Grandmothers Lullaby

Like everyone I have fond memories of Grandma who used to sing  Lullabies to put me to sleep. Sometimes I do sing it to myself to put myself to sleep. Any economics article would do too but I don't want any nightmares. One of my favorite lullaby is about a Cats wedding.

Poochaye ki, Poochaye ki Kalya-nama
BhooLogom elaam Konda-tama
Aane mele urgo-lo-venn
Ota-chivingi Natyama


Rough Translation
Twas a, Twas a Cats wedding,
Whole world was celebrating,
Elephants were in the procession,
Even camels were dancing.


DISCLAIMER: The lullaby is recalled from my unreliable memory and translated with my even less reliable Tamil. If readers happen to correct any of the above  - you are most welcome!

Let the Games begin - Part I

Childhood memories how bitter they may be, will always remind of us the good times we had while playing "The Games".
"The Games" - These are unconventional games which we would play while reveling in the wonderful times we will have. I would now discuss some set of games which I played(also you might too) which might rekindle your nostalgia.

1. Revadi-Mungfli  
 A game which requires timing as good as while batting. "The dummies guide to Revadi-Mungfli" defines it as game with a playing arena which might range from few feets to many meters. Its an individual-turn based game. It has a small circle of radius of 1 foot, where the player in turn will stand. The other players will stand behind the circle in way to maximize their coverage area of arena. No playing gear is required except for a stone. The player will be facing backward to other players. He will shout "Revadi" (Ready) and other players will acknowledge by saying "Munfli" (Yes). Now the player will toss the stone high backwards. Now depending on the landing of stone, the player in turn will proceed further.He is "out" - meaning disqualified and has to give the turn to next player - for following outcomes :
a) The other players catches the stone before landing.
b) The stone falls outside the playing arena.
c) The stones falls safely but rolls back in the circle or ahead of it or on the circumference
d) The stone lands on the circumference.

In all other cases, the player now needs to skip and push the stone back from the landing position to the circle in specified number of steps. Once the stone is in he has to jump over the stone perfectly. Ohh yes did I forget to mention that he has to do it on one leg. The number of steps in contention here are decided by the player in turn and other players through negotiation such that it is not too low to be impossible or too high to be wasting time. Now wait, there are chances that he might still be disqualified or "out" because of following-
a) If he not able to push back the stone in specified number of steps (read not even one less or one more)
b) He manages to make himself or the stone touch the line.
c) He misses the stone while jumping over it when it reaches the circle.
d) He is touching the circumference when he jumps over the stone.