Of Beginnings; Of Birthdays and a Sorority to Cherish :)

It’s a beginning, once again. A cycle of time, regenerates itself, in different parts of our land. Today, the 13th April, it is Baisakhi, it is Bihu, a time to celebrate a harvest, a start, a closure too. Tomorrow, 14th April, it is Vishu, and yet another Medam, (the first month in the Lunar Calendar, in Kerala) takes birth. The link to the post on Vishu has been receiving visitors aplenty, and that is why it is linked here, so that those who wish to know more about it may just pop thataway and do so And for the setting of the Vishukani, you could get a bit of Mother’s Advice here (The post is Vishuaashamsagal…)

The best wishes of the season to each and everyone. May the glorious golden of the Konna Flowers bestow that selfsame richness in each aspect of your lives, touching it with prosperity and good fortune!

**************

The month of April is wonderful for other reasons too! My first born, Arjun, celebrates his birthday, and so do other loved ones. My elder brother, Viju, Commodore V.K. Pisharody, on the day after Vishu.

This year, I want to spread my net of gladness, and send out loving wishes to other Ariens who have touched my life, inspiring, scaffolding, being supportive, being the patient listening ear, being part of the sorority that has surrounded me with the deepest empathy and given me the benediction of their friendship, unconditionally and unerringly known each time I needed to have a shoulder to lean on, and bawl my head off, figuratively, of course ! Well on occasion, literally as well.

My dearest friends, this is to wish each of you
A day and year filled with laughter, and nothing blue
Moments spent in gladness, each day anew
May worries and stresses, be far, and few
All love, and God’s Blessings, I do wish YOU

Elsie Abraham, for the 14th April

Omana Vasudevan, for the 18th April

Renuka Menon, for the 19th April

Ladies, you are the best there is!!! This post is entirely dedicated to each of you! Advance wishes for a Great Day, followed by the best year, so far! I pray that each of you finds that life unfolds in just the way you wished it would!

Beautiful songs, too, to go with the wishes: Below

That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick

 

Another link to the same song which has an amazing quatret singing this song – Dionne Warwick, Whitney Huston, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEfTGE2aa90&feature=related

And yes, I will always look to you, for succor and support as I have been, all these years Thank you for being part of what makes me ME The song below says it all!

I Look to You, Whitney Huston:

****************************

Once again, Vishuaashamsagal to one and all!

(P.S. Sorry it’s such a linky linky post )

13 April, 2012

An August Month :)

I’ve always liked August. Of course, the most basic reason being it is a birthday month, but more than that, the name itself. There is something, isn’t there, about how August it is. In August.

It’s the time when rains intensify, then slack. It is the time when festivities fade, then rise, in anticipation. The time when Onam slowly unfolds, around the corner. The time when a brief ten day vacation happens (if one is lucky to have the Thiruvonam during the August part of Chingam maasam ).

It is the month when two of my Lion Cubs were born. The Second Born, and his brother, and comrade-in-arms, Kiran.

It’s that time when I remember Indygurl and miss her, all the more; for she is a Lioness too, having made her mark on this Universe, on 2 August, years ago.

This year, August is special. It’s a time when fruition comes to be. Of hopes, wishes, desires, aspirations. Kindred hearts, mirrored souls, a season of ripening, of the fruit of sweet love.

John Keats’ “Ode to Autumn” has always reminded me of August, ever since this vibrant lecturer read it out to us in College. The sheer golden sheen, the warmth of sun-flecked nature, the call of something beyond…

It is a time, this time, to spend in remembrance of a warm soul I met last year. Someone who keeps me going, when things seem tough. Someone who did not spend enough time in this world, but sped on Angel Wings, to keep other Angels, like her, company. Someone who lives on, regardless. Tejaswee.

It’s that time when life meets life anew, when love beckons; when slowly, but surely, the threads weave closer, forming patterns designed so long ago; inter-twining memories, making fresh ones, to take in the journey forward.

Yes, it’s August

So Happy Birthday, my dearest little One, Ashwin, for the third! May your footsteps always travel upon promising paths, and find each journey exciting and successful! May joy and love hound those footsteps ever!

And Happy Birthday, dearest Kiran, for the sixth, for the brilliant ray of Sunshine you will ever be, to me. All smiles, and pure wit

Happy Birthday, dear Lioness, Meggie aka Indyeah for the second! How I do long to hear from you again!

And Happy Birthday, to a dear dear dear beloved daughter, Neeti… , for the thirtieth of the month. More August a date I have to know

Happy Anniversary too, to My EB and ESis in law, for the thirtieth  oops, thirty first.  Also my YB and Y Sis in law’s! You two couples rock!

Praveen, cannot help but remember, and wish you, for the third! Happy Birthday!

The thirty first of July, 2011

(An under 500 word post. A first time surely, except for the 55 ers here )

Vishuaashamsagal! Better late…

This was in the drafts, waiting to be scheduled, but incomplete. And being busy on Vishu, and it’s eve, because of the anticipated joy and preparation of the SB’s visit, it is being completed only now. The finishing touches. And this post is more for the verbal/linguistic reader, than the visual, because I forgot to take pictures of the awesome Vishukani I had arranged …

Belated Vishuaashamsagal.

