Ode to the Kadhipatta

My blog and FB friend, Deepak Amembal, brings to life the most mundane stuff, with his excellent photography.  He recently posted a very graceful capture of the Kadhipatta or Curry leaves plant growing in his balcony.

Many of us take Kadhipatta for granted , grow it in our balconies in pots, and revel in the fact that the vegetable vendor gives it free along with other veggies.  But these greatly undervalued leaves, bring great flavor to food, and are rich with nutritional benefits .  These plants need lots of water and strong sunshine, and the leaves grow in pairs. 

 A small ode from a Kadhipatta fan ....

लहानपणा पासून जोडी जोडीने भरपूर पाण्यात डुम्ब्णे, प्रखर सूर्यप्रकाशात डोलत कोर्डे होणे, आणि कायम नवीन नवीन छोट्या मंडळींना प्रोत्साहन देत स्वतः मागे राहणे; एकत्र कुटुंबात सुखात राहणे , कुठेही तड्तड ऐकू आली कि गडबडीने मदतीस जाउन परिस्थिती सुधारण्यासाठी आपले आत्मसमर्पण कर्णे , आणि एका सुंदर आयुष्याचा सुगंध मागे ठेवणे ।; आयुष्य असावे ते असे !

Gallivanting in pairs in an idyllic childhood, playing amidst huge water showers, and then proudly drying off amidst strong sunshine rubs. Aware of new little ones, and pushing them to the front. It is all about living happily in a joint family, and rushing occasionally on hearing staccato sounds, and throwing oneself into the hot cauldrons, in supreme sacrifice, leaving behind a wonderful fragrance of a life beautifully lived. A fine example of how Life is to be lived....