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3m – Me, Mom & Milk

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by Thyagarajan, Nov 4, 2017.

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Nov 5, 2017 #11

PushpavalliSrinivasan IL Hall of Fame

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Dear Mr Thyagarajan,
Amazing talent you got in describing all the minute details. We can visuvalize the scene before our eyes. Enjoyed reading your post,
PS

PushpavalliSrinivasan, Nov 5, 2017

PushpavalliSrinivasan, Nov 5, 2017

#11

Thyagarajan likes this.
Nov 5, 2017 #12

Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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Sunburst said: ↑

Thank you . I enjoy reading all your blogs . This one brought back my childhood memories when we used to visit our native place . That was the only time I have seen cow rearing and milking so closely . When I read your blogs , I can envision very scene . Sometimes I feel like I am watching some old black and white movies or Malgudi days . You have a flair for writing so please keep posting .
Click to expand...

......mmmmm Malgudi Days....too much of a praise sister...I can't stand. I am glad thread had driven you to reminisce and transported you to childhood. Happy that you had read & relished my previous blogs in INDUSLADIES the members of which are intellectuals & have rich enviable taste for reading, studying, debating & encouraging amateur writers. Thanks for accolades & smiley.
2. Thanks and Regards.
God Bless Us All.

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

#12

Sunburst likes this.
Nov 5, 2017 #13

Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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PushpavalliSrinivasan said: ↑

Dear Mr Thyagarajan,
Amazing talent you got in describing all the minute details. We can visuvalize the scene before our eyes. Enjoyed reading your post,
PS
Click to expand...

I am Glad sister that you could enjoy envisioning the scene & thanks for compliments. The early morning MARGHAZHI scene remains incomplete with no mention of ladies and young girls and in rare cases few men found busy in front of their residence sweeping, splashing water and engaged in dotting the wet ground with colourful rangoli and placing centrally பூவரசம் அல்லது செம்பருத்தி பூ on cow-dung support!
2. Thanks & Regards.
God Bless Us All.

Last edited: Nov 5, 2017

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

#13
Nov 5, 2017 #14

Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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Thyagarajan said: ↑

3M – Me, Mom & Milk

It was Thillana Friday Night during Tamil month Marghayzhi (Dec-Jan) - concluding part of the Arengetram reaching its crescendo at Woodlands' lawn. Preceding this, moon-lit open air auditorium was reverberating with applause from invitees as the chief guest was garlanded who spoke showering platitudes on the Guru of my dancing sister.

When we were about to board the pick-up-van, I saw mom clutching her stomach indicating onset of her monthly resting period. When she complained of her full-moon-triggered migraine head-ache, I understood the following week-end going to be hectic and it would begin collecting milk from vendor at around 5 A.M. It was during when city never heard of bottled or pouch-filled milk .

It was 11 o'clock, When the van had reached us home in a small tenement proximate to beach known for its numerous temples, narrow by-lanes, and squalid dwellings with multiple tenants, bovines and mosquitoes.

When I was attending seventh standard, my beloved mother had trained me in all aspects of household work. It came handy especially when she was suffering from migraine during those three days. I used to invariably manage single handed. It was effortless because of practise; and sister being younger and was spotted for award of scholarship for learning Bharatanatyam and apple of my eye, I seldom sought her help even though she offered. Week-ends, escorting her to dance class was used to be my priority and that helped as an onlooker to pick-up bit of dancing.

So, the following day, I woke up at half past four to the alarm from west-end timepiece. Lazily I got up, pushed aside the cotton-mosquito-net and began tottering in dark, a tad carefully, not to trip over sleeping mother and sister on the floor. After arresting the alarm, I picked up the dedicated milk-container (pal thooku in Tamil) and ambled toward the entrance, when beloved mother in her cracked tone, muttered to tread carefully.

I reached through cold misty dull-lit barren wide road to a bright-lit-shop in a dung filled dark lane; few men and a lady already gathered around a long broad wooden bench there.

