ആലുവാപ്പുഴയുടെ തീരത്ത്‌ ...

ആരോരും ഇല്ലാത്ത നേരത്തല്ല, എല്ലാരും ഉണ്ടായിരുന്ന കാലത്ത്‌.....

കേരളത്തിന് പുറത്തു ജീവിക്കുമ്പോൾ കേൾക്കുന്ന ഒരു സ്ഥിരം ചോദ്യമുണ്ട് -

നാട്ടിൽ എവിടെയാ?

ആലുവ.

അത് പറയുമ്പോൾ ഉള്ള ഒരു സന്തോഷം ഒന്ന് വേറെ തന്നെയാ!

20 + വർഷങ്ങളായി ആ തീരത്തു നിന്ന് ദൂരെയാണെങ്കിലും ആലുവാപ്പുഴയുടെ തീരത്തു ജീവിച്ചു തീർത്ത കാലങ്ങളുടെ ഓർമ്മകൾ എന്നെ വിട്ടുപോയിട്ടില്ല, പോകില്ല താനും.

കുറച്ചു നാളായി ആലുവപ്പുഴ സംഹാരരൂപിണി ആകാറുണ്ട്. എന്നാൽ എനിക്ക് പരിചയമുള്ള ആലുവാപ്പുഴ ശാന്തസ്വരൂപിണിയാണ്. വൈകുന്നേരങ്ങളിൽ ആലുവാപ്പുഴയുടെ തീരത്തു പോയി ഇരുന്നു ഇഷ്ടസൗഹൃദങ്ങൾ പങ്കിട്ട ഒരു കാലമുണ്ടായിരുന്നു എനിക്ക്. ഓർമയുടെ ചെപ്പിൽ നിറഞ്ഞു നിൽക്കുന്ന കുറെ സായാഹ്നങ്ങൾ.

-കൃഷ്ണന്റെ അമ്പലവും അന്ത്രപ്പേർ പാർക്കും നിറഞ്ഞു നിൽക്കുന്ന ബാല്യകൗമാരങ്ങൾ.

-മയിൽപ്പീലിയും മഞ്ചാടിയും കൂട്ടിവച്ച കാലം. 

-മണപ്പുറവും അവിടുത്തെ ശിവനും ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമായിരുന്ന ഒരു കാലം.

-അങ്ങോട്ടുമിങ്ങോട്ടുമുള്ള വഞ്ചിയാത്രകൾ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടിരുന്ന കാലം.

-ശിവരാത്രി കാലത്ത്‌ മണപ്പുറത്തു തെണ്ടി നടന്ന കാലം.

-പെരുമ്പിള്ളിയിലെ ദീപാരാധനകൾ മുടങ്ങാതെ കണ്ട കാലം.

- മകരചൊവ്വയും വ്രതങ്ങളും നോറ്റ കാലം.

-മാതാ മാധുര്യയിലും സീനത്തിലും സിനിമകൾ കണ്ടു നടന്ന കാലം.

-യുസിയിലെ മഹാഗണിച്ചോലയിൽ നല്ല സൗഹൃദങ്ങൾ കുരുത്ത കാലം.

-മുൻസിപ്പൽ ലൈബ്രറിയിലെ പുസ്തകങ്ങൾ തിരഞ്ഞുപിടിച്ചു വായിച്ച കാലം.

-ഹിന്ദി പാട്ടുകൾ നിർത്താതെ കേട്ട് അമ്മുമ്മയുടെ ചീത്ത കേട്ട കാലം.

-വാരാന്ത്യങ്ങളിൽ താളി തേച്ചു മുടി മിനുക്കിയിരുന്ന കാലം.

-ശാന്തി നഗറിലെ സൗഹൃദങ്ങളിൽ അർമാദിച്ച ഒരു കാലം.

- ഓണക്കാലങ്ങളിൽ പൂക്കൾക്കായി കറങ്ങി നടന്ന കാലം.

- റോഡിൽ ഷട്ടിലും ക്രിക്കറ്റും കളിച്ച കാലം. 

- ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒരു വീട്ടിൽ ഒരുമിച്ചിരുന്നു സിനിമ കണ്ട കാലം.

-ഗ്രാൻഡ് ഹോട്ടലിലെ ബിരിയാണിയുടെയും ജഗ്ഗിസിലെ ഐസ്ക്രീമിന്റെയും സുരഭിയിലെ മസാല ദോശയുടെയും കണ്ണൻ ചേട്ടന്റെ റെയിൽവേ സ്റ്റേഷൻ ക്യാന്റീനിലെ കട്ട്ലറ്റിന്റെയും രുചിയുള്ള കാലം. 

-മുറ്റത്തെ മുല്ലക്കും തുളസിക്കും ദാഹമുണ്ടോ എന്ന് ചോദിച്ചിരുന്ന കാലം.

-വീട്ടിലെ പേരമരത്തിൽ കയറിയിരുന്നു പഠിച്ചിരുന്ന കാലം.

-ആലുവയുടെ തെരുവുകളിൽ തേര പാര തേര പാര നടന്ന കാലം.

