It was early morning, about quarter past seven when my mother found out that we had run out of some vegetable/oil necessary for breakfast. Quarter past seven is when I am supposed to be slouched over a book mugging it up (snoring into it is what normally happened!). So, there was a happy spring in my step as I walked to the market a kilometer from my house, relieved to get away from the rote.
As I neared the shop, I saw two women waiting outside it. The shop keeper did not seem to notice them. He held a magazine (mangalam?) in his hands and was busily reading it. As I walked nearer I recognized one of the women to be the mother of my class mate Xavier*. She had on a white sari. “Must be on her way back from Church” I thought.
I was going to wait behind the women, but the moment the shop keeper saw me, he stood and asked rather brusquely about my purchase. I remember telling him what I needed and that is when she spoke “ho! Payyan kaashumayi vannappo Avante oru ulsaham kando!” (Look at his enthusiasm to serve the rich kid). The barb was meant for the shop keeper but it kind of stung me in the process. It was not my fault that I was “rich”.
I turned around and looked at her, but she ignored me. That’s when I noticed how poor she looked. Poor, but not defeated though. The shop keeper had made the cardinal error to reply back to her. “This is business” he said. It was exactly the opening she was looking for. Her next approach was classic, she feigned to show interest in his business. “oho, so this is how you run an intelligent business huh?” she asked, as if he was one of those geniuses at it. He couldn’t resist replying to that one. Flattery at its subtle best! Her success would decide whether Xavier would get his breakfast that day.
Everyone knew Xavier was a poor kid. He was always dressed badly and could never afford to eat even a snack from the canteen. Worst of all, he couldn’t pay the numerous little donations that we had to shell out each month to the school. Sometimes he had to stand outside the class because of this. But most teachers knew that he hadn’t forgotten to bring it, he just didn’t have it and so they would let him in anyway.
That day I met him at school, but “Hey! I met your mother” was not part of our conversation. I felt pity for him as only a child can, useless, sentimental pity. I considered sharing my lunch with him. But I was ashamed at the prospect of asking him whether he wanted it. I was even more worried whether he would feel humiliated if I asked. Other’s knowing about your poverty is not so cool.
It was one of those rare moments when I actually wanted to be poor, as an act of solidarity. A small lesson in life learnt, that being Poor is humiliating. My pity sprung out of guilt. What bothered me was that I was lucky to be born in a well to do family by no quality of mine. Xavier got the bad part and I got the juicy part to play in this drama that was written by neither of us.
That term, he was placed 4th in the class. The teacher congratulated him as if he had won an award. Xavier’s skin color stood against it, else everyone would have seen the proud blush he had. Finally the teacher said something to the effect of “your mother will be proud of you”. The smile on his face at that instant, if captured would have definitely won a Pulitzer!
Unfortunately this was the pinnacle of his academic life. Something went wrong right after that term. I still don’t know what it is. But from then on, he never did well in school and started getting into trouble. The very next year, he failed.
Once in a while I would see his mother at school and sometimes outside. Each time she looked poorer than before. Each time, I felt that there was less life in her eyes. Maybe I just imagined it all, maybe not.
After school finished I never saw him again. Years later, I met a friend in college and we had this discussion about old times. I enquired about Xavier and was aghast to hear that “avan ippo erachi-vettayitte nadakuv… paavam” (he is now working at a slaughterers place!).
One more instance in my life got added to the “If only I had done it then” folder in my head. I did not share my lunch with him on that day. I did not ask my parents if they could help him out (They may have said no, but I could have at least asked!). I did not help him with studies when he started to do badly. Fact is, I did nothing.
Could I have helped him out during that beginning phase when things went bad? To tell the truth, I don’t know. But years later that question still bugs me every once in a blue moon. And today was just another blue moon.
*Name changed
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Horoscope madness
Are you suicidal? Looking for an easy way to go? Allow me to suggest one that’s pretty sure to work.
Just mention the word “Jaathakam” (Horoscope) to Prasanth Rajan a.k.a lolan and he is sure to murder you in cold blood. After all, his problem is that he doesn’t have any paapam (Sin) in his horoscope while all suitable girls have loads of paapam.
