Naming Ceremony

On March 21, 2011 we had a small Naamkaran puja at home and loved the little ritual of whispering her name in her ear. Both Pravir and i took turns to let her know the little secret that was going to be announced to the world that day. Somu Mama of course rightfully did the honours of writing her name in wheat and inked it so to speak.

Tara Kumar arrives!
 
Pravir and I have spent more than ten years in Pune and ever since that milestone date we'd been wanting to call all our friends of the past decade meet as a mark of how much this City has added to our lives. Well, it has been nearly two years since that thought germinated, but we finally got near that only with Tara's arrival. 

So later that evening after the Puja we had a party for family and friends. It was an overwhelming moment for Pravir and I as we announced her name and had her placed in the cradle for the first time at the hands of Amma and Baba (Tara's great grandparents). Then we had volunteers come on stage rock the cradle (as long as the lady was willing to be left in it - which was less than a few seconds), and then sing songs for her. Tara being a name finding its place in many a Hindi film songs - there was a lot of enthusiastic participation. I wish we had video recorded that evening though. It was amazing to have four generations together that evening and different age groups of people singing for Tara. 

Family at the Naming Ceremony, March 21, 2011

Friends at the Naming Ceremony, March 21, 2011

We were touched with so many of our relatives coming in from various places to be here for Tara - it really meant a lot to us and I am sure Tara will glow with the thought when she sees this pic when she grows up, of so many people who were there for her. 
We missed many of our close friends at the occasion, who would surely be there if they could we know - but the party's just begun and we'll surely make enough opportunity to have Tara meet all of them.