The Konna tree, at my parents’ home, a beautiful beautiful sight!

Here’s a beautiful message I received via sms, from Omana

ഓര്‍മ്മകള്‍ കൂട് കൂട്ടിയ തളിര്‍ ചില്ലയില്‍ 

പൊന്നിന്‍ നിറമുള്ള ഓര്‍മകളുമായി 

ഒരു വിഷുകൂടി വരവായി 

സ്നേഹത്തോടെ ഒരായിരം 

വിഷുആശംസകള്‍

(Pliss to ignore and excuse spelling mistakes in the Malayalam printed here. Google’s transliteration is responsible for it )

It’s that time of the year again, when the golden drops of the sun take the form of the Kani Konna… the Cassia Fistula tree, or the Indian Laburnum, it’s bunches of chandelier shaped gorgeous yellow flowers, seen almost all over the countryside, in Kerala, and elsewhere.

It’s Vishu. The beginning of a new year, in the Malayalam Calendar. The beginning of the month of Medam (മേടം), the first of the 12 months of the calendar we follow.

This year, Vishu was celebrated on the 2nd of Medam (മേടം), on the Makam Nakshatram (മകം നക്ഷത്രം), because the Sankramam, or transition of the Sun into this Raashi was on this Nakshatram, which happened to start only sometime during the noon, of the 1st of Medam. So my dad informed me, referring to the Panchaangam. It is still a bit confusing, but not being well versed in astrology and its terms (though I have a great interest in it- esp. predictions! ) I accepted it.

After a gap of several years, I had a Vishu Kani in my own home, not my parents. Else we always gather together as a family at my Dad’s place and celebrate the New Year. This year, the SB was to arrive on the eve so I decided to have my own My mother instructed me, and with my badgering (don’t I always?) she managed to retain her calm, telling me why each thing was for Most of it was… “I don’t know. It is, that’s all! I DON’T know everything!!!” I’m a pest!

So she gave me her uruli (ഉറുളി) a medium sized one. I was to arrange everything in it. I record it here (too late; still, it is here, for future reference )

First a layer of rice - unkkalari (ഉണക്കലരി )

Then the vellarikka, the orange ripened cucumber vegetable (വെള്ളരിക്ക);

coconut split in halves (നാളികേരം ഉടച്ചത്)

thiruvidada or cloth (vastram) (തിരുവിടാട, വസ്ത്രം );

ripe mangoes, banana,

vermillion (kumkum കുങ്കുമം )

kajal, made at home if possible (കണ്മഷി)

jackfruit (ചക്ക), other fruits, gold and silver.

An important thing is a mirror, two kinds, the normal, and the valkannadi (a symbol of Bhagavathi, or Mother Goddess) (വാല്‍ക്കണ്ണാടി).

Spread all over this should be the Konnapoovu, the Konna, the golden chandelier flowers (കണി കൊന്ന), and the Erukkumpoova (എരുക്കുംപ്പൂവ് ), the flowers (picture below) from the Erukku (എരുക്ക്) Tree (a medicinal plant)

Arrange these in the order mentioned, and if one cannot fit everything into the uruli, it’s ok to place the fruits outside. The rest ought to be placed within the uruli. A brass lamp, traditional Kerala type is placed near, and lit, at the time of the Kani… the first sight on the Vishu morning. The flowers are placed last and strewn over the items there.

Very early in the morning (usually the time for the Kani is mentioned in the Almanac) usually between 3 to 4 am is the auspicious time to see this blessed sight. All of the things in the assembled array all promise prosperity, and success and good fortune. So says my mother !

Except for the jackfruit I placed the rest of it, and had a beautiful Vishu Kani of my own, for me and mine . Loved ones together on such occasions add to a simple contentment, and a feeling of completeness. I was blessed, so was my SB

Belated Wishes to each one of you once again.

*****

Actually it was a triple whammy this day The Elder Brother’s Birthday(S), according to both the Western and Malayalam calendar was also on Vishu day Birthday Greetings too

******

The Athiraathram concluded on 15th April 2011, at Panjaal. I was fortunate to have been able to visit on the 11th day, for a brief period of time. Was happy to witness certain offerings to the fire, at the centre of the Chithi, and the pressing of the soma plants to extract juice, which would then be taken for Saumyam, and for the offerings to Agni again. The Saumyam is especially beneficial for women who are pregnant in their first trimester and for couples who have infertility problems. It was interesting to read from Surekha Pillai (@surekhapillai, on twitter) who was involved with the Media there, how she met some people born to mothers who had partaken of the Saumyam in the 1975 Athiraathram at the same place! More on the details of the Athiraathram here, on Sandeep Varma’s blog and the Official Website. At the end of the yaagam, people thronged to witness the final burning of the yaagashaala, which after it returns the Agni, the divine element, back to the Arani (Whence it was brought forth) resembles only a forest fire, lacking the divine force. Just before the yaagashaala was set ablaze, it rained. Poured, I am told. And so it concluded. Physically perhaps. It is held close in the hearts and recounted both in words and thoughts for those who have followed it closely and been part of it. Surekha Pillai (@surekhapillai, on twitter)  aptly says, as she finally leaves;  ”it’s raining tears. i guess #athirathram is finally over.” It found resonance in thousands of hearts!

