Chasing Bees and Butterflies - Part #1

When the sound of silence is made more melodious only by the buzzing of bees and fluttering of butterflies, it's hard to not chase the moment and treasure a piece of it for yourself...

Taking a few minutes to walk about the garden to savor the symphony nature so effortlessly creates can be supremely meditative. 

The dog days of summer are here, and so are the blooms that attract a variety of critters.

Featuring in this post - Allium Purple Sensation

Alliums return year after year to bridge the gap that late spring blooms leave before the bright summer perennials take over. The perfect globes spike up in a thrush to create quite the sensation.

Get some saved seed from a friend or buy online from a variety of stores. Now, Aug/Sep, is a great time to buy in bulk!

#GardenerSpeak
#Meditation
#MyHappyPlace

Back to School - Part 2

If you are like me, you realize it's the end of February and you have not made a new year's resolution, and you are unsure if one is or ever was necessary. :)


Feel like paddling along with someone who is in the same boat as you? Welcome then! Let's ripple on back to Feb 2017...


Wedding bells for my cousin's daughter beckoned. I was on my way to India for both the wedding and something just as special. My flight had just landed in Hyderabad. It was a grueling haul, yet I felt fresh, my mind set on a thought I had nurtured for over 30 years. I knew I was going to check at least one item off my bucket list during this visit. I had made my mind up and you know how stubborn girls like us in their mid forties can be!


You see, new years' resolutions never really worked for me because I always had way too many things that I wanted to do, improve upon, do away with, or take on. Juggling those self-imposed demands was a challenge, but never the commitment to give it my all and savor the ends. The glutton in me always bites off more than she can chew, but hasn't learned to spit. She is crazy for believing in giving herself practice in handling what seems unhandleable, but who's to tell her?! Surely, I've fallen short many times, but even then, I excelled in learning from my shortcomings and staying inspired for the next good thing.
I digress. Back to why I started this post. Whether we wrap our desires in New years' resolutions year after fleeting year or not, I believe that we all have a need that is satisfied only by raw, teeming commitment to improve a thing of our affection or uproot an object of our disdain, from its roots. We often doubt if we are capable or have the wherewithal to succeed, but the need exists and the desire to make it real refuses to die. My desire may find its fulfillment in one corner, while yours in another, but the spirit behind it resonates in unison. It's what becomes the power that propels us forward - makes us do things we doubted we could even attempt.


Growing up in a family where there was plenty to go around for us and all who sought mom and dad's assistance from time to time, taught me the power of two concepts - gratitude and giving. In their own way, they taught us that the best way to ever imagine saying thanks for our blessings was to pay forward - make each blessing count through actions that are meaningful to someone in need. Those two words, gratitude and giving, could not have rung more true than they did an year ago. As I planned my trip to India, I felt a certain suppleness take over me. I knew the time had come for me to make good on at least one of my desires. I shared what was on my mind with a few friends and they were just as excited! It took them only a few minutes to jump right in and sign-up for whatever project I was raving to embark on.
No sooner did I finish attending the wedding festivities, I went back to Keyes a second time with a resolve to make my walking in the hallways and running my hands on those balding desks a bit more meaningful. Only this time, my focus was on the girls. Girls just like my friends and I were back in the late 70s. They wore purple tunics, two braids neatly tied up in black ribbons, broad smiles, were hardworking and funny, and carried grades that were commensurate with their big, little girl dreams. The only difference from what I gathered was that unlike us, some of these girls were unsure where their next month's tuition would come from, or come at all.


During my first visit a few days before this one, (Back to School - Part 1, A Good Sit #GiveBackToMySchool) I had alluded to my desire to make a small difference in the lives of girls who were financially challenged. I went back to chalk out the details of what the current situation was and what if, I'd be able to do to establish a support system for them for the long-term. The Principal and staff were elated at the idea and scurried to give me all the help they could....I was besides myself with joy at what was to come at the end of that exercise. The suppleness I had felt before my trip had returned. My mind was starting to feel at ease. My restless energy, its home.
In the days that followed, I worked with the wonderful administrative staff of Keyes to lay down the intent of sponsorship, the criteria for choosing who would receive support, end of year grades/performance expectations, etc. I brought my trusted group of friends who were in 5 states in India and the 3 in the US, up to speed on the prospect of sponsoring education for over a dozen deserving girls and opened a bank account exclusively for the purpose, so we could keep our contributions and payouts in order.
A month after my return to the US, all formalities were completed by friends in Hyderabad who continued to work with the school, and we as a group were able to sponsor education for 14 girls for an entire year! :)
It is a modest start, but a start nevertheless.


By itself, my bucket list item may have created an unnoticeable dent in the dire need that holds promise to empower our young girls with the education they deserve, but together, a handful of us from the 1986 batch of 10D have managed to leave a mark for ourselves - a mark to remind us that gratitude finds its best expression when it reflects in the eyes of those whose success we facilitate.
Our hope is that these girls will feel better equipped to be bolder and better no matter where they are and what they are doing simply because they got a second chance at rediscovering possibilities and redefining success.
Phew!! If you have paddled along this deep with me, you have won my vote of gratitude.
Before you bid good bye, just smile a little smile for my friends who made this dream project a reality.
Aparna Sishtla, Anitha Suraj, Premalatha, Padmaja Ratnaker, Swaroopa Kamraj, Dhanalakshmi Mosoor, Jyoti Madhavi, and Kanya Nagalaxmi Chinni.

Thanks for humoring me by reading my memory and yes, please message if you wish to lean more about the process of trying something like this. I would love to share.
#GiveBackToMySchool
#ChoseToEmpower

Chatting with mom

It's a few days after her birthday, but here's me 'Chatting with mom'.

Chatting with mom

I am in my car a lot these days: driving to and from work, running errands, chauffeuring kids, meeting friends, taking idle drives, and sometimes, just sitting quietly, soaking up the rationed warmth of the Cleveland sun, waiting for some person/job/gadget to respond before hitting the pedal again. The list of To-Dos seems endless mom, and some days are just too long.

