Bangalore, Meri Jaan!!!

The last few days has been very hectic... Classes... Work... Shopping... Roaming and late night dinners... I wanted to write something... But alas! I could not find time... I disappointed myself beyond words.

Locomente has never been silent for a long time. It always came up with something or the other. But, last few days has been different and very difficult too...

Anyways... I enjoyed Bangalore a lot... Its chill breeze... Busy road... Rattling people... Honking vehicles... Bangalore will always remain as my favorite...

This time the trip had a few surprises for me... The taxi played old Kannada songs... I amazed myself by remembering the lyrics... I felt very nostalgic...

And Kannada... Always my favorite... I read the hoardings and banners written in Kannada... Something can never be forgotten... Its 17 long years since I left that place and yet I still remember the language... More importantly I remember the life I led there...

Oh... Bangalore... It will always remain as my favorite... My dream... My heaven... Yet for some strange reasons I fear settling down there... May be I don’t relate to the place and people there anymore... May be the place seems more plastic now... May be I have fallen in love with my little town... May be I have got too used with the familiar people and even more familiar roads and alleys to leave it... May be because I became what I am today from that place... May be... I really don’t know!

Whatever be the case... As I interrogate myself further and ponder more... I realize that both Bangalore and Palakkad would hold special place in my life... They are like my two precious eyes... And I love them both... Though for different reasons!

A few days well spent! 

On my Friend's Wedding...

Happy Tummy

I don’t know why... But for the past consecutive three days, I am taking food only once in a day.

I starve... I crave... Then I finally let my taste buds relive its senses... I let my throat wet and stomach's fill... As my fingers touch food, I feel happy. My stomach’s churns will be replaced with a pleasant tickle...

Food... A necessity... It has the capability to make us feel how both hell and heaven looks like. Some say, food is to sustain life. And some argue that the purpose of life is taking food on time. I don’t know which school of thought you would agree too. Though I believe on the latter.

Think about it... We work to earn... We earn to keep ourselves happy. And... Happiness comes from various sources... Big home... Luxury car... Designer outfits... Branded accessories... Latest technology phone... A cozy afternoon in a multiplex with friends on each sides and soft popcorn in hands... And the list just goes on and on!

But think more... Assume you are starving. Can any of these luxuries please you? Will you be happy??

Anyways... I cannot think more... The waiter is approaching me with a crisp Rava Masala Dosa... My heart is dancing in joy and mouth is watering. So let me keep my smart phone aside and nibble my brunch!

But hey! Don’t forget to take food on time. Remember?? You can spread happiness and work effectively only if your tummy is happy!

And my nose was pierced

“I want to pierce my nose”, I declared on a cloudy Saturday morning. My parents looked perplexed. I was super excited and I went on ranting. I told them that I am confused whether to buy a traditional white stone or a more rebellious black!

My parents continued to stare at me with a horror-stuck face. Finally my father asked, “Are you serious?”  I said, “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I?

My mother started surfing the calendar and she said, “No dear, today is not an auspicious day. Let us fix it on the coming 21^st.”

“Come on amma that is a month away from today. I cannot wait that long!” I cried

“Have you forgotten what happened last time?” My father asked.

An array of memories flowed in my mind.  It was almost 4 years before. After convincing my parents and myself, I decided to pierce my nose. I googled, I consulted friends, family and many other random people. I was excited and tensed at the same time. I was confused whether to go to a Goldsmith or go for gun-shot. After research and more research, my parents and I unanimously agreed to go for a gun-shot. We presumed that nose piercing will be done in a shot and there would not be much pain.

An auspicious day was chosen and we went to a reputed jeweler. I was made to sit on a tall stool… The kind you get to see in Kaun Banega Crorepathi. I was totally uncomfortable. I feared that I may jerk and fall down and my lips would be pierced together instead.

A young salesman came with the equipment. He did some marking on my nose… Confirmed whether to pierce left or right and proceeded. I closed my eyes… Clutched my appaji’s hands tight and prayed all the possible Gods…

OUCH!!!! The gun-shot machine had got stuck in between… And the salesman was desperately trying to pull it off my nose. I started crying and the sniffs of cries only triggered the pain. It was intolerable! After a Himalayan effort, he separated that gun from my nose. Blood started flowing and I saw myself in the mirror; horror followed. I pleaded that I don’t want any more nose piercing episode. But, they didn’t let me. Everybody said that mark would stay as a scar. Before I could decide, he shot the gun again on the same wounded spot. I cried in pain. My parents stared at me helplessly.

I endured the pain for almost two weeks. And the twist in tale is yet to come. One fine afternoon, I realized that the nose-pin had fallen off!

