Face book and Katta gossip

In olden days when chawls were dominant, there would be a tulsi katta in the back yard. There would be a well, a couple of stone slabs for washing clothes and a boat shaped stone tank. The platform around the tulsi vrindavan could seat at least 10 to 15 people. The tulsi katta was the prime location where women shared their joys and sorrows. Pregnancies would be declared there (self or others). Complaints against in-laws would be filed in whispers amidst sobs. Recipes would be exchanged. Old women would comb the youngsters’ hair and plait them in different styles while waxing eloquently on their hay hair days. Stories of whom it attracted were told with blushes. Hurried mornings or lazy afternoons or cool evenings or a stolen kiss night the tulsi katta was an essential part of life.

Apartments have replaced chawls, washing machines stone slabs and taps have replaced wells. I was missing my katta and the fun till my children introduced me to FACE BOOK. It was heaven sent. All my long lost friends can be found. My co-sisters who reside in different countries, I am linked to them through face book. Face book is a vibrant place for all my gossip. A virtual platform, for a stone platform, worth it. My co sis sent the photo graph of her besan laddus seeking compliments, gleefully another one commented ‘ you have fried too much, it should be a nice golden yellow. See mine ‘ and she posted her laddu photos. My mother-in-law dismissed the second lot of laddus as under fried. How else would my knowledge of laddus increase without face book?. Newly married nieces moan ‘ maushi, my dosas stuck to the pan Ravi (her husband) shouted at me’ , ‘add rice flour ‘ was my instant advice at no cost. Face book helps me keep track of who buys what. I get to see them virtually. Gossip about who has put on weight, express doubt on an expanding stomach, till she sheds it by exercise and puts my curiosity to rest. All in all I am an ardent fan of face book jai ho!!