Bubbye 2012

New Year eve always brings mixed emotions. As always I am wondering if I should feel sad that 2012 will be leaving us forever or should I feel happy to welcome 2013 - a new year; a year filled with hopes, dreams and expectations.

366 days… I am unable to believe that a new year will be dawning soon. 2012 will always remain as one of the most memorable years in my life.

There were too many firsts… First employment… First flight… First salary… Wow! An amazing year it has been.

Oh yeah! The heart ache continued. But the heartbreaks didn’t seem majestic enough to bother me. New friends were made and new life followed…

Locomente molded me… It brought the writer in me. I started forgetting the pain that loneliness gives. On the contrary, I began to love the bliss that solitude gives.

However, the painful part was staying away from family. And I missed my black chariot – My Pep Plus.

But, as I balance, I see that there was more happiness than sadness. I realize that I was more independent.

It’s only few hours for another new year and I am in a hurry now… I need to prepare my new diary. I need to make list of resolutions. I need to thank Him and my loved ones for standing by me. I need to vow that I will stand up to my expectations. I have so many things to do.

I don’t have time for a remarkable or poetic post. Yet, I wanted to post something. After all, this is the last day of this amazing year.

I pray that next year also I post regularly… I observe relentlessly… I imagine freakishly and enjoy life at the fullest.

And hey! Here I am wishing you all a very happy New Year in advance… See yeah tomorrow… Let the sun rise make all your wishes come true… Let the year ahead see you in the pink of your health… Let happiness surround… Let sorrow be reduced to ashes… Let the predominant memories be the pleasant ones and let the life be a celebration… Forever!!!

And I Hear your Heart Beat - My entry for the Get Published Contest

Title

“And I hear your heart beat“ - My entry for the Get Published Contest

The Idea

Sreeram opened his eyes. His vision was blurred. He could hear some familiar voices whispering. He closed his eyes and opened it again hoping that he would see the faces of his loved ones more clearly. He strained his eyes further and caught the glimpse of a few pairs of worried eyes around him. Their faces had a sad smile and eyes were filled with tears.

He was in an Intensive care unit for the past so many days. It was his third heart attack and the tension in room conveyed that his health was deteriorating minute by minute. He did not fear death now. At eighty three, he had everything; a loving wife, beautiful twin daughters and three grand children.

Slowly he moved his fragile hand towards his little heart. His eyes welled up.  Finally, he closed his eyes and started feeling his brittle heart beatings.

“And I hear your heart beat”, he heard her say. Slowly, her memories started engulfing him. 

“Varsha…” he mumbled. He tried to open his eyes. His vision seemed to have blurred again. There was bewilderment in the eyes that surrounded him.

Then, he felt her warm touch on his feet. It was his wife. He tried to smile. But, he could not. He was in a state of semi consciousness. 

Varsha… Varsha…. Vaaaaaarshaaaa…. He continued to cry softly. Her image flashed in his mind. Such a beauty she was; moderately tall, fair and slim. Ah! Those jet black eyes; it seemed to be deeper than the vast ocean.

“Varsha … He muttered again. Again her voice ringed in his ears. He heard her say, “And I hear your heart beat for one last time…” Slowly, he closed his eyes with a smile in his face. That was when he heard his grandson ask, “Who is Varsha?”

And he took his final breath.

What Makes This Story ‘Real’  

Today, all of us have become selfish.  We all think about our lives, our careers and only about ourselves. Someone said love is selfless. Is that really so? If love is selfless why do we see heartbreaks? Why do we see tears of grief? Why people are running away from commitments and why are they tired of expectations?

This is a story of two people who were madly in love with each other. They were different, yet love kept them glued. Their love did not know any limits until that day…

Extract

He looked into the eyes that surrounded him. Everybody around him was a reflection of his selfishness. He lost himself for his selfish urges. He would have been himself if she was around.

This is my entry for the HarperCollins–IndiBlogger Get Published contest, which is run with inputs fromYashodhara Lal and HarperCollins India.

Partner for Life

28^th December, 2012

It was very late when Suraj came back home. Usually, he comes back early on Fridays. But, today it was different. But he looked full of energy which startled me.

“Guess what Shraddha, on New Year eve we will be partying all the night at The Ritz”, he tossed the tickets at me and opened his arms wide. I ran towards him like a puppy to hug him tight.

