Kula Deivam and the Act of Returning

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Kunnathur, rebuilt — familiar, and not. When I was growing up, I spent most summers with my grandparents and extended family. My maternal side was based in Pudukkottai, my paternal side in Gobichettipalayam—Gobi, for short—in Tamil Nadu. Like most families, ours has since scattered, pulled toward larger cities and better livelihoods. The structure is new. The pull is old. Back then, our visits were unremarkable in the best way. We stayed home. Visitors came and went through the day. When we were in Gobi, there was one outing we never missed: a visit to our kula deivam at Kunnathur, about twenty-five kilometers away. We would pile into a van or a bus, pack food, and set out like an informal family pilgrimage—grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, all together. My paati would make sweet pongal and offer it to Goddess Angala Parameswari, an avatar of Parvati. There were no restaurant...

From then on..

As a kid you were,
Lived life without fear,
You were filled with awe,
By things that you saw

The first time you crawl,
You are ready for a brawl,
People around you tear their hair,
That doesn't let you stop the fare

As you grow up to walk,
And you are ready to talk,
The questions that you ask,
Takes even tough people to task

Your first day at school,
Is not all that cool,
To learn, they think you are ready,
But it is not all that heady!!

You have found your best friend,
To talk about the latest trend,
School is not all that bad,
You end up telling your dad!!

Things take their course,
One find day, you are in remorse,
What is wrong, people wonder
Why did I do it? You ponder!!

You decide it is time to patch up,
Though there are others in the batch,
Its only him to whom I can go,
And he just can't be my foe!!

You are now in your teen,
And it is time to preen,
You look up and down,
To catch the stare of anyone in gown!!

You realise you have a crush,
Thoughts of her you can't brush,
It falls on another; your gaze,
The old one is now in a haze

Time to prepare for tests,
Its your fun that rests,
You work hard all night,
To score well with all might!!

You grow up to succeed,
And reflect on your past deed,
It was a lot of fun,
Now you are always on the run!!

She is my best friend; you think
You fight; Your friendship on the brink
You miss her too much,
You have fallen in love as such!!

Now, you know the difference,
That there is a huge fence,
Between infatuation and love,
And how you are truly in love now!!

New thoughts reflect your mind,
Mature they are, you find!!
As you take time to introspect,
You hope to have a bright prospect!!

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