Aahaa Chennai

A lone sentinel, a newbie in this garden,  I am trying my best to stand upright under the hot sun, the light breeze at times providing a soothing feeling as it makes me sway gently under the sweltering heat, when all of a sudden it seems the skies have opened up. Rain?  Umm...not exactly. I am honoured to be the proud recipient of a shower of fragile cream and orange blossoms, their tender petals tickling me thanks to the     avuncular branch right above my head.

Surrounded by pizzas and noodles? Or is it burgers,  French fries pasta varieties and cakes. Here is someone crying for attention. Nestled in a paper cone made in a jiffy, jostling each other as they roll around, the intense flavour of roasted groundnuts and yellow peas is unmatched, as even passers by will testify to.       Whether with friends at the beach, at the theatre or the usual meeting spots, the sight of eager hands popping these crunchy tidbits into wide open jaws will make your taste buds stand up and say...some more.

A foggy morning with the sun attempting to make an entrance. When the hot coffee becomes lukewarm within minutes, when squirrels call out a greeting as they scamper down the blooming mango tree, when the competition for the loudest call amongst the avians in the farthest tree has heads peeking through window slats. In a grassy corner, away from the din, silently growing up, dressed in a jazzy pink attire, an elegant persona makes a statement.

The incoming SMS perks up the waiting group. Their online order for a large cheese pepperoni pizza and garlic bread is on its way. Hungry mouths await its arrival. The wait will not be for long for the employee from the local diner is zipping onward  using his two wheeler to ensure timely delivery. Meanwhile...  a woebegone looking someone, his antlers proclaiming his lineage, a spotted deer to be exact, is desperately seeking  his favourite food. He wishes to  place an online order (which he has heard works real quick) for some yummy green stuff,  the usual grass to you and me, chopped, piled up and ready to be carted some kilometres away. Hello! Is anyone willing to take this order?😃

Amidst the clutter on the table... amongst the newspapers, gadgets, the coffee mugs, water cups, books, pens,  pencils, chargers, power banks and wallets, occupying a very special place is your very own fragrance holder. Bend down for a whiff of citrus flavour,  combined with that of oregano, blades of lemon grass, Basil, the pungent betel leaf, a sprig of mint leaves topped with your favorite Tulsi and curry leaves reposing in a special vase fashioned by nature's nimble hands. It seems that the young, fallen green coconut has found a safe haven.

There is a certain  something... silently tugging your mind off  the shutdown mode, dragging tired feet forward, inciting droopy arms into action. That difficult to suppress feeling inches its way up from  deep inside. A cry that cannot be contained, makes eyeballs move desperately hither and thither, egged on by a dry as dust feel encompassing  half-dead lips and a withered throat, sucking out once zippy energy levels. You wish for that one thing you hope a genie would thrust  into your hand, a wish when fulfilled brings forth a heavenly sense of pleasure, which percolates its way through shrivelled passages, perking up each and every cell, rejuvenating a sluggish tongue.                               Ah! A glass of water.                    Welcome  summer.

  Make do with whatever is available. This is something which has been drilled into me from childhood. So here I am, building my home with materials found in plenty in the outdoors. Look closely. What do you see? Ah! I see your discerning eye has noticed. It does add an interesting touch, don't you think? Those little bits of plastic, deftly tucked in here and there,  do offer a relief from those dull brown sticks. Hey! This is me, your very own innovative local crow, gazing forlornly at my empty nest, lying abandoned thanks to  a gusty wind, a skillfully woven piece of art, if you dont mind me saying so,  a silent witness to many a warm night with my little ones, who have now flown to freedom.

Little balls of green, tightly curled, swayed gently in the breeze, their tender green sheaths unfurling bit by bit, day after day, revealing little wisps of unburnished pale yellow desperate to take a peek  at the world above. The crimped yellow tufts shook off their langour to stretch  the emerging  sunny wings, their hard work paying off  as  exquisite little pocket suns put on a show tossing their heads to a merry tune, proudly displaying whorls of yellow rosettes drawing every passing eye.

Striking green! This was the first impression, bringing to mind images of  picture perfect green fields, pleasing to the eye. Eager hands dug into the soil to plant broken bits of spinach stems, waited and watched as days flew past... until one sunny morning, eyes widened at the sight of tender tufts of  baby leaves peeping out, their green heads turned towards the blue sky as if to say my hue is as bright as yours. Nurtured and watered by caring arms, they grew surrounded by jumping squirrels and noisy crows,  to reach full splendour. Plucked and tossed by expert hands, turned into a spinach stew with a dash of lentils, even the ever finicky connoisseur of food was compelled to award an A+ for this homegrown treat, which had that something extra, aside from the all pervasive aroma of pepper. A taste that lingered on in experienced taste buds  as compared to shopped stuff. Time to say hello to homegrown garden treats. 

