Stories of Food and Love from Ladakh

The breathtaking landscapes of Ladakh will remain with me for sure but the quiet lessons on humility, gratitude, generosity and love, imparted by the locals without even realising they were doing so, sit alongside the touristy memories in my heart.

These photographs may seem like mere pictures of food lacking the perfect angle, lighting or aesthetic appeal.

For me, these are stories of love. Stories of priceless moments frozen in time. Moments of the warmth and connection I was made to feel in Ladakh.

✨ The time when I tasted butter tea or namkeen chai or Gur-Gur chai at a friend's home for the first time and how his father lovingly kept refilling the cup with a simple 'aur piyo'. He told us how his Mrs who was not at home when we visited had instructed him to serve us well ❤️

✨ The countless cups of chai at Moonpalace that witnessed our endless chatter and laughter of our kids busy in play, as if we have known each other for years!

✨ The morning at a homestay at Hanle when I sipped on hot tea with the cutest view! And soon after, I offered to babysit and cuddled little Tenzing to let her parents, our hosts fix our breakfast.

✨ The day when we stayed at Karzok, one of the highest settlements in the world where procuring daily necessities is a challenge and we were left dumbfounded to be lovingly served hot gulab jamun as dessert after a wholesome meal!

✨ The morning after when we were welcomed by piping hot tea and the most delicious Alu parathas.

✨ The time when we sat huddled inside Sonamji's kitchen at Merak while he and his wife whipped up a hearty meal for us.

✨ Impromptu cooking sessions with friends, learning and making local food Timok and Chutagi.

✨ My first time tasting Chutagi a soupy pasta dish. SO yum!

These moments and more have found a special place in my heart.

Kindness is served generously in these humble kitchens, less is truly more here. Love naturally glows, a pure kind, unrushed that is rare in the hustle of big cities. Modernities can never replace this.

Blessed to have made some friends like family. With hearts as large as the mountains they dwell amidst, they made me feel home and loved.

For that I am forever grateful 🪷🙏🏻

110, Not Out - A Tribute.

What can I say about a person who has lived across centuries? Words can never do justice to his legacy.

Yet, here I am attempting to pay tribute to the most inspiring person I have been lucky to have had a close association with, who's surname I adorn with pride, my Abu (Grandfather)🙏🏻 because some life stories are worth sharing with the world.

From humble beginnings and studying under street lights to working his way up and living life king size.

From ruling the corporate world in his prime days to whipping up the most scrumptious delicacies in his kitchen.

From showing us how to lead to cheering us on to achieve our own feats.

From being a stickler of discipline to goofing around with his grands.

Abu has shown us by example how to live to the fullest the life we are dealt with. I will always fondly recall and draw inspiration from his mental grit, graceful style, large heartedness, love for good food, ever-smiling eyes, hearty laughter and warm embrace.

If his amazing lifetime is not inspiring enough he left for heavenly abode with a final noble act of donating his body to Kilpauk Medical College. He sure has set the standards very high even in his passing 🙏🏻

110, not out 🫡

- because he will live on in our memories forever! ♾️ 

Signing off in his signature style,

God Bless 🙏🏻

                Srinivasa Narasimha Pai

                      🪷1915 - 2026 🪷

Ladakh, revisited.

“Not everyone will understand your journey. That's fine. It's not their journey to make sense of. It's yours.” - Zero Dean

3 months ago, after a short holiday in Ladakh we returned with loads of memories. Usually at the end of every trip I would be happy to be back home and settle into my routine.

But this time it was different.

While I got myself busy unpacking, sorting laundry and souvenirs, it suddenly dawned on me that something was missing.

I had left my heart behind! 🩵

It had stayed back amongst the snow-capped mountains, the bluest of skies, the calmest of lakes and the humblest of people. Never had I experienced the kind of peace that I felt there. Never have I fallen in love with a place like this that I could not stop thinking of going back.

Well, maybe there was more to it than what Ladakh offered to me.

During our visit, I was at my lowest. Only a couple of weeks prior, we faced a loss in our family. I was struggling to make sense of the fragility of life. The endless mountainscape, serene tranquility and mesmerising beauty felt like a warm hug to my grieving heart. Like they say, the mountains healed me.

But what do I do with this immense longing to go back again that was kind of crippling my normal functioning?

Well, life is shorter than we think it is so I decided to listen to my heart and follow it like I always do! I was pretty sure it knew its way.  A few heartfelt conversations with family, practical planning and our tickets were booked.

