The prettiest sight in the world is a little girl in 'pavadai-chattai'. I know this sounds biased, but then...

Finally it is the cold water that wakes me up. The first sound I hear are their giggles, "Wake up 'kondai'...." the last word uttered in a sarcastic, teasing tone. I open one eye and see two little smiling faces peering down at me. The large eyes are lined with 'mai'(kaajal), golden 'dolaks' hangs from the ears. The hair neatly plaited with ribbons & adorned with flowers- pink and white. My eldest sister is in red pavadai-chattai and the elder one in green. Made from 'kanjeevaram pattu' lined with 'zari'. Their blouses have a puff in the sleeve, as it was in fashion then. "It's Pongal, wake up fast, Amma is getting angry". At the last words, I bolt up and realize its a ruse. I'm nudged pulled and pushed into the bath. I emerge and am quickly dressed by their caring hands. "Sit now and eat, no milk today for you" The elder one tells me. My protesting cry is cut short because placed in front of me is steaming pongal! As I stuff myself, 'vadai' is also thrust in my mouth." We made this! don't say anything, swallow it or else..." I dutifully do so...."Nice? here one more..." More giggles. "Amma! kondai ke vadai pidichurke!" My tummy is about to burst now..."Tellaaace..." I hear my self say. The morning sun has just the right warmth on the terrace. I begin to run, but find myself held firmly from both sides and lifted with difficulty. I look down at my plump tiny legs flaying in the air. The worn-out Bata rubber chappals flap emptily as I am taken to the safe parts of the terrace. "Catch-catch!" I run, the terrace echoes with our laughter. But they are always out of my reach. I pretend to fall down and wail. The younger one looks concerned, the elder knows well, my tricks. They lift my head and place it gently on their laps. I catch the fragrance of their flowers, talcum powder and affections. I nestle contentedly in the folds of their clothes. "Oh kondai ki operation!" They play act cutting open my tiny tummy protruding from the shirt. I hear myself giggling too now. "Dum! he's fine now" they drop me and start running, "Catch!".... I begin to protest but get up and give chase to the shimmering figures in green and red. I feel something strangely warm explode in my chest. The warmth spreads around my whole body right to the roots of my hair and my finger tips. It issues forth as a scream of joy from my lips that mingles with their laugh. I didn't know then what that feeling was... it's only later- when as all humans, we understands ourselves and our emotions better,- did I realize that that was the most powerful emotion a human could experience -love. Tomorrow lakhs of little girls wearing pavada-chattai will play with their tiny brothers and leave in them a powerful memory and an even more powerful emotion for ever.