The Solar Eclipse

I have very distinct childhood memories of eclipses.
My early years were spent in the Wanaparthy Blocks consisting of more than 25 houses on the periphery of a very large open space as big as a football stadium. Each house had an excellent view of most of the other houses across. Maybe 11 houses on the ground level and 14 on the first floor level. One house at the entrance to this block was above a row of garages. It was longish with a very long balcony! Each room had a separate door and the entrance would be from the balcony itself. The Peshawaris lived in this house. They had a dry fruits shop at the entrance to the Mozamjahi Market right on the roadside.
Come eclipse there would be so much activity in our community of Raos, Reddys, Marathis, Tamilians and Sindhis. We all lived like one huge family. As soon as the eclipse got over we would run out of our houses - all bathed and fresh, waiting for the wailing of the poor and the disabled seeking alms. That was the day when they would go back loaded with so many old clothes, money and grains. It was the daan day. It was quite a sight.
Then our family would head off to the Hanuman mandir in Abids just opposite the Palace theater. I think it still stands there with the same name.

Today after this solar eclipse many, many years later, things are no different. Except to pray and meditate during the eclipse for the people who have touched our lives in these present times and a prayer to our ancestors. All the while not sipping even a drop of water, much less eat.

I was ready with an old but good saree, a new blouse piece, rice and dal with some money to be given away to my maid servant whom I had already asked to come after 3.15pm.

It is so difficult to shake off these small though insignificant memories of our childhood days. A whiff of the old scent still comes back to remind us of our past and what we were and from where we came.
Cheers!
Mahalakshmi