Word count under 1000. That has to be a first(except for the 55 ers) for this eccentric rambler ! Have a wonderful year, all of you! God Bless!

16 April, 2011

I Have a Dream …

… (sic) with due apologies to Martin Luther King Junior

I am not plagiarizing. I swear ! The original with video is here:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

 

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history of our Interactions on Facebook and Twitter as the greatest demonstration for urging a victory in the much touted and tainted game of Kiricket in the history of our nation.

This momentous introduction to the GAME came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Indians who finally found a way to douse insults having been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their seeming helplessness! we Indians wielded the willow for the first time, quivering in the symbolic shadow of the English (Many score years ago)

But many hundreds of matches later, the game is mired in murk and  is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination! We have seen the glorious game thrown to the bookies, have had the underworld dons rule the roost and fix matches, we have seen the worst happening!  And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a return to the days when we loved it for what it was. A battle of wills. A class apart, in terms of style, cut and action : )

In a sense we’ve come to our own FB walls and Twitter Timelines with a score to settle and to  cash a cheque. We expect and pray and hope with a desperation bordering on violence that this cheque be  honoured, this sacred obligation, that the Cup that Cheers a Billion Hearts stays with us. Where it belongs. We have an inalienable right to it! Call it an earthworm vision if you wish, but it is also the vision of the eagle that flies on high… and sees that speck miles below, that it WILL OWN!

But we refuse to believe that the bank of victory is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this cheque, a cheque that will give us upon demand the riches of our dreams and aspirations to that very MOMENT!

We have also come to this hallowed spot our FB walls and timelines on Twitter with the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of victory. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of bad-mouthing and desperation to the sunlit path of radiating HOPE. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of negativity to the solid rock of brotherhood and blessing and prayers. Now is the time to make The Royal Blue Men’s day out superlative and a reality for all of us serenely madly-in-love-with-Kiricket folks.

(laughing away, cant type, holding sides, shaking uncontrolably* Pray God MLK forgives this blashphemy!)

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Mohali Environs will not pass until there is an invigorating freshness of fragrance of sweet gain. 30th March is not the end, but a beginning. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in here until the day is won. The cup is won.  The whirlwinds of comments, updates and review, views, tweets and smileys, and ^&*##@$%&^()^+%#@ will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of The Cup emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my cohorts-in-cahoots who are tagged with this: who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the realms of heaven, just thinking of the victory: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for victory by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our support on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative urging to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. (!) The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the FB community must not lead us to a distrust of all who detract us, for many of them, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that theirdesire to see the cup stay at home is inextricably bound to our very wish!

We cannot walk alone. They cannot play alone. We are there, each of us, to hit each ball, take each wicket, run behind the fleeing ball and catch it before it reaches the boundary, and always but always, have a smile and cheering word and a pat on their backs! NO MATTER WHAT!

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

Some of you have come fresh from narrow minded thoughts. And some of you have come from areas where your quest — quest for victory left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of unhelpful negativity by others! You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to praying, go back to urging, go back to crossing your fingers, go back to your banishment by spouse/partner/ offspring/ self (lol!!!), , knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.We WILL MAKE IT!I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the Kiricket Crazy Indian dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. But Sachin is the BEST!”

 

I have a dream that the little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, and the HISTORY of this WIN!

 

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” For on a day that is was deemed to be The Day. We did what was to be done!

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the bed, and my papers with. (:D)

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together,  to stand up and cheer  together, knowing that we will be victorious THAT day.

All of us  will be able to join hands and sing in the words of from the Classic Film… My Fair Lady: And when this happens, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when

You(We) did it!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RT3cx1b9ZM

Sample of the lyrics:

You did it! You did it! You said that you would do it, and indeed you did.

I thought that you would rue it;

I doubted you’d do it. But now I must admit it

That succeed you did. You should get a medal

Or be even made a knight……

LOL!

 

Apologies Apologies my dear friends and any human rights activists. The momentary urge to give in to this ridiculous temptation to unburden myself of these deepest desires was too strong to hold back. And also it’s Leenuka Reddy’s fault for egging me on. If you must stone me, pelt one at her too! She’s tagged with this.

 

And another one to Anita C Warrier, if she makes any remark on 30th against the Indian team ! She’s tagged too!Leenuka, now to my papers !!

 

*Phew* *Wipes sweat off brow*

 

26 March, 2011

 

Pls to excuse any and all  typos in here. Am too exhausted to edit anymore ! Thanks in advance! I enjoyed every bit of this. Hope this dream is yours too!

