In Chennai, it's common for children to learn something related to Carnatic - singing, playing a musical instrument or Bharatnatyam. I am disappointed at not having learnt any of them nor mastered any of the 'traditional' skills that most girls learn before completing college - like rangoli, embroidery, crafts, cookery etc. I never saw the rangoli being drawn in front of my house as Mayil (our dear old maid) would draw it at sunrise. I have only learnt one simple pattern in it. Place 6x6 dots, draw lines to make it look like 4 lamps.
Once while travelling by bus, I observed this flower seller who had a bagful of jasmine flowers, knotting and tying them together swiftly to a long thread. In no time, she had made a long garland. I was always fascinated by how they do that. Later, I learnt that from my aunt. But of course, this has little use in everyday life.
Anyway, my retirement plans are to learn sanskrit, play the veena and some more rangoli patterns. Too bad, cooking can't wait that long :)
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