Festive special: Onam!

Onam is a keralite festival. It has a great mythological story behind its celebrations and some interesting activities involved. I am not a malayali but in my college every year during Onam we wear a traditional Onam saree and take loads of pictures with fellow classmates and try as much as possible to make the lecturer not to take any usual classes. So, that’s the type of celebration we have on this festive occasion.

My day began with the saree draping session. It was a white cotton saree and with simple golden border and small designs was made on it using embroidery with various shades of colourful threads. With the help of my mom and my eager enthusiasm we succeeded in the draping part until it fell apart. My mom hates to do same work twice. She was in the verge of becoming grumpy but still she carefully draped the saree again. I was happy that the activity (the art of draping a saree) which sometimes takes Indian women more than 5 minutes to forever was over for me.

Then it was time to the second challenge, the horror of walking in a saree. I am not a regular user of sarees. So, it felt like I was walking by wearing a burrito or a shawarma. I daily walk to bus stop of 1km distance and it was becoming late for me to catch the right bus on time and I had to rush. But the draped cloth was making sure I was walking as slow as possible. Like each footstep per second. But I tried to stroll as fast as I could and reached the bus stop. I didn’t get a seat in the bus I took. In normal attire itself there is a 100 possible ways to get hurt while standing in a moving bus, but to make my probability of getting hurt even more I was not wearing my usual clothes. Thankfully I managed not getting hurt with lots of cringes especially at the turns and speed bumps.

I got down from the bus and reached my college. Sarees are like headphones, both need to be adjusted often. I am a bit too conscious about revealing my body to the outer world other than myself. But turns out many girls of my age are like that when they wear saree. We check whether we look fat or anorexic? Is the folds aligned correctly? Is someone mentally judging us because we did a fashion blunder? And so on. After all this, the next challenging task for me was to reach my class which is in 5^th floor. By the time I reached 1^st floor in that saree I wore half my breakfast energy got expended.

I reached the 5^th floor and saw my classmates looking pretty and feminine in their sarees. We took some pictures of ourselves. Then, the horror started. First hour was started with Accounts subject. I absolutely hate anything with numbers and have a mild form of memory loss towards anything associated with numbers like maths, cash, time, date, etc. Only few of my classmates were present and we were half asleep when my lecturer started her accounts lullaby. Post graduation life is a serious business I guess. Whenever each student entered the class we were staring at her to see how she paired it up with the blouse, what sort of accessories she used, what make up style she did and so on. Seeing this, lecturer was staring blankly at our faces I guess she got the idea that we were super distracted. But lecturers always act like lecturers. She proceeded to teach and we proceeded to sleep.

After that we were requested to attend an event about music and dance competition in the auditorium. We all went there, saw bunch of people sitting on the stage one with mridangam, one with violin, a few with mike set up parallel to their faces. It was similar to katcheri set up. They sang devotional songs. Then the dance performance started. We discussed about their selection of songs, dance moves, their team execution and all. Then it was time for speeches and announced about the chief guest, who was an eminent carnatic singer with many accolades. She also spoke about her life, career path and passion. She later sang a few lines of the Tamil song “Kaatrinile varum geetham” as a tribute to M.S. Subbalakshmi who was also a great singer. That song and its lyrics have a way to intoxicate its listeners.

Then again went back to our classes and started taking photos. I was hungry and started to eat lemon rice my mom made for my lunch. It’s funny how people can flawlessly smile to a non-animate object like camera than to the living person next to them. It does makes sense that it captures their memories, moments and it remains with them forever as long as they wish to keep it. But it made me thinking millennial youth is spending more time with their technological buddies than the actual person being with them. So, many things around them are missed, in this process. But I was enjoying the moment to see their funny poses, their funny (horrible) singing, Funny dancing and many more which might not be the same if something I wish for happens.

Suddenly my Head of the department barges into the class and asks “where is the rest of the class?” She took attendance, a senior came and informed her something and she used a swear word (sh*t). She gave a completely out of box punishment to the people who weren’t inside the classroom. She told them to interview the teachers and students in the college who are wearing an Onam saree in terms of styling, beauty and many other ways where in reality no teacher appreciates to be asked these questions. But they did go, interviewed and accomplished to know that they need to take the interviewee’s photograph and do a Presentation on it tomorrow. I was glad I was inside the classroom and away from this unpredictable trouble.

Then, another lecturer came who always tries to make us happy. She gave bunch of good compliments to others and said I look completely different in a good way I guess. Later, another lecturer came who teaches us Organisational behaviour. She is a malayali, and we made sure we don’t let her take class. We asked her what is Onam is all about? And she gave us this broad smile which looked sarcastic in my point of view. Then, she made a Malayali girl in my class to answer that question. She mentioned they don’t celebrate Onam extravagantly. She said they do this sadhya which is a festive meal served in a banana leaf with a variety of foods served with rice, Pookalam or flower Kolams which are done using flower petals in different designs on the floor, and that’s all she knows. My lecturer gave the same sarcastic smile back at her and told us about the reason and story why they celebrate it.