- കറക്കം കഴിഞ്ഞു ശ്രീപത്മത്തിൽ തിരിച്ചെത്തുമ്പോൾ വാതിൽ തുറന്നു തരാൻ അമ്മയുണ്ടായിരുന്ന കാലം.

- മനോഹരമായ സ്വപ്‌നങ്ങൾ കണ്ടിരുന്ന ഒരു കാലം!

-നമുക്കെല്ലാവർക്കും ഇത് പോലെ ഒരു കാലം ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു കാണും .

അതൊക്കെ ഒരു കാലം! 

നമ്മൾ നമുക്കായി ജീവിച്ച കാലം!

ക്ല ക്ല ക്ലൂ ക്ലൂ , ദേ മുറ്റത്തൊരു മൈന.

എന്നെ ഓർമ്മിപ്പിക്കാൻ വന്നതാ - എന്തൊക്കെയോ പറഞ്ഞു - പൈപ്പ് തുറന്നു വിട്ട പോലെ .....

അന്ത കാലം ഇന്ത കാലം എന്നൊക്കെ പറഞ്ഞു ഇരിക്കാതെ പോയി പണിയെടുക്കാൻ നോക്ക് ചേച്ചി - എന്നാണെന്നു തോന്നുന്നു അത് പറഞ്ഞത്. എനിക്കീ പക്ഷികളുടെ ഭാഷ അത്ര വശമില്ലാത്ത കാരണം ശരിക്ക് മനസിലായില്ല. എന്റെ നാക്ക് ടൂർ പോയെന്നു തോന്നുന്നു, ഒന്നും മിണ്ടുന്നില്ല.

ഏതായാലും മൈന വന്നത് നന്നായി. ഞാൻ ഭൂതത്തിൽ നിന്ന് വർത്തമാനത്തിലേക്കു വന്നു. ഭാവിയിലേക്ക് പിന്നെ നോക്കുന്ന പരിപാടി എനിക്കില്ലേയില്ല!

Why should girls have all the FUN?

The Real Question: Why Should Girls Have All the Fun in the Kitchen?

For centuries, women have been expected to handle all the kitchen and household duties—often without question. This expectation persisted well into the late 20th century, until a new generation began to challenge these norms. Gradually, a few supportive husbands emerged, recognizing the struggles their partners faced. As we move further into the 21st century, we see positive changes, though many from the previous generation still grapple with this evolution.

While I don't identify strictly as a feminist, I do hold feminist beliefs that emerge in response to societal issues.

Traditionally, many mothers did not encourage their sons to participate in household chores, perhaps believing it would diminish their masculinity or contribute to a fragile male ego. There’s no denying that the previous generation's attitudes played a significant role in shaping these views. However, as these boys grew into men, why didn’t they reconsider this mindset?

The answer is simple: it became a way of life.

In many Indian households, we often witness women exhausting themselves with chores while men lounge around watching TV, frequently ordering cups of coffee or tea. This dynamic continues even today.

Do we really want the next generation to follow this pattern?

Isn’t it beneficial for boys to learn how to cook and clean?

Isn’t this a life skill?

Wouldn’t it promote independence rather than dependency?

Wouldn’t it help them become more effective multitaskers?

Managing a kitchen imparts countless valuable lessons that can be applied in various aspects of life. Plus, learning these skills doesn’t require an exorbitant investment.

If you have sons, why not encourage them to chop vegetables, brew coffee, and learn to cook? Doing so can foster empathy, help them understand the challenges you face, and create a closer bond. It sends a powerful message that gender equality begins at home.

Imagine the joy when your son makes you a delicious cup of coffee or a refreshing juice! The love he pours into it will make you feel appreciated, knowing he understands your hard work.

So, why should girls have all the fun in the kitchen?

Why can’t boys enjoy that fun too, while acquiring essential life skills?

New-generation moms, empower your sons to grow in the truest sense of the word. Help them become men who genuinely understand and appreciate the women in their lives!

......finally, I found him!

Finally, I Found Him!

It had been such a long search! But today, I found him.

I thought I had lost him forever. Yet this morning, amidst all the clutter and chaos, he reappeared like a ‘Deva’ emerging from the flames of a long ‘Tapas.’

Lol! I’m talking about Swaminathan—the adorable little Swami from Malgudi. I must have read Swami and Friends a dozen times, but he never fails to captivate me. For a while, I had been searching for R.K. Narayan’s Swami and Friends, a cherished part of my collection. The last time I wanted to read it, it had mysteriously vanished. I couldn’t remember if I had lent it to someone or misplaced it myself. I scoured my entire bookshelf, but to no avail.

Swami’s memory would keep popping into my mind during my busy days, and I missed him terribly. Just thinking of him would bring me energy and joy, as he’s been my companion since my school days.

Awwww! How I loved his mischievous antics! As I’ve mentioned before, when Doordarshan first aired Malgudi Days, I was probably the happiest person in India!

Today, thanks to the extended holidays until March 31st, I decided to embark on a ‘Swachh Bharat’ cleaning mission. And guess what? That’s how I found him—Swami, my long-lost friend! A blessing in disguise! After wading through a sea of dust (masked, of course), there he was, hidden under a carton in the storage room.

