And for a Friday …… in Trivandrum after the “SoBo Mallu” Gettogether & Karthika …. “ the kerala festival of lights “ …… some thoughts ….. some musings …..
India is such a large Country …. allmost a Continent…. the diversity amazes at every step …… in Kerala particularly the erstwhile state of Travancore which houses the world famous Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple …..is home to many unique Hindu festivities …. Karthika is one such ….a festival of lights is dedicated to Goddess Shakti/Bhagwathi …… almost every home …. every Temple & even streets are illuminated with traditional clay Oil lamps …….a great belief that these lights ward off darkness & all that’s Evil …..& brings Prosperity & Knowledge to all her Patrons ……Karthika marks the conjunction of Karthika Star ( the Pleiades ) and the full moon in the Hindu Malayalam month of Vrishshikam ….. God Bless us all ……
A major objective of this trip to Trivandrum was the Gettogether of some of us who stayed in South Mumbai between Malabar Hill , Carmicheal Road , Altamount Road & Napean Sea Road during our “9 to 5” working tenure …. Be it working for Govt. … PSUs or in MNCs & large Indian Corporates ……. Post retirement …. most now in the smart wily ages of 65 -70 plus are retired & relocated in different cities of the country …., but all being Malayalees & from South Mumbai the Group identifies themselves as “SOBO -Mallus”…. we decided to meet up in my ancestral Family House -Prayag a traditional “Naal-Kattu” …. Mangalore tiled …. Travancore styled house with “Mani-Chitra-thazhu” ornate door locks …. Vegetable dyed floor tiles … etcetc …… the group had organised a “ Mast” programme with solo dances …. Group dances & also the Rajnikant made famous “Lungi dance” complete with Dark sunglasses & colourful “ half-mast” Lungis ……. days of Good booze … fab food … dance ,music , Jokes ….reminiscences & togetherness ……,
Life has its own pace …. We all have to be thankful for all that God has given us thus far …… the Good times & the Tough times ….let’s pray for continued good health & Happiness ….the loving way ….. the caring way ….. the SEEGOS way.