Outside The window!

Scene: The room is stifling hot. The professor in front of  you is spending the chalk on the blackboard. What’s written there seems to be an array of characters from the Japanese script. You are trapped and there is no way out. Finally you find your escape outside the window…

Reading this must have caught you in a sense of  déjà vu.. It’s an inevitable part of your student life! When complicated figures and formulae seem alien to you, your thinking buds are tickled and your imagination takes a leap away from the mundane…

You think about the events in your day and sometimes deliberate on how you would have liked them to be. Maybe you miss someone and imagine being with them. You vent up your feelings about people. (”I hate that girl in pink…she’s such an insufferable know-it-all!”).  Or you may even think about a long forgotten song and try to remember its lyrics. (“Arre  yaar, who next line kya tha?”)  Humming your favourite tune feels good. Even that peculiar person in the bus that morning will seem interesting to think about! (“God! What a wonky sort of haircut he had!”)

If there is a building facing you, you observe the people there…may be what the students are busy doing, or if it’s a residential area you might even try to find what’s being telecasted on their TV!!! The people roaming on the ground or the group of teens in the quad will be fun to watch!

More adventurous amongst you will go on to think about some spaceship landing with aliens attacking all over. Or may be a trip to the Amazon rainforests and encounters with anacondas!!!

No matter what you start thinking…it will end up so random that you will be astonished over your own trail of thoughts. You might start from how you argued with your mom that morning and end up feeling sorry for the people in Iraq!! It’s the dramatic change in thoughts that makes the process exciting and enjoyable!!!

Alas! This phase is short-lived! Suddenly you are hit by reality (Read: a chalk!) and the professor demands to know the answer to the question he just asked. Your dumbfounded expression is well understood and some warnings find their way to you. Your mumbled sorry sounds funny…but then you are excused. The lecture ends and you go on with your routine.

Then comes the next professor…and you think, ”The window is still open…”;-)

PS. The inspiration for this article is one of my Friends. We used to often joke in Thermodynamic terms that…he was more interested in the ‘surroundings’ than the system!!!

R for ‘Rickmance’!!!

Ya,I’m a thoroughly louzy blogger….I havent posted for nearly what seems a lifetime! Nothing interesting popped up! (Read,A lame excuse!) Anyways it was just yesterday when I was walking on the S V road (actually having an obstacle race amidst muddy puddles,garbage dumps,loaded BEST buses and ofcourse our arrogant riksawalas…!)

Did I say rikshawalas??? Oh yeah,its about them that I wanna talk!!! As I was saying,I was battling my way through the snail-paced traffic when a rikshawala agreed to take me…heaving a sigh of relief I climbed in feeling utmost gratitude towards him! Such is the Mumbain traffic and its super arrogant yellow-black-vehicle chauffers …

I sat there pondering what to do to kill time.It was then that I looked out and saw a couple cosying in an alongside three wheeler.Though slightly startled,it wasnt unheard for me.At any rate the auto driver seemed to be enjoying this ‘free’play!

Frankly, too much of PDA gives one the urge to puke. But,what with 8 hour colleges,double the time classes,reluctant parents,nosy neighbours and such other grievances will these young love birds find time together??!!?? So the only place of solace comes down to a rickshaw! Non-interfering drivers,cosy lil seats and crammed cars…all spell sure privacy!

No time to spend together? disapproving parents? neighbours driving you crazy with questions and advices over matters that are of least concern to them? in search of some quality time? The answer is here! Hop into the famous three wheeler and enjoy the snail-slow traffic! You definitely wont be disappointed!

Sure, sometimes you maybe unlucky to come across a scrupulous fella who either whines about ‘keeping distance’ or loses his cool over such behaviour; most of them will mind their own business and might even enjoy the whole affair! Thus today rickshaws cater to some additional needs than transport…Connecting People!

Three cheers to our own rikshawalas who are helping GenNext know each other better!!! too much literally so,I daresay…

PS. The aim of the post is not to promote such behaviour but to laugh it off as a teen trait! Cheers again! 🙂

Was it a Brainwash?

