What wonderful days were those of my girlhood! Small things brought big joys - like being taken for a film show by elder siblings, going to the park in the evenings, reading story-books, listening to songs on the radio.

My sisters and I used to sit in the 'women only' section to see the film. We had to sit on benches, which cost a princely six annas per person! Even the trailer shown before the film was viewed with great interest. I barely understood any dialogue of the film - it was either in Tamil or Hindi, but the songs and dances delighted me no end. Munching peanuts during the interval was quite exciting. Coming home and repeating the songs (with all wrong words) and boring the elders with descriptions of the actors and actresses, getting only indifferent looks and rebukes in return, did not diminish my enthusiasm.

Going to the parks in the evening was another favourite pastime. By the side of the backwaters were three parks: one for the children, another called the Band Park and the third - Irwin Park. In the Band Park there was a circular platform in the middle, where performing bands used to entertain one and all during religious festivals and national holidays.

The third park and the largest - Irwin Park - was quite beautiful with pools and fountains. There was a 'radio room' at one end of the park, from where songs and the news would sometimes blare forth. Listening to the songs, chatting and watching the beautiful sunset across the backwaters was quite thrilling. It was with great reluctance that we used to return home before it became dark.

Reading story-books (especially during holidays) ensconced in some unobtrusive corner, was a pleasant hobby. Father had a very large collection of books on every subject under the sun. I used to read a wide variety of books. I also used to borrow books from the Public Library. My favourite authors were Edgar Wallace, Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. While reading detective stories, I used to be so oblivious to what was going on that my mother used to comment, "She will not know even if the house catches fire!"

I was fond of music from a tender age. Hence I liked to hear songs both on the radio and on gramophone records. Father was very strict (he had eleven children to manage) and did not like our being spoilt by films or film music. He was however fond of classical music. My elder brother had a radio set in his room. My sisters and I used to sit in his room (without lights on) after dinner - keep the volume at the minimum and keep our ears glued to the radio. We could hear Father pacing in the passage outside the room. We used to giggle and listen to the songs - forbidden fruits were sweet indeed!

The children of today, like my grandsons, take all pleasures for granted. Whether viewing TV programmes, going for film-shows or to water theme parks. But for us, those days of old were golden days. Cherished memories of those halcyon days still haunt me.