No escape from School

School memories all always pleasant to Cherish. I thought so, but when I woke up this morning, I realized  that I had a dream.

I was just blank, felt guilty and ashamed for not having done my Maths assignment!!! With just an hour left for the next class to start, I remembered that I was the only defaulter. I turned to my right and saw Aruna Patil sitting and in front of me was chicku, vaguely recognized the other faces. It was a new period introduced, and was called silent period. Some teacher came in and was supposedly supervising us, We all ought to be quiet through the period. I just then remembered that Sumathi miss gave this assignment the day before and the very next hour was her period, after a break of 10 minutes. I hardly had 40 minutes in all, and i was blank. I quickly turned to Aruna, and asked her if she has done the maths assignment. She replied that she finished it yesterday itself. I was surprised, there were 40 problems in all, and it would atleast take 2 minutes for each if we knew the formulae byheart. I asked her to show me her work. She opened her bag , with least interest, and showed me her assignment. It was done in a chart, folded into two, and torn on the sides. I asked her how it was torn, and she replied that it so happened when she was travelling by bus. Then I opened my bag and found two charts that I had brought, ( surprisingly the same two charts that Srishan tore two days back :P ) and though I has no other option, I simply decided to use them for the assignment. Then I again turned towards Aruna, and though I dint have the time to understand each problem, I just asked her how she did the first one, becoz I simply did not remember anything that Sumathi Miss taught the previous day. She just started explaining me , when the teacher who was supervising noticed us talking. We were actually whispering ,but she found out. She came straight to me and said," this is Silence Period, and you spoke, I will cut 10 marks from your assignment". Then she turned to Aruna and said " Aruna, nee mattum enna , school topper aitaa, unna patthi ella background um enakku theriyum, Kalaigowriyum, Pushpavum sollitaa yerkanave enakku, You were taking border marks in 6th standard" Ironically , she joined  this school only in 8th Class, and She could not have been topper until board exams :P

I couldnt just control my laugh in front of the teacher, as I knew she was not telling the truth, but given I already got the punishment, I had to keep quiet. :P

My cellphone was ringing loud and i realised that this was all a dream!!! Same old school, Same friends, Same benches, Same kind of dreams :P

LoL

ஸ்ரிஷன் தமிழ்க் கவிதை - Varun mama vodadhu

ஒன்றிலிருந்து அறுபதுவரை எண்ணுபவன் யார் ? 

ஓயாது மூன்று பேராய் சொல்லுபவன் யார் ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF0DQsuHRF4

மாமா நீ குழலூதென்று கேட்பவன் யார்? 

நாராயணன் புகழ் பாட சொல்பவன் யார்? 

ஆழ்வார்கள்  ஆச்சாரியர்கள் நாமம் நவின்று 

தமிழ் ஆங்கிலம் சமஸ்க்ரிதம் அனைத்தும் பயின்று 

எங்கள் ஆழிமழை கண்ணா நீ தானடா 

விண்கள் வெல்லும் எங்கள் வேந்தன் நீ தானடா

தாயின் மூலம் அன்பு கற்று 

தந்தை மூலம் பண்பு கற்று 

பாட்டியின் மூலம் பாசம் கற்று 

பாட்டனர் மூலம் பொறுமை கற்று 

உடையவர் சொன்ன நெறியை பற்று 

என்று தான் நான் உன்னை காண வருவேன் 

அன்று தான் உன்னை தூக்கி முத்தங்கள் தருவேன்

Srishan's memorable Thirukannapuram Trip

We had planned a trip to Thirukannapuram for the Maasi utsavam. We booked the forward journey to Kumbakonam by bus and from there to Chennai by train and back to bangalore by train. Srishan had the heights of joy when i told him that we would travel by big bus to Kumbakonam. When his father was back from office, his joy knew no bounds, he jumped, he hopped, and he ran round and round, and said " buslayo trainlayo ponananaaa" meaning bus layo train layo pogalaama??