We chose a week of enriching travel and cultural experiences over school as I believe not all learning happens within the confines of a classroom.

From lessons on humility and gratitude, forming friendships across cultures, visiting quaint little villages, appreciating simple living to sharing smiles and stories with hardworking locals - this time we were not mere tourists but empathetic travellers on a humble learning journey.

Oh, what a wholesome journey it has been! 🙏🏻

While I found my heart, a part of it will always remain lost in the Himalayas ⛰️

Life

They say time heals,

But this heart is still hurting.

Grief comes in waves,

Unannounced, with no warning.

A loss teaches you more,

Than life can ever.

Each of us are here,

On a preset timer.

We are ignorant,

Of what is coming.

Of the hows and whys,

Of God's timing.

Just say those ‘I love you’s,

Often and out loud.

Sprinkle kindness like confetti,

Spread joy all around.

Guard your inner peace,

No one else can do it for you.

Make meaningful connections,

With people who make your heart bloom.

Travel far and wide,

Collect memories that matter to you.

For at the end of it all,

That's all we are left with, to hold on to.

Follow your heart,

Listen and soak it all in.

Make your limited time here,

Truly worth it.

Put on that smile.

Humbled with gratitude.

Stay grounded at all times,

For that's where we all go back to.

Live your life wholly,

Let there be no regrets.

The show might end,

Just about any minute.

Ladakh

With a hurting heart,

And unanswered ‘why’s.

Along with my boys,

I flew across the skies.

Through the nip in the air,

Our welcome felt warm.

To the land of high passes,

Oh, beautiful Ladakh.

Where the water doesn't rush,

It flows by choice.

The blissful silence is louder,

Than my garbled inner voice.

Turquoise rivers and lakes,

Mountains in shades of chocolate.

Valleys oh so dreamy,

My mind settled into a happy state.

A language of kindness,

Is spoken here.

Their humility is contagious.

Making me want to be better.

The bluest of skies,

The purest of air.

Of serene tranquility,

I had my fair share.

My heart aches a little lesser,

Blurring away some unspoken fears.

Calmed by the peace,

The prayer flags whispered in my ears.

It's unmatched natural beauty,

Has me allured.

Ladakh ne Leh liya mera dil,

I will be back for sure.

She Knows

She knows,

When something is amiss.

The droop in the shoulders,

The unhappy lips.

She knows,

He likes his dosas crisp.

Yogurt with every meal,

Oats with lotsa choco chips.

She knows,

Everything else can wait.

When he needs her to set,

His world back up straight.

She knows,

Where that sock is shoved away.

The shirt that needs a mend,

The fav tee he'll reach out for, today.

She knows,

The inside jokes.

His benchmate at school.

That ouchie on the toe.

She knows,

He's upset with his buddy.

Is dealing with a broken heart,

That's riddled with saddies.

She knows,

The lessons for his Monday's test.

Pencils that need sharpening,

Drawer pleading a full reset.

She knows,

The grin would get wider,

So, she shows up.

His forever cheerleader.

She knows,

She is his haven, his calm.

Battles her own chaos,

To ensure his show goes on.

Overwhelmed sometimes,

Her head feels loaded.

Being tuned in all day,

Always needed.

She tumbles at times,

Only to rise up stronger. 

She knows she got this,

Cos... she is a Mother ✨

Friendship Woes

She looked around at the faces,

Trying to blend in.

Making friends anew in her 40s,

Was harder than she had imagined.

"How tough could it be?"

She wondered prior to the party.

"Our kids are all school buddies,

It will be fun to meet fellow Mommies."

After some friendly banter,

And genuine attempts at socialising.

Cheeks sore from fake smiling,

Her social battery was draining.

Lovely people, each of them.

But she couldn't match their vibes.

"I am done. Let's go home!"

Screamed her inner voice.

It's funny she felt that way,

She yearned for company just the other day.

All she wanted then was to step outside,

And now, at home she wanted to stay.

At times she struggles to decipher,

What her heart really wants.

For the last almost a decade,

Motherhood has taken precedence.

She's been busy,

Nurturing her own blessed little world.

Tending to every need,

Even before they are spoken aloud.

Amidst her beautiful chaos,

Wholesome connections her heart seeks.

Effortless friendships,

The ones that instantly click.

With her preferences no longer just her's,

Priorities given a makeover.

