shamiana

I:  “Did you read my blog?” You : “No, I don't react to mediocrity.” I: “Well, that explains why there's no self analysis.”

As the bell went off, she picked up her pre-packed satchel and raced to the gate. She wanted to be the first one to step out. It was the first drizzle of the season. Thrilled by the chill, she merrily opened her blue umbrella with bright pink flowers (mocked by her all-grownup - sister as a "childish and too girlie" choice !). She did not care. She loved the rains. The puzzling puddles and funny faces that one can see in them! The ripples set off by cars as they whoosh past her and the joy of taking the umbrella off one's head, staring at the sky while still keeping your eyes open was incomparable. At times, clutching your umbrella tightly, lest it would fly away with the wind. She loved to watch drops trickle down from the umbrella, to stick hand out from umbrella and splash the water on puppies and kittens and steal a quick glance to look out for any discipline-conscious adults around you. All this was fun! As she head home she thought of all these joys and also of the...

किती वाट पाहिली तुझी? वाटले, येतोस की नाही.आकाशात ढग दाटले की चाहूल लागते तुझी.मंद गार वारा आणि त्यावर स्वार होऊन येतात त्या धारा. कधी शांत ,अबोध रिमझिम तर कधी दमदार बरसात, तर कधी गंभीर संततधार अशी अनेक रुपं तुझी! कधी थोडा विसावा धेतलास, तर आसमंतात शांतता पसरते. लहानपणी छप्परावर नाचणारा तू, आजही साद घालतोस.छोट्या छोट्या कागदी होड्या बनवून त्या साचलेल्या डबक्यात सोडायच्या. बुडणार त्या हे माहिती असायचे , पण त्यांच्या क्षणभर तरंगण्याचा केवढा आनंद वाटत असे. तुझे स्वागत आईनं केलेल्या भजीने व्हायचे. त्या अल्लड वयात तुझ्या तुषारांचा रोमांच! उफाळून आलेला समुद्र आणि मेघांनी मोहरलेले डोंगर ! कधी अचानक दिसलेले इंद्रधनुष.सगळे अद्भुत. प्रणयाच्या क्षणांना तुझ्या संगीताची साथ! तुझ्या धास्तीने लोकलचा केलेला प्रवास आणि कितीही पैसे मोजून घराकडे घेतलेली धाव,मग  आलं घालून चहा आणि सगळ्यांची विचारपूस. तुझ्या बरोबरीचे अस्थानी पराक्रम आणि तद्नंतर मिळालेला  औषधांचा खुराक,हे कधी चुकले नाही . घरी एकटेच असताना ,तू सोबत करतोस की कुठल्या अनामिक भीतीला निमंत्रण देतोस, हे कळलेच नाही . जितका अल्लहाददाय...

He stole a glance at his watch. It was 7 already. Even if were to start from office now, he would make it to the restaurant by 8:30. His wife would be upset. She hated waiting. The Manager was certainly crazy to come up with an urgent meeting in the evening. It was the fag end of the day and everyone had plans. The meeting went on for a few hours. He knew his boss was certainly headed for a divorce! Who keeps meetings on Valentine’s Day? She knew he would be late, again. After all, it was Friday. Valentine’s Day was particularly insignificant for them. They never celebrated it when they were courting so now after marriage it seemed ludicrous to celebrate. She thought of all the previous Valentines she had dated on this day: men with smoldering looks and generous wallets; with swanky cars and sexy jackets; She often compared them with her husband and counted her blessings. He was her man: rich and sexy he was not. He was not a gallant;no knight in  shinning armor. But, he ensure...

Sadhguru wanted me to repeat "I am not the body;I am not the mind." I continued meditating for a while and had an epiphany. Spiritually speaking, yes, "I" here, refers to the immortal,formless and divine soul. However, as much as these guided meditations ask me to let go, the more I cling on. I clutch tight. Maybe the mind never wants to let go. For me, "I" am the mind, the body and  the soul, all packed into one. I enjoy the sensual pleasures that the world offers me. I love the act of creation and the pseudo God like status. My self craves to lose itself in the act of creation. The journey sublimates the self and continues to redefine the boundaries of excellence. Well, it could be that I have an ego. But then, who doesn't? Atleast, I don't have ego hassles with people.  Maybe i need to redfine the whole project, change the angle. I am the body and I am the mind. yes, that is so simple to follow. In fact, I should take care of my body and my mi...

It was that time of the year again when Jake knew his wife would ask for money. The festive season starting with Christmas and ending in New Year was a burden, financially and emotionally. In the two years of marriage, all his wife would do was nag. He knew that’s what wives usually did. Nagging is their occupation.  She would complain he was getting on her nerves. They would fight incessantly. Peace was unheard of, except when she would be either out for work or with her friends. So, here was Jake pensively drinking his troubles away. His marriage had hit rocks so a bit of scotch on the rocks would hardly make a difference. Lately, he had begun to imagine life without her. How splendid! Wishful thinking seemed to do him well. He would chalk out various plans to get rid of her. Opt for legal separation? No, that would be too much of hard work. Meeting a counselor, arguing with meddling friends and nosy relatives, and paying the lawyer’s fees was impossible. How about throwing h...

As I entered the YP gate, I realised I might be asked for an ID. I had none. Luckily  I was not. I walked to the HSS Dept, calling my friend, constantly. Well, she said she would be late. I nervously strolled about. Disoriented and clueless. Was it not here that I learnt to ride a cycle? Where was Mafco the one mecca for school kids? Nowhere to be seen. I went along. Continued till IDC...Well, here's where we would come and check the acoustic sweet spot er the echo! I wish I could go home. This place was my home till last month. No longer anymore. Why was is it so tough to fight back those memories and tears rolled down. There were lots of people I could have called. They would have welcomed me in their homes may be for lunch or chai or even a stay over. But, it can't be the same. So I did not make calls. I continued to walk for some more time. Going to LT(yes, that's what it was called), Convo and finally came to coffee shack. Had a cuppa. helped immensely. The phone buzz...