Silly Superstitions

I am superstitious. At least at my convenience. Here’s a new belief that I have cultivated over this weekend.

“Whenever I make some delicious recipe that is just out of a glossy booklet or from online, I and my husband have a huge fight”. The fight need not be over the food. It could be anything.

The first time this happened, I had made some potato cheese balls at home which were absolutely amazing. After a lot of hard work, when I finally put these to the table, my husband wouldn’t taste it. I think he was angry over the guests in my house who were gossiping. Nevertheless, it made my efforts seem irrelevant. And the rest was history.

The second time, he had to suddenly go to the office when I was in the middle of preparing ‘Microwave Roasted Stuffed Capsicum’ for lunch. It turned to be delicious. Arya and I loved it. But my husband came home at 9 pm and we fought even before he saw the food. The whole food had anyway become so cold by dinner time that I lost all interest in serving it. He was too tired or angry to even comment about it.

Another such superstition that I have is about carrying non-veg food in my car. When I was a learner, I drove my car for many months carefully and there was no incidence of damage to external or internal life and property. There were just few minor scratches. However there was this once when I made fried fish for my entire team. I was carrying it in a container to office, when a car slammed on to my car from the rear. For no fault of mine. Literally. I was stationary at the time of the accident. I hope this was just a one-off thing and doesn’t repeat itself, because I know I will have to carry non-veg food someday in my car.

But wait, was this again because of some food item that I made? Should I stay away from making dishes that could win me compliments? I did receive lot of compliments for the fish. Thinking…

Additionally, there are a lot of secret superstitions that I have involving some small and big things, to bring good luck. (I cannot discuss them, because I believe talking about them would jinx them.) Even though I want to be perceived as a practical and a logical person, I don't want to put these beliefs to test.

Why take a chance? Right?

Ganesh Festival and the Nostalgia!

I love festivities, especially the ones that go on for a longer time like Ganesh festival, Navratris, Diwali, Christmas and even Ramadan. It feels like the whole city gets charged up - lively, and bright.

Ganesh festival came with the usual fervour this time too. There were huge stalls and pandals selling Ganesh idols in various colours, designs and sizes. E.g. Ganesh sitting on his parent’s lap, Ganesh studying for IIT, Ganesh dancing on Kalia naag and more. There were lines and lines of shops selling decorative items like paper mandirs (called Makhars in Marathi), lighting strings, buntings, small LED lights and such, so that you can get your Ganesh home to a beautifully decorated place. There were shops selling puja items too. Above all, there was always a crowd of people before every shop and stall selecting their Ganpati, choosing the right decorations, buying last minute puja items. A walk on the street didn’t seem like a hectic task but a pleasure.

Being a true Punekar, I love Dhol-Tasha too. Even before the festival begins, lots of groups practice these drums in schools and playgrounds. If you stand close to the drum beats, you experience heavy thudding in your heart with every beat. You begin to anticipate and also know correctly when the next Tasha or Dhol will strike. I enjoy this feeling.

People brought their Bappa home, covered in a white cloth, while shouting ‘Ganpati bappa morya’! Small kids were running in circles around the person carrying the idol.

When I was a kid, my friend and neighbour Seema would bring Ganpati at home. I and my sisters would try to help out with decorations if needed (so many kids create more nuisance than help.) I got to learn so many Aarti’s by attending the morning and evening prayers during those 10 days for about 15 years. I can still remember her mom singing Aarti’s, while I and Seema read them out from a booklet. The Prasad was always delicious, and my mom would sometimes sponsor it too.

After I got married, I attended Ganpati celebrations each year at my friend Aarti’s place, who was also my neighbour. She involved me in decorations, getting the Ganpati home, help in making Prasad (rarely), singing Aarti’s, immersion processions, etc. Yogesh and I even led a prayer at their home once.

This year, I was missing Ganpati celebration a lot as I had shifted to my new house across the city. I couldn’t go to Aarti tai’s place, and really wanted to give Prasad to God, but didn’t know how. I wanted Arya to see the puja and decorations too.

We took Arya to see Ganpati pandals in our locality. We saw immersions happening on the 7th day at a river nearby, the people dancing, drums, etc.

I began missing the childhood and past days even more. It was the 9^th day… just 1 more day to go.

That was when I got a call from another friend – Sarita. She had a Satya-Narayan puja at her home, and a Ganpati that they would immerse in the afternoon. The best thing was that I was invited for the Puja! And she even called us for lunch.

