Ek Duje Ke Liye……
Diwali is near & I am traveling home… home where I spent my 23 beautiful years, home where my dear parents wait for me eagerly, home where my childhood returns… With beautiful memories re surfacing, I board my train thinking of all the fun I would be having…. Missing my sister who is far far away but so very close to our hearts….
Train journeys always enlighten & amuse me, the whiffs of food from various tiffins, the non stop & untimely “chai-chai”, the bulging & peeking bags from below the seats, the long hours of games of “tash” & the soulful antaksharis …. Not to forget the different gamut of people whom I love to observe. This journey was not any different but which would be etched in my heart for a long long time.
As we were just settling in our seats & trying to cool off, an old uncle came searching… He spoke to the person opposite to me in Bengali. From what I could glean from my knowledge of the language, he wanted to exchange the lower berth. He said his wife was a patient & they had only one seat confirmed which was an upper berth. My co- traveler obliged and after some time a frail looking lady wearing a robe & holding uncle’s hand came our way. He made her sit & went again & came back with the luggage. I moved aside so that he could accommodate on the seat next to me. She looked as if she was recovering from major surgery. I felt little sad but then returned to my “Marley and Me”. “Tumhi kichu khabo ki” (“Will you eat something”). She replied in some incoherent language. He brought some health drink powder & a glass of water. “Charta hoi geche ki?” (“Did I put four spoons”), She nodded and a small smile played on her lips….. must be his usual question, I thought. She mixed it with trembling hands & drank slowly. I watched him as he wiped the spilled drops around her mouth with a napkin. Her illness had taken his toll too. His once handsome face seemed wrinkled, the worry lines prominent. He was meticulously dressed though, his salt and pepper hair neatly put in place with mustard oil. I was disturbed from my reverie by “Khaana madam”?
Some hours later train stopped at some station, & some other lady got in. “Bhaisahab yeh mera seat hai.” She said irritatingly to Uncle. She had some knee problem hence she could not exchange the seat. I was on the side berth & the seat in front was empty. They shifted there. I had my dinner and went to the top berth so that they could also rest.
I was not sleepy & hence wanted to read. But as Murphy’s Law never fails, when you have a good book to read, the night lights in (our Indian) trains never work. I smirked and still tried my luck, pushed open the light flap….and LO!! And Behold!!, Murphy won again. I decided to have an early night.
When I got up in the morning, Aunty was still half asleep but uncle was not around. She saw me and tried to get up. I told her to lie down, but she still made some place for me to sit. I had noticed at night that uncle was sitting beside her, his sleepy head swaying at the train’s rhythmic movements. As I sipped my watery coffee, I could not help but think of how much pain these people are enduring. One literal and the other seeing his loved one in pain. Even though troubled, there was a different kind of serenity in their behavior. As if both had come to terms with the adversity but decided to fight it together. Togetherness has great strength; it can lead you to conquer even the worse battles in life. And its not just love that holds you together, it’s the sense of belongingness and gratitude. People say that you need not show gratitude towards the one you love, but then you what is the use to show gratitude to some stranger?
I noticed that aunty’s quilt had fallen down and she was feeling cold. As I put it back in place, she pulled it over her chin, still in deep slumber. She looked very vulnerable & my heart went out to her. Instinctively, I put my hand on her head and stroked it. She opened her eyes and said, “Ogo, tumhi acho ki” (“Husband ,as in sunte ho in Hindi,is it you?”), getting no reply, she went back to sleep.
In my remaining one hour of journey, uncle came to check her frequently.
As I glanced at the running trees outside my window, my thoughts went to the various couples, my friends, colleagues, relatives. All young and beautiful, hail and hearty, having great jobs , some blessed with lovely kids…. But most of them having a terrible married life. Or just surviving it. They are together either because of their kids or because they cannot end it “just like that”. I thought, do situations have to be so worse just to enjoy a life together without taking other for granted, or to realize that you love and really care for the person? Well, when does one actually begin to admire & ACCEPT his partner for what he or she is? Its like when one is in deep trouble, one prays and acknowledges the presence of the Almighty. He is always there and would be there always to hear your prayers, but humans don’t live till eternity….. and maybe its too late when you realize his or her value in your life.
