The other night, after putting the kids to bed and leaving them with our trusted Filipino helper, A and I darted off to Little India. We jumped into a passing cab and got off at the Veeramakaliamman temple where we were greeted to the sounds of the nadaswaram and tavil. What I particularly like about the temples here is the fact that it is a regular place of worship, frequented not just by wealthy NRI's draped in their latest silks but by anybody- the construction worker praying for his family back home, the madisar paati doing her regular pradakshanams and the poly student asking for special favours during exam time.
With our souls satisfied, we proceeded to delight our stomachs. A couple of Murugan idlis washed down with a ton of sambhar can be topped off only with a Masala Milk from the adjacent Saravana Bhavan. Picked up a copy of 'Tabla' (free Indian tabloid) and a packet of just flown in Sriviliputhur palgova for the kids. Sauntered across the street to the veggie market and stocked up on fresh methi and paneer while A made a quick visit to the magazine stand to grab the latest India Today.
Do I miss India? Family- yes but everything else- No. While living in other countries I have at times pined for a chat with somebody in my language and craved for non-plastic tasting dosas. But, in Singapore, I don't miss it at all. And if at all I do, its just a hop, skip and jump to Little India!
Singapore's Little India is not just a showcase of India as it is in other countries. Here, it's as authentic as it can get. It's a big slice of the 'real stuff'. Flavours, smells, colours, people, architecture, atmosphere...it's all there.
Just one of the reasons why I love Singapore!
No comments:
Post a Comment