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Sankranthi Sambaraalu

Festive season definitely reminds me that I am away from home. It’s the first festival of the season for us – MAKARA SANKRANTHI. Back home, it’s a very big deal. Dusting and cleaning the entire house is a must before the festival day. Traditionally, preparations begin two-three days in advance, with the ladies of the house putting stuff together, like groceries, lots of flowers especially marigold and jasmine, mango tree leaves, coconuts, colors for “rangu muggulu”. I remember my amma bargaining with the vendor to give her two colors for the price of one. Initially he would frown but later gives in. The night before bhogi, all the ladies in our colony would have an early dinner and start making colorful muggulu in front of the houses. I used to look forward to this part. Amma would make the pattern and let me fill in the colors. Nobody would keep a tab on time, sometimes by the time we finish, it would be 11:30 or 12:00. Still not one person would show signs of retiring for the day.

Also, in our household, Sankranthi is the time for “Bommala koluvu” This used to be my favorite part. Amma had stocked up various toys for this purpose. My brothers, amma and I would arrange them. We make different settings like a temple, playground for kids, swimming pool, grazing grounds for the cattle. The entire show is setup on 3 or 5 steps (my amma tells me the number of steps should always be odd, three being the minimum).

Day one – 'Bhogi' is always fascinating for kids. My younger brother, Ananth used to keep reminding everyone ‘n’ number of times “Repu bhogi kadhaa…repu bhogi kadhaa”. This is one of those days when kids get up early in the morning without complaining. We would go out and light the wood (sticks, twigs, coconut shells, etc collected and stacked before the festival) and warm ourselves while watching the early morning sunrise.We used to save a few crackers from deepavali and throw them into this fire.

Day two – 'Makara Sankranthi' is the most important day during the season. Amma is up so early that sometimes I used to wonder if she slept the previous night. Daddy’s responsibility is to wake us and help him decorate the house. We used to tag along and help him put up maavidi thoranaalu and banthi poola maala. Amma would remind me to decorate “gadapalu” and I would do it. Between all this chaos and hungama, daddy keeps asking amma if he can get a cup of coffee. Hahahaha!!! Amma would always get him coffee within two minutes, no matter however busy she is in the kitchen. Meanwhile, the neighborhood rings in the music of ‘haridaasu’ who comes to each house with ‘doo doo basavanna’ and playing his naadaswaram.

We all bathe and dress up in traditional clothing. After the preparations are half way through, we begin the pooja.Towards the end, it used to be a matter of conflict over who breaks the coconut – anna, ananth or me. Being the girl of the house, I used to get to do it most of the times. Eventually, daddy started bringing three coconuts. After the pooja, we would stretch our hands like hungry little rascals and amma gives us the prasaadam.

Coming to savories, festive sweets and goodies, the variety was always fabulous. Amma used to make murukulu, kajjikayalu, ravaladdu, masala palleelu, chikki, atukula mixture and so many more. The meals plate is always full with so much prasaadam. My favorite used to be bangaladumpa koora. Rendu kooralu, pappu, rotu pachadi, mukkala pulusu, chaaru, vodiyaalu, paayasam or pongali, perugu – yummmmmmmm!!!! (My mouth is watering uncontrollably!!!!) Anna would save his sweet dish and enjoy it after the meal. After a hearty and heavy meal, we would sit down and watch the special programmes on TV.

Evening time is for the ladies. Women from our neighborhood visit our home and look at the bommala koluvu. Taambulam (an assortment of tamalapaaku, senagalu, chocolates, vokkalu) is given to every guest and the chatting sessions need no mention. Daddy, Anna and Ananth are locked in the TV room having a gala time of their own till the ladies leave.
This is how a typical household in Andhra celebrates a festival – a day filled with togetherness and love. Yesterday was bhogi and I spent most of the day in school setting up an experiment. In the evening, I hit the gym, after my workout I showered, offered my prayers to god and prepared chintapandu pulihora and carrot halwa as naivedyam. I didnot eat a wholesome dinner as I was very tired so I slept after having a spoonful or two spoonsful of pulihora. Now is it fair that I whine about living in the USA?

"We" for "I"

It never made sense to me when people said things change after marriage.Maybe because I thought I knew my guy in and out.I didnot expect a lot of surprises after our wedding.As a matter of fact, things did change, for the good. Good is always nice.We love each other so much more, want to be around each other all the time.I guess thats not happening atleast till I graduate, which should be sooner or later.But I am really beginning to enjoy the marital bliss.I love planning each visit to his place.We do so many things despite the time crunch.Sometimes, I just sit back and wonder, how come we've gotten so passionate post-marriage?I feel its the power and magic of Hindu marriage rituals, vows, holy chantings and ofcourse, blessings of all near and dear ones.
I guess the word "I" has been replaced by "We" forever in our lives.

