A Ceremony At Tasfaye's House In Etiopia

Lovely duo dancing with joy

Preparation for feast was going since four days right in front of my house. Ladies were busy cutting onions, baking bread, making spices, gentlemen in slaughtering sheep, cow and cocks. I thought some marriage preparation was going on.

On the D-day guests started arriving from morning. It was hot summer day. Mediterranean sun was blazing down on earth. Men were sweating under the suit and tie and ladies in their traditional dress complete with head gear and stylish hairstyle and wigs. I thought how nice I will be able to witness and photograph an Ethiopian wedding.

Guests arriving 

Big huge table was decked up for laying the feast. beef cooked in different style, Sheep meat, chicken. rice, biscuits, kebabs and much more was on the table.

Last minute checking if all has been layed on table

Food covered and well gaurded

All Ethioian delicacies layed for feast

Beef and other savories with rice 

Injera

Ethiopian Pita bread

 Tent was raised and decorated with flowers and leaves. As it is the tradition in Ethiopia green grass was spread on the path way. Oh!  is the groom is going to walk green carpet? I could sense the excitement in the air, then suddenly almost after two hours delay a car starts honking the horn indicating the arrival of the man of the day.

The tent raised for ceremony

All ready to Welcome Kiya Tesfaye

The car stops in front of the house and ladies start making ululating sound (Alalta in Amharic) to cheer and welcome the much awaited person of the day. He alights from the car cheered with louder ululation. NO! It is not groom surely for he was not in groom attire, but was dressed in black gown and cap and a roll of paper duly tied with red ribbon his hand. 

Proud Mom, Dad, Sis and Aunt with Kiya

Though utterly confused I kept on clicking the pictures. Much hugging, shedding tears of happiness and he is led inside the tent, with sofa set for the man of the day and his friend, benches for parent relatives and guests. 

Kiya with friends

Hesitatingly I asked what exactly the occasion is? To my surprise I was told by proud father that his son Kiya is coming back after completing his B.E thus Graduation Ceremony!! We are welcoming Kiya after his successful completion of bachelor’s course and bringing the degree. His answers not only made me understand that how much importance  education and graduation is given in Ethiopia but also my mistake of taking it to be marriage ceremony.

What I was witnessing and photographing was not wedding but a party for Kiya. The  great graduation ceremony.

Guest waithing to congratulate Kiya

Wiping the forehead with the palm and then giving gift to the graduated boy with the sweaty hands was the high light of the day. Suit and tie on the top of that graduation gown and cap was making Kiya face red and body itchy as if he has touched an ivy plant. Yet he was unwilling to let go of the graduation regalia (after all he has become a bachelor! with a degree now). Tables were decked up for laying the feast and people were eyeing the tables  eagerly waiting for the cover to be removed.

Gift given now next step of feasting has to start fast before all Coca-Cola is gulped down to overcome the discomfort of heat trapped in the suit and hunger pangs in the stomach.

Dr. Tasfaye called me aside and shows me the fully laid table. What a gorgeous spread it was! With chicken, sheep and beef meat cooked in different ways. Injera, Dabbo and Pitta made at home, Rice and vegetables. Blasphemy how could I forget the Biscuits and chips and cookies. Beer and more Coco-cola was waiting to wash down the throat the sumptuous spread. I clicked some pictures and excused myself after wishing the Man of the day and his parents, as I did not want to intrude upon their party.

I had just now witnessed the Ethiopian graduation ceremony. 

In the night there was dancing with lovely Ethiopian music. Myself and my husband were curiously looking when we were again invited inside the tent and we danced along with them. What open hearted and nice people they are. We thoroughly enjoyed with you all Tasfaye family.

Lovely duo dancing with joy

I also joined them

Thank you Dr. and Mrs Tasfaye for inviting us and allowing me to click pictures of your private function and putting them in blog.

