Aahaa Chennai

🌟A tribute to the 'Water Pandals' of the city  - the special shelters by the roadside, set up by caring citizens for those in need, some serving buttermilk too, to thirsty travellers and passers by, beckoning the parched avians and four legged strays too, during blazing summer days - a part of our culture and tradition, reinforcing the basic tenets of hospitality and warmth, followed down the ages. World Water Day: March 22 Celebrating that cupful of... Joy, Affection, Kindness, Humaneness, Brotherhood, Well being. Water Series:13

The mornings and afternoons are rather noisy with avian visitors claiming their territory. The handsome and familiar coucal, with its glowing red eyes, has just landed with a plan... to visit the compost heap and walk around the yard. The orchestra is in full flow by mid morning and late afternoon. The tiny sunbirds hop in and out of the huge Hibiscus flowers, chirruping in satisfaction. The twin woodpeckers land on  their favourite spot, the coconut tree trunk, marking the spot with a 'now me, then you' style of pecking. The squabbling crows head towards the loaded Chikkoo branch. The yellow billed babblers, chattering endlessly, arrive in groups, targeting the wet patches. The shrill voiced pair of mynahs occupy the grass, their curious heads turning this way and that, keeping  an eye out for stealthy felines. The kestrel, the koel and the drongo drop by occasionally. Not wanting to be left out, the staccato squeaking noise of the

A bright morning with the sun ruling over the city and Nature decides to unveil a green magazine filled with interesting sections: Politics: A veteran of many a season. City round up: Summer Special - the Bougainvilleas are out in full splendour. Focus: Homegrown flavours. International news: Shunning the chemical route. Business news: Growth spurt seen. Sports: Upcoming stars show the way. Kids section: The leaves are holding a secret meeting. Edition 1: Green Signatures

Swaying gently to the orchestrated moves of an overactive wind, that performs its act, then returns, again and again, the neem tree, that I've grown up with, possessing  nerves of steel, has left its mark all over my patch of green. The shades of yellow tinged with patches of fading brown and green on a grainy canvas, are seemingly vying with the sun, the sand and the surrounding green facade in a show titled... The Summer Fest. Resounding with the contralto notes of the 'ever present' noisy crows, the neem tree bids adieu to scores of fluttery yellow leaves, preparing for a gentle landing in varying destinations - some soft,  some hard, sending forth a message - 'tis a new season and fragrant flowers will follow soon.

The first rays of sunlight knock through the window pane. The alarm clock buzzes. A familiar noise can be heard. Splash! Repeated once, twice. What could it be ? Clearing away, those continuous waves of slumber, the layers of lethargic stupor, the sleep induced reluctance to face the day, the first gentle spray of water, on the face, is a whispery 'good morning ' from the treasure trove of Nature. Call it, a handful of joy... and as those cool drops, trickle down, as if in a race, each trying to outwit the other, washing away, any trace of the stresses and strains of the previous day, you decide against wiping dry the myriad refeshing droplets dotting your face coz the sun outside is busy sending reminders - the sizzling heat is here to stay. Water series:12