The 'Sunshine' Yellow!!

 Day 6 and 'Yellow' it was!!

I have a long term relationship with this colour. I think it is my favourite colour- that's what my mom said!! I remember her chiding me and saying, " I shall throw your entire wardrobe out if you buy another yellow"!!!😆

Nevertheless, my love has not subsided!! I have realized when I am given options, I automatically choose this beautiful, happy colour- the colour which is as bright as the sun, as cheerful as those smiley balls, as vibrant as the sunflower!!

Just like each day of Navratri has a colour associated with it, such is the case with each day of the week too, and yellow is for Thursdays (Vrihaspativar)! As per Hinduism, Thursday is the day of Lord Vishnu and yellow is his favourite colour and so, wearing the colour on that day is considered auspicious. You are right! I never had a difficulty following this tradition given my overflowing yellow wardrobe!!!

What more, 'Saraswati Puja' is soon approaching. Vasant Panchami for the larger audience! Vasant (spring) Panchami marks the arrival of spring (vasant) and is celebrated not only in India but in Nepal, Bali & Indonesia, too. Goddess Saraswati- symbol of wisdom & knowledge is worshipped on that day, mostly in Bengal, Odisha and some northern states. You will witness tiny tots walking down the street all clad in yellow sarees as tiny as them!! A truly endearing sight it is indeed!! Yellow for new bloom, yellow for spring and thus, yellow for Vasant!

Let me draw a common thread between wearing yellow on Thursday and on Saraswati Puja. Thursday is also known as 'Guruvar' & Maa Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge - our Guru. Yellow is symbolic of Guru, Yellow is symbolic of wisdom, Yellow is symbolic of auspicious. So, the yellow on Thursday and so the yellow on Saraswati Puja or Vasant Panchmi!

When I look around, I realize that we are surrounded by this hue. I mean the golden yellow sunlight, the potassium rich, the basic bananas, the natural antiseptic turmeric, the tangy lemon, the cuddly winnie the pooh adorning my room, the tiny seeds of mustard, the famous 'Kolkata' taxis, the fibre rich corn, I mean the list is endless!

The latest collection to my personal yellow is a yellow coloured doggy!! Off course, Bunny ka doggy! No, no not a real pet- just a stuff toy! She loves it!! Sleeps with it, wakes up with it, hugs it, cuddles it, feeds it, basically 'head over heels' in love with it!! I hope she doesn't demand a real one soon!! I mean I would love a pet but I need few more years until Bunny can take care of the pet herself!!

Here is my sunshine, my little soldier armoured in yellow!! Just look at the walk!! I mean she had just started walking few steps and look at the excitement! More than a year old photograph but as fresh to my eyes and as dear to my heart!!💓💓

Chaitra Navratri is round the corner and my yellow dress is awaiting to honour my darling!! But before that, spring shall onset- Vasant Panchmi!! So, Saraswati Maa, in Bunny's words- 'Buddhi do"!!

The 'Natural' Blue, the 'Loyal' Blue - Our Blue!!

Day 5- The basic Blue! 

The mere mention of the colour conjures images of the vast blue sky, deep blue ocean, 'purani' & torn blue jeans, the blue 'facebook' icon😆, the enchanting blue peacock, the precious blue sapphire and off course the Indian blue jersey!!

Some of my most beautiful memories are associated with 'Blue' too. Yes, that's me and Varun...and off course the misty blue sky and the majestic blue ocean!! ..and we twinning in 'Blue' (the shirt behind the jacket is blue😇). One of the most beautiful memories with Varun- the longest trip we took together away from home and family and behold- we survived without killing each other!!

Husband to the world, best friend for me! I have known Varun for most part of my life - Hold on....20+ years!! Gosh!! We almost grew up together!! and we have build beautiful memories together!! May be not so romantic memories but those of deep friendship, those of unshakeable trust and those of mutual understanding!

Ours is probably not the 'Romantic' blue, ours is the royal, the loyal blue!! 

You are indeed royal,

For me, you depict one who's loyal,

Vast, deep, expansive - the hue, 

Who else, but it's you- the beautiful 'Blue'!

The capture was at 'Isle of Arran'- an island off the west coast of Scotland. All I could see around was hues of blue, the mesmerizing blue!! Blue while on the ferry, blue while we trekked up till the castle, just blue and only blue- the enchanting blue!!

Varun, time for another trip!! This time in trio!! I promise I will fight each day while we are on the trip but I also promise I will make it the most awesome, most memorable and the most fun trip!!

It is Power, It is Courage, It is "Red"!

 'Bold', 'Powerful', 'Mesmerizing', 'Bright'- This is 'Red' and this was the colour on Day 4!

....but 'Red' is much more...

Vermillion on the forehead.....auspicious;

Blood from a cut - pain;

Splashed on the canvas - artistic;

Rose in the bunch - love;

Adorning the lips- beauty;

On the platter- health;

Pumping in your heart- Life!

