Bangalore
This week I traveled to Bangalore to visit my friend Manu, who I met through Sarada Aunty. The bus ride was long, but the sights were amazing. Bus and train rides never seem long here because of the beautiful views. Bangalore is outside the state of Kerala in the state of Karnataka. The language that most people speak there is known as Kannada which I think is cool because it sounds like Canada J Bangalore is a growing metropolitan city which has a lot of high tech industries that draw people from all over the world to live. There was a holiday going on while I visited which is known as Diwali or Deepavali. The term Diwali is used in mostly in northern India while Deepavali is used in southern and eastern India. Diwali or Deepavali is popularly known as the “festival of lights” but also as “the new year of luck and wealth”. It is generally celebrated with festive fireworks, sharing of sweets, candles and lights, flowers, and worship. There were plenty of fireworks going on late into the night to celebrate and many candles lit outside of houses. During the Diwali celebrations, Manu and I went to Sri Sri Ravishankar’s ashrum which was outside the city. Sri Sri Ravishankar is another guru, who is widely known for his Art of Living programs all over the world. There was a pooja (prayer and worship) at the brightly lit temple, sharing of sweets, and fireworks after the pooja to celebrate Diwali.

Indian Pizza
In the U.S., I used to fantasize about eating Indian pizza… I didn’t know that it actually existed! Manu and I went to a place called Pizza Corner, which is similar to a Pizza Hut or Dominos. We were actually trying to find Dominos but couldn’t so we settled on this restaurant instead. The restaurant looked like a typical pizza hangout place in the U.S. I ordered punjabi chicken tikka pizza and Manu had jugabandi pizza (it had paneer in it, which is a type of cheese). Something that was different to me was the sizes. The sizes consisted of small, medium, and large. Manu convinced me that I should order the small sized pizza, which I thought would be too much for me. She also ordered the small, and I realized that the small sized pizza is actually Pizza Hut’s personal pan sized pizza in the U.S.! I used to order that in the U.S. and usually people would tease me because it was so small, saying that only kids eat that size. It wasn’t enough so we also ordered the paneer footizza (the name explains it). I liked the pizza, although I don’t think the quality was up to par. I’m sure if I had higher quality Indian Pizza, I would’ve liked it more. However, the pizza in the U.S. still tasted better to me (taco pizza yum!).

Atmosphere
There were many differences between Bangalore and Cochin. Bangalore’s climate was much different. It was surprisingly cool during the day with no humidity and downright cold at night! The way people dressed was also different. In Cochin, most people wear churidars and saris, while in Bangalore, people wore everything! I enjoyed the more casual and relaxed environment in Bangalore, no one seemed to care what you wore or what you were doing. I thought it was interesting that in Cochin, even though women dress more conservatively, there seems to be more sexual harassment. In Bangalore, even though women dress less conservatively, there didn’t seem to be any sexual harassment. Manu told me that in Rajasthan (a northern state in India) women wear short tops with no backs, and there are actually fewer rape cases there. I thought that was particularly interesting, especially the psychological factors.

While there were big malls and expensive designer stores there, I enjoyed going to shops along the street the most. I relished the bright multitudes of color displayed through flowers, vegetables, powders, and spices. I was suddenly struck with a feeling that I hadn’t felt before. For the first time I felt that this was my country, my home, my culture, and my people. This life, and this simplicity….I loved it all at once and thought is it more than this? Or is this all it is? I felt sadness because I wasn’t fully immersed in this culture, but happiness because I had this realization. It’s kind of like finding the last pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. It’s the first time since stepping off the airplane that I felt like I was in my home, a place where my roots began. Honestly, day to day living is a grind. But it’s those little moments of realization that make me love life for what it is.

Mehendi
This week Bobby (Pramella Aunty’s daughter) applied mehendi to my hand. For such a long time I have admired this spectacular part of Indian culture, and I have always wanted to learn how to apply it myself. Bobby showed me how to apply it, and I also bought a book with different designs. Although it will take time to learn how to perfect this art, I’m so excited to learn how to do it! Ammu volunteered to be my test subject J Mehendi is the Indian word for henna (we usually call it henna in the U.S.), and it also refers to the art of applying henna. It is used to create temporary tattoos in different shades of brown usually on the feet or hands of a woman. Traditionally, it was used for medicinal purposes, but today it is used to create designs, dye hair, and to color nails. The henna is actually an herb, and it is similar to the tea plant. The leaves are dried, ground into a fine powder, and then mixed with other things to create a paste or the body. Usually mehendi is used for woman’s hands and feet for decoration, however for special occasions men also apply mehendi.