I must admit, I never thought I’d take a liking to driving. Of all the things I considered utterly unenjoyable, driving was at the top year after year. I enjoyed riding in the passenger seat as you may well recall, but never driving. Lately though, it’s been different. My mind is at ease when I am in the driver’s seat; my grip on the wheel loosens a little, my lips break into a smile, and thoughts of all manner cross my mind. I discard many, reflect on some, and seek answers to a few. You can’t imagine how many questions there are that I do not know answers to, and it doesn’t bother me at all anymore that I don’t. I can count on my one hand all the questions I care about, and on myself for knowing not to dwell inordinately on inquiry. I just depend on honest pursuit instead - a task at a time, all in, just like you had taught me.

Would you think me naïve if I shared what’s on my mind today? On the radio, in the magazines, and yes quite the copious overdose on social media, I hear one thing over and over again. I hear that I need to stop looking in the rearview mirror, and that looking forward is the only way to stay ahead, thrive - the only mantra worth registering - that I must unhesitatingly let go of the past and usher in the new, that change is the only constant, and that my lukewarm reception of the new normal is sure to get me in trouble with no kosher recourse to follow. “You’ve got to be tough”, I am told by well-meaning folks, to weather the unseasonal blows these years after 40 deal, and surely, I must at all costs exercise restraint when it comes to taking my eyes off the windshield. Am I altogether astray for believing differently, mom? Isn’t taking the time to look back occasionally akin to honoring my legacy or giving myself a break from the strain of keeping my eyes on the tar? Like reading from a timeless book of consummate experience, a page at a time, pausing to relive, relish, and review? Isn’t that what has kept me (and countless others through time) grounded because I knew where I had been and how, and with that awareness, better equipped to carve the path to where I want go? Is it not true anymore?

I wonder why I never paid much attention to the rearview in the past, but now, I am expressly curious. Could it be because of where I am in my life today? At peace with what is, yet feeling overcome by the energy that mighty cymbals of joy and challenge produce when they clang? Focused, yet feeling lost in the aura that my passionate pursuits create? Foolishly hungry, yet not unhesitatingly dauntless? 

 

But you see, It’s not something I can resist - When I look in the rearview mirror, mom, I see familiar images - not of loss, disappointment, failure, or anger, but of life’s challenges and its bountiful rewards, gifts of family and friends, burnished mile markers of trial and sacrifice, finish lines of sincere endeavor and stumble-ridden learning, and more often than these, I see your precious face - your gorgeous eyes, your tender manner, your unrelenting passion to do good, and your uncanny ability to not let the urgent drown out the important – all the things that made you you; Oh! How I wish you were around and I could show off your reassuring smile to my friends so they would believe me when I say that it needed no aide when it came to wiping clean the peevish burden of a weary day. I am working on getting myself some of that disarming charm, but you are so inimitable…I envy you. :)

Here’s something funny. Last week, I had this whole story unfold as though in front of my very eyes. It was a long day at work. A night where 7 p.m. in the parking lot felt like night had given up all contemplation of day. It was pitch-dark. I walked up to my car, tired and hungry. I plugged my phone into the charger as I pulled back and there you were! Slicing onions and green tomatoes into even-sized chunks, and tossing them into an emulsion of spices with just the right amount of salt, green chillies, and sesame powder, casually garnishing the casserole with handful of washed sprigs of cilantro - stalk, leaf, and flower, unchopped, like you always did. I guessed I was hungry but that wasn’t all. While busily working the ladle and loading up the pressure cooker, you managed to dispense with a mild lecture on the wisdom that lay in picking my battles with surgical precision where my almost-adult teenager was concerned, and topped the cautionary tale with “Your 13-year old isn’t that far behind, you know.” I couldn’t stay distracted by the aroma of frying green tomatoes for too long, and quickly summoned myself back to the conversation. If you had a reason in mind for this particular avatar, I am not aware of it, but when you are around, there’s one of two things in the mix: a blessing or a lesson. This one, I have decided to count as the latter.

It’s just one of your many avatars, I know. Flashes of you, avatars I hadn’t seen in your 60 years of living, like the clown you were at your granddaughter’s 6th birthday, are outright entertaining while the real ones like educator, nurse, lawyer, social worker, chairman of the board, committed wife, and awesome mother are simply passion-forward. Your raw authenticity is so rare, so effulgent. You were never a rulebook thumper, mom, and I loved that about you. You lived by example, the only way you knew how. When you asked us to believe that loves cures all or that we must be truthful no matter what, we knew from your tranquil eyes that they had seen the magic work. When you took challenges in stride and remarked that problems were part of the curriculum, your planted feet and piercing glare assured us that you had in your day cut the onslaught in half before it ever began. When you asked us to aim high, I knew you had had your hands outstretched already to keep us from falling to the ground.

Whatever the avatar, what I most adore about you mom, when I am not in awe of being around you that is, is your ability to find and make a human connection even with a bystander, where none existed. Did I tell you that I hear and see you outside of the driver’s seat too? This time around, I am looking in the mirror. I may never be a fraction of the person you were, but I am fully attentive and ready for this conversation to continue so I many never stop aspiring!

The New Year is upon us once again and I have been thinking of you all day.

Reminiscing how we celebrated you and our time together over two days leading up to Jan 1st each year. How we would shop for a new saree or a small piece of jewelry for you, and how after going to the temple, dine at the finest restaurant our budget could afford.

I need you more than I have needed you before, and I now know why I love looking in that rearview mirror…If it wasn’t for the handless hold that you so masterfully wield over me to this day, I wonder where I would have been. Thank you!

Happy 77th, mom. :)

Love you.

Back to School 🏫 -Part 1

Feb 2017


A Good Sit



It was only the third time in 31 years that I had walked the halls of my school...a place I remember as my own since I joined in grade 4 - where I realized the joy of having friends and the value of learning; from whose tall walls, on which hung portraits of pioneers of the time, the power of legacy and the strength that comes only from doing hard and honorable work; through whose dedicated teachers, the art of walking that almost invisible line that lay between instruction and inspiration, and within whose flexible confines, the facility to articulate the meaning and power of small freedoms.


