Mirror, mirror, on the wall….

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils; 

(William Wordsworth) 

Wordsworth glorified the daffodils in his poem 'I wandered lonely as a cloud'. It reveals how the recollection of the sight de-stresses him in tranquility. Ironically, the flower which is symbolic of rebirth, new beginnings and hope has contributed its name to a psychological disorder.   

Daffodil, or narcissus flower has a bowed shape that represents Narcissus bending over the water to admire his reflection.  

 

The dangerous self-obsession, Narcissistic personality disorder gets its name from the Greek mythology of Narcissus. Lack of concern for others is a core trait of this personality, who does not mind harming individuals whom they consider obstacles. They sugar coat their malicious intentions making it right the saying ‘The sweetest tongue has the sharpest teeth’.

To quote II Timothy 3:1-5 "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive... swollen with conceit, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". It instructs believers to avoid such individuals. The word of the Lord always keeps the faithful safe from all harm.

In the present world, social media can be compared to water where users adore their reflections (pun intended). Like a kite which requires the string to keep it in control and grounded, the fear of the Lord is required for us to stay in our limits.

Floccinaucinihilipilification

AI is the talk of the town at present as the future ‘depends’ on it. The fear of it dominating humanity is in the air. It is appropriate to say that AI will not dominate, instead we surrender willingly to it. To elucidate, I will dwell into a few facts.

Early humans had highly capable cognitive abilities which debilitated with inventions. While commuting to distant places, they reach their destinations by detecting the directions based on the location of celestial bodies and natural landmarks. This is now taken over by GPS, which does the thinking for us, and we depend on it even to reach a nearby location. This has made dormant a part of our cognition, but it is never lost as the forest dwellers are still capable of ‘self-steering’.

The fact that AI can produce any literary piece in no time has people questioning the authenticity of genuine literary works of modern times. The current generation finds it incredible that someone can produce amazing art or written work. They need to be guided and motivated to believe in their creative abilities. Constant pen and paper activities will facilitate them, instilling confidence in themselves. It is said that DC comics will not depend on generative AI for art work or story telling.

Technological development is always looked at with apprehension. The naturalists try to maintain a healthy balance between nature and technology, the Luddites resist it and the rest try to keep pace with it. Human beings are made to evolve and adapt.

The Parable of Talents (Matthew 25:14–30) finds significance here. Our talents should be utilized to benefit the world around us. Many ground-breaking inventions made so far, were met with fear initially, but were gradually accepted and became part of our daily lives. A level-headed approach to innovations and inventions will never make AI floccinaucinihilipilification of humans.

Blowing Hot, Blowing Cold

Zephyr, spring's harbinger, caressed the trees,
Susurration, the wind's whisper, filled the air,
Clouds rained pebble drops,
Wrapping all in chrysalism,
Cooling the earth scorched by the summer sun,
Healing the land chapped by the blistering heat
This is the course of Nature
Blowing hot, blowing cold and so it goes.

We saw the Power

Faraway in the mountains, sheared a mammoth ice chunk
Earth tremored, river swelled, water coiled in funk,
The weir breached, the darting deluge swallowed the obstacle,
Making the crown of creation watching in despair the spectacle,
Boulders rolled like marbles, buildings tumbled like deck of cards,
A splash of dirt here, a lash of water there, trespassing your yards,
The torrent wreaked havoc, with its course errant, nature enraged
We saw the power, we saw the powerless and we gauged
When the mighty is messed up, invincible is the force!
(Dedicated to the tragedy of Nepal 26th August, 2026)

(The poster made for the poem.)

Flashback-II

Once upon a time, in Kerala, people used a vehicle called villuvandi. My great, great grandfather owned one, the scraps of which were seen in our ancestral house when we were kids. It was a decorated bullock cart pulled by bullocks and manned by a handler. Though we have never seen it, we have heard of certain travel stories of my ancestors in that vehicle. (More to come in next post)

Flashback to the 70s- Part 1

Recently, I met a friend of us who had come from abroad after a long time. During the conversation we discussed the conspicuous changes in children post covid. The most alarming observation made by my friend, who is a Bharatanatyam instructor, was the cognitive tardiness of students. Pre covid, her students used to learn the dance in a year, but the present-day doom scrolling addicts find it difficult to maneuver hand-leg-eye in co-ordination, leaving them struggling to learn even after two and a half years. A sad reality, which hopefully will change in due course. Some countries had already shifted away from technology-based learning to class room teaching and pen and paper. As a quinquagenarian born in the 70’s I consider myself lucky to be able to grow up in world devoid of technology, albeit technology helped me later. It opened a world of knowledge, information, tai chi for health, global cuisine and so on.