“So, when does the fancy dress competition begin?” he kissed on my forehead and asked with sarcasm. I have a strange habit of trying out all the possible dresses I could wear for a party before choosing one. And Suraj would be left with no option but to choose the best among the best. Once he admitted that he enjoys the crazy ordeal I follow, though he teases me every time.

It was our first new year since wedding and fifteenth since we knew each other. Suraj was my childhood friend and nobody was amazed when love bloomed and marriage happened. Suraj is a little over six foot. He has an athletic body and jet black hair. His eyes are black too and his boyish charm always ensured that I fell in love with him again and again.

But soon after marriage Suraj declared, “I am a married man now. I need to look matured and responsible”. Since then Suraj maintained stubble and I used to ramble against it.

“For heaven’s sake, I don’t need a husband whose charm is buried under that stupid stubble “, I would yell. At times, I would say, “Everybody is asking me if you are unhappy.  They think that men grow stubble when they feel depressed.” Else I would flirtatiously say, “Hey, don’t you dare to cuddle me. You don’t remotely relate to Suraj. And I cannot betray my first love”.

In return to all these and many other remarks that I make, Suraj would hug me tight and run his cheeks over mine. I would scream in return and he would laugh like a moron.

And he did the same when I hugged him seeing the tickets for the party. “Suraj, I think we have to celebrate the New Year eve at home.”

“Come on Shraddha, our friends are coming and it would be real fun. And this would be perfect. We can party all night without any fear; after all we are the man and wife”, he said it in a serious tone and pecked on my cheeks.

“Uf! But I would prefer to party with a boyfriend who would be an object of envy among my friends compared to partying with a boring husband”, I said playfully.

“Come on Shraddha, act like a matured wife. Don’t behave like a teenage girlfriend. Now check if you have any nice dress. Else we may go for shopping tomorrow”, he said. This time he kissed my neck.

Releasing myself from his grip, I looked down on the floor and said,
"Nahi ji, I cannot come. I get scared of crowd. And Mamma has asked me not to get drunk. Besides, my teachers have warned that passive smoking is also injurious to health.”

By the time my drama was over, Suraj ran his brittle stubble over my cheeks and let out along sigh of helplessness.

31^st December, 2012

“Shraddha, don’t tell me that you are not attending the party”, Suraj started. It was afternoon and we both had taken off from our work. Suraj looked totally disturbed and I sat there staring at him blankly.

He continued, “You can get drunk as much as you want. Until you go thalli. I will not stop you. And I will stay controlled so that I could drive you safely back home. What say?” He got stony silence in response.

He continued to give umpteen reasons to convince why I should go for the party. “Shraddha, we have time. We may also shop some cool dress for you.” I know I am a shopaholic, but I had a greater cause. I didn’t want to get gorgeously dressed up to go out with someone who looked ages older than I am.

“No Suraj, let me act as a good wife. A good wife stays at home… Makes dinner and awaits her drunken husband come home. What to do, I am an unfortunate wife, not a happening girlfriend.”

Suraj effortlessly decoded the pun that was intentionally thrown on him. I tried to pour more accusations. But, he grabbed me and kissed me hard. Then, he rubbed his rough cheeks over mine. That nasty stubble irritated me and I shrilled at the pitch of my voice.

“We are done Shraddha. This is the end”, he yelled back at me and stormed to our bedroom. I heard the door being banged and I was left alone in the hall, confused. Suraj is a very sweet tempered person and he knows me too well to take me seriously. Yet, his behavior bothered me. I tried to open the door. But, it was locked. So I knocked, but there was no response. A few minutes passed and Suraj’s silence started to bother me. A droplet of tear escaped my eyes when he emerged from inside the room and hugged me. Then, he rubbed his cheeks over mine as if wiping those hot tears that had escaped my eyes. At that time, I felt a long forgotten softness. And, the smell that lingered around reminded me of all those good old days.

“So, can you get ready at least now, my love?” He asked with childish innocence.

“I may have to seek the permission of my husband”, I said and winked. “Come on Shraddha, why are you bothered about that old man with stubble. Here I am… All yours…” He said extending his arms and I hugged him tight.

He then asked, “Now please tell me if you can be my dance partner at the party?”