The story goes on like this. There was a King named Mahabali. My classmate pronounced it back as mahabalu (means big bear in Hindi) and we laughed. That king was an asura but was good king. Asuras supposed to be the villain or the evil people. But Mahabali turned out to be a genuine king. He ruled heaven and earth. All the gods saw him as a threat and wanted to annihilate him. Mahabali has a weakness to help anyone who asks for his help. So lord Vishnu goes in the form of a Brahmin named Vamana and asks for a favour. Mahabali’s guru tells him not to agree as it feels suspicious but he agrees to help.

Vamana asks for land equal to the three paces of his feet. Vamana grew big, First footstep was all over the earth, second footstep was on all of heaven and there was still one territory left Mahabali owed Vamana. Mahabali requested Vamana to keep his third step on his head as he does not have any more land left. Vamana keeps his third feet on his head and sends Mahabali to the underworld. But due to his genuine sincerity Vamana grants his wish to visit his people for 10 days and these are the days which are celebrated as Onam. Then she correlated some organisation behaviour theories with the deities of different geographical regions and the Onam mythology story she mentioned. (For proper story use Wikipedia this is just a story which my lecturer knows)

After that, same vicious circle followed, I had to catch a bus in saree and walk as fast as possible to reach home. Surprisingly there was no scorching sun and the weather was good. But I was eager to remove the saree and wear my comfy clothes. Later I felt like cooking something but whenever I cook it never turns out well. So I saw some recipes which are quick with fewer ingredients. I got inspired and did a 2 –Ingredient dessert. I took dried bits of coconut and was hitting it with a mortar and pestle at first to get it into fine pieces. This usually works for spices but not for dried coconut pieces I guess. Like I said even though I did 3 Year Degree in Food Science I am poor at cooking but good at experimenting.

I told my mom what happened and she told me to use a blender. I have seen her giving the blender jars for repair for using it with certain ingredients and I was hesitant to use and spoil the Equipment. Life is incomplete without being able to take risks I guess. So, I blended few chunks of dried coconut pieces and added deseeded dates into it and blended again. The dessert is finished. I usually hate the sharp sweetness of dates but the coconut bits helps to adjust it. It tasted good until my mom suggested to add ghee to it which suppressed the true flavours of the coconut and dates. But still it was quick and easy dessert and my hunger was fulfilled.

The dessert - Date 'n' coconut stuff!

That’s how I celebrated Onam and Happy Onam! 

The So called "happy ending!"

It's been almost a month I have last blogged. Wow! A mixture of highs and lows happened in such a short period of time for me.

Brief info of the happenings ~ First I presented a poster about my research at a national conference and won best presentation award. Then, we had farewell from the juniors, last ethnic day, last class assignment, last class presentation, last project submission, last college day event, last lab classes, last class lectures and finally my last day at college ended at 14th march 2016. I also attended my first official interview at an eminent college for MBA and hope I get a positive response.

So final year has happily ended but I still have semester exams to finish during last week of March until then I am temporarily freed from my college. I have experienced happiness, sorrow, jealousy, fights, stress, boredom, separation, desperation, headaches, and so many other things of which I saw in fast forward mode during last few days of my college life.

