How I wish !

Its always during days like these that I miss home the most. Its Vishu (Mallu Newyear's day) and Tamil Puththandu ( Tamil Newyear) today!!

Back home, the day would have begun with my parents waking me up, covering my eyes and dragging me to see the 'chithirai kani' or 'vishu kani' ( its an beautiful arrangement of fresh fruits, vegetables, currency notes, silk clothes, jewelry, a lighted lamp and a mirror). What a sight it would have been!

My mom would let me sleep for some more time. And as soon as I wake up, I would take a nice oil bath ( well, the oil part is optional not the bath) and then make a visit to the temple. We would come back to a hot breakfast that mom has already laid out on the table for us. I would then start watching special programmes on SUN TV (Solomon Pappaiya's patti mandram, new tamil songs and ofcourse one 'India tholaikaachigal mudhal murayaga' Tamil movie) . My mom and dad would try to switch the channel to Surya or Asianet hoping to catch some Mallu programs! Although I usually dont let that happen :-)

We would get 'Vishu Kai-neetams' where elders in the family give money/blessings (had to include 'blessings' to make it sound a little more decent) to the young ones. It used to be a day when money only comes in. But, as I got older, money also goes out :(

And what festival would it be without good food! We will be treated to a grand and sumptous 'Sadhya' - a traditional kerala lunch. With Pappadam, Payasam, Yeruseri, Sambar, Rasam, Upperi and lots of other yummy stuff!

How much I miss all that !!