Pongal-O-Pongal

So did another pongal breezed, and i think this is my first at Chennai. The night before the pongal i accompanied my aunt to buy the traditional sugarcane :) I was surprised to learn the prices. The last time i bought sugarcane was some 8yrs ago.

Along the slope at the entrance to G.Nagar from Chennai-Trichy National Highway, there would be a good number of shops showcasing the sweet canes in black and dark brown/blue (geez, i am color blind :D:D:D) .

All sugar(y)canes would be made to stand, probably allowed to lean on something. Every customer who would visit the shop would be more keen on getting the sugar canes at a price lower than the one quoted by the seller, than buying the required number. If there are ladies you can be rest assured and skip to the next shop.

Being a school going boy, all i cared was the taste and length of the sugarcane. i would select the longer and thicker one :) and would happily hand over whatever money the seller demanded. The transaction would be lightning fast than an online money transfer. By the time i reach home, i would have wiped the entire road to our house clean with the sugarcane leaves (if one may call it so:) ). The last time i bought one, Kalyan was standing at the front gate waiting for my arrival, for him i was still a child. First came a smile on seeing me and the next was the regular question, "How much?". I shot back. "20 for two". His eyes went wide, he went inside yelling "இதுக்குத்தான் கொழந்தைய அனுப்ப கூடாதுன்னு சொன்னேன், ஏமாத்திட்டான்". A female voice shrieked from inside. "எது கொழந்த? கழுத வயசு......!!!".

Forward to the present, we bought it for 60 bucks. Gosh, the prices have indeed gone up!!! A pongal which had the entire house assembling at a place, praying together...is now defined by whats on air on which channel!!! Strange how much times have changed...i am not sure how future kids would react if i told them, we all would shout Pongal-O-Pongal and bring the roof down....to them it will look annoying and a probable public nuisance....who knows someone might change the way pongal is celebrated or even strike it off the calendar!!!