Bindi
Another marvelous part of Indian culture is the use of the bindi. The bindi is a colorful marking worn by a woman on her forehead, right above the meeting point of the eyebrows. Most Indian women wear the bindi, whether they are young or old, modern or traditional. However in Northern India, only married women will wear it. The traditional bindi is red, but there are also colored ones to match different outfits. The color red is powerful, as it represents shakti, power, and energy. There is evidence that bindis have existed since the 4th century! According to the Hindu religion, the bindi marks the 6th chakra, which symbolizes power and balance. It also assists with the flow of energy. It is representative of the third eye, or the mind’s eye, which sees into the spiritual world. The bindi is a reminder to use and cultivate the spiritual vision and to see beyond physical appearances. It can be made with clay, sandalwood, or ashes, but there are a wide variety of colors and designs of stick-on bindis.

A Haunting Vision
Leeza and I went on the bus to Ernakulum and I saw a sight that sent shivers up my spine. Just the thought of it even now makes me filled with despair, desperation, and sadness. What I saw was a woman, probably in her mid-thirties, wearing a sari with the typical nose ring, necklace, and earrings. She looked as if she was a typical lower class woman who had enough money for necessities and food. She was bit chubby, as was the baby boy she was holding. The baby boy certainly looked as if he had enough to eat, and was also dressed appropriately. Then I saw the young girl with her. I wasn’t sure of her age, probably between the ages of 4 and 6. Her clothes were tattered and torn, just hanging off of her body. Her body was nothing but a skeleton, she was so thin and malnourished that it pained me and made me physically sick to look at her. The hunger I had in my stomach for lunch was replaced by a sickening pain. But this child I was looking at didn’t even look like a child; I thought I was looking at an animal. The look in her eyes spoke of a life beyond pain and despair, because there was no light in them. They were dead, to match her body which was also dying. It made me beyond distressed to think that I had seen homeless dogs and cats that were fed better than her in India. Leeza then leaned over and said to me, “I think that family is from North India because she’s wearing a different type of dress. They are probably beggars or laborers.” Leeza used to live in New Delhi which is part of North India, so she has seen many types of people living in extreme poverty. I am fortunate to stay in Kerala, where there is a high literacy rate and hardly any beggars. In fact, the only people who beg are usually the ones that are being forced to beg by groups like the beggars mafia (they force adults and children to beg and the head people get their money). [As a side note, there was a beggar who died here and they found over 1 lakh (2,000 dollars) in his bank account]. Therefore, people don’t really give money to beggars here because then they would be reinforcing groups like the beggars mafia. I then looked around the bus and saw that everyone was staring at this family. Leeza went on to say, “Here in Kerala everyone will look at them, not only because they are from North India, but also because no one in Kerala is malnourished like that.” What she said next chilled me to the bone. She said, “See the mother and baby boy? They are plump.” I nodded; they looked plump and healthy to me. Then she said, “In North India, they usually don’t want girls. So they will give all the food to the boy child and starve the girl child.” I asked in disbelief, “They want her to die? Will she die?” She said that she may not die, but just be malnourished. I could not bear myself to look at this child again, it made me sick. It made me even more sick to know that a mother could do this to her own child. I prayed for this small girl as I got off the bus, but nothing could take away the pain in my stomach. This is just one of the many injustices that women and children face in India. Each day, I am not only learning but also experiencing first hand what women have to face. Unearthing the causes for these types of injustices and finding solutions is a difficult task as women also perpetuate their subordinate status in society.

