Tuesday, November 26, 2013

   எழுத்தின் விதை

                                                                   


எழுத்துக்கள் எண்ணங்களின் வெளிப்பாடு;
எதிரியை எதிர்க்க இயலாதபோது இதயத்திற்கு
இதம் தரும் ஆறுதல் தாலாட்டு.

எழுத்துக்கள் பகிர்தலுக்கான முயற்சி;
உணர்ச்சிகளை ஊரார்க்கு உணர்த்தப் பயன்படும்
ஓர் சிறந்த கருவி.

வட்டியும் முதலுமாக, மறக்க நினைத்து, வேடிக்கைப் பார்க்க 
எனக்கும் ஆசைதான்.
என்ன செய்வது ?
என்னை நீங்கள் படிக்க 
நான் ராஜூ முருகனாகவோ மாரி செல்வராஜாகவோ முத்துக்குமாராகவோ 
இருக்க வேண்டுமே...

என் வாழ்க்கை நாடகத்தின் கதாப்பாத்திரங்கள்
என் வார்த்தைகளின் விதைகளாகி, விருட்சமாக வளர்ந்து,
இன்று விழுதுகளாக என்னோடு பயணிக்கின்றனர்.

இறந்த காலத்தின் கால்தடங்களை மறைத்து,
எதிர் கால கனவை நோக்கி,
இன்றைய நாளை நகர்த்திச் செல்லும்
இன்னுமோர் சிட்டுக்குருவி இது.

                                                                 - வைஷ்ணவி பிரசாத் .
                                                                   










Friday, November 8, 2013

Diwali delights


It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.
Nelson Mandela
This diwali season was busier than usual for two reasons: travel and guests. Mumbai beckoned us and we could not resist visiting the city weeks before diwali. Along came our parents and sibling after the visit. Shopping and people, do I need more to celebrate a festival?

After the guests had left, there was hardly a gap of 4 days for diwali and we had not heard anything about  diwali celebration in the apartment. The interest and unity among the residents had decreased year on year and now had almost reached saturation. I was too tired to ask for anything until my neighbor dropped into my house. "vaishnavi, what are doing this time for diwali ? ", she asked. "no idea" I shrugged. All were aware of the indifference in the apartment functioning and the new manager did little to improve it.

For the last five years, I had been actively involved  in the organizing of diwali celebration and now if it had to happen, I had to start it all alone. My energy levels had drained in the last few weeks but one question was sufficient to ponder over and begin with the preparations. What is the point of staying in a community and not getting together even once in a year? I decided to give it a try.

A message to all known apartment friends asking them to assemble for a meeting to decide on diwali celebration was sent. A word with the association treasurer made it clear that funds can be utilized to certain extent though nobody is ready to take it forward. Around 10 of us gathered and discussed. 5 of us took responsibilities for fund mobilization, gift purchasing, food arrangements and so on. I had to collect funds and make the seating and sound arrangements. For purchasing crackers, we needed men volunteers. I requested my husband to join another neighbor and he obliged despite being annoyed for not being able to go to our home town this diwali. Every volunteer did their part sincerely.

Diwali arrived and I was tensed as the celebration had to go as planned. We had  ball passing game for kids, balloon bursting game for men, gift snatching game for women and tombola for all. A full-fledged meal arrived and we happily gobbled it. Crackers were bursted and thus the day ended as expected.

Image : wikipedia


This time, I felt the need to propose a vote of thanks. With due credits, the organizers were applauded. Also, the need to attend meetings and discuss issues was stressed. I felt a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. Here is a small thought shared on celebrations.


Festivals were meant for sharing and caring,
As we needed a reason to celebrate living.

Sweets, gifts and diwali lights,
To Those stressed souls come as delights.

What is the purpose of remembering traditions
If one cannot respect and reciprocate others' emotions?

After all, isn't it time we opened our doors to let light enter?
Isn't it time we broadened our minds for a bigger shelter?

Come, let us get together,
If not today, then it is never!