On seeing my presence from a distance, stocky Govalu rushed up. He was attired in colourful chequered lungi, white shirt with his head sporting a mundasu (a make-shift head gear made of long cotton material twisted along its length) and his ear-lobes donning golden studs. Readying for action, Govalu by sleight of his hand twirled above his head in air, a slim tall shining cylindrical container - a gesture to establish that container is empty.

To mitigate Lakumi’s sorrow due to separation from her male calf that had expired a few days ago and to overcome possibly her poor lactation, Govalu had been bringing a dummy calf along; and while milking her, he used to keep it positioned so that it is in her view. This particular day he forgot to bring the dummy. Lifting the hem of lungi with his foot and hands, he folded it upwards above his half-pant and knotted it at his front. He sat awkwardly by the side of the cow holding obliquely top of the brass container between his knees beneath her udder.

Distant rays from an incandescent lamp reflected in the large eyes of the Lakumi which were tear fully looking at lose heap of hay on the floor. The dark long lengthy shaky shadow of her cast on the floor and dummy calf conspicuous by its absence were foreboding approaching pandemonium.

As he gently worked on her oiled teats between his thumb and index fingers of both hands, those at earshot invariably pleased as they could hear the jet of milk impacting on the inner wall of the container between his knees. That was precisely the moment, the stationary Lakumi seemed annoyed.

The cow noticed absence of calf and in dither. She ignored the hay in front, moved tad slowly back and forth and with hoof of her hind left leg, gave a sharp kick on the face of Govalu who fell away on his back. The container fell out of his knees and rolled, jerking out copious water which instantly turned into rivulets on the floor.

Lakumi now seemed a picture of aplomb, seemingly satisfied with double whammy that she had precisely awarded to her master for cheating her with dummy calf and the customers with adulterated milk. She then went about chewing the cold hay, while Govalu was twitching his cheek, limping due to bruises on his solar plexus. The tintinnabulation from a small metal bell tied to a black woollen cord around Lakumi’s neck was perhaps soothing injured Govalu & and me too!
Click to expand...

@stayblessed Thank you for viewing my thread. Shall be glad to receive your feedback.
Regards. God Bless Us All.

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

#14
Nov 5, 2017 #15

Cheeniya Super Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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Dear Thyagu
I have been writing for well over ten years in IL but I am yet to produce something as classy as this!
Way to go!
Sri

Cheeniya, Nov 5, 2017

Cheeniya, Nov 5, 2017

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Nov 5, 2017 #16

Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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Thyagarajan said: ↑

3M – Me, Mom & Milk

It was Thillana Friday Night during Tamil month Marghayzhi (Dec-Jan) - concluding part of the Arengetram reaching its crescendo at Woodlands' lawn. Preceding this, moon-lit open air auditorium was reverberating with applause from invitees as the chief guest was garlanded who spoke showering platitudes on the Guru of my dancing sister.

When we were about to board the pick-up-van, I saw mom clutching her stomach indicating onset of her monthly resting period. When she complained of her full-moon-triggered migraine head-ache, I understood the following week-end going to be hectic and it would begin collecting milk from vendor at around 5 A.M. It was during when city never heard of bottled or pouch-filled milk .

It was 11 o'clock, When the van had reached us home in a small tenement proximate to beach known for its numerous temples, narrow by-lanes, and squalid dwellings with multiple tenants, bovines and mosquitoes.

When I was attending seventh standard, my beloved mother had trained me in all aspects of household work. It came handy especially when she was suffering from migraine during those three days. I used to invariably manage single handed. It was effortless because of practise; and sister being younger and was spotted for award of scholarship for learning Bharatanatyam and apple of my eye, I seldom sought her help even though she offered. Week-ends, escorting her to dance class was used to be my priority and that helped as an onlooker to pick-up bit of dancing.

So, the following day, I woke up at half past four to the alarm from west-end timepiece. Lazily I got up, pushed aside the cotton-mosquito-net and began tottering in dark, a tad carefully, not to trip over sleeping mother and sister on the floor. After arresting the alarm, I picked up the dedicated milk-container (pal thooku in Tamil) and ambled toward the entrance, when beloved mother in her cracked tone, muttered to tread carefully.

