Keep Walking Johny Walker... Keep Walking!!

Yup!

It's time I got back on the road :)

There's lots I wanna share with you and am so glad Ted brought up the topic of Blogs today :P :)

I had nearly forgotten all about this tiny bit of cyber space I own.

The BIG news is, after 14 years of school and 5 years of college, I'm proud (and a little sad) to announce to you that I am FINALLY an ADULT!!!!! :)

I landed myself a job as the Sub Editor (Content) at a place called Invis Multimedia in Kowdiar, Trivandrum!! :) :)

I still remember quite distinctly the way my heart hammered when mustering all the scraps of courage I had around me to tell my folks that I wanted to become a writer and not a college lecturer (their plans for me :P)

It was then that I learned to respect the sentence "I had my heart in my mouth!" ;)

Whew!

Nevertheless, That little incident happened 3yrs ago.

I still remember how my darling brothers jeered and taunted  me, at my dream...

I love my friends and teachers for the undying faith they had in me & my skills.

Their faith made me believe in myself :)

And here I am today!

Proud to bask in the glow of that tiny spark of respect I see sparkle in the eyes of my family these days... :)

I am happy.

And all the credit goes to each of my friends and my amazing teacher coz considering how big a dumbass I am, if they didn't have faith in me either, chances are I'd be hacking away at the NET exam now :P

Thank you... :)

P.S- I was never a sweetheart sis so cant blame my bros for their jeering ;) :P

A poem I stumbled upon..

“You Learn”

After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,

And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn…
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure…

That you really are strong

And you really do have worth…

And you learn and learn…

With every good-bye you learn.”

― Jorge Luis Borges

Reflections of Tradition

How does one imbue a crude piece of metal with the magic of reflection and enliven its contours with animation?

How does one convert a piece of metal alloy into a mirror?

No one knows.

It is an ancient secret jealously guarded for centuries by a family in the quaint town of Aranmula in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. A marvel of art and craft that dates back to the Vedic Age, the Aranmula Kannadi ('mirror' in Malayalam) is one artifact that has baffled and earned the respect of metallurgists from across the planet.

Indigenous to Aranmula, this mirror is made from a mysterious blend of metals. The story behind it goes that it was divine intervention that helped the craftsmen create the composition, which led to the birth of the unique Aranmula Kannadi. Only traditional materials and methods have been used till date to create this sophisticated piece of metallurgical marvel. It is said that the metal used in the manufacturing of this unique mirror is an alloy comprising copper and tin. To add to this is the unique process involving days of polishing the metal piece to achieve the desired reflection.

Traditionally, it is believed that the handmade Aranmula Kannadi will bring prosperity, good luck and wealth to the home in which it is kept. It is also an integral part of the ashtamangalya, which comprises eight auspicious items that are part of Hindu ceremonies like wedding.

It is sheer wonder for one to sit down and take time to watch the craftsmen create the most elegant handmade mirror that mankind has ever seen from an ordinary piece of metal.

If you were to take the effort to understand the amount of dedication, sincerity and devotion that each craftsman pours into his creation, then you would understand why each Aranmula Kannadi deserves the pride of its position amidst the most beautiful works of art in this world. 

The Aranmula Kannadi is a legend in itself.

The Dance of the Divine

There is an explosion of colours with the awe inspiring headgears, costumes and face designs. The rhythm of the resonating beats of the chenda, the intense fragrance of the burning camphor mystifying the ambience. You stand gaping with saucer-wide eyes at the splendour of the dancing figure before you. These are the aspects that contribute to the grandeur of this spectacle called Theyyam.

A Theyyam performance is no single time experience. An ancient ritualistic form of worship native to the north Malabar region of Kerala, the roots of this folk art, which is a blend of dance, music and fervent devotion, can be traced back to the Chalcolithic Age.
Each Theyyam performance has an aura of divine splendor as it is accompanied by rituals and other devotional music.

The tales woven into the history of this folk ritual range from that of yakshis (spirits) witches and myths of serpent and animal deities to the deeds of local heroes and ancestors. In many senses the Theyyam is often a form of historical documentation of the society. The Theyyam is also linked with fertility rites and many of its myths are intimately related to the curing of illnesses and agricultural productivity.

It is believed that while performing, the artist becomes the representative of the divine. The word 'Theyyam' is local parlance for God. To millions in Kerala, Theyyam is their visible and tangible Gods and Goddesses. It is usually performed in shrines; sacred groves called kaavu or at ancestral homes calledtharavadu in villages. The Theyyam season in Kerala usually commences in October and lasts up to May.

Malabar is a coy land, one that reveals its treasures slowly. And the Theyyam is a ritual that should not be rushed into. Rather, take your time and savour its finest nuances to take home with you an experience that will remain etched in your heart for eternity.