THAT NEERMATHALAM WILL NEVER BLOOM AGAIN.........

31st May,2009
sunday
11.30p.m

A FORAL TRIBUTE

FROM THE LAND OF

PUNNAYOORKULAM

dear friends,

yesterday,after reading the article on KAMALA DAS based on the recent visit of leela menon and sarada rajeev in grihalakshmi,i discussed about the great writer with amma, for along time.but,not even in the wildest dream,i thought ,i will wake up into the sad news that my beloved writer passed away today early morning at 1.55a.m at jahangeer hospital in pune.i don't know why, amma and myself were awake till 2 a.m today.we slept very late.we were disturbed as sleep was far away.i was remembering fondly the meeting of friends after a long span of time!and far away,in a hospital in pune,my dearest poetess breathed her last.her eyes were closed for ever!

Right from childhood madhavikutty was my favourite writer not because she belonged to punnayoorkulam,my achan's hometown,but for her unique style of writing.it was always my dream to write and act without any inhibitions and hesitations.but,i never did dare;and whenever i had guts,my people,traditions and culture blocked me from opening up.as a college student,Madhavikutty was my role model.i had adopted acheerful and hilarious attitude towards life.A new and exciting world of loveliness opened before me.

born as madhavikutty in punnayoorkulam,malabar,kerala,she is the daughter of late shri.V.M .NAIR-ex.managing director of Mathrubhumi and the renowned writer, Nalappat Balamaniyamma.she was Aami to her dear ones.Aami spent her childhood in Kolkatta and the famous Nalappat ancestoral home in Punnayoorkulam.she was influenced by her great uncle,Nalappat Narayana Menon, a prominent writer.i just love the name aami![and will you believe,unexpectedly i came across a friend from this place and his wife is aami!]how happy i was to call her by that name!

another friend of mine who is a great fan of Madhavikutty named her daughter abhirami and calls her aami.

Madhavikutty's first book was,Summer in Calcutta.at the age of fortytwo,she published her autobiography,MY STORY which was translated into many foreign languages.i don,t know howmany times i have read that controversial book.Kamala das is famous for her short stories and her autobiography.she honestly discussed and wrote about the sexual desires of indian women.right from the servants of Nalappatu tharavadu to the high-society people inspired her to write the stories.her famous stories are,

Pakshiyude Manam,Neypayasam,Thanuppu,Chandana Marangal.she wrote a few novels among which Neermathalam Pootha Kalam was well received by the public and the crtics alike.and with all love and respects ,the famous writer Sara joseph planted a neermathalam in her courtyard;really touching.

i'm sure a writer never dies.she/he lives through the words in the hearts of the public for ever.

Madhavikutty's Balyakala smaranakal [childhood memories] is simply beautiful.one won't keep the book down till he reaches the last line of it.the simple and straightforward language is amazing.she didn't bother about the society.she was always honest.and for that she was unjustly criticized.nothing changed the intensity of my feelings for her!i didn't miss a chance of knowing her better.i was madly attracted to Aami.

our punnayoorkulam is gifted by natural beauty.and the neermathalam plant of her landed property is world famous,by now.the nagaraja ,the pond and the numerous plants are a feast to the onlookers.ispent my summer holidays in achan's house and i was always proud to say everyone that the world famous writer,Madhavikutty lived in our neighbourhood.Aami got married to Das in this tharavadu.this ancestoral house is demolished now,exactly eleven years before.she used to open the windows of her room to enjoy the fragrance of neermathalam flowers!the plant was a part of her life!

saying good bye to cochin was painful for Kamala das.after shifting to pune to her youngest son,i was really desperate to get her whereabouts.as we were getting pravasi shabdham magazine,i was kept updated.

Kamala Das travelled extensively to read poetry in different universities.she read and the public listend to the words from her heart.

Madhavikutty's husband Mr.Das is no more.she is blessed with three sons and grandchildren!she always wanted her people around her and longed to experience their love!without gender difference and age difference she won the hearts of people all over the world.

