Most of us have some
prized possessions or precious keep sakes, they may not be expensive in cost
but their presence gives us comfort vibes. Some possessions are brought, some
gifted and some come as heirlooms. Those that come as heirlooms represent our family
history and are loaded with family memories. Every time you run your fingers
over them or see them it could give you tingles and that “feel good” factor.
I have inherited many such
heirlooms some of which are my precious keepsakes. Each treasure comes with a
special story that makes me feel blessed to be a part of this lovely family.
Among the many I have, my most treasured heirloom is the Pallankuzhi. It is a native game of India
which was more popular much before the satellite era. It comes with a foldable
panel and has two sides. Each side has 7 cavities into which coins are dropped.
Coins are in the form of tamarind seeds/ cowries. In days of yore, this game aided people in counting and also every time you
drop the coin or swipe the cavity, the nerve ending on your fingertips gets
activated which developed not just motor skills but also sensory skills
like visual skills and hand/eye co-ordination. But, more than all this, was a
fun game for me whenever I visited my Grandparents place. We cousins would play
against each other/ with our aunts, uncles & grand mom. The game suitable
for all ages was not complicated and helped young ones bond with the elders.
Of all the cousins,
it was I who was fond of this game and so paati many years later gave it to me and ever
since then this pallankuzhi which stores some of my childhood family
moments is with me.
I did not want to take
away the antiquity of the brown teak wood piece and so added an antique finish
polish which still retains its history. My most cherished heirloom occupies a
place of pride in my home.
This post is my
entry for the ‘My Most Memorable Memento’ contest conducted by My Yatra Diary travel blog and Indian Coupons."
