Author Archives: padmum

About padmum

You could call me Dame Quixote! I tilt at windmills. I have an opinion on most matters. What I don't have, my husband Raju has in plenty. Writer and story teller, columnist and contributer of articles, blogs, poems, travelogues and essays to Chennai newspapers, national magazines and websites, I review and edit books for publishers and have specialized as a Culinary Editor and contributed content, edited and collaborated on Cookbooks. My other major interest used to be acting on Tamil and English stage, Indian cinema and TV. I am a wordsmith, a voracious reader, crossword buff and write about India's heritage, culture and traditions. I am interested in Vedanta nowadays. I am now an Armchair traveller/opinionator/busybody!

Karthigai Deepam… memories of a Full Moon festival

Posted on November 20, 2021 by padmum

Karthigai festival was eagerly awaited …immediately after Deepavali got over preparations were initiated. New earthen lamps were bought from the vendor …a wizened , bristly scrawny villager who brought it every year in a basket perched precariously on his head. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

‘Michhami Dukkadam’..Forgiveness

Posted on September 12, 2021 by padmum

What is ‘Michhami Dukkadam’? Michchhami means to be fruitless (forgiven) and Dukkadam (Dushkrut) means bad deeds.  Michchhami Dukkadam is a Jain prayer for forgiveness. The words say “May the bad deeds done to you by me be fruitless. When you … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

KARMA

Posted on August 30, 2021 by padmum

KARMA Once upon a time there was a small time business man from a small village who used to sell butter in the nearby town. A big shop owner in the town was his regular customer. The villager used to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The King, the Guru and a Kingdom

Posted on August 14, 2021 by padmum

Once there was a very rich, good king. Over the years, he grew weary and just wanted stress less, peace of mind. He went to a Guru and fell at his feet and said “Can you tell me how to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Relationship between Sales, Politics and Truth

Posted on December 20, 2020 by padmum

In the modern world everything is for sale and has a price tag on it. You can buy anything if you have the means. Most importantly you can buy silence for a price. You can even attempt to buy a … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Friday Three On One blog, Life skills, Prof Natarajan's Blogs, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Break time-relaxing strategies

Posted on December 13, 2020 by padmum

When my kids were going to school and then the granddaughters..a small box was filled with biscuits or snacks to be eaten as elevenses as it used to be called. Lunchtime was a bigger box with a meal. Most often … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Friday Three On One blog, Life skills, Society, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Once the clock strikes–NN

Posted on December 8, 2020 by padmum

When the clock strikes 12 it is either mid-night or noon. That is a simplistic answer.  Most clocks I know, even the Big Ben clock tower in London or Gantaghars in Delhi, have a record of being a little too … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Friday Three On One blog, Prof Natarajan's Blogs, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

ONCE THE CLOCK STRIKES TWELVE

Posted on December 6, 2020 by padmum

We all grew up on the story of Cinderella, her godmother and the clock striking twelve when all the magic evaporated with the clap of the two hour hands together. Time did not stand still for her and she had … Continue reading →

Posted in Friday Three On One blog, Society | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

SOLITUDE–NN

Posted on November 30, 2020 by padmum

Today’s humans are social animals. Perhaps it was not always like this. Cavemen were obviously not. As social animals solitude is an unusual or even unnatural state. But looking at our origin, the boot is on the other leg. Solitude … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Environment, Friday Three On One blog, Life skills, Prof Natarajan's Blogs, Society | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

SOLITUDE..PN

Posted on November 27, 2020 by padmum

“They flash upon that inward eyeWhich is the bliss of solitude” Daffodils by William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o’er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils; Beside … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Environment, Friday Three On One blog, Life skills, Poetry, Society, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments