It was Vishu all over again. Had got up at a half past 3, lit the lamps and led Lekha to see the Vishukkani. Mom finds it difficult to trudge the stairs time and again and hence, she'd come in by a quarter past 5, after her bath, to see the 'kani'. We, then, received our kaineetam - a shining Re.1/- coin each - from her. The customary breakfast, followed by the traditional feast at lunch were the highlights - simple and quiet! And no, this time there weren't any visitors at The Quarterdeck; there were calls, smses, messages on What'sApp, instead.
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And now, certain aspects that are unique to Vishu, which is a celebration of kanikonna, kani and kaineetam! It's also celebrated as a harvest festival, marks the beginning of summer and the start of yet another agricultural year - with the shrinkage that has taken place to the extent of cultivable land,
this particular aspect seems to be more of theory though! Kanikonna(The Laburnum) blooms during the months of January and February these days due to the vagaries of the weather, so much so, that people find themselves running around in the dying hours of the previous evening to collect a clutch of the flower, at prohibitive costs, from makeshift vendors out to make a fast buck!
I got this gem from a friend of mine today.....why's the Laburnum tree called the Konna maram?
According to mythology, towards the run up to the battle between Rama and Ravana in Lanka, there was a fierce battle between the monkey chieftains, Sugreev and Bali back on the mainland. Rama had shot the fatal arrow, at Bali, from behind a Laburnum tree and since then, derived its name the 'konna' maram!
Tailpiece.
This Vishu will go down as the first one in which we did not have the 'kanikonna' in our 'kani'. It was a glaring omission but the 'Konna maram' in our courtyard looks green and healthy, with a fresh crop of leaves. Hopefully, we'll have the 'kanikonna' from the next year onward, not only for us but also for the others who're in search of a stalk at the last moment.......and no payment please!
* * *
And now, certain aspects that are unique to Vishu, which is a celebration of kanikonna, kani and kaineetam! It's also celebrated as a harvest festival, marks the beginning of summer and the start of yet another agricultural year - with the shrinkage that has taken place to the extent of cultivable land,
this particular aspect seems to be more of theory though! Kanikonna(The Laburnum) blooms during the months of January and February these days due to the vagaries of the weather, so much so, that people find themselves running around in the dying hours of the previous evening to collect a clutch of the flower, at prohibitive costs, from makeshift vendors out to make a fast buck!
I got this gem from a friend of mine today.....why's the Laburnum tree called the Konna maram?
According to mythology, towards the run up to the battle between Rama and Ravana in Lanka, there was a fierce battle between the monkey chieftains, Sugreev and Bali back on the mainland. Rama had shot the fatal arrow, at Bali, from behind a Laburnum tree and since then, derived its name the 'konna' maram!
Tailpiece.
This Vishu will go down as the first one in which we did not have the 'kanikonna' in our 'kani'. It was a glaring omission but the 'Konna maram' in our courtyard looks green and healthy, with a fresh crop of leaves. Hopefully, we'll have the 'kanikonna' from the next year onward, not only for us but also for the others who're in search of a stalk at the last moment.......and no payment please!
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