I said, “Partner? Sure, not only in the party, but all through my life!”

This post is a part of the 'Shave or Crave' movement in association with BlogAdda.com

Pangs for a Straight Hair, Straight from the Heart..

Until I turned 12 years old, I didn’t realize the need for a straight hair. To put it differently, I didn’t care how my hair looked until I was 12 years old. It may be because my hair was always short. It may be because I was happy with my regular two plaits and occasional pony tails. And everything seemed perfect.

And then, on that day, I noticed my mother’s hair and compared it with mine. My mother had long tresses and I decided that I should start growing too. After all, I felt that I was old enough to grow long hair. As my hair started growing longer and longer, I realized that my hair was getting more unmanageable. I used to get totally frustrated and started analyzing why I have never seen my mother having a bad hair day. The answer I got didn’t please me at all.

My mother has a natural straight hair – A perfect Chinese straight hair. And I had a hair which was neither curly nor straight. Some people call it wavy and I say it is really uncanny. The discovery made me weep. I even went to my mother and accused her for not gifting that picture perfect hair.  I understood that I inherited the not-so-great-always-unmanageable-hair from my father. I cursed him. My parents only laughed and they said that wavy hair is rare and makes the hair looks voluminous. I was certainly not convinced.

I WANTED STRAIGHT HAIR. And that was it!!!

I was fifteen years old when I started reading articles on how to make our hair naturally straight. I knew there are several other ways like ironing, softening, smoothening and what not. But, I was scared to do any of that. I was scared that I would lose all my hair. Besides, they seemed to be too expensive to afford. Above all, my mother was dead against all that and I had no other options but to read through all the articles on how to make our hair naturally straight!

Milk!!! Washing hair with milk could straighten hair. So every Sunday I started washing my hair with a glass full of milk. I followed the routine for a few months. The result? Nothing at all! My hair looked just the same. For some strange reasons I felt as if my hair had become wavier!

The next step was to use of straightening serum. I bought the best serum in the town and started applying the same. The fragrance of the serum was just amazing and I loved the smell of my hair. I loved it so much that I started using it regularly until that day when I noticed my comb. Ouch! My hair was falling uncontrollably and I felt sorry for myself. I sobbed and my mother gave a look that conveyed I-knew-this-was-going-to-happen.

I had almost given up my struggle to straighten my hair when an advertisement for a conditioner caught my attention. The lady in the ad had freakishly straight hair and I was awed. It looked silky smooth and really long. Without a second thought, I bought that conditioner and used for a year continuously. The result it fletched was nothing new. More hair loss and more droplets of tears! And the same old looks from my dear mother.

I was 22 years old by then and I realized that ten long years has passed since I started working for a long hair. My mother was totally annoyed and she prohibited me from buying cosmetic products anymore. So I had no other options but to put henna on my hair every fortnight. The result was even more disastrous. My jet black hair started turning brown and my dry hair was rendered more brittle. Hair breakage followed and I felt lost.

At the age of twenty three, I started envisioning myself with no hair; a bald old lady I would be. The desire for a straight hair was replaced by the desire to repair my damaged hair. I went to a dermatologist and an Ayurvedic doctor. They both prescribed many medicines for intake. When the former prescribed a few lotions, the latter gave me some aromatic yet therapeutic oil. I started following their prescription religiously and I slowly felt as if my hair thanking me.

And today, after two years since the enlightenment, my hair has grown longer and shines healthily. I have stopped using all the cosmetic products and I don’t feel bad to admit the fact that I stick to hair oil to fix almost all the possible hair problems. I am proud that I am having wavy hair and that my hair looks voluminous because of that. I have accepted myself. This is how I am. Of course, I continue to have bad hair days and my hair style is the same for the past two years. But, that has stopped bothering me.

My wavy hair has taught me so much. It taught me accept me the way I am. Anything can be changed. But, nothing would be as enthralling as your natural self. And I am proud that I finally realized that. I am happy about this simple realization which could help me reach heights in life.

My Angel...

He walked away from me after a decade of relationship. He was a part of my life and he made me what I am today. He was my first love and my dreams.  He was my World and I wanted to be everything for him.

