proud to be a tam brahm

Tam brahm[ read tamil brahmins], a tag which many fancy, many mock and some like me take pride in being called so.. well whenever i see a tam brahm i just cannot control myself, but be all over the person and find out everything about him, his family members[prospects for the future], and about his fore fathers.. and the zeal and thrill that goes down my spine when i learn that his mothers aunts elder son and my fathers uncles someone are related is inexplicable.
I certainly do not follow all the rites and rituals necessary to be branded a brahmin and also commit sacriledges of the highest order but somewhere deep within me is a true brahmin who feels guilty of indulging in such blasphemical acts.However, that does not stop me from admiring a beautiful iyyer girl in a saree or a pavadai davani lighting a deepam in the worship place. i certainly respect and cherish all the monotonous religious proceedings carried out by the iyyer ladies[ at times feeling guilty that i am not even 1 percent as religious, as them], i feel ashamed to go in front of my father when he is praying as i realize that is something i too must do. the iyyer within me consoles me saying my sins are compensated for by my mothers prayers.
The ubiquitous and melodious monologue instigated by an "oru paatu padein " is just a sight i hate to miss. Though i myself know just maybe say a couple of carnatic classical songs, i long to hear an entharomahanubhavulu, or a brahma mukuteshwara, or a maha ganapatim, from the person who entertains such a request.
Mannn!!! that whole process of a "pundi sapadu" or a family meal, at a marriage function is an enthralling experience on it's own!! long rows of people seated in front of big banana leaves; served course wise by experienced waiters in dhotis and shirts with a towel on their shoulders!pachadi,kosimbiri,vazhakai podimas, uralaikazhangu roast, chenakazhangu masiyal,kootu and chips on the top half; and payasam paruppu chadam laddu wadai and urgai on the lower half!! followed by sambaar rasam and moru with small amounts of rice on request!!! by the end of the meal, one can help himself to a large "beeda" a sweet mix stuffed beetle leaf studded witha clove and a cherry!! the perfect conclusion to the feast!!
The first important ritual in a tam brahms life, the poonal[also called the janeu,sacred thread] is an amazing congregation of all kith and kin old and young who view the entrance of a free tambrahm kid into the life of a brahmachari[read spiritual bonding/ binding] with tonsures and religious practices endowed upon an innocent kid so he grows into a man in the right ways of society. Here again one does not miss the pandi sapadu, and the tiffins which ofcourse is a mainstay of such functions.
The "ponnu pakkara" ritual {translate as legal letching, and checking out] is certainly an amazing prelude to the marriage ceremonies in the tam brahm clan.. which almost looks like a barter of two individuals, analysing gothrams and kundalis" and a formal interview[read serving coffees, singing songs, talking about present work scenario, "friends", pay packages] to dig out all information about the boy or girl, and to decide if they would be a good pair, and live happily ever after[also enclosed with the package the private time for the would be bride and groom to settle differences]. This followed by the "nichyadartam" [formal signing of the deal that the boy and gurl can get married] where plates laden with fruits and coconuts on beetle leaves and vermilion in small boxes are exchanged; Tiffin with sojji and bajji with hot dark coffee served at the function is also the trademark nichiyadartham meal. the most important tam brahm ceremony follows, you may call it tying the knot day, the 'D' day, or "kalyana nal", a day which both the boy and the girl will remember till the last day of their lives!!through the "kashi yatra" and "gettimelam"...
Being a true tam brahm is certainly not an easy job. Especially with so many rituals and "functions" in everyday life interspersed with worklife which often ends up in a mess or leaves you grappling for time to chill out and socialise. The number of "poojai nals" that an average tambrahm family has, will outnumber the public holidays that the indian government gives. However the sense of belonging that i have to tam brahminism spotted with guilt, also gives me a sense of satisfaction.. a sense of satisfaction that there are scores out there who are true to tam brahminism and the likes of me are proud of them.