Art Exhibition
Last night I went to my first art exhibition in Kerala. It is called Gallery OED, and it is actually the same place where I attend my dance class each morning. This art gallery has new paintings on the walls every 2-3 weeks, and buyers can purchase the paintings from the artist. Each time there is an exhibition, the walls are painted to match the theme of the artist’s paintings. This exhibition was called “Through the Bioscope” by Madhusud Hanan. I had the pleasure of also meeting this artist! I didn’t really understand all of the paintings because a lot of them were abstract. I could see that each painting told a story, even if I wasn’t able to grasp the story. Each person has a different perception of what a painting means to them. From my perception, the paintings had a lot of machines in them. I mentioned this to the artist and he called them “silent” machines. Later, I went downstairs and viewed the artist’s short film which as titled “History is a Silent Film.” It was an older black and white film and there was no sound, but every once in awhile there were subtitles. It was a story about a man who fixed film projectors. While he was working he would fix the projectors, and then watch the films. Doing this reminded of his father who also fixed film projectors but disappeared from his life without any traces. He saw moments captured on this film, birds flying, a dancer dancing, a man walking. Through these moments he saw history, the war in India, dancers, the footsteps of a man he once knew. He realized that his father was alive on this film, and it pained him to remember this. I believe that everyone has a creative streak to them whether it be through writing, dancing, painting, and more. I admire people who perform in the arts, especially painting, because the genius lies in the abstract concepts that come deep within the depths of their mind. Only they can reach this depth, yet in a way I can oddly connect with this painting once I understand the meaning of it. I asked an artist who had an exhibition a few weeks ago where he got his creativity. He explained to me life itself was his inspiration and those events that occur. I was able to meet many interesting people at the exhibition because my dance teacher, Geetha was there and introduced me to journalists, artists,

and photographers. All in all it was a great night because I met some interesting people, ate great food, and explored a realm that was not familiar to me.

Other creative minds....

Kerala Classical Dance
This week there was 2 days break because the Muslims and Hindus were each celebrating their own holiday. For the Muslims, their holiday was Ramadan. It is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. One month before, they fasted each day from sunrise to sunset. When their fast is broken, they celebrate with a 3 day festival known as “Eid” or “eid ul-Fitr” which means “the feast of the breaking/to break the fast.” It is a celebration of the month long struggle they endured (the fasting) in order to achieve a higher spiritual state. Since Pramella Aunty’s neighbors are Muslim, they brought us delicious birayani and chicken curry which they give to all their neighbors. Then, the Hindus also celebrated their holiday which is known as Durga Puja. For 10 days, they celebrate with ceremonies, rituals, fasts, feasts, songs, and dance in honor of the supreme mother goddess Durga. She is celebrated for her victory of good over evil. Since Pramella Aunty is Hindu, we went to a town hall to watch 2 nights of classical dancing. It was so beautiful! The dances are vibrant and expressive with hues of red, yellow, blue, and green. The dancers wear anklets studded with large bells so that it makes a sound each time they stomp their foot. They wear colorful dresses and beautiful jewelry which adds to the beauty of their dance. There is no audio recording for the music. There are men who sit on the side and play their drums. With each beat, the dancer simultaneously stomps her foot which makes a cool sound with the anklets she wears. Classical dances are the traditional dances of Kerala, therefore, there are a wide variety of them. Some of them are: Kathakali, Mohiniatam, Thiruvathirakalli, and Kolkkali. Classical dance is difficult to learn and often takes three years just to learn basic movements of this dance because it involves difficult eye and head movements. The interesting part of classical dance is that it tells a story. Local legends, traditional stories, age-old customs, cultural beliefs, and mythological stories find expression in these brilliant and colorful dances.

P.S. I TRIED to upload the video I took of the classical dance but it didn't work. If you know how to help me, let me know!!

International Friends
This week, I met up with my friends Nadia and Ancha at the Coca Tree. The Coca Tree is a small café that sells American food, Mexican Food, and Indian Food. It felt like I had stepped back into a coffee shop in America! Nadia is Australian, Ancha is German, and I’m Indian (obviously!), so we make a pretty interesting trio as we walk the streets of Cochin! We were meeting at the Coca Tree because they are both leaving soon, so I was a little sad to see them go!