She finds her calm in the familiar,

In the treasured handful, who just 'get her' 💛

Words ⭐

Oftentimes I ponder about,

The power of words.

Mere letters woven together,

Written or spoken aloud.

The sweetest of messages,

Hardest of truths,

Glittery shower of praises,

To gut wrenching feuds.

Heart tingling love notes,

Soul stirring talks,

Words can mend broken hearts,

Also stir up emotional storms.

Words can sting like a bee,

Causing wounds unintended.

Can soothe like a bear hug,

Melting differences unwanted.

Words can uplift you,

Nourish you with all things nice.

Can shove you to gloom,

And cut like a knife.

At times words are said,

To be regretted soon after.

Words that cannot be undone,

Leaving relationships altered.

Then there are words left unsaid,

Those you wished were conveyed.

But with time, slips away moments.

Until it is sometimes too late!

Words are mighty,

To be dealt with care.

Be generous with the kind ones,

Those meant to be shared.

Take a moment to reflect,

When shadowed by thoughts,

For you can never have them back,

Once words are sent out!

Magic in the Mundane! ✨

The comfort of normalcy,

In daily humdrum.

The sheer blessing of a routine,

That may often seem ho-hum.

The gleeful smiles,

Behind messy, mud smeared faces.

The joyous tunes of family meals,

Hum the pile, of dirty dishes.

The thrills of childhood adventures,

Tucked in the little pants with knee holes.

The echoes of playful laughter,

Bouncing off toys strewn on the floor.

The warmth of bed time snuggles,

Hidden in stained, dog-eared books.

Oh, there really is magic all around,

You just need to know where to look! ✨

- Nandita Pai 

#nanditapaipoems

* Just a reminder to self and to anyone else who may need this today - pause and look for the magic! It's right there ☺️

Cornered!

Suddenly, in the midst,

Of a seemingly beautiful day,

It makes its presence felt,

Like a slap right across the face.

I try to shake it away,

But further in, I sink.

I struggle to hold onto my sanity,

But the negatives march right in.

I try to reason out with my mind,

But in vain as I spiral into the pit.

Then the questions shootout,

Directly at me they hit.

What am I doing with my life?

Do I really matter?

Am I doing enough?

Can I do any better?

Everything that I do all day,

Does it make the slightest difference?

Is the world any nicer,

By my mere presence?

My self worth is dissected,

My very existence, questioned.

My thoughts have me cornered,

My optimism, slowly poisoned.

Then I wipe away my tears,

Tuck away my fears.

Unfurl the turmoil,

Ringing in my ears.

I wrestle my invisible demon,

And free myself of the hold.

Because life is calling,

I have got to go!

- Nandita Pai

** Somedays when I feel I am getting sucked into a whirlpool of my own thoughts, putting them down in words always helps me find a little peace.

Pockets of Peace 🌸

It's been a hustle, 

Well, when is it not, right?

But lately,

Life is a few steps ahead,

With me trying to play catch up, 

Breathlessly running behind.

Sun rises and sets, 

As it's meant to everyday.

The inbetween is a blur most days,

Where did all the time go away?

Amidst all the struggle to juggle,

I'm trying to find my pockets of peace.

Maybe its the wisdom,

That comes free,

With the evening of my thirties!

I am trying,

To prioritise myself.

To tune in to my needs.

To celebrate my own wins.

To embrace my insecurities.

I am learning,

It's OK to say 'No' at times.

Its OK to disappoint.

Its OK to not be able to help.

Its OK to give in to my wants.

I am practicing,

To cancel out the noises,

That fog my mind.

To appreciate the goodness,

Of all kind.

To be fine with the fact that, 

Not all problems need a fix.

To be grateful for life,

The good, the ugly and the entire mix.

Life is as simple or complex,

As you make it to be.

I like mine seasoned,

With my little pockets of peace✌🏻

You got, You!

Years begin and then they end,

Connections bloom,

May wilt and mend.

Loved ones come along,

Joyous times you spend.

When in need,

Their shoulders they do lend.

The path may seem clear,

But roads do bend.

Like seasons,

Change is the only constant.

Just you remain yours,

Until the very end.

Make time for yourself,

Be your own best friend.

Applaud the loudest,

For your tiniest wins.

Be your own sunshine,

When the light feels dim.

Set down that load at times,

Grab on to your dreams and fly.