For months his parents searched high and low for a sinless female, but to no avail. Finally last week lolan's father called up to say ‘I quit!’. These days he does some sin and calls up his father to tell ‘acha, I have sinned, does it count?’ and his father replies ‘No monae, only your birth sin counts. No point in doing any more’. But lolan is a persistent guy, he keeps trying sincerely!
Last month, the internet bill at lolan’s place was 12,000 Rupees. Most of it was due to our diligent viewing of porn videos. But a significant portion of the bill was contributed by lolan who surfed non-stop through match making websites. He would identify some good looking female, check out the match in their horoscopes and (don’t hold your breath) be disappointed.
Finally after months (years?) of searching he finally found not one, but two girls who had matching horoscopes!! To tell that he was elated would be an understatement. The only confusion was, which one would he marry? After all with such screwed up horoscopes they would be willing to marry any dumb idiot (I am not suggesting here that lolan is a dumb idiot, but Hey! its your free will…:D) who had a similar horoscope.
Both were good looking females. The character analysis would now determine who was the (un)lucky girl to win dear lolan's hand in marriage. So, off goes lolan and logs into Orkut.
Female 1 Profile:
Age:
Name:
DOB:
Blah blah blah
What interest’s lolan however is the ‘Turn On’ field
Turn On: Erotica
Now, if it was me, I wouldn’t have minded it. In fact I would have respected her for being so forthright. Not so, with lolan. He wouldn’t marry anybody whose turn on was bloody ‘erotica’. After all, babies are made by kissing right.
Female 2 Profile:
Age:
Name:
DOB:
Blah blah blan
What interest’s lolan this time is the ‘Interests’ field.
Interests: ‘Shappillae paatukal’ (Toddy shop songs)
Now if it was me…….ok, you get the picture.
These days lolan is planning to make an Orkut community named ‘Matham oru kotham, Jaathakam oru maaranam’ (Religion is an ass and horoscope a pain in them).
Then there is Samjith with his paamp(Snake). You see, he has a snake in his horoscope. There are many theories on how the snake got into his horoscope, chief among them being that on the day his horoscope was written he was drunk and rolling on the floor like a snake*. He denies it vehemently, but fortunately that story has a happy ending. He is going to get married next month.
And then there’s Nikhil, our very own ‘Most screwed horoscope for the year 2008’ award winner. He said "yes" to the first girl he met. The girls parents consulted an astrologer and found out that she wouldn’t finish the year if she married him (Hey! You don’t need to be an astrologer to tell that!!!).
He said "yes" to the second girl he met. But this time they found out that he had ‘Chovva dosham’ (Read 'The deep shit Mars effect').
Now, he went to the astrologers himself to make sure what was going on. The first one said he had Chovva dosham for sure. The second one said that he had Chovva dosham, but it was kind of benign, coz some other planet was more relevant and it opposed the bad affect of our villian Mars. The third one said he had no Mars effect. Rumor has it that, Nikhil wrote to NASA to drop a few H-Bombs there. Instead they dropped the Phoenix Mars Lander and maybe because of that, he is currently engaged to get married.
*adichu paamp-ayee ennu vaayikkuka
Just mention the word “Jaathakam” (Horoscope) to Prasanth Rajan a.k.a lolan and he is sure to murder you in cold blood. After all, his problem is that he doesn’t have any paapam (Sin) in his horoscope while all suitable girls have loads of paapam.
For months his parents searched high and low for a sinless female, but to no avail. Finally last week lolan's father called up to say ‘I quit!’. These days he does some sin and calls up his father to tell ‘acha, I have sinned, does it count?’ and his father replies ‘No monae, only your birth sin counts. No point in doing any more’. But lolan is a persistent guy, he keeps trying sincerely!
Last month, the internet bill at lolan’s place was 12,000 Rupees. Most of it was due to our diligent viewing of porn videos. But a significant portion of the bill was contributed by lolan who surfed non-stop through match making websites. He would identify some good looking female, check out the match in their horoscopes and (don’t hold your breath) be disappointed.