Surely, the grand corridors needed upkeep and those tall walls a fresh coat of paint and some putty, but those were easy to ignore. The warmth with which I was received by the office staff, and the stars they carried in their eyes as they made conversation with an Old student who came back to visit just like that, was simply overwhelming. It had the same unrelenting quality of kind comfort that my purple tunic-clad self felt through her seven years at Keyes. Jayasree madam walked me through the mechanics of how the administration is doing its best to keep up with changing times, and Archana Salvi madam brought me up to speed on the use of technology. What was more, I got to meet the stars, the kids of today, whose talents and energies continue to make Keyes High School proud! I had the honor of meeting the quiet, gifted, Safa Manal who had just won first place in the twin cities math competition, and Suchitra, the school Head Girl with a ready smile, who seemed like the leader the rest of the gang loved. From what I could tell, everyone seemed super happy to meet me too and that just made my day!


As I walked out of the library/office in my red saree which made for quite a contrast to purple, I found myself quietly answering questions that seemed to be coming from so many intent young eyes...no sooner did I pass the assembly hall on my right, did one girl ask if I was a new teacher. 'I wish' , I heaved a mumbling sigh as a fleeting rumination on the career of my dreams caught me off-guard. 10 seconds later I was glad my thoughts crossed paths with my destination, 10 D. I left my disappointment outside the door of course, and walked into a sea of smiles. There was that irresistible quality of kind comfort again....I chatted with my next gen counterparts for quite some time about this and that. Only a few seconds in and I realized they shared the same sentiments about exam time as me! I always wondered if anything about exams was ever fun and suddenly I felt right at home. I had company! We never knew what the outcome of our ignorant minds paying homage to education would be or if there would any at all, but the thought of straying seemed far more scary. So, it was just something we attempted in all sincerity and got over with.. Thank God for opportunities and experience, and motherhood, I now know better than to shortchange the value of measurement.
That picture of me in the classroom that I have had for sometime on my timeline made many smile because it stirred up their memories and brought random incidents and unmeditated feelings to surface - stuff that made them hungry for a throwback to a time where they could enjoy a Good Sit in those worn out desks, peer over to sneak a joke or two during class, and just make a few more memories, wishing school days had dragged on a little bit longer and we never grew out of our school uniforms ...


"HAPPY is when you have a good sit in the chair against the cupboard in the last bench in class 10 D at Keyes High School chatting with a bunch of 15-year olds.....Life is Good when a walk down memory lane does not seem like it was 31 years ago! "


To be contd. in Part 2...

The Baker's Dozen on Strengthening Relationships

Do relationships matter? 

Ever imagined where we would be without the many ties that keep our existence meaningful? Whether the objective is strategic or mere commonplace, whether at home, work or any location where living in isolation is not a popular choice, fact remains that there is a need to nurture these relationships and strengthen them as we go about our lives.

Though simple, the tenets below require a solemn personal commitment and a desire to abide by it not just when convenient, but in spite of much inconvenience. It is only then that there can be a successful establishment of Trust and Rapport with all those that we care about. A little investment is sure to go a long way, and the results that follow are immediate and most gratifying.

Note that each tenet has an ACTION word (Verb). This goes to prove that the only place where Success comes before Work is in the Dictionary!

1. Approach people with a Smile. It is the one weapon in your arsenal with the greatest potential to turn things around, no matter how grave the given circumstance.

2. Arouse in the other person a desire to meet, talk and work with you. Show what's in it for them. From that desire comes motivation to consider, commitment to pursue, and determination to succeed. 

3. Address the person by name and use it often during your conversations. One's name is the sweetest sound to him/her in any language.

4. Ask about their interests. Know what they like. Understand the what and think about the why. Everyone has the need to feel significant, and your genuine inquiry may establish just that.

5. Admire a good listener. A conversation that you are motivated to entertain is bound to be two-way. When it's your turn to talk, you will have won a good listener over by being one yourself.

6. Acknowledge that the other person is important to the relationship. Establish the connection and gain trust before moving forward. It takes two to tango!

7. Admit when at fault and do it quickly. The longer you take to admit a mistake, the more irreparable the damage. Time to call truce is now. 

8. Allow failure. It is an option, and the only means to learn and grow. Fail 'out loud' to reinforce lessons learnt, and move yourself and others forward. 

9. Abandon criticism. If you must critique, bring it on like rain, to nurture, not destroy. 

10. Avoid arguments. Generate light if you can, not heat. Think Win-Win and know when to let it go.

11. Appeal to the Idealist that exists within each of us. Speak of virtue and let the other person examine, understand and come to terms with reality based on their notion of the ideal.

12. Advise only if you must. Think hard before you dispense it.  It may be unwelcome at best, and a slate wiper of relationships at worst.

13. Abide by the 'All opinions count' policy. You do not have to agree, but make the opinion count. Afford the other person the same allowance you expect when you express an opinion.

And lastly, the crucial one that's often missed:

14. Answer the question, 'According to who'? 
Place yourself in the other person's shoes. Understand his/her point of view. Our perspectives are what make us unique - in this respect, we are all in classes of one.

Back to Blogging!

In the last 5 years, I have thought, done and written more than I ever have in the years that came before. Yet, not on my Blog.


I am reviving my blog....


I hope to write often - thoughts, ideas, feelings and just random observations that forge their way into my days, less meditated or deliberate.


Please take anything I say as advice at your own risk :)


Cheers!
Sravanthi

Reunion

by Sravanthi Vallampati

Just times that make you happy....

REUNION

Drinking with mine eyes, the joys of reunion,

drowsed with mirth of brewing memories,

seeking to unravel the mystery that bonds,

this fabric of my life, so soft, yet firmly so!

Sprinting as though making up for lost time,

whilst drowning in dreams for tomorrow,

bidding time to stand still, an hour, a trice,

to fill my cup o'er n take swig, just for this day!

Praying as I blot, no thoughts withholden,

that time not us do part, in this plan divine,

In small measures, I'll savor my life-perfect,

for, who's to tell what tomorrow holds!!