              I’m back from a lull…call it a want of inspiration or simply my laziness to make an effort! Finally today I got the much needed push…and that too in the least expected place,our CS (Communication Skills) lecture!

              Normally I’m so bored in this lecture that within fifteen minutes I’m snoring out loud! And today was no exception…when the professor started his monotonous drone,I,at once,started reading my book (‘The Godfather’ by Mario Puzo..its an awesome book, couldn’t keep it down for a second.A masterplan concieved by a genius…the clandestine Mafia world shown subtely…oh! I think I’m deviating from the topic,wil write my next post based on it…) Ok,so where was I??? Ya, my CS prof…

            He’s a typical Manglori guy in his early fifties,not a bit strict but maintains a typical teacher-student attitude towards us.He’s is a retired colonel…yet sadly lacks the command and aura expected of them.His too much exam-oriented style of teaching pisses me off…reminding us of the damned six modules in our syllabus everyday,huge question banks to refer and constant nagging for us to score a minimum of 85% in this subject! It all gets prosaic.

             Today I sat in his lecture,all sweaty having come directly after playing Volleyball.He was planning to take our GD (Group Discussion) practice.Everyone was quite eager to do that…I was busy finishing my book under the table,mind you it takes a lot of skill to do that under the nose of the teacher!

             For the first one hour he explained all the theory related to it.Not surprising,all were waiting for it to get over and the actual practice to start.After his speech,he allotted us numbers and benches were so arranged as to form a circle…in this way everyone could see each other. Our topic for discussion was ‘Brain Drain’.Quite interesting,we were given 5mins. to jot down the relevent points.

At work!

              Then it all started.It being a controversial topic,ours was much more of a debate.Many put forth their points and others either supported of contradicted them.The start was obviously awkward…but within a few minutes we all were arguing for our lives! It wasn’t chaotic,but we were thrashing each other with words!It was quite a job making people listen to you and convince them,atleast a few!

           At the start we were told that if were to disagree with a certain point,we had to politely tell him that we have a diiferent approach and explain it.However we were so excited,that all mannerisms forgotten,words were just pouring out….

           I loved this lecture for once.I being quite an outgoing person this exercise put all my reasoning to work and brought me out of my long stupor!My mind is buzzing with ideas.. Hope to have many such interesting sessions and soon….

           Colonel Kamath…I owe you this one!:-)

the 11th hour wake-up call!

      We remain students for most of our life and being so,exams are absolutely inevitable! From childhood we are advised to prepare for the tests beforehand,revise thoroughly and what not!!! Needless to say,this hardly happens…

      Whatever time we get,it always seems to be less…not because it is so,but because we never exert ourselves to be particular from the start.It is said that ‘a burnt child dreads fire’…however unless the burns are serious,most of the times we love to play with the fire!

      For a week before the exam we are relaxed,not a single worry in our minds…in contrast,the scenario one day prior to the exam is worth observing! Books strewn all over,we trying to keep sane mugging up the complex formulae and molecular structures,deriving mind boggling integrals,understanding the theory of relativity,calling up friends for the most expected questions and yes,in the midst of all this,cursing ourselves about not working earlier! It becomes a matter of do or die! We are constantly worried anticipating our performance the next day. Our parents can do little but watch us scurrying around like a worried goose..after all they know their words of wisdom always fall on our deaf ears!That moment we promise to start early next time and avoid such a hassle… but the day exam is over,all pledges forgotten we get back to our normal routine devoid of any kind of academic links!!!

      Experience is the best teacher,but it horribly fails in this case. We never learn,even the hard way! So be it…

After all,life does seem to be dull without such thrill..doesnt it??? 🙂

Terror Strikes Again!

         

  

Salutes to them all!

               It was Thursday morning around three that we got a call from my uncle giving us the first insights of the terror that had struck Mumbai.We hastily clamoured out of our beds and switched on the idiot box.A scene of total havoc met our eyes…People were running helter-skelter trying to find way through the mayhem & confusion,khaki clad policemen were trying to fight back while the terrorists were implementing the first stage of their plan at CST station!!!