We are so very fortunate to have our choice of life partners. We search for “Compatibilty”… many times it’s a never ending search. Just wondered how many of our parents got that liberty, seeing that they turned out to be pretty good!
Well, I guess to know whether our choices are actually “Ek duje k liye” types, we need to be in a situation like this couple….. or may be just wise enough!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Zindagi ke safar mein……
Life is a like a beautiful journey, the only difference being that the destination is unknown & that’s the most enticing thing about it. But the best part of this journey is the co-passengers. It’s a very fortunate thing to meet good people during a journey & when you really meet them, the journey becomes a memorable one. Once when I had a tough time with a person, I was depressed & felt betrayed & awfully hurt. That’s when my dad told me something that has deeply touched my thinking. He said, “When we are eating a great meal sometimes an annoying stone comes in our mouth which destroys the taste but at the same time we also enjoy the rest of the delicious food & forget the stone. In the same way we come across good & bad people in our lives. We should treasure the good ones & throw away the bad ones, just like the stone”
Well, fortunately for me the stones are much less & some of the best ones have become my friends. Two of the most treasured friends are Kritika fondly known as Kitten & Sonali.
I still remember the day when I first met Sonali & Kitten…. I am rarely one of those who will introduce myself first to a stranger. I like to keep to myself usually, rather than to initiate a conversation. When I shifted to room no. 25 of Amrapali hostel loneliness gripped me. I felt suffocated, depressed & home sick. Then I saw a curtain move & a loud music blaring from the room opposite… well, my favorite song. I hesitated but went near. A tall girl was sprawled on the cot (our bed at the hostel) reading “Archies” Wow… that’s a nice start, I thought. My favorite series too. I knocked. & she turned…. Well, that was my introduction to Miss Sonali Rao….. She was also working with Godrej those days. My first impression was – “dhaasu ladki hai”. I was impressed by her bold & no- frills- &- formalities- attitude. I often used to think if it’s the effect of the Mumbai’s cruel, practical side or just the side effect of her profession. Some days later was Sonali’s B’day. When went to wish her, I met Kitten… Well, I got a bit intimidated by this so-sure-of-herself- girl & to be very frank didn’t fancy her much. Later I came to know how wrong I was. She became my roomie ultimately, my best ever. Her poise, her sophistication & the ability to handle any situation is enviable to any girl. But deep inside she is a typical Indian girl with a heart of gold.
They both have been my anchor these two and half years, taking care of me like their little sis, hearing me out when I was upset & listening to my sermons when I talked as if I was years older to them.
Our Sunday mornings when Sonali would barge into our room & we would complain but snuggle eventually together to get up late, my nightmarish nights when I would reach out of fear to find Kitten slowly put her hands around me into a hug of comfort, our week ends when we would dress up in our best clothes & roam around in Colaba/ Bandra, my first visit to Himsagar (… well, must visit for all) with them on a rainy evening, my first ever discotheque fun, our birthday bashes, our endless & mindless dancing on our favorite tunes in hostel room, our fights, my famous arguments, our gossips, our shopping adventures, our days of torment during 26/7/06, our visits to each ones hometowns, our evenings watching the sun set at marine lines, our shifting into new house, our cooking stunts, our fights with the rikhshaw driver for petty change, our Saturday evenings at CCD, our complaints on not having enough clothes looking at the overflowing cupboards, our sighs in chorus for Hritik Roshan, our outdoor trips & treks,our dry days when there was no water in the house & sometimes when there was overflowing water tank turning our sweet home into a pool, our ego clashes,our tears & our laughter …..the list goes on & on…..
These are not just moments that we three spent together but small chapters of our life where the more we gave the more we got. These have been the best part of my years after I left my home but Kitten & Sonali made these special.
Mumbai to me was another city to fulfill my aspirations, an overcrowded city where u find yourself lost… but in their company I realized Mumbai is much more that that. We three are very different individuals like whiskey, water & ice but when we are together we rock J (right Kitten?).
As the time comes near for Kitten to leave us & start a new & beautiful chapter of her life, a lump forms in my throat …. However I try to console myself that this was bound to happen but as days fly I feel a vacuum grip me. Eventually Sonali will also go on the same path. I might sound selfish but how I wish they would never leave me. Though we will always be in touch & will meet once in a while, still it would never be the same. But I can bet for sure that our friendship is forever. Friends are God’s way to keep us on right track, and I feel blessed to have two such angelic ones who have left an inerasable impression in my heart & my life.
