Varalakshmi Nombu
posted by vasuja at 10:29 PM
0 comments
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Aadi and Chennai
The month of Aadi brings me fond memories. A month booming with festivals. Aadi Perukku, Aadi Velli, Aadi pooram, Varalaksmi Pooja and so on… I cant forget these days as a grand feast is served at home on all those days.Vada Payasam on all of them and kozhukattai for a few of them. During my college days my friends used to really look forward to this month as my mom used to pack vadai and kozhukaatai for my hostelite friends… And they served as an excellent snack during our much awaited break hours.
On the 18th day of Aadi month called Aadi perukku, variety rice is prepared and people go to the river side and have their food and thank the Goddess Cauveri.. I used to look forward to this day as my family used to visit a place with a small stream nearby called Agali and have our lemon rice, coconut rice, tamarind rice and curd rice with vadams. We used to carry with us a small tape recorder operated with battery playing nice melodious songs and play cards. Those were happy times spent with the family. We hardly have time for such activities now with my family spread out.
Speaking of Aadi ,I still have one question. Is the month of Aadi auspicious or inauspicious ? Weddings and any major functions are not conducted during this month and I wonder if aadi is auspicious or inauspicious.
Another exciting factor is the Aadi sale. Chennai is one place where one can experience the Sale Fever. A marketing affair is what you can call it. Since no new ventures are carried out during this month a way was found to attract the consumer market. There had to be a technique to get past the fallow period in the agricultural cycle. The silk saree retailers started the concept of the Mega Aadi sale which was soon followed suit by the retailers of consumer durables, home appliances. They even run an advertising campaign on TVs, hoardings, newspapers, special pamphlets .. all to attract the customers. One can experience the sale fever if one happens to pass by the Pondy Bazar and Usman Road areas of T Nagar. Panagal Park is the hub of Aadi sale.
My friend and I, who are shopping fanatics have tried going by these places during this season. But the heat and the rush did not really get us there. It didn’t have to be aadi for us to shop. Every weekend was aadi for us .We enjoyed designing our clothes. I had another friend with whom I used to do my accessory shopping where we used to get in to every shop of Pondy Bazaar and Ranganathan street. Don’t ask me how we managed to get in to those streets and shop. But we did it..
I miss the T Nagar and Mylapore/Alwarpet of Chennai, I ask my friends if they miss my company while shopping. Oh my, the response I got from both of my friends was really touching.. Heard they don’t shop all that much these days and they sure do miss my company.
I am waiting for my vacation to India and my shopping at T Nagar !!
On the 18th day of Aadi month called Aadi perukku, variety rice is prepared and people go to the river side and have their food and thank the Goddess Cauveri.. I used to look forward to this day as my family used to visit a place with a small stream nearby called Agali and have our lemon rice, coconut rice, tamarind rice and curd rice with vadams. We used to carry with us a small tape recorder operated with battery playing nice melodious songs and play cards. Those were happy times spent with the family. We hardly have time for such activities now with my family spread out.
Speaking of Aadi ,I still have one question. Is the month of Aadi auspicious or inauspicious ? Weddings and any major functions are not conducted during this month and I wonder if aadi is auspicious or inauspicious.
Another exciting factor is the Aadi sale. Chennai is one place where one can experience the Sale Fever. A marketing affair is what you can call it. Since no new ventures are carried out during this month a way was found to attract the consumer market. There had to be a technique to get past the fallow period in the agricultural cycle. The silk saree retailers started the concept of the Mega Aadi sale which was soon followed suit by the retailers of consumer durables, home appliances. They even run an advertising campaign on TVs, hoardings, newspapers, special pamphlets .. all to attract the customers. One can experience the sale fever if one happens to pass by the Pondy Bazar and Usman Road areas of T Nagar. Panagal Park is the hub of Aadi sale.
My friend and I, who are shopping fanatics have tried going by these places during this season. But the heat and the rush did not really get us there. It didn’t have to be aadi for us to shop. Every weekend was aadi for us .We enjoyed designing our clothes. I had another friend with whom I used to do my accessory shopping where we used to get in to every shop of Pondy Bazaar and Ranganathan street. Don’t ask me how we managed to get in to those streets and shop. But we did it..
I miss the T Nagar and Mylapore/Alwarpet of Chennai, I ask my friends if they miss my company while shopping. Oh my, the response I got from both of my friends was really touching.. Heard they don’t shop all that much these days and they sure do miss my company.
I am waiting for my vacation to India and my shopping at T Nagar !!
posted by vasuja at 7:55 PM
3 comments
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
My Love
Each morning as I wake up
Sweet thots of you
begin in to creep in to my mind
only to wake up
to find you in my dreams
I wait for you to
blossom inside me
bestow that special feeling that none can provide
bring a new meaning to my life
I yearn for the day for you to be mine..