Born in a conservative Hindu Nair family having royal ancestory,she ebraced Islam in 1999 at the age of 65and assumed the name Kamala Surayya.i was shocked along with the world.but i got over it within no time.

A great personality like Kamala Das,who is kind,considerate,broadminded,generous and to top it all,so loving influenced me a lot. she is such a beautiful,charming and attractive lady!Aami reminds me a model of RAJA RAVI VARMA PAINTING!i admire alot.to me she was and will be a stunning beauty!

My dearest writer,Aamy is coming back to her beloved land and thousands of people who love her wholeheartedly wait to witness the last journey...........how peaceful the face is!how soft the words were!a real human being who gave away everything she had to the people who approached her!how blessed her life is!the great and famous mother and daughter of Nalappattu Tharavadu!but both of them lived in different world.

Aami,i wanted to hold your hands and tell you,''i love you''.i wanted to see the glow in your eyes.innocence reflected on her face!

with a heavy heart ,tears in my eyes,with respects in my heart, i pray that let the departed soul rest in peace!

KAMALA DAS-31ST MARCH,1934_31st MAY,2009

it's anu signing off................

''I shall pass this way but once;any good,therefore,that i can do or any kindness that i can show to any human being,let me do it now.Let me not defer nor neglect it,for i shall not pass this way again''.

please see that love and peace prevail.let's forget and forgive.

sasneham,

anu

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

30th,may,2009

10a.m
saturday

SEEING IS NOT ALWAYS BELIEVING

good morning !

hey,friends,

the other day i received a forwarded mail from my friend in dubai.

by the end of reading the last line,my eyes were wet.i was so touched and i'm sure you too will be.i was really upset.

with courtesy to my friend,let me share the mail with you.........

while a man was polishing his new car,his four year old son picked some stone and scratched lines on the side of the car.

In anger,the man took the child's hand and hit it many times,not realizing he was using an iron wrench

At the hospital,the child's hand lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures.when the child saw his father,with painful eyes he asked,''Dad when will my fingers grow back''?

The father was so hurt and speechless.he went back to the car and kicked it a lot of times.

Devastated by his own actions,sitting in front of that car,he looked at the scratches.his little son has written,

''LOVE YOU DAD''

The next day that man committed suicide.

MY GOD!i was totally shaken!do we have patience?do we listen?no,we don't have time!finding fault is always easy.do we think twice before we open our mouths?and think of the hurt we cause into small minds.can we measure the little child by the yardstick of our own years?

my friends,it's never late and it's better late than never!the little heart is full of love!let's laugh with kids,cry with them and play with them!can someone give me the marbles?i love playing with them and forget teh stress of life.

let's learn to bite our tongue when impatient words come.tell yourself-''she/he is just a kid''.please don't ask for too much.

before preaching,let me start learning to understand the little minds than condemn them.let me try to figure out why they do what they do.let me develop love,sympathy,tolerance and kindness.

i'm sure,you will agree with me.let the sweet hands hug us and whisper,''good night''.

as the child grows let's remind them,

you are always remembered,

you are still important,

you are still loved,

you are still cared for,

you are still wanted,

there is nothing good or bad,

our thinking makes it so.............

so,friends,let's learn the language of love and use it always.we will be experts in human relations.we can start thinking about the good points of others.then we will be less selfish.

''Every man i meet is superior in some way .in that,i learn of him''.we will give honest and sincere appreciation to others.

let's be ''hearty in our approbation and lavish in our praise''.

the thookanam kuruvikal[small cute birds] are making nests on the coconut leaves...............can we too make our nest ,a paradise?

it's anu signing off.............

friends,if you receive very touching and beautiful mails,please forward it to your friends........

i owe an apology to suresh of kochi.i never wanted to hurt you,with my sharp language.i'm sorry.i don't have your mail id.

have abeautiful and pleasant day..........

enjoy this week end............

please don't wait to give the sweet kiss and a tight hug to all the little ones,the loveliest creation of GOD.

dearest maza and jeevz,wishing you a wonderful and happy birthday.................A BIG GOD BLESS YOU!