As I end my blog a beautiful song slips through my lips…. “Yeh lamhe yeh pal hum barso yaad karenge , Yeh mausam chale gaye to hum fariyaad karenge.”
God bless you both & may you find eternal happiness for years to come.
Yours forever,Chutanki J
Life is a like a beautiful journey, the only difference being that the destination is unknown & that’s the most enticing thing about it. But the best part of this journey is the co-passengers. It’s a very fortunate thing to meet good people during a journey & when you really meet them, the journey becomes a memorable one. Once when I had a tough time with a person, I was depressed & felt betrayed & awfully hurt. That’s when my dad told me something that has deeply touched my thinking. He said, “When we are eating a great meal sometimes an annoying stone comes in our mouth which destroys the taste but at the same time we also enjoy the rest of the delicious food & forget the stone. In the same way we come across good & bad people in our lives. We should treasure the good ones & throw away the bad ones, just like the stone”
Well, fortunately for me the stones are much less & some of the best ones have become my friends. Two of the most treasured friends are Kritika fondly known as Kitten & Sonali.
I still remember the day when I first met Sonali & Kitten…. I am rarely one of those who will introduce myself first to a stranger. I like to keep to myself usually, rather than to initiate a conversation. When I shifted to room no. 25 of Amrapali hostel loneliness gripped me. I felt suffocated, depressed & home sick. Then I saw a curtain move & a loud music blaring from the room opposite… well, my favorite song. I hesitated but went near. A tall girl was sprawled on the cot (our bed at the hostel) reading “Archies” Wow… that’s a nice start, I thought. My favorite series too. I knocked. & she turned…. Well, that was my introduction to Miss Sonali Rao….. She was also working with Godrej those days. My first impression was – “dhaasu ladki hai”. I was impressed by her bold & no- frills- &- formalities- attitude. I often used to think if it’s the effect of the Mumbai’s cruel, practical side or just the side effect of her profession. Some days later was Sonali’s B’day. When went to wish her, I met Kitten… Well, I got a bit intimidated by this so-sure-of-herself- girl & to be very frank didn’t fancy her much. Later I came to know how wrong I was. She became my roomie ultimately, my best ever. Her poise, her sophistication & the ability to handle any situation is enviable to any girl. But deep inside she is a typical Indian girl with a heart of gold.
They both have been my anchor these two and half years, taking care of me like their little sis, hearing me out when I was upset & listening to my sermons when I talked as if I was years older to them.
Our Sunday mornings when Sonali would barge into our room & we would complain but snuggle eventually together to get up late, my nightmarish nights when I would reach out of fear to find Kitten slowly put her hands around me into a hug of comfort, our week ends when we would dress up in our best clothes & roam around in Colaba/ Bandra, my first visit to Himsagar (… well, must visit for all) with them on a rainy evening, my first ever discotheque fun, our birthday bashes, our endless & mindless dancing on our favorite tunes in hostel room, our fights, my famous arguments, our gossips, our shopping adventures, our days of torment during 26/7/06, our visits to each ones hometowns, our evenings watching the sun set at marine lines, our shifting into new house, our cooking stunts, our fights with the rikhshaw driver for petty change, our Saturday evenings at CCD, our complaints on not having enough clothes looking at the overflowing cupboards, our sighs in chorus for Hritik Roshan, our outdoor trips & treks,our dry days when there was no water in the house & sometimes when there was overflowing water tank turning our sweet home into a pool, our ego clashes,our tears & our laughter …..the list goes on & on…..
These are not just moments that we three spent together but small chapters of our life where the more we gave the more we got. These have been the best part of my years after I left my home but Kitten & Sonali made these special.
Mumbai to me was another city to fulfill my aspirations, an overcrowded city where u find yourself lost… but in their company I realized Mumbai is much more that that. We three are very different individuals like whiskey, water & ice but when we are together we rock J (right Kitten?).