Commodore Vijay K. Pisharody, Nao Sena (नव सेना) Medal

Commodore Vijay Kumar Pisharody, IN, Nao Sena Medal

 

Here it goes, an ode to you,

For another capped feather, all anew.

In 2011, the Republic Day,

You made us proud in every way.

Once again you’ve proved your mettle,

To  adorn  your chest, you’ve  earned the Nao Sena Medal.

The honour bestowed… much deserved,

More laurels for you are surely reserved.

In the years ahead, as you go the length,

May you sail from strength to strength.

(written by Captain Vinod Kumar Pisharody, my younger brother )

(Alert Long Post… but I hope you will stay with it )

That is my elder brother. The brightest star, on our horizons. The one with the Professional Acumen (my FB’s words!). Genius. Integrity. Dedication. Sheer presence of mind. Great bulldozing tactics (well you need that you see, when you command men ). Yoga fiend. Health freak. No-nonsense. Huge Hindi Film Fan. Mohanlal too . Great fun.

He’s got what it takes, and has done what needed to be done. Not many do both. And for Devotion to Duty, he has been awarded the Naosena Medal, NM as it is referred to. I cannot of course, stop here. That would be sheer injustice to the subject, the blog and the eccentric rambler, who cannot act out of sync with her image now, can she? Lol!

A word on the Medals and Awards given to Defence Personnel, and announced on the eve of Republic Day, each year. This year’s awards can be viewed here, on the Press Information Bureau’s Website. (Select 25 Jan 2011, as the date on the left sidebar, and you will notice a link further down , 440 Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations Announced – (This year we were pleasantly and awesomely (!!!) surprised to hear one of us being named as an awardee. The actual ceremony takes place later, in May I am told. And is telecast live on Doordarshan Will post an update on that as soon as I know)

Medals are given for Devotion to Duty or for Gallantry. The Ashok Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Param Vir Chakra, the Vir Chakra, the Shaurya Chakra are all gallantry awards of the Highest Order. Next come the Sena Medals, the Sena (Army), the Vayu Sena Medal (Air Force) and the Nao Sena (नव सेना) Medal (Navy) which can be either for Gallantry or for Devotion to Duty. The PVSM (Param Vishisht Seva Medal ) and the VSM (Vishsist Seva Medal) follow. Each with its due credit and importance.

My father is a VSM recipient, having been awarded in 1970, when he was involved with setting up the communications network for the Naval Airport in Goa. (Trivia: My younger brother is a Naval pilot -have mentioned him here – who is stationed there, President,  AIRCATS -  Aircrew Categorization and Inspection!). He, my father, ie, retired as a Commander, having worked his way up from the ranks. Sheer hard work and dedication. As my younger brother remarked, first my elder brother outranked him, when he became a Captain, and now a Commodore, and now he has out medalled him as well, with an NM- a Nao Sena Medal!

Viju, as I call him, Pisha as he is known to his coursemates (Common Name for both my younger brother, (and me while in school) ), and Pisha Sir as he is known to the others others… , is someone you might say is… (*hunting desperately for a word, and failing to find any*) an allrounder. It’s cricket season, and he loves cricket, plays very well, so let us use that metaphor for now. You’ll understand what I mean as we go on

Born at the height of the ascending of the Sun (മേടം രാശി, സൂര്യന്‍ ഉച്ചത്തില്‍ medam raashi,sooryan uchchathil), during the Uttarayana, in the Malayalam month of medam (Aries, by the Western Zodiac – a perfect offspring of the sign ), on the monrning of Vishu, the new year, that year, in 1962, his planetary positions, according to my mother, were near perfect! That is not to say that all he has achieved is because of them. This is to say that even that had fallen in line The perspective is that it could not be otherwise

As a young boisterous laddie, in Delhi, he managed his first FEAT. Twice in a row, around the same date, consecutive year, he fractured his right arm, between his wrist and elbow. Once, it was while trying to climb a pole that some of us, me and few other children were instructed to hold. We, being awed, and being us, let go, in sheer admiration, (the pole, ie), and he took a gentle tumble, fracturing his right arm. The next year, same time, he was showing us how to dive off the bed. Bingo. His arm was fractured again. And would you believe the coincidence? Same place, bone, and spot! He lived to tell the tale, swing some mean shots, on the Cricket field, Captain the NDA team, and sail in regattas. Unputdownable. That says it all.

This young man in school,  Balwinds Boys’ High School, Bangalore, was consistent. Topper in class. Consistent. On the sports field, in the swimming pool, always there, always bringing back medals. It was sometimes difficult for me, the ham of the sandwich (errm, I have an equally competent and brilliant younger brother! ), to live it down. The green eyed monster kept rising to the surface. Then I learnt to deal with it, hatke! I just decided not to conform, and a rebel was born. Ah! but I digress. This one is for the First Born. Viju. 