Coming back to the present, my parents realized that I was too determined to be convinced. So we headed to a jeweler. Chose a small nose-pin with white stone and met the Goldsmith. And my nose was pierced. I didn’t shred a single droplet of tear. I came back home happily.

May be this is why they say… never ever give up?!

Feeling deserted

Though surrounded by people

I am feeling deserted

Am I missing you?

As a part of Haiku challenge 

Nest

Oh! I am dreaming

You and me adding memories

Happily together

Cocooned

In our little nest,

Forever

As a part of One Single Impression

Here, there and everywhere...

It was not the first time she was feeling that way. She has been feeling the same for the past fifteen years now. They had parted as friends five years before and still she was feeling the same. Some said as years pass by, she would get over it. After all, time is the best of healers. She too hoped the same. But, at thirty, she couldn’t believe that anymore.

She was in her teens when they had first met. He was tall and naughty. Friendship flickered in no time and love blossomed eventually. He was her best friend and he was also the soul mate, she knew that already.

Years passed by and they completed their studies. Then, they became busy with their professional targets. Regular meet ups was replaced with regular phone conversations. And that also came to a halt.

She thought he was a little stressed at work. She was concerned about him and started asking too many questions. He thought she was becoming possessive, nosy and too interrogating. He also once remarked that she was too dominating to handle. She silently cried that night. That was only a beginning. Irritation paved way to anger, then fight took over until one midnight he called her up and said, “Lets end this”

She cried. She pleaded. She promised that she would not ask any questions. But he didn’t listen to her. His innocence was gone, she realized. He sounded very selfish and self-obsessed.  He talked as if she never existed. That hurt her most of all.

Nights elongated and she befriended tears. She missed him a lot. His smiles remained verdant her heart and his laughter echoed around. She couldn’t forget how he always failed to remember important dates, birthdays and anniversaries. She could feel his tender touch and hear his manly voice. She still remembered that afternoon when his eyes welled up while asking, “Why do you love me so much?” His fragrance still lingered around. She smiled as she remembered how he would splash water on his hair to make it look less messy. His twinkling eyes as deep as ocean and the stitch mark on his left eyebrows, she remembered everything. Tears always engulfed her eyes on thinking about him.

One day, she came to know that he was dating another woman. She cried her heart out that day. She couldn’t stop wondering what was so good about that woman and what was so bad about her. She didn’t want to compare herself with anyone; but she just couldn’t control. That piece of news shattered all her hopes. She understood that he has moved on and that he would never become hers. Those days were gone; he was gone. He was only a memory now, a sweet memory.

She tried desperately to move on. But, she just couldn’t. She could feel him here, there and everywhere. She could feel him within. She knew that she was not only carrying his memories, but also a part of him with her. After all, he was her first love; the only man she loved and trusted after her father. She realized that she could not love anyone else in her life. Even if she tries, the other guy would somehow understand that she is desperately trying to find her lost first love in him.

Yet she waited patiently for her Prince Charming to come and sway her off her feet. She hoped that someday she would fall head over heels in love with him. Well, she didn’t know who that “Prince Charming” was going to be; though she secretly wished that it was her first love! She prayed that he would come back to her. She also hoped that he would come back to her before it is too late…

As a part of Carry on Tuesday

Jab Tak Hai Jaan - जब तक हैं जान

I went to watch Jab Tak Hai Jaan with lots of expectations. Yash Chopra’s last venture… Katrina and Shahrukh Khan acting together for the first time… An AR Rahman musical… Lots of hypes… Tons of expectations… Interesting trailers… Good reviews… Blah blah blah…

Jab Tak Hai Jaan is a story of love… magic… heart break… waiting… and reinvention… It is a story of pure love that lasts for an eternity. It is full of drama and a typical Yash Chopra film.

Shahrukh Khan as Samar Anand is intense and romantic. He has portrayed the unflinching love in a very believable manner. Any girl would crave for a man like him; to be loved by someone like him. He succeeds there. Our eyes well when his eyes do… We smile when smile creeks in his face… We laugh with him and we get completely engrossed in him.

Katrina Kaif as Meera looks beautiful as always. Her groove just before the Ishq Shava song is sensual and scintillating. Her accent fits to the London background she has. Her character is supposed to be very complex, full of doubts and superstitions. But, she is unable to present the same before us. As a result, we feel bored, as if we have had enough of her. Her expressions seem monotonous. And hence, the first half seems to be never-ending.