• The conference I attended was at Madras veterinary college which was situated in Vepery, Chennai. My friends were so nice to give me a lift to the place without any hesitation. I was so lucky to see so many pets and it was a heaven for me to see so many cute creatures. They are non-judgmental at the same time each pet has its own characteristic style and behaviour. I admired them. I and my classmates expected the conference was about food but all that was shown, presented, researched, and spoke was only about meat industry. We saw ethical ways to kill meat, different images of meat and some of my vegetarian friends were in disgust seeing those images. Even though the price to attend the conference was above 1000 rupees which is technically too much for a middle class student like me but I think it’s okay for something that can't be bought anywhere i.e. hanging out with besties. By the way I got a bag, pouch, key chain, stationery items, fancy designer green umbrella and a book in which my research abstract was published. When the speaker was saying animals don't feel much pain I made a sly joke that even it has kidney and heart like we do in hushed tone. My besties heard my words and could not hold their laughter and that also made me to laugh out loud but I tried to hold my laughter as much as possible. The Day 1 of the conference I presented my poster and attended the sessions.  Later, the day was becoming night so my friends did not let me go home alone. I visited my friend's place and aunty insisted me to eat. So I eventually gave up and ate a delicious crispy murruku (Indian fried snack) and drank a cup of Brahmin aathu kaapi (the coffee made by Brahmin people). I and other friend were waiting for her mom to pick us up. Then, my friend’s mom and her sister came. She and my Brahmin friend's family discussed a big discussion on the future education of their daughters and I was very tired and desperate to reach home and sleep. I was envy of my friend's sister who was happily skipping and was not involved into such an intense topic by the elders. They finally wrapped up their talks and decided to leave. Out of nowhere my friend suddenly gets reminded of the shawarma promise she made to me long ago and made her mom to stop at an Arabic cuisine restaurant and buy me a shawarma. I waited in the car while aunty went and bought a shawarma for me and their daughters. I was too happy for getting a delicious food that I have been craving for a long time. They left me at my home and said good bye. I went straight into kitchen, took a knife cut the shawarma into 3 pieces for my mom, my brother and one piece for me to devour it's glorious flavour on my taste buds. It wasn't that tasty as I expected because it was too bland and filled with too less veggies and mayonnaise. My personal preference would be spicy, tandoor style chicken pieces with lots of fresh cut veggies, succulent amount of mayonnaise with neatly cooked roti. But still it is a caring gift from a dear friend which made it extra special regardless of its taste. On Day 2 they delayed like anything with elaborate presentations and at last announcement of winners initiated. The names of my best friends were announced and I was overwhelming with joy and clapped till my palm hurt and reddened. Then immediately my name was announced. My mind was like it's definitely a delusion, things like this can never happen to an unpopular, lame person like me or this must be a weird dream they must be some mistake. The people beside me were started staring at me and I felt vibes of jealousy, judgmental look indicating their thoughts like how could a person like me getting an award? But most of them stared plainly which reminded me to get the hell up from my chair and receive my accomplishment. I walked.... nope I ran like a deer jumping over obstacles like chairs, bags, people and finally reached the place to receive my only proud accomplishment in college life. My heart was beating to its full extent like I was experiencing a bungee jump. The prize was a torch light with 3 batteries. But proving certain people wrong and achieving something that people believed in you is the best gift I got that day. 
• Ethnic day was the next big thing in the recent events. It is the day when everyone in the college wears ethnic wear mostly sarees. I wore an orangish red saree with maroon border and gold zari work from my mom's wardrobe. That was the only saree that was proper without any leaching of colour from the floods. I then accessorized it with black beaded magnet necklace, gold coloured bangles and a golden earrings studded with maroon gems. I went on the street in this attire which was an unusual sight for most of the neighbours. I walked till the bus stop and prayed that the bus would be less crowded but fate always get tempted to test my abilities. I ended up taking the extremely crowded bus. I kept one hand to a metal rod and other one into my purse which I was holding with my mouth to get a ticket. I hung near the foot board for while then slowly went into the middle section of the bus in a haphazard manner. I finally got down from the bus and gave a secret pat to myself for surviving such a crowded bus that too in a saree. I reached college and saw everyone were arranging their pleats of the saree, some taking selfies, some were putting make up on their friend's faces and some just admired the moment like me. Then I also joined them to take some pictures in saree and had a beautiful day to remember forever.

• After that came the special gala event for every final year student from their juniors - The farewell! The invite came as a surprise during the class hours. It was a woven basket containing beautiful LED light arrangement along with seashells, decorative flowers, non-alcoholic Pomegranate juice in a fancy corked bottle and a beautiful card with blue ribbon to it. The card had the details of the theme, venue, date and timings for us. The theme was "50 Shades of Blue!" and most of us were only having our wardrobes dominated by shades of pink, black and white. The plans to shop new dress evolved and the hunt for a gorgeous blue dress was on everyone's mind. And for me no new dress because of various reasons. So I ended up going in a kurta and legging. I did pack a black and white striped dress that was gifted to me by my besties during my birthday. I came 15 minutes earlier that the time specified. The juniors were the people who expected us to reach 1 hour late than the specified time. I went to prep up for the occasion in the change room. I asked if they needed any help but they denied the offer, then I roamed the hall, and finally waited for my classmates like a little pup waiting for its owner to come home. Then slowly few people showed up and it became a crowd and filled the hall. They didn't kept the A.C. on which made us to sweat a lot and I was craving for some fresh cool air like a zombie craving for human flesh. We took lots of pictures, played games, ate food which was not as delicious as the reviews of the hotel, saw a video of ourselves and our alma mater which got us emotional about leaving some of our prized possessions - Our friends. We had a group hug and a group photo. The farewell gift was something we all will never forget it was a calendar with our group photo on the cover and a picture and birthday of each classmate on each month. This gift was the best part of the farewell.
• My last class assignment using a PowerPoint presentation went so well that the teacher could not believe her own eyes and enquired me in front of the whole class whether I put my own effort and made it or downloaded it somewhere from the internet. The truth is I was so impatient with the too long wait because my name which starts with the letter “S” and I had a long queue of people i.e. my classmates to be presenting before my turn comes. So, I was adding pictures and extra information into it in the mean time and surprised everyone or I am just that unbelievably talented at presentations.
• We spent last few days of our college life by wearing colour coded days. We wore combinations of red and black, blue and green, orange and yellow and final day was twin dressing. It was very fun to dress up for a purpose.
• The final day of the college arrived and everyone were scribbling on each other’s lab coats for their memories to be remembered forever. Some brought slam books and were immersed into it. So, that’s what happening in the last few days of my life hope to see more such wonderful experiences in future. The end to my college life! Or the beginning to a new journey of my life!