Finally after months (years?) of searching he finally found not one, but two girls who had matching horoscopes!! To tell that he was elated would be an understatement. The only confusion was, which one would he marry? After all with such screwed up horoscopes they would be willing to marry any dumb idiot (I am not suggesting here that lolan is a dumb idiot, but Hey! its your free will…:D) who had a similar horoscope.
Both were good looking females. The character analysis would now determine who was the (un)lucky girl to win dear lolan's hand in marriage. So, off goes lolan and logs into Orkut.
Female 1 Profile:
Age:
Name:
DOB:
Blah blah blah
What interest’s lolan however is the ‘Turn On’ field
Turn On: Erotica
Now, if it was me, I wouldn’t have minded it. In fact I would have respected her for being so forthright. Not so, with lolan. He wouldn’t marry anybody whose turn on was bloody ‘erotica’. After all, babies are made by kissing right.
Female 2 Profile:
Age:
Name:
DOB:
Blah blah blan
What interest’s lolan this time is the ‘Interests’ field.
Interests: ‘Shappillae paatukal’ (Toddy shop songs)
Now if it was me…….ok, you get the picture.
These days lolan is planning to make an Orkut community named ‘Matham oru kotham, Jaathakam oru maaranam’ (Religion is an ass and horoscope a pain in them).
Then there is Samjith with his paamp(Snake). You see, he has a snake in his horoscope. There are many theories on how the snake got into his horoscope, chief among them being that on the day his horoscope was written he was drunk and rolling on the floor like a snake*. He denies it vehemently, but fortunately that story has a happy ending. He is going to get married next month.
And then there’s Nikhil, our very own ‘Most screwed horoscope for the year 2008’ award winner. He said "yes" to the first girl he met. The girls parents consulted an astrologer and found out that she wouldn’t finish the year if she married him (Hey! You don’t need to be an astrologer to tell that!!!).
He said "yes" to the second girl he met. But this time they found out that he had ‘Chovva dosham’ (Read 'The deep shit Mars effect').
Now, he went to the astrologers himself to make sure what was going on. The first one said he had Chovva dosham for sure. The second one said that he had Chovva dosham, but it was kind of benign, coz some other planet was more relevant and it opposed the bad affect of our villian Mars. The third one said he had no Mars effect. Rumor has it that, Nikhil wrote to NASA to drop a few H-Bombs there. Instead they dropped the Phoenix Mars Lander and maybe because of that, he is currently engaged to get married.
*adichu paamp-ayee ennu vaayikkuka
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Antony - The wedding
[warning: long post!]
Amma liked the girl. I don’t thing anything else ever mattered. That Antony agreed to marry her was just a slight co-incidence....:D
Some mothers hug their children when they come back home after a long time, others kiss them on their cheek, yet others rue at how thin their child looks. Mine pinched me on the arm! The outpouring of this motherly emotion was thanks to me botching up all the tasks assigned to me. Like writing a speech for the wedding, typing the addresses of relatives and so on and so forth. Appan managed the addresses and Joechen managed the speech, as for me, I thanked my big fat Indian family.
Thursday was marked by repetitive journeys to Ernakulam as last minute shopping hogged most of our precious time. I was appointed driver since Appan was sick and tired of driving to Ernakulam in the mad traffic. I liked the responsibility and the traffic was not as bad as I imagined. And for my services, I was rewarded with an excellent Jubba which I wore for the wedding.
Amma’s oldest (and most capable!) sister Elsey aunty and her grandson Joseph came on Friday. And from then on, Amma breathed easy. Friday saw more visits to Ernakulam and general preparations going into full swing. I was assigned the prestigious task of fixing the toilet seats in the next flat. If the Mahatma saw me, he would’ve been pleased no end… my father… well he just smirked! Antony was seen running around booking rooms for his and my friends who would be visiting.
Saturday was hectic. I had grown a full beard and when I suggested, that I could shave my head instead of my beard, it did not go down too well with the family (no sense of style!). But now, a new situation emerged that threatened the very social fabric of Kerala. My friends (read dregs of society) from Bangalore had just landed at Aluva Railway station!