        They opened fire and many innocent people lost their lives even before they registered what was happening.Here the presence of mind of the railway announcer is laudable who announced over the mike that there was a terrorist attack and advised commuters to leave the platform,thus saving the lives of tons of would-be innocent victims!However many others were not so lucky…hostages at Taj,Oberoi and many others went through 50 hours of total anticipation holding dearly to their lives.We cant even imagine being in their shoes…

        The helplessness felt was frustrating.Rumours were floating around adding to the panic.In the middle of all this some politicians came at the sight to give their INSINCERE condolences,ranting about the inefficient security by the current government & assuring how they could be better.Even when people are losing lives they cant stop caring about their vote banks!!! I even heard one contemplating whether to declare a bandh!!! I mean how can anybody stoop so low worrying about such irrelevant matters in time of national crisis…they seem to be no better than the terrorists themselves!!

         But,there were some who were fighting selflessly to ensure our safety.The NSG commandos, army and entire police force deserve a standing ovation.Their grit,strategy and integrity towards their duty was commendable.We’ve lost many of our capable men,the likes of Karkare, Unnikrishnan, Salaskar and many others.They cracked the impeccable plan of the terrorists thus avoiding even worse damages than what are sustained now.People will continue pointing fingers but we cant help admiring what these officers have done in the last three days.Their rescue operation at Nariman house was most amazing.They are our real heroes.

         It was a nightmare for us all;now atleast we should stop wrapping our inefficiencies under the sheet of “Mumbai’s Spirit”…no doubt we have the potential to face any problems but its high time we should come out of our torpor and make sincere efforts towards avoiding such calamities.We should take the message home and fight tooth & nail for it.Unless we do so Mumbai will remain being vulnerable and helpless to such circumstances.We should make sure that the sacrifices made by each individual do not go futile…!

     My heartfelt condolences to the near and dear ones of our martyrs.

Not so Fashionable!!!

                                         

Puts me in a Quagmire!!

                                       Its the talk of our tinsel town!

       Commendable direction by Madhur Bhandarkar,power pact performances by the entire cast and ofcourse a breath of fresh air from the prosaic romantic themes! Naturally,its getting rave reviews by one and all…even I felt it to be worth my 180 bucks (read,I couldnt buy anything in the interval!)

       Yes,all’s good here but somwhere at the back of my mind I feel something’s amiss. That would be the message of the movie. I dunno for sure whether there was one,but it feels like the movie urges us to pursue our dreams come what may.Fighting your way towards your goals is important,but does that allow laxing our scruples???

         Priyanka is shown to have come to Mumbai from a small town in the pursuit of her dreams.While climbing each step of success she silences a part of her conscience…posing for a lingerie add,playing part in the casting couch,getting drugged,demeaning the less fortunate…you name it,she has done it all;and doing so,in the end she is shown to have become a supermodel walking the ramp in Paris,the most prestigious platform for modelling in the world!

          So whats the conclusion??? Does being successful wipe out the mistakes in your past?? I dont think so,the thoughts will haunt you forever. Thus,its a movie to be enjoyed and reflected upon but surely not taken as a lesson.It certainly doesnt show the right way to success…I’m not sure whether there’s any in the world of Fashion,but then there is a lot more variety to choose from!My thoughts might be quaint but being quixotic about your dreams is a complete no no for me…

           So enjoy the movie but try not to take home its message! Meanwhile I’m planning to see it once again,I loved the movie…what an irony of situation!!!

The cat crossed my way

            I was leaving for college today when my mom called out to me.Thinking that this was for the daily peck,I waited back…(Inspite of getting horribly late!! read I defy punctuality..) Mom came out with my wallet and started her usual  ‘how-can-you-be-so-careless’ tirade…I was wondering whether today m’professor was gonna allow allow me in his lecture at all??? This was when my grandma came a la’ a saviour while going for her morning walk and asked me join in…I grabbed at the opportunity,wished mom n left at once.(I could still hear some ‘today’s generation’ mutiny behind my back!!)

