1st March 2015 – 7th March 2015 [Holi Week]

   

6^th Fri:   Busy – Busy – Busy

We are very chilled out, happy go lucky family, this word 'Busy' will exist in our life? I never thought. But I was wrong. Normally I start celebrating Holi at least 4-5 days in advance. Not with color but by pouring all kind of liquids on my children. Water – Tea – Sharbat etc. But this year we all were so occupied that Holi just knocked at our door, suddenly taking us unaware. I then realized how life has shifted its gears. How true are Avi's words, 'Last three months have vanished in blink of eye.'  But still we managed to make some samosas with Mummy as master cook. 

Akshay is 24X7 working with his better half, i.e. KK. Kashyap was busy during this week in planning his Goa trip. No, not as tourist, but as a professional movie maker. And he left for Goa in Xylo in early morning at 5.0 am. His dairy is full for next six months, inspite of his attempt in keeping himself free during first week of June, for obvious reason. 

Sharat has become a rare sight since he took up the job, currently he is revolving in his orbit of office colleagues, friends. He was supposed to come to play formal, symbolic Holi, but he did not. Muskan is not keeping well so no Holi for her, same goes for Dhwnai as she is in her special zone. Chinky – Rinky stay away, always, Megha takes her holidays seriously as sleep catch up time, Manju has maid problem for last three days, hence her vote is ‘no’ for everything.

So I am left with only one option. Play symbolic Holi by putting color ‘tikka’. I started with Mummy and Bindiya and ended with Akshay, who was very much reluctant but I managed him and splashed him with color.  

In last six decades we had gone through different phases of Holi celebrations. In 70’s we were part of big Holi celebrations in santacruz. As a child I used to play pranks and enjoy Holi. Holi of that period is still remembered warmly by all involved.

Than came a bit slack period of decade or so of Holi celebration. This period was more like a duty then fun. We would start Holi at 9 O’clock in Ghatkopar with neighbors and Bathijas, then with Daddy we will visit Munyals in Sion, my grand fathers ‘Sasural’, this will be followed by formal Holi at Dad’s ‘Sasural’ in Santacruz, as this was period of family strain in Bajaj House. 

And finally, ending my tiring day, in evening at Bandra, my ‘Sasural’, with excellent lunch prepared by Bhabhi. It will always be Dingri - Dahi Wadas - Bheeh Aloo etc, my most enjoyable Lunch even at 4-5 O'clock in evening. 

Again in late 90’s our fun Holi period started. We started going to Vadgaon plot for Holi day and picnic thrown in. This was only period when G L Dodeja full family played Holi together. Playing Holi in water filled Tank, with mud bath thrown in, eating Samosa's, Pragari was totally freaking out Holi in open 11 acres of space, in clean pollution free air,  cool air soothing nerves. During this period only missing part of Holi fun was ‘Bhang’, which we avoid now also. 

Currently we have one year of good Holi, followed by slack Holi. First few Holi's with Muskan as Dodeja were very good, celebrated at KK terrace or KK garden. Last year we had great Holi at Khandala with Mona. This must have being very first full fledged Holi with Narang's. Two years back, Kashyap’s friends landed in Pune and had good Holi celebrations laced with ‘Bhang’. We have yet to celebrate funtosh Holi with Dhawni!

I plan to start new trend in celebration of Holi in Pune. We are more than 75 First cousin dodeja’s staying in Pune, why cannot we have one day dedicated to Dodeja Party? Play big Holi at some farm house? Let youngster enjoy coloring each other, old people can see them enjoying and gossiping among themselves and have a heavy fat filled lunch? 

 Why Not?

21st April 2014 - 27th April 2014 [Shopping Week]

 

Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth,
even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you
smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day
seem bright

 

This I am going to call as shopping week.

Muskan is busy since Monday in full fledges shopping. I think she will be confused to tell from which shop she has purchased an item and for whom. I have never seen her so lost and confused. Either she is in Mumbai, doing shopping for Nandini mainly, but along with it for herself, for her Mumbai Mumma, for Arnav , or if she is in Pune, doing shopping for Mummy, Akshay and herself. Her head is filled with words like ‘Bargain is a must, buy one get three free, discount offer, latest style, this Is latest fashion.’ Mumbai shopkeepers are very smart. They offered 50% off to anyone who showed finger to them! Yes, on parliament voting day i.e. on 17^th if you showed ‘Election Tikka’ on your finger, you get 50% or Buy one, get one free offers! 

