Tanzerin

I've blogged and gloated about the new entry in my life for almost a year now. New entries have that effect on you I guess. But, 10 years back there was another new entry in my life: don't be scandalised- it was no baby- just a lady. Ok again, don't raise your eyebrows, I'm just referring to the time when most TamBrahms would have labeled me the "kodumakaara Naathanaar" or as you would call it in English "the Sister-in-law".Men are from Mars and women from Venus? More like she was from Mercury and me from Pluto. What could we have agreed on? Not much.... 1. She said "Hugs are beautiful." I said "Uhm... I can't hug." 2. She said "Let's party till 4 AM." I was always indoors before dinner time. 3. She said "Let's practice that step again." I wondered "WHY????" and still do! 4. "Here's your gift for Pongal." she said. And suddenly I realised how my brother had cheated me o...

Remember when some old relative pinched your cheeks at a wedding and said, "How small you were. Look how big you've gotten!" I always wanted to say, " Well. I can't remain 5 forever! And... You used to be so thin.. look how fat you've gotten." And somehow I look at my almost-a-year-old daughter and seem to want to say just that! "Remember how tiny she was. Look at her now!" Just that it ain't moist eyes that accompany that line but "O my god, please don't put that shoe in your mouth..again..grrrr" ONE year seems like a long time but time has slipped by so quickly that I can hardly believe I'm a year old in the parenting business (Daddy J: You agree, don't you?!). Life and everything around me has changed such a big deal, that it sometimes feels like some parallel universe... And here I go again with my "10 Things that have changed...." 1. I have new-found respect for cows... Need I say more. 2. "S...

WAVES OF BEAUTY In the light of the candle I saw her. A glow so radiant that it was blinding; As it was scintillating. A bejeweled crown that shone As if it was her pride. Blackness all around Her dark body seemed to throw. A crimson tongue reeked of anger with weapons to aid. With a garland of skulls, Morbid seemed the goddess. Demons lay at her feet, Frightened by her strength. Her matted hair disheveled Like that of an ascetic. A goddess embodies grace, Is it not I wondered. Then why worship such ferocity, For peace is what prevails?! And then I looked at her eye, I take pride in my children, They seemed to say, Not arrogant by my strength. My blackness is my power, They seemed to say, An energy so potent That it encompasses all. My weapons will rise They seemed to say, When you sin. Devote yourself for good and you won’t stumble. Evil will be vanquished They seemed to say, In every age and ti...

Rule # 1 Long ago: Oldie: At dawn, sprinkle water in front of the house. The dust will settle, you can smell the earth and you will get to hear the birds sing- what a beautiful start to the day! Some time ago: Oldie: At dawn, sprinkle water in front of the house. Girl: Why? Oldie: It’s good for you and for the house. And don’t keep asking questions- it’s disrespectful. Now: Oldie:  At dawn, sprinkle water in front of the house. Girl: But, it’s Saturday. I want to sleep till 9. And if I sprinkle water, my neighbours will slip and fall. Oldie: What a generation! No discipline. Rule#2 Long ago: Oldie: The clothes must have dried. Bring them in before you eat or you’ll get a cramp in your tummy collecting and folding all the clothes. Sometime ago: Oldie: The clothes must have dried. Bring them in before you eat. Girl: Why? Oldie: That’s the rule. And don’t keep asking questions- it’s disrespectful. Now: Oldie: Bring the clothes in before you e...

The Atman cries out to the Brahman “Who am I?” Not hearing a response, he cries out again “Why am I here?” Baffled by the silence of the Brahman, the Atman proclaims “I am the supreme manifestation of reality.” To which he hears no argument but what stirs within him is an unexplained restlessness. He is angered by his mute spectator. “Your silence only tells a story of ignorance”, he reluctantly exclaims, half in anger, half in despair. “I will figure this out on my own”, he says determinedly and sets out.  He travels far and wide. He consults with magicians. He consults with ascetics. He asks the winds and the rain. He asks the swift sand about her maker. “Who made you?” she retorts sarcastically. Stamping her into the earth with a hurt ego, he sets out further. He speaks to the mountains, he speaks to the snow. “Shouldn’t you aim to climb up once in a while?” he asks the snow over Mount Kailash. “Your descent is your end- as you melt and trickle down the plains only to end...

'It takes 2 years to learn to talk and a lifetime to learn what not to talk'... or something like that! Thanks to all the 'share' and 'like' people do on facebook, quotable quotes are always readily available. First things first, we are still teaching her to talk. I am hoping the 'what-not-to-talk' bit comes only a few years later?! And what is life without the quintessential maami giving running commentary! Sahasra: 'Attthhhhaaaai' Maami: Abbabbaa... athishtam! If baby says 'athai' first first, very lucky the child is being! [Of course, Athai is the only one who lets her chew her finger] Sahasra: 'ThaaaaThaaaaa' Maami: O mama- she said Thatha- very happy you must be feeling! Sahasra: 'Tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tah ..... [I don't think she has that many Thathas] Sahasra: 'pheehpheepheeepheeee' Maami: Abbabba...etho she is wanting to talk talk... Paavam so...

Daddy J recently commented, "I wish I was ambidextrous." "Why", I asked, bewildered. "With one good hand, it's almost impossible to change her diaper without messing up the place. Plus it would be easier to get that rice into her. I wonder how you hold her in one hand and stuff that food in with the other." "So how did you manage when I went out for 3 hours?" "I gave her milk."- with a triumphant smile!!!! Everyone warned me that crawling days and walking days would bring along new and challenging exercise routines. And thanks to it, the old pair of jeans seem to fit again- yipie! And compare notes, we must! With new mommies: -My son won't sit in one place for more than 10 seconds. Half the time, I am just hunting for him under tables and chairs. -Mine broke a vase the other day and had the most 'paavam' look on her face. I didn't know whether to cry or scold her! -He wants to pull everything- including peopl...