Diwali ki Yaaden

Aayi hain Diwali dekho, laayi hain niraali
aasha, kaanksha, man ki, tan ki
aayi re Diwali !

Lagi hain sunehri deepon ki, yeh sulagti maala,
Naacho, gaao, dhoom machaao, aala Diwali alaa!

Bandhu-mitr, parivaar sameth, gaao lakshmi gaatha
Dhanye hain maata suprasanna, teko apna maatha!

Bbolo prem ki bhasha nirantar, bin, oonch neech ka antar
Prem ki sada ek hain boli, barsaao ab preet ki holi!

Jabhi lagti deep maalika, mujhko aate hain woh pal yaad
Thi main jab ek nanhi baalika, karti vaad vivaad!

Amma kehti dekh pyaari, yeh hain woh tewhaar
Sab ki jeet hi jeet hain aaj, na honi kisi ki haar!
Maa ki choli pakde chalti, deep sajaate aangan paas
Aankh michowni khelte hum sab, hothi jab raat amaavas !

Kaate laddu, peda, jalebi, masti karte saara din
Chedte sabko, chan-chan-chan; Haste hasaate pal gin-gin!
Aaj hain meri bhi ik bitiya, use sunaana hain vistaar
Kyon manaate hum yeh din, kyon hain yeh aparampaar!

Ho adhron pe prem ka ras, aise beethe aaj diwas
Chalo manaaye jhoomte bas, aaj na hon hum niras !

Aayegi phir agle saal, Deepavali bemisaal
Tab tak rahen sab khush haal
Yeh hi hain mere aaj khayaal!

Diwali - A Point in Time essay

Here's an essay to recollect all the beautiful memories that went down in my book of family celebrations and the very reasons behind why I remember them so vividly after all these years. A submission that I recently made to a contest that got some attention... Sravanthi Vallampati

No Essay contest during my school days would be complete without an entry in my name. Head-down and determined, I’d prepare, giving what it took. The goal was to win, technique was rote and arsenal, a time-tested selection of quotations and heavy-duty phrases that never failed to keep wanna-shines like me in good stead. In contrast, today’s unrehearsed exercise is a chronicle of my recollections as I saunter in rewind-mode, along the corridors of my home where growing up with family and friends was just plain jolly, especially at Diwali, glimpses of which I am only too thrilled to share!

Diwali brings back memories of good weather (summer and monsoon were finally over!!) where we would have at least 10 days to stay away from school and surprisingly the elders in the family, unlike other times, actually enjoyed us kids’ company around home. Part of that good spirit may have been due to pleasant weather where it's easy to be calm and contemplative, but as I think back, I'd more likely attribute it to the fact that we had plenty to keep our merry selves busy and out of their hair....countless cousins to visit and host, goodies to eat, shopping, new clothes, movies to go to and most importantly, no homework to worry about! Fresh coats of paint, bright lighting and colorful floral decorations adorned each home and the whole neighborhood seemed like it had undergone a transformation overnight. Sometimes I wondered if people had even forgotten to frown, scream or get mad, but I knew enough to not bring that to anyone’s attention. Music blared from temple walls, the air was infused with the fragrance of incense, and street corners became party stations where young and adult congregated to have a go at assortments of fire crackers while gorging on delicious sweets and savories late into the night through the 5 days of festivities. While there was endless excitement outside, what I most fondly remember about Diwali is the time we shared as a family. Time where I’d sit by my grandmother and marvel at her story-telling abilities. She and my mother took it upon themselves this time every year, to ensure that they were doing their part in getting us oriented with the cultural, mythological and moral significance surrounding festivals and rituals. After lunch, we’d gather either on the ‘verandah’ (porch) outside or the kitchen floor, setting ourselves up for a mini project. While our little hands worked on decorating lamps of clay or helped with rolling, cutting or folding dough for the sweets and savories that they so lovingly (and willingly) made year after year just for us, our minds craved for what was to fall upon our ears. Day one invariably started out with grandma asking us what the word 'Deepavali' meant ('Deepavali' is another name for 'Diwali'), to which yours truly, the good listener would waste no time in chiming in: "Deepam - light, aavali - row-- Row of Lights". Silly as it sounds now, I was always eager to gather an extra titbit of information to show-off and impress my teacher with my journal once school resumed. If I did not mention my brothers and their teasing with regards this attitude of mine, it is for a good reason. They were, let's just say, not very eager. Treats got passed out to all as incentives for future participation and the munching and murmuring continued as though creating the perfect battlefield soundtrack. We’d get excited, each vicariously living the characters of our choice, slaying the demons with one hand while showering blessings upon humankind as Lord Rama himself, with the other. Boys fought over who would play the mighty ‘Narakasura’ while the girls diligently finished their projects. As we wrapped up, key points were made a couple of questions asked. Unable to resist the temptation to instruct to a rapt audience, uncles and aunts took the liberty of throwing in an anecdote or two as they went about their chores. There was always a moral behind those stories, as I recall now, and their beauty lay in how subtly it was conveyed, in words we understood and deeds we could easily fulfill. The essence was in seeing, doing and being good. As day contemplated night, I felt like I could not wait for the following day to begin……

Learnings in the years following my first impressions, have no doubt come in more formal packages of the written word, and my motivation to listen has somewhat matured now that I have little ones of my own to relay the message to, but the theme around Diwali and its exuberantly colorful picture of hope, joy and goodness has stayed the same. To me, Diwali will remain the biggest and the brightest of festivals whether its significance be expounded upon as a passage from darkness to light or triumph of good over evil, what is true and constant is that it’s a celebration of life and its abundant joy and goodness that illumine our homes and hearts, bringing us that much closer to divinity!

AUTUMN - Acrostic

by Sravanthi Vallampati.
Much as I love Spring and Summer, there's a certain magic in the air as Autumn negotiates that last turn around the corner to present itself !!! As days become shorter, blooms turn into berries and each leaf into a flower fluttering through a perfectly situated autumnal day, whistling under my breath, I stand gazing into the trees in my yard, wishing I was a bird or a butterfly with abundant opportunities to get up close with the maiden of Autumn, laden in the golden load left behind by summer past.....thinking not so much of the harshness of winter but a time to prepare for the spring to come!

