Had got up around 3 AM, lit up the lamps in the puja room and helped both Lekha and Achu to view the 'Vishukkani'. The familiar 'Kani kaanum neram' played in the background from our music system. After that the three of us went back to take rest, till dawn beckoned for the day's activities. An elaborate wash and change as the handing over of the 'Vishukkaineettam' was the next event.
I, as the 'kaaranavar', had only three people to hand over the kaineettam viz. Achu, Lekha and Ramakrishnan, the newspaper boy! I remember the good 'ole days of the joint family system when Muthachhan used to hand over the kaineettam to all of us - there were more than thirty of us at any given point of time, including the guests who'd dropped by from far and wide to celebrate Vishu with the family. We, kids, used to count our collections and feel very, very proud and thrilled!
After a breakfast of appam and vegetable stew, Achu had wanted to visit the temple and he asked me as to whether I, too was going, implying that he'd love it. After what he'd done for me last evening, I decided to accompany him though I wasn't very keen because I've found that the huge crowds can get to be unwieldy and uncouth on such occasions. The only thing that mattered to each and everyone was to attain a vantage position to see the good Lord even at the cost of pushing the devotee in front! The other's discomfort was of no consequence!!
Incidentally, earlier prior to going to the temple, it took Lekha's and my powers of persuasion to make Achu wear a white dhoti while he insisted on wearing his saffron lungi instead. He has a mortal fear of the dhoti working off loose as it had happened, quite a while back, when the both of us were on a visit to the temple one evening! He says that the lungi doesn't fall off, a statement that I wasn't willing to believe!!
We returned soon after Achu bought himself a light brown lungi from one of the shops at the kizhakkenada. Lekha had prepared lunch along with the traditional 'paayasam'. Meanwhile calls were made and returned to convey and receive the wishes on the occasion. All messages had to be replied to and a many had to be sent.
Suma kunjamma has said that their family would arrive on the 17th for a day's stay here. Lekha's, elder sister, Letha is also expected that day. So, that's gonna be a crowd in the house. Had walked up to the nearby bus stop to see off Achu by the 1730 hrs low floor bus to Palakkad. His short stay with us was great rejuvenating. The walk was nice and I was threatened, throughout, by imminent rain thanks to the dense rain bearing clouds in the sky, which seemed to dissipate soon after without offering us a downpour.
It was a quiet evening thereafter!
Tailpiece.
Achu had reached his house by a half past 8. Meanwhile, his parents had commenced their journey and would fetch up around a half past 3, in the wee hours of the morning. The youngster will go and pick them up from the bus stand.
I, as the 'kaaranavar', had only three people to hand over the kaineettam viz. Achu, Lekha and Ramakrishnan, the newspaper boy! I remember the good 'ole days of the joint family system when Muthachhan used to hand over the kaineettam to all of us - there were more than thirty of us at any given point of time, including the guests who'd dropped by from far and wide to celebrate Vishu with the family. We, kids, used to count our collections and feel very, very proud and thrilled!
After a breakfast of appam and vegetable stew, Achu had wanted to visit the temple and he asked me as to whether I, too was going, implying that he'd love it. After what he'd done for me last evening, I decided to accompany him though I wasn't very keen because I've found that the huge crowds can get to be unwieldy and uncouth on such occasions. The only thing that mattered to each and everyone was to attain a vantage position to see the good Lord even at the cost of pushing the devotee in front! The other's discomfort was of no consequence!!
Incidentally, earlier prior to going to the temple, it took Lekha's and my powers of persuasion to make Achu wear a white dhoti while he insisted on wearing his saffron lungi instead. He has a mortal fear of the dhoti working off loose as it had happened, quite a while back, when the both of us were on a visit to the temple one evening! He says that the lungi doesn't fall off, a statement that I wasn't willing to believe!!
We returned soon after Achu bought himself a light brown lungi from one of the shops at the kizhakkenada. Lekha had prepared lunch along with the traditional 'paayasam'. Meanwhile calls were made and returned to convey and receive the wishes on the occasion. All messages had to be replied to and a many had to be sent.
Suma kunjamma has said that their family would arrive on the 17th for a day's stay here. Lekha's, elder sister, Letha is also expected that day. So, that's gonna be a crowd in the house. Had walked up to the nearby bus stop to see off Achu by the 1730 hrs low floor bus to Palakkad. His short stay with us was great rejuvenating. The walk was nice and I was threatened, throughout, by imminent rain thanks to the dense rain bearing clouds in the sky, which seemed to dissipate soon after without offering us a downpour.
It was a quiet evening thereafter!
Tailpiece.
Achu had reached his house by a half past 8. Meanwhile, his parents had commenced their journey and would fetch up around a half past 3, in the wee hours of the morning. The youngster will go and pick them up from the bus stand.
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