Thank you!
What a lovely treat it was! I'm talking about the Chennai-meet details emerging from the long write up! Very nice pictures too, from both Lakshmi and Judy!
First, I especially would like to thank Pavan. He is the first one who appeared on my web cam, who probably didn't know that he was the first person ever on my brand new web cam! I' ve never used one before, so I got one for this occasion! I must congratulate Mr and Mrs.Raghu for raising not only a tech savvy boy, but a great multi-tasker too! He introduced all the ladies who attended the meet, was with me during our online chat, and simultaneously asked me to save the pictures he was sending me! Did I mention he was also speaking with his guests at the same time? Thank you very much Pavan! From now on, anytime I buy a new electronic gadget, I will dial your number. 
Lakshmi, it was very nice of you to volunteer to host this event in your home. Please convey my thank you's to your husband too! I was able to get a glimpse for a few minutes only, but I could tell that you two are experts in hosting events (this meet was your first one, but it was obvious that you weren't new to hosting such events/functions!). Thank you so much Lakshmi and Mr.Raghu for hosting this event!
Bharathi, I wish I could listen to you sing! Who knows? I might get lucky, one of these days! Asha, it was nice to finally "meet" you! Subashini ma'am, I'm glad you could make it despite being busy with personal engagements. Rajamma ma'am, I would have to go against our own policy, and ask you for your phone number, in order to chat with you for some time (emailing/commenting just isn't enough to convey what we feel sometimes). Jaya ma'am, you're so "shannth and serene", very much like your traditional kolams! :). It was nice of Jayaji to accompany you both to this meet. Viji madam, it was thoughtful of you to bring all the materials ready to give a jewel-craft demo.
Akila, I'm glad you made it all the way from Pondicherry! What a surprise Brindha, it was kind of your mother-in-law, Thangamani aunty to attend the meet with you, and participate in giving rangoli-demos. Sumathi, I'm glad I got a chance to talk to you on the phone, and good to know that you've relatives living in our neighborhood city. Manivasuki, I'm happy I got a chance to say hello to our 2009 rangoli contest winner of our site!
Judy, some body had mentioned that you'd made the occasion a very lively one. I think you have the magic touch to make any atmosphere lively and joyful for all around you! I'm very happy you made it to the meet, and not only that, you sent me the write up and the pictures - all within a couple of days after the meet! What a fabulous job you've done with covering all the details! Thank you, many times over! There is one thing missing - a picture of Judy giving a photoshop-demo!
-Lata
Comments
judelined
Thu, 2009-04-09 01:14
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Lata first and foremost I should............
Thank you for giving us this lovely opportunity to meet each other. Not only did we learn new things but unwound and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves that day. I am sure all those who came to the meet will agree with me on this as we were like an excited bunch of kids on a picnic
Another thank you for showcasing not only our kolams on your website but also the writeup and the interesting photos too - now many of the members will relate easily to the Chennai Group when they look at our kolams....
This event has not only enlightened our knowledge but also has found us so many good friends as we all caught on like a "House on Fire"!!! It is quite sad that in a couple of months Brindha will be relocating to Calcutta (wish we had met her and Thangam aunty earlier) so we plan to meet atleast another couple of times before she leaves Chennai... of course some of us will attend Subashini's son's wedding reception too next week.. looking forward to this and more - of course with your permission Lata.
My demo was in the midst of many leaving so we forgot to take a pic... not a problem - there is always another time...
Three cheers to IKOLAM (Team Lata and the entire GANG)
HIP HIP HURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAY!!!
rajamma_2
Thu, 2009-04-09 01:27
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Lata, Thanks for the nice coverage. After 2 weeks gap only today I could see in detail all the updates. In Lakshmi's MANDHIR I could see you only for a fraction of a second, since the Q was long to see u. I wondered how enthu you were in the midnight to get introduced to each and everyone of us and to get all the details of the meet.
So it is YOU who has made this meet, a memorable one. Thank you very much for everything.
Next is our Host.
Lakshmi, with a sweet voice just like her kolam played a perfect host.( But the full credit goes to her Hubby dear and darling son in helping her in all possible ways. right from welcoming all of us from the enterance to seeing us all off after the meet)
Pavan is really lucky to have such wonderful parents and needles to say they are gifted with such a dedicated son. Rarely we can see such a teenager involving in everything mum/ daddy does.I kept admiring nook and corner of their home decorated with good taste. The THULASI,with beautiful kolam around her, smiling at the enterance, the hall with nice flower/leaf rangoli welcoming us and the elegant ioklam- kolam dancing in the wall took me to another world.( the wonderful welcome kolam at the roadside... no words to discribe ... u have already seen that in the site).
"Nirai kudam thalumbaadhu" Lakshmi is the perfect example.She was simple looking, in her eyes and voice I could feel the warmth of love to all the guests. Real Anna Lakshmi she is, made us eat a lovely lunch and then enlightened us with her demo. The water rangoli demo by her we all enjoyed.
we had no mind to leave their home. but we have to... so my heartfelt thanks to all three host members!
to be continued..........
Hemachandrashekar
Thu, 2009-04-09 03:25
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Hello mam i am very eager to see all ur photos about Chennai meet details but where is it ? i am not able to see any photos how do i go about? I am so excited to see all of u write about the meeting but i am feeling very sad that i could not join u people. May be next time even i will try to attend .
Lata
Fri, 2009-04-10 09:53
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Check out the main page, or you could go to:
http://www.ikolam.com/node/4981
lakshmiraghu
Fri, 2009-04-10 10:04
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Hello to all: My heartful of thanks to one & all who made this Chennai meet successful and memorable, I am sure with all your help and suggestions this was possible. Let me say many many thanks to Lata who made it on this day in our PC even after mid night ( USA time ) , this was great and was a boost to all of us, Lata thanks for this gesture.
It was my pleasure to meet so many friends and should thank each and everyone who made it in short notice to my house. I should ask excuses from everyone if any in convinces occurred in my house. It was pleasure to all of us in my family we will remember for the days to come.
LET ME STAND UP AND BOWDOWN TO EXPRESS MANY MANY THANKS FOR GIVING THIS CHANCE.
Warm regds
Lakshmi & family
Lata
Fri, 2009-04-10 10:58
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Mrs.Jaya Mohan has sent a link for more pictures for us to enjoy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/jayamcm/Ikolam?feat=directlink
anirudh
Wed, 2009-04-15 01:41
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Wow...so nice meet, well organized, great learnings, BKMs oops, Best Known Methods
missed many. Wish i could have made it and well supportive to Pavan :). Hope to make it next time. The welcome rangoli is too good. Thanks for the photos, got to see you all virtually.
Lakshmiaware, nimmanna bhetimaadi lace designs techniquesna tiLidukoLLabeeku antidde aadare agallila, mundinasala khanditha prayathnapaduthene.
Jayaji, thanks for the movie clips too
But where is Lataji??? Thanks for getting all of us together, through the web and the meet