Here I am...waiting for my meal. The pile has arrived. Ah! So many. I wish I could count. Oh good! Some look huge. Hope I get to taste those. I did try to climb onto the top but then I almost fell,  ending up with a smut on my nose. Quite an adventure, I must say, to relate to my young ones. At last, the waiting has ended but sad to say it is just one. I'd better grab it before my flying neighbours descend. Let me describe to you...how I relished licking and scraping off the white leftover bits sticking to the shell with my razor sharp teeth. Add to this, the taste of tender coconut water lingering in the shell and  it was a gourmet's delight. My stomach is half full. Time to move on, as I intend to savour other fruity flavoured delights. Bye! Will return later with another riveting account.

Leaves rustled, a soft whisper which permeated down to the velvety grass. The gentle creaking of the branches signalled a tune, orchestrated by the wind. Click... it was the familiar sound of a light being switched off. Drip, drip... the continuous melody from the nearby tap evoked a drowsy feel. Caw, caw... hungry crows flew past, their  notes akin to a soprano. As the soft rays of the dawn crept in, the silent grasshopper moved gently, soothed by familiar sounds. Suddenly he jumped. Oh well ! It had to start sometime, he thought. All good things certainly came to an end... sooner or later. Jumping and landing  he gazed...puzzled at the black object on the porch, emitting loud sing-song notes. Strangely though, the tune changed ever so often, drifting in from all directions. He jumped again. Not a tech-savvy type, he made a quick decision.  A green  mound further away beckoned.

Tucked away deep inside a faded album... the frail, wrinkled face with a toothless smile beckoned. Here we go... bouncing up, bouncing down. Up, down...up, down. Listen to the sing-song voice of a silver-haired rocking horse. Laughter abounds. Holding hands and balancing, the  little cherub goes swinging again and again. Repetition is just a game. A wibbly-wobbly seat plus loads of shaking fun. No tears, no homework for flailing arms and legs. Rewards aplenty... More vigorous bouncing amidst guffaws, giggles, wriggles. Set in a feel-good institution that's cheery, funny, quirky innovative, wise, cuddlesome. You've been there. So have I. An age old favourite... Also grandma's pet peeve, her sorely tried and tested knee has many a tale to tell!

Getting ready to leave? Is everything there? Of course. Here it goes.. Pen, wallet/purse, credit cards, cash, lists of things to do/ to buy, keys, mobile phone, ear phone, charger, important pills for emergencies, snacks to munch, toiletry items...and many more depending on who you are. But there is something forgotten here which should go side by side with your shopping list. Someone who provides a home for us..demands it. Ah! It is our voiceless Earth. What could it be? A simple thing tucked away in the farthest corner of the shelf in every home. Bring out your cloth bags in full force. They are crying out for fresh air.

Eyes scanned the area up and down. The traps were evident. Some advice was deemed necessary. The more experienced ones would know of a foolproof method. Reinforcements arrived. The long march began, with some entrusted with the task of keeping an eye out for enemies who would crush mercilessly. Up, up over the wall...down, down through the window, a circuituous route skirting heavy wooden pieces; they arrived and clambered up. The mountain was reduced to rubble. Some attacked on the spot. Other began carting away the spoils. The tall grandfather clock grimaced at the long line of very determined warrior ants laden with laddoo bits spoiling his gleaming framework. So finishes the tale of a ... photo of heaped up laddoos standing proudly atop grandma's table!

Just what you need on a balmy February evening when blotches of darkness saunter across cloaking a blue sky. Tucked away deep inside flaky folds of crispy brown, watch the spicy mix of potato and peas send frolicking taste buds into a tizzy lured by lip-smacking waves of fried temptation wafting across led by a gentle breeze. Samosas..lead the way .😊

It is a busy morning. Are you all ready? My gallery is open. Only for a short while. You may admire but do not touch. Hmm! I smell a tasty meal nearby. Let me have your comments... on my artwork.

Ever imagined creating your own insect with little dabs of red, pink and blue with black spots and orange stripes. A childhood fantasy for sure. Have a look at this little fella ...a warrior type, taking a royal walk in the garden.