We went to her place yesterday morning. The Ganpati idol, lighting and decoration were simply amazing. I could do the puja and give Prasad to God. Arya could see the Bappa at home. The lunch was delicious – a menu of puran-poli, amti, bhajji, papad, chapati, varan bhaat! Yogesh, me and Arya ate till we were stuffed. We enjoyed every moment!

Somehow Ganpati knew my small wish and fulfilled it through my friend. This year I realised that more than my fascination for the festival, I felt the need to be there.

Ganpati bappa morya!

I spent the evening watching the immersion procession and dhol-tasha performances on TV.

It’s school time for Arya - 2

Arya’s first day in the school. 

Arya was very excited to go to school, mainly because he wanted to wear the new dress, carry the new bag, wear socks and the new floaters! There was even a new lunch box!

I was concerned though. I had read so much about separation anxiety.
What if he couldn't open his lunch box? (I should have taught him to do it at home.) How would he eat?
Would he be able to find his new sipper and drink water from it? (This was the new non-spill sipper I had got for him to ensure the water doesn't spill in his bag.)
What if his diaper gets dirty and no one checks?
What if he doesn’t like the other kids? What if the kids hit him?

On the big day, we got him ready. He looked like a very seedha-sadha bachcha, a first bencher type. Yogesh and I carried him to the school. When we reached there, Arya saw so many kids cry while their parents went back from the gates. That was when he got the hang of the situation. He hadn't expected this. He cried when they took him inside, 'Aye mumma, aye mumma, tu ye tu ye'... (Mom you too come inside).  The whole building was full of screaming kids! We waited outside the building for about 5 mins and went back home.
When he came back, Arya was very happy and excited to see us. He was jumping around and talking a lot.

‘Sonu, kuthe gela hota’ (Where did you go?)

‘Kool madhe gela hota’ (I had gone to the school)

‘Kay kela school madhe?’ (What did you do in the school?)

‘Cycle khel-la’ (I played with the bike)

This continued for a few days. As long as I or Yogesh dropped him, he was happy to go. He even ate his dabba (pohe, upma, alu-paratha) and drank water. He told us every day that he played cycle in the school. There was no mention at all, of what the school teacher taught him that day. 

Within a few days we saw some progress, as he began to sing Alphabet song and some other rhymes in his usual style - missing a few words and combining some to form new ones! He sang the tune perfectly though. We still encourage him by singing along with him and clapping when he finishes a rhyme.

All was going well until there were changes in Yogesh's office time and my office hours increased. To top it off, Arya's regular class teacher changed too...

To be continued...

It’s school time for Arya - 1

(This is an article I wanted to write in July but have written and posted it now.)

Preface – Expect the unexpected.

I was in the middle of my busy work day when I got an SMS from Arya’s would-be play-school, and quite unexpectedly, I felt a slight twinge in my heart. What? So soon??!!!

I was aware that the school would send some communication to parents few days before it starts. The message was to inform parents about an orientation meeting and its date. Parents would get to know the teachers, get the allotted school bags for kids, have their kids measured for uniforms, etc.

I have spent most of the last month telling Arya - ‘Sonu, ata school aahe pudhcha mahinya pasun. Tu janal na?’ (He had no idea but replied.) ‘Haaa’

Yet I felt a little sad when I got the SMS. It was because now my baby who would stay home for the whole day playing around had grown up just a tiny bit. He would be leaving home for few hours and not be around us. I curtailed this emotion with thoughts like - it is just playschool, it is only for a few hours, and I didn’t even need to send him there every day!

I attended the orientation meeting with Arya, wondering how he would take it, cause he hadn’t been away from home without one of us around. When we entered the compound, we saw some bikes for kids. Arya sat on a green one that was the most attractive. Since then I didn’t have to bother looking at him for the rest of my time there!

He didn’t come upstairs with me to the meeting. Other teachers kept an eye on kids playing in the compound. I was proved wrong. He didn’t mind being around other kids if there are enough bikes around. The meeting lasted for 1.5 hour and I was worried - What if he falls? What if someone pushes him? What if he wants me and couldn’t find me? I came down to see Arya happily playing on the same bike! He didn’t even want us to go back home… I had to drag him out!

