Sunday. Mom made Kool. Jaffna vegan spicy palmyrrah flour soup. My favouritest soup on earth. A little rice, lots of cassava, jackfruit, long beans (which we were unable to get, and which mum flatly refused to replace with French beans), black eyed beans. Toppings of vegan prawns and raw banana, doused in chilli powder, fried with onions. Distributed tupperwares of kool to friends who came home.
Husband was off for a mic balancing session with a legendary foreign artiste in preparation for a music concert that evening.
I had my usual spate of classes.
Husband home, classes done, kitchen clean. Settled down with the family to sip/gulp down hot spicy soup, entertained by ‘102 not out’.
Draped this brand new bright double toned pinkish reddish silk, for the concert and a dear friend’s surprise 50th later in the evening. Saree has borders of no, not swans but the mythical Annapakshi, a swan like creature with the crest and plumage of a peacock, and a purple pallu of gold, pink buttis and more Annapakshis. Gifted by a friend to be worn at her daughter’s wedding a year ago. Didn’t wear it then, as I had had another Saree in mind.
Concert was a resounding success – a multi sensory overload, for the ears, heart, soul. Garlands of ragas, multiple thala cycles, sometimes one within the other, speed, clarity of all performers. Fell in love all over again. I often tell him that when I see him perform, I remember why..
Left for party. Great food, company, her birthday cake was in the shape of a Veena (photo in comments). The birthday girl looked fabulous in a white and pink silk, photos not supplied.
Met another dear friend, one of the most beautiful ladies I know, Gayathri Rajeswaran.
The beauty of her soul shines through her eyes and smile. Took some photos together. Have been pushing her to post some, she assured me that after this post with me, her first/joint post, she would post more.
And so, here we are, me in my saree described earlier, she in an astounding kanjivaram of pastel shades – grey body with pink, gold borders and pallu, embroidered with glass work, further enhanced by her captivating smile and persona.
She has 2 daughters, so have I. Our lovely girls adjusted pallus, poses, smiles and captured these shots.
Bavani’s Happy Place 