Sweet thots of you
begin in to creep in to my mind
only to wake up
to find you in my dreams
I wait for you to
blossom inside me
bestow that special feeling that none can provide
bring a new meaning to my life
I yearn for the day for you to be mine..
posted by vasuja at 9:37 PM
6 comments
Monday, July 24, 2006
Beautiful Thuya Wood
My weekend shopping led me to this wonderful jewel- box made of Thuya wood from Morocco. I was so fascinated by its wonderful scent and the craftsmanship that I bought this piece right away.
Beautiful Jewel Box
Thuya wood, a rare wood comes from the Thuya tree (Thuya orientalis), Chinese Arborvitae or Oriental Arbor-vitae. Though its name refers to China, it grows wild in many parts of Morocco and especially around Essaouira.IThis cedar-like aromatic wood is exclusive to Morocco. The unique effect to the wood is brought out by using the outgrowths on the root of the trees and not the trunk and branches which is common.
The wonderful fragrance is brought out by rubbing the wood with lemon juice and vegetable oil for hours and revealing what is the Thuya's natural burled grain. This fragrance and appearance is what sets Thuya wood apart from other woods
I understand that it requires great skill to convert the wood to beautiful gifts and have been passed down traditionally from generation to generation
Thuya Tree
Thuya Root
Beautiful Jewel Box
Thuya wood, a rare wood comes from the Thuya tree (Thuya orientalis), Chinese Arborvitae or Oriental Arbor-vitae. Though its name refers to China, it grows wild in many parts of Morocco and especially around Essaouira.IThis cedar-like aromatic wood is exclusive to Morocco. The unique effect to the wood is brought out by using the outgrowths on the root of the trees and not the trunk and branches which is common.
The wonderful fragrance is brought out by rubbing the wood with lemon juice and vegetable oil for hours and revealing what is the Thuya's natural burled grain. This fragrance and appearance is what sets Thuya wood apart from other woods
I understand that it requires great skill to convert the wood to beautiful gifts and have been passed down traditionally from generation to generation
Thuya Tree
Thuya Root
posted by vasuja at 7:09 PM
1 comments
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
July 4 Fireworks
As America celebrated its independence day yesterday July 4th, I was reminded of the independence day celebrations in India. Nostalgic memories of school/college where we had the flag hosting,school parade, songs of Sare Jahaan se accha, Vande Matharam ending with some cultural programmes.I guess today,after the flag hoisting , people spend the day watching television and there is a big time competition among the various channel providers for the interesting programmes they telecast
Since this is my first independence day in the US, hubby and I ventured out to watch the fireworks at the National Mall, DC. I was really taken aback seeing the crowd though hubby did warn me.It was like a thiruvizha.. I have never been to a thiruvizha and guess this is how a thiruvizha would like like in India with the exception of a well behaved crowd as in the US. I almost visited the Mylapore thiruvizha but didnt quite make it fearing the crowd and the narrow streets.
Coming back, I could see people and people, tall short, fat,slim ,from various origins and probably from virginia, DC and maryland ,all geared up to watch the fireworks. It was an amazing display. I only regret that my battery hadnt conked off and I could have captured the wonderful moments(I should remember to check the battery before I leave home). But I did manage to get a few of them though not the best.
There were "Hot Dog" and icecream stalls everywhere. I learn that July is National Hot Dog month and during the July 4th weekend alone 155 million will be consumed and 7 billion between Memorial Day and Labour Day.
The fireworks lasted 30 minutes. It was a spectacular display with the cheering crowd. I read that the evening crowds easily number in excess of 700,000 and believe it or not I was one among them!!!
Fireworks... picture from the internet
Pictures from my Camera (not come out well)
A section of the crowd waiting for the fireworks to begin
The Crowd making their way out...
A glimpse of the metro.I have never seen a crowd like this before.
Since this is my first independence day in the US, hubby and I ventured out to watch the fireworks at the National Mall, DC. I was really taken aback seeing the crowd though hubby did warn me.It was like a thiruvizha.. I have never been to a thiruvizha and guess this is how a thiruvizha would like like in India with the exception of a well behaved crowd as in the US. I almost visited the Mylapore thiruvizha but didnt quite make it fearing the crowd and the narrow streets.
Coming back, I could see people and people, tall short, fat,slim ,from various origins and probably from virginia, DC and maryland ,all geared up to watch the fireworks. It was an amazing display. I only regret that my battery hadnt conked off and I could have captured the wonderful moments(I should remember to check the battery before I leave home). But I did manage to get a few of them though not the best.
There were "Hot Dog" and icecream stalls everywhere. I learn that July is National Hot Dog month and during the July 4th weekend alone 155 million will be consumed and 7 billion between Memorial Day and Labour Day.
The fireworks lasted 30 minutes. It was a spectacular display with the cheering crowd. I read that the evening crowds easily number in excess of 700,000 and believe it or not I was one among them!!!
