Neelakamals

(Taken up from where I left!)
Anirudh: Had wondered if it would be a guy, or a lady using her son's name as her id( Can hear Vidhya asking," Why son, why not husband?"....Because, that's usually a younger guy's name, and younger wives would not lose their own identity, would they? Even if it is Dibutn!). Pushpa, bwtter known to you all as dibutn, asked the question that was in most of our minds, about how he got interested in kolams, a 99.99% women -oriented theme. He explained about how his mother, aunt, and later grandmother , in order to keep him out of mischief( and out of their kolams) used to give him some kola podi when they were busy with their kolams...and so the interest developed. A very nice and unassuming boy, extremely courteous and talented, for those of you with eligible daughters!
Indumathi ma'am, as has been pointed out, kolame karumamaga, karuthaga irundhargal. Her crochet like kolam on a steel plate innum kan mun nirkiradhu. She had come with a big bag, a complete kit for the dispalay of her talents....from kola podi to kuthu vilakku!
Padma's song was lively...though about advice given to a girl by her mother to keep a safe distance from guys, Anirudh appreciated it as much as we did! Reminded me of the old Cliff Richard number "Bachelor Boy" . Later Padma told me that the original was like the Cliff Richard version, but the one she sang had been changed to suit women.

Jayanthi generously brought her Journal, with so many different kinds of art work( oh, I mever got round to see Indumathi Ma'am's kolam book), and also showed us one of the ways to make a greeting card; Lakshmi simultaneously displayed her talent: neer mel and neer keezh kolams.
The best was yet to come!
After the refreshing breeze and the little whirlwind, came the Tsunami, that toppled us all off our comfortable seats! I am still not sure whose athai or mami she was , but Smt. Lakshmamma Lakshman Rao was just out of this world. Her free hand kolam will be put up for you all to see, but what about her KBS voice and song that just enthralled us? Her wit and wisdom have been missed by all of you. Hope you make her a Special Guest in the next meet, Sudha!
I cannot end this without a special mention of the men in the family, the teenagers Pawan and Vivek and the kutties running about and showing more interest in what was going on! The elder women of the family were also very friendly and helpful. The lunch was fab! A fussy eater( you won't believe that , I know!), I had decided I'd just gobble a little curd rice, provided it hadn't been garnished with onions, but there was no excuse for me to refuse anything.
An excellent arrangement, Sudha and Lakshmi, and thank you Lata, for setting the ball rolling.
Lata, I have kept my word about writing about this meet! If it has become too long or boring, well, you asked for it, remember?!
Usha