Saturday, October 27, 2007

URAINDHU PONA MALLIGAL......................... FROZEN JASMINES

Madurai,down south in Tamizh Nadu is a unique place.Wonderful temple which mesmerises visitors to this place, is unique.The lanes and by lanes to the temple are so full of people ,literally all 24 hours.The blaring music from each tea shop competing with that of the next shop renders music,if it can still be called that,at a decibel which can never be imagined by normal music lovers.But still the appreciating nods of people enjoying the tea sitting right in front of the speakers is a sight by itself !

Walking out of the station our Vijay entered the lanes to find a lodge for his stay.He liked a place ,where lot of flower vendors had displayed their flowers in a KOODAI (basket).The fragrance was just enchanting.For a moment his thoughts flashed across to his girl friend,in Madras.In the evening ,when he returned after work, he ran to the elderly vendor and asked her for the price of the flowers,lovely madura malli (jasmine).She answered it was Rs 5 for 1000..He never heard of jasmine sold by numbers.He thought he heard it wrong.When she repeated it again ,he wondered how they would count it and how long they would take to count it.With twentyfive rupees, in his pocket,he thought he would buy 4000 flowers and told her so.


VIJAY..AATHA,please pack 1000 in one and 3000 in a seperate pack.Please sprinkle sufficient water so that it lasts till morning.

AATHA..Enna thambi(what brother)ammakum pondati kuma(is it for your mother and wife)

VIJAY..Illa aatha,1000 saami padathukkum,3000 ennoda avalukkum(1000 for Gods photograph and 3000 for my girl)

AATHA...Idha paarupa ..saami ku 1000 maam,avalukku 3000..Koduthu vechava pa ava(look at this !!1000 for God and 3000 for the girl.She is so lucky pa.)

VIJAY..yes aatha,she is so beautiful and the madurai jasmine will look so nice on her curly hair.

Sprinkling just sufficient water ,she packed it and gave it to him.

That was the begining of a long story.Everytime he visited Madurai he used to buy the malli(jasmine ) from AATHA and take it to Chennai.His career path took an exponential growth and his visits to Madurai dropped.But whenever he came to madurai, wherever he stayed ,the visit to buy 4000 malli from aatha was a must.His marriage , birth of his two kids was all updated .Aatha was also becoming old but happiness in meeting an old customer was writ on her wrinkled but cheerful face.

One day vijay made his usual visit to the area where he used to buy the malli.In front of the koodai(basket)was a little girl.As he was enquiring about Aatha,she walked down.
AATHA..Enna Thambi Bayundhuteengala(What Brother,You got worried ,Is it ).

Saying this ,she asked the little girl to move and started counting the Mallis.

AATHA..enna thambi romba naal aachu indha pakkam vandhu (what brother its ages since you came this side)

VIJAY..aamam aatha(yes aatha)

AATHA..4000 poothane thambi(4000 jasmine isnt it brother )

VIJAY..Aatha 2000 poo podhum(2000 jasmine enough)

AATHA..En thambi..(Why brother )

VIJAY..Padathula 1000 poo ku mela vekka mudiyadhu AATHA(the photograph cannot accomodate more than 1000)

AATHAS TEARS WET THE FLOWERS ,THAT DAY






CU

63 comments:

Joy said...

U know how to make a person feel sad,feel happy and bring back their memories through your blogs. As someone suggested you should try fiction.
That was a wonderful write up...keep blogging.

tc.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Joy
Thanks joy for your nice words..Keep visiting..lot more in store ..lol
TC
Cu

Shalini Gowrisankar said...

That was a lovely post .. Keep more coming :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Shalini Gowrisankar
Thanks and Welcome Shalini..keep coming.
TC
CU

Prats said...

This was such a moving post...and now when I see flowers this story will surely come in front of my eyes....

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Prats
Many a times, in life ,small things remind us of a great episode behind it.Thanks for dropping by
tc
cu

Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati said...

thanks for visiting my blog.
you write beautifully.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Swati,
thanks for your nice words.Pl keep dropping by.
TC
CU

Unknown said...

Awww... romba senti aakitinga...

Sooper post... :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Curious,
Tks ma for dropping by..Navarasathil oru rasam .Avvalavu than vaazhkai..
TC
CU

Ponnarasi Kothandaraman said...