In my childhood we connected with relatives and friends through regular get-togethers and letters. We got to know about what happened around the world through newspapers and radio. During vacations, at my maternal grandparents' place, we used to sit with them and cousins at night listening to drama aired through radio, which was a prized possession in homes at that time. Other major entertainments were outdoor games such as tag, hopscotch square, hide and seek, blind man's bluff, watching movies at the local theatre etc……. TO BE CONTINUED

Let it Go!

I have mentioned in my previous post about burning of Pappanji. The details of it are given here. In May 1498, Vasco de Gama, a Portuguese explorer, landed in Kozhikode, which led to a series of expeditions and trade deals. This resulted in the assimilation of Portuguese culture in Kerala. The remnants of the occupation are still found in Fort Kochi. The steaming process in cooking of Kerala cuisine comes from Portuguese.

The Dutch Bolgatty Palace and its corridoor.

Another tradition introduced by the Portuguese is the burning of Pappanji on New Year’s Eve in Fort Kochi. The place will be choc-a-block with traffic which sees a massive turnout. This fascinating spectacle is now adopted by many other localities.

Pappanji in Kottayam

Pappanji means ‘grandfather’ or ‘old man’ in Portuguese. The effigy is lit fire symbolising the end of the year.Children make tiny Pappanjis and the original effigy has coat, suit, shoes and hat resembling an old European man with a cigar. Some mistake Pappanji for Santa Claus, but historians and locals refute this. Another theory behind the myth of Pappanji is that, it originated from the Jewish culture as Fort Kochi still has remains of Jewish settlers. Moreover, the burning ceremony is on the eighth day after Christmas Eve, akin to the festival of Enoch.

Nature, the Architect

                            “All nature seems to bespeak the works of God”

We often wonder about the formation of the universe. Small wonders still seem to be happening with nature carrying on with amazing creations. I have come across two serene and scenic locations in my home town fashioned by the silt or alluvial soil ensuing floods in Kerala’s Kottayam district. These alluring flood plains are a major attraction among the locals and less known to tourists

Kavalipuzha Beach-- It is not a beach as the name suggests, but a perfect place for recreation as it is less crowded and tranquil. There are facilities for boating and fishing. A shack provides simple snacks and drinks. Location: Kidangoor, Kottayam, Kerala.

Thanaloram The word means ‘a place of shade’. True to the name, the vast place is shaded by huge bamboo trees that form a canopy that shields visitors from heat and drizzle. There is a shed where snacks and drinks are available. Location: Poovathumoodu, Kottayam, Kerala. On New Year’s eve the place is lit up and Papanji is burnt down. (Details about Papanji in the next post.)

Querencia

Had a busy day? Your home is there to relax. Feeling hurt and humiliated? Your home is there to heal. A place where your loved ones are waiting for you to see your smile. A place which is eagerly waiting for your arrival to spend the holidays. The joy that is on their faces when they see you is priceless. In your querencia, you don’t feel the pain when your finger is seared or cut while cooking because it is relished and cherished. In your querencia you let go your stress because there is nothing to fret about. In your querencia, you are you because you don’t have to please. In your querencia you find peace.

Christmas Cheer at Nasr Boys School

This was my post during Christmas last year regarding the Christmas tree of Nasr Boys School. This year we could get it got covered in Deccan Chronicle thanks to Mr. Sanjay Samuel Paul of DC and Philip Joshua, a friend of us. . . https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/nasr-school-puts-up-50-foot-tall-christmas-tree-1924550

The covering of it in a travel website added to the charm of the celebration. . https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/nasr-schools-grand-50-foot-christmas-tree-in-hyderabad-becomes-a-new-landmark-attraction-for-tourists-and-visitors-across-india/

The Sly and the Shrewd

This is the tale of two dogs. A tale of how the meek outsmarted the bully. The back-yard bread seekers are always up and ready for the grub every morning. The pack is the first sight we see from our window, all looking up. The current ones are totally new. The oldies were civil to each other and never grabbed other one’s share. The present lot has an aggressive canine which snatches other’s share even from their mouths. It intimidates others to leave the place and not touch any of the slices. The eyepatch kind of mark makes him more domineering. Nevertheless, he was outwitted today by a tiny one. The two were waiting and I had only three slices of bread. Knowing very well that the bigger one will devour all three, I threw the first slice quite far away. While the bigger one ran to get it, the next slice was thrown near the smaller one. Noticing this, the brute ran back and pounced on it indicating that both slices belong to him.