Women in Kerala
I got ready for dance class one day, and put on long pants and a t-shirt like usual even though there is no air conditioning in the building where the class is held. I noticed a few of my clothes from the U.S. and put on the loosest shirt I had brought. It seemed tight by Indian standards! I felt an ache for the U.S. How I missed being able to wear anything! It was a privilege I took for granted. I missed being able to wear my own fashions and not having to worry about sexual harassment from men. Here, women only wear a long top with pants or shirts. This privilege to wear my choice of clothing was a freedom I hadn’t considered before. I could wear skirts or shorts without consistent leering and gazing by men-old men, young men, married men, policemen, bus conductors, even some women! The irony is that even with wearing the salwar kameez (long shirt and pants), men still continue their sexual harassment even though there is nothing to see. Not just with me, but with all the women around me. Not just any woman, but all women; whether they are poor, rich, educated, literate, ugly, beautiful, fat, thin, or even disabled. To hear women in this culture say that this type of harassment is “a part of life” as they shrug their shoulders is alarming for me. Even more alarming is to hear men’s perspectives on this. According to them sexual harassment and abuse do not occur in Kerala, and if it does, it’s only a minute portion of society. Then they turn it around and say that men are the ones who are being harassed and abused by the women! In all reality, statistics say otherwise. Every 51 minutes a woman is sexually harassed, and every 21 minutes a woman is molested in India. I told my Aunty and her daughter about what men told me their perspectives were about sexual harassment and abuse. They laughed and said, “That is how it is here. Even if a man is beating his wife, he will not say that he is abusing her, he will only say she did something wrong to deserve it!” They went on to say that there is more freedom here than in North India and that there is more sexual harassment and abuse there. I kept thinking how conservative and confining the culture for women in South India is, I can’t even imagine the difference in North India!

I wonder, how is the U.S. so different from India that things like staring, groping, lewd comments, etc. is considered common and silently accepted by women? Of course there is a patriarchal system here which is the root of the problem. The men don’t acknowledge this however; they say that men and women are equal here. I see the truth in their actions. As I stand united and divided, a woman with her heart in India, but her feet in the U.S., I wonder what does it take to make a change? The women of Kerala suffer deep cuts and live with lacerations on their heart due to sexual abuse and harassment. They are uncomfortable to discuss these issues. They have to ask themselves about their silenced role in perpetuating these problems. What would make women better and stronger persons in the Kerala society? Can women go beyond knee jerk responses to combat such violations? The psyches of Kerala women bleed with shame in surviving sexual abuse and harassment. Culture, tradition and even religion are used to justify the inactivity of women to initiate the combating of such violation against women. Educating and empowering each woman through information and knowledge about various aspects of sexual abuse while forgetting political and religious sensitivities is the key to combating their silenced role.

Things I Miss
This may seem odd to write about what I miss in the U.S. since I have the opportunity of a lifetime to be in India. However, I have come to realize that it’s ok to miss the luxuries and things in the U.S. because at the same time I am appreciating what I didn’t before. I miss the freedom not only to wear different clothes (especially when its hot out!) but also to do small things such as stretch out in a chair, cross my leg over the other, use a washing machine, have air conditioning, speaking English and having people understand me, to call up my parents and boyfriend on the phone at anytime (it’s 12 hours time difference there and also its expensive to call). I miss sending letters because it takes one month for a letter to reach the U.S., to wear my hair in any fashion (only braids and barrettes are the fashion here), eating chocolate J, understanding conversations between people (they speak Malayalam between each other), using high speed internet, and eating different types of food (only south Indian and north Indian food here). Although I have traveled extensively in Central America and have interacted with many different cultures since I was young, being in India has taught me a lot about living and adjusting to another culture. Ironically it is the culture I was born in so I thought it would be easier, but it is harder than I thought. The U.S. and India are different in every possible way in terms of social norms, dress, food, politics, and more. Every movement that I make and everything I say has to be well thought out before I can execute it. I have to think before I eat with my left hand (its offensive here) or sitting on the left side (left side is for drivers). I also have to act normal even when something may be offensive to me such as when people stare at (people staring at you is normal here), or if people tell me that I’ve gotten fat (they say fat when you gain weight). Even seeing things that I’m not used to seeing takes a while for the mind to adjust. I thought that I had adjusted with the culture quite smoothly, but I realized for the first time yesterday how odd it was that cows were roaming on the streets in the middle of a city even though I’ve seen them each day since I’ve been here. In order to truly understand another culture, it takes a total mind and body adjustment. Sometimes your body may adjust while your mind doesn’t, or your mind may adjust but your body doesn’t. It takes dedication and focus to adjust both of them. One has to be always observant about what is appropriate, what is considered offensive, what social norms are, etc. Though it is difficult to adjust to culture shock, the rewards of being immersed in another culture far outweighs the difficulties. Every time I’m in another country I realize the beauty of other cultures, and how ignorant we are in the U.S. not to appreciate what other cultures have to offer. My mouth is delighted with the taste of exotic food; my eyes are enchanted by the different designs and colors of clothing, and my mind is filled with the knowledge of foreign customs and traditions. It is truly an experience like no other.

