Since last couple of days, the rhythm of our house is slightly off balance yet it has somehow managed to comply all the demands on time and energy. There is excitement in air as I am off to Baroda to attend "Upanayan Sanskar" (Yajñopavītam) in the family, followed by a very brief visit to Ahmedabad and a day's pilgrimage to our family deity.
These days, my mind is consumed with nothing except what to wear for Yajñopavītam! I am utterly confused with options; which sari I should wear on what occasion, Chiffon, Silk or exclusive hand woven hand-loom cotton? Should I wear gold, diamonds or pearls in this scorching heat? If you are a woman and Indian, you would get the drift! No matter how planned things might be in advance, there are always some last minute changes that create high drama and add to the excitement.
When it comes to attending any social occasion, I am absolutely thrilled! I love meeting relatives and extending family as it helps open up new realms of belonging and bonding. While there would be healthy dose fun and laughter, non-stop conversations and sharing, there would also be nostalgic moments tumbling out touching fragile and vulnerable spaces, especially while remembering my parents.
Every time I visit Ahmedabad and Baroda; my second homes, I can't help thinking how time has just flown by. The cities where most of my life was spent have transformed and sometimes it makes me feel like an outsider. I often struggle to figure out where do I really belong? There are still remnants of my roots, associated with my identity in these two beautiful cities and loads of memories conjure up when I think about my life there till about a decade back but I miss the essence of these places that has diluted with time. I can't think about leaving Mumbai, the city where I currently live and absolutely at home with.
While I cling to fragments of sense of belonging between these three cities with my identity bit hyphenated, I feel my home is where my heart is! And, despite all the changes, I feel at home wherever I go.
These days, my mind is consumed with nothing except what to wear for Yajñopavītam! I am utterly confused with options; which sari I should wear on what occasion, Chiffon, Silk or exclusive hand woven hand-loom cotton? Should I wear gold, diamonds or pearls in this scorching heat? If you are a woman and Indian, you would get the drift! No matter how planned things might be in advance, there are always some last minute changes that create high drama and add to the excitement.
When it comes to attending any social occasion, I am absolutely thrilled! I love meeting relatives and extending family as it helps open up new realms of belonging and bonding. While there would be healthy dose fun and laughter, non-stop conversations and sharing, there would also be nostalgic moments tumbling out touching fragile and vulnerable spaces, especially while remembering my parents.
Every time I visit Ahmedabad and Baroda; my second homes, I can't help thinking how time has just flown by. The cities where most of my life was spent have transformed and sometimes it makes me feel like an outsider. I often struggle to figure out where do I really belong? There are still remnants of my roots, associated with my identity in these two beautiful cities and loads of memories conjure up when I think about my life there till about a decade back but I miss the essence of these places that has diluted with time. I can't think about leaving Mumbai, the city where I currently live and absolutely at home with.
While I cling to fragments of sense of belonging between these three cities with my identity bit hyphenated, I feel my home is where my heart is! And, despite all the changes, I feel at home wherever I go.
