Palakkad .. My mothers home town
Childhood is a treasure chest of memories. Some are vivid and stay with us throughout our lives; some fade with time. The simplicity of childhood is unparalleled. Happiness came in small doses and simple things - walking barefoot without a worry about the dust, running around the garden, climbing small trees, and playing hide and seek in the house. Power cuts, Rainy days was not a nuisance. It was an excuse to sit around and gaze at nothing with swirling thoughts. My mother is from the Palakkad district of Kerala. Throughout my childhood, I heard her narrate stories about her youth. The district comprises small towns that are close together. Mother's stories involved the towns of Nellicherry and Vadakantarai. She was born in Nellicherry and would visit their grandparents every vacation. Their holiday ritual would be to have lunch at their grandmother's house at Nellicherry and visit their peri...