Rekha's Musings

The reason for talking about my non existent roots first, was to show how, in contrast, the ties that daddy still has with his past, have had a deep impression on me too! Somehow a trip to kokan as we call it, is always rejuvenating for me.
I do not know what exactly causes this, its probably two-fold: 1) The small town/village atmosphere, the clean air, the simple loving people cooking up their specialities for you and of course the temple trek and the Lord Himself! Its the one place u really feel close to God!
2) You are away from the hassles of home & work. Just do what u like or nothing at all. No need to worry about what to wear, how you look, etc. A bath in the morning and one change of clothes is all it takes for the whole day!

I still remember my first visit- we were barely married a few months and the prospect of meeting the entire clan at one time was daunting! Never having known what a village looks like does not make things any easier. The ST bus ride was the first dampner. The fellow passengers I would rather not describe.

The Chiplun house was quite nice, huge with a mix of pucca cement walls in parts and cow dung spread floors in parts. Kaka, kaki were friendly & made me comfortable immediately.
Songaon was a different kettle of fish- firstly, electricity had not reached there, the house was huge but a the toilet was a good distance onto the periphery. The rooms on the upper floor were inhabited by families of bats! They were the real residents all year round; we were the visitors!
I had to muster up all my courage to ignore these small intrusions.
To add to this, I was the new bride & every member thought it was his duty to induct me into their illustrious family traditions and customs! The fact that I was not a kokanasta, that I belonged to Madras, (to a Maharashtrian, anything south of their land was Madras); had already reached songaon.

It was also mentioned in hushed tones that I was not the normal fair complexioned, petite (euphemism for short), simple traditionl bride- so there was some amount of curiosity among those who had not known me. Of course there were also some pluses to me , else how would their dear son/brother/nephew ever agree to marry me?
I was convent educated, i was a graduate with a good job, i could speak english so well; inspite of this i was friendly, interested in learning their customs, their cuisine, their tea, their God etc etc. Even the way they spelt their name (in Marathi) was special-Barawe and not Barve as did most of the "common" Barve families!

There wa s so much learning to be passed on to the new incumbent! And there was no dirth of the varied ma/aunts/sis in laws who were extremely diligent in carrying out the teaching!
Of course I had my moles/spies who ensured I came out with flying colours!
Those were the days of the new bride; today I can hold my own and some of the 'born' Barawes are flummoxed! I can proudly say that i am part of the inner circle and all important matters discussed with me and views sought by the very same in-laws.

Over the years, the place has grown on me and i consider it my own. I feel responsible for what happens there and am enjoying the task we (mainly daddy) has undertaken there.
The konkan is incomplete without the mention of Guhagar. I have this special bond with maushi, probably growing from daddy's fondness for her. Aside from enjoying Guhagars virgin beach, I am completely at ease there; do what i want, when i want; maushi will understand!
The trip to Guhagar comes as a bonus everytime i visit chiplun. That which comes free is always more attractive!