Fireworks... picture from the internet
Pictures from my Camera (not come out well)
A section of the crowd waiting for the fireworks to begin
The Crowd making their way out...
A glimpse of the metro.I have never seen a crowd like this before.
posted by vasuja at 2:58 PM
0 comments
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Potato Podimas
Potato I believe is one vegetable liked by all. Here is a recipe that is a favourite of mine and is easy to prepare
POTATO PODIMAS
Ingredients
Potatoes – 3 boiled & mashed
Green chillies - 4-5 Chopped
Channa Dal – ½ tsp
Urad dal – ½ tsp
Red Chillies – 2
Mustard Seeds – ½ tsp
Curry Leaves
Grated coconut - 3 tbsp
lime juice - 2 tsp (optional)
oil - 1tbsp
Salt to taste
Method
• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.
• Now add the seasoning ingredients – Channa Dal, Urad Dal and Red Chillies
• When they turn brown, add the chopped green chillies and curry leaves and fry for a minute
• Add mashed potatoes, salt and cook for 5 minutes under low flame
• Add coconut and lime juice just when ready to serve
POTATO PODIMAS
Ingredients
Potatoes – 3 boiled & mashed
Green chillies - 4-5 Chopped
Channa Dal – ½ tsp
Urad dal – ½ tsp
Red Chillies – 2
Mustard Seeds – ½ tsp
Curry Leaves
Grated coconut - 3 tbsp
lime juice - 2 tsp (optional)
oil - 1tbsp
Salt to taste
Method
• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.
• Now add the seasoning ingredients – Channa Dal, Urad Dal and Red Chillies
• When they turn brown, add the chopped green chillies and curry leaves and fry for a minute
• Add mashed potatoes, salt and cook for 5 minutes under low flame
• Add coconut and lime juice just when ready to serve
posted by vasuja at 12:55 PM
0 comments
Shocking Yet Interesting
I recently watched an interesting rather shocking (for me) episode on the Ophrah Winfrey show. The show had a couple of identical twins as guests. What was interesting was one of the identical twins had changed their sex !!! Imagine changing your sex. Would one dare to do that .. I can never ever imagine this.. Why would one want to do that ? Both the guests were identical twins and both were women. And one of them had changed to a "Man". They talked about how important it was for them to be a "Man" and the need for them to change their sex. I have actually heard of this, but it was interesting to actually watch somebody live. I believe the male changing to a female is more predominant than the female changing to male. The condition is called "transsexual" It means that someone is born physically male or female but they feel like the other gender mentally. And this is different from being a "Tranvestite" which is more common where they want to dress as the opposite gender. I was totally taken aback by watching one of the guests on the show. The guest was born a female (identical twin). Was a lesbian before the guest got a sex change done to a male, now dates women and has gay friends and is attracted to men as well as women.. Oh my God, all this is too much for me to digest coming from a traditional South Indian background but I guess they do happen. Why cant people live the way they are born and make the best of it.
posted by vasuja at 8:52 AM
2 comments
Monday, June 19, 2006
Visit to the Pittsburgh Venkateswara temple
Visiting the temple has always given me a great sense of satisfaction. I felt contended when we visited the Pittsburgh temple yesterday. I believe that the temple is the first Hindu temple in the United States. The vaadhyam, the mantras and the sculptures in the Pittsburgh Venkateswara temple brought me back my mylapore memories. Having lived close to the mylapore temples, I got lucky enjoying the traditional essence of temples, carnatic music and of course good food.
It was such a feast watching little girls in pattu pavadai and I did spot people in veshti and pattu podavai.Not to mention food - we had good sambhar sadam and puliyodarai.
We bought a book on Hindu culture by Swami. Tejomayananda the spiritual head of the Chinmaya mission worldwide and is a disciple of Swami Chinmayananda. I ought to read this book. I am often asked by my American friends to talk about our Indian culture. Srini and I felt we could share this book with them. I borrowed a book “Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies” by Abbeja A Dubois from Prakash, Srini’s friend. I am yet to read it inspite of Prakash’s high recommendation . Srini has started asking me a lot of questions on religion, God etc… and this is inspiring me to read these books.
It was such a feast watching little girls in pattu pavadai and I did spot people in veshti and pattu podavai.Not to mention food - we had good sambhar sadam and puliyodarai.
We bought a book on Hindu culture by Swami. Tejomayananda the spiritual head of the Chinmaya mission worldwide and is a disciple of Swami Chinmayananda. I ought to read this book. I am often asked by my American friends to talk about our Indian culture. Srini and I felt we could share this book with them. I borrowed a book “Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies” by Abbeja A Dubois from Prakash, Srini’s friend. I am yet to read it inspite of Prakash’s high recommendation . Srini has started asking me a lot of questions on religion, God etc… and this is inspiring me to read these books.
posted by vasuja at 10:05 PM
22 comments
