Tuesday, January 23, 2007

My mother and Ma Saraswati

It's that time of the year again when a small vacation comes our way, thanks to Netaji's birthday,Republic Day, Saraswati Puja, etc.It usually means a lot of fun. The annual exam starts knocking on the door during this period. Before this mini holiday begins every year, I promise myself that I'll make the most of these few days and study as much as I can. But somehow or the other, I don't quite feel like studying when my parents are at home...... feel like going out with them.....somewhere, anywhere. Again this year , this mini vacation is giving me extra time to study. And yet again,the situation is the same. I didn't quite feel like solving the Geometrical problems which I had planned to solve this afternoon. So,here I am, sitting and typing another post for my blog on the joint occasion of Netaji's birthday and Saraswati Puja.
Day before yesterday, we celebrated my mother's birthday. Unfortunately, she had to attend office, although the day was Sunday. The work that she had was extremely important. So, we thought it best to let her attend office. She said that she would come back early. After a good breakfast, I went to attend my drawing class. I was exactly an hour late. Our drawing Sir had called us an hour early that day and the class had begun at 9 a.m. But, for us, 9 a.m. on Sunday is equivalent to 7 a.m. on a weekday. So, we are always very slow on Sundays. Anyway, I must say that I did a good amount of work even after being an hour late. Sir was not angry either.
Saraswati Puja is celebrated at my drawing school every year. This year, our drawing Aunty ( who is the owner of the school and also, the original teacher) requested a few of us to arrange for the decorations of the room in which the Saraswati idol is kept. I knew that there were very few people who could help Aunty this year. Our seniors have all left owing to pressure in their studies. So, me and another student are the present seniors . After our drawing session was over, we took suggestions from Sir regarding the decorations.Three of us( including me) went to the market with Aunty's assistant to buy the idol and the things needed for decoration. This was a new experience for me. Inspite of being a part of my drawing school for about ten years, I've never helped to arrange this little event. This year, for the first time, I felt that I should help. So, we walked all the way to the market and bought a red marble paper and certain things made of thermocol. Then came the most difficult part.....choosing the idol! There were so many Saraswati idols ......some were big while others were small, some were clad in orange saris, some in green, while others in purple. Price was also a factor, as our budget was not much and the idols were expensive. After surfing for twenty minutes, we found the idol of our choice. Ma Saraswati looked gorgeous in a silver-cloured sari and her face looked as pretty as ever. Soma Didi( Aunty's assistant) did some useful bargaining and bought the idol for Rs.200, for which Rs.320 had been charged initially. Then, mounting Ma Saraswati on a van-rickshaw, and sitting on it ourselves to guard her, we headed back for our drawing school. Once the goddess was safe and sound in the second-floor room, we started decorating the room. In an hour, we did a very neat job. Satisfied with what we had done, I came home with my father at about 2.30 p.m. We had almost finished our lunch, when the Birthday Girl called to say that she was on her way home. Immediately, we finished eating and went out to buy Mammam's birthday cake. She doesn't enjoy cream cakes much, so we bought a fruit cake for her. When we came back, we saw her standing outside our apartment.
In the evening, she cut her birthday cake. Although she protested, we went out to buy her gift and returned with a dazzling set of fashionable earrings and necklace. She was very happy with her gift and then, we went out for dinner. We went to Red Hot Chilly Pepper on Ballygunge Circular Road. As is evident from the name, the food there is very spicy. But, at the same time, the food is very good. The menu was Chicken Clear Soup( with some momo in it), Rice Noodles and Shredded Chicken in Green Chilly Sauce. In this way, we enjoyed ourselves a lot.
Today morning, I went to my drawing school to attend Saraswati Puja. The puja was also held in our house, but in a very simple and short way.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Belated birthday wishes to your mom!

I have never had a Bengali friend close enough to be able to attend Saraswati Puja with and haven't had the opportunity otherwise either. I hope I can attend it in future.
But really good to know that you helped in setting up for the Puja at your school.

And I'm sure you can relax in these holidays. You're a good student and will manage your exams well. Good luck! :-)

Anonymous said...

Birthday wishes for your Mom!

Man, you really have a lot to do. All I used to do (way back in junior high school) was waste my time. :-/

Drawing is errr fun. Isn't it? Until of course you end up making a jacked figure...for a human being. Anyway, your post majorly reminds me of my geometry sessions... And I don't want to get gross on this blog. :-/

Have fun!

Anonymous said...

My wishes for Saraswati Puja n for ur mamma :)

i remember i used to perform on saraswati vandana in my school ( basically bharatnatyam )

n ur post forced me to go back in my school n i found my self reciting saraswati vandana :)

" Jai Jai hey bhagwati sur bharti ..tav charno pranmamh "

:D

this is actually lovely post .. n momo toh mujhe bhi khaane hain :P

u r attending drwaing school ..wow i wish u cud post sumthing here in ur blog ..:)

have fun derie but do study :)

Unknown said...

Hi
I had to make some changes to your blog account which is why everyone's anonymous comments have lost out on their sign in names. But since I read this post and the comments before making those changes, let me tell you that the first comment you have received here is from Richa, the second is from Rohit and the third is from Chitrangada (Deepti).

Secondly, you will receive a notification from Google on your email address about the changes that have been made to your account. In case anything is problematic, let me know.

Furthermore, I have added some links to your blog under the heading Fellow Bloggers, you can see it on the right side panel. So accessing other blogs should not be a problem any more.

And now about this post, you are the last person who needs to worry about not studying. I know your dedication and sincerity towards your academics so you can afford to take it easy once in a while. I was also thinking that given your love for art, maybe you should look at digital art now. I would suggest getting in touch with Deepti and asking her something about her art and how she goes about it.
All the best.

~ Deeps ~ said...

Belated Bday wishes to your mom.....
glad to see that the importance saraswati puja hasnt been lost in few parts of the country.....we used to celebrate it in our days at school but i dont think it done anymore out here in delhi.........the dinner sounds goood........ :)

Butterfly said...

First of all,
@EVERYONE
I have conveyed all your birthday wishes to my mother and she is delighted. She has also given her blessings to you all.

@Richa
If u ever plan to visit Kolkata, try and do so during Saraswati Puja. Then u can celebrate it with me.

@Rohit
Drwaing means a lot of fun.:-)
But, I always end up drawing human faces resembling those of monkeys.

@Chitrangada
So, u used to b a performer in Bharatnatyam? I used to learn Kathak.

@ woodsmoke
Thanks for providing the links to everyone's blog.:-)
I was thinking of asking u abt how 2 do just the same :D
U seem 2 have developed an insight into my mind.

@deeps
Saraswati puja is still important in Kolkata. But, the occasion itself means a lot only to the old generation. For the new generation, it is just another holiday. The tradition of wearing yellow saris among girls is not there anymore.

RB said...

Deal! I'll remember that. :-)

Subhadip said...

Brought back the memories when I used to celebrate Saraswati pujo with my friends. It's right in front of my eyes - the pujo, the prasad (bhog), the dadhi kadma, the music, the priest (purut moshai) coming late, the fast (uposh), the bishorjon, the freedom during that time, the no study rule for two days! Pure nostalgia; thanks to your post.

Belated happy birthday to your ma.

Butterfly said...

@subhadip
Thanks for the Birthday wishes for my mother :-)
Glad to know how you used to celebrate Saraswati Puja.