As trees turn color, Crimson, Cherry and Gold, I soak
Under showers of falling leaves, watching Geese fly South
Taking a deep cleansing breath of crisp Autumn air, gazing
Undeterred by the winnowing wind into fading light, sipping
Mild Apple cider, with Cinnamon warm and tart just right!
Not a place on earth I'd rather be, than in my neck of woods!

To the MOMS on my list

Dear friends.

You are receiving this note because you have in some way, shape or form enriched my life, helping me grow as an individual and stay motivated to make a positive difference in the world around me.
Your insights, thoughts and support serve as an anchor to me at all times and I want you to know that I am very thankful for that. As we each move towards success while striving to add value and meaning to the many aspects of our existence, we tend to not pause to recognize the impact that gentle attitudes and forgiving allowances make, in letting us reach our goals and conduct ourselves in such an amicable manner.
Here's a wish to all of you that have had the caring and the courage to don a mom's cap in various capacities, navigating smooth seas and rough waters with equal agility and coming through tranquil moments and teasing travails with a smile on your faces!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY :-)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Desi moms are many things - Amiable, Beautiful, Caring, Diligent, Energetic, Funny, Gullible, Handy, Intelligent, Judgmental, etc. etc........
Here's a collection of some trite thoughts by a mom that will give you a laugh or two as we bring this annual exercise to celebrate our loveliness to a close......if you have not used any of these, use at your own peril! :-)
As far as I am concerned, we need a data-driven decision here....just one day to celebrate us in the entire year???


'Just wanna be me' Desi mom!
I am a Homemaker, not a compulsive Housekeeper.
I am tired of using PMS as an excuse. I am what I am, take it or leave it.
I make the rules and I am not interested in knowing names of those that don't care for them.
To My Dear....
If sitting down to watch Your favorite show on TV is the definition of Our quality time, I'd rather do the dishes.
I don't buy into it anymore when your mom says that I am aging gracefully and cites herself as an example.
If you utter 'vacation' and 'kids' in the same sentence without the word 'Nanny' in it,, you better find another partner.
Darling, I recognize that you find my innocence very endearing, but 'You look like the divine mom that you are' is not a compliment.
Tweezing eyebrows at the stoplight to lighten the contrast between my Zardozi Saree and an unmowed forehead is most definitely not a safety hazard.
I do not care that your sister in India thinks that going to the nail salon is a guilty pleasure. So what if I own a manicure kit, exfoliating cream and 2 dozen nail polishes?
Dal and rice combo has enough protein to keep you, me, our kids and the dog going until we are 82.5 yrs old. Just enjoy what's on the table or the kitchen is all yours.
Yes Dear, I said OK to your Big Screen TV just so I could go ahead and make a fruitful visit to SriKrishna. And, please hold off on the reminder that Gold is at an all-time high.
To My dear Friends.....
It is so nice of you to think that my kids are angels. Can you take them with you for a week?
I don't understand when you say 'Behind every successful man is a woman and behind her, the wife'.
There is no difference between a Concert and Competition. I work so hard all day so why should my kids get a break?
I have heard that using hair color makes women get hot flashes before they are 40. Is that true? and what are hot flashes anyway?
Yes, this is a recycled gift bag from my daughter's birthday last year. Knowing how much you care about the environment as well, I am convinced you won't mind.
I have graduated from secretly admiring Rita and her XXS T-shirts. With Yoga, I have perfected the technique where I have to take a breath only every 43 seconds.

On aspects of Bharatanatyam

Preface:
It is one thing to be impressed by the elaborate costumes, exquisite expressions, the fluid movements set to melodious music, vocal or instrumental, but entirely another to comprehend the drama as it unfolds with and understanding of its history, significance and place in the rich cutural map of the world that we live in.

It is not unusual for friends, their kids, and my own girls and their class-fellows to ask me in passing about what Bharatanatyam is.

Bharatanatyam is a popular classical dance form that originated in the Southern state of Tamilnadu in India.

A popular interpretation of the name 'Bharatanatyam' is BHAva (Expression) + RAga (Musical mode) + TAla (Rhythm) + NATYAM (Dance) = BHARATANATYAM

The dramatic art of storytelling via Bharatanatyam is highly stylized to include rhythmic movements of the body with emotions and sentiments displayed through facial expressions .set traditionally to melodious classical (Carnatic) music. It is considered to be the fire-dance, depicting the mystic presence of the element of Fire in the human body. The visual appeal lies in the dancer depicting the movements of a dancing flame. The costumes worn by the dancers are charmingly beautiful in exquisite colors, complimented by elaborate jewelry including the resounding bells on anklets.

It is believed that Bharatanatyam started in the temples and courts of Kings where groups of dancers performed this dance style as a form of worship as well as entertainment.. The 'devadasis', women that were dedicated to performing this divine dance form and their gurus, the 'Nattuvannars' carried this tradition into the 20th century. The Tanjore foursome (Quartet from the city of Tanjore) is credited with editing and recoding the various aspects of the dance to evolve into its present, popular form. Through the decades, the passion of gurus and inspired students has not only kept the dance form alive, but thriving to reach new heights in innovative, semi-classical adaptations transcending age-old barriers of culture, language and space.
Of the many aspects of Indian art experience, the audience plays an important role. Each person in the audience (the people that come to watch the performers), is expected to be 'Rasika' i.e. a one who can appreciate the arts and also a 'Sahridaya', a person who has come with an intention of appreciating, learning and savoring (enjoying) the richness of the art. Appreciation as 'Rasika' can also be attained through learning the dance form itself where the pupil or the 'Sishya' learns from the teacher or the 'Guru' over years of hardwork and dedication before reaching the ultimate state where the dancer loses himself/herself in the performing experience. Traditionally, a student is titled stage-ready after their debutante performance called 'Arangetram' where he/she takes center-stage for an evening of solo performances set to live orchestra.

