March to April

And there goes... sneezing and sleeping....the month of March ...

How many a dreams collapsed, I know not.. I rather think not

But hey, perhaps it can't get any worse ? Or may be thats a deceptive under-statement ? injustice to the millions who suffer worse ?

April will be better ? Or will the symbolism of its first day carry forward to the rest of the month ?

At times, it suffocates to look back at some realities of life... the number of years that you have left behind... and in particular, the number you have spend unproductive.. atleast apparently
And then even smaller things start scaring you.. Hey I can't remember someone's phone no: which I so very prudently used to remember together with the fifty or sixty others... Oh, the saved numbers in cellphone and emails in gmail makes your memory so lazy.. and worst how many times do u have to call from some one else's cellphone to find out where you last kept your cellphone

Makes you think sometimes, does it - whats life ?

***************************************************

Well, whats the point musing in the negative.. whadya got interesting today ? Well, Vishu is not the only thing I miss in April.. its also the 11 day festival at the temple back home... 11 days... the long and dusty(now its perhaps tarred) approach roads to the temple would be crowded on both sides with vendors.. of all kinds... be it food, bangles or toys for kids....

And then, 4 out of the 11 days, there are fireworks.... 6 days, cultural programs..... processions with decorated elephants, morning and nite, every day .. and that too the elephants climb down and a number of steep steps to take the idol from the hill-top temple to the stream down....

Its also a time for various of my relatives to drop by at my house.. Together we would make rounds... devoid of many a parental restrictions (not that I had many anyways, I was always a "trusted kid" )

Not just fun, many a wonderful temple arts (Paadakam, Thullal , Koothu, Poothan kali, Sopanam......... ) would be there everyday ... and of course my Fathers' favorite Kathakali - atleast one night-long one .. But sadly, the last time I was home during Pooram, most of the "interesting" stuff was telecast live by a local TV channel, and I found many people watching it at home... what a loss.. is that what the festival is meant for ? What fun without immersing yourself into the dust and the chaos .... and finding the beauty of the art with your eyes ..

Well, well well... this years is April 4 - 14 ... and 14th being my ever favorite festival Vishu. And I miss them, for the 5th straight year (How glad, I made it for the last year at IITM)

leaving me just with this link I found, with pictures...

http://www.hinduweb.org/home/temples_yatra_organizations/
mckraja/