I reached through cold misty dull-lit barren wide road to a bright-lit-shop in a dung filled dark lane; few men and a lady already gathered around a long broad wooden bench there.

On seeing my presence from a distance, stocky Govalu rushed up. He was attired in colourful chequered lungi, white shirt with his head sporting a mundasu (a make-shift head gear made of long cotton material twisted along its length) and his ear-lobes donning golden studs. Readying for action, Govalu by sleight of his hand twirled above his head in air, a slim tall shining cylindrical container - a gesture to establish that container is empty.

To mitigate Lakumi’s sorrow due to separation from her male calf that had expired a few days ago and to overcome possibly her poor lactation, Govalu had been bringing a dummy calf along; and while milking her, he used to keep it positioned so that it is in her view. This particular day he forgot to bring the dummy. Lifting the hem of lungi with his foot and hands, he folded it upwards above his half-pant and knotted it at his front. He sat awkwardly by the side of the cow holding obliquely top of the brass container between his knees beneath her udder.

Distant rays from an incandescent lamp reflected in the large eyes of the Lakumi which were tear fully looking at lose heap of hay on the floor. The dark long lengthy shaky shadow of her cast on the floor and dummy calf conspicuous by its absence were foreboding approaching pandemonium.

As he gently worked on her oiled teats between his thumb and index fingers of both hands, those at earshot invariably pleased as they could hear the jet of milk impacting on the inner wall of the container between his knees. That was precisely the moment, the stationary Lakumi seemed annoyed.

The cow noticed absence of calf and in dither. She ignored the hay in front, moved tad slowly back and forth and with hoof of her hind left leg, gave a sharp kick on the face of Govalu who fell away on his back. The container fell out of his knees and rolled, jerking out copious water which instantly turned into rivulets on the floor.

Lakumi now seemed a picture of aplomb, seemingly satisfied with double whammy that she had precisely awarded to her master for cheating her with dummy calf and the customers with adulterated milk. She then went about chewing the cold hay, while Govalu was twitching his cheek, limping due to bruises on his solar plexus. The tintinnabulation from a small metal bell tied to a black woollen cord around Lakumi’s neck was perhaps soothing injured Govalu & and me too!
Click to expand...

@stayblessed Thank you for viewing the thread. Shall be grateful for your considered opinion on this anecdote and feedback taking into account comments of others till now. Regards. GodBless Us All.

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

#16
Nov 5, 2017 #17

Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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Cheeniya said: ↑

Dear Thyagu
I have been writing for well over ten years in IL but I am yet to produce something as classy as this!
Way to go!
Sri
Click to expand...

As I read your above response, Multiple emotions crossed my mind. First is the feeling that I am blessed by own brother. Second emotion is the experience of alloyed happiness with tinge of sadness. I enjoyed your unique writings on matters of serious concern that has social side to it coupled with humour.
2. In one sentence you have said it all and trust you had thoroughly enjoyed the thread which impelled you to write in such a manner that it had welled up my eyes!
3. Thank you from bottom of my heart.
With reverence your younger bro.

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

#17
Nov 5, 2017 #18

Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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Thyagarajan said: ↑

3M – Me, Mom & Milk

It was Thillana Friday Night during Tamil month Marghayzhi (Dec-Jan) - concluding part of the Arengetram reaching its crescendo at Woodlands' lawn. Preceding this, moon-lit open air auditorium was reverberating with applause from invitees as the chief guest was garlanded who spoke showering platitudes on the Guru of my dancing sister.

When we were about to board the pick-up-van, I saw mom clutching her stomach indicating onset of her monthly resting period. When she complained of her full-moon-triggered migraine head-ache, I understood the following week-end going to be hectic and it would begin collecting milk from vendor at around 5 A.M. It was during when city never heard of bottled or pouch-filled milk .

It was 11 o'clock, When the van had reached us home in a small tenement proximate to beach known for its numerous temples, narrow by-lanes, and squalid dwellings with multiple tenants, bovines and mosquitoes.