As we had planned, I booked them a tempo traveler. Their initial target was Boothathan Kettu, which later changed to Aathirapilly and Vaazhachal. Nayantara, the south Indian heroine, was having a film shoot there. No prizes for guessing who got the paparazzi shots! My only solace is that while trying to take the picture, Shyam got bitten by a leech….again!
I was presently assigned to collect the wedding rings from Ammu's father and to supervise the parking arrangements at the church. "This isn’t a job for superman" I complained, "Yeah, it's a job for Aby" Amma shot back and the matter was settled. I came back home to see a packed audience. In my absence the whole house had filled up with relatives.
It was time for the madhuram veppu. Joechen (Amma’s only brother) was giving the speech. The long and short of it went like this
"Dhane dhane pe likha he Khaane valae ke naam"(On every grain of food, the Almighty has written the name of the person who shall have it) – Saying by a Mughal era poet.
In the year 2008, Antony Menacherry went to visit his maternal grand father at Edakunnam, Koovapally. After exchanging the usual pleasantries and spending some time around the house, he decided to take a bath. Unfortunately, there was no soap in the bathroom. So, Antony went out and asked his grandfather for soap. After checking the usual place he kept his soap and finding none, he opened the cup-board and took out a foreign soap, which he gave to Antony. The date on the soap caught Antony’s attention though… it was marked 1991. Pulikunnel Scaria Abraham was a man known for his spartan ways (a man who has 9 daughters’ needs to be I guess!). He had kept this soap safely in his cup-board for 17 years! But the story did not end there….
In the year 1991, George Menacherry was walking in a supermarket in Saudi Arabia. Among the many things he bought there was a Camay soap, which he presented to his father-in-law Mr. P.S Abraham on his return.
The moment George bought the soap, God almighty had written his eldest son Antony’s name on it and for a long 17 years it waited for him. The very same Almighty has written Ammu on Antonys fate and Antony on Ammus fate.”
Joechan then gave Antony his wedding present… a framed copy of the Camay soap cover. Everyone was left spell bound by this present and speech.
The rest of the night was devoted to feast and drinks. Unfortunately, the food was only average. The very same caterers were the ones in charge of the wedding feast. What if the food tomorrow was also bad? Amma looked tensed.
Early in the morning on D-Day, Appa was awake and thrilled, for his first born was going to get married. Amma was awake and thrilled, for her first born was going to get married. I was awake and thrilled, for I was the one driving the Merc to Church. Antony… he was sound asleep!
The driver came early and we went to church to check out if all the arrangements were made. Also, I needed to be familiar with the car. All the flower arrangements were in place. Everything seemed set to welcome the new couple. The decoration for the car was simple, one bouquet on the bonnet and one on the hood. More importantly, I drove a Benz for the first time in my life!
Back home a minor tragedy struck. Peetu chettans baby was dozing off when she fell from her mothers hands and knocked her head on the glass teapoy. The wound on her forehead was deep but not serious. We rushed her to the hospital and fortunately the doctor patched her up in no time. Amma was extremely sad that “blood was split” on such an auspicious day. But other than this small hiccup, everything else went on pretty smoothly.
Antony was 'dressed' by cousins. Unfortunately, I couldnt join in as I was at the hospital. He looked great in his blue-black suit and tie. I especially loved his tie. It kinda suited him well. This was followed by the "sthuthi kodukal", getting blessed by his elders. Though I am younger, I didnt get completely sidelined... I got a handshake...:D
Appan (Amma's father) blessing Antony
Daisy Aunty and Jose Uncle bless Antony
The handshake
Antony Aby Bhai Bhai
The 'old' family
We were early at the church and so was the bride. Existence of non-transferable duties in the church meant that this became one of the few weddings which I witnessed in its entirety. Fortunately, the priest kept the ceremony short and simple as he had promised to do. Since Antony had done some serious practice on tying the knot, there were no glitches during the grand finale. Antony looked handsome in his suit and Ammu was stunning in her cream colored Sari. More importantly, as a couple, they looked perfect. ‘Nalla cherchayonde’ was one happy whisper that I overheard.
