‘Kannagi! Stop hiding behind the window and peeping out at the street. What will people think?’
That was Mother calling from her kitchen. She cared what people thought, lived for people and for their approval.
‘I’m waiting for Kovalan.’
‘You’re spending too much time with that boy. Father already had words with me.’
Mother was the one spending too much time in the kitchen; not to cook, but to harass the poor servants.
‘Are we not promised in marriage?’
‘Stop being vulgar, and remember, too much honey will bring forth the sour.’
What was she prattling about? I ate honey day and night, and it did not turn sour. But I chose not to pursue the matter. Instead, I ventured into her area of expertise—cooking.
‘What’s for lunch?’
‘All six tastes,’ said Mother from somewhere in the deep kitchen.
I heard her instructing the harried cooks. Mother enjoyed ruling her kitchen: a vast square with a row of wood-fired stoves lined one wall, high shelves stacked with silver pots and pans against another wall, and a dozen earthen-ware barrels of water along a third wall. The cooks and their assistants sat on the floor where they cut and shredded vegetables, and ground spices—thudding pestle in mortars, and grating rolling stones over granite slabs. The smells that wafted out of the kitchen and filled the house alternated from fragrant to sharp, depending on the spice and sting of the chilli.
‘Whose birthday is it?’ I called out.
‘Birthday? Don’t remind me of birthdays, silly.’
Mother was the silly one in the family. Chinnamma said by ignoring her birthdays, Mother hoped to remain young.
‘I’ll tell Father you called me silly.’
‘Go ahead, I am unafraid,’ shouted back Mother. ‘And come and help me.’
‘Yes, you are afraid of Father. What’s more, you’ve more servants than the king has soldiers. What do you need with me?’
‘Stop being an impudent gabby and come here and taste the dessert.’
‘What’s for dessert?’ I called back, my eyes remaining on the street.
‘Payasam,’ she said, ‘and tell me whether the sweetness and texture is right.’
Mother thought she was clever, poor woman, trying to bribe me with the sweet porridge dessert.
‘Your payasam is the best in all of Puhar, Mother, always.’
‘Really, you think so?’
That was Mother, easy to bait. She also spent hours preening before the mirror—poor mirror. And when she prayed, she made sure people saw. Her prayers were complete only with an audience.
‘Do you really think my payasam is the best?’ And she always required affirmation.
Mother did not know I had seen Kovalan approaching the house. And I was already tip-toeing to the door. I heard her calling.
‘Kannagi! Kannagi! You think so?’
Poor Mother. I left her seeking affirmation from an empty living room.
Copyright @ Eric Alagan, 2018
Song of the Ankle Rings, an adaptation of Silappatikaram
Continued on Friday: Father’s fierce Love
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I think mothers, Indian wala or others, always love to hear their cooking praised. So realistic.
I agree, Indira.
I think everyone who cooks, love to hear good feedback.
Last year, I visited my daughter’s family in Australia. She was expecting her second child and Lisa and I took turns to go down to help. I learned to cook – had to learn – and secretly looked forward to compliments from my daughter and son-in-law. LOL.
If you wish, you can read about it here > https://wp.me/p1YE83-9wx
All good wishes,
Eric
:):):)
Eric, you seem to possess great insights into the South Indian way of life, and manage to create a very authentic feeling environment in your story.
Wow!
I love this encouragement. Makes it all worthwhile, dear Ankur.
Thank you, my friend,
Eric
Authentic as usual Eric. I see it all played out in my head having seen similar in reality. 🙂
Hello Ian,
I believe you’ve witnessed this in life – personal and also among your Indian-wallahs 🙂
Looking back, it’s quite funny. 🙂
Cheers!
Eric
The family picture is expanding! I am ready to hear more.
Hello Ina,
On Friday you meet Kannagi’s father and witness more of her antics.
Happy New Year 🙂
Eric
I can imagine with the rich and large household, the kitchen will constantly be wafted with tantalizing smell of cooking. Every meal is a wide spread of dishes. Of course, most mothers think that without them taking charge, nothing will happen.
You really brought out the joy and vibrancy of the family. Lucky Kannagi!
Hello Windy,
In ancient India, women played a key role managing the household and especially the kitchen and the servants. They also handled the family (non-business) finances.
Thank you for your visit and comment,
Eric
wow….great writing.I love the story.i must catch up on your previous blog posts…
Hello and welcome aboard,
First comment here, I see.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story.
All good wishes ahead,
Eric