Of Full Moons and Banana Leaves
-
- January
- 8
We were in India last month to celebrate my father-in-law’s 80th birthday. “Sathabhishekam”—as the traditional ceremony commemorating the ripe age is called—is considered a very important milestone, for one is believed to have seen a 1000 full moons by then.
Over the course of the three-day festivities—which included mehendi (henna) designs for the women and a classical music concert one evening—we were treated to many wonderful south Indian meals. And, as is the practice at traditional functions in south India, the food was served on perfectly organic banana leaves.
There are no spoons or forks in use either; everyone is expected to wash their hand thoroughly before sitting down to eat.
My daughter, who is growing up to be quite the traditionalist, savored the whole experience, wiping her leaf clean each time. My son, not as adventurous, unfailingly demanded a spoon.
But both the children loved the experience of eating in a large dining hall, surrounded by family and friends, soaking in the sights, smells and sounds of India.
Although this was the first big traditional celebration they were attending, they seemed to be at home 10,000 miles away from their “yellow house” in New York.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 11:04 am by Swapna Venugopal.
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