Thaali kettu
However, what surprised most people was the ceremony (planned by Amma) after the Kurbana. Antony and Ammu were led to the reception hall, which was only a short distance from the church to the tune of traditional chenda kotte(drum beats) under a muthu kuda (bejeweled umbrella). The whole family marched in two columns behind them. Amma's long time dream thus bore fruit exceptionally well. She had the same plan for the engagement, but was discouraged by Appa since it was “their” ceremony. Anyways, everyone was impressed. Who knows, maybe this will become another Syrian Christian tradition.
My family firmly believes that the wedding ceremony is rated by the stomach. The food thankfully was absolutely delicious. The reception at the hall was a walk down the memory lane for me. Antony’s old friends from Kollam I.J.H.S School who had been my seniors were there. So were our old neighbors and Amma and Appa's old colleagues. I was meeting most of them after more than a decade and it felt great catching up.
Cho Chweet!
Lights camera action
The Gang
The lunch stretched on for 2 hours and it was nearly 4 P.M in the afternoon when we reached home. I, Antony and Ammu went last, so that the newly weds could be ‘received’ as per Syrian Christian protocol. It was a simple affair; Amma took a rosary and a bible, blessed Antony by drawing the cross on his forehead and then Ammu. Then she asked them both to kiss the bible. Ammu, then entered her new home with the traditional ‘right-foot-first’.
The welcoming party
Bouquet for the couple
Amma giving Chedathi the 'ninne edutholamedee' smile...:D
As per the family tradition the stage was set for ragging the newly wed couple. This ragging session was scheduled for 8 P.M. everyone was in high spirits (literally). The movers and shakers of the family were in full flow. My aunts and cousins took center stage and started singing. It was really a sight to be seen. The songs were, as usual, peppered with a good amount of innuendo. Antony and Ammu were forced to sing and dance too. Unfortunately, my video camera quality leaves much to be desired. But here are some snippets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ8Qcn-fsVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJf6SCVisss
Ragging committee
Drum Beats
The party stretched well into the night with Vinu, Minu chechi and Shirley aunty stealing the show. Finally we sang the “manavaati…. Maniyara thura..” song and played ‘train’ with Yamuna chechi leading, Antony, Ammu and the rest of the family following. Each holding the others shoulder. But the “train” took its sweet time and lot of pleading before it entered the bedroom.
Merry-go-round
Once the "train" entered the bedroom, we all sat around the nuptial bed and “gheraoed” Antony and Ammu. “Start the show” screamed Joe Aliyan. “Yeah, yeah, we bought the tickets, now start the show” Vinu seconded and the poor newly weds sweated. Poor Ammu chedathi, the initiation ceremony into the Menacherry family must have been a shock for the poor girl.
Amma(?) finally came to the rescue and chased us all out of the room. Everyone left after wishing the newly weds a long and happy married life. And so ends this blog with my own humble wishes to Antony and Ammu for a happy married life.
*More pictures here and here.
Amma liked the girl. I don’t thing anything else ever mattered. That Antony agreed to marry her was just a slight co-incidence....:D
Some mothers hug their children when they come back home after a long time, others kiss them on their cheek, yet others rue at how thin their child looks. Mine pinched me on the arm! The outpouring of this motherly emotion was thanks to me botching up all the tasks assigned to me. Like writing a speech for the wedding, typing the addresses of relatives and so on and so forth. Appan managed the addresses and Joechen managed the speech, as for me, I thanked my big fat Indian family.
Thursday was marked by repetitive journeys to Ernakulam as last minute shopping hogged most of our precious time. I was appointed driver since Appan was sick and tired of driving to Ernakulam in the mad traffic. I liked the responsibility and the traffic was not as bad as I imagined. And for my services, I was rewarded with an excellent Jubba which I wore for the wedding.
Amma’s oldest (and most capable!) sister Elsey aunty and her grandson Joseph came on Friday. And from then on, Amma breathed easy. Friday saw more visits to Ernakulam and general preparations going into full swing. I was assigned the prestigious task of fixing the toilet seats in the next flat. If the Mahatma saw me, he would’ve been pleased no end… my father… well he just smirked! Antony was seen running around booking rooms for his and my friends who would be visiting.
Saturday was hectic. I had grown a full beard and when I suggested, that I could shave my head instead of my beard, it did not go down too well with the family (no sense of style!). But now, a new situation emerged that threatened the very social fabric of Kerala. My friends (read dregs of society) from Bangalore had just landed at Aluva Railway station!