The moment I saw him, I yelled Eurekaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I was definitely happier than Archimedes himself! Everyone at home came running to see what all the fuss was about, wondering who this modern-day Archimedes was.

As for who buried my Swami there—God only knows! If I ever find out, they might want to avoid my knives!

The rest of the day? I did absolutely nothing but spend time with him. Swami, I can never love you enough!

Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway)—Simplicity, Cuteness, and Intelligence personified. That’s my Swami, overloaded with charm!

Thank you for coming back into my life!

I need you.......much more than you think!

I Made My Way Back to You Today, After Almost Three Years!

After wandering through the crowded corridors of my mind, navigating the tricky in-lanes and by-lanes, waiting patiently at countless signals, and dodging the speeding thoughts that came my way, I finally landed here!

Sometimes, amidst the whirlwind we call life—on those relentless, busy paths that drain us—we tend to lose our way. I guess that's what happened between us.

But honestly, it feels so good to be back after all these moons. I hope to ride along with you again, just like we did in the good old days. There’s so much to share, to reflect on, to laugh at, to vent about, to cry over, and even more to celebrate!

Life moves on, and so do we. No hard feelings, right? After all, no one truly belongs to anyone—not you to me, nor me to you.

Thank you, Blogger, for welcoming me back when I came to you with a heavy heart. There's a special kind of joy in deciding to jot down my thoughts here again.

Revisiting...

It’s That Time of Year!

The time has come to close the books for a while, to wrap up the current year's work, and to embrace the excitement that comes with the long-awaited vacation! Honestly, I think we teachers look forward to the break even more than the kids do, hoping to recharge and rejuvenate.

Just a few days ago, I was reminded of my blog. A flood of thoughts rushed in, inspiring me to write this post today. It feels like I’ve finally rekindled my long-lost enthusiasm for jotting down my thoughts here.

For a while, I had been stuck in a mechanical routine—repeating the same tired tasks day in and day out. Internally, I was in a state of chaos, though I did my best to keep up a happy and contented appearance.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!

I often reminded myself to wait patiently, to stay put until I found a way out of this mental fog. And finally, that long wait is coming to an end.

Thanks to William and Philippa for bringing some much-needed sunshine into my life, just when everything else seemed to fade into the background. Spending time with them gave me the energy I was desperately craving! I realized it’s often more fulfilling to get lost in fictional characters than in the complexities of real life. Their witty remarks and the love they shared with each other were such a joy!

Jeffrey Archer, you are the BEST! I can’t thank you enough!

Unplugging the Phobia...

These grueling contemplations

Fetch me nothing but trouble!

Still, they cram my hours

With their ‘would be –actions’ for future!

I can see everything in RED

And I know you have to confront the worst!

I can see the whole mess,

As if in a nightmare,

More painful is to perceive

You as a 'mental captive' there!

I can only show my concern,

And keep reminding the aftermath,

Or keep watching what is to follow,

And, be grief-stricken all the while from now!

Precautions are always healthier

Than trying to cure it later!

But, if you are ready to take a plunge there,

Nothing in the whole world could ever save you!

“Throw it off!” I scream,

But, it falls on deaf ears!

Yup, it can be a puzzling thought

A fear from down the mind!

Can it be ever won?

Can I cross this ocean without fear?

Is the life-size question here!

What you need is inspiration and an ignition

Of that fire in you

With all the confidence in the world!

Yup, a plan well-laid out,

A vision well –seen,

With all the willingness,

From your heart and soul,

It can be won at any cost!

Be not in a troubled state of mind,

Nor get drowned in the pool of destructive notions,

Just step out, be bold enough to say

“I wanna do it and I WILL”!

Phobias never help you win any battle,

And, there is nothing like ‘courage’ to face it!

The Light at the end of the Tunnel

After each hibernation, I come here making a resolution – to keep the blog alive. But, the so-called duties of life are keeping me away from this ‘once-upon-a-time’ much loved my space on the web! My blog tells me that the last time I came here was 17th April- so that means my hibernation was looooooooooooooooong!

Nothing much had been happening. Absolutely tired and sick of what had been happening too! There wasn’t an ounce of ‘enthu’ that could at least drag me here!!! I had closed the windows to my soul and it was hindering my activities. This was something I had never done before! 

A quick question!

What happens to you when a foreign particle goes into your eyes?

You feel annoyed, irritated, uneasy or sometimes even ANGRY! Your vision gets blurred. Somehow, you want to get rid of that particle and get back to your normal state. 

Would it be better to rub or meddle with eyes? 

Definitely not! It will only make things worse!!!!!!

Splash water gently and get rid of the unwanted thing!

Is not the same with our crises too?

For quite sometime, it was the same feeling that I had! It was as if some foreign particle had entered my system! I am trying to get rid of it! 

There may be a million things to  crib about, but is there any use? I am trying to open the windows of my soul which I had closed for a while! I am trying to see if there is that light at the end of the tunnel! Yup, am seeing it, or it is just my wish that I see there! Let Time tell me!