I grew up in Madras, not In CHENNAI*. Regardless of the season (did we really have a season ?), our dinner time was at 7.30 PM and bed time was no later than 9.30 pm.
Eating out at a restaurant was a huge deal, a rarity actually, that only happened when it was a birthday or a very special occasion to celebrate.
There was no such thing as fast food on every other day. Having a bottle of soft drinks and an ice-cream from the local shop was a real treat reserved for special occasions. Pass your final exams and you might have gotten a treat or new pair of Bata chappals. We waited for Deepavali, Birthday and Pongal for a new set of dress. Hung around at the Tailor shop on the eve of Deepavali to collect the newly stitched dress.
You took your school clothes off as soon as you got home and put on your ‘home’ clothes. There was no taking or picking you up in the car or school bus. You either rode on public transport, or just walked home. You got home did your chores and homework before dinner.
Not everyone had a home phone and much later, all private conversation were at PCO booth's. We used to get telephone calls at our neighbors house. If our home had a telephone, we had to be the messenger to many neighbors as when they got a call.
We didn’t have Apple TV, AmazonPrime or Netflix. Only few houses had TV, we used to flock them. We had only Doordarshan to watch, Oliyum Oliiyum on Friday, Movie on Sunday for which we waited all week. We need to constantly meddle with the antenna to get Radio Ceylon, Rupavahini reception.
We played Thirudan Police, Football, Cricket, Iceboy (actually it was “I spy”) Goli, Kaathaadi, Pambaram , Gilli and any other game we could come up with... At home, we stuck to Dhaayam , Paramapadam, Aadupuli Aattam and Trade (Monopoly). Whoever was the Banker at Trade game had underhanded dealings with selected few players.
Staying home was a PUNISHMENT and the we hardly complained about getting bored as we always had something to do outside. Half the time folks at our home could identify us with our voice as we became tanned, dirty and sweaty walking / playing or roaming in hot sun. Home was only to shower, eat & sleep. We always walked or by cycled up to few KMs, never took a rickshaw or a bus.
Life was good without insta, facebook, twitter.
Followers were the friends standing behind you.
We played music via tape recorder (in few houses only) but mostly with radio / transistor sitting around it. A walkman which came later during college days was a luxury even for the rich.
We were sent to ‘Nadar or Annachi Kadai’ for groceries. Chiclets, then mittai, kamarcut etc was a commission / treat for our trip to the shop. They all used to cost few paises.
We ate what Amma made and packed in our lunch box. Bottled water was non existent. We drank from the school water tap or from the earthen pot.
We called our friends by shouting their names from standing outside their house on the the street. We were welcome to all friends house uninvited and food / snacks was served irrespective whether anything was left for friend’s mother.
We weren't AFRAID OF ANYTHING. We played until dark... sunset / darkness was our alarm to return home. You could never enter home without washing your legs & hands first.
If someone had a fight, that's what it was and we were friends again a day later if not SOONER.
We were careful with what we said around our elders because ALL of our aunts, uncles, grandpas, grandmas, our parents friends and neighbors were all extensions of our PARENTS and you didn't want them telling your parents you’d misbehaved!
We respected our Elders, Police, Firemen, Teachers, Doctors and Nurses or anyone with power. We never questioned or answered back... ever!!!
We were made to stand on the bench at school for not doing homework, no hair cut, being late to class or being naughty. Our teachers freely spanked us when we deserved it and our parents did not complain about it.
We did not know what luxury was. Our simple lives were so good.
Those were the good old days. All kids growing in Metros today will never know how it feels to be a real kid ЁЯШБ. I loved my childhood and all the friends I hung around with. ЁЯТЦ. Really miss those days. Simple living, no anxiety, no worries about tomorrow.
Share if you are from the same generation.....
Wish those days come back for good
ReplyDelete