Tuesday, April 12, 2011

കുളക്കരയില്‍!

നീലത്താമര പൊയ്കയിലന്നൊരു
നീല പൊന്മാന്‍ വന്നണഞ്ഞു

കുണുങ്ങിലുങ്ങിയിരുന്നവനൊരു 
നാണം കുണുങ്ങി പൂവിനെക്കണ്ടു...

കുഞ്ഞിക്കൈകള്‍ വീശിനീന്തും
കുഞ്ഞന്‍ മീനുകളെത്തിനോക്കും 

നീലിമ തൂകിയ മേനിയഴകുമായ് 
നീലത്താമാരത്തോണികള്‍ക്കിടയില്‍ 

കരിവണ്ടുകള്‍ തന്നുടെ മര്‍മ്മരങ്ങള്‍ 
കരയോളമോടിയെത്തിടുന്നു...   ‍   

പൂവുകള്‍ തോറും തേനുണ്ടു പാറും 
പൂമ്പാറ്റകള്‍ക്കോ ചന്തമേറും!

കുഞ്ഞിളം കാറ്റുമപ്പോള്‍ കൂടെയെത്തി 
കുഞ്ഞിപ്പൂക്കളെയുമ്മവെച്ചു ...

പുഞ്ചിരിതൂകിയൊരുങ്ങി നില്‍ക്കും 
പുഞ്ചപ്പാടത്തെ നെല്‍ക്കതിര്‍കള്‍ ‍

നീലപ്പൊന്മാനും നെല്‍ക്കതിരും കരിവണ്ടും
നീലപ്പൂക്കളും കുഞ്ഞിക്കാറ്റും

നീന്തിത്തുടിക്കും മീനുകുളുമെല്ലാം
എന്തൊരു  ചന്തമയ്യാ കണ്ടിരിക്കാന്‍!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Dawn





Dawn is peaceful and recharging-
I sat on the moist grass
With a throbbing heart...
When the dew drops fell on me
I felt like the little flower
That opened up gladly to receive
The magical dew drops!

The youthful Sun - so fresh and soft-
Slowly arising in the horizon;
The birds chirping in ecstasy;
Welcoming the new day -
With happiness and joy!
O! Mother Nature! you fill each heart
With joy unlimited; everyday!!!

I am lost in this beauty -
I feel one with nature
Needless to say, I am up in the sky;
On the chariot of clouds...
Moving; drifting slowly away -
Into the strong arms of
The ONE who is the designer...

An Observation

Not long ago, we could see ladies in the traditional outfit of Kerala - Veshti Mundu or even a Saree. But now the scene has changed. More often than not, we see them in nightie (or maxi as it is sometimes called). Or else, they would be wearing Churidar / salwar - kameez.

This change has occurred across religion and castes. Even in a remote village, one can find people clad in them. The very term nightie implies something that is worn at night, but we feel comfortable wearing it day and night! Earlier, people seldom went out of the house in nighties, but now it is not so. It has become so popular among the ladies of Kerala that I feel we should declare it  the state dress!

The Muslim ladies are more or less seen in the Abaya these days. My Muslim friends say that is not only convenient but also a part of their religious requisite. And even in that a lot of variety is available these days. It has become so popular among the old and youth that, the traditional Malabari outfit of Muslim women is no where to be seen these days.

The men are also not far behind. Earlier, we found them in their dhotis or lungis. But now a days, jeans and pants are preferred to them. Of late Bermudas too have joined the list. It is the younger men who can be found wearing these. The older generation (especially in the villages) has not yet embraced the change. They seem to be happy and comfortable in their dhotis and lungis.

The children have also changed dressing styles. For girls, Pattupaavada is reserved for special occasions. Boys are not interested in dhotis. Many cannot manage it if at all they wear it. They are happy in their Bermudas.

With time, change comes. I feel that we have a knack to adapt ourselves to these changes easily, especially if they add to our comforts. So, it will not be surprising to see more changes in the times to come. 

Of Little Trips and Great Learnings

The other day, we (some staff, volunteers and service users of Mary Seacole House, Liverpool) went on a day trip to Llangollen. This wasn&#...