March 2 197947 years of beautiful togetherness ❤️
Andha naal… streets ellam sandhoshathoda irundhadhu ✨
My parents’ wedding at our grandparents’ home was not just a function - it was an emotion.
Oru kovil sandhippu…
oru simple conversation…
appadiye rendu kudumbam serndhadhu.
In those days, “ponnu paakanum, yosikanum” nu romba kashtam illai…
Hearts were pure, decisions were simple, and blessings were strong. 💛
Especially my kollu Patti’s presence made that day even more special.
Those who missed the wedding still say, “Appo vandhirundha, Patti-ah paathirukkalam…”(my mom used to say this her patti loved her so much)
Today, while celebrating Amma & Appa’s 48th Wedding Anniversary,
I remember both my grandparents with love and gratitude.Avanga aasirvadham dhaan innum namma kudumbathukku balam. 🙏
Happy Wedding Anniversary Amma & Appa 💐
Ungaloda anbu, porumai, puridhal -engalukku oru vazhkai paadam. ❤️
my old post Poetical rhymes- about my parents in tamil
On this day sharing few memories with my Paternal and maternal grandparents.
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| Paternal Grandparents- Maternal Grandparents |
Maternal grandparents
Unjal Memories with My Manakkal Thatha
My Thatha took us across the country on magical train rides - not on real tracks, but on the unjal in my Manakkal thatha home ( from childhood me and my sisters refer them that way). Earlier days there was big pattasalai(hall) with the oonjal in the corner. The ceiling felt so high, and the whole hall echoed with our laughter. He would swing his grandchildren with so much joy, as though he were the engine driver and station master, proudly blowing the whistle to signal every stop. In our little world, he was both.Thatha would push us higher and higher, almost close to the ceiling fan, while we screamed with joy.
From his thoppu, he would bring us bananas, mangoes, and jackfruit - gifts filled with love more than sweetness. Every day, he travelled on his bicycle, simple and disciplined and every night, he enjoyed his favorite paal sadam with quiet contentment.
My grandfather and grandmother were truly made for each other. They did not speak much, yet their understanding was deep and beautiful. I remember one particular moment - my Patti, who often fasted for various Gods, would not eat until she finished her pooja, and sometimes she fasted the entire day. Once, while fasting, she told me, “See, your Thatha will ask if I have eaten today.” And just as she said, he gently asked, “Sundari, saptiya?” I stood there in wonder at their silent bond.
I still cherish the day I received appreciation from Thatha for making rasam when he visited our home. Amma and Patti had gone out, so I prepared it myself. His words of praise meant the world to me.
Manakkal Patti
From my Patti - my Sloka chanting queen - I was blessed to learn sacred hymns like the Hanuman Chalisa, Lalitha Sahasranama, soundarya lahari and Vishnu Sahasranama, along with many short slokas. Chanting with her is one of the greatest blessings of my childhood. I feel especially grateful that we were able to organize Lalitha Sahasranama and Vishnu Sahasranama parayanam in our home on our wedding day - a tribute to the values she instilled in us.
After her marriage, she wore madisar and travelled everywhere in it with dignity and grace. She was a bold and strong woman.
Pooja room would look so divine and those vibes are not there now.She used to recite slokas when she cook food.She would draw a large Hanuman on chart paper and carefully write “Sree Ramajeyam” to fill the entire picture. I have chanted Hanuman chalisa 100 times for my patti prepared prasadam for puja when they sold their farm land.
We once celebrated Patti’s birthday with a cake-cutting ,sponsored lovingly by Thatha. My cousins and I excitedly went shopping for her gift. After much confusion about what to buy, we chose a beautiful brass flower-keeping urli. Though we didn’t have a camera to capture those moments, they remain clearly etched in my heart.
During Margazhi month, we woke up early to chant Thirupavai and Thiruvenbavai. The taste of hot pongal served on mantharai leaves still lingers in my memory.
Patti’s cooking was unmatched -especially her snake gourd kootu. No one could ever recreate that taste. She even tried new recipes from Mangayar Malar magazine, always eager to learn and experiment.
Paternal Grandparents
My Thatha was not just my grandfather. He was my protector, my teacher, my biggest blessing. A true gem in our family.
Every single day of his life began with chanting Bhagavan namas. Before the sun rose, before the world became busy, his voice would softly fill our home. That sound was my childhood’s peace. It felt like the house itself was protected by his prayers. Even today, when I think of devotion, I see him sitting calmly, eyes closed, chanting with complete faith.
I am so proud to say that I was his favorite granddaughter. My parents still tell me about a moment that shows how deeply he loved me. Once, someone asked him if they could take me to their home. Without hesitation, he said he would not give me away — not even for crores of money. To him, I was beyond value. That kind of love is rare and unconditional.
During our childhood days, he would buy us watch mittai and small treats. But what made him special was that he never bought things only for us. Whatever he purchased, he made sure every child playing on our street received something. He believed happiness should be shared. No child around him ever felt left out.
The Golu doll I purchased now is in his memory. It reminds me of those Navaratri days filled with laughter, sweets, bhajans, and togetherness. It reminds me of him.See my old post Navarathri Golu Memories_ Over the years!!
Diwali was always special in our house. My mother would dress all of us grandly for every function. But for me, Diwali had an extra layer of love because I was scared of bursting crackers. Instead of laughing at my fear, Thatha carefully made a customized kambi mathappu holder so I could safely light sparklers. That small handmade holder was his way of saying, “I am here, don’t be afraid.” That was his love , protective and thoughtful.
Music flowed in his heart. He sang beautiful bhajans while playing the harmonium. His voice carried devotion and peace. He once wished to buy an updated harmonium, but it never happened. Yet he never complained. He sang with what he had. His bhajans did not need anything modern -they came straight from his soul.
When we celebrated my elder sister’s first coming-of-age function, he lovingly teased, “If you are doing this much now, how much will you do for their marriages?” Today, with his blessings, all of us are married and settled in life. His words feel like blessings that became reality.
Then came the day I will never forget.
It was my Grade 7 half-yearly Maths exam. That morning, before leaving for school, I went to him for blessings as usual. Even though he was not well, he still asked about my exam. In his loving way, he questioned me with a few Maths sums. Teaching us, testing us - that was how he showed care.
But that day, his speech was not clear. His words were slow and faint. I tried my best to understand and answer him properly. He blessed me.
I did not know that would be the last time he would speak to me.
That was the first death I ever witnessed in my life. Until then, death was just a word. That day, it became real. The house felt silent in a way it never had before. Something inside me changed. Childhood innocence quietly faded.
He left this world after blessing me for my exam. And I truly believe those blessings are still with me - not just in exams, but in every test life gives me.
Coffee was his all-time favorite. It was his simple joy. Even when he breathed his last, he asked for coffee. That was him -simple, grounded, content till the very end.
If he sees my coffee post He would jump out of joy for sure.
Coffee Purana ☕
He taught me devotion without forcing it.
He taught me generosity without announcing it.
He taught me love without conditions.
My Thatha may not be physically here, but his chants still echo in my mornings, his bhajans still play in my heart, and his blessings still guide my path.
He was my first experience of love so pure.
And my first experience of loss so deep.
Forever his proud and blessed granddaughter. 🤍
About my pattiamma
Patti patti engal patti akila patti!!!
Akila patti romba romba super patti!!!
Visit my old blog post about her
These are only a few of the countless memories from my childhood. Every moment with my Thatha and Patti was filled with love, devotion, simplicity, and warmth treasures I will carry in my heart forever.
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