Today, many universities across India and other countries offer Graduate and Post Graduate degrees in Bharatanatyam for those aspiring to go beyond the realms of appreciation. To bring the dance form to appeal to the younger, technology-savvy population, dance institutions and teachers have brought their knowledge, experience and the true beauty of this art form to the World Wide Web. Interested 'Rasikas' can not only learn about but learn Bharatanatyam over the internet. While the new trend is nowhere near surpassing the 'Guru-Sishya' tradition of growing together in this cultural experience, it surely has been successful in providing for audiences across the globe, an opportunity to learn about the sheer richness of a dance form that has proudly held its own in the ever transient world of socio-cultural dynamics.

A Farewell Wish

Preface:
Well this time, no kidding!
I was at a Chinese restaurant for lunch at noon today. I am not entirely sure what my fortune cookie message meant, but it read: "The secret to keeping good friends is no secret to you"..... My conclusion: The meal is awesome, I don't really know the secret, I am blessed with very kind friends that let me believe that I do, and that the fortune cookie people are in cahoots with the coincidence gods. How else could anyone have guessed what's been on my mind?
__________________________________________________________________

Dear Sobha and Sahadev,

Though it was by chance that we met, I am glad we chose to be friends. I'll admit, it was difficult to not seek friendship with folks like you and I am thankful that our relationship has extended into realms beyond it's first circumstance.
Knowing you two has been a tremendous gift to me. I got re-introduced to facets of my life that I knew existed but never thought would be so joyful to explore, realize and share. Whether it is in a crowd or in select company, you are such a pleasure or should I say, 'calming influence' to be around. In Apoorva and Pooja's dictionary the synonyms for that read more like 'Fun, Funny, playful, kind, soft-spoken, good cook' and so on. In Mohan's, NEOTA and GNO. Singular though it is, you each have a way about yourselves that is utterly disarming yet without any force of word or deed. In your simplicity of thought and action and your deep desire to make a positive difference in the ways of the world, you have unknowingly inspired me to be a Better Person. I knew I was good, but better sounds better than good, doesn't it? Just kidding! No, it was not a 5-day crash course in spirituality or go-Green initiatives offered at Parker Lake Estates, but a journey in quiet understanding, constant learning and sincere admiration.

Needless to say, we'll miss you terribly, Mohan, Apoorva, Pooja and I .......

A farewell wish is necessary to nudge you to look forward to the moments of our meeting again, so here it goes....
My heart says that I should take a chance and literally follow you to your destination but my commonsense that most often comes to my rescue demands that I should let it prevail and stay back to simply remind friends and well-wishers that Singapore is well-connected by air and that you are fantastic hosts who are sure to top off a welcome meal with at least one scoop of ice-cream!
I want to hold on to your friendship, which I will in spirit, but let you leave because I know this new place that you are eager to call home awaits you, so you can transform it with your presence into one that is as sweet as the one you are leaving behind.

I pray that God keep you both just the way you are, happy, compassionate, kind, simple and true to your thoughts and values.

I don't think I want to say Good-bye because I have a feeling we are going to meet again soon :-)

__________________________________
NEOTA - Northeast Ohio Telugu Association
GNO - Guys Night Out
Parker Lake - Sobha and Sahadev lived in that community

On Singing for Joy!

Annamacharya Aradhana was started 3 years ago by a small yet passionate group of music lovers among the Telugu community in the Cleveland area to celebrate the life and works of the great poet, composer Tallapaka Annamacharya. The event has achieved great success in bringing together teachers, students and music enthusiasts alike, to extol the beauty and devotion in the compositions through music and dance performances.

An ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati Annamacharya (also known as Annamayya) successfully composed more than 32,000 Sankirtanas in a style that is impossible to replicate! Only 14,000 of these Sankirtanas are available at present. He was credited to have come up with Pallavi and Charanam division of a song. Annamayya considered his compositions as floral offerings to God. In the Saptagiri Sankirtanas, he praises Venkateswara, the Saptagiri vasa or the Lord that resides within the 7 hills, in verses that describe his love for Venkata Chalapathi, praise for his ishtadaivam’s Mahima leading to a total surrender or Saranaagathi at the divine lord’s feet. "Rasanam Lakshanam Bhajanam" , meaning the act by which we feel closer to either our true self (atman), or to God (Ishvara) couldn’t be expressed more eloquently than in the unique style of spoken feeling that perfectly blends love, admiration, devotion and ultimate union with the paramatma!


by Sravanthi Vallampati

It's funny how my friends think I can sing....
Preface: My exercise in understanding and singing Annamayya's divine compositions.

It's funny how my friends think I can sing
funnier even, they compliment and say 'wow'!
Not my teachers, mind you! They only lament,
often stopping shy of shedding a painful tear,
or think me a child and chide in casual company;
The stern stare, furrowing frown and deep sigh
only too legit, at my rendition poor, notes off-key!


As time passes by and my day warrants hours 4 more,
I often wonder why I long to go back to sing that song
of delight with utter glee, (notes off-key notwithstanding),
to lift myself up, above my own hesitant expectation;


It's not so much the song but the choir I love, I recall now,
the enmeshed feelings of fun, food and some learning,
(of course!) as music fills the air and I learn a thing or two
from my funny friends in the choir that think I can sing.
And yes, to those enduring souls that try to instil in me,
some love for that song of yesterday, I am thankful to you
for making me wish I could sing again!


It's funny how my friends think I can sing
funnier even, they compliment and say 'wow',
if ever you wondered why I love them so,
stop right there, you now know!

On Dancing for Joy!

by Sravanthi Vallampati

It's time to Dance, her Heart commands,
her Soul as though awakening to action
takes on the world with flying feet,
lifting it up with spirit free, Joy unconfined;
Looking to Heaven with ravished eyes,
one with the azure sky, she danced along....

Decked like a bride, garb and ornament,
belts of gold tightened at waist,
her aides instruments rare, song most mellifluous;
Dancing prayer, folklore and romance
with ease unmatched and grace sole,
Lost in her Soul's Joy, she danced along....