But he walked away from me; silently. He didn’t give reasons for moving away and I was feeling too fragile to ask for one. I cried until tears dried. Sleep became a distant dream and reveries became a routine. Incidentally, all the reveries were filled with his smiles and those dazzling eyes. I searched for his love, but I failed miserably.

Days passed by. So did innumerous weeks and month. In a wink, years also passed by. He graduated to be a mere memory, yet his memories never faded.



Professional life started flourishing. And it was in my office I saw him for the first time. Friendship flickered instantly and I enjoyed the camaraderie.

As we got to know more and more, I realized that we were different as individuals. He thought a lot before acting and professionalism never left him. For the strangest of strangest reasons, I always observed that he was different towards me. He was younger than I was and that further acted as a comfortable cushion.

Eventually, our intimacy started building. The more intimate we became, more arguments erupted. His actions would hurt me, yet I was always attracted towards him. May be like a moth that was always attracted towards fire. I really don’t know. But, I knew that I loved him leaps and bonds. Was it the differences or was it the intimacy? Was it the hunger for love or, my selfish urge to get out of my first love?

I pondered into myself. But, I never found the answer. As I started observing the newfound relationship, I understood that innocence of first love was never there. The maturity of a seasoned love was also not there. But what prevailed was a rare colligation. After all, there is no expectation or commitment. No promises are made and no dreams are shown. There is nothing so serious that could break the brittle heart.

I am just moving with the flow, expecting nothing but friendship. Yes, I am expecting nothing except love. I am not searching the lost love. I am only trying to enjoy the present. I am unconcerned about the future and unworried about the outcome.

I don’t know what name I can give for this strange unison. Is it love or friendship, I don’t know. Is he a reflection of what I am not or is it the other way round. All I know is that he is an Angel who holds my hands. He helps me fall in love with life all over again. He is indeed a dear Angel, who shouts and looses temper very easily. Oh yeah! Still he is a dear Angel. Every time when he flashes his million dollar smile, I would see a ray of hope that flickers in the sky! 

As a part of Carry on Tuesday

Just imagine...

Hey! Just imagine

A World without any water;

Full of pollution

Can you imagine?

A World without compassion

Full of selfishness

We can’t imagine, right?

Let’s preserve Mother Nature

And spread love around

As a part of One single Impression

Searching Santa

I am waiting

For my dear Santa Claus

For the gifts he would bring

I am anxious

To unwrap them

To guess beforehand

Dear Santa Claus

What are you bringing for me?

Oh! Please give me a clue

A huge wrist watch

Or a red dress to wear

A set of books

Or mouthwatering candies

A pair of shoes

Or a pretty finger ring

A stunning dangler

Or jingling bangles

A huge teddy bear

Or a pretty Barbie doll

A classy perfume

Or a sassy mobile phone

Hey dear Santa,

Bring me something

Covered with a sleek wrapper

In a big box

Here I am

Searching for Santa

Awaiting Santa

Alas! If I could catch the rainbow

I was there

Surrounded by darkness

I felt a strange numbness

I could hear nothing

There was only dumbness

Eyes always has dampness

I wanted to run away

From the dismay

I wanted to feel the snow

Alas! If I could catch the rainbow

And feel the happiness within

And around!

As a part of Carry on Tuesday

Where is my gift?

This being Christmas time….

Hurray! There he comes

Santa Clause with beard like snow

But wait, where is my gift?

abcdabcd

This being the romantic time….

It’s snowing outside

Come on, let’s cuddle inside

And lets’ lay Side by side

As a part of Haiku Challenge

Talaash - तलाश

Reviews said good things about the film... Reviews also said bad things about the film… Some said the film didn’t meet their expectations… Some said that nobody expected something like that from Aamir Khan… I was totally confused and had no expectations when I went to watch Talaash directed by Reema Kagti.

It is a story of a police inspector who tries to solve a series of murder mystery. He is also going through a personal crisis. His fight with himself to come out of the personal tragedy and his struggle the case forms the basis the story.

Aamir Khan as the cop is very convincing. There is no element of heroism. He plays as yet another person and that simplicity draws us towards the character. It demands huge conviction for an actor as larger than life as Aamir Khan to accept the role of a Police inspector! He has underplayed it and yet convincingly conveys the mental strain that he is undergoing.