As we had planned, I booked them a tempo traveler. Their initial target was Boothathan Kettu, which later changed to Aathirapilly and Vaazhachal. Nayantara, the south Indian heroine, was having a film shoot there. No prizes for guessing who got the paparazzi shots! My only solace is that while trying to take the picture, Shyam got bitten by a leech….again!
I was presently assigned to collect the wedding rings from Ammu's father and to supervise the parking arrangements at the church. "This isn’t a job for superman" I complained, "Yeah, it's a job for Aby" Amma shot back and the matter was settled. I came back home to see a packed audience. In my absence the whole house had filled up with relatives.
It was time for the madhuram veppu. Joechen (Amma’s only brother) was giving the speech. The long and short of it went like this
"Dhane dhane pe likha he Khaane valae ke naam"(On every grain of food, the Almighty has written the name of the person who shall have it) – Saying by a Mughal era poet.
In the year 2008, Antony Menacherry went to visit his maternal grand father at Edakunnam, Koovapally. After exchanging the usual pleasantries and spending some time around the house, he decided to take a bath. Unfortunately, there was no soap in the bathroom. So, Antony went out and asked his grandfather for soap. After checking the usual place he kept his soap and finding none, he opened the cup-board and took out a foreign soap, which he gave to Antony. The date on the soap caught Antony’s attention though… it was marked 1991. Pulikunnel Scaria Abraham was a man known for his spartan ways (a man who has 9 daughters’ needs to be I guess!). He had kept this soap safely in his cup-board for 17 years! But the story did not end there….
In the year 1991, George Menacherry was walking in a supermarket in Saudi Arabia. Among the many things he bought there was a Camay soap, which he presented to his father-in-law Mr. P.S Abraham on his return.
The moment George bought the soap, God almighty had written his eldest son Antony’s name on it and for a long 17 years it waited for him. The very same Almighty has written Ammu on Antonys fate and Antony on Ammus fate.”
Joechan then gave Antony his wedding present… a framed copy of the Camay soap cover. Everyone was left spell bound by this present and speech.
The rest of the night was devoted to feast and drinks. Unfortunately, the food was only average. The very same caterers were the ones in charge of the wedding feast. What if the food tomorrow was also bad? Amma looked tensed.
Early in the morning on D-Day, Appa was awake and thrilled, for his first born was going to get married. Amma was awake and thrilled, for her first born was going to get married. I was awake and thrilled, for I was the one driving the Merc to Church. Antony… he was sound asleep!
The driver came early and we went to church to check out if all the arrangements were made. Also, I needed to be familiar with the car. All the flower arrangements were in place. Everything seemed set to welcome the new couple. The decoration for the car was simple, one bouquet on the bonnet and one on the hood. More importantly, I drove a Benz for the first time in my life!
Back home a minor tragedy struck. Peetu chettans baby was dozing off when she fell from her mothers hands and knocked her head on the glass teapoy. The wound on her forehead was deep but not serious. We rushed her to the hospital and fortunately the doctor patched her up in no time. Amma was extremely sad that “blood was split” on such an auspicious day. But other than this small hiccup, everything else went on pretty smoothly.
Antony was 'dressed' by cousins. Unfortunately, I couldnt join in as I was at the hospital. He looked great in his blue-black suit and tie. I especially loved his tie. It kinda suited him well. This was followed by the "sthuthi kodukal", getting blessed by his elders. Though I am younger, I didnt get completely sidelined... I got a handshake...:D
Appan (Amma's father) blessing Antony
Daisy Aunty and Jose Uncle bless Antony
The handshake
Antony Aby Bhai Bhai
The 'old' family
We were early at the church and so was the bride. Existence of non-transferable duties in the church meant that this became one of the few weddings which I witnessed in its entirety. Fortunately, the priest kept the ceremony short and simple as he had promised to do. Since Antony had done some serious practice on tying the knot, there were no glitches during the grand finale. Antony looked handsome in his suit and Ammu was stunning in her cream colored Sari. More importantly, as a couple, they looked perfect. ‘Nalla cherchayonde’ was one happy whisper that I overheard.