 

To be continued…

Ladoos, cakes, barfis, gembs and such

Arya wants more and more of taboo stuff these days, thanks to my parents! Just like ideal parents would want to, I and Yogesh had kept Arya away from Maggi, Gems, chocolates, cakes, sweet-shops etc. Sadly, my mom thinks he has become too thin. Of course he doesn't want to eat healthy home cooked meals much. My parents feel utter pity on Arya due to our cruelty. They think we keep our child hungry.

Whatever. Few times I did allow my dad to get him barfi, ladoos, cakes, etc., and since then a lot has changed.

Gembs:

Well, my dad gave him Gems one day, and Arya's tiny world was awed by the beautiful coloured buttons! He would say to me 'Gembs aan (Bring gembs)'. If I would go down to the shop or office or even to throw garbage, he would yell 'Gembs!!!!!!'

“Mummy bhuk lagali” (Mom I am hungry)

“Kay deu? Chapa-bhaji deu?” (What should I give you? Let me give you chapatti and veg)

“Nako chapa… (pause)…Mummy bhuk lagali. Mala gemb de” (I don’t want chapatti and veg. I am hungry. Give me gems.)

“Shonu, aplya kale gembs nahi aahet gharat” (we don’t have Gems at home)

(Some crying)

“Mummy chal maha gembs aan” (lets go to the Mahalaxmi grocery shop below to get Gems)

“Shonu pan sagle paise sampale! Ata kasa anaycha Gembs” (All money is over. How would we buy gems now?)

(Thinking)

“Papa fone kal” (call dad. Sometimes it is a call to mom.)

 Few times we say that some distant relative is going to get it next time they come. He does keep it in his mind and if by chance they do come to our place, that’s the first thing he demands from them.

Maggi:

Another thing he began to love is Maggi. (Ok I used to eat Maggi in front of him, but never gave him!) So now I have successfully converted the appearance of real Maggi to homemade Shevai i.e. semolina in his eyes. No, he doesn't eat it like Maggi. He hates it. He likes pasta though. And we make it once in a few months.

Chiula (chiwda/farsan):

My sister (Namita) and her hubby got Lonavala chiwda a few times, and of course my dad did too. Till date Arya eats at least a few morsels every day. Once he begins, he never looks up from the small plate. One should never try to pick up chiwda from his plate!

"Mummy mala bhuk lagali"

"Thamb valan-bhaat dete." (Wait I’ll give you dal and rice)

"Mala nako valan-bhaat." (I don’t want dal-rice.)

"Mummy mala bhuk lagali. Mala chiula de" (Mom I am hungry. I want chiwda.)

Chockate (chocolate):

He does eat actual chocolates once in a while but for him the real chocolate is the jelly chocolate that we get in Khandala. Again my sister's hubby (Sudhir Bhauji) gets it without fail for him. These jelly sweets come in a bat shaped case and Arya loves it too. He eats jelly chocolates one after another. We try to limit him to 4 in one go and once in few days. We keep trying.

Pasta:

He likes the SunFeast pasta too much! I like it too. He sits with folded lap like one would for a puja, and finishes a fair share. We make it once in 3 or 4 months.

Ladoos:

Finally, the ladoos have really harassed me. He sees Chhota Bheem eating it and asks me to get them. I got motichoor ladoos one day, but he refused to touch them after tasting them. Once my neighbour gave 2 ladoos from her bro's wedding and Arya devoured them! So like a smitten mother, I made rava ladoos at home. And yet again, he didn't touch them.

Few weeks back Arya and me had gone to my mom’s place and she gave a Rava ladoo to him. He ate it like he wasn't fed ever! I asked mom to give few for carrying with me. He finished them and since then demands for them every day. Our excuses are that Guddi (Arya's nickname for my mom) will get them next time. Or we will go to sweet shop in the evening, or we don't have at home and we don’t have money left. He cries or talks to Guddi on phone so that she can send them.

We know such junk food should not be eaten by him and we avoid to a large extent. Still, he is just a kid with developing taste buds and it is a huge task to keep him away from all this! We try...

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Update: Finally, Guddi made ladoos and got them yesterday! They were made at Mani maushi’s place and sent for him. Arya saw Guddi and Baba at the door yesterday and did a big dance, running around the house with hands up in the air, and flinging himself on the sofa with happiness. All the time he was yelling yey, yey! He saw the ladoos and gobbled one right away! It was fun to see his mouth full and smeared by the rava.

I can rest in peace from the other demands for a few days until the ladoos get over!