:):):):):):):):):):):)

sasneham,

anu

SMILE PLEASE.............

WILL YOU GIVE ME A SMILE?

friends,

before you start reading my post,please put on the best smile of yours.....................

Look at the two phases of life!the cute little baby and the loving old grandmother!i wanted to share the images and value based thoughts with you.

truly said,the smile causes happiness and peace around.it costs us nothing.still,we hardly smile.why?

how beautiful we look when we flash a smile!and the smile should come from our heart!please smile and cause a smile today.....you will be blessed.this is the best gift we can give to others.........the ice melts,the uncomfortable feeling disappears and we get relaxed.a bond is built.can we deny the magic it performs?it diffuses stressful situations.it eases the tensions.allow your smile to flow...............

look at nature.the leaves around us change their colours,the buds smile and bloom,the lush green trees,the bright sun rays,the flowing streams,the chirping birds,the blue sky.......................there are numerous reasons to smile.

the rain will fall softly;the wind will blow.nature is a beautiful gift.let's take time to enjoy this beauty and start smiling.

please don't deny your child the love of his grandparents.they are safe in the lap of grandparents.let them sing the lullabies once again and narrate the bed-time stories.once again,let them enjoy the childhood........nothing can replace that love,care and attachment!they forgive us wholeheartedly for the wounds we caused!they bring a change to our whole world.

this love is unconditional.they share aprecious bond.there are no pressures to perform,no expectations to be fulfilled.there is only the warmth,love and sharing.....she held himclose to her bosom with her trembling hands and he hung to her...

''every time you think a thankful thought,

you connect your life to more abundance.

everything for which you are grateful,

takes on added value as a result of your gratitude

blessed funday to enjoy.........................''

my little star,i think of you fondly for everything you do to make us smile and i love you dear,for that....i'm lost without your smile......maza is doing that now.

and grandma,lots of love to you for the happy memories..............you have given me a world of dreams.

it's anu signing off..........

friends,i want to thank you all for the smile you have caused.........

hoping everyday of your life ahead is full of smiles..............i send you a basket piled with flowers of smiles from trichur.ask yourself,''when did i last smile?'

'

thank you dear friend,for the time you spare to bring a smile on my face daily morning since long.miracles do happen.whenever i write a post the right quote and image reach me from chennai as morning mail.he doesn't know i'm writing apost or i'm in search of an image.unbelievable,na?here is a sample of the latest mail.

''sun glows for day,candle for an hour,match stick for a minute,but a good smile can glow for ever.smile as much as you can and make others laugh as much as you wish.''

how did he know i'm writing a post on smile?is it telepathy?

and many thanks to my friend who sends me smiles from across the seas every night and sees that a smile still lingers on my lips while sleeping..the best gift i received during my holidays is this friend from far away.......

''smile and the world smiles with you''.we will make the world smile with our smile.i really hope you agree with me.

wishing you good night and sweet dreams,

Just the way a rain drop brings hope to a
dying flower,
Your smile might bring hope to someone who
is lost...
Give the world your best smile,
Today, tomorrow and everyday

sasneham,

Just the way a rain drop brings hope to a
dying flower,
Your smile might bring hope to someone who
is lost...
Give the world your best smile,
Today, tomorrow and everyday

sasneham,

anu

FRAGRANCE OF LOVE!

A TAJ MAHAL FOR YOU!

BASED ON A TRUE LOVE STORY

''To the world you may be just one person,but to one person you may be the world''.

This post is dedicated to all those who are young at heart and who can feel the most beautiful feeling,love.
so,hold on to your seats and take a deep breath!

hello,friends,

i have reasons to smile and by now you know,anu has started smiling even at small and silly happenings!hey,but this is an occasion to celebrate.i'm completing half century in the world of blogging.i want to thank each and every friend, reader,well wisher for taking time to read my posts and encourage me.i value your suggestions.

really,without your support,i wouldn't have reached this milestone of writing.

let me be happy!i'm living and reliving my dreams!my mind is filled with delight.let me glow like a pearl.do you wonder?anu is like this,simple and silly.she wants to tell you a heartening incident this time................

hey, a must- read.