Amma’s Ashrum
This weekend I traveled to Vallikkavu which is a remote coastal village in southern Kerala. It is the well known spot for Amma’s Ashrum. Amma is the word for mother and she is internationally known as “the hugging mother”; although her real name is Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. She is an integral part of the Indian culture, and although people didn’t understand my English when I said Amma’s ashrum, they all understood “the hugging mother”. The Amritapuri Ashrum is an international community which consists of more than 3,000 people who are permanent residents. They are monastic disciples and families from all over India, Europe, America, and more dedicating their lives to serving the world and following the teachings of Amma. For many other people it is also an international pilgrimage center for those seeking solace, inspiration, and inner peace for however long they wish. Thousands of people come to this ashrum to hug Amma, receive advice, and her boundless love. While Amma is at the ashrum she makes herself available day and night for those who are seeking her darshan (blessing), and to advise the disciples and volunteers who manage her humanitarian projects. She also leads the evening prayers and devotional singing, sits with residents for meditation, and holds sessions about her teachings. During the year she travels to different countries to simply hug people. Regardless of their race, religion, sex, beliefs, and status, Amma tenderly caresses anyone who comes to hear. In this simple yet powerful way Amma has transformed the lives of many, helping their hearts to blossom. In the past 37 years, Amma has hugged more than 27 million people from all parts of the globe. Recently she has addressed the Parliament of world’s Religions in Chicago, the United Nations in New York, and the Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders conducted at the UN in Geneva. There she was awarded with the 2007 Ghandi-King Award for nonviolence. Her extraordinary acts of love and self sacrifice have also inspired her to do countless humanitarian acts such as provide distaster relief for thetsunami, build free homes for those living in the slums, build orphanages, provide free food, medicine, and pension, sponsor weddings for the poor, provide free legal aid, build hospitals and universities, and build centers and temples for those devoted to her teachings.

Amma’s Teachings
Amma’s messages are universal and quite simple. She does not profess a particular religion, but says that her religion is love. She doesn’t ask anyone to believe in God or even to change their faith. She simply asks them to inquire into their own real nature and to believe in themselves. She is quoted as saying, “Love is our true essence. Love has no limitations of caste, religion, race, or nationality. We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love.” “In the end,” Amma says, “Love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world; it is love that binds everything together. As this awareness draws within us, all disharmony will cease and abiding peace will reign.”

My Experience
I had never heard of the hugging mother before, yet I was intrigued to see why thousands of people were flocking to hug her from all parts of the world and giving her billions of dollars worth of offerings and money. Surprisingly, any money and gifts she is given, she gives it away to others. She instead uses for her ashrum and also for her many humanitarian projects. I had no idea what to expect, yet I consider myself to be a person who is open to new experiences. When I arrived at the ashrum, I saw pink buildings that consisted of the hospital, temple, shops, food centers, and also places to stay. I was impressed by this small community, which has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. I was also taken back by the beauty and simplicity of it. Interestingly enough, it is the same place that Amma grew up during her childhood.

I met Lalitha aunty there, and she let me stay with her in a room on the Indian side. There is a “Western” part which is for the foreigners from America, Europe, etc., as well as an Indian part for those who are residents of India. The accommodations and food are different for the westerners and Indians because but they are free to eat what they would like and also mingle with each other. There is no segregation or discrimination in the community, and to validate my point I saw a transvestite and also some people who appeared to be mentally ill. All of them are accepted and considered part of the community.

