Memories of a bygone era...

This morning I was pleasantly surprised to hear the loud call of a man who sharpens knives and scissors, in our residential locality. Carrying a wooden contraption on his frail

shoulders onto which was affixed a grinding wheel for sharpening knives, he went around expectantly from door to door, offering his services…

Dressed in a shabby ankle length check lungi and an off- white, frayed, full shirt which had definitely seen better days, the dark man with a weather beaten look about him went about with drooping shoulders and a defeated demeanor . I doubt if his visit to our locality was worth it. In these days where knife sharpeners are available readily in any departmental store, I guess people like him may find it hard to make a living out of their dying profession…

Come to think of it, these days, a lot of professions seem to be fast disappearing. I remember till about a couple of decades or so, just before the onset of the monsoons, men used to go about repairing umbrellas and bags. Similarly, cobblers too with shabby bags filled with tools and spares were a common sight as they sat in front of houses, re-stitching broken straps or soles, and sometimes even reconstructing the whole slipper which was often in pretty bad shape.  

Then there were dusky Tamil ladies with kids in tow, who used to go about asking if households wanted their grinding stones redone (Ammi Kothal) or copper vessels lined with lead without which it couldn’t be used (Iiyam pooshal). Aluminum and stainless steel vessels of all shapes and sizes were carted around on a bicycle by vendors who often traded it for old clothes… My own grandmother, like many other ladies of her times, had a hobby of buying such vessels from these people and took great pride over her collection!

I have no doubt that many such professions have passed away to give way to a developed nation with its modernistic views and attitudes. Such changes are inevitable too. But once in a while when I see such a person from the past, I can’t help taking pleasure in the feeling of familiarity which dotted my childhood days…

Thrissur Pooram

One of the most colourful temple festivals of Kerala, the spectacular Thrissur Pooram was introduced by the erstwhile Cochin Maharaja, Sakthan Tampuran (Ravi Varma 1751-1805), and is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medom (April-May). Spanning a duration of about 36 hours, this illustrated festival of Kerala is referred to as the ‘Pooram of Poorams’ and is witnessed by lakhs of enthusiasts irrespective of religion or creed.

The word ‘pooram’, in Malayalam, literally means a group or a meeting. It is thought that during the Thrissur Pooram, Gods and Goddesses of neighbouring provinces get together to pay their respects to the Lord Vadakkunnathan.

History of the Thrissur Pooram

The Trissur Pooram is said to have originated as a symbol of liberation from the oppressive caste system practiced in ancient Kerala. The higher castes represented by the Namboothiris ruled over Kerala autocratically. The efforts of Prince Ravi Varma (Sakthan Thampuran) brought an end to this repressive state of affairs.

It is believed that once upon a time, the largest temple festival of Central Kerala took place at Aaraattupuzha, where the smaller temples from in and around Thrissur eagerly participated in the festivities. But this practice was hindered by the aristocratic Namboothiri supremacy which put an end to the custom and denied entry to these temples. In such a situation, Prince Ravi Varma, who was the then ruler of Cochin State, invited these temples to Thrissur to pay their respects to Lord Vadakkunnathan, the presiding deity of the majestic Vadakkunnathan temple. The two other main temples of Thrissur, the  Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple and the Paramekkavu Bhagavathy temple were instructed to provide all help and support to the visiting temples. Thus Sakthan Thampuran succeeded in putting a stop to the Namboothiri domination.

The pooram has continued to be a tradition of Trissur since then and even today, it goes on as per the prescribed age-old customs and traditions. The much popular episodes of the Pooram namely the `Madathil Varavu', `Elanjithara-Melam', `Thekkottirakkam' and `Kudamattom' are conducted with much vigour and vitality.

Religious Significance of the Trissur Pooram

The Thrissur Pooram is considered to be the festival of the common masses in all respects. People from all walks of life irrespective of religion, caste, or creed gather to witness the spectacular festivities on the day of the pooram.   

In this prominent temple fair held on the grounds of the Vadakkunnathan temple at Thrissur (Thekkinkadu Maidanam), two rival groups representing the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple and the Paramekkavu Bhagavathy temple fiercely compete with each other in showcasing their capabilities.

