Come September when we experience gentle little drizzles it's called "Courtallam Season" in our local parlance.Courtallam is known as 'the Spa of the South',famous for its waterfalls which are believed to have therapeutic qualities.
This morning when an uncle cared to call up and wish me a good day from Courtallam I teased him that I wished him to return home a saner person! After all, a bath in any of the falls in Courtallam is believed to cure the mentally unhealthy ones!
Courtallam.......hmmmm......makes me think back to twenty eight years ago when I had scrawled a so-called poem for a cousin's college magazine[that cousin is now a renowned movie director and ad maker]
COURTALLAM
I was all setFor a much-planned picnic.
You can bet
That gave me a tremendous kick.
The spot selected
Was beautiful Courtallam.
I was thrilled
To the point of bedlam.
Friends were invited,
Hampers were filled,
Bathing trunks were hunted
And cameras loaded.
The picture of Main Falls
Excited me highly.
I browsed at the station's book stall
Glancing at my watch impatiently.
The grandeur of Five Falls
In my mind swelled.
I hoped to see bathing dolls-
Enough for me to blush red.
But,where was the train
To get me there with the pack?
Will the trek be a strain
To reach Honey Falls and get back?
I practiced a pose to be clicked
At Shenba Devi Falls,
With a shirt already picked,
Amidst my friends’ catcalls.
Walks in the rain
And night hunts were planned.
Just then the much-awaited train
Into the station chugged.
There was a joyous shout
Among my friends and me.
There just wasn’t a doubt
That we were filled with glee.
Onto the train I clambered
And…….....fell and heard my scream.
I looked around dazed
To realize everything was but a dream!!!
Well,I must ask my uncle if his trip to Courtallam today was anything like my cousin's dream! No harm in enjoying a little September Madness!!!!