Twenty Four Hours through my eyes!!!!

An eight hour sleep...
Jump out of bed at 7:20AM (yes, not a minute before or after)...
Reach school by 8:30AM...
Read NEWS @ NDTV and CNN
Make a plan of study for the day...
Work towards finishing the plan (i am actually finishing work on time)...
Have a peaceful lunch hour...
Finish more work in the afternoon...
Leave lab and head towards home...
Water my plants...
Have a nice hot cup of chai...
Browse or watch televison...
Say my evening prayers...
Cook dinner (EVERYDAY!!!!)...
Talk with family...
Eat Mango icecream while watching "Sex and the city"...
Snooze off...

Characters Alike!!!!

--photo courtesy: nrsl.wordpress.com

GODAVARI - ee vesavi chaala challagaa untundhi

antuu ee movie naa favorites loki cherindhi. Another masterpiece from Sekhar Kammula. I must've watched it more than 10 times, discovering something new every time I watch it. The first time I watched it was in a theater in Hyderabad. I still cannot believe I walked out of the movie half way through because I found it extremely boring. For whatever reason, I watched it a second time and a third time and again and again. I find an amazing yet surprising similarity between the character of "SeetaMahalaxmi" and that of mine. "Megastar Chiranjeevi ayithe nenu Queen Victoria" antu thana gurinchi thanu chaala feel avutundhi. I know maybe a lot of people think high of themselves, but I just love the way she throws an air of arrogance for no reason or rhyme. Naa gurinchi baaga telsina vaallu will agree with me that I do the same too. Abbayilandharini negative gaa judge chesi then giving everything a thought later is another glaring trait of mine.
The sarees she wore in the movie are simply superb. Cotton and silk sarees give a completely different charm to the lady. Short-tempered gaa vuntoo yet being compassionate is the biggest asset of SeetaMahalaxmi. Finally, the soft, melodious music is such a refreshing welcome.

Neela gagana ghanavichalana dharanijaa sri ramana
madhura vadanaa nalina nayana manavi vinaraa raama

Rama chakkani seetaki aracheta gorinta
Inta chakkani chukkaki inka evaru maguvudanta
Rama chakkani seeta ki

Udata veepuna velu vidichina pudami alludu ramude
Edama chetanu sivudi villunu ethinaa aa ramude
Ettagalada seeta jadanu taali katte velalo
Rama chakkani seetaki

Erra jabili cheyi gilli ramudedani adugutunte
Chudaledani pedavi cheppe cheppalemani kanulu cheppe
Nallapusainaadu devudu nallani raghu raamudey
Rama chakkani seetaki

Chukkanadiga dikkunadiga chemmagillina choopunadiga
Neeru pongina kanula lona neeti terale addu nilichey
Choosukomani manasu telipe manasu matalu kaaduga

Rama chakkani seetaki aracheta gorinta
Inta chakkani chukkaki inka evaru maguvudanta
Rama chakkani seeta ki

Induvadanaa kundaradanaa mandagamana bhaama
Enduvalana induvadana intamadanaa prema..

Food and Blog

After a super long phase of dormancy, I am seriously planning on reviving my blog. And what best way to do it, than to talk about one of my favorite activities. COOKING. Yes. I am a complete foodie and I always enjoy my time in the kitchen. I love cooking for myself as well as for those who relish eating good food. These days there are so many food blogs that are bringing to life the typical Andhra recipes that I almost forgot after entering the United States. One of my favorite blogs is Sailu's Food.

Despite being a little ill with all the cold and cough, I wanted to make some good evening snack for myself. Infact, I wanted to treat myself to something tasty for having missed my lunch.
I came home all hungry and wanted to make something that I hadnt had in a long time. Suddenly, this recipe popped in my mind - Godhuma Dosa (Dosa with Atta). I was sure this dish was the best way to pamper my taste buds. So here I am munching on a yummy dosa. I am sooooo delighted by it that I am tempted to post a photo of it.

Cheers!!!!

Lost Myself

A person entered my life an year ago. All he knows is to smile when I am happy, laugh at all my stupid acts, cry when I am sad.......all he wants is to see me SMILING ALWAYS.
A gem of a person, his unconditional love gave me a fresh feel of life, something that I never experienced in 21 yrs of my life.

Today, I just wish we are as much together as we were, only if life didn't mess it all up.

He has been and will be the ONLY GUY for whom my eyes will shed tears.

Yes, I will miss him. He deserves only the best in life and I am sure he will get everything.

"IF YOU'RE READING THIS, FORGIVE ME FOR EVERYTHING".