Rani Mukherjee comes across as the cop’s wife. Her character is going through a personal loss and she plays that part with ease. She looks tormented, yet comes across as a strong woman. She is not another mindless lead that we get to see in day today cinema. She knows what to do and how to handle situations.

Kareena Kapoor Khan as a call girl looks sensual and gorgeous. Her smoky eyes and loud dresses coupled with acting that carries loads of oomph renders her perfect for the role. Her voice modulation is arousing while the dialogs she utters are thought provoking.

The screenplay is very strong. It never loses its pace and never once lets the audience think. I say this because if the audience starts thinking, they will realize that they are watching a movie with the most absurd story ever. The way various shades of human emotions are handled only adds to the positives of the film.

However, the movie strikes a chord with the audience mainly on account of the acting skills of the lead actors. All the three actors have acted convincingly. Everything could have gone wrong if the movie was made with other actors.

The background score is haunting. The songs are equally catching. I loved Jee Le Zara the most. The mood of the song is beautifully articulated by the vocalists.

Finally, should you watch Talaash at all? I would say why not! The screenplay is strong and the performances by the lead actors are outstanding. Besides, taking an unconvincing story in a convincing manner is the most difficult task. That part gets fulfilled and that is where the movie scores!

In short, Aamir Khan… Rani Mukherjee… Kareena Kapoor Khan… Reema Kagti and Zoya Akthar rock… They have made a movie worth giving a try… But hey! Go like a blank paper. Only then, you will enjoy. Don’t expect anything. Expectations can be misleading, you see.

It's 150,000 Hits!!!! OMG

As the year 2012 is grooming up to bid adieu to us, my dear baby blog sits up and gears to give me yet another surprise. A 150,000 hits!!! I am feeling the epitome of happiness and I am also feeling proud.

I sit back and let out a sigh. I think back and try to recollect this eventful year. Yeah! I call this eventful because so many things happened in my life because of Locomente.

x        My dear baby blog travelled from 1,000 hits to 150,000 hits

x        It turned a year old two months before

x        Blogadda selected the blog as the “Notable Newbie”

x        Received seven books from Blogadda for review

x        Blog catalog listed the blog as one of the best blogs

x        Won a contest hosted by Blogadda and received a pair of sunglasses

x        The number of members in the blog crossed 50

x        It made me write Haiku and micro-fiction

To begin with, I started writing; rather regularly. Writing became the motivation and qualified to become an inseparable part of my life. Of course I know that I am not a great writer. I have to struggle to rhyme and furrow my eyebrows to think. But still, writing pleases me.

Locomente is the dear most parent of this author in me (If at all I am one!) This blog taught me to think, observe and pen down my feelings and thoughts. It kept me sane when work was weary. It made me feel at ease when loneliness engulfed. It lent an empathetic ear and absorbed all my thoughts.

Locomente - A part of my identity now! My family and friends ask me teasingly, “Satya, who are reading your stupid scribbling?” And I wonder the same too. The more I wonder the more grateful I tend to feel. Nothing would have been possible if my blog was not read by you. Your patience made me what I am today. It is your patience that is letting this Locomente evolve. I feel like thanking you all. Yes, I have done that before. But, I don’t think that these words could express my gratitude at all.  As someone said, “A good writer possesses not only his own spirit but also the spirit of his friends.”

Sometimes, I try to figure why I write at all? Such questions arise on those mad days when work keeps me busy. But then, after a long day’s work, when I sit with my laptop, I untangle myself from all the sorrows and all the unhappiness. As thoughts starts flowing, most of the times faster than my typing speed, I would feel a strange ecstasy. Writing brings purpose to my lonely and uneventful life. Writing compels me to enjoy the solitude and observe the vast World around.

As I am writing this post, I am smiling. I am happy that I created this little nest. I am happy that guests are coming. I am happy that I am still writing.

And what's wrong in that. As someone said, “I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions”

So… As always stand by me. And always I will let my not-so-crazy-mind observe, think and write. I wish that the year ahead is more eventful and that I metamorphose to a better writer.  

PS.: Incidentally, my black chariot - My dear Pep Plus - turns 7 years old today. Time is indeed fluttering faster and faster. I say this because I still remember how I felt when I rode her for the first time. I also remember how proud I felt and how broadly I was smiling. She has an inseparable part of my life since then. She has also been one of the strong reason for all the success, both personal and professional, I am tasting today. Thank you my black chariot. I really cannot think of a life without you!!!