..and now look at the image!! An assembly of all the red things I could possibly gather!! A small attempt to showcase my efforts in teaching my Bunny the colour 'Red'!😖

Nothing very prophetic, nothing so dramatic, nothing so tedious (I thought so)! As simple as the colour 'Red'! This is when I learnt what "Manmauji' meant in the truest sense of the word!!

'Monkey' is super easy, Oniiiiiiiiion is sonorous, 'chasma' comes out naturally, 'Juice' is like 'ABCD', Queen is 'itna simple', 'Watch' to koi bhi bol dega but RED?? 😓

There I am struggling to teach Bunny red at every given opportunity- while she takes a bath, while she's getting dressed, while she's counting the tomatoes and potatoes, while she says A for Apple, while folding her red t-shirts- she looks at me and walks off!!

Segregating the red and blue blocks have not helped nor the red bucket and cup! 'Red' tomatoes are only 'mato' for her and red bindi is "munni" but there is absolutely no existence of the 3 letter word 'RED'!

Navratri signifies 'Victory', Red symbolizes 'Courage' and the 'Red Navratri' colour for me is my tussle with the little one, my wait to hear 'Mumma, reeeeedddd' in the cutest way possible!!

May Maa Durga bestow me with courage to emerge victorious in my battle- battle to teach my Bunny- Red!

As 'White' as Snow!!

3rd Navratri morning...rather a Monday morning! The Monday morning jugglery between early morning calls, filling that 'missed' timesheet, 'this' or 'that' for breakfast, Bunny's demand to watch 'Teddy' on laptop at that same time, absolute chaos- all amidst the sinking feeling that weekend was over!! The only saviour being 'my' excitement' to scout out a smart outfit for Bunny as per the Navratri colour of the day!!:😀

So, 'WHITE' it was!! Ironical to write it in black on this white sheet!! So, is life- Ironical! Getting back to the point, the picture attached is of sabudana chips- White sabudana chips! Sabudana- the 'power' food eaten during fasting- another aspect of Navratri.

My first encounter with sabudana was in Mumbai when the 'dabbawala' packed sabudana khitchdi and dahi one day during my Navratri fasting and sabudana vada the other. It was my first time and the food was alien to me and I remember I wasn't too keen to try it but as they say "Marta kya na karta" and I dug the spoon! 'Yum' is the word which my brain registered amidst closed eyes! Sabudana had another fan!!

Since my childhood, I have seen my family fast for 8 days during Navratri and the staple food was 'Fafad' ki poori and alu ki sabji, amidst many other delicacies like badam ka halwa, home made potato chips, makhanas, so on and so forth. Sabudana, however, never occupied place on the dinner table. My encounter with the 'comfort' food, though late, made me fall in love with those 'white' pearls!! So, this is what the colour "White" means to me - as pure as those sabudana pearls, the 'satvik' and auspicious food!

By the way, 'fafad' is known as "Buckwheat" in English and called 'kuttu ka aata", "giri ka aata" in other parts of the country. Similarly, sabudana or 'sago' is 'Tapioca'- call it whatever- it is still the same beautiful white pearls, ready to be devoured by the foodies like me!!

Sabudana khitchdi? kheer? vada? papad? dudh and sabudana?...and the list continues!!

.....and it is ORANGE!!

So, allow me to pick up from where I left yesterday!!

Sharad Navratri Day 2- Colour 'Orange'!...Let me correct myself - the Vibrant 'Orange'!!😊..and fell on a Sunday too!! The perfect combination of energy, sunshine, loads of joy and heaps of enthusiasm! I managed to capture this beautiful pic- the one of Bunny & her Dadi!     

I mean I clicked and stopped - stopped to gaze at the gleam in Mom's eyes and the smile on her face! I was reminded of the online 'Grandparents' Day' celebration done by Bunny's school few days back and there was one thing common amongst all the grandparents - the pride in their eyes at the mere fact of holding these kiddos in their arms!! Just this meant so much to them!!Like really!! I remember mom saying to us 'Tumlog mool (Principal) ho, par ye bache sood (interest) hai aur mool se sood jada pyara hota hai!!" I guess they re-live their "Mool" ka bachpan again through their grandchildren (sood) and their joy is ineffable!   

                                                          

My granny loved me a lot too!! In fact, I like to believe that I was her favourite amongst the 10 kids at home - yes, ours was a joint family!! I mean why else would she hide and keep extra pieces of my favourite sweets for me when I would be away!!😍 Its a no-brainer- I was off course the favourite - PERIOD!

She is my granny! Beautiful na - I know!! This pic is of our Rajasthan trip, way back in 2012. Oh, what a trip it was!! Waise bhi any trip turns out double fun with your grandparents - who else can spoil you to the core!! Such beautiful memories - it would just be fair to capture them in a separate blog dedicated to her!! But, yes for now, she happens to be in shade of 'Orange' too!! I remember her face very vividly - vibrant, dynamic and warm - as bright as sunshine, as fresh as flowers and as buoyant as the colour “Orange”!