Dhwani is also busy doing window shopping with Megha for Chinky – Rinky wardrobe as they will be attaining wedding in Hydrabad. She is also planning dresses for Meeth's wedding. She is creative but has no sense of time, so I will be not surprised if she comes out with excellent dress at the end moment, telling, this dress is made from three old dresses and one accessory purchased now!  

Muskan made Mummy to call me and scold me on account of cloths. 'Immediately go and buy some decent cloths for yourself!' This was Muskan speaking through Mummy! Well I have become expert in dodging Mummy's 'guglees', so I was saved.

It was nice to see Mummy going for shopping with Muskan! Mummy is in good form now, after last week health scare. Her weakness was due to prolonged digestion problem, so doctor gave her some kind of power boaster and 10 days medicine course. All she needs to do is take care of her food selection. I am sure that Chinky will take good care, she is bit bossy, but she means well and really cares for Grand Mother. Rinky is very much emotionally attached and takes decisions based on her ‘dil’ wishes. But she is more understanding and smart.

Dhwani visited Mumbai and discussed Narang wedding shooting style, presentations, cost budget with them. There is basic conflict in perception between 21^st century working and 20^th century working, and what is amusing to see is that the age gap between two personalities is hardly few years. Let’s see what prevails.

Aayush visited us at dinner time, and during exchange of ideas, I suggested we should go and click Banaras for seven days! He lapped up the idea and was ready any time I was ready. Hope he sticks to his word.  So I have few vacations already planned in my mind, just waiting for opportunity to drop by.

Week at Banaras – Gaya for Photograhpy with Aayush, or Sanket, or Kash.

10 days Trip to Himalyas on Bullet, With Akshay – Kashyap – Sharat - Vicky

Monsoon trip to Goa – With Chillam Chilli Party

And here are some which are at brink of my mind, trying to take some shape.

A three night stay in a tent in a very ‘Viran’ place.

A rough and tough visit to Saputara in Madhya Pradesh

A visit to Kerala Back Waters with local guy as guide, floating around in leisurely pace for 7 days, eating local food, taking bath in river, snapping pictures, reading books and watching stars in night!

A action sports visit to Hrishikesh  or such other place in India! Before body starts rebelling, one must try for such activity. What ever be the consequences of such act.

As I am finishing this addition of blog, Mummy - Chinky - Rinky reached Hydrabad safe and sound to attend Sapna’s son’s wedding! 

Before I say sayonara, her is a blast from the past.

Try to identify people in this picture. Passing marks are minimum of 7 correct identifications.

 

by P G Dodeja

17th March 2014 – 23rd Mar 2014 [Holi Ke Rang]

 

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.  ~Carl Sandburg

Rang Barse……

We started from Wanwadi, ‘Aaramsee’. Akshay has started cycling towards Khandla from 6.30. So we expect him to reach his destination by 12 O’clock. In Xylo we were only 3 members and we have to make many stops in route to Khandala. Office -  Bakers Pride – Daimond Bakery – Pimple Saudagar – Medical Store – Krshna Kunj. As the topography of Pune is changing very fast, I missed one turn, this extended our driving time by 30 minutes.

 

Ready for Holi, with different hair colors!

Mona had planned this event and was highly tensed up, according to my sources.

 However, I was sure that we will all enjoy, simply because we were meeting after many years for Holi. All in all we were more then 25 souls, some carrying bad feelings, some carrying new feelings, some carrying nervous energies, some carrying holiday mood, some carrying stars in eyes and some carrying nostalgia in heart.  

Our lunch was planned at Prakash Chawla’s Bunglow. It must be more then 10 - 15 years that I got the chance to eat Lunch made by Bhabhi. She is typically Sindhi lady (though she would disagree), very good in cocking 'Kari-Chawar'. The best item she cocks still now is ‘Dahi Wada’s’ Wow. I was busy clicking pictures of new generation. Mehak – Mehar – Rohan and new member Aarti, Kunals fiance. Just as we were getting into a productive streak, lunch was announced. And I left my camera behind and attacked dinning table.