There was a time when he was not in her life

she was so romantic by nature,

always with a refreshing smile on her lips,

and a dream in her mind.

but,there was no romance.

she had a heart full of sweet nothings ,

which she wanted to whisper in his ears.

she wanted to be synderella and suhra,

to be, the heroines of the books she read.

she longed for his caring loving touch,

night after night she waited for that,

but she could never hear his footsteps.

again and again the flowers kept on falling,

the jasmine,the champak and the pavizhamalli.

days turned into months and months to years ,

there was no sign of him,

and she lost her hope.

she thought the sun had set on her dreams.

suddenly, one day he appeared from nowhere,

her prince charming,with dreamy eyes,

she could see an ocean of love in his eyes;

and she was told,''life is beautiful'',

she was frozen with thrill .

softly,he brushed her cheeks,

holding her face between his hands.

slowly he leaned towards her,

and gently embraced her!

a dream or reality?she was confused.

she bloomed like a jasmine branch!

he had to leave and go back after his holidays,

she was shattered in his absence.

she could hear the soft voice,

so loving and caring it was,

and the picture was perfect as in her dream.

the birds again started singing hymns,

the music flowed and she told her mind,

''you must be kidding'',

and she cried in disbelief!

hope the fences of life won't bar the way to reach him,

the man of her dreams of years

let her play her flute again,

hope the melody reaches you across the seas.

he gifted her these cool raindrops,

into the draughtness of her life.

he has brought the spring for her

and the flowering branches filled with fragrance.

her heart has found its own raga,

his smile has touched her by intoxication,

her jasmine blooms with maddening smell,

let her save the dreams forever!

he gave the poetry to her voice.

an unheard song is always sweeter,

they can hear each other in silence.

what a divine feeling,

what a pleasant turning point!

she doesn't know about future,

whether storms are in store for her!

for they belong to different status.

she has the winning feeling now.

and she feels good in life.

when she stands at the crossroads of life,

hey,romeo,reach her before

the last rays of falling dusk.

across the ocean can't you hear,

the tinkles of love ,

ringing in her mind?

once more let her tune the strings of her sitar,

and once more let her sing,

the song of love just for him.

a rising chant mounts to the skies-

can you hear it says,''I LOVE YOU!''

the crashing waves are her morning alarm,

the lush green trees give her shade.

hope gives strength to her mind.

she knows her dreams won't be broken off,

when she is building a TAJ MAHAL for him.

wondering who are they?

she is suhra and he is her majnu.

it's anu signing off.................

with a special dedication to majnu,the following lines are for you.

''when i looked into darkness,

the world was void of light.

i could hear the waves lapping,

but not a ray in sight,

then slowly the water turned into gold,

as the sun came on the horizon,

my heart jumped with glee,

And all thoughts of despair faded into oblivion''.

''sometimes you put up walls not to keep people out,but to see who cares enough to break them down.''

good night and sweet dreams!

sasneham,

anu

IT'S RAINING..............................

16th may,2009

saturday

7p.m


FOR THE COOL RAINDROPS

it's raining in trichur.

the much awaited rain,the cool showers........let the trees get wet,let more buds bloom............i am thrilled.

we must be in the real mood to enjoy the changing seasons!love should be in the air.peaceful our mind must be .in our fast paced everyday life,time flies at the wink of our eyes.other than stress and tensions nothing else people have to share!we can be little more organised and manage our time.

i have kept the window of the room opened, so that i can feel the raindrops falling from the roof.my heart fills with joy!it started raining heavily.away from parties,fun and frolic i enjoy the shower.

something more beautiful about today,other than the butterflies flying,flowers blooming,birds chirping,leaves turning,clouds passing,wind dancing,children laughing.................,

the most beautiful thing about this day ................

my dearest friend made me feel,

life can still be better,

with more patience and love,
and to let me know that
distance is not a problem for holding two minds together,

life will be always beautiful,

as,''beauty lies in the beholder's eyes'',

we have to change our attitudes,

and our prayers will be heard.

now when the night is getting darker,i think of you my friend.today is the special day, when you made me feel friends are like diamonds to be kept close to our hearts,i want to dedicate a few beautiful lines for you[it's from my collections].