         As I was walking,I realised that after a long time I was being with grandma…always buried under tests and submissions (read I’m an Engineering student) I hardly get time to talk at leisure with her.She asked me why mom was mad at me and quitely chuckled knowing why..What I love the most about her is that she always tries to think from the other person’s point of view and considers their opinion too! In many ways I feel she’s more relaxed than mom,atleast we dont argue that much! When I told her that she said the one thing which defines a good mother-daughter relationship is frequent clashes between the two! According to her,if you feel that your mom is your greatest enemy then all’s fine between the two….quite a thought!

 

        

             She told me about her great clashes with m’mom when she was young,I could hardly visualise grandma as stern and tenable…ofcourse now they both laugh about it together!!! She tried to make me realise my mom’s woes but when I started about ‘wat-about-my-views’ theory  she sighed and said that the rate at which I argue I could be a lawyer and a good one I’ll make too! I knew she was pulling m’leg and the next second her mischievous smile confirmed it..I suddenly felt joy for no reason..!! I pondered how could she be so seasoned and patient…just perfect!!! 

           I then remembered about m’class (about time) and prepared to rush on.This was when a black cat crossed my way and almost instantaneously m’grandma warned me about an hapless day further…Looking back at her I thought ,”Alas! perfection comes with its own flaws!!!”

Dancing all the way…

Words are not enough!

DANCE…the word which makes me dance,and literally so!

My thoughts flow through this most beautiful form of expression.Learning dance since being a toddler,it is a critical element of who I am.It has the power to gladden a depressed soul as well as accompany a lonely heart in the midst of the messed up thoughts!

Bharatanatyam is one of the profound dance forms in India.It has evolved beautifully from the Devdasi system in ancient India.It was considered a medium to communicate with the Almighty,Lord Shiva is said to have performed the Tandav himself! So pure and true that its magic could be felt beyond the confines of the temple.

Its defined by 3 syllables…’Bha’ for bhava-expression,’Ra’ for raag-music,’Ta’ for taal-rhythm.It was stuctured by Bharata muni in Natyashastra.Rhythmic dance movements juxtaposed with beautiful gestures and flowing emotions carry the performer as well as the spectator in a trance,just like seeing a craftsman work on his masterpiece…The varied mudras (hand gestures) can express anything under the sun and sharp eye movements can mesmerise one and all…This coupled with artistic costume and jewellery magnify the aura multifold…Last but never the least,the sweet melody of the ghungroos cannot be more emphasized..after all they adore the true talent of a dancer! 

This talent comes with years of patience and effort,its a journey to probe into the mystic elements of dance.I’m in the middle of it,and enjoying every bit!! Truly,Dance is the song of the body..

Dancing lets out all the feelings bottled inside me leaving me revitalised..It gives me chance to introspect.It helps me understand my innermost desires and shows the path to achieve them.I’m greatly indebted to this art form.

So putting on my dancing shoes,

“Dancing is a lot like love,

you just surrender to the music…”

                                                       

B’Day Surprises

Being close to being legally adult now,the idea of the traditional B’day parties seems tacky…I would love to hang out with friends rather than cut the cake with everyone clapping in the background (coveting the cake!!!)….

This was what I thought until yesterday…I was in college when I came to know that it was the Birthday of two of my friends…all the guys were busy planning surprises for them…this involved bringing cakes and making sure those two didnt know about it!!!

We arranged the cakes on teacher’s desk in the break and brought the B’day boys in…they were lifted and given the traditional B’day bumps,we sang Happy B’day for them while they cut the cake…We enjoyed the cakes (n literally so,coz they vanished in seconds!) and smeared tons on their faces too…it was a boisterous affair!
I remembered my bday parties as a kid…it was all great!!!!