Anushka Sharma as Akira comes as a breath of fresh air. She is full of fun and makes the audience sit up, from the boring movie and the sleep of course. Her dialogs are witty. She fits into Akira’s skin effortlessly. We empathize with her. She depicts today’s generation and her transition from a careless girl to someone filled with shades of emotions is amazingly enacted.

Neethu Singh and Rishi Kapoor have made a cameo and they stay in our heart. Anupam Kher is wasted, I would say.

The biggest drawback is AR Rahman’s songs. All the songs except Jiya re fails to stay in our heart. I could not believe that AR Rahman is capable of delivering such bad compositions. The background is very good though.

The movie would be a one-time watch because of the following two reasons:

©       Because we all love Shahrukh Khan, the King of romance

©       Beacause this the last venture of Yash Chopra, someone who has made great films

I say this because the scripting is poor. First half drags and we feel bored. Shahrukh Khan tries to inflict the air of romance. But, Katrina’s stony expressions ensure that we never feel the intense love which they claim to exist between them. The subject is not new either. It is a mix of Veer Zaara and Devdas.

Further, I have to admit that I felt disappointed. Thanks to the innumerous smooching scenes that involve Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif; may be because I couldn’t see SRK doing that… May be because SRK doesn’t need to smooch to make a scene romantic… His one look is enough to woo any lady and the audience indeed. And don’t we have Emraan Hashmi, Ranbeer Kapoor and almost all others to do that?

Remember that scene in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai where SRK and Kajol dances in rain? Remember that scene towards climax in Dil Tho Paagal Hai where SRK describes the epitome of romance just by uttering “Aur paas” to Madhuri Dixit? Those scenes were charming and romantic. Compared to those, Jab Tak Hai Jaan would not stand a chance!

 In short, the movie is a big time bore; but, anything for my favorite Shahrukh Khan, late Yash Chopra and budding Anushka Sharma.

On Saraswathi Pooja...

On Sarawathi Pooja….

A very simple kolam

Drawn by me...

Tree

You were standing tall

Extending shade and fragrance

But where are you now?

As a part of Haiku Challenge

Marriage

I bent my head and he tied the knot

The knots of trust and faith

The knots of love and belongingness

I blushed and we exchanged rings

The rings of joy and robustness

The rings of passion and laughter

I smiled and looked into his eyes

The eyes of the man I trust

The eyes of my soul mate

I closed my eyes and prayed

The prayers were for his well being

The prayers were for our togetherness

I looked around and saw people

The people whom I love and care

The people who form a part of identity

As a part of One Single Impression

Zombiestan

Mainak Dhar’s Zombeistan is a gripping tale weaved around an imaginary plague that threats the mankind. The narrative is so descriptive that we can envision the scenes.  The story is a surprise and shakes the readers.

Mayukh’s evolution from a careless young boy to a responsible man is beautifully captured. His reluctance to take up responsibilities and finally, standing against all the odds to protect the people who has trust in him is portrayed in a very nice manner.

David comes across a brave man. He is a US Commando in run to reach out to his love, Rose. He is instintice and impulsive at the same time. He comes across as a natural leader with a human touch.

Hina Rahman stays in our heart and stands out among all. She is an old woman with two facets; one of a college professor and the other as a romantic books writer. Her hunger to have her family around is well elaborated. She emerges heroic when she goes out of ways to protect the people who means to her. She makes us realize that anything can be done if we have the will to do it.

Swati as a confident young girl with the sole mission of protecting her baby brother. She is sweet and caring. She sees the messed up World and says that if the World doesn;r change, she has to be the change. Her determination and confidence is infectious.

On the other hand, Abhi as an innocent toddler steals our heart. He asks innocent questions. While some evokes laughter some makes us think. He reassures that World can be a better place to live, if it is surrounded with love and selflessness. He also makes us understand that adjusting to the situations is more crucial than anything else.

Swami Vinesh is selfish and crooked. He is man who cries for money and power. He represents those people who are greedy and are ready to sacrifice others for their own good.

What makes the book special is the plot per se. It is well thought out and completely new. It makes the readers pray that such atrocities should never evade the World. It makes the readers shudder at the thought of mother Earth transforming into a hell filled with immortal creatures.

It makes us sit back and think about so many things around that we take for granted. We always complain and feel bad about everything around us. We never try to be the change; neither do we learn to adapt to the situations. We run from responsibilities until it is thrust on us. We err and we learn. This book deals with all this through a simple story. The author scores high by making us think; by making us feel grateful for what we are and where we are.

The book would not disappoint us, though the climax could have been made a little more detailed. I felt as if it was completed in haste; as if the author was forced to complete it. Still, it is engrossing and enthralling at the same time.

The book is around 250 pages and it is an assured page turner. Go for the book and you will realize that I suggested the right book!

