Rani Poduval-Ajith

  As we step into the third month of the year, I wonder what lies ahead of us. I wonder about which   set of hopes to carry on my shoulders. I wonder about the number of kilos that I need to not carry further. I wonder about the hours my child should study as she progresses to a new academic year   .. I wonder   .. the List goes on.. Like a flash of lightning, it strikes me ..we have survived almost two years of a gruesome pandemic. Many amongst us survived the losses in our own businesses, took the salary cuts in our stride, quietly adapted to the culture of working from home while the lines blurred between personal and professional. We bravely took up the role of being a full time teacher to our children who knew not how to adapt to a culture of seeing their teachers through a screen while their hands, legs and energy were left unsupervised. We scoured the net for videos that promised to help us make scrumptious meals in less than ten minutes. We relied no m...

  My readers.. the past month was one filled with happy moments every single morning (Of course it will be, it is my well-earned vacation after 1.5 years) the sound of chirping birds, the sound of raindrops falling on the aquiline leaves in no particular rhythm, the sound of Amma softly chanting from the endless weary books of shlokas and to top it all from the floor above I can hear the strains of radio which means Achan is in the midst of his fluid yoga moves– all this happens while I sit on the red granite porch sipping Amma’s special tea. I stare at the huge sprawling sapota tree that has its roots embedded since time immemorial in the heart of our ancestral property- “ Amma, how many years has this tree been bearing fruit? No branch has fallen until now, no fruit any less sweet for the denizens of this property (I say denizens because we live peacefully with gorgeous civet cats, mongoose, cats, sometimes peacocks, etc).  She answers – “ Oh! but there is an ancient story t...

  To all the mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, friends and the men in our lives who love and support us even though they don’t understand us most of the time… Every year unfolds a new age, a new awareness, a new adventure. We feel a lot braver than the year before to deal with all that comes our way. Where does this strength come from? Where does this passion to experience life come from? I ponder over such questions looking out the window seeing everything but looking at nothing. It’s been a few days since my curious thoughts have been screaming for attention. There is no order to the various flashing thoughts. Why is it still cold in Doha? When will my coconut oil unfreeze? Will my daughter write her exams well? Will I meet my loved ones this year? When did I last pray to Vadakunathan? Why is Madurai Meenakshi holding a parrot? Why is she green? Why is she different from the others? The last couple of questions or rather thoughts are a splash of cold water. I grabbed my...

  Saraswati Namasthubyam Varade Kaamarupini, Vidyarambham Karishyami Siddhir Bhavathume Sata ! A prayer that graces the tongue of every infant, a prayer that establishes the position and value of education in a child right from when they can say “Amma”.   The verses invoke the spirit within a human to learn, accept the intelligence within but brighten the fires of curiosity that make us understand the value of our existence in this universe. Om Mahadevyaichu Vidhmahe, Vishnu pathniyaicha Dheemahe, Thanno Lakshmi Prachodayath! Namasthestu Mahamaaya , Sripeede Surapujithe Shankachakra Gatha Haste, Mahalakshmi Namostuthe! A prayer that lights up the beauty, prosperity and an aura within each devotee. A prayer that guides one to committing good actions and creating a balance within. A prayer that worships the divine grace and elegance of the goddess who chose to sit within a blossoming lotus flower. Ayigiri Nandhini Nandita Medhini, Vishwa Vinodini Nandanuthe, Girivara Vindhya...