Vishu 2008.

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It was Vishu last week. Vishu is the astronomical new year day, the first day of the Malayalam month medam. It is not a religious day but it is identified with the hindu religious beliefs. The farmers in kerala commence paddy cultivation on vishu day because it is believed to be auspicious. I take these festivals as a great opportunity for family gathering, and always insisted that all the family members should make it for the day. Just a week ago, I could not see it’s happening. My sister, who is a fantastic cook and always the main chef of all the occasions, was holidaying outside England. Sisters in law were all busy and could not help. Sister in law no1 was busy with her ill child, no2 was too busy with her work and exams, no3 was heavily pregnant. Finally it was all up to me to do all the cooking and other preparations. I am just a below average cook, and had no confidence to do a vishu feast all by my own. The only help I had was my little girl, who was very excited about playing in the kitchen. I could have easily abandoned the idea of a vishu feast for this year. But I could not do that. For me it is not all about cooking and eating. There was a lot more to it than that. I wanted the family to be together for all the festivals and occasions of religious significance. I wanted all the children to celebrate all the occasions together with their cousins and recognise their brothers and sisters, recognise the relationship with each other, understand that they are closely related by blood. I wanted the children to learn that these type of occasions should be celebrated with all your family members. I wanted them to remember about this when they grow up, and I hope they also will make it a point to spend special occasions with all the family.

We did all the shopping from the asian grocery shop in the city of Preston, about forty minutes drive from home. I cooked a decent feast including two types of payasams. My younger sis in law came to help, and all others arrived as early as they could. We had a nice time, kids enjoyed their time with their cousins. We had a musical evening that day, my brother and kids sang few songs including two of them specially dedicated to me, in my favourite raag darbari and raag desh malhar.

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