We had booked a cab to get dropped at the ABT office at Madiwala. From there onwards, we waited for around half an hour, and Srishan was watching all big red and white busses. His obsession towards yellow got wild when he said , "dhig yeyoo dus na poghananaaa?" meaning big yellow bus la poghalaama?
I told him that we would go by big white bus only and not yellow bus, as yellow buses are meant to be school buses. Then we boarded the bus around 9pm. He was all the more excited and started counting the visible buses around him. He said "koo white dhuses" meaning "two white buses". We were surprised at his careful usage of plural words. He slept initially with slight difficulty, but then later on found his own comfort position and slept until we reached kumbakonam. When we alighted at the bus stand, he said "chakanathani saarangathaani sevikanananaa" meaning "Chakrapani Saarangapani sevikalaama?"

Then we went to the room we had booked to get ready. There I gave him bath and then he changed to his white kurta and pyjama in which he was always at ease.

We went to Saarangapani temple first and had a beautiful Darshan. I gave some cornflakes and Srishan preferred eating the chocos more :P

From Saarangapaani we went to Chakrapaani temple. After having a nice darshan there, we were just about to come out of the temple, and somebody called Srishan near him. It was the mathalam man who had a mathalam in his hand, he asked Srishan to beat using his hands, and Srishan enjoyed doing that. There wasnt enough light, and to blame my cellphone that did not have enough memory, I could not capture the moment. Then we went to ThiruVelliangudi, which was in some interior place from Kumbakonam. Thanks to Senthil anna, who was our saarathi this time as our previous trip. He took us with careful planning for us to have darshan at temples which we could not go in the previous trip.

At Thiruvelliangudi, only the bhattars are taking care of everything, and the Darshanam was awesome. Kolavalli Ramar was simply astounding. Moolavar - Srungara sundarar - was on bhujangasayanam, and did not have Changu Chakram in his hands. Instead , Garudazhwan had them in purapadum nilai. The bhattar explained that this darshanam is equivalent to prostrating at all 108 Divya Desams. The Sthala Vriksham was Kadhali ( here Sevaazhai) and we had the prasadam, it was really sweet. Then we went to Therazhundhur - and had dharshan of Aamaruviyappan. That is when we came to know that Swami Vellukudi Krishnan was also coming there. Second time we were blessed to prostrate Perumal standing beside him. The first time was last year during our trip to Thirukannapuram for Maasi Utsavam, we had similar instance at Thirunaagai - Soundararaja Perumal Koil. This time we were happy that Aacharyan thirvullam was enormous to have such an experience again. Swami was blessed with Perumal's garland, and he instantly wore that on Srishan, and blessed him.
Then we had the prasadham at temple, but Srishan had very little. Bhattar at Therazhundhur temple requested Swami to bless him at his thirumaligai, and we also went there, to give some food for Srishan. There Srishan had some private moments with Swami, enjoyed on the Swing along with Swami, and also expressed his knowledge of Sanskrit words that he has been learning - Dhola( Swing) Kupaha( Well) and also identified a few of the Azhwar Acharyar fotos on the wall.He also told the Guruparamparai names, and Amangaar of Therazhundhur Bhattar watched him keenly and smiled. Then he had kesari to his delight as prasadam and some curd rice with his much fond dry grapes. Then Swami asked him " what is my name?", he said "Kishnan" , he asked " Yaaruda unnoda Acharyan?" and Srishan pointed to Swami. Swami said, " naan illa, unnoda Acharyan Swami Mudaliandan" Then he asked ," Unnoda Peru yaaru vecha theriyumada?",Srishan was blank, Swami said " Nanthaan unnaku peru vechen theriyuma?" Srishan said "Swing la ukanananaaa" meaning " Swing la Ukaralamaa". Swami made him sit next to him and started patting him on his thighs. Srishan did the same to him. Then after some time he got down and started running around and enjoyed on his own. After having memorable moments there, we left to Thirukannapuram and reached there around 3.30. Swami's Upanyasam was to start around 4.15 after the Kaithala Sevai of Sowriraja Perumal. I had to change Srishan's dress as he had made his white dress literally brown. I missed Kaithala Sevai in this period. But then enjoyed Swami's Upanyasam for a while. Then Srishan said that he wanted to go and enjoy at the pond " theethaku poghananaaa?" meaning "Theetha ku poghalamaa?" I took him there and he enojyed watching the pond for say half and hour. Then we came back into the temple and he was playing all along until the Upanyasam got over. Then we walked over to find his father, and Swami was coming towards us. A few bhaktas were prostrating him and many were following him. Srishan went upto him and said " Krishnan Swami" in his tone of calling family members. I was surprised and so was his father who was a few steps behind. All people were smiling at Srishan, and surprised at his bold move. Swami said "nadakattum nadakattum", then we went farther and relaxed for some time and then also had darshan of Sowrirajar's Sesha Vahanam. Then followed by dhadhiaradhanai ( dinner) and then left thirukannapuram without having the anubhavam of Purappadu and Muniyadharaiyan Pongal. We wished we have it next time.