As the time comes near for Kitten to leave us & start a new & beautiful chapter of her life, a lump forms in my throat …. However I try to console myself that this was bound to happen but as days fly I feel a vacuum grip me. Eventually Sonali will also go on the same path. I might sound selfish but how I wish they would never leave me. Though we will always be in touch & will meet once in a while, still it would never be the same. But I can bet for sure that our friendship is forever. Friends are God’s way to keep us on right track, and I feel blessed to have two such angelic ones who have left an inerasable impression in my heart & my life.
As I end my blog a beautiful song slips through my lips…. “Yeh lamhe yeh pal hum barso yaad karenge , Yeh mausam chale gaye to hum fariyaad karenge.”
God bless you both & may you find eternal happiness for years to come.
Yours forever,Chutanki J
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Are we demanding too much out of Love......?
LoVe- an overly hyped word........ highly misinterpreted expression.......... commonly found but rarely understood. This definition was formed in my mind as result of contionuous encounter with this humanly affection since my teenage days.
I feel like explaining it part by part. Overly hyped......... This is evident with the increasing number of teenage marraiges & the equally active protestors against Valentine's day. Love isfrilled with accessories & hence hyped. I remember my first encounter with something as close to love was the figure of HEART. This symbol of love enchanted me because it was a tabboo in schools. "Us ladke ne us ladki ko paper pe red crayon se heart banake apne dost ke haath bheja " Well, how we would gossip & wisper about it for days. As we grew the red crayon transformed into something more gory-BLOOD. Arrey yaar jaake sidha us ladki ko I Love you bolne se kaam agar nahi banta to find somebody else na. Pooja nahi to dooja :) But agar hype nahi banaya to pyaar kya kiya? "I gave my sweetheart 10 roses for the ten days he followed me before proposing me".......Hype, aur kya. Then those highly powerful dialouges " Meri zindagi tumhare bina ek zinda laash hai!!! " Ladki na hui Oxygen ho gayi & believe me girls (including me......) do get flattered by it even though they know how true it is.
Highly Misinterpreted............... Some day one guy was boasting... Its so difficult to Love. I started to correct him (my typical quality ) I told him "Its very easy to love but its hell lot difficult to commit yourself to that person. You may love your dog but are you prepared to take its responsibility? Clean its shit, bathe it, hug it when he is lonely? That's Love.... Isn't it? " Well, he got all confused. For him loving was falling head over heels with a dame :) . May be thats how it is.
Commonly found but rarely understood ....... "How can I marry that girl? I dont love her?" Even I have faith in this fundamental belief, but when I look at so many broken hearts & unsuccessful marraiges, my thinking goes for a toss. Well, my parents first got married & then fell in love& they are still in love with each other. One finds so many people in love but its rarely understood because its purposefully made complicated. I have heard about this couple who waited for nine years for their parents' consent. Well, no doubt this guy serves in the Indian army.
After conducting a post mortem on my definition I feel that we are demanding too much out of a simple human emotion called - LOVE.
Disclaimer: This blog is not aimed to hurt anybody's sensitive feelings. If, it has then kindly reciprocate with your views :)
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!
LoVe- an overly hyped word........ highly misinterpreted expression.......... commonly found but rarely understood. This definition was formed in my mind as result of contionuous encounter with this humanly affection since my teenage days.
I feel like explaining it part by part. Overly hyped......... This is evident with the increasing number of teenage marraiges & the equally active protestors against Valentine's day. Love isfrilled with accessories & hence hyped. I remember my first encounter with something as close to love was the figure of HEART. This symbol of love enchanted me because it was a tabboo in schools. "Us ladke ne us ladki ko paper pe red crayon se heart banake apne dost ke haath bheja " Well, how we would gossip & wisper about it for days. As we grew the red crayon transformed into something more gory-BLOOD. Arrey yaar jaake sidha us ladki ko I Love you bolne se kaam agar nahi banta to find somebody else na. Pooja nahi to dooja :) But agar hype nahi banaya to pyaar kya kiya? "I gave my sweetheart 10 roses for the ten days he followed me before proposing me".......Hype, aur kya. Then those highly powerful dialouges " Meri zindagi tumhare bina ek zinda laash hai!!! " Ladki na hui Oxygen ho gayi & believe me girls (including me......) do get flattered by it even though they know how true it is.
