Azhwars - an Intro's intro

Sometime back during a casual conversation that came up on 12 Azhwars, my friend raised several questions viz - 1. the roots of Azhwars 2. what they tried to communicate 3. Why are we following traditions et al. Those questions may sound hard to even digest but that gave me a thought of just trying to understand what the science is all about!
Thus began my search. Though I have not gathered much inputs on understanding the topic, I would also request readers to stop by and contribute to knowing Azhwars as to understanding what they intended to communicate!

This should not definitely raise theist / atheist thoughts but just a mere understanding to praise them better and understand the language and know Divya Prabandhams in a proper way. I shall start it soon!..Contributions most welcome...

(Hope no one should brand me fanatic :-) )

Growing Plants at home

We talk about Vegetarianism, deforestation, going green etc... Unfortunately, not all people living in Apartments have the luxury and space to grow plants. One such unlucky lot is my apartment. We have very limited space (balcony) that has about 30 - 40 sft.

My father is a blessed person on this earth must say. Whatever plant seeds he sows, they grow and yield at least one flower / vegetable before they die. This is mainly because lack of proper sunlight and constrained creeper.

I must say one incident that happened recently..There was a plant growing in a pot. We tried our guesses on what it could be but in vain! The reason being the creeper kind of varieties like White Pumpkin, Water melon, Musk melon etc belong to the same family and you can not identify them separately by looking at their leaves. Hoping that we could see a glimpse of the flower (thinking we could identify!. What a botanical mind!!). One fine evening, we were amazed to see four flowers (in different size). But by then the leaves started to decay...So, they were falling down and it was having its own natural end... since it grows on a pot and there is no space for the roots to penetrate in the soil to grow. It is still a surprise as we do not know what plant it is!. Whatever my father sows, they grow at least to one extent and yield their maximum. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY DO THEIR DUTY TO THE FULLEST.

He has transfered the interest in to all of us I must say. If not for the space limitation, we would have had all (possible) plants grown at home.

I strongly believe every parent must teach their kids on the importance of growing plants at home. From our house Gen 3 is ready for the same. Hope it is with every person's house who reads this blog...

Some more - my family had the blessing to taste Vendaya Keerai at home and hopefully to have some lab lab (Avaraikkai).

The best plant that can grow easily with proper compost such as vermi compost, and such ones. Hoping and keeping fingers crossed for Bitter Gourd and Avaraikkai to grow more !!! :-)

Will share some photos soon...

Some special words in Iyengarism

Few days back, when I happened to talk to one of my friend's mother (very orthodox), she was talking to me with some new words which I never heard of. I was for a minute amazed and surprised if words like that exist. (I am not even able to recall..). I checked with my mother and came to know that they talk in olden days ( a special chapa - muthirai of an Iyengar). Sometimes, if I listen to the paribashais, I laugh but at the same time respect the language 100 percent.

Just to ensure I dont forget them, I am writing some words that I know in this blog post. People who read this may be aware of many many more words.. Contributions welcome... :-)

Saadhikkaradhu - to serve in food - parimaarardhu
Saathamudhu - Rasam - Saatrin amudhu (amudhu - juice)
Thaligai - Cooking - Samayal
Thirukkanamudhu - Payasam
Akkaravadisal - Sakkarai Pongal
Karamudhu - Vegetable - Curry
Thaligai amsichacha - offering food to god
Dadhyodannam - Curd rice - thayir sadham
Sevithal - Prostrate ( Falling on one's feet) - Namaskaram
Thirumanjanam - Abhishekam
Thiruthuzhai - Tulasi
puzhakkadai - backyard - kollaipuram

ksheeraannam - Kalkandu paayasam

Apart from these, there might have been words but I have not heard that much.. Even I guess if these words are used in daily usage!

(May be in my next post, I shall post some more)
Hema