THE BEGINNING OF THE END!!!

Onam’s come again…. and as usual, I am not in Kerala. Not amidst the festive mood. On the contrary, I am enjoying life here in Chennai. Not exactly freakin’ out, but doing what I like to do…. TV, Net, Games, Sleep….. and not a soul to tell me otherwise. Heh!! Now thats life.

I’m 21 in 2 months…. and all my 20 Onams have been outside Kerala. 14 in Alain, 6 in Chennai, to be precise. Maybe thats why even today the enormity of the occasion still fails to strike me. I know its significance in the minds of most Malayalis, but frankly, its just another festival to me. Not something for which I need to be celebrating as if some Malayali has just won an Olympic Gold. Well, thats not gonna happen before my grandchildren are born. No offence to Anju George!!

Anyways, coming back to the Onam issue, whats so great about King Mahabali being stamped onto the earth’s roots?/ He rather be cursing his subjects who just kept watching while he was trampled onto the soil. Instead, he tours Kerala this very day to ensure that all’s well. We assume all’s well. Well, ultimately he has to return the same day. No delays, guyz. Everything better be ok. Those look-alikes of the great King walks around all morning, in his supposed kingdom, raising his hand for everyone to see. Looks more to me like a Congress representative on his rounds than someone showering his blessings upon us.

The best part of Onam, though, is that it is customary to give gifts to each other in your large family. And the exciting part is that I dont need to give. Only take what you get. Thats good, actually. Mom and Dad will take care of what to get for Grandpa, Grandma and the others. I dont need to give a damn about that. Just accept the gifts, whatever they be. Shirt-pieces, usually. You ought to be happy, but at times, I get some absolutely horrible designs that you wish you were given money instead. And I guess its finally struck my relatives. This time its money which has poured in and not the gifts. I’ll get whatever I prefer, than be contented with what I am handed. Better!!

There’s another dimension to Onam since the last 3-4 years. Onam celebrations in GEC. They’ve been wonderful…. not just the holiday scenario, but the celebrations as such… they have been amusing indeed. This time, it was extra-wonderful. I assisted Kedar in designing the POOKALAM… which came out really well at the end. Kudos to our dear Kadi. And obviously, the photo swayamvaram was there this time around to. Every classmate(girl), who came that day to the celebration, was awarded a free photo with me. Well, most girls had the chance. And for all those who couldn’t make it, I’m still ready. I look good any day……

Yeah, so after the celebrations, I travelled to Chennai that evening with 35 rupees in my wallet. Surprising, but true (More of that later). It was in the bus that I received Jisha’s message.. “THANKS GUYZ FOR MAKING THE CELEBRATION A SUCCESS”. Was expected, I thought. These ladies, are quite sensitive. Especially, since this is our Final Year. But then, later, Ajmal send me a super message. Something with more emotion. “ITS LAST ONAM AT COLLEGE…. MISS THESE DAYS… MISS YOU… BLAH BLAH BLAH!!” Well done, Ajju… you conquered my heart. A really good message, that one. Yeah, its true, Onam celebration is something I am going to miss when I leave college. Its been great…. the fun, the thrills, the occasion has been great overall. And its only this day when you get to see those chicks in your department all together. Clad in sarees. And most of them have hardly tried wearing sarees earlier. Still better…..

Anyways, life has to move on. Just hope that I’ll be able to meet these guyz again, be it for Onam or not. And re-live these moments. I can feel it…. its the beginning of the end. Lemme not get senti. Wherever u r my friend, in traditional Asianet style…. ORAAYIRAM ONAASHAMSAKAL!!!

P.S: SPAR comes to the department only once the whole year… for the ONAM celebration. I am going to miss him too….