मेरा नटखट वीर /Mera natkhat Vir

मेरा नटखट वीर 

बिस्तरा खाली हैं,
वीर आज यहां नहीं है ,
हर चीज जगह पर मिल रही है ,
पर मन विचलित है ,
वीर आज यहाँ नहीं है।

आज तो मेरे कमरे की खिड़की भी उदास है,
क्यों कि वीर आज यहाँ नहीं है।

वो भागना , मचलना,
वो किलकारी मार कर हँसना,
वो नटखट शरारतें,
वो दूध के दांत दिखा कर तिरछी मुस्कराहट ,
वो अपने कंबल को लपेटकर सोना,
वो प्यारी सी भोली सी सूरत ,
हर पल याद आती है ,
आज मुझे नींद नहीं आती है।

तू यूँ ही मुस्कराते रहना,
मेरी उम्र तुझे लग जाये,
तू चिरंजीवी रहना,
केवल एक बात याद रखना,
तेरी नानी तुझे बहुत प्यार करती है ,
हर दम तुझे याद करती है ,
मेरे वीर तू किधर है,
जल्दी आ जा तेरी जगह बिस्तर में खाली है ,
मेरे वीर आज मन विचलित है,
तू आ जा,
आ ना जल्दी से आ जा ना,
तेरी नानी बुलाती है।
जल्दी से आ, गले लग जा ना।

💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
प्यार सहित तेरी नानी। 

One Eclipse Day

Anxious wait For Juicy bits

Watching the birds fly in a formation eager to reach home before it is completely dark was a thought provoking scene as they were in hurry to reach their nest and it was not night yet. It was just that dark clouds had gathered in the sky and everything seemed gloomy and dark.

The earth was slowly shadowing the mighty sun and the light became lesser and lesser. Were the birds experiencing some confusion? They had suddenly stopped midway of collecting worms and grains and were returning home empty stomach. Worry writ large on their sad eyes, Oh! God how could we miscalculate? How and what are we going to feed out little ones?

The flock reached home, went to their nests and the hungry mouth opened in every corner of the nest. The little ones started flapping their tiny wings and cooing with expectation of soft juicy worm. Then finding none they started making strange noise. What a sad sound it was. The birds started spreading their large wings over the little birdies and all was quiet.

The silence between the babies and mother bird was deafening and to me they seemed to be communicating silently. What were they saying to their little ones? Baby we played and frolicked for so long that we could not collect the food? They made a painful sight with drooping neck, loose wings and sad eyes. 

I spread some grains outside wishing that the birds will come and take them for their little ones. But then how can they leave their nest when it is dark? With dinner to be cooked all was forgotten till I went out to watch the spectacular sight of total solar eclipse. 

The sun getting completely covered by the shadow of earth and the diamond shining in full glow was a view for all of us to enjoy and marvel at the life time experience. None had the time to dwell on the plight of the birds, flapping their wings in despair, babies in the nest looking at parents with hope and hunger. 

Children in the house started clapping, startling the birds and the birds started making noise in utter confusion. Why is such a noise being made by these human? At least let us sleep, with hunger in our belly sleepless night seems longer. Please let our babies sleep else they will crave for food which we did not bring. Please stop making noise when night has fallen and it is dark. Let our babies sleep.

 Then the sun slowly emerged from the grip of earth and the brightness spread everywhere.

Oh! How can it be?  Why our body clock has gone so bad why is it that we are being punished? We were not harming Gods creature, just picking soft worms for our babies. They are small and require soft food. Oh God forgive we will not pick more than what our babies require. Thus with the babies welfare in their heart they flew again to gather food.

Such simple, harmless creature these avian are. They are nature, a part of nature. Do not harm them. They in their own way contribute to preserving the bounty of God. They live in harmony with their surroundings.

Save them by saving their habitats. Save the nature for yourself and for the coming generations.

Sun And Moon

This is not a perfect poem but expression of my feeling for my Grandson born on 3rd December 2012

My Darling Grandson Vir Sinha

Sun And Moon

I was listening quietly to the conversation between, 
Moon and earth,

For I was trying to make,

My restless Sweetie sleep. 

The mighty earth, 

worried thinking loudly,

Oh why why, 

The Sun seemed paler in the day,

The moon red in the night,

I wondered Oh! Why is it so,

Are there clouds,

Or it is my imagination?

The sun looked red in the morn and eve,

The setting sun looked ready to bleed,

Why is it so,

I wondered.

