Tips to a new mother about home remedies

Jai Sakhale in Pune’s Mulshi taluka sings nine ovi about a woman advising her daughter – a new mother – on looking after her health while also observing the social customs and norms expected of her

“Your calves are so fair, loosen some of your saree pleats to cover them.” A pregnant woman’s mother gently tells her daughter. That she is expecting a child is no reason to ignore society’s demands of ‘modesty’ from a woman.

Jai Sakhale of Lavharde village in Mulshi taluka , Pune, sings about a mother rejoicing over a daughter’s first pregnancy and childbirth. Concerned about her health, the parent gives some tips to the new mother about home remedies.

The mother notices that her daughter’s heels look yellow after the exertion of childbirth and advises the young woman to take a fumigation of fennel seeds and turmeric. “This is like a second birth for you, take your husband’s ghongadi [rough blanket] to keep you warm,” she tells her.

The mother remembers fondly how the daughter felt shy about her pregnancy on meeting her parents and relatives. The son-in-law pampered his wife during the nine months of her pregnancy. When she had morning sickness, he gave her areca nut as a mouth-freshener. He plucked out ripening fruit from the mango trees when she craved for them. As her pregnancy progressed, the young woman glowed “like a yellow jasmine.” The mother feels proud of both her daughter and her son-in-law.

You have just delivered, I saw you going to the bathroom
My dear daughter’s heels look yellow [with exertion]

O new mother, take a fumigation of fennel seeds
Your husband’s coarse blanket will give you warmth

You have just delivered, refresh yourself with turmeric
My dear daughter, it is like a second birth for you

My pregnant daughter is feeling shy before her parental family
My dear daughter covers her stomach with the end of her saree

O pregnant woman, you have morning sickness
Your caring husband gives you chikani supari

O pregnant woman, you are being pampered in your pregnancy
Your caring husband is taking down ripening mangoes from the tree

O pregnant woman, your calves are fair complexioned
I tell you, woman, loosen some pleats in your saree [to cover them]

O pregnant woman, how does your pregnancy make you look?
I tell you, my daughter, you are glowing like a yellow jasmine

O pregnant woman, your face glows with the pink in your cheeks
In which month, O woman, did you have your [last] periods

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Poster: Urja

Read about the original Grindmill Songs Project founded by Hema Rairkar and Guy Poitevin.