En kerchief nenanju pochu :(

Jokes apart! Well written post..Ur 1st post like this ila??? :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Ponnarasi Kothandaraman
Vaanga Ponn. Amaam.Sila naatkalaagave idhu manadhil irundhadhu.veli kondu vandhu vitten.
Mudhal posta nu theriyale..Ennoda Kannamavin kolangal padicheengala?padichhu paathu sollunga Ponn.

Nandri,thanks for your words
TC
CU

October 28, 2007 4:03 AM

Priya Sivan said...

Moving story and a sorrowful twist. You have a good and simple narrative style. Keep posting more :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Priya Sivan
Thanks for your encouragement.Keeping my own life simple is perhaps getting reflected in my writing..Keep visiting.
TC
CU

aMus said...

@ cu...
what a moving story...is it a true incident?...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Thinking aloud
Thanks for dropping by..May be the core story is true,yes but the dialogs- an off shoot of my fertile imagination !I hope so..
TC
CU

Aarthi said...

If this is a true story I'm worried who's vijay? The moment I see your comments for my blog I rush to see whether you have written a new one...and u didn't disappoint me..another awesome one from u..

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Aarthi,
Thanks aarthi for dropping by.I feel honoured when you say you rush to read my blog.Thanks again!
In life we come across so many incidences which leave a deep impact.Vijay is perhaps one such character.
Keep visiting !
TC
CU

Apple said...

Another wonderful write-up ...ending was sorrowful though..'m moved..:(...you have amazing skills in expressing human relations...Keep it up...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Apple
Thanks for dropping by and nice words..keep coming
TC
CU

Sandhya said...

hi

Vry touching story. When i was reading this, u wont believe, there was a picture of that vijay , Aatha , Jasmine Flowers n Tea Stall. u hv written in a vry touch manner.

Geetha Sambasivam said...

மதுரைனு ஆரம்பிச்சிருக்கிறதைப் பார்த்து சந்தோஷமா இருந்தது, ஆனால் கொஞ்சம் படிக்கும்போதே ஓரளவு புரிஞ்சாலும், கடைசியில் ரொம்ப சோகமா முடிச்சுட்டீங்களே? :((((((((((((

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Sandhya,
Hi.Thanks a lot.Was it so vivid?feel good about it.Keep dropping by when you find time
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@கீதா சாம்பசிவம்
Madurai endravudan college house area than remember panna mudinjudhu.Malli yum kovilum marakka mudiyaadavai.Oru masala mix potten..Aanal,kadhai kitta thatta unmai than..
Meendum varugha
TC
CU

Sandhya said...

hi

seriously through ur post i visited Madurai. I hv never visited south side bt through my pals i hv heard abt nearby areas.

I hv seen many ladies of the south, who place the flowers in her hair. I always recognise the south indian ladies through the flowers.

So, when u hv written abt Madurai, I felt the same fragrance of flowers.

and regarding the time, i hv always enough time to read my friend's blog.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Sandhya
Thanks a lot
TC
CU

Pri said...

wonderful write!
very touching...brings a lump in ur throat...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Pri.
Hi Doc.How u.Thanks for passing by..
tc
cu

Incrediblyirrational said...

makes me uncomfortable in a strange way by which i mean it's touching, only i couldn't understand how. written well i guess ;P
all tributes to that unlimited compassion :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Nithya
Hi.Thanks for your comment.I didnt realise when writing it.Its been hitting many friends hard.
Keep coming
TC
CU

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

//மதுரைனு ஆரம்பிச்சிருக்கிறதைப் பார்த்து சந்தோஷமா இருந்தது, ஆனால் கொஞ்சம் படிக்கும்போதே ஓரளவு புரிஞ்சாலும், கடைசியில் ரொம்ப சோகமா முடிச்சுட்டீங்களே? :((((((((((((

//

ரிப்பீட்டு..

ஆனால் ஒரு நல்ல உருக்கமான பதிவு CU.

மனசு கனத்துப்போனது என்னமோ நிஜம்!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Raghs | இராகவன்,
Vaanga Raghs..Ennoda post mattum padikkama,mattha comments um padichirikkenga..adhu nalla pazhakkam.Oru opinion frame aaghum.
meendum varugha
TC
CU

Keshi said...

A moving post! I got all teary :)

Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Keshi,
thanks for passing by and leaving your copmments.keep coming.
tc
cu

m.flowerr said...

Yet another fantastic work of simplicity...hey, why don't you try and post often?
Maybe you should try your hands on a fiction as well!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@m.flowerr,
Thanks for dropping by..Blogging often !I dont have that kind of stuff.Blogging once in a month possible,I guess.
Tc
CU

venuss66 said...