Thaali kettu
However, what surprised most people was the ceremony (planned by Amma) after the Kurbana. Antony and Ammu were led to the reception hall, which was only a short distance from the church to the tune of traditional chenda kotte(drum beats) under a muthu kuda (bejeweled umbrella). The whole family marched in two columns behind them. Amma's long time dream thus bore fruit exceptionally well. She had the same plan for the engagement, but was discouraged by Appa since it was “their” ceremony. Anyways, everyone was impressed. Who knows, maybe this will become another Syrian Christian tradition.
My family firmly believes that the wedding ceremony is rated by the stomach. The food thankfully was absolutely delicious. The reception at the hall was a walk down the memory lane for me. Antony’s old friends from Kollam I.J.H.S School who had been my seniors were there. So were our old neighbors and Amma and Appa's old colleagues. I was meeting most of them after more than a decade and it felt great catching up.
Cho Chweet!
Lights camera action
The Gang
The lunch stretched on for 2 hours and it was nearly 4 P.M in the afternoon when we reached home. I, Antony and Ammu went last, so that the newly weds could be ‘received’ as per Syrian Christian protocol. It was a simple affair; Amma took a rosary and a bible, blessed Antony by drawing the cross on his forehead and then Ammu. Then she asked them both to kiss the bible. Ammu, then entered her new home with the traditional ‘right-foot-first’.
The welcoming party
Bouquet for the couple
Amma giving Chedathi the 'ninne edutholamedee' smile...:D
As per the family tradition the stage was set for ragging the newly wed couple. This ragging session was scheduled for 8 P.M. everyone was in high spirits (literally). The movers and shakers of the family were in full flow. My aunts and cousins took center stage and started singing. It was really a sight to be seen. The songs were, as usual, peppered with a good amount of innuendo. Antony and Ammu were forced to sing and dance too. Unfortunately, my video camera quality leaves much to be desired. But here are some snippets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ8Qcn-fsVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJf6SCVisss
Ragging committee
Drum Beats
The party stretched well into the night with Vinu, Minu chechi and Shirley aunty stealing the show. Finally we sang the “manavaati…. Maniyara thura..” song and played ‘train’ with Yamuna chechi leading, Antony, Ammu and the rest of the family following. Each holding the others shoulder. But the “train” took its sweet time and lot of pleading before it entered the bedroom.
Merry-go-round
Once the "train" entered the bedroom, we all sat around the nuptial bed and “gheraoed” Antony and Ammu. “Start the show” screamed Joe Aliyan. “Yeah, yeah, we bought the tickets, now start the show” Vinu seconded and the poor newly weds sweated. Poor Ammu chedathi, the initiation ceremony into the Menacherry family must have been a shock for the poor girl.
Amma(?) finally came to the rescue and chased us all out of the room. Everyone left after wishing the newly weds a long and happy married life. And so ends this blog with my own humble wishes to Antony and Ammu for a happy married life.
*More pictures here and here.
Friday, June 13, 2008
The birth of a man
She was the master piece of the Gods. Everything about her was perfect. Her eyes as blue as the sky, her skin of golden hue, her laughter a twinkle among the stars. But her heart, her heart throbbed with pain! The pain of loneliness, the pain of her tragic fate, a pain so inhuman the the very air hung in moody melancholy about her like a veil. For, she was denied a mate!
Men came from near and far hearing of her divine beauty. They were all drawn to her like moths to a flame. She aroused such uncontrollable passion that they went mad in their longing for her. But there was not one among them, who could even dream to wipe her feet. They were like candles to the Sun!
The years passed and her hope to find a mate dwindled like a trickle of water drawn in by the parched summer mud.
“Why do thee make me suffer like this my lords?” she cried unto heaven, but no answer came forth.
But, she was not of timid lineage. In her veins gushed the blood of ancient warriors. She was not somebody, who you could say no to, or refuse to answer! If the Gods be her adversary, then so be it!