Highly Misinterpreted............... Some day one guy was boasting... Its so difficult to Love. I started to correct him (my typical quality ) I told him "Its very easy to love but its hell lot difficult to commit yourself to that person. You may love your dog but are you prepared to take its responsibility? Clean its shit, bathe it, hug it when he is lonely? That's Love.... Isn't it? " Well, he got all confused. For him loving was falling head over heels with a dame :) . May be thats how it is.
Commonly found but rarely understood ....... "How can I marry that girl? I dont love her?" Even I have faith in this fundamental belief, but when I look at so many broken hearts & unsuccessful marraiges, my thinking goes for a toss. Well, my parents first got married & then fell in love& they are still in love with each other. One finds so many people in love but its rarely understood because its purposefully made complicated. I have heard about this couple who waited for nine years for their parents' consent. Well, no doubt this guy serves in the Indian army.
After conducting a post mortem on my definition I feel that we are demanding too much out of a simple human emotion called - LOVE.
Disclaimer: This blog is not aimed to hurt anybody's sensitive feelings. If, it has then kindly reciprocate with your views :)
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!
Friday, June 02, 2006
"Pehli pehli baarishh ki cheetey" ......... Rains are here again & with a Big bang! This is my second session of the famous Mumbai rains.... and frankly speaking I am excited but also a little apprehensive.
I feel Rainy season is one of the most nostalgic seasons of all. I am sure each and every person has some or the other memories connected to it. Earlier for me, the begining of rains was a little depressing, because it meant the start of the academic year. It meant the begining of daily routine of going to school, studies, exams & well..... results. The sudden metamorphosis from the leisure days of vacations to the home-work days was too onerous & torcherous to bear. School and rains have a very deep rooted connection. I remember that every year in school till higher secondary, we had an essay on "A rainy day" which became more innovative into "The Floods" as we went to higher classes. I always felt it was a symbol of unwanted filth, rotten smells & diseases.
But with the passing years I couldn't stop myself from changing my outlook towards this "Indra ka vardaan". I blame it to my romantic streak. It unfolds some memories which make my heart flip even today. Waiting to get a glimpse of my crush coming to college with his wet looks, facing a heavy downpour to go to tuitions just because its the last day I can see him, writing puppy love poems for my lost love with my heart crying with the same speed as the cloud burst outside are some of my deeply etched memories. My lucky day was when the school/ college was closed
due to heavy rains & I was in my cozy room with a cup of hot coffee in one hand & a M & B novel in the other. Hmmmmmmmm........... the tantalising smell of the strong beverage is still as fresh !
I feel Rainy season is one of the most nostalgic seasons of all. I am sure each and every person has some or the other memories connected to it. Earlier for me, the begining of rains was a little depressing, because it meant the start of the academic year. It meant the begining of daily routine of going to school, studies, exams & well..... results. The sudden metamorphosis from the leisure days of vacations to the home-work days was too onerous & torcherous to bear. School and rains have a very deep rooted connection. I remember that every year in school till higher secondary, we had an essay on "A rainy day" which became more innovative into "The Floods" as we went to higher classes. I always felt it was a symbol of unwanted filth, rotten smells & diseases.
But with the passing years I couldn't stop myself from changing my outlook towards this "Indra ka vardaan". I blame it to my romantic streak. It unfolds some memories which make my heart flip even today. Waiting to get a glimpse of my crush coming to college with his wet looks, facing a heavy downpour to go to tuitions just because its the last day I can see him, writing puppy love poems for my lost love with my heart crying with the same speed as the cloud burst outside are some of my deeply etched memories. My lucky day was when the school/ college was closed
due to heavy rains & I was in my cozy room with a cup of hot coffee in one hand & a M & B novel in the other. Hmmmmmmmm........... the tantalising smell of the strong beverage is still as fresh !
From agriculture to bolly-culture, it marks the begining of new avenues :) Be it the new crops or new romantic ventures, rains add the necessary fuel to it. Be it Indians or red Indians,Odes, songs, stories are written to honour this season.