Another beautiful writeup. Enjoyed much. I love the smell of jasmines.:)
Life is the combination of sweet and bitter,happiness and sadness. Thank you for sharing. Tc.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@venus66
You said it.life is a combination of various things.If only we learned to remember more of happiness,it would be wonderful.But then ,mostly ,we get drawn to sadness !!
TC
CU

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

//Vaanga Raghs..Ennoda post mattum padikkama,mattha comments um padichirikkenga..adhu nalla pazhakkam.Oru opinion frame aaghum.
meendum varugha//

Thank you CU.

No need to say that. I will keep visiting boss :)

fyi, one more blog of mine is http://blogsofraghs.wordpress.com. If time permits, pls do visit that too!

best wishes...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Raghs | இராகவன்.
Poi paarthen..nalla enjoy pannreenga vaazhkaya..thappille adhile..chinna vayasu dhane..great
TC
CU

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

//Poi paarthen..nalla enjoy pannreenga vaazhkaya..thappille adhile..chinna vayasu dhane..great//

Thank you CU.

ஆடி அடங்கும் வாழ்க்கையடான்னு அடிமனசுல ஒரு அலாரம் அடிச்சாலும், கிடைக்கிற தருணங்களில், சின்னச் சின்ன விஷயங்களில் சிலிர்த்துப் போகிற சுகானுபவத்தை இழக்கக் கூடாது என்ற உணர்வுகளோ?

இருக்கலாம். :) உங்களைப் போன்றோரின் ஆசிர்வாதங்களுடன்..

whAt A LiFe said...

Nice post. It was very sentimental.

Tks for dropping by my blog and i hope u will continue to write more.

Keep in touch and happy blogging....

: )

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@whAt A LiFe,
hi.Thanks for your visit and comments.First ,I guess. Pl do Keep dropping by.
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@வேதா.
AAhhaaa...killi paarthu konden..nijam dan..neengal mum murai vanthadhal than vaanam mummaari pozhigindrado !

Karu unmai than.

Amount transfer kadhai neenga enakku sundal kodutha maadhiri than !

Nanri varughai thanthadarku
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Compassion Unlimitted said...

@வேதா
//நல்லா வெவரமா தான் இருக்கீங்க :D//

Idhaithan pazhakka dosham enbaargalo!
Illai enil Sagavaasa dosham enbargalo.!!
TC
CU

anits said...

so sad... :( nice the way u deliver the story!
valvom nalemage!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits
Thanks for your visit..Vaazhvom Nalamaga..nice words
TC
CU

Vanjula said...

yeah, madurai is a beautiful place..Love the jasmine from there too..pona oru kadaiya raid pannama vidarthu illa.:))

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Vanjula,
vaanga, vaanga..romba naal aachu..nalam dane..Ella Kadai kulleyum mooka nuzhakkiradhu pettai dosham..correct dhane !!lol
TC
CU

ceedy said...

That is a brilliant post....I found your link from some other blog and am glad I did.....
You brought tears to my eyes....
and I pray this is not someones real story....

Vinesh said...

Oh god - that was so touching!
Great story, friend!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@c e e d y
Thank you ceedy for your words.The core content of the story is true.After all we get influenced in life by truth and reality!
Its nice you dropped by.Please do keep coming.
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Vinesh
Hi vinesh.Thanks.Please do keep dropping by
TC
CU

PurpleHeart said...

Simple, emotional and powerful !! Well presented !! Is this a true one ?

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@PurpleHeart
Hi thanks for pssing by.As I said else where //The core content of the story is true.After all we get influenced in life by truth and reality!//
Please come again
TC
CU

Preethi said...

Very touching blog... You should write fiction.. you do have the gift!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preethi
Hi.Thanks for your views.Regarding writing fiction,I feel its too big an expectation.But your views and that of others ,definitely motivate me to write more .but the next time i want to keep it light since i feel this one has become an absolute tear jerker !
Tks for dropping by .keep coming
TC
CU

Bungz said...

This broke my heart... Good piece of work. You should try and get the program to write up in unicode. That way you can publish it in Tamil script...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Bungi
thanks for the words.Honestly I am computer illiterate.Learning these things at this stage is fairly diffcult.Thanks again for dropping by
TC
CU

The Artist said...

wonderfully moving...too real to be reel

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@The Artist
Thanks for your words.keep coming.
Tc
CU