Happy Vishu

Facebook or other social networking sites can always give a virtual presence of your dear ones. However, there is a big difference between virtual and real world. Actual company of people is more precious than online presence. Celebrations and festivals are meant for such get together.

Malayalees celebrate Vishu today. Vishu marks the beginning of an agricultural season. Mainly there are two festivals in Kerala namely Vishu and Onam. Both these are related to agricultural seasons of this area. Vishu celebrations start by Vishukani followed by Vishu kaineetam. Crackers and sadya add flavors to this festival.

Like every Vishu eve, I couldn’t sleep yesterday. Even though I see the same kani on Vishu each year, it is exciting all the time. With closed eyes, I have to walk all the way to Pooja room and open my eyelids in front of a decorated Lord Krishna statue. Also there will be a few other materials including gold, money and a few agricultural products. The main highlight of kani is kanikonna, a flower that blooms only in hot summer.

Vishu is a time for family members to enjoy themselves together. For kids, it is the best day of their summer vacation. Compared to last years, this time the number of crackers is small. The prize hike is the main reason. This high cost has adversely affected the Vishu celebrations. Medical experts say the fireworks can remove the pollutants and infection from the environment. Apart from providing entertainment, it is also healthy.

Once every celebration, prayer and life was dedicated to crop cultivation. So above everything, Vishu reminds us that we had an agricultural tradition.

Wishing all my readers and friends a Happy Vishu!

End of a Fairytale

Tears dried up
Motionless I stay!
Broken words
Lifeless thoughts!

Why did I imagine
What did I get!
All questions to me
Clueless I am!

Tunes did not match
Rhythm is not right!
Once a perfect song
Now a nuisance!

Unexpected turns
Unique twists!
A colorful fairytale
Ends with no smile!

Untouchable

There is a get together going on in her house. She is not allowed to get out of her room as she is an ‘untouchable’. On those three days every month, she lives like a prisoner. She cannot touch clothes, utensils or food in her house. Even to get a few drops of drinking water, she has to beg and wait for the mercy of others.

For outsiders, she belongs to a well-fed family with a few acres of agricultural land. Her family is highly educated and has a good status in the society. However, they still hold the orthodox Brahmin culture. She tried many times to question about the untouchable days. The only answer she gets is ‘some customs has to be followed’…

She has to hide herself from the sight of those who are going to temple. Others think it is bad to see her before their temple darshan and so they will start cursing her when they spot her. Again some rooms like kitchen and pooja room are forbidden places for her during those days.

Only on the fourth day, she becomes ‘pure’ after taking a dip in the pond. Until then, she has to remain inside her room. She says the mental torture is worse than the physical suffering. Outside her room, the world celebrates 21^st century life…!

It is not the story of a single female. There are many ladies who are secluded like this inside the houses of namboodiris. The female communities of Kerala Brahmins are not allowed to live freely during their days of menstruation. Though most of the families have come out of this idiotic custom, a few still practice this!

Earlier, the seclusion was a part of giving rest from household duties to females. In those three days, she needs rest mentally and physically. But now the scene has changed, every girl has her own world. Everyone is highly educated and they can make their own time to work and relax.

Being a namboodiri girl, I always feel it is time for a second revolution in the community. Even if the condition of Kerala Brahmin ladies has changed a lot (Thanks to VT Bhattathiripad and others for the first revolution), there is still a little more to change.

A man finds it hard to manage a fever or cold that comes once in a while. These people can’t even imagine how much a lady bears each month. Still she manage to smile and love men without any hesitation.

Again, I don’t think it is God who had laid all these rules that let females suffer! If Almighty is so cruel, then I would say I don’t want to worship a stone like that!!!

This post has been written for the Time to change Contest hosted by IndiBlogger . Thanks to Stayfree,the best companion of a lady!