2018 - Diwali Purchase - Part 2

The second phase of our Diwali purchase was in Chennai, in the Skywalk Shopping Mall, to buy dresses for my friend. As per our plan, we started after lunch, last Saturday. I took some time and effort to get ready ;-). Upon entering Skywalk, first we went to "BIBA". Material with them was less. My friend didnt like any. So, we next went to "Naidu Hall". I suggested the long chudi, which is in trend in the recent days, though it more looks like a nighty. There were a couple of collections. But before purchasing, we decided to take a look at "Soch" too.

The saleswonmen in Soch quickly understood our expectations, and she showed us the right collection. We shortlisted a couple of them, and finally selected the best one from it. Though I wrote in 2 times, the process almost took us about 30 minutes. Before billing, we went through the whole shop, and I like one particular trendy model, which we have bookmarked for a future purchase.

Then we went to "Naidu Hall" again, and this time, we selected a long chudi and billed it. Before finalizing, we had along dilemma in selecting the color. Finally we selected a light pink one.

Then there was a surprise to my little friends. We went to game zone, and to their surprise I allowed them to play. Initially it was agreed to play 2 games. Then it got extended to 2, and then to 3. Thier second game was car-driving - Driving the real electric car, that goes around and at-times dashes with other cars. It was finalized that Dhanesh with drive and Deepak with assist. They did a good job, Dhanu quickly learnt how to drive it and beautifully drove it. Deepak did his best to help him. It was also agreed that next time they will swap their roles - Deepu with drive, and Dhanu will assist.

Then we came home happily, which complete the second phase of our Diwali shopping.

- SPGR.

2018 - Diwali Purchase - Part 1

Like all years, Diwali purchase this year too was unique. This year it started in Trichy, when me and my friend went to Town. First we thought of going to Pothys, as we crossed it on the Holy Cross road. But we are anti-pothites, and we decided to continue to be so. So, we decided to go to Chennai Silks and then to Sarathas, if needed.

[photo:Chennai Silks in Trichy]

We entered Chennai Silks, and we could see the difference in which its employees treated us. I remembered my co-brother using the phrase "Pothys Effect", to describe some of the changes that happened in Nagercoil, after Pothyees came there.

First we decided to do dress shopping for kids. We went to the boys section, and the Guys in that section showed us many varieties, and helped us a lot in selecting the right dress for my Little friends. After we become fashion conscious, it really takes us a long time to select dresses and apparels, as we are considering many factors like color, cost, quality, fit and uniqueness. Then we went to girls section, where we wanted to get a good modern fashionable dress for my niece. This time, it took us a really long time. Much longer than what we had expected, as our expectation was a bit high. This time again the sales-women was very helpful. She went through the floor, from end-to-end and brought us different varieties of dresses. We were considering from chudi to midi to other modern outfits. After a long search, we found the one, which we both liked, and especially my friend liked it a lot.

Then we moved to men's section. As soon as we entered, the salesman who first caught us, started showing us formal shirts. I stopped focussing on formal shirts long back, and they are not enforced even in software companies nowadays. We went straight inside and started looking into casual and trendy ones. I was not impressed with any of them in the display. My friend liked one particular design, in orange color, which when I tried was a bit misfit. When I tried another one of the same design in a smaller-size, and it was a perfect fit. When I came out of the trial room, my friend was holding another pink-colored-designed shirt, which she wanted me to try. Thus, this time I got two shirts for Diwali. Then we went to the pant section, where the salesman said "free-ya irukkum". We laughed at it, as we were looking for the ones that will be a perfect fit.

We then went to the ladies section. Not much collections were there. We were close to the lunch time, and by this time we became tired. Not much salesperson were there, probably because they might have gone for lunch. Hence we dropped the idea to take Diwali dress from my friend there. We decided to see in a different shop on the next day, but later postponed to take care of it in Chennai.

Then we went to the nearby Archana sweets, where we had snacks. Then we got some sweets and started our journey back to home. That completed the first phase of our Diwali purchase.

-SPGR. 

Kalaingar

In the past there were at least 3 occasions when there was a rumor that Kalaingar (Mu. Karunanithi) was dead. The first one came when I was in seventh standard (or something close to those standards). I vaguely remember that it was post lunch and we all were asked to leave from the school, as there was a news (or rather rumour) that Karunanithi was dead. I started back to home, with my sisters.