Everyone captured those moments but the snaps will hardly be able to tell the overwhelming enthusiasm,throaty laughter and pure fun we had together…kudos to us all!!!
Now looking forward to the next B’day in class….
P.S.I loved the cakes!

Music or Misery????

     Recently I heard the song “Tandoori Nights” from the movie Karzzzzz….apparently SUNG (or rather brayed…!) by none other than the falling star of Bollywood-Himesh Reshamiya! We friends have voted it as the most horrendous song of the century,n I dont think many would disagree on that count….

     Listening to that piece of torture I was compelled to think…what has happened to Music in our country?? Is there a dearth of good music composers n lyriscists? Surely not,we’ve got great talents like A R Rehman,Lataji,Javed Akhtar etc. But now all of them seem to have gone in recluse…and some pathetic newcomers have taken their place!! The basic problem lies with us,the janta….we’ve stooped our standards so low that we actually njoy their pieces of crap…whats the meaning behind “Aye Ganpat,chal daru la”???

      Try going back in time and listen to pure melodies by Kishore da,Asha ji,Rafi sahab etc. You’ll definitely feel mesmerised. Music composers like O P Nayyar,Pancham da,Laxmikant-Pyarelal and others had taken the standard of music to a different pedestal altogether!!!! Each phrase in the song had a profound meaning which the singers could express precisely through their emotions and voice…Sorrow,romance,joy,innocence…all the ‘navrasa’ were aptly presented before the audiences!!! Their awesome compositions are still remembered and enjoyed.. 

      Reality shows are the main catalysts in the detoriation of music …any Tom Dick & Harry comes,sings & we are actually supposed to spend 50paise on them to vote them as music geniuses…what nonsense! Even the judges are first class losers,wasting their time solving idiotic ego problems…No wonder they come up with such compositions…

     Its high time that we need to make it clear that we’ll settle for nothing but the BEST! Lets try to create the old magic and be at par with the former composers…recognising deserving talents and moulding them!!! On a parting note,

 “Hoton se chhulo tum,mera geet amar kar do….!!”

 

(DICLAIMER:No offence meant to Himesh Rashammiya!!!)

Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!

  “E dil hai mushkil Jeena yahaan,
zara hatke zara bachke ye hai Mumbai meri jaan!!!”

I’m an ardent Mumbaikar,this tinsel town reflects who I am.Its called the city that never sleeps…I would rather say that its a city where you’ll never sleep!!!! Its the city of dreams,each place has its own story to tell…

   Try Marine Drive in the evening & feel mesmerised by its beauty n serendipidity…astonishingly you can feel its calm and depth even in the midst of the snail paced traffic experienced there!!! Or even Haji Ali,where you can actually forget time snacking on corn n feeling the salty (n dirty!!) water on you…its the place where young n old alike find some time for their selves after slogging all day long…

   People complain about the enormous struggle to survive in Mumbai…but its this city itself which has made masses to accept Darwin’s survival of the fittest and made them fit enough!!! Waiting in long queues for buses,fighting your way through the trains and dealing with arrogant rickshaw drivers after a hectic day is enough to drive anybody nuts…but then its not for nothing that Mumbaikars are supposed to be the smartest ppl around! Its all these trials which help to bring out the best within you…

  Its a city which never loses hope…the recent bomb blasts n terrorist attacks truly shattered the ppl but standing upto them again displayed an excellent epitome of courage..The spirit of Mumbai rocks!!! At first glance Mumbaikars may seem reserved,but if you get to know them closely you’ll find each one is a gem at heart..

  This city recognises only your talents…n hence each one gets his dues at the end of the day! This enormous wealth of talent is showcased in events like the Kala Ghoda festival,we’ve our own Bollywood or even the fact dat Mumbai is the centre for all trade…truly multifaceted!

  What makes Mumbai really special is that each person living here contributes a bit of him to it…no wonder each soul here relates to it so comfortably!!

  There’s so much more about Mumbai which cannot be penned down…it can only be experienced!! Jus come here n feel the city telling you its story on its own…a thrilling tale would unfold and you’ll be left wanting for more!!!