In Tamilnadu, Diwali is celebrated a day before the rest of the country, on the occasion of Naraka Chaturdasi, the day Lord Krishna vanquished the demon Naraka. People visit each other’s place and respect is paid to the elders, similar to Bijoya Dashami among Bengalis. Special sweets, like Badam Halwa, are made on this occasion. It tastes divine. […]
The prevalent custom during this nine-day long period is to decorate the homes with toys and idols, preferably of different Gods and Goddesses. But many ‘non-Godly’ idols made of clay, wood or marbles also find space. These idols are ideally placed on a platform and collectively known as Kolu. The women visit each other to see the decoration, […]
Champa recalls that every Biswakarma Puja day, year after year, their family routine would be same. After the ritualistic kite flying session in the morning and a sumptuous lunch, Baba would take them to New Market for their ‘Puja shopping’. Ma had a couple of favourite shops there that sold children’s garments. She would still go around almost […]
Champa takes a walk down the memory lane. She goes back many moons back to a short holiday in Switzerland. She reveals a hilarious incident of a carefree person, when she felt like Princess Ann in her Roman Holiday. Here’s her candid account in Different Truths. We had been to Switzerland for a short holiday many summers […]
Champa recalls the days when fridges were not in vogue. Every house had earthen pitchers, the very large to small ones. The fragrance of moist earth – as after the first showers – was heady. Here’s Different Truths’ Earth Day special. When I was a kid, my Thakurma (grandmother) used to store drinking water in a fat bottomed […]
The Internet seems to be a place for prowling, lecherous men, who see all women, single or married, as prey. Though women also face midlife crises and have to deal with pangs of loneliness, it does not mean they are desperate or available. A healthy civil relationship is welcome, writes Champa and hopes that Internet is more than […]
Champa used to ‘work’ once. She discovered the joys of staying at home. Here’s her candid account about the changes she made in her life, irrespective of what others have to say. People often ask me, ‘Do you work?’ and my answer these days is always the same, ‘No’. That I cook two meals every day, keep […]
Is it wrong to smile always? Some feel that always smiling is lying. Champa takes a close look at people who are often judgemental. She feels that there are Different Truths and all shades and hues of it should get a rightful place. It’s that person’s life afterall. Smile, though your heart is aching Smile, even though […]
Soggy Chennai is drowning. While the print media turns a Nelson eye to the plight of the people in the southern city, for the TV channels it’s a tamasha, a perverse ploy to play the high TRP game. In a personal account, Champa exposes the north-south discrimination and hopes that there is sunshine and an end to the […]
Champa recounts a true bedtime story about her mother. Many years later, the wheel turns full circle. Here’s an engrossing personal story by a wonderful storyteller. This is a story about a small town girl and her pet. This girl was different from her other three sisters. The sisters were happy to get married at early ages. […]
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