The next one was when I was in 11th standard. This time the news came much earlier, in the forenoon session. We all left.

The third incident happened when I was in college. This time I was in college hostel, and the news came on the previous afternoon. In those days with no "Breaking News" or "Mobile  Phones", it was difficult to confirm if that was indeed a news or just a rumor. The next day was declared holiday for the college, and I spend the whole day in hostel, eating and sleeping (and of course with a little bit of studying).

Almost 20 years passed, and again we started hearing news Kalaingar was seriously ill. Now no rumors that he is dead, as nowadyas it is easy to instantly verify whether it was a news or just a rumor. After 11 days of illness, with mixed rays of hopes and hopelessness, finally Kalaingar left all his "Udanpirapu", after an intense fight with Yama.

I bow my respects to him, and I admire the fierce brave soldier in him, who had an intense love for living and have achieved many things in life, in his long life of 95 years. I was taken aback when I got to know that much early in his life he has lost his left eye. Some say that it was due to an accident and some say that it was during the atrocities enforced on him during the Emergency period. Whatever it is, with vision in just one eye, he has been CM multiple times, contributed a lot towards literature, and also to Tamil cinema.

He was one among the person from whom I derived confidence when I started facing health issues in life, and made an intense fight to recover from them (And finally I recovered from all of them, which is a different story altogether).  He was a person who did Yoga regularly (the primary reason for his good health) and went for regular morning walks, however critical his schedule was.



When he lost his mobility (a little bit) he never minded to be seated on a wheel chair, and continued his day to day tasks, and his contribution to politics and literature.





Towards the end of his life, he also lost his ability to talk. But he didn't seem to mind it. He still continued to live his full-filled life, playing with his grandchildren. 


I know very well that during his last 11 days when he was hospitalized with multiple issues, with no mobility or movement all through his body, he would have still lived a lovely full-filled life in his mind, with no worry that his body is fully un-functional.



His life as an youth could have been completely different, as one can understand if they happen to read Kannadasan's Vanavasam.

He has indeed lived a long, full-filled life, doing his best to himself and to each of his family members.

My respects to Dr. Kalaingar as an individual, who proved till his last moment that he was a brave soldier. May his soul rest in peace.


- Pavala.

Delicacies

Photos of some of the delicacies that we had during our Summer vacation in May 2017 to both our natives.

Kolukattai...

French Fries...

French fries... Just out of the frying pan...

Kappa-Meen curry with Rice and Fish fry...

Palam-Pori - A special dish, made with ripe banana... In the first piece from left we can see the banana inside... One of my favourite item... Size and quanity wise sufficient enough to replace a lunch...

Mutton Biriyani with Chiken curry...

Kolukattai, Mutton Biriyani, Chicken lollypop, Thayir pachadi with Kurma... A speically made lunch...

All the side dishes served in a plantain leaf...

All the side dishes served in a plantain leaf... Waiting for the main item - Rice...

Rice with daal arrived...

Breakfast ready... Idly-sambhar-chutney, vadai, kesari...

Another wedding feast - lunch...

Evening tiffin - Methu Vadai with chutney and Jangiri...

Mutton Biriyani... Made with Seeraga samba rice... This varitely of rice gives a special taste to the Biriyani...

Mutton Biriyani with Chicken curry...

Mutton Biriyani, Chicken side-dish with Thayir pachadi... Served... Yummy lunch...

Desert after the Biriyani - Chips, Halwa and Kadalai mittai...

Creamy butter Paastha...

Creamy tomato Paastha...

Cream cakes...

Gulab Jamoons... Ready for eating...

Nungu... An item well suited for the summer...

Another new Automatic watch

For a long time I was having an eye on the automatic watches that are available online. On Jan 28, when I saw that the price was slashed in a online e-com site, I immediately took it to the notice of my friend, who suggested to buy immediately. We placed the order and after a long and eager wait for about 10 days, it reached us.

It was a delight to open and observe it. It is a mechanical automatic watch. The watch was prettier than what I had thought, and the dial was a bit larger than what I had thought. It looks a bit big on my skinny wrist, but still it looks great.

While wearing, it looses a few seconds, and when on idle on dial up position, it gains a few seconds. Typical behavior of an automatic watch, and due to this it keeps accurate time on an average. Hoping to use it as a regular, daily wear.

Some pics of the watch for your view:

Wrist Shot

- SPGR.