Aahaa Chennai

The word 'reluctance' was etched on the face. Would the now terrified teeth so used to munching on soft pizzas,  jelabis and Mysore paks withstand the hardness? The lens zooms back to aeons ago, when the smell of jaggery syrup would waft over the gate. At the right consistency, it was combined with roasted peanuts and patted into balls. The tempting array of rounds on the plate would disappear within minutes. The chewy noise meant the teeth were  kept busy. The crunching and grinding would rasp upon your ears. Imagine! Twin benefit in one stroke. Mighty Iron  plus Power Protein. The lil' ones would roll it, throw it, enjoy leap n'catch. A long line of ants anticipating delicious tidbits would arrive  marching. Tucked into your palm or inside small packets deep in your handbag these energy filled rounds seem to say... 'C'mon, hurry up and get me!'

Don't need chocolates or cakes or biscuits or chips or vada pavs, even samosas, pizzas, ice creams or burgers. Am willing to give up treats, parties, even my... 'can't-part-with'  smartphone. I solemnly promise to do my homework, stop arguing, lazing around, eat spinach, brush my teeth twice a day, trim my nails, observe hygiene. Someone broadcast it aloud. A fervent plea to my Maker. Get rid of those... mean, monstrous, militant, mighty, ever multiplying mosquitoes. We are getting weaker. They are growing bigger or better still... change them into trees.

What is he waiting for? A soul of patience, his gaze scans the scene ahead surveying every inch. Hello! It's really frustrating. The seat is rough and prickly. I've been waiting for well over an hour. Where is he? The befuddled banana seller with his 'so-easy-to-raid' cart. Hmm! If only I had a smartphone like yours with this and that, I could see hundreds of images of perfect photogenic plantains. I am hoping,desperately, this would satisfy my craving a wee one percent. I am still here, dreaming of biting into tasty chunks of plantains, dropping the peels off one by one, swinging gaily from branch to branch tossing some bits high up into the air, a masterly strategy, to avoid cunning troops planning a clever 'snatch them all'.

The pile of twigs grew. Fallen from the neem tree as also the gooseberry tree, tied tight with a piece of jute string, kids simply loved it. Toddlers swept the floors in a game of fun with grandma panting for breath trying to sweep away her aches and pains. Someone came up with a better idea. Fallen coconut fronds were dried. The leafy part was skimmed off with sharp knives, an art by itself. Arranged according to length the twigs were tied into brooms, considered very handy, also rated the best. by another generation. With life turning busier, its 'sorry' no time to  seek out those  coconut twig brooms. Finding a replacement when twigs turned brittle became an unwanted chore. Enter the fashionable bright plastic brooms in a range of colours. Quite the rage, they could even match with the bathroom decor! However... Mr. Crow busy with constuction work, building a dream nest is none too happy. He is being denied his ...

The smell draws you in, reminding you of  forgotten train journeys and long distance bus trips. The rising steam from the white and fluffy rounds makes your hands itch, eager to finish it off But.. Wait. This must be done in style. Aha! Now it's 'makeup' time. In a while, it'll be  good to eat. Voila! From white see it turn red, thanks to being doused with grandma's special coarsely ground powder mix, a lethal combination, sure to send your tastebuds into a frolicking mode. I am searching the dictionary to find words to describe the collaboration of of roasted lentils and a mix of spices, ground into a powder, a.k.a the Iddli chilli powder, mixed with little oil and smeared onto soft as jasmine iddlis. Wait ...some more, for it to soak. Bite into perfect rounds partnering with cold curd or hot coffee. You're back in the running, with joie de vivre, in your friends circle. Fermented and steamed, these dainty Iddlis have...

Gone is the 'fresh as a daisy' look.😯 The leaves are half dead. The stem feels wrecked . Its stance is wobbly. The very appearance awakens something in you. Impels you, propels you to sprinkle it, pour  it, in fact douse every part that is visible. The effect will be visible soon. Meanwhile take a sip of... from the bottle next to you. Water... Bringing back the happiness, marches on!

The sun's rays are at it again A stroke here, an outline there and the effect is visible. A shadow so perfect, making children run after... chasing it. Alas! It slips away. There is a vivid message too as it looms large... E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E