''God picked up a flower and

dipped it in dew drops,

and lovingly touched it,

which turned into u,

and then HE gifted it to me,

and said,

THIS FRIEND IS FOR YOU''!

and i'm sure with friends like you anything is possible.

and now i know you, my friend,

sometimes,i get hurt,

it's alright,i have no doubt,

millions of thanks for being kind and thougtful,

for your invaluable support

and for all the blooming moments.

it's anu signing off...............

may GOD fill your heart with gladness to cheer!

celebrate the day and be happy,

you are the reason for my smile,today.

let the night be longer,

i have peaceful thoughts,

you are the priceless gift to me!

this post is my second gift to you!

sasneham,

anu

GETTING INTO SHAPE

THE MORAL LESSONS
sabahu noor![courtesy to my friend]
hey,friends,i'ven't started learning arabic.but i love to pick up words from other languages.
i am relaxing these days,thoroughly enjoying my holidays;it's nice to be at home with amma,being taken care of......
the root problem starts with my figure.now,i just can't escape.i was soooooooooooooo slim,tall and carefree.i'm still tall but the added weight makes me short.is it my fault?
when i started having pain on my knee,everybody became so alert.the visit to the doctor,his lectures and cautioning us about future turned my life upside down!
a new diet chart has been prepared.for breakfast,two iddlis without chutney,but with sambar minus coconut.dosa is a taboo as it is oily.by teno'clock,i can have cucumber or gooseberries with buttermilk.[and all other fried items are kept in the jars].
evening tea with two biscuits and the day's meal is complete with two chapaptis and a vegetable at night.
what a punishment!but nanda is strict with me.as she has left for newyork,i still have to be satisfied with these grass items as amma has turned to be the old teacher again .
the different mangoes are at home,specially the moovandan and neelan,but not for me.how much i wanted to relish these mangoes!i love having rice with curds and pickle.now rice is not cooked .i have the sukha chapptis. amma asks me whether i feel hungry.i have my will power now.i can say,''no'' to the tempting food.but during my precious holidays when i can unwind and enjoy,is it fair to be punished?

through skype,nanda demands for a daily report on diet.
amma doesn't allow me to sit at pc for long.like an obedient child i get up and start walking!the weighing machine is kept in the room so that i can check my weight once a week.
the doctor is very thin and he told me he chooses the patients.[i wanted to tell him,i choose the doctors].how people can judge me so fast?he complained i'm not health conscious.

[please remember,this is the only time of the year,i can enjoy!]
nanda is the strong advocate of exercises and yoga.when baby chechie started taking fifteen rounds in the temple in the morning,my classes started on the importance of walking!''anu,get up and walk.go for evening walks''.maza calls me from states to enquire whether i am doing the exercises.
my doctor brother gave me the warning,to reduce and reduce before the holidays get over..........
''anu cut on your food,forget food......''[and whatelse i should do]? kishen inspires me with the story of adnam sami and how he lost hundred and seven kilos.but kishen, he is a public figure and he has to perform while singing.i don't have to anchor any public shows now.

please don't talk about yoga and aerobics!and for meditation i've to keep my mouth shut,na?then who will talk to you?
see,nanda took all the chakka varattiyathu,knowing that i won't be able to resist.but,she doesn't know i had mouthful of pakodas and crisp murukku before it went to her bagagge!

our cousin pramod has decided not to increase his weight more than sixty kilos and iam the victim of his stern decision!whenever nanda gets a chance,she reminds me about him.

