The Thing Called Elephant

Was the elephant a familiar neighbor for you? For me, it was.

Not sure, at what age I met the giant black guy for the first time. But I still remember, its loud cry, which used to wake me up in some special mornings. Initially, it presented me the feeling of fear, which gradually evolved into a fact of wonder.

Picture Courtesy: sanjai reloaded (Flickr)

Pooram is one of the most common celebrations around in Kerala. Where there is a temple, there is Pooram.

Pooram in the nearby temple of mine was a matter of big deal for me and my friends, in our childhood days. All because, it was one of those few celebrations, that we could independently go and enjoy, with all the freedom in the world.

The moment we were back from school, everyone rushed to the temple ground, where by that time; tiny stalls might have came up, which sells toys and eatables. Classical instrumental music takes the ambiance around to an entirely different level . People will be filled joy and enthusiasm - the whole place seemed to be the happiest of all the places on earth.

Photo Courtesy: Felix Hug - Lonely Planet Photographer

With the small pocket money we had, we bought the whole happiness in the world. Roamed around wherever we wanted to, ate whatever we got and, discussed for hours, the matters which had international significance.

The best part of the whole event was watching the elephants. They have a crucial part in the event. With all the makeups and ornaments on them, they were the VIP's among all. 

My neighbor was a great elephant lover. Elephant lover? - Yes, there are a lot of people in Kerala, who are in this category. And my neighbor was one of them. He always gave a chance for one of those elephants to stay in his premises. The elephant which got that chance, will be treated with all the luxury it can get around. And that elephant becomes by disturbing neighbor for days. 

One of the hobbies we had then was to sit and watch what the elephant does. We wondered at how it walks, its actions, how it breaks big coconut tree leaves like we broke pencils, how it showered sand all over its body... Ooooh - frightening and interesting view it was.

Now my elephant lover neighbor is no more in this world and I am not in Kerala for those occasions.

Those good old days are just some colorful memories.

In this fast moving world, even elephants avail transportation.
Photo Courtesy - The Hindu