XMASLESS

The other day a group visited us. They came in stealthily like thieves. Two members of the group rushed in to the bedroom. After a few minutes one of them emerged dressed up as the Santa. My little one was scared. They sang in their softest voice without any musical accompaniment. The Santa hurried to the bedroom to regain his normal looks. Silent wishes. They were gone. And that is how carols come here.
My girls didn’t even realize what was happening. How could they, who have never in their life seen or celebrated the real Christmas?
One more Christmas behind closed doors. No illuminations. No paper stars. No midnight mass. No crackers. No guests. But yes, there is a gloomy Christmas tree on our TV stand – to remind us “so this is Christmas”. Now and then my husband plays some Christmas songs to create the mood of Christmas. But I don’t think it was of any use.
And tomorrow I am not going to school, just because my dear ones will be at home. Restricted holiday – for the Christian staff. But I am availing it for the first time. So what shall we do tomorrow? Early morning there will be a decent breakfast of ‘appam’ and curry. Of course, there will be a cake. For lunch we are planning some fried rice and some dessert. We shall christen the day ‘Christmas’. We shall be all alone.
Don’t ask me – “So this is Christmas, and what have you done?” Not the right kind of post for such an auspicious day, I know. But this is the reality.
But you must have a great time! HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY DEAR BLOGGER FRIENDS!

Onam

(Yesterday, 9 September, Keralites celebrated Onam, the national festival of Kerala.)

It’s all about happiness. While many of the festivals segregate people on the basis of religion, Onam has no such bars, I believe. Onam was once celebrated in a
humble but jovial way by every Malayalee family. It used to be a perfect combination of the ingredients required to make an average human (of those days) happy – perfect weather, food (the extravaganza of vegetarian food), games, and other activities like singing and dancing…!

Times have changed. We prefer staying indoors hesitating to make Onam a reality.  Nowadays the ingredients mentioned above (except the first one) are accessible to us any time of the year. Onam has nothing special to offer; we find nothing thrilling in it. We are content with the virtual Onam, listening to what the celebrities say about Onam.

Thousands of miles away from the homeland we (affected by spells of nostalgia) managed to prepare a few Onam special dishes at home. Paradoxically, our relatives back there in the land of King Mahabali purchased the readymade Ona-sadhyas (meals). May be the captivating TV programmes do not let them waste their precious holiday in the kitchen. Times have changed (repeated, with a sigh)!

This Onam has touched me deeply. Early morning I got a call from my Uncle greeting us. It truly imbued me with bliss. I decided to pass on the surprise and bliss to some others other than my close relatives. The same pulses of joy were felt when I spoke to my old friend and my cousin (who I met recently after more than twenty years). They too might have spread this spirit of Onam to somebody unknown to me, I wish.

Simple gestures of affection are enough to brighten up and enliven even an ordinary day. Life is all about these little surprises and smiles – only that we store them for special occasions. Today somebody cared and bothered to express it. The latter deed made the difference. I feel buoyant and satisfied today. Let the feeling last forever – for me, for you and for them. Happy Onam – translated as pinnacle of happiness!