Life of Pi

An animated film… Involving a boy and tiger… They end up in same boat… And…Their journey together… This is all I knew about Life of Pi directed by Ang Lee. Oh yeah! I also knew that the movie is an adaptation of Yann Martel’s book named Life of Pi.

I went to watch the film with total excitement. After all, I was going to watch a 3D film for the first time. Besides, I was watching an English film a long time. The last one I had watched was Anaconda. (That was my first one too!!)

Ok, back to business… Life of Pi is the story of a young boy, Piscine, who happens to be named after a swimming pool in Paris. The story is about how he felt God closer to him. The story also talks about something very important – The need to say “goodbye” and let go.

Piscine aka Pi is a boy brought up by in Pondicherry, India. Its cultural and religious diversity confuses Pi. He mindlessly starts to follow all the three religions – Hindu, Islam and Christianity – in the hope of reaching to Him. As a child he enjoys life and tries to make friend with everyone, including the majestic Tiger, Richard Parker, who is taken care in their zoo. The story moves takes an inadvertent turn, when Pi is left in a life boat along with the majestic yet menacing Richard Parker.

Suraj Sharma as Pi is brilliant. His body language is convincing and he acts effortlessly. Another notable character is the Tiger – Richard Parker. The animation looks so real and there are some scenes which scares us too. Tabu comes across for a few scenes and stays in our hearts.

Irfan Khan comes across as the older version of Pi. He narrates the story and he indeed stays in our heart. He looks simple and acts convincingly.

But, to be frank, the real credit should go to the entire technical team who worked on the animation. They have presented it convincingly. The movie is a visual treat. The greeneries and blue ocean… Those fishes and blue whales… Mere cats and what not!

Anyways, the second half could have been a less dragging. The struggle in the sea seems eternal and as audience, we feel a little lost too. The sea seems shore-less and struggle seems endless. \

Still, the movie is an experience in itself. So don’t miss it. Though a Hollywood making, it is more Indian… The characters… The accent of English uttered… The places… The people… The culture… I felt awesome when so many attractive Alapona kolam was displayed in credits.

So two thumbs up from my side… Enjoy the film. I bet that you will not curse me!!!

Nee Thaane En Ponvasantham - நீதானே என் பொன்வசந்தம்

I was carrying a cart full of expectations when I entered theatre to watch Nee Thaan En Ponvasantham directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The posters were lovely and fresh. I hoped the songs and background score would be promising enough; after all, an Ilaiyaraja musical.

The titles were indeed different, I concluded. It was fresh and claimed to be a few memories from the lives of Nithya and Varun enacted by Samantha and Jiiva respectively. The opening song was a bore. Thanks to choreography, else I would have drifted off to sleep. Anyways, the first few scenes were good enough too. It was young and vibrant, though certainly not fresh. Yet, the love was sparkling and the eyes of lead pair were gleaming in love. Love was in the air and as an audience, I felt totally wooed.

But, certainly not for too long! As the pair started fighting… As ego issues started creeping… As love started paving way to greater responsibilities, the story seemed never ending.

Oh yeah! This story is nothing new. A boy and girl grow up together. Friendship leads to infatuation and that leads to fanatic love. As always, as love grows, expectations grow and so does argument as well as problems. The story spreads over a span of 15-20 years and depicts various stages of love. If the love they feel as teenagers is innocent, the love they feel as grown up is driven more by you-or-me fights.

Scenes involving Santhanam is hilarious and he has delivered those effortlessly. The highlights are the scenes shown post intermission. They turn us nostalgic and evoke laughter too. That plumpy girl, Jenny, who comes across as Nithya’s friend is a show stealer. Her timing is matchless and the way she talks is very cute. Varun’s father is caring and I loved his characterization. I thanked God that his character is not a cliché. So are the characters of Varun’s brothers and mother. They all seem to be real and natural. Their though process is progressive and hence, impressive.