What thoughts come to mind as we hurriedly make our way into an auditorium to witness a performance of someone who believes that 'Dance is the hidden language of the soul' is anyone's guess. The stage, exquisitely decorated with an idol of the Lord of dance,' Nataraja' himself on one side and a live orchestra on the other, was still, but for the flickering of a lamp at the altar. The rustle of footsteps, the testing of the instruments and lighting and backstage preparation came to a halt as a prayer invoking the blessings of the Gods and the Guru ushered the commencement of the proceedings. It was an occasion to celebrate and bring into focus the unique talent, energy and multi-faceted personality of Mahima Venkatesh through her Bharatanatya Arangetram.

Bharatanatyam, an age-old and cherished dance form of India is taught and learned with great veneration and pride to this day. The ‘Narthaki’ (dancer) of this highly cultivated dance form brings to life the scintillating dynamic between 'Lasya', the graceful feminine lines and movements, and 'Tandava', the energetic masculine action, to ultimately conceptualize the essence in an engagement of cosmic proportions. The word 'Bharat' is made up of three Sanskrit terms: 'Bhaav' - emotion, 'Raag' - music, and 'Taal' - rhythm. 'Natyam' means drama. The two words together describe this divine dance form where drama is heightened by over-powering emotion expressed in words set to rhythm-aware music. Bharatanatyam, it is said, is the embodiment of music in visual form, a ceremony in itself, and an act of devotion and celebration. The dancer that dreams of pursuing this art is required to work towards perfecting the ten essentials namely Javaha (Agility), Sthirathvam (Steadiness), Rekha (graceful lines), Bhramari(balance in pirouettes), Drishti (glance), Shramaha (hard work), Medha (intelligence), Shraddha(devotion), Vacho (good speech), and Geetam (singing ability).

Cheered on by teachers, family and friends, Mahima, a sophomore at Strongsville High School took center stage to open the evening with 'Pushpaanjali', a floral offering to Lord Shiva (Nataraja) followed by a prayer to the remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesha. Her handling of the delicate balance between perfection and beauty right from the start set a tone of high expectation for the evening. Mahima’s elaborate gestures, rhythmic movements, emotional and sentimental states of mind complemented by impeccably appointed music, costumes and accessories, took the audience through a journey of the 'Navarasas'. From extolling the beauty of the presiding deity of the temple of Madhura Meenakshi to folklore popular for its pure and simple emotional content, through depictions of childhood exploits of Lord Krishna, the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the enraged outpourings of a disgruntled lover, leading towards a technically superior performance laced with graceful agility.

A performance par excellence such as this one is the result of genuine interest, immense hard work, unflinching dedication, tremendous encouragement and keen instruction. Mahima is a disciple Smt. Sujatha Srinivasan of Shree Kala Mandir under whose tutelage, she has given many a solo performance and participated in dance dramas like ‘Shadripu’, ‘Minstrels of God’ and ‘Andal’. Throughout her presence on stage, her deep love of dance and the desire to share her joy of learning and perfecting the art was evident as her body swayed to charming melodies rendered perfectly by Smt. Pusthakam Ramaa suitably accompanied by Sri. K.S. Jayaram on Flute, Sri. Janardhana Rao on Mrudangam, Sri. Prasanna Kumar on Kanjira, Rhythm pad & Morsing and Smt. Sujatha Srinivasan on nattuvangam.

The Chief Guest for the evening Dr. Kamala Reddy of Pittsburg, PA, a senior most student of Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam praised the unbridled enthusiasm and energy of youth today who are unafraid to explore their inner selves and display the courage to make their dreams a reality. Smt. Nirmala Balasubramanian, the Guest of Honor and Mahima’s preschool teacher at Bama Montessori was overjoyed as she reminisced years gone by and said that it is no surprise students like Mahima with their positive attitude and leadership qualities, have come this far and was certain that many more years of success and achievement lay in the future. An all Honors student, active Girl scout, Science enthusiast, Flautist, young journalist and a budding leader, Mahima is sure to make a name for herself not only in the dance circuit but also in her other areas of interest.

For the rest of us out there, young dancers like Mahima are but an inspiration to take a deep breath, tie our hair back and dance for joy or just lose ourselves in a performance like the one I had the good fortune of witnessing and look forward to another savory experience! My sincere admiration goes out to Mahima’s parents Sowmya and Venkatesh and her little sister Mahati without whose commitment, dedication and encouragement celebrations like this one in the life of a young artist would be, but impossible.

On Hope

by Sravanthi Vallampati



Preface:
An artist’s depiction of his desperate state of body and mind as he struggles to find his muse.

A unique sort of pleading monologue, an appeal to the Gods of the creative process to preside over with a smile, so thoughts that demand to be distilled can journey into this world that seems to hold promise to all but him!Though his thoughts bleed with despair, Hope springs eternal in his heart....



My desolate thoughts drift aimlessly into the midnight calm,
I despair, perched on a wall, untold woes my soul’s endur’d;
Bleak promise of bread, tattered garb, soul rife with indigence,
no industry doth suit my desires, my guised maiden eludes still;

To the tide of time stands, my frail body an arduous testimony,
Many have come and gone, their shining masterpieces sporting;
Convict of my own affliction, unyielding conviction, I, my saboteur,
aching for thy je ne sais quoi to carve my oeuvre, ardor ignite!

I feed on dreams of hope through the wakeful night, dreams
that succor me tread the tempestuous raillery of existence,
for, tomorrow may be the morn that brings on its swift wings,
my glimmer of heavenly Hope – my calling, my muse!

Descend on me like the twilight I see from this lowly gutter;
By design or happenstance, Descend, so I may rise to meet thee!
Let me rejoice in your attendance or be consumed by acute privation
should destiny keep you from awarding me sweet deliverance.

Let me not ever awake, lie an appalling waste in my eternal dream,
But take away not mine beloved treasure from me, I implore you!
For my love of life, Hope is all I have,
for triumph or tragedy, Hope is all I will.

Here's to my friends...

Preface:
A remark as I think about all those people that I have met in my lifetime and where they are today in relation to where I stand......
“If we are friends, I believe that our prayers, thoughts and actions are just as steady and loyal as time passes, anchored in the knowledge that our relationship will endure the test of time.
How we look at and feel about things present or past, is only a matter of perspective and my hope is that we manage our lives and appreciate actions of those that are dear to us with much care and understanding."
I consider myself blessed to be part of this bouquet of sweet friendship where each flower with its unique hue, fragrance, form and character fills the air with a certain magic that is impossible to resist.