In the eleventh standard, he found his calling. Well, I was not so sure then.  (I told him he was training his head – that should be engaged in doing complex stuff at IIT- to be an enemy’s target!!! ). But now, in hindsight, the bigger picture unfolds. There is something called destiny. You do not realize it in proximity. It is always the distance that leads one to focus on what counted, and what still counts

At that time, he was a member of the Karnataka State U-19 team, that returned home, runners-up! He maintained a demonic schedule, even way back then. Early morning, cricket camp, back home, school, back home, studies, and play, and back all over again! And then, he was selected to train at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. The year was 1979. He had decided to join the Indian Navy, just like his father, Cdr. U. K. Pisharody, VSM. My dad too… !

The rest as they say, is History! But I must share a few moments from that In the NDA, he was an Eagle, ie he was in Echo Squadron, (my younger brother and my first born also went there. All belonged to different squadrons- Vinu, my brother was Bravo-Alpha-Bravo,  and Arjun was Alpha then India ), and to be certain, he did fly very high. He was Captain of the Cricket Team (they called him the Kapil Dev of the Academy ),and his exemplary performance got him a Cricket Blue – an honour given to remarkable and gifted and consistently high achievers of a particular field. The blazer that is given is proudly preserved even now. As is the yearbook of the Academy of that time.

>>Fast Forward a few years. He was commissioned as an Officer of the Indian Navy in 1983, and served in various establishments, and ships. In due course there are very many more feathers he has donned on his well deserved cap. After his Long Course/ Specialization in Logistics, he has done courses at the IIM, Kozhikode, Defence Management at the premier institute, College of Defence Management, in Hyderabad. He was part of an Inter-Services team that went to the United States of America and Canada to attend an International Supply Officers Course in 2006. One thing I remember him telling us on his return was about the ocean currents off Nova Scotia, Halifax, that we had learnt about. The warm current and the cold current and their mingling creating rich sea life. It stands out, because he mentioned that it was fascinating to see, for real, something that is abstract for us, in a Geography text book. I concur entirely! Even I was fascinated by his description!

One of his stints was at his Alma Mater, the NDA. Newly married, in 1988, he took up the duties of a Divisional Officer, of the Alpha Squadron. At that time, my younger brother was in the NDA, in the self same squadron, that his elder brother was in charge of. Poor chap, Vinu (the younger one), he had to move out to Bravo Squadron! (And that made it a Bravo – Alpha – Bravo shift for my younger brother, as he was first assigned Bravo, then shifted to Alpha to even out numbers of their course, then back to Bravo, when the elder brother arrived on the scene )

There is yet another interesting tidbit : The first ship he served on was the INS Mysore (the erstwhile), which incidentally, was the last ship my father had served on! INS Mysore has since been decommissioned and now we have a new ship that goes by the same nomenclature. I have always wondered at this coincidence, and found it a fitting event

He also served on other ships the INS Deepak, INS Taragiri, INS Mysore (the new one), and in  Materials Organization, Mumbai and Vishakapatnam.

A brilliant technicolour feather in his cap is his tenure as the Station Commander, or what they call Commanding Officer, of the renowned Logistics and Management Training Establishment, in Mumbai, known as INS Hamla .  He served almost two years, from 2008 to 2010,  in this capacity, bringing a sea change (pun intended!!!) in both the training and day to day running of the establishment. My son happened to be there, for a brief course, while his uncle was the CO He speaks of the awe in which the others held the CO, and the fact that he was called a terror. All of which, instead of putting Viju off, merely added to his pleasure Likewise his sister and brother. We are all honoured to be known as terrors in their own fields !!!

Presently, he’s a hotshot ! The Principal Director, Procurement, Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), in Delhi. There is much more to add, but due to constraints of your time and energy, , I shall spare you that!

1798. Word Count ie. Time to stop. Not before congratulating my brother, and his wonderful family, his wife, Anuradha, his children Archana, and Arun, along with my parents… and wishing we have a re run of the joy when the younger one (Captain Vinod Kumar Pisharody) also brings in his dues Or rather, the Navy recognizes a long overdue duty they need to do, to him . For now, we’re celebrating a rare honour, and basking in the reflected glory !

25 February, 2011

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Golden Moments

തനി തങ്കം. Thani Thankam. No, no, this is not a piece on the Grand Shopping Festival of Kerala, and it’s myriad Jewellery Stores! It’s about two special people, and their special Golden Moment. This phrase in Malayalam best describes them. Pure as gold. The kind that is tested by the hottest fires, and still holds the golden sheen, soft and malleable. Daddy and Mummy. And this day, 7th December, they celebrate 50 years of togetherness. A golden moment, is it not?

