31/05/2016
It all started off a month before Navarathri last year. The probable no. of ladies, girls and boys that would be invited was listed. Always easy to choose a gift which would go with the tamboolam for girls. Also, for boys. As for ladies, the older ones would invariably be given blouse bit. (ravikkai thuni - mangalagaram, though it may go around the family circle and land back in your own house). But although options are aplenty for the younger womenfolk, it is almost impossible to settle down for something which is not made of plastic. It is my unfaltering quest to try and avoid plastic that led me to this idea of 'making' something for gifting. The transparency sheets from yesteryears carefully tucked away somewhere came to my mind. The memory of seeing kundan rangolis also came along. and then few not so big rangolis were made. Then came the news that due to an aged relative's demise Golu shouldn't be celebrated twith he usual fervour. So the invitees list was toned down. And except for 2-3 which were given to folks who did visit about that time, it looked like the other rangolis would gather dust in the shelf for a while. The thought pained me. But ofcourse my passionately created small-sized rangolis did find an audience in the form of cousins who'd visit on their anniversary without announcement, or aunts who'd visit us to say bye before traveling to phoren settled sons.. But not everyone attaches the value that you'd expect for your hand made stuff. It doesn't go down well with you, when a banana, hand kerchief and an umbrella is pushed along with your rangoli in the same bag. It hurts. So i decided to 'routea maaaaathu'
It is customary for me, to visit the nearby fancy store whenever I visit the Paed's clinic. On an impulse I asked the shopkeeper if he'd buy these from me. What I anticipated was a sarcastic smile along with a vehement head shake. But the guy took these and even paid me. I am woman of conscience ( 'twinkle' ) so checked on the guy to see if he managed to sell them after about 10 days. I was thrilled to bits when he said all were sold as it was festive season and asked me to make more... But bigger. So a second set was given to him. Then the incessant rainfall, consequent floods and having to be stuck indoors saw me making more. The hobby just stuck. It gave me such joy akin to polishing off a nicely cooked and presented feast
