My Precious Childhood Back in 1990's in Southern Tamil Nadu (Life of 90's Kid)
My childhood was not a bed of roses, but I was fortunate
enough to have it filled with experiences that are completely got lost today. Born
into a lower middle class family in a quaint village of Southern Tamil Nadu, I
was raised in a devout Roman Catholic family. Truly, back then I never knew, what
connection we had with Romans to be called Roman Catholic Christians. Though my
parents were not orthodox Christians, it was impossible for me to skip regular prayers
and masses at the church. Moreover, the priest clad in white cassock would show
up at the school to seek his vengeance for not listening to his boring sermons
on Sundays. Strict discipline was emphasized right from the childhood. Nuns
would do a regular check up on our teeth and if a tinge of yellow stain
appears, we would have to pick up brick powder and brush our teeth. Their
reprimands then sounded like a screaming monster, but they have definitely
redefined my life.
Uninvaded by machines, those days were entwined with brisk
activities. We would start the day with going to the field to swim in the well.
Then, we come home to fill up our stomach with a simple meal and head to school
with our friends chatting all the way. On weekends, sitting idle at home was
never encouraged by my parents. My cousins and I would go to our farmland and
all along the way hanging on the branches of the banyan trees was a great fun.
Alas, now there is not a single tree on both sides of the road. Upon reaching
the field, claiming giant trees and running up and down the rutted paths kept
our muscles strong and sound in health. We would test the strength of our teeth
by chewing sturdy sugar canes stolen from the neighbouring field.
My granny would
dig out heaps of ripened mangoes buried under the neem leaves in a giant mud
pot and we joyfully taste every bit of it. When monsoon comes, it becomes all the
more interesting with mushrooms sprouting up from the wetland. My cousin and I
would wake up at dawn and set on a hunt for the white hoods protruding from the
ground in all over the green environment. The joy is ineffable when we spot
huge amount of long mushrooms in a single place. When it rains, the whole
village plunges into darkness and on such occasions, eating hot Dosai made by
my mother and listening to the legendary tales narrated by granny are vivid
memories of my childhood.
There is a pond outside the village and during summer, the
water level comes down to knee deep in a huge pit. The whole village gather on
a particular day to catch fish from the pond. It is a frenzy activity in the
slushy water, as everyone swarms in the pit to gather every single fish. We
also get hurt when sharp bones of the fishes plunge into our feet, but the
intense activity makes it oblivious to our mind. With loads of fishes, we
come home and share it with our neighbours.
There were many fun-filled activities like chasing
butterflies in the myriad field, hunting with the dog at night, taking the
cattle out for grazing and indulge in farming and much more. At every activity,
there was a bonding with the nature. Most of those precious things are lost
after embracing the lifeless machines in our life. Nevertheless, we still have
a chance to live one with nature in every way.
This is my experience, and you can share with me your
childhood memories, that are very precious and you miss them now due to the
change in lifestyle. Come on, let us relive those wonderful moments through our
words.
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