Be the wind beneath your wings,

Reach for the stars up high.

Mute the noises as you please,

To tune in to your thoughts.

Blur out the extras in life,

To focus on what really counts.

This life is yours to live,

Paint it in shades you love.

Some may not understand,

While it might leave some in awe.

Chase your own kind of happy,

Chalk your own special story.

Allow yourself grace,

You are enough, honey!

Let yourself wander,

To experiences... new.

Learn, grow and shine on,

You... got you!

- Nandita ♥️

#nanditapaipoems

Let's Start with a Grateful Heart ♥️

It's easy to look around,

And let yourself wallow in what you have not.

But darling, look at your own beautiful life, 

Be grateful for what you have got! 

When you truly begin, 

To focus on the 'what is' 

Petty minuses blur,

And you feel pure bliss.

Things you take for granted,

In your 'mundane life', 

Is a mere farfetched dream, 

For some, barely alive.

If you wake up in your cozy bed,

Well rested, healthy.

If you own even a modest wardrobe,

With clothes which to you may seem ordinary. 

If you get to oblige,

The hunger and cravings of your belly.

If you have people to call your own,

And create a loving family.

If you have already nodded to the above,

Consider yourself blessed, honey.

You have one go at this magical life,

Give it your best shot.

Don't let comparison cloud reality,

Count your blessings with a grateful heart ♥️

- Nandita 💛

Happy 2023 to each of you! ☺️

#nanditapaipoems

Table for One, Please!

Zoomed in a tad much,

Into this motherhood gig,

The clarity was beginning to blur.

It was time to step back,

Fill up that cup,

Just spend some quality time with her.

I wanted to check on her,

The girl who slipped,

To the bottom of my list.

The one who loved her life, 

But was irked at the feeling,

That something was amiss.

So after weeks of dodging the idea,

I decided to take her on a trip.

Not as the wife or the mother.

Just the ‘Me’ that I am, before am any of these!

A debut solo travel,

To a city anew,

Seemed a tiny bit daunting to me,

But exciting too.

I really needed to do this for myself,

Mr., only urged me on.

So off I went on a little adventure,

2 days without my mom-cape on.

Figuring my way around the city,

Tackling some booking issues,

Wandering the streets in solitude,

Soaking in the local views.

Shushing the noises in my head,

Listening to my own thoughts,

Rescheduling plans at my will, 

At times opting to just nap it out.

Binge watching into the midnight, 

Shopping at my pace, unhurried.

Filling my head space with joy,

Not clouding it up with worry.

Relishing meals in peace,

Visiting places that I please.

I was surprising myself,

At how I felt so much at ease.

Slaying away my initial self doubt,

And inhibitions of being alone.

I truly enjoyed my own company,

Smiled at my confidence, as it shone.

The cup is full to its brim,

The zest is back with a bang.

Am all set to get my act together,

And reunite with my little gang! 💛

To me, From me

I am exactly, 

Where I want to be.

Contented with my life, 

At peace, in harmony. 

As another year rolls by,

And the greys build their army.

A few lines of wisdom,

From me... to me!

Be true, be you,

The world will adjust.

Don't just follow the crowd,

Explore a path of your own, instead.

Upgrade yourself,

In your priority list.

Enjoy your own company,

Converse with your thoughts.

Don't put away that parlour appointment, 

Drink that coffee, while it's still hot.

Focus your energy on what's worth it.

Let go of, what is not.

Follow your heart,

It always knows the route.

Choose happiness,

Whenever in doubt.

Be proud of your journey, 

Of how far you have come.

Be patient, be resilient.

There is nothing you cannot overcome.

Forever be grateful,

For the blessings from above.

Today, pause and celebrate 'You', 

Happy Birthday, Love! ❤️

Motherhood

Where you feel beyond blessed,

To mean the world to a little person.

Yet feeling moments of loneliness,

Amidst all the 'being needed', is real.

Where even the off key babbles,

Are music to your ears.

Yet craving for some quiet,

Then finding silence deafening, is real.

Where you realise you can love selflessly,

Beyond measures you knew not until now.

Yet missing your younger carefree self,

Yearning alone-time, is real. 

Where you learn to unlearn a whole lot,

As you rock your own parenting journey.

Yet often feeling lost amidst the chaos,

Wishing for a wand or a manual, is real.

Where you surprise yourself with immense strength,

Physical and emotional.