The Thrissur Pooram commences with the ezhunellippu (procession) of the Kanimangalam Shastha in the morning to the Vadakkunnathan temple followed by another ezhunellippu of six other minor temples. Totally, ten deities from in and around Thrissur pay their respects to the Lord Vadakkunnathan during the Pooram.

Elephant Power

Think Thrissur Pooram, and immediately the image that comes to our mind are those of magnificently caparisoned pachyderms majestically lined up in all their glory!

Elephants are an unavoidable part of the Thrissur Pooram and the best of the lot from the length and breadth of the state are specially brought to grace the occasion. Both the Thiruvambadi and Parammekkavu factions compete heavily in this aspect and make full use of the rules which allow a display of a maximum of fifteen elephants each. The sight of these impressive creatures in all their ornate decorations, making their way through the milling crowd and lining up on the temple grounds is indeed spectacular, and is witnessed not just by Malayalee enthusiasts, but also a lot of national and international tourists who reach Thrissur specifically on this day.

 

As part of the Pooram celebrations, the decorations to adorn the elephants (aana chamayam) are prepared well in advance each year by both the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temple boards, to be displayed to the eager public prior to the Pooram. (Aana Chamayal Pradarshanam).

Kudamaattom

The `Kudamaattom' or display of decorated parasols atop the majestically lined up elephants are yet another colourful aspect of the world famous Thrissur Pooram. This particular event is highly competitive in nature and is a matter of prestige for the Thiruvambadi and the Paramekkavu temples, who fiercely compete with one another in putting up the best display of parasols. The Kudamattom brings about deafening cheer and sighs of amazement from the awestruck spectators dazzled by the innovative and colourful exhibit.  The most amazing aspect of this show is that every year, both the temple wings bring in newer models for exhibition that are an epitome of creativity.

Various Pooram paraphernalia along with the decorated parasols are also put up on display during the Aana Chamayam Pradarshanam held prior to the Thrissur Pooram.

Panchavaadyam

The liveliness and spirit of the festivities during the Thrissur Pooram is enhanced manifold by the alluring effect of the ‘Panchavadyam’. Maestros in the respective fields are roped in by the two competing temple factions and the result is pure magic! The sight of multitudes flaying their arms and swaying their heads to the beat of the music is indeed a fantastic sight. No other festival in Kerala draws such an unbelievable crowd to a single event.

Display of Fireworks

The Thrissur Pooram ‘Vedikettu’ or display of fireworks is undoubtedly one of the much looked forward to attractions of this unique temple festival of Kerala. Both the factions of the Thiruvambadi as well as the Paramekkavu temples are always known to  put up a spectacular firework display.

Thousands of people throng the venue and nearby areas just to witness the innovative and breathtaking firework display which starts some time after midnight and lasts to several hours at a stretch. A couple of days prior to the Thrissur pooram, a ‘sample vedikkettu’ or a sample display of fireworks are held, which is equally enthralling in its beauty.

Trissur Pooram – A cultural Bonanza

The Thrissur Pooram is considered to be the most popular temple fair of  Kerala.  Religious unity is the highlight of this world famous event and even though it is a Hindu temple festival, both the Muslim and Christian communities play a very prominent role in the celebrations.

Most of the pandals put up for the Pooram are the result of the indigenous craft work of related experts from the Muslim community who work untiringly months ahead of the festival.

For the two days of the festival, the CMS High School located on the western part of the Swaraj round and owned by the North Kerala Diocese of CST Church, is a hub of activity, being the headquarters of the Thiruvampadi Devaswam. The temple elephants are tethered in the school compound. The ‘Aana Chamaya pradarshanam’  prior to the Pooram is also held at this school. The decorated parasols for the ‘Kudamattom’ are said to be offerings by various churches!

At these times, when the secular fabric of the Indian society is slowly decomposing and the feelings of religious intolerance are swiftly on the rise, one cannot but admire the relevance of the Thrissur Pooram, which strives to bring all religious communities under one banner. 

God's Own Country!!!: Of Smartphones and Dumb Actions

God's Own Country!!!: Of Smartphones and Dumb Actions

Of Smartphones and Dumb Actions

Dhak..dhak..dhak…. DHAP!  Then total silence!

