Writing on the Rice

NOTE by Amma: In Hindu culture- writing on rice grains is symbolic when a child wants to start his or her formal education. It's done on the 10th day of the Navarathiri Festival, the Vijayatasami day. This ritual is believed to bring success to the venture into education.

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This Vijayatasami - I wrote on the rice grains- Amma said I was too small - but since Amirthinee and Valermaty were writing - I joined the brood. Just for fun.

Amma held my finger while we traced the character "Pillayar Sulli", then the character "OM", then the words "Saraswathy Thunai", then my name "Sakkti Velan".

Actually- all the while, I was too preoccipued with staring at the rice - Amma did all the writing.

Rice Feeding

Appa fed me sweet ponggal today. Amma calls it Pukkai. The rice was really tasty.

This is my Rice Feeding ceremony, to indicate that I can start eating solids now. Looks like I’ll be given some real food now….yeah….no more baby milk formula…..but….I LIKE my MILK!

MILK!....MILK!.....MILK!......

Amma can we go home now?…. We’ve prayed already - let’s go home and sleep.

On the 30th & 31st day of my life....

On the 30th day of my life, my family members got together to offer their gratitude over my safe birth and my good health. Appa and Amma prayed to the Goddess Pechayee, and offered me up to her for further blessings.

And here is the first picture of me--- with my Ammama.


After the prayers, I was officially put into my cot. My first cot was small and blue, and I would be sleeping in it until I become too big for it. At 4 months, I started sleeping in Valaermadi's cot, which Rita Attai generously handed down for her Cellam to sleep in.


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On the 31st day of my life, my baby hair was shaved as per Ceylonese custom. I was fast asleep at first on the shoulders of my Rasa Appapa.....but as the head became more and more exposed to the cold, I began crying.

When the Barber Uncle had finished shaving my head completely, Appa put sandalwood paste on my head to cool it down. Amma said this was also customary.

And this is a picture of me, with my Appa.


APPA, I love you! We'll always be cums now....