Quite apart from the fact that they are MY parents ( ), what makes them special is that they have been just that, to ever so many others. Irrespective of age, sex, social status (and that is a big criteria, you can be sure, generally, in India, not to mention down under, here…!), or whatever…

But most of all, it is their togetherness that, I feel, they have been blessed with- right through their lives, that envelops them in that aura of a gentle mist of gold.  (I may be overusing that word today. Do excuse me. I cannot not )

They came together fifty years ago, she, a shy diminutive, pretty, dark-eyed beauty, and he, a tall, dashing, dark and handsome Navy man. The early pictures of them have always charmed me. Mom’s kohl lined pretty eyes, the ever-smiling face (even now), the sporting gal (all the more now!), and by my word, I must confess she is perhaps the only one I know who grows younger, with age. Silvery haired, still diminutive, still beautiful woman. An awesome cook, an empathetic friend to everyone, especially in the neighbourhood…. ഷാരത്തെ അമ്മുമ്മ, “shaarathe ammumma” (ammumma means grandmother,  and shaarathe, for Pisharathe the house name) is what she is known as

And he? Well. I loved the thick curly mane that rose from his high, broad, intelligent forehead, the quiet eyes, the hint of a smile hovering, but not quite showing itself, the reserve that used to be there (now in shambles, ever since the advent of the first grandchild – happens to all the taciturn men, doesn’t it? And that is just such a joy to see too!) Over the years, the hair has thinned and quite disappeared, most of it… from the top of his head, but he’s still my dashing daddy, especially when he dresses up – impeccably as always- be it is mundu- veshti or his format attire. He’s always been a stickler for time, and perfect turnouts, and still is. Dapper, even now He is (I ought to say was, for he no longer is ) the reserved one. A natural reserve that drew a natural respect from all who knew him. A most sincere and committed Professional, be it while he was in the Navy, the BEL, Tata Telecom or Tata Elixsi – he inspired and continues, even now, to inspire the young… At the young age of 70, he mastered the use of a computer, and is now quite internet savvy too, lately having joined facebook as well! Mom went for classes too, and got the hang of it, but felt that virtual world was not as warm as the real world , though skype wowed her, and FB sometimes facinates her. She’d rather interact personally Wise girl!

Together? Just as beautiful, even now, as they were then They rock!  \m/  !!!

Growing up , as with other kids, there were some moments of reserve, with dad, of sheer and unadulterated fun with mom, and her large brood of siblings (dad was an only child!).

There are no words to describe our parents, are there? To each of us, they hold that special something, that no other parent in the world does; and you cannot really put it in so many words. It’s the lasting ideals in life, the enduring of their spirit, the knowing ( now, especially,  when one is a parent), that they did a darned fantastic job with their kids, kept them grounded (sometimes, for real too!!!), kept teaching, with their lives, even the next generation, in fact a whole generation of their children’s and grandkids’ friends too, that makes my parents a world apart.

I cannot ever say my children might someday say this of me, but this I know, my brothers and I, for sure, feel this.

Have you read Dr. Brian Weiss? His book “Many Lives, Many Masters” is a revelation – how the knowing of someone happens the instant you meet, or sometimes even before you do. I know that if my soul were to find a lifetime again, I would be part of dad’s and mom’s life too. I’d want to be. Even one of the pets they have. Yes, indeed. A pet it ought to be

No matter what  sourest of lemons life threw at them, they had the gumption to toast a tequila with it, bottoms up! They have endured, and in a way that is exemplary.

Today their quiet celebration is with Lord Krishna at Guruvayoor, and some close family members… partaking of the Lord’s simple meal, and spending time in harmony with their inner selves. Another golden moment in their lives glides by.

My simple wish is that they continue fill each other’s lives and ours too, with the wealth of their love, their affection and their blessing. For as long as they can, happily and in good health. For they deserve nothing less. First, they say, you have to deserve, then desire. I don’t think they would desire much more, than to see all of us happy, healthy and together… and I hope their desires, all thoroughly deserved will be theirs.

As we are too. Ever. Daddy, and Mummy, a wonderful and happy anniversary to both of you! May the Lord Bless us to have you with us, hale and hearty, for a long time!

(for the 7th of December, 2010)

5 December, 2010 (Scheduled post)

Pssst… there is another one for them on A Quest, my other blog called “Golden”, if you have the time, inclination and energy after reading till here!

Thiruvonam

Happy Onam, dear readers We had a wonderful day today, at my parents’ place A few pictures of the pookalam, the flower carpet are shared here, for your pleasure

A collage of mom’s pookkalams this Onam season…

The one on Onam day, 23 August, 2010

I did do some of the work, the foundation of which was laid by Shanta and her son Manikandan

Ahem! Finishing touches…

The Thampuraans and Thampuraattys… that is what we call the royal personages of the erstwhile land At our family temple atop a little hill! Only two of the lot are true blue mallus!

*Click on the pics. to enlarge

1710 hrs. 23 August, 2010

Mommy Dearest…

No, I am not plagiarizing a beautiful title, of a well known Hollywood actress’ biography (Joan Crawford’s by her adopted daughter). Rather, hot on the heels of Mothers’ Day, is yet another special one for me. Mine grows another year younger, and it’s about time I acknowledged that one

My SB said to me the other day, amma, you know we’ve been together the last almost 22 years, and it’s going to be difficult na, when I go? I mean, you’ve known me only a part of your life, but I’ve known you all my life! Understatement, isn’t it? Of course he was just rehashing an old cliché!! But that is the point I’m trying to make. All our lives, we know one person the mostest, I think, our mother, sometimes, more than our father. In India at least ! And so it is with Mom. Yes, I call her Mummy, Mom, Maaaaa… somehow never got around to calling her Amma, though my kids call me that. On my insistence! My paternal grandma, at her insistence, was called Amma by my brothers and I. That is another story for another rainy-no-muse day !