The first three words were the sounds of my heart beating as I saw my prized smartphone fly away from my hands  from the landing of the first flight of steps to the hard, merciless floor down below. (I can still recapture its entire flight in slow motion). The fourth word was how it sounded to my horrified ears as it landed with a harsh thud, face down, 12 feet below onto the ground. ..And then it was total silence for a few seconds after which a flurry of activity occurred that chiefly included an SOS scream for my son along with a mad race downstairs to pick up my phone which was fortunately still in one piece; but no amount of first aid could revive its ‘touch’ sensor without which it was practically useless for all I could understand…

For once, I had to stand shamefacedly under the stern glare of my 17 year old son who is the epitome of carefulness. (He still has his favorite childhood mechano set preserved intact and I suspect that the big box of partially used colorful oil pastels stashed away in his drawer is the same one I gifted him on his 7^th birthday…). My favorite one-liner, ‘Learn from your elders’ backfire royally as he scornfully says “how careless can you get? Isn’t this what I will learn from my mother?”  Any other time and I would have given him a look to silence, but seeing the semi-comatose gadget in my hand, which had been a lively companion just a few minutes back, I swallow the heartless jibes and set off to the service center with a heavy, but optimistic heart.

Problem one was tackled. The bigger problem now was getting a replacement phone till I got mine back. Unfortunately, I did not have any spare ones at hand and the only way of taking revenge at my son’s barbed comments was by getting him to lend his brand new blackberry (without a blackberry connection)… and grudgingly he did, especially since I had to travel for a few days and moreover since his exams are on, he is mostly at home these days with access to the landline. Sweet of him, you would say, but little did I know as to what I was getting into! I now had to account for every speck of dust which could be seen through a magnifying glass on his phone… and I also had to share my phone with him, the requirement of which could be at just about any unearthly hour of the day. Well, beggars can’t be choosers, as the saying goes…

This is only a small part of the story. Apart from the fact that I had become sort of handicapped due to the loss of all my contacts (for some mysterious reason, this blackberry phone refused to acknowledge the numbers and other data stored in my sim card), I realized I had got afflicted with another serious malady. I had heard about the withdrawal symptoms experienced by drug addicts and alcoholics. To my horror, I was experiencing something on those lines.  How would I live without accessing my Facebook account every 10 minutes? What would people think if I am not available online 24 hours a day on Gtalk? Oh my God! How will I talk with my skype contacts? How can I remain unconnected with my whatsapp and viber friends? How would I know the news, weather, and temperature of various parts of the world? Talk about panic buttons and alarm bells!!!

It has been two weeks since my ailing phone has been shifted to the ICU of another specialty service center, awaiting an organ transplant. Surprisingly, after the first few days of acute withdrawal symptoms, I find that life is not as bad as I thought. To my surprise, I realize that I am in touch with all my family and friends who matter; my various projects and work goes on without a hitch and I find that it is perfectly alright  if I am not an active part of the online community. But more importantly, I realize that I am not that important a person as I deemed myself to be and neither do I run this world.  I don’t have to be accessible to the whole world 24x7. And the greatest advantage of this revelation is that I have so much more time left on my hands which otherwise would have been spent in social networking sites unproductively, posting comments which don’t matter to people in the first place, reading and liking highly opinionated posts and going through umpteen number of inspirational quotes, status updates, pictures, and messages most of which, I doubt, makes little sense even to the person who has shared it…

I hope to get my mobile phone back in a few days time, but more than  that, I am hoping I would  be able to remember these precious lessons and consider the gadget as just an electronic device for my convenience and not something which I need to be dependent on for my survival…

“You have left my phone lying face down on the bed! What if it develops a scratch…?” There goes the monster of my son again... For once, I have to agree with the writing on his tee-shirt which goes “ Life was much easier when apple and blackberry were just fruits…”

Of Autograph Books and Memories…

As a mother of a 17 year old who is shortly leaving school, I find it pretty amusing to see him with a greatly prized possession these days… his autograph book!