I was floored when I walked into the large building where Amma was giving hugs because thousands of people were sitting, standing, and waiting just to hug Amma. Lalitha aunty told me that people wait from morning to night just for a hug. Fortunately for me, my aunty had connections with the people there and I was able to get a pass and hug Amma after an hour. After waiting in the line, I was eager and also nervous to meet Amma. Thoughts raced through my head such as what do I say, and how do I act? I had seen her picture but even though I was five feet away from her I couldn’t see her face because people were swarmed around her. Fortunately, my question was answered when people in white simply pushed me and told me to kneel in front of Amma. I kneeled and the people in white pushed me again and told me to hug her. I didn’t see her face because it all happened so fast but people translated and told her that I was born in India, adopted to an American family, and now residing in the U.S. While we were embracing each other, I couldn’t think of anything else but of how good she smelled. She smelled beautiful, like incense and flowers combined. I had no expectations and no inspiration to say any words; I was simply letting things happen in their natural flow. I heard Amma say something in Malayalam over and over again softly to me. Later, I interpreted that she was saying “pure, pure, pure”. After embracing me, she looked at me and simply laughed, it was a joyous laugh that was music to my ears. I finally got a glimpse of her face. She had white hairs mixed with her black hair, and a nose ring that dazzled in the light. Looking at her face, I had the feeling I was looking at a mother, a grandmother, and a child all in one person. I have never felt this way towards another human being before. She then gave me her darshan which was a small planton (banana), hard candy, and a small paper package. The paper package had powder in it which people spread in their hair, between their eyes, and in their hair to represent blessings. I can’t quite say what it was, but something changed in me that day. It led me to be more considerate and compassionate towards others, and to also re-evaluate my spiritual life. I finally understood why thousands of people want to see and hug Amma. Her simple embrace is worth more than money and any other material thing, because it opens up people’s hearts to peace and compassion within themselves and towards others. People see Amma in different ways. Some see her as a mother, others as a guru or a god. I now see her as someone is the epitome of what we should all strive to be, someone who is selflessly serving God and humanity.

If you are interested in reading more about her teachings you can visit her homepage at www.amritapuri.org . Also, she is visiting the U.S. after her birthday next week and of all places she is visiting Fairfield, Iowa! If you are able to I would encourage you to see or hug her just for the experience.

Application to Real Life

After returning from the trip, I opened up the newspaper and found an article that expresses in words the feelings that I felt from my experience. The article was titled "To Feel or Not" with a subheading "Are we just being used when we are kind and compassionate?" was by Usha Jesudasan. Here is a summary of the article. “My grandmother and mother have been wonderful role models as I journey down the path of ahimsa (ahimsa is another word for truth or love, it is also the practice of non-violence). My mother told me a story one day when I was frustrated. I felt frustrated because it seemed that my mother was being used and taken advantage of by others when she was being kind and compassionate. She said, “A holy man bathing in the river, noticed a drowning scorpion. He lifted it out but before he could put it down, the scorpion stung him. The man was in great pain, yet he carefully placed it on the ground. People laughed at his stupidity. “What did you achieve? You spared the scorpions life only to get yourself bitten.” The man replied, “I did what I had to, according to my nature: rescue it from drowning and give it life. The scorpion did what it had to do according to its nature: sting me.” Often we look the other way from a beggar or an appeal for help because we don’t like to be cheated. Our hearts want to respond, but we are unsure if our help will actually reach them or if they will truly benefit. Once when we stopped at a traffic light, a young boy ran up to our car waving a packet of colored wash cloths for the car. The person I was with shooed him away as I dug into my purse for some money. I was a little surprised by her ferociousness. The boy looked at me with soulful eyes. “Please buy a packet,” he said. “It’s for my books.” I know many children like him who sell flowers, car cloths, spinach and other things early in the morning before they go to school. Yes, they are a nuisance, they pester us at the wrong time, when we have no change or when we are stressed. Life is hard for them, but they go on hoping that today will be a better day…that they will sell one more packet or cloth than yesterday. Reaching out takes them a little nearer to the road of independence, economic stability, and personal dignity. Ahisma people are not just those with hearts, but are those with hearts that ask nothing in return.”