When I was attending seventh standard, my beloved mother had trained me in all aspects of household work. It came handy especially when she was suffering from migraine during those three days. I used to invariably manage single handed. It was effortless because of practise; and sister being younger and was spotted for award of scholarship for learning Bharatanatyam and apple of my eye, I seldom sought her help even though she offered. Week-ends, escorting her to dance class was used to be my priority and that helped as an onlooker to pick-up bit of dancing.

So, the following day, I woke up at half past four to the alarm from west-end timepiece. Lazily I got up, pushed aside the cotton-mosquito-net and began tottering in dark, a tad carefully, not to trip over sleeping mother and sister on the floor. After arresting the alarm, I picked up the dedicated milk-container (pal thooku in Tamil) and ambled toward the entrance, when beloved mother in her cracked tone, muttered to tread carefully.

I reached through cold misty dull-lit barren wide road to a bright-lit-shop in a dung filled dark lane; few men and a lady already gathered around a long broad wooden bench there.

On seeing my presence from a distance, stocky Govalu rushed up. He was attired in colourful chequered lungi, white shirt with his head sporting a mundasu (a make-shift head gear made of long cotton material twisted along its length) and his ear-lobes donning golden studs. Readying for action, Govalu by sleight of his hand twirled above his head in air, a slim tall shining cylindrical container - a gesture to establish that container is empty.

To mitigate Lakumi’s sorrow due to separation from her male calf that had expired a few days ago and to overcome possibly her poor lactation, Govalu had been bringing a dummy calf along; and while milking her, he used to keep it positioned so that it is in her view. This particular day he forgot to bring the dummy. Lifting the hem of lungi with his foot and hands, he folded it upwards above his half-pant and knotted it at his front. He sat awkwardly by the side of the cow holding obliquely top of the brass container between his knees beneath her udder.

Distant rays from an incandescent lamp reflected in the large eyes of the Lakumi which were tear fully looking at lose heap of hay on the floor. The dark long lengthy shaky shadow of her cast on the floor and dummy calf conspicuous by its absence were foreboding approaching pandemonium.

As he gently worked on her oiled teats between his thumb and index fingers of both hands, those at earshot invariably pleased as they could hear the jet of milk impacting on the inner wall of the container between his knees. That was precisely the moment, the stationary Lakumi seemed annoyed.

The cow noticed absence of calf and in dither. She ignored the hay in front, moved tad slowly back and forth and with hoof of her hind left leg, gave a sharp kick on the face of Govalu who fell away on his back. The container fell out of his knees and rolled, jerking out copious water which instantly turned into rivulets on the floor.

Lakumi now seemed a picture of aplomb, seemingly satisfied with double whammy that she had precisely awarded to her master for cheating her with dummy calf and the customers with adulterated milk. She then went about chewing the cold hay, while Govalu was twitching his cheek, limping due to bruises on his solar plexus. The tintinnabulation from a small metal bell tied to a black woollen cord around Lakumi’s neck was perhaps soothing injured Govalu & and me too!
Click to expand...

@mushroomm I am glad, sister that you had viewed the thread; perhaps you had reserved comments but I shall be glad to view it here posted. Thanks & Regards. God Bless Us All.

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

#18
Nov 5, 2017 #19

periamma IL Hall of Fame

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@Thyagarajan wow excellent narration .you have taken us to the spot.All your posts have very natural flow.one more M writing for the Mass

Last edited: Nov 5, 2017

periamma, Nov 5, 2017

periamma, Nov 5, 2017

#19

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Nov 5, 2017 #20

Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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periamma said: ↑

@Thyagarajan wow excellent narration .you have taken us to the spot.All your posts have very natural flow.one more M writing for the Mass
Click to expand...

Thanks for granting the additional Award "M". Initially, considered thread title as "4Ms- Me, Mom, Migraine & Milk" . Then I thought of Minnesota Mines & Minerals company known popularly as 3M and decided to ride on that popular wave across IL'ites beyond the shores of India.
Regards. God Bless Us All.

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

Thyagarajan, Nov 5, 2017

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