The rare treats to the little -sweet ,little -spicy tangy rasam thatha made…
The simple and mouthwatering south Indian food that my paatis prepare ; the exact taste of which seems to be impossible to replicate by anyone ,even after a million trials…
The special festive delicacies that no one makes anymore ,the mouth watering oorgais(pickles),esp. Sion paatis mangaa valam!(literally translated –mango water pickle)
The special taste that the food acquired when my paatis specially mixed them with their hands and fed me affectionately..
The long walks with my then- more –energetic- paati ,down the lanes of Matunga; waiting for her to finish socializing with the million tamilian mamas and mamis she met on the way,going to temples with her in pavadai ,the numerous visits to relatives and friends homes where she’d pull me along and on the way explain in detail how they were related and all the other histories related to them
Accompanying thatha to grocery shopping at the matunga markets and in the bargain being treated to the chocolates bisuits and samosas
The stories paati would tell me ,not just mythology related but even friends and relative related (in short the paati gossips;)
The evenings spent with thatha paati in listening to kachcheris!
Having to sing the carnatic songs learnt at paatu class as a compulsion in front of thatha paatis and receiving constructive criticisms for the same !
Watching tamil and Malayalam movies almost every Sunday afternoon with paati,,which then became an intrinsic part of my way of living as well
The 4 p.m. sharp chai and rusk sessions at sion with thata and paati
The days spent with athai-aunty athimbar-uncle and anuakka; athais irresistible papputu(dal chaval)
The weeks and full days spent in watching old hindi movies (esp. the amithabh ones) with utmost indolence, back to back with anuakka
Films seen and days spent with Jinga ;)
The forced morning walks with him at five gardens
The day spent with thatha -paati at five gardens and the roadside kulfi that they not only bought for me but also indulged into, themselves
Thathas quiet warmth and teary eyed blessings!
There are So many such more that cannot be penned down but that will always remain special and be cherished teary eyed!
I remember the tears that flowed out every time thatha- paati would leave for their yearly visit to kerala !
Why are Memories are the only things we can keep?
