There are a lot of things I realized are missing from my life in the years I have lived away from home (Madras). Here are a few things that I am not able to find replacements for, yet..
1) The distinct smell of Madras.
I am not sure if eveyone gets this but I do and I totally enjoy it when I land in Madras and leave the airport terminal into the actual city.. I take a couple of deep breaths just to savor it: the closest I can compare it to is the smell you get in an old temple that has seen a gazillion festivals and poojas. Just the unique smell of the place indicates the steeped culture and instills a sense of respect! :P
2) Brewing coffee in the Indian style coffee press.
Im not a big coffee person but the hissing sound of boiling water as it flows across the kettle and the aroma of coffee as it brews.. heavenly.. Best motivation to get out of bed!
3) Parents discussing things early morning.
Happens early morning as dad is reading the paper and mom starts chopping vegetables. The subject can be anything, work, our studies, something out of the newspaper etc.
4) Mustard splattering in hot oil.
Just when you get out of shower, the smell and sound of mustard sputtering in oil as mom finishes cooking and dunks this roasted mustard and spices in whatever is that days meal! Perfectly appetizing..
5) Chaotic rhythm in the ever-silver utensils.
The unique pitch in those stainless steel cutlery: spoons, dabarah, karandi, etc etc as it hits one another: whether its while cooking, cleaning or when someone goes through the basket with the clean vessels searching for something. It used to be sort of an irritating noise. But now since its not there anymore, I seem to miss it.. :P
6) Rasam made in 'eeyam pathram'
This metal container (some aluminum, tin alloy) beats anything else as the best help to a cook in preparing rasam.. Unique-est taste!!
7) PTC bus
The whole experience: erratic schedules, crowd, footboarding, breakdowns..
The variety: LSS, PP, Express, M-service, Cut-service, deluxe/luxury, AC special, ladies special (thoroughly hated this one)...
8) Tanglish: the Madras variety
Has all the strategic combination of 2 major languages: english and tamil while including hindi words in strategic situations..
You just know what it means.. and it makes perfect sense!!
9) Train journey
Especially the long distance, overnight ones.. rocks you into sleep. blisssss...
10) Crowd
Whether it is ranganathan street, pondy bazar, cinema theater, central station or simply the crowd at a temple on a festival day!
11) Cycles (no gears please)
The ride, their convenience, the bell = absolute simplicity in transportation.
12) Rainy day and mom's school is closed.
Whether its working day for me or not is not the deal. If mom is off, there 'will' be hot kesari and pakkoda waiting int he evening. And especially on a rainy day: adadadada....
13) Shoping in TNagar that includes lunch at one of the bhavans.
Could be saravana bhavan/ ganesh bhavan or some other one..
An absolutely filling "Full, square meals"!!
14) Bakshanams
Sweets, savories that you get from a wedding or some other religious festival..
15) Tamizh TV channels.
The absolute nonsense that is packaged as entertainment. There is song, news, serials, movies running in some channel all the time..
Hmm.. thats all I can remember now. Will add more as they come up..
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