This one's for my Granny...

Thursday, 7th of October 2010

The days preluding were filled with excitement. I used to bug my Paati (granny) to decide what is that new thing we should get that year. Something always was new every year and so it should be according to her. Finally when the first day arrives, I used to get so excited that all my time at school that day would go in thinking about the evening. I used to beg her always, 'please don't start without me'. And always, she used to wait for me.

Evening I come back from school, expecting appa (dad) or chithappa (his younger bro) to come from office, because without them nothing would start. First the basic framework gets down from the dingy lofts in the corner room. Then the seven long steps. And I always had to help in their descent. Whether I am big or small didn't matter. Always. Once they are down, the building of the frame is done. My paati ever so thoughtful, used to soak the screws, nuts and bolts a day before in keroscene. After appa and chitha are satisfied with the frame, the steps are placed and two pure white dhotis (8 ft long) cover the entire set up.

Meanwhile paati starts clearing the things above the age old trunk box in the store room, to start unloading our complete repertoire of dolls. Oh my! Each doll was precious. I used to recite out how many Ganesha, Murgan, Krishna, Shiva and what not! we had every year to my sister (Sharanya). And every doll had its own story. It was so much fun listening to them. The little Appu dolls (that I still have) were the most dearest. Paati always used to tell that the pair cost just 50 paise.

Once my shuttles between the store and drawing rooms are done and the trunk empty, we move back to the corner room for the unloading of more dolls! Appa likes to pull my leg there by wantedly skipping several sets of dolls that I used to look out for. The 6 dancing girls, 5 freedom fighters, the ladies with the kids, the fruits and vegetables set, the three biggies (Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Murugan), the Ramar crowning ceremony, the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, the two Kamadenus all had to be there. The tantrums I used to throw when something was missed by appa there. Ahh!! I used to shout so much. But paati patiently would tell appa what was missing and where to look, making sure I was satisfied.

Then, I, being so short and unable to keep the dolls in the topmost step used to direct appa to keep what dolls where, with paati pushing my him wherever she had to. Then once the top steps are completely filled and we are down to the bottom few, I take over completely. Paati would help me keep every thing the way I want. And once all the steps are filled and with the big Murugan on a plank, for itself, on the floor, my real work starts!

The biggest fun of all Navrathri celebrations for me was the spreading of sand on the floor and laying out the cricket set, park set, band set, a zoo, a temple, a pond and what not! Patiently from around night 9 30 pm after dinner till almost midnight, I used to do my favourite thing. I never let anyone else help me. Paati would soak some seeds in water 2-3 days before to add some real greenery to my setting. Wow how much I loved it!

And today, when the day came back, it hit me, how much I miss the fun I had with Paati all those years. Miss you so much paati...

With lots and lots of love

Appu