While it was busy eating, the third slice was thrown behind him, again for the tiny one. The sly one turned to check but could not find it hence continued munching. It was amusing to watch the smaller one pretending ignorance about the third slice though the dog located it. The tiny dog stood still in its place just watching me. When the other one finished eating, it ran to eat the first slice that he booked already. At this instance, the shrewd dog moved slowly towards the third slice, grabbed it and ran away to a hide out to have the bread. Victory of brain over brawn!

Canine Confessions

We are the pack that guard our territories in our colony, each one in accordance with others. We have unique identities and are taken care of by the humans in our colony.

1. I am the self-proclaimed guardian of the green and tranquil Kerala Lane in our colony. I take care of my people with diligence. I am called by different names here. Every cab and auto that enter this lane are checked by me before my humans enter into it. If they enter the vehicle before my recce, I will block the way till they request me to move. I growl at strangers and new municipal workers who enter the lane. I will not tolerate bikers speeding in this lane and scare them with my bark. Thanks to me, my masters got many complaints from delivery boys and labourers who are here for some construction work. Call me over protective, but I don’t care and I will not stop because I love my masters a lot.

2. We are the silent duo who come every morning to Kerala Lane, have some food given by a kind human here, take a nap and leave. We never bark or disturb any one unlike the self-proclaimed guardian who is boisterous.

He is tolerant of us as we are here from many years and he came only a few months back.

3. I am the shoe-stealer ha ha ha… You can see me with a shoe every morning. I am proud to say that majority of the colony humans are now with one shoe. I cannot resist snatching when I see so many pairs of it lined up on racks. Notwithstanding this habit, I take care of my lane and the humans here.

4. I am a silent follower of whoever comes to the colony. This is because I am a curious canine and I love humans. This habit of mine makes some of them jump out of their skin but later they realize that I am loveable. I enjoy posing for cameras too.

Native Ball- A Sport Worth Watching

Seven players on either side in a 35mx75m court are all ready for an exciting innings. Crowd in the stadium are cheering their favourite teams. There is a festive atmosphere in Puthupally while the tournament is going on. I would like to introduce a team sport which is native to my hometown Kottayam (Kerala, India) and the pride of my village Puthupally, Nadan Pantukali (native ball game). The sport originated in 1900 in Kottayam and tournaments are still conducted during vacations.

It is an interesting sport, played in seven innings like cricket. The innings, known as Vara are named otta, petta, pidiyan, thalam, keezhu, and indan. The serving is called Vettu. The sport, conducted mostly in rural areas, is played between two teams with seven barefoot players in each team.

The ball is peculiar as it is made of salt-dried leather.

My sister, cousins and I used to accompany my father, who was the President of Kerala Native Ball Association during that time, to watch the game. I found it really interesting but have lost touch with it since it has been decades, I had watched it.

Bitten by the Hiking Bug

Mountains are alluring, I feel so. Maybe I am bitten by the hiking bug after the trip to Illickal Kallu a few years back as I wanted more of such trips. Last December we made a trip to the Eco Tourism Park at Thommankuthu. It is an EcoTourism project of the government, where you can see the beautiful Ezhynilakuthu waterfall cascading down with its stream meandering through a five-acre forest. After taking the ticket, about a km hike into the forest will take you to the waterfall. The rugged pathway makes the hiking a little difficult but exciting.Thommankuthu waterfall is before the entrance of the park and one can enter without any ticket. Pictures of Ezhynilakuthu waterfall and its surroundings.

For details of Thommankuthu https://keralaforestecotourism.com/thommankuthu ---- https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/aruvikuzhi-waterfalls/116

Aruvikuzhi waterfall, half an hour drive away from my home is also a splendid location to visit. Though not as large Thommankuthu, it is equally scenic.

                                         Pictures of Aruvikuzhi waterfall and its surroundings.