Thiruvallikeni Ninaivugal 100223123001230

I might have bored to death some of friends talking about Thiruvallikeni. But I dont really care. If I am like this, it is because of Thiruvallikeni and not any other place. So yet another blog about the place I could write 1000000.. posts about. Where time really seems to stop or just flow, uninteruppted without change.

I really don't know whether time stops or it flows unchanged without any outer influence. Anyway. Both mean the same here. Utsavams, utsavams and more utsavams. In everyday life. In everybody's life. It is a kind of a monarchy. A clan of people fiercely clinging to their shrinking boundaries, afraid of losing their identites and clinging yet more fiercely to it. It is the same with NRIs. It is the same with any sect/clan/tribe of people anywhere on earth.

Thiruvallikeni. Peyar kaaranam : Aazhwar mangalaasasanam. "Madamaa myilai Thiru Allikk keni kandene!" Thirumangai mannan in awe of Shri Parthasarathy swami.

Of my fondest rememberances, long and ardent pradakshanams in the temple. Without thinking about the time, the long hours spent in the temple Agraharathil kazhudaigalaga(Jon Abraham- rest long his departed soul) valam vantha ninavugal.

One thing I guess I was blessed with was by the beach. Wind blowing, sand slightly sifting under expectant feet, running towards the warm warm water(unlike the horrible 45 F water here in the states), salt spraying with the wind and water. Ships in anchor in the Madras harbour, imagined to be much much bigger than actual. Quiet confidences exchanged with the universe(Na unna pathukaren, neeyum enna pathukanum), the sea arousing untamed thoughts of adventure, treasures and foreign lands. Chin cupped in the bend on the knees.Hands clasping legs tightly around the chest. As though to prevent the legs running away with the heart. Eyes staring far ahead as if to penetrate time and space. Thoughts running wild.

Or.

Quiet meditation. Eyes closed and in sync with the wind blowing. After sometime, almost as an reflex, ears tune only to the wind. Sound of automobiles and humans are completely blanked out. Peace. Peace. Shanti. "Akka, akka..seruppu.. thanni adichundu porathu!!" AHA!!!!!!!!! a rogue wave.

At moments a few thoughts about the societal differences :prompted by the bleak appearance of the sundal boy or man. A piercing sorrow in the heart which reminds that I, with all my comfort, am whiling time away at the beach. While this poor guy has to roam all over it for a few rupees. In a strange way, even Heaven without freedom is prison. So true. Relative happiness.

A very important aspect of the beach is the "kuri solra ladies". They will have this 'kol' and come and sing in riddles, capture your attention with their cahrming,beautifully accented, authentic, rural tamil and there you will go.. A fresh set of dreams 40 Rs minus.

Invariably in all their predictions will be a member of the opposite sex waiting to profess undying love to you. Also would be included vague pointers to joyous future, good job. They are very good sales people. They sell happiness for a few rupees.

One of my erst while friends always used to remark that when he felt very low, he would go to a soothsayer and pay him 40Rs to feel good. It would (he claimed) would always increase his positive output. It is quite true.

Hmmm. Is it true that even thinking about good times can place a sigh on your lips and a tug on your heart? Hmm.

I guess so. All the crap about enjoying life and remembering it in tough times. No man. It does not brighten your mood. About the change to a positive nature, I am not pretty sure about. But I always think it leaves you sadder and more thoughtful. As though thinking about a past dream you can never get back too. In a way, time is unrewindable.

A sigh for it!