The story could have been a perfect love story. But, it fails incredulously. May be because of lengthy dialogs they utter. May be because the characters are made to span over a number of years? May be because it reminds us of director’s movies like Vinnaithandi Varuvaya, Kakka Kakka and Vaaranam Aayiram? May be because we expected too much? May be because of the boring songs and background scores that are totally out of place? May be because the director has taken critical scenes in long shot that we never associate with the characters; we feel detached from them too. Or is it because the story is too complicated, like our own life? I pondered and tried to answer many questions that arose in my mind. Unfortunately, I ended up wondering what would have gone wrong.

I didn’t feel their love the way I felt when I watched Vinnaithandi Varuvaya, Kakka Kakka and Vaaranam Aayiram. They looked very artificial. I didn’t understand why the girl was portrayed as a dumb. She comes across mindless and absorbed in love. Or is that how girls react to their loved one; even the intelligent lot? May be, isn’t it?

Anyways, what I felt is that the story could have been more charming and enthralling. The focus should have been in the element of romance rather than on the lame fights. The songs are such a huge disappointment that it renders the movie more boring.

If I tilt myself and try to think differently, this movie is indeed good. All love stories will be like this. There will be a sea of arguments and disagreements for an ounce of love. There will be more tears of grief than tears of joy. Love makes people possessive. Love leads to heightened expectations. Result? More fights and more heart aches.

So, I am in a state of vacillation. I am unable to conclude if I liked or not. So I suggest that you catch the flick yourself and decide. I say this because if you are an hopeless romantic like me, you may end up enjoying it!!!

Its No F_N Without U

I was in a state of boredom at Bangalore International Airport. My friends were busy hunting for a tee-shirt. But, I had no mood to do any shopping. So, I decided to walk around and observe things.

A book wrapped in white color drew my attention. Or was it the book title? Or was it the Author? I really don’t know. I reflexively walked towards it. First I checked the price. It costs Rs.350! That’s pretty expensive to afford I concluded. But, my heart still remained in the book. So, I slowly yet reluctantly started flipping through the pages. The font caught my attention. It was Lucida Calligraphy, I presume. And then, the images given for each article grabbed my attention. Finally, the titles for each article!

This is how I started reading the book named “Its No F_N Without U” penned by actor Ramesh Aravind. The book contained brief descriptions of small events that happened in his life and a few poems too. He further explains why those incidents are important and what those incidents taught him.

I liked the description about Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth and Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan. Their simplicity and their take on life are really intriguing; more so because they never took success to head! Some events are indeed thought provoking, it makes us think. Some makes us smile and for some, we just nod in agreement.

In short, the book is simple. It is as if a few pages from Author’s daily journal is randomly selected and stitched together in the form of a book. I don’t know why I enjoyed the book. Was that because I have grown up watching movies of the author? Was that because the book was a compelling read? Or was that just its simplicity?

Anways, I highly recommend the book. Expect nothing great. Yet I bet that the book linger in your mind for a long time. It would definitely induce thoughts and you would thoroughly enjoy; and never regret those couple of hours spent!

Hush… Hush… Hush

Hush… Hush… Hush

She tried to calm her down

And failed

Say goodbye

Don’t wait more; let it go

It is alright to say goodbye

Life just moves on

Like those good old days

How I wish

You were right here with me

Like old days

Then, I would be happiest

Feeling your fanatic love

Like those good old days

RRR

On a positive note, as New Year is only a few days away…

New Year is nearing

I am wishing and dreaming

Praying and hoping

As a part of Haiku Challenge

The Notebook

Nicholas Spark's The Notebook is an utterly romantic book. It is such a widely read and highly rated book that I don’t really want to review it. Yet I want to talk about it. It is an experience by itself.

I would say I have never read something so romantic. I could feel the intensity of their love. It was genuine and innocent. Love would be pure when it just sparks just like that...

The second half of the book is the epitome of love. My eyes welled up in several instances. It made me long for someone at least half loving as Noah was. Cynics say that love fades with efflux of time. But, this story proved it wrong. Love is like a wine which gets sweeter with passage of time. Their understanding and the way they pine for each other is something so touching.

Some books make us love with the books… Some makes us fall in love with the characters. But, only very few books compel us to fall in love! And this was one such book. I longed for someone like Noah, who would accept me as I am.

The book made me think if such situations would arise only in books and movies. Incidentally, this book is also made into a movie.

Anyways, The Notebook is an utterly romantic book. It will make you feel nostalgic.. It would make you carve for love… It is filled with passion; After all, it talks about divine love!