There is this tradition in our culture. On one particular day every year, called भगिनी हस्त भोजनम्, sisters host a feast for brothers. My dad and his brothers have religiously attended this event at my aunt's house every year. We called my aunt 'chanti atta'. My atta, however sick or tired she was otherwise, she was a diabetic, never let this day slip without her cooking an elaborate meal for her brothers. On the menu every year was her famous vankaya kaaram kura (spicy eggplant curry). I distinctly remember attending the event one year and her fondly serving the eggplant dinner to all of her brothers (and their children). The combination of generous amounts of oil and love made that by far the best eggplant I had ever eaten. Chanti atta passed away last year. To this day, every single time I make eggplant, I remember her version of that dish and how much I loved its taste.
Yesterday, I was teaching a poem to my Telugu class:
వీడు పరుల వాడు వాడు నావాడని
అల్పబుద్ధి తలచు ఆత్మయందు
సాధుపుంగవులకు జగమే కుటుంబము
లలితసుగుణజాల! తెలుగుబాల!
Translation:
Only a narrow minded person differentiates between their own clan and others. Great minded people treat the entire world as their family.
As I was explaining that poem, a special guest walked into my class. After living in Portland for 22 years and making a lifetime of memories and friendships, she and her husband are moving to Texas, later this week, to be closer to her daughter's family. Amidst packing for the move, receiving their many guests and well wishers, and attending the various send off parties thrown in their honor, she found the time to visit me; not only to say good bye but to wish me good luck with my pregnancy. Among other thoughtful items in the bag she gave me (including akshintalu, the sacred rice used to bless) was a box of piping hot vankaya kura. She apologized for not having enough eggplants on hand to make more of it. She told me that I am just like family to her. She asked me to eat it all and not share. :) I had tears in my eyes as she left the room.
వీడు పరుల వాడు వాడు నావాడని
అల్పబుద్ధి తలచు ఆత్మయందు
సాధుపుంగవులకు జగమే కుటుంబము
లలితసుగుణజాల! తెలుగుబాల!
Translation:
Only a narrow minded person differentiates between their own clan and others. Great minded people treat the entire world as their family.
As I was explaining that poem, a special guest walked into my class. After living in Portland for 22 years and making a lifetime of memories and friendships, she and her husband are moving to Texas, later this week, to be closer to her daughter's family. Amidst packing for the move, receiving their many guests and well wishers, and attending the various send off parties thrown in their honor, she found the time to visit me; not only to say good bye but to wish me good luck with my pregnancy. Among other thoughtful items in the bag she gave me (including akshintalu, the sacred rice used to bless) was a box of piping hot vankaya kura. She apologized for not having enough eggplants on hand to make more of it. She told me that I am just like family to her. She asked me to eat it all and not share. :) I had tears in my eyes as she left the room.
As soon as I came home, I served myself my special dinner. I let Raaga taste it and she wanted seconds. I reluctantly left a couple of pieces for my husband. That night, he spoke about that dish for a whole minute. Those of you that know my husband know that it might as well be his thesis defense talk.
Coincidentally, I first met my special guest right there at that Telugu school four years ago. She was teaching the senior class at the time. Everyone around here calls her Bharathi auntie. I might as well call her my atta.
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| With Chanti Atta (to my left) at my wedding |
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| Chanti atta was the one who put my toe rings on for me at my wedding |
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| With Bharathi auntie and uncle at their send off party |
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| With my special guest at Telugu class |
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| Auntie's box of edible love |
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| This was an empty plate, 2min later |
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