Hey author! Expecting more such different books from you. And Blogadda, I thank you for being so gracious as always and letting me hold yet another page-turner.

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com . Participate now to get free books!

Glimpses of Kalpathy Theru 2012

Worli Painting

A busy morning in a village

People scurrying

Animals wandering

Work progressing

Oh! The painting passes so much of energy…

Plethora of positivity

I wish I shoo away laziness too

I hope that I enjoy working as much as they do

Dedicated to all the farmers;

Who work hard to feed us on time…

For their persistence, patience and hard work!

Bankster

Ravi Subramanian’s Bankster is a gripping tale of money laundering… power… and politics. It beautifully captures both corporate politics and politics in the name of democracy. It is about the greed for money and the unabashed desire for power. It is about how people use others to satisfy one’s own selfish deeds.

As the story begins, we feel like we are exposed to a few random days in a bank. There are too many detailing and innumerous incidents. There are many characters too.

The book moves slow initially and eventually picks up the pace. There are too many characters and they all carry shades of grey. The detailing of regular banking transactions and the way Relationship Managers are forces to sacrifice their integrity to meet the monthly/half-yearly/annual targets make it interesting.

Vikram Bahl comes across as a smart career oriented guy…He is friendly ansd at the same time knows how to get things things from others.

Harshitha Lele as a professional with integrity…Her insecurity that arises on account of ageing ans the jealousy she feels towards the sensual Zinaida is very real. We all of us will go through such tough phases in our professional life. Sidharth Lele as an understanding husband, is empathetic and understanding. He says the right things at the right times and stands by his wife.

Zinaida as a woman who uses her sensuality to get things done… She knows how to make men fall for her charm. She is a woman who goes one extra mile of bewitching her senior male colleagues to climb up the ladder of hierarchy.

Nikhil and Anand come across as obedient subordinates… They follow their boss’s cues; both implicit and explicit ones.

Tanuja as any other HR; sweet and approachable… She has a fling in the office and shares insider’s information.

Raymond as a dedicated employee… Karan Punjabi as a brilliant investigator…. Indrani as a responsible CEO…

Krishnan Menon as an old man fighting for a mighty cause… He is a man who selflessly takes steps to meet a promise he had made to himself. His dilemma and the way he is used by others is something we see in our day today life. Jayakumar as a corrupt politician…

Kavya? The story would have been the same without her too!

What makes this tale interesting is the plot. It is different… Thankfully not another love story of kids or IIM graduates… It is doesn’t carries clichés (Except Kavya of course)

Oh yeah! It addresses a very important issue that is faced by mother India… An issue that is shaking the Country manifolds – Money laundering! It implicitly says that the one with power should use it rightly and the powerful should never be negligent. It says that the seniors should never be biased or under-estimate their subordinates.

To conclude, I loved the book. It is different and transfixing. Go for the book… A nice way to spend a beautiful weekend! And Ravi Subramanian, we are expecting more books from you… We hope that you would play a vital role in taking Indian fictions to yet another level!

PS: Book review programs of Blogadda always enthrall me. This was more special because I got a personally autographed book by the author. The book would always remain as a cherished possession. And yes! Thank you Locomente! Wink

 This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com . Participate now to get free books!

When silence engulfs

When silence engulfs

In the velvety moonlit nighttime

I think about you;

Days spent together

Jokes shared, tears wiped

All that love and life!

Silence smiles back

Gifting dazzling beads of tears

And your endless thoughts!

As a part of Haiku Challenge

Struggle

Struggle...

To make money...

To gather power...

To show authority...

To dominate others...

Struggle...

To evolve...

To grow...

It is never ending...

Ever multiplying...

Struggle...

For life and money?

For power and fame?

No, but for tranquility and happiness

For satisfaction and hearty smiles

And, to rest in piece...

As a part of One single Impression

Kalpathy Theru Kolam Competition - 2012

Here goes mine… I don’t claim to be great… But, I am very happy… It did come out well, isn’t it? Please say YES!!!

Kalpathy Theru season is always fun… Yet another Kolam Competition happened at the mighty village of Kalpathy…  There were around 50 teams. The age of participants varied from 7 to 70. When some drew conservative designs, some amazed with intricate ones. Some were totally innovative and fresh while some were replica of earlier Kolam competitions or straight from Google. Whatever it may be, it was a time robust with zeal, unity and belongingness…  I felt happy seeing little girls actively competing with intricate designs. I thanked heavens… The art of kolam is not going vanish away from our culture.

Others kolam are given below… But before that let me apologize… I could not capture all the kolam designs…