Earth asked the Sun, 

Oh dear our light giver, Our savior,

Why are you so red when you are coming and going,

And so pale when you are passing by?

The sun in the west got more and more red,

Red with Anger, listening to my words, 

Reason I did not know.

Then earth asked the Moon,

Oh dear what’s wrong,

Why Sun looks so pale and you so red,
When you both pass by me,

Please tell me why Sun is angry,

As he would not talk to me.

Oh Moon you are so calm and quiet,

Why you started looking so red,

What have I done Oh! Please tell me,

Do not be angry with me.

I pleaded and pleaded.

Moon said how can I get angry with you?

Oh earth mightier than me.

I go round and round you just to please you,

Oh! Earth I am grateful,

To you for taking me with you.

But how can you do this to sun?

He gives you light and heat,

Without Sun what, 

You would do indeed. 

Earth was scared!

What happened it knew nothing,

How did I displease the Mighty Sun?

Please tell what happened,

I pleaded and pleaded.

The moon took pity, 

This is what he said to earth. 

You ignored him for a child,

He who looks brighter than him,

His face glows more than him, 

People look at him and say,

His face radiated brighter than Sun,

People around this Son, 

Forget the Sun ,

He who is life of all thee. 

If the Sun gets angrier and stops shining,

What will I do?

I will die of hunger and cold too,

I get my food from him, 
The thought of it, 

Majes me go red too.

Oh! Now I knew! 

Why my baby was'nt sleeping,

The sun and moon were jealous of him,

Their red faces was troubling him.

So I shooed away the sun and moon,

Forbade them from being jealous of him,

He is my Moon he is my Sun. 

Then I pleased them by words,

Who can forget you two so soon !

Let him take rest and sleep,

Your jealousy is making him cry,

Let him have his sleep,
Oh do not envy him, 

I pleaded and pleaded with them.

The Sun and Moon, 

Smiled at earth and said,

Be not afraid,

We are not going to vanish away,

Thus they bade fare well, 

Till the next day.

My baby slept,

Smiled in the sleep,

The most beautiful and naughtiest smile, 
I have ever seen.

I did'nt have to sing lullaby again,

The sun and moon, 

had blessed him.


To Dear Vir with love from Naani. 

Life Is Beautiful

Life is beautiful                                              

Life is beautiful,

Live it to the fullest.

Life is beautiful,

Enjoy it till you can.

Life is beautiful,

Make it beautiful for others.

Well I know life is beautiful,

I had my flock with me,

Green pastures and cozy enclosure,

Now when I am hanging upside down,

Staring at the big bulging abdomen,

I say to myself,

Is life beautiful?

Blood is rushing in my head,

And they are saying,

Life is beautiful.

I am waiting with baited breath,

They circle me inspecting,

I think indeed life is beautiful,

Oh My! Yes life is beautiful,

They are going to cut the rope and set me free,

I promise myself to thank almighty,

When I am back,

In my pasture with my parents.

Oh! They are calling me,

Come home baby it is dusk,

Come home before it is dark,

Oh mama you are there for me,

Life  indeed is beautiful.

Then he came,

With that shiny thing and now I know,

I am staring at my death,

I call out to them,

What wrong have I done?

They all laugh,

As if they understand what I say.

For them it is mere bleating.

Stop Oh stop do not say again,

Life is beautiful.

Then a voice from somewhere calls me and says,

Life indeed is beautiful,

Have you forgotten the green pastures?

The independence,

The love of parents,

The luxury of being alive,

It is death you are finding painful.

Death and life are nothing but illusions,

We either enjoy or suffer,

As we perceive,

So do not fear, be bold.

When they slit your throat,

Say today it is your day,

I will have mine.

All you men answer truthfully,

Can you face your death as bravely as me?

No, I know you can’t,

Because you are human and I am sheep.

My Heart Aches For You

Association of 5 years with you and you became an extension of my family. I could not even phantom being with any other person than you during the time of need. You had given me which all other had refused to even consider, my first child.