By Sravanthi Vallampati

Many years from now, when all is said and done,
I know I'll feel thankful and blessed once again,
for friends that stayed alongside my shoulder,
in thick and in thin of my life as I grew older.

On your butterfly wings, I've seen many a rainbow,
my imagination soaring, my hopes ultimately aglow,
through blustery cold winds and super sunshiny days,
in my mind’s eye, so vividly, you were there always.

You have taught me a lesson or two, in Love so true,
leaving me with a kinder heart with much to imbue,
to give without hesitation, care without expectation,
to rise above myself, to be sincere in my appreciation.

You let me be me, listening to all I had to say, stories
from the past, hopes for the future, lingering mysteries,
funny anecdotes, friendly banter, intolerant idealism! Me
wonders what I would make of me if it were not for thee!

I reckon, my friends, I'll take another sweet serving of you,
should I re-enter life's fare and have cherished friends few,
to repay in kind, show you I care and acknowledge with zeal,
until then "I shall grapple you to my soul with hoops of steel"

On Being Mom to Little Angels

May 2009

Preface:
I know that I talk to my little ones a lot and stay super busy all day giving lessons on how to do things, from brushing their teeth in the morning to buttoning up their pajamas at bedtime, not to mention the unending list of ‘Don’t’s’, but putting my most meaningful thoughts down in a non-instructional manner to simply say ‘I love you’ in terms that they can understand has proven not to be easy. The emotion is so basic yet it's expression and affect profound beyond imagination.
Here’s a little something dedicated to my little angels to verify that I have tried, in words they can understand...
My dearest,

Thank you for the wonderful Mother's day gift.
Yesterday was an absolutely happy day when I felt that being 'mom' is the best thing in the whole wide world. I could not have asked for more! I enjoyed hearing 'mom' in every one of your sentences through the afternoon, and the picture you have of me as a caring, loving and forgiving person is a gift that I will cherish for as long as I live. I thank God each day for blessing me with a beautiful child like you! I have heard you tell me things about myself that made me laugh and feel silly, and I am glad that my turn has finally come to tell you what you mean to me.

Your smiles, giggles, hugs, tugs, kisses even your occasional tantrums, squeals and spills, make me feel special as I enjoy my chance to be a kid once again. I don’t remember much from when I was a little girl except that my mom and dad told me often how much they loved me, and that a Big Smile was enough to make me and everyone around me happy. A lot of what they said comes back to me each time I look into your eyes or talk to you, and I must say that everything seems more beautiful when you are around. :)

I am an adult today and you know me only as mom that looks and acts like she knows everything there is to know, but let me tell you a little secret......Do you know that you have been my teacher many times? Just when I thought that I had learned a lot and was smart enough to take care of myself, you came along. What a marvelous day that was! My life had changed forever and now I cannot imagine how it would be without you. From that day forward, loving, laughing, caring and sharing have each acquired a new meaning. I feel like I’ve just begun my journey into the world of toys and gadgets, tiny friends, tender feelings, creative art and imagination unlimited. I am loving the ride into this magical world with you by my side and hoping that it would never end! In your own gentle and forgiving ways you have taught me to be kind and strong at the same time, to smile and forgive more, be happy at all times and for small pleasures, mind my manners, love people for who they are, give praise for little stuff, be spontaneous, use my imagination and improvise, ask questions (endlessly!) and of course, that it is more fun to look up to the stars than it is to gaze at muddy shoes. . See what I mean? Thank you!

Many thoughts come to my mind when I think of you. You know how you break into a grin when you see your favorite flavor of Popsicle or that yummy piece of colorful candy? It’s just like that for me. Every time I think of or look at you, a certain gladness take me over and I feel like I am in that candy store. When it comes to you, I have many favorites. My top choices would have to be your heart-warming smile (ear-to-ear grin, more like), wide-eyed curiosity and trust in people and their kindness, ‘it’s OK’ when I snap, our funny stories about school and kids on the bus, cuddle-time jokes, kicking ball, solving puzzles, writing Madlibs, playing in the sprinklers, snowball fights, loading up Ice-cream sundaes, making our own rules just so we can break them and best of all your ‘Big hug’ with little arms that barely go around me in full circle etc. etc. The list seems endless.... I enjoy every little thing I do with you and I am busy making a memory book in my head and heart that is getting bigger and more priceless by the day. It's pages are filled with color, sounds and shapes, and reading from it is one of my favorite hobbies. As I flip through the pages of my memory book, it is easy to see why I love you the way I do and that I have not done everything perfectly. What I also know is that I have tried to be a mom and a friend to you and that I will keep trying until I get it right! I promise to be more patient and playful, shop and shout less, and do more with you than just cook and clean and be mad at homework time. Oh! yes, how can I forget the demands for more sleepovers and gadgets? Like I said, I am learning with you and sometimes don’t have all the answers you need. Even if I do, it is possible that you may not like some of them and that’s OK too. I don’t either :-). What say you and I find some together?

Last but not least, here's the most important thing I want you to know. I want you to know that I am very very proud of you for who you are! As you grow up, I hope that you say "I can" to yourself many times before you let someone tell you otherwise, and believe that you Can make all your dreams come true.  Just believe!I pray that you ‘Be yourself’ and let the kind and loving person within you shine to help keep that priceless smile upon your lips at all times no matter what!

Soon, you will grow up into a beautiful young girl. I can’t imagine what I will do when you leave home, but for now, all I know is that I must live in this moment and enjoy my days with you. By the time I understand you completely and share you with all the stories that I want to share, your toys will have lost their squeak and you may already have grown up and left home, but I do hope that you comeback from time to time to my cooking, hugs and little nothings knowing that I will always love you and that the doors to my heart and home are always open for you. All you need do is turn around and look.
For whatever the future may hold, I wish you health, happiness and success. God bless you!
Love,
Mom