Evening was spent in clicking the newly engaged couple, Kunal & Aarti. Narang family is still joint family, living right in middle of Mumbai’s most glamorous, materialistic society. So this new edition in family will have to understand this unique position and join the family. She is showing already the strong sense of possessiveness towards Kunal. He is enjoying that extremely, happy and content. Everyone is sounding various opinion on her, and I find it very difficult to form an opinion based on brief meeting and Hi – Hello on a social meet. Extremely difficult.

Lonavala has grown into a modern township from a laid back, weekend town. All kids wanted to go out for coffee and some snacks. We started for one 'Dhaba', Sunny said, we will have to return from there as the waiting period will be more than 60 minutes! Next alternative was go to Multiplex! Lonavala today boasts of 3 screen multiplex with more than 11 different restaurants! And can you believe the ‘Cream Center’ where girls wished to eat also had waiting period of 45 minutes in a Mall! So all who were hungry have to settle for pizza – pasta -  coffee – Pav Bhaji dinner.

Holi day,started with Mahek – Mehar – Myself getting busy filling the balloons with water. Ravi soon reached Khandala for Holi. Ravi – Bhabhi – Pammy – Bindiya – Khoshboo –Mehak – Mehar – Rohan, all formed a party of DO NOT TOUCH ME. I had other ideas, but was not sure if that will be accepted or I should pester them. 

So I started without color with Mehak – Maher. I have to run after young and energetic Ravi, just to come within striking distant of ‘pitchkari’. I failed in my first attempt, he was very fast.

Holi started earnestly with throwing of Akshay – Muskan in Swimming pool.  Akshay with Muskan was in swimming pool most of time. Muskan brought her oil jar, skin cleaning solutions etc and kept applying it. Sunny and myself were busy applying color and rest were busy removing it. 

This Holi I had planned to use Bhang in big way. But, my idea of Bhang failed. Bhabhi did make separate portion of ‘Thandai’ with Bhang. I drank half glass with no reaction. Khushbo drank one full glass with no effect.

 Rest I used as Holi color. Because whom so ever I was offering, some joy killer will come and warn, ‘Do not drink this, Jiju has added Bhang in it.’ Holi continued with series of No-No by victims, followed by ‘Lepa Poti Rang Ke’, in reaction of "LepaPoti' a dip in swimming pool. This process continued to my satisfaction. Mona was insisting on organic colors, whereas I have bought standard 5 kg color Gulal, After some time she also started using routine color, as organic color is good for pics only, not for Holi.

Best part was, when I would apply color on Aarti, Kunal will feel bad about it and will get busy in cleaning her face. And it was visa versa when color was applied to Kunal. So during this Holi, both newly engaged love birds were inseparable.       

 After Holi, may be some residue effect of Bhang made me confront Pammy in big way. I harassed her consistently for not playing Holi, so much that at one point, I was sure she was going to give her tongue lashing. Poor girl managed to control herself.  I was cajoled by her mother, who was enjoying this Pammy bashing to extreme. Even Dilip who stays away from all this banter, took me aside, and said, ‘If you are feeling so bad about her not applying color, please do so now.’

I replied ‘Wrong, I am feel more good by harassing her. When will I, get such opportunity again?’’

With Pashu not participating earnestly, Bhabhi / Vishal coming very late, Prakash feeling like vomiting, Pinky clicking picture, Mona all tensed up, Sona protecting her kids, Tina devoting her time to Rohan, No one in mood for dancing, so, we ended our Holi by 2.30.

It was one of those balanced enjoyable Holi, good, but could have being great celebration.  

 

by P G Dodeja

Slumdog Holi

Holi of 2009 is 1st Holi of our bahu, Muskan. Naturally our main target was she only. But to our pleasant surprise, not only she enjoyed every bit of action but also fought back as fearless shikhni.

We started in a decent way, as all holis should be played. Colour, and more colour. The one more surprise was in form of Manju also participating! Normaly she puts tika and her holi is done. Today she was not screaming yuck as and when colour was sprayed on her.

After applying the routine colors, our movie crazy family decided to pay tribute to Slimdog Millionair, by playing holi with Muck - Mud - Mix. Lets start, Sharat and Akshay were already in process.

.

Muskan, who, naturally is very concerned about her skin and looks, was also the game. The opening was good and slowly all made a beeline and applied the mud-pack, with muskan being the most in demand victim.

Yucks!

In all this everyone smiled, but muskan smiled the most!

For More Photographs....
http://picasaweb.google.com/pgdodeja/Holi09
by P G Dodeja