She shook with such fury that even nature trembled before her. Her eyes glowed red and fire entered her heart. She decided to take up severe penance standing on one leg with a smoldering fire all around her. A feat, that even toughened ascetics balked at! Her penance was so strong that the very foundations of heaven trembled. The whole world smoldered in the heat of her prayers, life as we know it was threatened. The very balance of nature was upset.
In utter desperation, the Gods appeared to her and begged her to stop her penance. But she was inconsolable. A perfect creation as she was wasted due to the ineptitude of the Gods. And as each tear fell from her lovely cheeks onto the scorched earth, nature shivered in agony as if fed with fire.
Among men, she cared for only one. And that was her wise and saintly father. The gods approached him in their desperation, seeking a solution to this Gordian knot.
“O! Wise man!” they cried, “A creation so perfect takes millennia to create and the God who made her paid with his soul. For such is the effort he spent. And now she demands one more!!! A mate!!”
The wise father shut himself in a cave and thought for seven days and seven nights, finally on the morning of the eight day he emerged, tired and emaciated, but with a twinkle in his eyes.
“It is clear that you Gods will not be able to create a mate for her anytime soon, it is also clear that her youth will not stay forever, so here is what I will suggest to you…..Take her life!!!”
The Gods were shocked “But, it is not her time to die yet!”
“Oh, but, I did not finish” said the wise man “Make the most perfect man you Gods can think up of and reincarnate my daughter when you’ve completed this stupendous feat”
The Gods looked at each other and nodded their heads in amazement. Yes! the wise man had spoken the truth, this was the only solution.
So they made me.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Point is, my bro is getting married in like 10 days time and see… I am you know “single and ready to mingle” So I thought I would come out with this sales pitch that would have the ladies* swooning in my arm.
*Noticed the plural huh? Hey! No sweat, I didn’t stand on one foot… she did!!
Men came from near and far hearing of her divine beauty. They were all drawn to her like moths to a flame. She aroused such uncontrollable passion that they went mad in their longing for her. But there was not one among them, who could even dream to wipe her feet. They were like candles to the Sun!
The years passed and her hope to find a mate dwindled like a trickle of water drawn in by the parched summer mud.
“Why do thee make me suffer like this my lords?” she cried unto heaven, but no answer came forth.
But, she was not of timid lineage. In her veins gushed the blood of ancient warriors. She was not somebody, who you could say no to, or refuse to answer! If the Gods be her adversary, then so be it!
She shook with such fury that even nature trembled before her. Her eyes glowed red and fire entered her heart. She decided to take up severe penance standing on one leg with a smoldering fire all around her. A feat, that even toughened ascetics balked at! Her penance was so strong that the very foundations of heaven trembled. The whole world smoldered in the heat of her prayers, life as we know it was threatened. The very balance of nature was upset.
In utter desperation, the Gods appeared to her and begged her to stop her penance. But she was inconsolable. A perfect creation as she was wasted due to the ineptitude of the Gods. And as each tear fell from her lovely cheeks onto the scorched earth, nature shivered in agony as if fed with fire.
Among men, she cared for only one. And that was her wise and saintly father. The gods approached him in their desperation, seeking a solution to this Gordian knot.
“O! Wise man!” they cried, “A creation so perfect takes millennia to create and the God who made her paid with his soul. For such is the effort he spent. And now she demands one more!!! A mate!!”
The wise father shut himself in a cave and thought for seven days and seven nights, finally on the morning of the eight day he emerged, tired and emaciated, but with a twinkle in his eyes.
“It is clear that you Gods will not be able to create a mate for her anytime soon, it is also clear that her youth will not stay forever, so here is what I will suggest to you…..Take her life!!!”
The Gods were shocked “But, it is not her time to die yet!”
“Oh, but, I did not finish” said the wise man “Make the most perfect man you Gods can think up of and reincarnate my daughter when you’ve completed this stupendous feat”
The Gods looked at each other and nodded their heads in amazement. Yes! the wise man had spoken the truth, this was the only solution.
So they made me.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Point is, my bro is getting married in like 10 days time and see… I am you know “single and ready to mingle” So I thought I would come out with this sales pitch that would have the ladies* swooning in my arm.
*Noticed the plural huh? Hey! No sweat, I didn’t stand on one foot… she did!!
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