So, what do I expect from Deepawali?
Here are some things I remember, in no particular order:
Deepawali setting inside our home:
Seyakkai podi, oil bath, புதூ சொக்காய் (new dress), பட்டாசு (fire crackers) [Lakshmi Vedi, double sound, atom bomb, hydrogen bomb, netaji, bijili, sara-vedi, rockets, the silent ones: flower pot, changu chakram, chattai, snake, electric stones, etc etc], Deepawali மருந்து / லேகியம் , sweets, savories (காரம்), deepawali special samayal by amma, programmes on TV: patti mandram, movie: it will either be a super-duper hit Thalaiwar movie or one supposedly called 'தமிழ் திரை உலகிலேயே முதல் முறையாக, திரைக்கு வந்து சில மாதங்களே ஆன, புத்தம் புதிய திரைப்படம்'.. a.k.a some bloody-blade movie that was taken of the screens even run a dozen shows, and end the day with visit to relatives' places, more sweets, more fun....Deepawali season in the rest of Madras:
No making charges, no wastage, lots of variety, Pothys, Chennai Silks, GRT, Rathna, Kumaran, Nalli, Saravana stores, crazy crowd, bubbling children, oceans of textiles, throw away prices, even more prizes, bumper to bumper traffic, tensed traffic police, hungry husbands, wives hunting-for-latest saree type, jubliant shop keepers, meals at Hotel Saravana Bhavan after shopping session, roadside hawkers, fleeting rain, tension-free youth, discounted fireworks, high decibel traffic announcement, people, people everywhere, all with the same thing running in their mind: Deepawali.. I absolutely miss everything about Deepawali.. real real bad!!
Now back to the cold silent night today and inspite of this being Deepawali night..
Damn I am living an almost pathetic life.. :P
