A major part of the day was spent in designing the 'Vishukkani' as this was going to be our first Vishu at The Quarterdeck. The ingredients that go to the making up of the Vishukkani had to be bought from the market except for the few that were available in house.
For the information of the 'non mallus', Vishukkani is a carefully laid out visual of the common items that are essential in daily life at the 'sanctum santorum' that most people establish in their homes to house their favourite gods. And to my mind, the most important item is the bright yellow Laburnum flowers - the irony, these days, is that the trees bloom as early as in the month of January and by the time the day of Vishu dawns, the abundance of the flowers would have begun to dwindle, so much so, that people having these trees in their courtyards/backyards pluck the flowers to distribute to the needy public at a price and make a a fast buck!
The concept of setting up the Vishukkani and to view it, first thing on the day of Vishu, is to pray to the gods for continued prosperity and contentment.
We'd set off to the market by about a half past 11 - the oppressive heat was thankfully on hold with two back to back thundershowers but the humidity had to be endured - and after about an hour and a half, all the essential ingredients had been bought including a clutch of the elusive Laburnum. It's only then that I could breathe easy.
Later on, during my evening walk, I'd collected another clutch of the bright yellow flower and felt totally 'armed' for ushering in Vishu tomorrow. And by late evening mom, Lekha and me had got around to setting up the Vishukkani. Mom's experience coupled with Lekha's imagination were more than enough to set up the impressive 'kani' and I'd say that my contribution was that of a working hand who meekly took orders and executed them!
And as we turned in for the night, it was with the smug feeling that Vishu was gonna be ushered in with the elegance and gusto that it truly deserves!
Tailpiece.
And yes, this is the holy week. The people, world over, are into prayers for the purification of the selves!
For the information of the 'non mallus', Vishukkani is a carefully laid out visual of the common items that are essential in daily life at the 'sanctum santorum' that most people establish in their homes to house their favourite gods. And to my mind, the most important item is the bright yellow Laburnum flowers - the irony, these days, is that the trees bloom as early as in the month of January and by the time the day of Vishu dawns, the abundance of the flowers would have begun to dwindle, so much so, that people having these trees in their courtyards/backyards pluck the flowers to distribute to the needy public at a price and make a a fast buck!
The concept of setting up the Vishukkani and to view it, first thing on the day of Vishu, is to pray to the gods for continued prosperity and contentment.
We'd set off to the market by about a half past 11 - the oppressive heat was thankfully on hold with two back to back thundershowers but the humidity had to be endured - and after about an hour and a half, all the essential ingredients had been bought including a clutch of the elusive Laburnum. It's only then that I could breathe easy.
Later on, during my evening walk, I'd collected another clutch of the bright yellow flower and felt totally 'armed' for ushering in Vishu tomorrow. And by late evening mom, Lekha and me had got around to setting up the Vishukkani. Mom's experience coupled with Lekha's imagination were more than enough to set up the impressive 'kani' and I'd say that my contribution was that of a working hand who meekly took orders and executed them!
And as we turned in for the night, it was with the smug feeling that Vishu was gonna be ushered in with the elegance and gusto that it truly deserves!
Tailpiece.
And yes, this is the holy week. The people, world over, are into prayers for the purification of the selves!
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