I wish I had preserved my own autograph book of my school days. I remember I had three of them. One was a red plastic covered one with colored pages (we couldn’t get any fancy ones at Palakkad some 25 plus years back) which was reserved for special friends who had sentimentally recorded pages and pages of the entire history of our friendship; another similar blue slam book was given out to juniors and other acquaintances at school. The third one which was of a more fancy nature (something which my mother had got for me from abroad) was exclusively for my teachers.  Come to think of it, most of my teachers had penned down some great quote or proverb along with their wishes and how I wish I had understood the deeper meaning of those valuable words that time… Somewhere in the passing of time, my little autograph books lost their charm and value in my grown up world and got left behind someplace…

Times have undoubtedly changed. The e-communication revolution and the era of mobile phones are playing a great part in continuing friendship among school leaving children. The phrase ‘keep in touch’ no longer is said with a heavy heart, thanks to emails, skype, Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites. These children will never have to bear the pangs of separation like those of my generation, since they have an option to remain connected with each other no matter which part of the world they are in…

But unfortunately, they will never know the sweetness of discovering a long lost friend in Facebook, or getting a call from a classmate who has somehow managed to dig out your cell phone number to give you a late night surprise call 25 years down the road… They will never know the thrill of a school reunion decades later, where you bump into dozens of your classmates and friends whom you have never met since your school days… and most importantly, they will never ever experience the thrill of receiving a friend’s letter by post, tearing it open in a hurry and savoring the delicious lines word by word with a song in your heart…

A new year... a new beginning...

I like the advent of a new year. Technically speaking, it is just another day. A day which has 24 hours like all other days, a day where one goes through the self same routine like most other days. The first of January is no different from the 24^th of June or 8^th of August or any other day. I don’t understand why, but somehow, I can’t stop that excited feeling growing within me as I reach the end of December and I eagerly wait for the 1^st of January.

Perhaps this excitement is due to the symbolic ‘newness’ which is attached to the arrival of every year. I actually revel in the feeling of ‘hope’ which engulfs me during the start of a year and it sort of inspires me to kick out all the negatives out of my life which had unwittingly become a part of me all these days. Out goes the every thought and action of mine which makes me sad, angry, irritable, envious, de-motivated and dejected; instead I enjoy the process of filling myself up with peace, contentment, and acceptance which automatically motivates me, spurring me to dream of a better tomorrow and work towards realizing it. I also enjoy making resolutions. Ofcourse it is another fact that these resolutions are seldom carried down the whole year, but nevertheless it is a ritual which I enjoy observing religiously.

As I am getting ready to step into the threshold of 2013, I am so very thankful to all the myriad, mixed experiences and emotions of the year that was and grateful to the various people who have been a part of my life all these days, inspiring and motivating me to become a better individual in a variety of ways.

Here’s wishing each one of you a very happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2013! May you be inspired enough to achieve your dreams and live life to your fullest! 

Nirbhaya shouldn't have died in vain...

Nirbhaya is no more and the people who are responsible for her death are still living, enjoying the protection and security accorded by the Delhi police, eating food provided by the Indian govt, and perhaps hefty negotiations are taking place between their concerned relatives and smart lawyers who may take up their case, and prove that it was a human error or an act committed due to insanity. Like most other rapists who are unfortunate enough to be caught, they too may have to suffer a few years in jail and then would be released into the society, and may in due course become respectable citizens of this country emboldened by the attitude of a ‘tolerant’ society which pretends to sleep.

Each day, as I wake up to the news of assaults, rape, abuses, and atrocities against women and children, I can’t help feeling a sense of shame and anger. Why do we tolerate such nonsense? The more I think about it, the more I feel stronger laws are required to punish the guilty. But to prevent such devilish incidents from occurring, we have to first change ourselves, our thoughts, and our myopic, fear filled minds. We have to stop haunting the victim, causing her to cringe in shame and fear all her life and instead hunt down and punish the wrong doer at the earliest. The society, instead of ostracizing her, needs to encourage such victims to emerge from her trauma and lead a normal life in every possible manner. Let us learn to react and protest strongly against ill treatment of women, whether at home or the workplace. Let us teach our sons to treat all women with respect and dignity and let us teach our daughters to command that respect which is rightfully theirs and live a life of dignity without guilt.

The Delhi incident has sparked off a public outrage and hopefully, this spark will flare up all over the country to bring about a change in the way women are being perceived and treated in our country. Nirbhaya shouldn’t have died in vain…