.auroville.org/environment/avag/svaram/svaram.htm

http://www.aurovilleguesthouses.org/gs-profiledetails.php?id=12

Bamboo Research Centre, Auroville.
It was started some 40+ years ago, they have some innovations from bamboo! 

At last......our Destination....
Kenji, The New Dawn Carpentry Workshop...

                                      http://www.indiamart.com/kenji-japanese-woodcraft/ 

 Finally, after many a twist and turn, we were successful in hitting our destination – Kenji, the New Dawn Carpentry Workshop.

On the way back, we got a terrific view of the Matrimandir, one of our favourite places in Pondy!

Though at first, it looked like we would get lost, it turned out to be one of the nicest trips we made to this place………On our journey back to the concrete jungle, we made this good decision - to spend a weekend at one of these guest houses… to enjoy the serene atmosphere! I never miss a chance to raise my hand for something exciting/ something new/ something different, so this one really paid off! Nothing can be as refreshing as spending some time in this calm and peaceful place, studded with trees. Looking forward to it from now……

Many times I got reminded about the trip we made to Auroville, with Romaa Ma'am....

One thing is assured – this place can radiate joy and gift you the much-needed peace of mind. So, if you have any idea of hitting this part of the globe, make sure you stay at Auroville at least for a day or two…. …..Do make a trip, it is surely a place for people who appreciate the finer things of life!