Of Hindi film reviews..

8.8.2019 Pari is a potterhead. As is the routine, it started with the books, progressed with the movies, and now we are sitting on tons of Harry Potter memorabilia - charm pendants, bracelets, wands and Lego sets. The obsession with HP doesn't seem to be waning anytime soon and I have made my peace with it. Yesterday, however, she made a surprising request. She wants to watch 'Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone' movie dubbed in Hindi. I was really puzzled because Pari doesn't watch even Hindi movies in Hindi. The child still has trouble telling apart Amir, Salman and Shahrukh Khans! I prodded further to understand this sudden change of heart. It turns out that Pari has to write a movie review as part of the Hindi assignment in school. Being a devoted HP fan, she wants to review one of the HP movies.The plan is to watch the movie dubbed in Hindi(which, according to her makes it a Hindi movie, duh!) and then review it. I think it is a good plan. Let us just hope that the Hindi teacher thinks so too!

The K-wave

Pari and I love all things Korean. The fascination began with k-dramas which were our window into the Korean culture and their way of life. Through these, we have learnt about the chaebols(the super rich Korean families - thinks Ambani's and Tata's in India), Korean seasons, their flora and fauna, their food - gimbap, Tteokbokki, rameon, soju et al, their traditional wear as well as current fashion trends, the education system in Korea, the work-culture, weddings, societal structure and values - so on and so forth. Our interest in Korean culture is manifesting in different ways, which so accurately reflect how each of us pursues a common interest. Pari is learning Korean language, and has already started framing short sentences. She even manages to understand some of the k-drama conversations without the subtitles. The husband is perusing menus of various Korean restuarants to taste all the great stuff that we see in the k-dramas. Many years ago, we had visited this Korean restaurant in Bangalore by the name Soora Sang. I didn't like the food one bit but the husband liked it enough to polish off both our portions. I am sure he will like it even more now. At my end, I am reading Pachinko - an epic novel by Min Jin Lee. The book is set in Korea in the 1930's, when the country was under Japanese colonial rule. I am only on Chapter 14 and it has already become one of the most moving works that I have read in recent years. Highly recommended!

The resident botanist

8.12.22 Pari and I have come down to the society park. It is a beautiful morning and the weather is too inviting for us to stay indoors. Pari has got her botany book and is ambling around in a leisurely manner, apparently studying plants. Her demeanor reminds me of Jaya Bhaduri and Amitabh Bacchan in the 1975 movie Chupke Chupke. Studying Botany is sure a walk in the park!

Of being a bookworm..

 ..is a good reputation to have. Despite our endeavour to keep the event small and casual, Pari still received many presents for her birthday. Amongst them stood out 6 books presented by as many friends, who have known her for less than 6 months. 

Frankly, this was not a surprise to us. I still remember her 8th birthday, when we had hosted a big party for her including her friends, our friends, colleagues and relatives. Almost all the guests had got her books as presents. I had stacked the books in a neat pile next to the child, and it was almost as high as her! She had received so many sets of books - the Wind in the willows series, the Famous five series, multiple books from the the Wimpy kid and the Geronimo Stilton series amongst others. Pari was a fast reader even in those days and got through the books rather swiftly, post which I passed them on to other kids in our circle of friends and family.    

This year, the books are obviously, all grown-up like herself. I must admit that I am rather impressed with her friends' choices.. can't wait to get my hands on these!

       

Of trying new things..

 There are so many beautiful memories that I have made with nephew S, even though he has been with us in India for just over an year. Since I have  to post every day, I am pacing myself and going easy on the content :) This is another really sweet moment we had, around the time this little guy turned 4. 

We were having lunch at my aunt's place, enjoying the all time favourite Chhole-Bhature. S surveyed the dining table and chose to sit in Pari's lap for the meal. Pari started feeding small bites to him. Being the giver that he is, S started inserting food in Pari's mouth in return. He then discovered the salt shaker on the table, poured plenty onto Pari's dish and started feeding her salt, only salt without any food. Pari refused to oblige.

P: S, don't feed me salt.

S: Why? 

P: I don't want to eat it.

S: Et baav tvy tav te detho (Ek baar try kar ke dekho - Try it just once and see)

We could barely stifle our laughter. This is exactly what we tell S every time he refuses to try a new food. Pari couldn't help smiling either!

Rhotacism

We learn so much from and because of kids. I learnt the word 'rhotacism' courtesy my little nephew S. His tendency to replace all R's & L's with V's and W's is a source of constant amusement in our family. We often imitate him in our casual conversations, and I have gotten so used to it that I once greeted my manager at work with: "Havvo, How aw wou?" Thankfully, he chose to ignore it like so many of my peculiarities. 

S is the most adorable, sweetest child that I have ever met. And it is not just me who is so smitten with him, every single person who interacts with S turns into a fan in no time. His genuine concern for all and his unusual kindness makes it quickly to your heart. His rhotacism just makes him all the more adorable. 

On that point, I recall this incident from last year this time. S was 3 at the time. I was visiting and had promised to take him and his older brother A to the aquarium. S was checking with me every few minutes on the start time.

S: When do we go to the aquarium?

M: In a short while.

25 seconds later..

S: When do we go to the aquarium?

M: Shortly. 

S: When?

M: We will go to the aquarium after I put my lipstick.

S: (brightens up) Whipstick whipstick!

M: Do you apply lipstick?

S: Yes!!

M: How?

S: (drawing finger circles around his mouth) wound and wound and wound..

I still think of this every time I apply a lipstick.

16th birthday with 17 friends..

 ..and what a delight it was! We finally celebrated Pari's birthday today. She has attended her new school for less than 6 months, and I am so proud to see her already being great friends with half the kids in her class - which is to say 100% of the girls and 0% of the boys :) For her birthday, Pari invited 26 friends from the current school out of which 17 turned up. My love for little girls is no secret. I realise that this didn't come out sounding the way it was intended to be, so will clarify - I love my daughter, my little nieces and their young friends. I enjoyed hosting Pari's lovely friends - such polite, warm and promising young people who brightened up our party with their enthusiasm. 

At my end, I tried to surprise Pari with a piano cake. However, I realise that I am very poor at keeping secrets. Pari mentioned that she overheard me discussing the last-minute modifications with the cake designer this morning, and gathered that it was a cake related to music. So much for my undercover execution since last 15 days.. duh! Thankfully, the cake didn't disappoint.