[a note to my people-you talk on any other topic except diet and figure!]

my little star reminds me to think of my college figure and she wants everyone to ask me''in which college are you studying''?

that's really nice of you dear,i used to steal second glances! the tall slim village girl with the longest hair in the college.

just look at the tailor!what does she think of herself?she stiched a blouse double my size thinking the fitting had to altered within a week!can she visualise my body after one week?rediculous!hey,guys.don't get on my nerves!
to be precise,i am frightened now.hey,i'm not that round like the pumpkin.then,is it easy to reduce the calories gained over years?
let's see.i have started taking short walks,stopped having my favourite rice and curd,no oily stuff as snacks and a big no to sweets.
now,friends,tell me what is your advice?before nanda comes down from newyork,i have to reduce atleast four kilos.
she had bought and kept one huge kumblanga[cucumber]and many gooseberries................the speech is delivered on the importance of cucumber in helping us to reduce weight faster.

the big cucumber stares at me,as i have to gulp the curry without coconut for two weeks till it gets over!
now, i don't look at the jars n the kitchen filled with mixture,murukku,laddus and mysore pavu. [and all the jars are full, waiting for guests].
the only way is to drink more water and butter milk and keep on writing new posts.i'm helpless!im reaady to go for the long walks.will you join me?on the bank of the river,holding the hands, watching the sunset,breathing fresh air,let's go for a looooooooooooooooong walk.;D

it's anu signing off...........

waiting to have tips from you on shedding extra kilos............

and you know,i value your suggestions.

MA ASSALAM!

anu loves you all..........

sasneham,

anu

thursday-may 14th,2009

1p.m

TO MY UNKNOWN FRIEND

THANKS FOR THE SMILE!

In this misty morning as i enjoy the fresh air,

when the rustling of leaves whisper the sweet nothings,

the courtyard filled with the pavizhamalli pookal,

the chirping of the cute black bird,

the colourful butterflies that flutter by,

fills my mind with excitement and peace

as i don't get to watch it daily,

being away from this beautiful land,

i miss this wonderful morning scenario.

i started listening to the soft sincere words,

that have come from across the sea,

they reached me as a pleasant surprise!

for how long,i don't know,

but i 'll not complain when they cease,

he is like the bonus i have received.

and i'm grateful for that.

his words are inspiring and encouraging,

they bring a smile on my face.

i started believing genuine friendship still exists.

true friends can be from the opposite sex,

noone has to raise their eyebrows.
he gives me my space and helps to be normal.

people make the difference when they are honest.

when the cool clear sky changes into cloudy,

when the first raindrops kiss the leaves,

the fragrance of fresh mud rises from the earth,

my heart turns heavy choked with emotions,

the sleepless nights drenched in tears,

the agony of loneliness and anxiety,

but your words are heartening and consoling,

and you reach out when i need you the most.

my friend,i'm scared of losing you,

whenever i've gained,i've lost.

will history repeat?

we have to wait and see
let's live in the present!

i'm happy that i've found you,

and before the rain begins,

i've started making the paper boats,

i'll keep them safe till you come,

for us together to sail in the gushing waters.

hope and pray you will not be flown away.....................

wishing you good luck and long life,

it's anu signing off................

veendum pavizhamallippokal kozhiyunnu...,

another sunset,and the long cool night,

leaves us surprises galore!

this poem is my gift for our friendship!

a rare gift you might 've received.

the words flowed straight from my heart,

hope you are touched and happy.

the white carpet is spread for you,

it shows the purity of our friendship.

with a heavy heart let me take leave of you.................

[the moment you read my post and when you realise this is posted for you,send me a mail................]

sasneham,

anu
tuesday,may12th8p.m

p.s

dear friends,

GOD IS GREAT!across the seas,my unknown friend read the post[he was on duty]and i received the most beautiful mail as the acknowledgement at 10.50.p.m.

it was my test dose!i had enquiries about the lucky friend,but i wanted the person to realise himself!cheers!
sasneham,

anu

8p.m