Yet drenching in your own tears,

At the silliest of triggers, is real.

Where you are blinded by joy, 

That your heart pounds with gratitude.

Moments later it's your head pounding,

Oh the exhaustion, is real.

Where your little person is your pride, 

You love being known as their mom.

Yet feeling uncertain of your own identity,

Outside of this relationship, is real.

Where you want to soak in every moment, 

And not miss a second.

Yet tuning off from all the chatter,

The mental load, is real.

 

Mundane and magical.

Exhausting and exhilarating.

Brain-draining and beautiful.

Chaotic and calming.

An experience of sweet contradictions.

Of endless happiness and worrying.

If I could reprogram Motherhood,

I would change absolutely nothing! ❤️

Sixth!

If I were to sum up in a word,

This past year of yours,

Without a second thought in my head,

It would be 'Train' of course! 😁

As much as it drives me nuts, 

All that tooting around all day long! 😖

Am awestruck with your unfazed passion,

Your love for railway, so strong!

Am learning to be right on track,

And enjoy this joy ride with you.🛤️

Trying to soak in all the trivia you puff out, 

On diesel, steam and electric trains,

To name a few.

At every railroad crossing,

That come your way,

When unsure on which way to go, 

Just listen to what your heart has to say. 💛

And one day when you,

Decide to change tracks,

And steer towards an interest anew.

I will be chugging along right behind you,

Cheering on, all the way through! 🚂

Yay, It's your birthday, 

"Choo-choo Chuckety Choo !" 

Wish you freight train loads of love and happiness,

Happiest Sixth to you! 🎉

- ☀️Amma

3rd Wave

I know one day, 

I will look back in awe.

Of how we survived this all!

But right now it feels like,

Am walking a tight rope,

Struggling to balance,

Atop buildings so tall.

Just when the storm seemed to settle a bit,

Gushes in another high tide.

These aren't the kind of waves,

I know how to ride.

Stuck in an endless loop of chores, 

Daunting piles of laundry,

Sink full of dishes,

And tummies that are hungry.

Juggling work amidst tantrums,

Being needed all day long.

Battling anxiety within,

Trying hard to stay strong.

The frequent, snarky retorts, 

And the guilt trips that follow,

Which only doubles,

When in self pity at times I wallow.

Yes, am blessed and grateful.

I remind myself everyday.

But sometimes, just sometimes,

I need to just let me be,

And allow myself to sulk my blues away.

Tomorrow, I promise, 

To put my optimist coat on.

But today, I am OK being not OK.

It's exhausting, it's tough,

I am just tired and forlorn.

- Nandita

#nanditapaipoems #sonshinemumma

Riding Waves

 I know one day, 

I will look back in awe.

Of how we survived this all!

But right now it feels like,

Am walking a tight rope,

Struggling to balance,

Atop buildings so tall.

Just when the storm seemed to settle a bit,

Gushes in another high tide.

These aren't the kind of waves,

I know how to ride.

Stuck in an endless loop of chores, 

Daunting piles of laundry,

Sink full of dishes,

And tummies that are hungry.

Juggling work amidst tantrums,

Being needed all day long.

Battling anxiety within,

Trying hard to stay strong.

The frequent, snarky retorts, 

And the guilt trips that follow,

Which only doubles,

When in self pity at times I wallow.

Yes, am blessed and grateful.

I remind myself everyday.

But sometimes, just sometimes,

I need to just let me be,

And allow myself to sulk my blues away.

Tomorrow, I promise, 

To put my optimist coat on.

But today, I am OK being not OK.

It's exhausting, it's tough,

I am just tired and forlorn.

- Nandita

Nobody but You

Nobody but you,

Knows you through and through,

Every disguised emotion,

Tiniest joys and blues.

Nobody but you,

Accompanies you,

From your very first minute to your last.

Rejoices, grieves, reminisces, 

Each memory with you,

From the past.

Nobody but you, 

Can call your shots, 

For you.

They can only cheer you on, 

Your family and friends,

Old and new.

Nobody but you,

Knows your history.

Your every struggle and victory.

Overcome the self doubt,

You are the hero of your life,

Script your own story.

Nobody but you, 

Owes you happiness, 

In it's truest form.

Promise to be there for you.

Amidst worldly turmoil, 

Be your own calm.

Nobody but you, 

Can love you, 

Like you do others.

Expect nothing less from you,

Love yourself deeply,

Prioritise what matters.