Of Ponggal, Pandemics, Festivals..

#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak

#SS 6/2021 #76

#cottonsilk #kanjivaram #kanchicotton

14th January.
Makara Sankaranti. Lohri. Harvest festival. Uttaraayanam. Commencement of the sun’s six month journey northwards.  Pongal, meaning, to boil, overflow. Signifying abundance.
A traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery (raw sugar).
Boiled milk, watched cautiously as it overflowed. Towards the East? In all directions? Convinced myself that the milk behaved well, as it should.
Used store bought kiribath rice, jaggery,  ghee roasted cashews and raisins.
Reminisced Malaysia days. Sugarcane stalk structures, terracota pot with turmeric plants tied around the mouth, atop stove on verandah, mango leaves strung on front door, milk boiling over, amidst cries of Ponggalo Ponggal. Stirring the rice, jaggery and finally adding cashews, raisins, cardamom powder, ghee.
Here, quiet brief prayer outdoors, offered some ponggal to my winged friends, then off to work.
Home again, Temple. 14 day Mahotsavam.
Watched the Vettai Thiruvizha (Hunting Festival) wherein Lord Ganesha, seated on a horse, conquers the 5 senses of lust, greed, anger, hatred, jealousy.
Got home, dinner of dosai and a spicy tomato chilli chutney prepped by husband.
Went to bed, too drowsy to read books written by two dear friends, or to write any food or saree post.
Slightly disturbed, not knowing when I or my family would be able to physically meet up with parents, siblings.
Managed to muster up some gratitude that I’d been able to celebrate Ponggal, and attend a temple Mahotsavam during these testing times, knowing that in some countries, the pandemic is out of control.
Draped a Kanchi cotton silk presented by my daughters’ vocal teacher, 10 years ago. Photos taken pre-temple visit by Daughter#2 who had ventured out of Yellow Den and was too lazy to budge from sofa, therefore had convinced me that behind the corridoor door was the best place for a photo shoot.
Saree is a slightly heavy double toned lime green golden yellow Kanchi cotton silk with maroon red and gold borders and pallu. Mis-Matched with a red, yellow, green, gold striped silk blouse. To uplift the spirits. To remain hopeful.