A merry-go-round

OH YES... it's time to celebrate. This year's Christmas agree many Chennaiites, is going to be more special than those in the past.

"Happiness and love is in the air," says Fred D'costa, a student. "This wasn't the scene a few years ago, but now, lets hope this wonderful feeling ushers in the New Year on a positive note." The spirit of altruism is the prominent note of the time and it is just right to promote goodwill among people. Retired army officer, Mr. Sidney Barns expressed the same sentiments. The Barns have made elaborate plans for Christmas and are eagerly expecting their son, a software engineer from the U.S. On entering their kitchen, the taste buds are instantly stimulated by the smell of fresh bakes wafting from the oven. Home-made goodies such as "mundhiri koththu, plum cakes, achchu murukku, and of course wine, are some of Mrs. Barns specialities.

Yule logs, cakes, fir trees, gifts and greetings, food, coloured candles... all symbolise warmth and merriment. What really touched me most was when Mrs. Barns said that every year for X'mas, the couple make it a point to have a non-Christian family over for lunch. That's a novel way to celebrate the festival.

Their neighbour, Mr. A. G. Gopalan, and his wife, Ranganayaki, too share their feelings about what Christmas evokes in them. They always make it a point to tie a surprise gift on their neighbour's door.

Bhagyalakshmi, in her Sixties, always looks forward to Christmas because she loves helping her friend Sarah with the traditional food. Sarah on her part always helped `` Bhagy mami'' with Deepawali marundhu and halwas! What an admixture of customs and traditions. Bhagy mami, whose three daughters are based in the U.S., says her children and grandchildren love to keep the X'mas tree at their respective homes every year and she always gets a lovely gift tied to a tree without fail, thanks to her grand daughters!

Celebrations galore in Chennai. According to Ms. Ashwin, Director-in-charge, Odyssey, Adyar, the book store has "fun fair, juke box, puzzle mania, shadow play, discotheques, magic shows, lucky draw, cat-and-mouse game, stump balancing etc. on the agenda.

SAS Connections, another bookstore (near Chennai Kaliappa Hospital) also has an impressive agenda. Mr. Saravanan, the Manager, said that most of the events have been carefully planned to add to the excitement... all with the help of college students. Face-painting, horror evening, fancy dress competition, pot painting and clay moulding are some of the events lined up. There is also a show featuring Venky and his monkey besides a visit by Batman. Toys Kemp, which has about four outlets here (Adyar, Nungambakkam, T.Nagar and Mylapore) will celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus. Their "tie the star, win a car' contest was announced for the season. Landmark has been spruced up for the season with fine decoration. A new selection of Christmas carols and heavy discounts on special brands of cards are the attractions here. Toys can also be purchased over the net by logging in landmarkonthenet.com. The discotheques have been spruced up for the occasion and each is vying with the other to lure the yuppies of today. How can the party go on without the taste buds being tickled? Cakes and Bakes at Nungambakkam has a lovely Christmas hamper with Yule logs, Santa Claus pastries, plum cakes, chocolates, marzipans and wine and it is going to be priced very reasonably too. Sweet Memories, also situated in the heart of Chennai, offers special hampers comprising fancy cakes) along with the regular marzipan sweets and the plum cakes. The plum cakes will have almond icing and they will be packed in cute woven baskets... Talk of being environment conscious!

SHANTI ARUN KUMAR

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : Let's celebrate
Next     : Dreaming of Santa