The Bai Clan (TBC)

This is how the family history/ tree goes/ grows.

There is Bhaben. We have no clue why she is called that, apparently we (i.e. Bhavin and me) are the only ones who call her that. Bhaben has a daughter Hetal (pronounced Hettal), who works in the house downstairs (and at times at our place as well). Hettal is good decent girl and works well. Bhaben also has a competitor, known as Ramilaben 2 (the original Ramilaben gives food dabba for dinner). Ramilaben is afraid of Bhaben but has a mobile and so is reachable most of the time. So she is our 'Pasand No. 1'! Now, Ramilaben 2 has many kids and we are still rather unsure of the exact numbers. We at least know of three - two daughters and a son. The elder daughter is Sheetal (or Sittal, as she calls herself) and the younger one is Rekha (or Rekkhha).

Sittal is a warm girl and thinks of every girl who visits us as our spouses! I find this exceptionally funny. And she also has some weird characteristics which are a little difficult to describe here. Her sister Rekkhha is quite and extremely quick with work. In fact, they are all very quick.

We always knew they all these women (and some men) were related, but the connections were often vague in our heads. Here is how it works. Hettal is Sittal's mausi and hence Ramilaben 2 is Hettal's cousin. Sittal and Rekkhha still remain sisters, but Ramilaben becomes Bhaben's niece (or something on those lines). And obviously Hettal is still Bhaben's daughter.

More updates in TBC as and when we learn something new about the Clan.

Garba over the years - Part 2

Ghunghat ki aad mein, dilbar ka deedar adhoora rehta hai...
jab tak na mile aashiq ki nazar, yeh pyaar adhoora rehta hai...

Ek main, aur ek tu, dono mile is tarah...

mar gayi main, mit gayi main
ooori aaari...teri deewani...
deewani...deewani...deewani...

pari hoon main (again)...mujhe na choona...

naa jaane koi, ksisi hai yeh zindagani...
humari adhoori kahani...
oooooooo....haaanhaaanhaaannnnnn....

saason ka maala mein simuru main tera naam...
teri deewani (whats going on???)...teeeeeri deewani...

yeh mera dil, pyaar ka deewana...
deewana deewana, pyaar ka mastana/ parvana (?)

Garba over the years - Part 1

Ley gayi dil mera manchali,
khalibali khalibali, khalibali khalibali...

I have always enjoyed Navratri in Gujarat, albeit from a distance. A few times, that I actually got into the field, the disasters (one of them included punching a big fat aunty on her face in Baroda) convinced me that I was not meant for this graceful dancing style.

Pardesia, yeh sach hai piya...
Log kehte hain maine...tujhko dil de diya...

The singers here today are actually good, and music loud and jarring. But I can still enjoy the festivity in the air.

Pari hoon main, mujhe naa choona...

While in school, most garbas (Arkee, United Way, Vaccine) were places to see pretty girls. The first year I visited with my parents, but next year onwards it was only with friends. I would hook onto one girl I liked the best, and would continue looking at her. She would come in front once every round...those were the days...

Khaike paan banaras waala, khul jaaye band akal ka taala...

Garbas in NID were a different affair, I ended up avoiding most of them. I especially remember the garba in first year when I visited only once on the last day for the pooja.

Brazeeeel....(this was actually pure fusion as the words after this were completely in Gujarati)!

I thought I was a purist as far as music is concerned. But I am quite in favour of fusion now. The fusion one hears during Navratri is both innovative as well as entertaining.

Jay Ambe maata ni jai!