While I was unable to hold my first child and had a very difficult pregnancy the second one seemed to feel too cozy in the air-conditioned room which he did not have to share with anybody else. Yes I am speaking of womb which he simply did not want to leave. 

Pregnancy got extended by 15 days curtsey the unwillingness of my baby to venture into new world. Doctors were eager to get the baby out in our world from his protected cocoon. But then what luck! You had to attend a religious function the night they decided to force my baby to see the world outside. I, who was liked by the doctors as a wonderful patient, became adamant and said no to be as much as touched by any other doctor than you. 

What a pain in the neck you are you said in mock anger. If I die just now you will not deliver the baby? 

The answer was an emphatic no. No not in your absence and that also when my baby also says so, I said with a grin. 

You always had patient’s welfare in heart. For you, your profession was your religion, patients God and their welfare worship. Rest of the doctors suggested caesarian delivery but you did not agree and instead of injecting me with hormones for initiating the pains you sat quietly next to me saying your prayers and mockingly cursing me for making you miss the function. 

0200hrs. pain started and 0230hrs. I delivered a healthy son. All credit goes to your prayers, dedication and patience. 

You laughed and said ‘Thank God I was sitting here, else the Son would not have risen, because this stupid mother would have forced him to remain in darkness for God knows how long’.

You are God mother of my both Kids.

You were old but energetic.Your smile was infectious. Like a fresh breeze of air you would enter into patient’s room and put your magic wand (hand) on them. You were God’s incarnation for them.

Your death came as a blow to me. I could not bear to be in the same hospital without you, so changed my hospital. God bless your soul.

 I have an equally dedicated, loving and expert gynecologist Dr. Anuradha Wakankar. But nobody can take your place in my heart. 

You brought joy in my life and I know where ever you are now you must be doing the same for people around you.

I salute you Dr. (Mrs.) Mehta and miss you a lot.

The Night I became Young Again

What would have I not given to turn the wheel of time by 30 years, amend the mistake of sacrificing my career, so that I would have been me, not daughter, wife, mother of so and so. Time has changed me so much that from being a jovial friendly person I had turned to a loner and recluse. What I used to see in the mirror was not what had visualized for myself when I was young.

My daughters and son were the pillars of my strength, but it was my daughter in-law who pushed me, cajoled me, tutored me and believe me scolded me (The youngsters of now a days , some would say), so that I do not retract to my dark lonely shell and brood over that what I cannot change. It was this time that I took to blogging.

It did bring great change in my attitude. From time pass, blogging became a full time job for me. People started recognizing me as Jyotsna. To some extent I regained my lost identity. I had my own group of fans and followers and friends. Change had set in my lonely world, yet for me things were not the same. So when my daughter in-law told me her friends were my blog fans and wanted to come home, I became jittery and had apprehension; I was totally out of touch of outside world.

Somehow I did make food which I presumed they would love and waited with baited breath. Will they like being with me? Will they like my appearance? Will they like to be with an old lady of fifty eight years? I had already started feeling eighty five rather than fifty eight.

One by one they trooped in, some alone some in pairs. A broad smile on their face, chocolate and flowers in their hands they were coming straight from their work place. The flowers were as bright and beautiful as they themselves. They spoke a language that was respectful yet very friendly and by the time I realized we were busy chatting. They had become my friends. My daughter in-law was left to do the look after my friends.

People say oh! the youngsters of now a days! They are brash, disrespectful, selfish and what not. I say we require understanding them and changing our outlook with time. Stagnation is breeds moss making the ground slippery.

 My friends were a group of bubbly, intelligent, knowledgeable nature enthusiast. Time passed so quickly that I did not realize that my daughter in-law had already laid the table.

Colorful food on the table had made the table look very inviting. Our friends did full justice to the love and hard work whit which I had cooked the food. The surprise and appreciation in their eyes was the reward. Photography done they had their fill, joked and laughed with us. I regained my lost self that night. I became young jovial self in their company. They had polished off thirty years from the age of a grandmother of two months old grandson. For me that was the best New year gift of 2013.

Thanks a lot my young friends for the lovely gift you all had given me. Thanks for reminding me that monuments are also worth visiting as ruined and weather beaten they may be.