From: mkrishna@dante.nmsu.edu (Krishnamurthy)
Subject: somaari kannadigare
Organization: New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 04:07:28 GMT


Enri Venkatesh MurthygaLe,

postings barthilla antha sumne koothkoLLo badhlu bisibeLe baath 
madkondu thinnbardhittha.naneno adhne madidhe.[thamashege barithidhini
swamy.bejar madkobedi.Adhe eno heLtharalla -  kopa madkollo vishayakke 
bejar madkondru antha]

Till some time back it was so nice to be reading about Bangalore and 
its laid back pleasures like pubbing ,eating in nostalgic joints [the
roadside ones included].When I realised Sankranthi is approaching my
mind went back to my days  in Bangalore.Apart from the regular festival
delights like sweets and good food what I particularly miss is the
festive mood on the Eve of the festival in the vicinity of the great
place called Malleswaram 8th Cross.Oh my!What a sight it  is to see 
all those colorfully dressed crowds walking around with kabbina jalle
in their hands ,mavina soppu.Fruits and flowers are in large quantities
and those vendors shouting in all sorts of "Tunes" about their rates.
BaLe kambas may not be seen during Sankranthi season but on the eve
of other festivals like Ganesha habba these add green and life to 
the generally colorful atmosphere.Looking at all these one could feel
life is still full of joy and is after all not as bleak as many would
want us to believe.One could walk on the same 8th Cross and Sampige
Road many times without getting bored.And off course not to forget
admiring the Malleswaram girls.A controlled blend of ethinicity and
modernity.They are so much different from the Brigade Road Chicks.[I
am not saying better mind you].

Well that was the eve of the festival.I feel the eve of an event is
more enjoyable than the event itself.Like the eve of the weekend.
On the day of the festival you get up to a bright morning .The 
breakfast is generally ordinary that day.It's either uppittu or 
avalakki.You are having a great lunch so manage with this you see.
Frankly I dont remember what sweet is identified with Sankranthi
but you have regular payasa,chithranna,a couple of kosambris and some
pallyas.Oh! now I remember the sweet is offcoursse Huggi or what is
popularly known as sihi pongal.This is enough to dope you till 
5 O Clock.[Gasagase payasa adhranthu mugidhe hoyithu].On the evening
of the festival you dont go out any where.You stay put at home.You get
a chance to chat with your neigbourhood girls when they come to
distribute "YeLLu'.;-).  


Even generally we  never missed an opportunity to go to 8th Cross.Infact 
some body in our gang always used to come up with some excuse."To buy 100 g of 
Cothas coffee pudi" or "to return a book to Shanker's"  or to 
dutifully help your mother by buying vegetables in that crowded
lantern lit, noisy[it was good] market beside Ganesha temple.Mind you
the vegetables were very well available in our nearby Srirampuram
market.But "malleswaradhalli freshagi iruthe guru".Or the slightly
knowledgable Indian Classical music lover would suggest "Kunnukudi
Vaidhyanathan's violin" at Parthasarathi Gana sabha.Any reason was 
good enough.Offcourse I cant resist the temptation of talking about
going to Janatha hotel ,standing in the que for 15 minutes before
sitting down to eat Masal Dose.To fix the satisfaction it is always 
accompanied by coffee.Not one full cup each of us..It used to be some
very fancy fraction like "eidhralli hadhimooru"[5 coffee shared by 13].
It never used to be a half.Like 5 by 10 or 4 by 8.Sometimes we used to
go to other places.The "BeNNe masale" at Central Tiffin Room is
great.Some of you might remember This CTR is the place where we used
to go and drink water after one innings while playing those glorious
Cricket Matches on Pavilion grounds.

Well those were the days[I could not think of a worse cliche].

I thot of making a small reply to Mr Venktesh murthy's posting.But
ended up writing this.I hope atleast the malleswaram guys will be able
to appreciate it.If you have similar expereinces please post.I hope we
will have lots of postings to read on ACK.

Mr Venktesh did trigger me with his "somaari kannadigaru"
taunt.Atleast I sat down and posted this article.Venktesh
murhty,thanks guru/swamy/Saar - as applicable.I hope other "shuddha
somberis" will also wake up and keep the net A*L*I*V*E.

Thanks for reading 

madhu

 

  








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