Senthil anna took us safely to Mayiladuthurai and we waited for some time. The train was very late,. We were supposed to board by 11.20pm but could board the train at 12.10am. Srishan kept telling " Reda blueaa yellow a green a endha koo koo kain nu theyaadhe" , that he doesnt know what color train he would be travelling in. When he saw blue train , then he stopped telling this sentence. Then we boarded the train. Srishan slept immediately, as he was deadly tired after all day events. Then we reached chennai the next day morning around 5.30. The train had made up for the lost time. We took bus to SIET and then auto to home. Srishan loved all the vehicles we travelled on. Then he slept royally until 10.30 that day. In the evening we went to play bubbles on the terrace. Srishan had company of Varun ( 6 months elder to him) and both of them chased the bubbles with all the excitement. Then on monday he enjoyed with playdoh at home . In the afternoon around 3.30, we took bus to Parthasarathy temple, and he enjoyed walking inside the temple. Then we came back by bus and he slept in the bus our of tiredness. We took train to Bangalore at arnd 11.15 pm. For that too, we took auto to station and he just loved that travel. He was awake and kept watching all around. telling " yellow koo koo kain la poghananaaa" for his obsession with Yellow color that has happened recently .Then i said, there is no yellow koo koo train, but we can go by blue koo koo train. Then he was counting the other trains and uttered the plural forms correctly. Then when the train started moving, he slept immediately. We reached bangalore this morning and he was awake until we took the bus to KR Puram. He slept in the bus and slept at home as well until 10.30. Even now he is so excited talking about his travel by bus and train!!!

Alter Ego Then and Now

It has been a long time since i met my best pal at college. Since our first meet at college, we have shared a lot of things, she was like me, carefree and good to all. Noori, we used to call her shortly. Till the last day at college, we have been together at the class, canteen, ground, busstop, Trainstation, train!! What not :) We watched movies together. I have been to her home a couple of times, and she has come to my home a few times. After college life, we got job at different places, and lot of things changed. But all the moments we were together were cherished. It is now six years since last day at college. Life has moved on so much,two years back she told me that she was getting married. It was a year back that Noori pinged me once to convey that she was going to be a mother. Today, i have no clue where she is, no mails, no phone :( I wish I could get in touch with her again, lots to share Noori, hope all is fine with you and your family.

Best Wishes from your dear Nith

தாமசத்தயும் பொருத்து அனுக்ரஹித்த சம்பவம்

It was a long day for us, and indeed a blessed one. We went to perform pooja for our vehicles.Srishan was excited to be on the driver seat for the first time,lot of things at his disposal! he did not know what to press, what to hit!!!

When the pooja was over, we took him out of the seat and he cried for pulling him out. So we took him on a ride around our compound, and then played with him for sometime. In the afternoon we had guests at home. Then Srishan had a good sleep for three hours, assuring that the rest of the evening would be peaceful for him. When we decided to attend Swami's Upanyasam at West Mambalam, rain was in our way, and we were not sure if the open school ground would be safe for a 22 month old!!!

Then we thought, this is after all a small hitch, and we took off. When we reached the school, the road was completely jammed and it was drizzling. I took Srishan and ran into the corridors of the school. It was somewhere near the second standard class room that I got place to stand, and most of them were also standing along the corridor. I was not sure what to do, but knew that Srishan was really hungry. So I quickly mixed his cereal, and tried to distract him from the startling crowd. He was telling dhaai dhaaai .. ( bye bye) every now and then, and i assured him that once we see his father, we can leave. I told him , it is raining as much as it rained at Govardhan, and Krishna umachi took the Govardhana giri in one finger. He was listening to my stories,and finished his dinner.