Mom has been the strongest pillar of our family. Not just us, but even hers, I sometimes think. She takes after her own mother, who I have already described in “A Woman Extraordinaire”, with a zest for life, and an unconditional and uninhibited go-for-it attitude to life. She, like me, is the ham  of a club sandwich, the 5th of 10 children her parents had. 11 if you were to count the oldest, a half brother. Life was tough as they grew, she and her siblings; lots of ancestral property managed by the Kaarnavar, or the eldest Maternal Uncle, the head of the family, entirely matriarchal… a childhood of getting, not much at all, just enough to live, dreaming of things, rushing about doing a 100 jobs around the place, along with the others. Going to school, walking over 3 miles up, then down again; taking turns to carry the large tiffin carrier; being denied further studies after her 10th, which only she and her youngest sister passed, because she had been seen, approved and was to be married off!! Tough times. Times that could, I have felt, crushed one with a weaker spirit.

So almost 50 years ago, she got married, a charming 17 year old, to a handsome tall dashing young navy man. My Dad. Though there are times we, both mom n I, rave and rant about men, I have always felt she was lucky, way luckier than her sisters, cousins, relatives, heck, even me ! But then, I am biased am I not? She got married to my .. MY dad ! Tougher times ahead, unfortunately! Being the wife of an only son has its problems. A possessive mother in law, who, though never abusive or hurtful, was possessive enough to make things difficult! But, yet again, she was lucky in that she was able to join Dad and travel with him on his various postings. And then of course, she had us Lucky her! Lol!

With just a year between my EB and me, it was difficult for her to manage us, especially with Dad off sailing for long periods. But manage she did, and beautifully. For, in an alien city, Mumbai, with alien language and customs, she took to it all like a duck to water, and sailed through with flying colours. In Delhi too, the same happened.

She has  taken us to heights, and been with us through all our lows, been firm, yet loosened the bonds and apron strings when required, and kept us grounded and level headed through everything. Just everything. Be it the double fractures my EB had, the sickly chap my YB was, the rebel I became through my adolescence… right through it all, like a rock, she was there, always there. Never preachy, though she had and still has a booming voice when she gets mad Dad was also there, but he was the strong and silent type back then Now he is just the opposite, ever since his grandchildren got him to open up

You see, she grows younger as I have already said. She gels instantly with persons of all ages. It takes just a few seconds to get anyone talking, with her listening and drawing them out. She never holds back, be it advice sometimes, knocking common sense sometimes, listening, encouraging, consoling. There are very very few people I have come across who can reach out the way she has. In fact even my kids’ gang of friends are her friends; she never holds back; nothing, absolutely nothing!

When she knew I was going to be alone, in a few months time, there was no, why don’t you come down here, or shall we come there… just a reminder to be stronger, and have real expectations And while we still agree to disagree on a lot of issues, the bonds are stronger than ever. She guides, unhesitatingly, and silently. Waits. Never nags, or asks. It’s cool, either way. She gives us space. Our own, and asks we never trample on hers !!

Linda Goodman, in her Sun Signs, speaks of the Taurean Woman as someone who walks tall. That’s her, my mother. She’s barely above 5 feet, but towers in ways we never could. To her indomitable spirit, and endless enthusiasm, not to forget her sheer gregarious spirit, here’s a toast! For health, peace of mind (she says that is fairy tale ), for smiles each day, and less pain, esp around the knee … (she’s going to blow a fuse when I show her this one, but it will be worth it! )Since she has already approved the Vishu and Thrissur Pooram posts, I think I might strike lucky with a third I share with her

Mummy, you’re the best. That is why even we are Happy Birthday! May you grow even more years younger, each passing day And may we be blessed to have your grace with us, always

The slide above has been prepared by my sister in law Thanks Trips and Vinu, for saying is so beautifully for all of us

(Click on pic to enlarge, to read the beautiful words they have written )

11 May, 2010, for 15 May, 2010

Vishu- വിഷു

Sols and Deeps, this is just for you. I know how much you two love this sort of a thing

This is also for my MOM

Today is special. It is Vishu. It is also my EB’s birthday (Elder Brother). Happy birthday to another special Arien, and also to a year, reborn again, bringing with it hope for a better tomorrow.