Kotayam
On the weekend I traveled to Kotayam by train. It took one hour to reach by train but I was so mesmerized by the beautiful sights that the time flew by! I stayed with a family who has a daughter who is also adopted like me; therefore we have a connection which surpasses normal friendships! I had a nice time while I was there, visiting churches and different universities. The highlight of the trip was going to Kumakaram, a popular tourist resort. The beauty of India is evident in this small town!


Kerala, the Queen of South India
Kerala, with its exotic beaches and scenic beauty that makes one in unparalleled captivity of emotions, is no doubt a holiday destination for thousands of tourists across the globe. Likewise, Kerala attracts hundreds of students from various universities and community colleges from different parts of the world primarily due to its unique status in educational affluence and rich culture. Keralites attempt to integrate different cultures. A vibrant collection of arts make a qualitative change in the lives of the Keralites. The industrial city of Cochin hosts a large number of exhibitions. The anthurium exhibitions are a full of hobby growers to turn commercial. It is full of vivid and artistic flowers, ecstasy for sure! This exhibition is organized by Ernakulum district Agri Horticultural Society. Anthuriums create a royal touch to weddings and festival season.


Onam Festival
September 2 is “atham” the Malayalam auspicious day for the Keralites. It marks the beginning of flower decorations which will last until Thiru Onam September 12. The flower decorations are known as “pookkalam”. It is one of the main features of the Onam festival. The flower decoration competitions are conducted in organizations like banks, industries, universities, and schools. “Athapookkalam” is a beautiful depiction of the artistic talents of women in Kerala. If you have ever dreamt of visiting Kerala in your life, let it be during September at this festival season. The confluence of the rivers and the moonlit nights, the boat ride beside the boundaries of Kochi city, and across the sea remains a dream that came true in my heart! Laying pookkalam was formerly a women’s domain. Women in traditional attire called a “mundu and “neriyathu” surround a variety of flowers on the designated spaces on the floor to lay “pookalam" (The picture with me in the white and pink outfit is of me in a mundu). These flower carpets are so wonderful. Of late, the men also join with women in this event. These pookkalams are breaking down the walls that segregated men and women leading to better understanding for a better society. Visitors from different countries learn through observation and participation the meaning of customs, traditions, habits, food preparations, general life, and the style of the Malayalees. All these are my persisting attractions!











Dancing and entertainment at Trikkakara Temple









The Onam festival is celebrated from September 11 to September 14, with each family in Kerala. September 11 is first Onam. September 12 is second Onam which is also known as Thiru Onam. September 13 is the third Onam. Then, September 14 is the final Onam. Thiru Onam, September 12, is the most important day in the festival season. Ornam festival is also known as the king’s festival. People believe that Mahabali, the famous and fabulous king who ruled Kerala, ensuring peace and prosperity to all, arrives back to his kingdom to visit his people on Thiru Ornam. People offer him Ona Sadya (feast) with rice and different types of vegetable curries. On the day Keralites eat their sadya in green banana leaves. There are several kinds of celebrations some of which include a flower show, dance music, and new movies to entertain people. Those who can afford new clothes buy them and wear them on Thiru Ornam. People also give clothes as gifts. Friends and relatives, sons and daughters arrive from different parts of the world. Elephants are decorated and exhibited at many temples. Trikkakara temple is a temple that is known for these celebrations. People are in ecstatic moods, one has to experience all these to save them in memory!






The Hindu Times
This week I was ecstatic when I opened up the newspaper and saw a picture of me with my dance class! The name of the paper is "The Hindu Metroplus Weekend. It is a regional newspaper for the city of Kochi encompasses lifestyle, food, music, fitness, events, and entertainment. There was an article in the middle of the newspaper and there was also a small feature on the front page! This article explains about how our dance teacher, Geetha, combines dance, yoga, and aerobics to create natya vyayama, a workout that involves the mind and body. I’m the one in the red shirt, and my friend Leeza is the one in the yellow shirt!