The topic was

SrI deSika stotra-s - 14. SrI kAmAsikAshTakam

Swami did start with his tempo, but people were running for shade becoz of the downpour. Then slowly they found places to sit and listen in peace as the rain slowed down.

I was quite comfortable now, and the rain which was pouring at its best, finally stopped. We got down on the ground and saw that there was some space to move around sans water. We went to a place where my husband could easily identify us. He quickly came to us. I told it was not a good idea to have come in rain. Given the rain had stopped, we could move around the ground. Then he asked me to go to the first floor, where some chairs were put up. I took Srishan to the first floor, where we safely found a place near the auditorium, and there was this UKG chair which i used for Srishan to sit comfortably.

Srishan was in his own world with slate, balpam, Notebook and Sketches.

I was helping him with few pictures now and then. When I realised that he wanted to sleep, I got up and took him. To my surprise,Swami also finished the day's session. So we quickly slipped out of the place to get his blessings at the principal's room. We also spoke to Principal, and she was very sweet. Srishan told her his name ( seeee....shaaannnnn) and she was very happy for that.

We asked her if he had passed interview answering her, so that he could an get admission in the school!!! ( :P)

After seeking Swami's blessing, we still wanted to stick to our plan and get darshan of Sri Venkata Krishnan at Thiruvallikeni. Swetha , whom we had found a new kinship with in also came with us.

We went to the temple, with the hope that it would be fag end of the day, and people would have actually be leaving. We were surprised and thrilled to see the rush as much as a normal day at Thirumalai.

"Puratassi Last saturday" was the factor!!! Then we realised that we did not have enough money to buy special ticket for all of us . With all the thAmasam we had been there, but Aacharyan Thiruvullam which was Swami kadAksham led us to have his darshan without much delay. Soon we came out and thanked the Swami who helped us.

What an apt say, Swami Desika's thirunakshatram reminding us of his words in DayAsathakam

"ahamasmi aparAda Chakravarthi"

This is a truly blessed day!!!

Apaara Karunyam, mattrum oru anubhavam

When we left for chennai by road, we thought about Thiruputkuzhi and Sriperumbudur!!! My husband said, we will go to both the temples,and then to chennai. When we approached Thiruputkuzhi, the temple was actually on the other side of the road, we had to take a right turn. Somehow, since Srishan was asleep , I was not very sure if we should take a right turn. Then we swiftly moved ahead, I thought there would be another gracious moment for that.

When we approached Sriperumbudur, we went into the town, but got stuck at the traffic , and it was already 8.30 pm :(

Hoping to have a darshanam of Emperumanaar, every second at the traffic jam looked like a dissapointment for us, rather the eagerness increased. We took a U turn, hoping to come out of the place, and then took the NH, and the road that connects from chennai to Sriperumbudur, This time there was no traffic, and we reached the temple in 5 mins. We ran quickly, with Srishan almost awake. It was paramaanandham for us to find that the temple was open, due to Navrathri, Thayar had Unjal Sevai and we reached to get her blessings and prasadham. Then the bhattar of Emperumaanar Sannidhi opened the door for us, and we had the immense blessing of Thamugandha Thirumeni. With all the content in mind, and tears in eyes, we left to Chennai.

காவிரி ஸ்நானம்

கிருஷ்ணா ஜெயந்தி கொண்டாட ஒரு அருமையான சந்தர்ப்பம் கிடைத்தது. நாங்கள் மைசூர் சென்றிருந்தோம். அங்கு காவேரி நதியில் நீராடிவிட்டு கரிகட்டா என்ற சிறிய மலைக்கு சென்று வெங்கடேச பெருமாளை சேவித்து விட்டு பின்னர் ஸ்ரீ ரங்கா பட்டணம் சென்று அரங்கநாதனை தரிசித்தோம். ஒரு பக்கெட் நீரில் குளிக்க அடம் பிடிக்கும் ஸ்ரிஷன் அன்று காவேரியில் குதித்து விளையாடினான். உடல் நடுக்கம் எடுத்த பின்பும், போதுமா என்று கேட்டால், இல்லை என்று தலை ஆட்டினான். எனக்கு சிரிப்பு தான் வந்தது. இதற்காக நான் காவேரி அருகில் வீடு வாங்க முடியுமா?