 

I miss ‘Maa’ but tables have reversed!! Just like Mom is reliving Varun’s childhood in Bunny, I am feeling that immense joy when I see Mom & Bunny- that same joy which my granny gave me – selflessly, in abundance and with open arms!!

May Goddess Durga endow Bunny with the same strength as my Granny, the same calmness as her Granny and cheer and enthusiasm as the fascinating "ORANGE"!

Navratri- What's the colour today!!

'Colours of Navratri, 2020'- my Google search as soon as October stepped in!! I mean I get so excited every year, rather twice a year, when Navratri is approaching! No, it is not for the Dandiya nights...no, no not even for Pandal hopping, though both have their own beauty and significance. For me, it is something as simple as what colour each Navratri day would stand for- Yes!! My happiness in this small and may be 'insignificant'  nothing amidst the huge festivities!!

So, when did my love for Navratri colours begin, or rather where did the seeds sprout?? Any guesses? No, no...it was not Kolkata though I am a hard core Kolkatan minus the fish and the egg!! Mumbai local train-yes!! That was where this association started- Navratri and my love for its beautiful colours!!  One of those days when I was struggling in the local when I realized that most of the ladies in my compartment were in yellow!! Little did I think about it when I observed colour coordination the next day too and found myself asking someone, "Aj kuch hai kya Bombay me? Sabne ek jaise colours kyu pehne hue hai?". The lady draped in a beautiful saree questioned back, 'Tum Mumbai se nahi ho na?". 'Kolkata" 'I said with pride in my voice and "Navratri" she replied with a smile on her face!

I was mesmerized by her beautiful explanation of each day representing a different 'Devi' avatar and a special significance. I was equally mesmerized witnessing the city dazzling in the colours specific to the days during those 9 auspicious days!! Something struck me and has stayed with me till date, years after I left my 'Karmabhumi'. 2008 and today- I am equally excited when Google engine throws up those colours on my screen- Day 1- Grey, Day 2- Orange and Day 3, Day 4 and beyond!!

I have been trying to follow the beautiful custom both during Chaitra & Sharad Navratri irrespective of which part of the country I am in. And guess what! I now have a young and cute little partner to give me company- my 2 year old daughter!! Yes, she has been my partner in this colour game since she was 6 months old!! That's when the first Chaitra Navratri came. Yes, yes, I have all her pictures in those bright and beautiful colours but that's for some other time!!

For now, Sharad Navratri has set in and it began with the solemn 'Grey'! While it may seem a dull or even a "no colour', for me it is a sophisticated colour , depicting grace; for me it is timeless and for me it is the neutral zone between black & white!!

Clad in Grey, here is our trio!! All smiles, all grey!!

I really hope Bunny continues this 'Mommy' tradition when she grows up!! The 'Navratri-What's the colour today" tradition!!

My new venture - motherhood it is called!

So, my little one turned 'One'!!

One - so much significance this word has for me today!!

- One year of motherhood
- One year of adventurous journey from a 'new mom' to back to 'working mom'
- One year of learning of new phrases- diapers, bibs, booties, mittens, singlets, vaccinations, nanny...
- One year of multi tasking, confusion, chaos but lots of joy, laughter and tears
- One year of transition of the l'il one from 'infant' to 'toddler'
....what a journey it has been - a journey as beautiful as it could be!!

So much has changed over this last 'ONE' year!

The once prim and prom room is littered with nappies and bibs and toys - I love this litter!
The once so called grocery list has changed into 'baby list' - I adore this list!
The once music list of 80's song has changed into rhymes and baby songs - How cute they are!
The once saved list of mongolian/ italian recipes has changed into 'recipes for 8/ 9/ 10 month old - What a variety!
The once quiet house has changed into shrieks of 'nooo bunny' 'wait bunny' 'not that bunny' - I think this is what people call being 'on the toes'!
The once so called 'thinner' me has changed into a plump, motu and over weight mom - I hate it!!

Amidst the madness, amidst the chaos, amidst the 'not so good' days to some of the most beautiful moments, the past one year has given a new definition to my life - motherhood that is called!!

The past one year made so many revelations, the past one year actually made me appreciate my mom a little more, the past one year made me salute all the moms and all the so called 'working moms' for their spectacular jugglery skills between home and office and their 'not-so saintly' kids and the past one year made me realize how a small one's smile can make your heart skip a beat, how your small one's tears can make your heart bleed and how your heart gushes with love when you secretly watch them sleep!

This and more and a lot more - that is what the past one year held. This is just the first tick in my life calendar whose second leaf has already begun. I wish I am able to catch hold of these memories and trap them here to read and re-read and re-live these moments not once, not twice but through eternity!!

I am buckling up for this new venture- motherhood it is called!!

Keep up with me, keep sending in your blessings and love and stay along in this journey of mine - motherhood it is called!