From The Diary of Daughter of Maha Rajkumari Meenakshi Deviavaru- Jayapalashri Anil-Reminiscence of the past...

From The Diary of Daughter of Maha Rajkumari Meenakshi Deviavaru- Jayapalashri Anil-Reminiscence of the past...

As days pass into weeks and weeks into months, every time we come nearer to the month of August. My mind gets into a whirlpool of thoughts and memories. The best time of life has always been from August to October at times November. As I sit with my cup of tea in my favourite chair curled up with a shawl having Mozart playing in the background. My eyes are drawn to the vase on my centre table with beautiful daisies in them. 

Though I love my drawing room (salon) I am lost in thoughts of the past. As months of festivities would be near there would be so many activities at my parents home. Shopping lists invites for guests, lists for sweet preparations. The entire house getting washed and cleaned, we would get new clothes. Tailors coming in to take our measurements for the lehengas or dresses. In short, the entire household would be bustling with activity. 

I would wait to sit with my father to just have a conversation about the importance of these festivals. I would be curious and ask many questions of why, how, where. My father would sit with patience to explain things to me. Over time some of the stories were repeated but I would just love to hear it from my father. His storytelling skills were exceptional, I would often drift off into a space of actually visualizing the entire story. 

My mother on the other hand would be busy trying to get things organised at home and would often nudge to get involved in all the activities one or the other. I would enjoy going shopping with her and asking her questions too. She would at times not have the patience my father had. Though when she was in a mood she would talk about the festivities at the palace. This for me would often be a fairy tale story.

I would sit listening to my mother talk about her father and mother and how grand the celebrations used to be. Today when I think of it I do the same. I speak to my children of the lavish festival preparations that used to take place. I guess this is the circle of life and also how stories get passed on from one generation to the other. 

Going shopping with my mother as I stated was an experience by itself. The shopkeepers would be very happy to watch my mother walk in. Not that every day you would happen to see a Princess walk in. They would be so excited that we would have everyone running about to show the best things to my mother. She would sit gracefully and pick out the best clothes. At times I would just watch mesmerized at her cool and confident demeanour.

She knew exactly what colours would suit who or who would want what. Her shopping list was endless and she would start picking clothes for everyone in the family. Let me not forget to mention she would also spend time picking up clothes for her staff too.  This was especially done during the festivals of Gowri and Ganesha which was one grand celebration done at our home. 

I now understand where I have inherited my shopping galore and extravaganza. I love to shop for everyone and pamper my staff and family. This is something I realised as I was putting notes into my diary about my memories of my childhood. 

To be continued.....

Penned by  The Spiritual Princess-JayaPalashri