Salma I had never heard of Salma until she was sent to the Rajya Sabha as a Member of the Parliament by Tamil Nadu a couple of weeks back and a Malayalam weekly featured her on the cover with an interview. Salma’s story made me think on the nature of certain human systems and organisations including religion. Salma was born Rajathi Samsudeen. Marriage made her Rukiya, because her husband’s family didn’t think of Rajathi as a Muslim name. Salma is the pseudonym she chose as a writer. Salma’s life was always controlled by one system or another. Her religion and its ruthlessly patriarchal conventions determined the crests and troughs of her life’s waves. Her schooling ended the day she chose to watch a movie with a friend, another girl whose education was stopped too. They were in class 9. When Rajathi protested that her cousin, a boy, was also watching the same movie at the same time in the same cinema hall, her mother’s answer was, “He’s a boy; boys can do anything.” Rajathi was...
Sir, Clicking Chillies is easier/better than eating them :)
ReplyDeleteHad you visited during Christmas? I was there at Kerala this Christmas & enjoyed my visit :)
I was there just for a couple of days this week, Anita. An emergency.
DeletePoet Thomas Gray wrote about the destiny of certain flowers to be born in deserts where their fragrance is wasted. I found these chillies too in a similar place where their spiciness is wasted.
from the place known for spices !
ReplyDeleteYeah, so spices grow just anywhere without any need for human attention.
DeleteEven the 'red' chillies stand out in Kerala!
ReplyDeleteTrue. But red is loosing its sheen in Kerala. A friend of mine said, "Pinarayi Vijayan and Umman Chandi are partners in the capitalist business policies."
DeleteNice Click
ReplyDeleteThanks, gowtham.
DeleteThe variety of chillies seeds that are from Kerala is amazing. Most of the Kerala gardeners who are on our network post such pretty pictures making us "burn" :-)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Pattu, the particular variety that is peculiar to Kerala and burns down to one's bottom seems to be the only species that is surviving in God's own country.
DeleteAh! Chillies... my favourite ingredient .. and the vibrant red one stands out as if asking for attention :D
ReplyDeleteChillies always demand attention, Namrota. And red is the best colour for that.
DeleteYes :)
DeleteSo sweet - hmm photo not chillies.
ReplyDeleteThe chillies are bombs, dear.
DeleteNice click..and I love red chillies :-P..Bengalis like hot and spicy food you know..
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've noticed quite a common features between Bongs and Mallus :) Fish, for example.
DeleteNice one. :) Love chili. Have to contact Pattu and find out more about Kerala seed varieties.
ReplyDeleteKantari is the variety unique to Kerala, Subhorup. A very small chilly which acts like an atom bomb in your mouth.
Deletewhat a beautiful red of chillies.....
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it beautiful.
DeleteHow did it grow on unexpected place?
ReplyDeleteIt was thriving in a place where no one bothered about it. Like a wild plant.
Delete