Golden sun pouring out when grey masses of rain clouds break in random bits. Raindrops soaking themselves in damp, fragrant mud. Thick orange petals waking up to dew-washed mornings. Powdery pollen and droopy leaves doused in their own heavy scent that hangs low over startling green grass.

Little feet pattering about on watered granite, happy eyes following the zig-zagging swallow that leaves its warm nest on a tall tree. Tiny fingers reaching out to delicate flowers, pulling them out by their tender, juicy stalks.

Garden-fresh vegetables sliced into crisp cubes, slender slices and simple circles. Sparkling river-water boiling in used mud pots, silently gurgling on lit wood. Golden drops of coconut oil sliding over crunchy curry-leaves like morning dew off the coconut leaf. Happy -yellow slices of bananas floating, frying in boiling oceans of oil. Farm-fresh spices ground to pastes of thick brown, yellow and green. Little red boats of rice cooking in an orange sea. Stark orange flames leaping out and licking moisture from air laden with smells of joy.

Happy Onam, all.