I realize I always have a long explanation behind my blog titles. This one is no different.
Tamil Literature is very rich in words. Especially in adjectives.
Women in Tamil literature are categorized according to age. There are 2 different methods of categorization as listed in this site: http://karkanirka.org/2009/08/24/tamil_wordlist_11/ I still remember Remo talking about this briefly in one of my secondary school Tamil classes.
Quoting from the blog:
மடந்தை maṭantai
So now you would have kind of figured what the title means now, I hope. (*facepalm* if you can't)
As I count down to my 22nd birthday, it's very funny how only now, people realize I've changed. A lot. From the time they first saw me enter the world of NTU till today. I myself realize that I have changed beyond recognition; physically, mentally and emotionally. The மடந்தை has transformed into an அரிவை.
As Harish rightly put it when he saw me at Sujatha's wedding reception: " நீ அப்போ சுடிதார் போட்டுட்டு சின்ன பொண்ணு மாதிரி இருப்பே, இப்போ சேலை கட்டிக்கிட்டு பெரியபோன்னு ஆயிட்டே. " (You used to be a small girl in Chudithars and now you look like a big girl in your sarees.) True story.
Whether it's nature or nurture that caused the transformation, I don't know. Probably a combination of both.
The reason or cause is immaterial, it had to happen someday. But surprising nonetheless. For someone who used to hang around in guy-ish clothes with sneakers and a backpack to dresses and high-heels is quite a changeover. Not that I have become any less rowdy, but now I just control it a little better and unleash only at the right times at the right people. (ask Shourav.) =P
It's not just friends who notice. Parents and relatives do too. One of my relatives who I was very close to when I was younger, met me after many years in New Delhi last December, and he discusses with my Mom: " Tab toh woh ithni chotti thi, ab dekho..woh ab kaam kar rahi hai..She's 21, na? Hamari beti badi ho gayi" (She was so small then, now look, she's working and all now. She's 21? Wow, our girl has grown up.)
Thankfully he stopped there and didn't delve into the depths of matrimony like some other people. -.-''
As days go by, responsibilities rise, and we get more rude awakening to the real world. Much as we would like to ignore all that, it hits us like a speeding train. Parents are growing older, loans need to be paid off, we need to start earning money and settle down. Yes, these things are important, but we shouldn't be losing the present in the search for our future. When else would you be able to laze around, dance, hang out with friends and talk nonsense till the wee hours of the morning? (Probably when I'm stuck in a old age home after retirement, but that is only if the world doesn't end by the time I reach my 60s.)
As kids we are told that we can be whatever we want to be. Why should I choose to hold it back? I will choose when I want to be married and when I want to turn into an old lady. Till then, let me run around in my sarees and beat up Shourav.
Tamil Literature is very rich in words. Especially in adjectives.
Women in Tamil literature are categorized according to age. There are 2 different methods of categorization as listed in this site: http://karkanirka.org/2009/08/24/tamil_wordlist_11/ I still remember Remo talking about this briefly in one of my secondary school Tamil classes.
Quoting from the blog:
மடந்தை maṭantai
2. Woman between the ages of 14 and 19; மகளிர்பருவம் ஏழனுள் பதினான்குமுதல் பத்தொன்பது வயதுவரை யுள்ள பருவத்துப் பெண். (பிங்.) 3. Girl who has not attained puberty; பருவமாகாத பெண். (யாழ். அக.)
1. Woman between the age of 20 and 25; இருபது வயதுமுதல் இருபத்தைந்து வயதிற்குட்பட்ட பெண். (பிங்.)
So now you would have kind of figured what the title means now, I hope. (*facepalm* if you can't)
As I count down to my 22nd birthday, it's very funny how only now, people realize I've changed. A lot. From the time they first saw me enter the world of NTU till today. I myself realize that I have changed beyond recognition; physically, mentally and emotionally. The மடந்தை has transformed into an அரிவை.
As Harish rightly put it when he saw me at Sujatha's wedding reception: " நீ அப்போ சுடிதார் போட்டுட்டு சின்ன பொண்ணு மாதிரி இருப்பே, இப்போ சேலை கட்டிக்கிட்டு பெரியபோன்னு ஆயிட்டே. " (You used to be a small girl in Chudithars and now you look like a big girl in your sarees.) True story.
Whether it's nature or nurture that caused the transformation, I don't know. Probably a combination of both.
The reason or cause is immaterial, it had to happen someday. But surprising nonetheless. For someone who used to hang around in guy-ish clothes with sneakers and a backpack to dresses and high-heels is quite a changeover. Not that I have become any less rowdy, but now I just control it a little better and unleash only at the right times at the right people. (ask Shourav.) =P
It's not just friends who notice. Parents and relatives do too. One of my relatives who I was very close to when I was younger, met me after many years in New Delhi last December, and he discusses with my Mom: " Tab toh woh ithni chotti thi, ab dekho..woh ab kaam kar rahi hai..She's 21, na? Hamari beti badi ho gayi" (She was so small then, now look, she's working and all now. She's 21? Wow, our girl has grown up.)
Thankfully he stopped there and didn't delve into the depths of matrimony like some other people. -.-''
As days go by, responsibilities rise, and we get more rude awakening to the real world. Much as we would like to ignore all that, it hits us like a speeding train. Parents are growing older, loans need to be paid off, we need to start earning money and settle down. Yes, these things are important, but we shouldn't be losing the present in the search for our future. When else would you be able to laze around, dance, hang out with friends and talk nonsense till the wee hours of the morning? (Probably when I'm stuck in a old age home after retirement, but that is only if the world doesn't end by the time I reach my 60s.)
As kids we are told that we can be whatever we want to be. Why should I choose to hold it back? I will choose when I want to be married and when I want to turn into an old lady. Till then, let me run around in my sarees and beat up Shourav.
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