We just got back from a short, packed, super fun vacation in India. The highlight was my dad's 60th birthday celebrations followed by a week in Kodaikanal. The kids had a blast! Everyday had something exciting in store and was a great change from their daily routines in Singapore.
Appa's 60th, I thought might be a bit of a bore for the kids as it involved a lot of religious stuff and rituals. I was so wrong.
V became such a hit with the 14 odd vadyars who conducted the event. He decided to ape my dad and the vadyars in everything they did- he wore a panchakacham, wore a fake poonal, muttered the sa re ga ma a hundered times (when I asked him why, he said that he couldn't follow the mantras and because he had to say something like the others he decided to practice his sarali varisais!!!), ate from a banana leaf, ignored me and his dad completely and insisted on cuddling up with the chief vadyar!
And of course all the above was done with a good side dose of mischief. He threw the flowers not only in the sacred pyre but on the vadyars too, he poured the 'Ganga jhal' not only on his grandparents but on himself and his sister too, he insisted on serving lunch along with the caterers and gave the photographer hell (sticking his tongue in every shot)
S on the other hand was delighted with all the attention she got during the sumangali prarthanai. She called it the 'only girl's party' and was thrilled with the mehendhi, paavadai, gifts and importance! She was a great sport and sang all the bhajans and shlokas in her repertoire a zillion times to anybody who asked for it. She co-operated, participated and relished every bit of the function.
Both kids had a great time and threw themselves in every activity and enjoyed it all immensely. Such a traditional celebration, so many cherished memories, such a privilege to be a part of it- What a wonderful experience for my little boy and girl!
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