"Aavu" and "Puppaya"

Clicked? No of course! :) And the a person seeing this is not likely to understand anything at first. :) These are two words I'm rather fond of, the first one being the inevitable part of my life. Both are related to my childhood and I don't know how they came into use, though of course I'm sure that I am the person who had coined them out. :) A person outside my family will definitely think of these are gibberish, unless told about their significance. So, here's is the story of aavu and puppaya.

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PUPPAYA

Definition: A peach/brown coloured powder, used as chatni to eat dosa/idalli. It is known as "dosappodi" among the public (of South India of course). :) Ingredients are chilli, black gram, daal, salt and "kaayappodi" (I'll refer and write the English name later). It can be used a reserve curry when you don't have any other curry to eat dosa (especially when ur mom is not at home or she is ill). At home, it will be served into ur plate using a spoon , and usually will be a like a small hill! U r supposed to make a hole in the middile of the heap into which u can pour oil! It is a great pleasure to watch this careful process and finally when it comes to mixing, u feel a bit sad! But there are many things which can be done after mixing, of course, the main thing is to use it for eating the dosa. :)If the 'paste' is too thick u may or maynot add further oil. If u don't, u can make "puppaya balls" :P. If the oil is too much for the powder, it will form a thin film on the plate, and u can actually draw or write something! I usually did so when I was a child, though my granny used to scold me for 'writing' in the left overs! The major breakthrough in the usage of the name came when my father started (or rather I heard him) using it almost 3 years ago; for the word had been in existence for the past 18/17 years. I was actually surprised to hear it. But the name "puppaya" has become a well used one in our home. In fact it has become a 'curry name' like sambar, achar etc. :) So, if you like this name, you may actually use it. :)
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That's all for puppaya. Now abt my all time favourite "aavu".

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AAVU
Definition: A pillow which I hug when I sleep; in otherwords it is something without which I can't sleep in a bed (for we all sleep in buses, on tables and so on). :)
I don't remember how I got the habit of using aavu. But I do remember my parents keeping a pillow near me, to prevent me from falling from the bed. :) Soft pillows, with sweet covers make the best aavus. I have had many aavus, through the years and I think I've become an aavu expert. :)
So a good aavu is:
(1) one which is not too large
(2) soft and
(3) having a pillow cover which is of a nice colour, my fav being light blue) and not too serious; eg) one with a tale pictured on it, or flower print (but if it is made by ur mother, from a cross stich cloth and she has stiched a rabbit and a duck on it for you,it will be more lovely ;) ) .
Now, to use your aavu, just mount on ur bed, lie down, hug it and cover yourself with the blanket and sleep peacefully. Ho! I can experience the feeling it gives you even now. :) It is such a nice one.
Aavu is a good companion. It is your friend. You pamper it like your own sibling,pet etc (as you grow up it becomes your child :) ), you cry over it when you are sad, and hug it tightly when you are happy, or a frightening lightning flash occurs or when you think you are in love ;). It is your companion when you are ill ; it knows your heart, and gives you a sense of security. And the feeling that you are not alone. :)



PS: I took my aavu with me (it can be kept in n airbag; both small sized and flexible :) )
when we went for the tour in MSc. Yes! That proved an advantage of aavu. It acted as a reserve pillow in the room where five of us stayed. We lay horizontally on the two cots there, and with the 2 pillows in that room+my aavu, we all slept well. :)
While in the bus, one of my classmates asked me; "Have you given aavu anything to eat?" :)

My dear aavu, I love you. :)
You are so cute and sweet. :)
I love you. :)