കൈ നിറയെ കൊന്ന പൂവും, നിറപറയും, നിലവിളക്കും, മനസ്സുനിറയെ സ്നേഹഹവുമായി വിഷുവിനെ വരവേല്‍ക്കാം …

If you are seeing the above in “????” or a whole lot of little squares, you probably do not have the malayalam font! I’ll just transliterate for you, in English.. “Kai niraye konna poovum, niraparayum, nilavilakkum, manassuniraye snehavumaayi vishuvine varavelkkam “

Meaning to say:

“With our hands and hearts full of the beauty, and the golden sheen of the konna flowers (cassia fistula, or indian laburnum), the fullness of a nirapara ( a measure of paddy, in golden grain), and the light of a lamp lit on the morning of Vishu, let us welcome it with our hearts full of love…”

A nirapara looks like this

(Have taken the image from a search engine, and it belongs to flickr.com )

Vishu:

The Kani Konna (- Cassia Fistula, a lot like the laburnum) is the flower of Vishu. Gorgeous chandelier like flowers in the sunshiniest yellow golden, filling the tree, our eyes and our hearts, come Vishu It is the key to the Vishu Kani (what you ought to see- kani- the first thing when you open your eyes on Vishu day )Here is the tree, at my parents, taken about a week ago… a beautiful sight!

The Vishu Kani, mom’s

The lamp at the nearest end, is called a Maadambi (മാടമ്പി)- It is pretty ancient, a family heirloom,  has a wooden stand, on which is placed the brass lamp. Mom uses it only on special occasions. The nilavilakku is at the far end, on the other side of the uruli (ഉരുളി), the brass basin in which the kani is arranged. The pic above is when she arranged it, and below, when it was time for the kani, at 4 am

Incidentally, I was tweeted as to why a mirror is placed in the vishukani. I have been told it is because we need to see ouselves, the best in ourselves, to appreciate the Godhead in us, as we prepare to start a new year, with this auspicious sight! It figures then, I think that you need to love yourself, and respect yourself, to be able to see in oneself the Godhead, isn’t it? I like that viewpoint, immensely

The chakka (ചക്ക)… jackfruit, is then taken out, after the kani (കണി), and facing eastwards, it is cut That is mom doing it the naadan (നാടന്‍), the traditional way with a mazhu (മഴു).. or axe And below, the halves arranged, for a few seconds left as it is

I am also told, that Vishu begins the cycle of rain patterns, the njattuvela (ഞാറ്റുവേല)… Today marks the ashwathy njattuvela (അശ്വതി ഞാറ്റുവേല), and it is likely to rain soon Each of the 27 stars has its own pattern, with the rohini, makayiryam, thiruvathira, (രോഹിണി, മകീരം, തിരുവാതിര) bringing in the most amount of rain, which is so essential for the farmers.

Today is also the day when it is most auspicious to sow a few seeds, being the ashwathy njattuvel ((അശ്വതി ഞാറ്റുവേല))

*Whew! Wipes sweat off her brow* This has been satisfying, but hard work. Finding a transliteration page to work with, and finally opening the google transliteration malayalam page, to write there, and copy paste the malayalam here. But it seems to be worth it!

Have a wonderful year ahead, everyone!

സര്‍വ ഐശ്വര്യങ്ങള്‍ കൂടിയ വിഷുദിനാശംസകള്‍

സ്നേഹപൂര്‍വ്വം …
ഉഷസ്സ്

Wishing the best of the season, for Vishu, greetings and blessings…

With love

Ushus

15 April, 2010

Edited to add on 18th April, 2010:

Found this video, of a favourite song , in Malayalam, Kani Kaanum neram (കണി കാണും നേരം കമല നേത്രന്ടെ) on Sindhu’s FB wall Thanks Sindhu Just to share, because I know those who love this song will certain find it in the right post

I am twenty-five… :D!

What a liar! How can she go public with such a blatant untruth?!

Pssst… well, when you think of it, do you think…? Naah! How the heck?

Lol! The moment those familiar with this space read this blog post title, these must have been the thoughts that flitted through their minds? I’m just double-guessing, but I guess I probably would too… !

Well truth be told, this is true, you know. Maa kasam! (Pun intended – you’ll figure out the pun soon enough! ) I wrote about the first of the twenty-five birthdays on this very space, about a year ago. In fact that post still holds the record of the highest number of hits for a post, ever, on Overdrive . I loved writing it, and also, this one, on A Quest, the other blog I am at

By now, hopefully, the truth of the title will have been accepted without doubt! I wanted to share this here, and today, because the FB has gone public on Facebook about this very event! (FB as in First Born, please note )

The Sun Child write is very special one, for it worked magic It was written years before the FB was born, and at that time, even the thought of marriage was far from my mind ! The magic is that he turned out exactly the way I describe My Sun Child… not at all fussy, gregarious, pet lover, still dreamy… Each time I read it, I am amazed at the way things turned out! He is an Arien, a Sun Child too!

He celebrated the occasion with his friends on Marine Drive, cake cutting and smashin and sploshing on his face… why they do this is beyond me, still! !

We, ie the SB and I celebrated too. We baked chocolate cakes and made it into a Black Forest (or so I like to call it… )… complete with whipped cream and cherries.. though we forgot the chocolate shavings… Here’s how it happened:

Two chocolate cakes baked in a pressure cooker

Layered over each other, and slathered with whipped cream, on an overturned steel plate

Piping around the edges with Mehendi cone like apparatus made out of plastic covers, for lack of the real things !

More decorations… and finally…..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARJUN!!!!

Now you will perhaps agree the blog post is not lying

12 April, 2010