That day when it rained for the first time this year,I was just closing down for the day. It was lightening & thundering like hell. I felt "today's God's day to play pranks on us." The rumbling of clouds is something which sends shivers down my spine. Then my colleague & friend gave me a simple logic. If u hear the rumble it means the worst is already over coz the lightening has already struck(Light travels faster than sound). But this very basic Physics could not wipe out my fears. We both struggled to get to her parked car & the moment we sat we heard the loudest ever thunder. I felt the windows of the car rattle.Somehow my courageous friend managed to drive through the rains & we reached her house. Till then atleast the lightening had stopped. We got down & some crazy but beautiful idea struck us. "Lets get wet" we both said. We threw our bags, footwear & that's exactly what we did. Like school girls we giggled as the shower fell on us. We splashed in the puddles and got all the more dirty. For a moment which seemed like eternity, I closed my eyes & stretched my arms to embrace the rain. It felt as if all my anxieties, worries, unhappiness was getting dissolved and washed away. It took with it some of my tears
too. When i opened my eyes the rain had turned into a drizzle. I smiled & then laughed out loud. I was totally refreshed and felt happiness seep through me. Grinning & with a slight trot in our stride we both went inside to the warm coziness of her house.
I said silently ................Welcome Rains..............
That day when it rained for the first time this year,I was just closing down for the day. It was lightening & thundering like hell. I felt "today's God's day to play pranks on us." The rumbling of clouds is something which sends shivers down my spine. Then my colleague & friend gave me a simple logic. If u hear the rumble it means the worst is already over coz the lightening has already struck(Light travels faster than sound). But this very basic Physics could not wipe out my fears. We both struggled to get to her parked car & the moment we sat we heard the loudest ever thunder. I felt the windows of the car rattle.Somehow my courageous friend managed to drive through the rains & we reached her house. Till then atleast the lightening had stopped. We got down & some crazy but beautiful idea struck us. "Lets get wet" we both said. We threw our bags, footwear & that's exactly what we did. Like school girls we giggled as the shower fell on us. We splashed in the puddles and got all the more dirty. For a moment which seemed like eternity, I closed my eyes & stretched my arms to embrace the rain. It felt as if all my anxieties, worries, unhappiness was getting dissolved and washed away. It took with it some of my tears
too. When i opened my eyes the rain had turned into a drizzle. I smiled & then laughed out loud. I was totally refreshed and felt happiness seep through me. Grinning & with a slight trot in our stride we both went inside to the warm coziness of her house.
I said silently ................Welcome Rains..............
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan.....Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan !
Mumbai plays a multifaceted role for people residing here. For some its a "Home" ,for some its source of "Rupaiyya" while for few others its a "Dream city". Well, whatever be the reason Mumbai always takes you under her wings. Nobody's invited............ but all are welcome.
After a year of my survival in this metro, I feel its not very tough to survive here.......... whether you really live or not is another question.
What triggered my thought process was a very short but not so insignificant scene in the train compartment. There was a lady sitting next to the door, seemed to be a beggar. She had all the features which defied her profession. Looked hardly 25 yrs., had dusky complexion (quite "in thing" now-a-days) & very lovely eyes. She had a little daughter in her lap. What's so special? one would think. What made me interested in them was that the mother was in a full mood to pamper her little one. In her tiny clasp was a candy & other she was holding a balloon, very tightly. As if she didn't want to loose her happy moment. A good day for her, I thought. Then came a lady selling false jewelry. Now my beautiful belle got interested in that & asked to see it. "Vees rupayala aahe" (For 20/-) said the seller with a smirk. "Baghoo tar dya" (Let me see atleast)................. She went through them and finally chose a stone stud........ "Heerya sarkha distay na??" (Looks like real diamond ??) She asked me.. I smiled my reply........She paid the money in a royal gesture & gave the seller a sly smile..........as if to say "Every dog has his day". I was wondering how a woman who might be living on daily wages basis can afford such flamboyance. I remebered that I too had bought some trinkets that day.
That's whats so special about Mumbai.............there's no discrimination. Be it a beggar or a high profile guy, an illiterate or a scholar, male or female or the third sex all travel by the same transport, eat the same vada pav, drink the same ganna juice, get tanned in the same
beach , shop in the same malls at the road side & well..... inhale the same smoke filled air . Nobody questions you...............Nobody cares to......... Then again what you get for 5,000/- same replica is available for 5/- A diamond solitaire or a fake diamond-looking stud........ not much
difference. So everyone's pleased. Everyone can enjoy little luxuries of life.
Everyone can live,so what is its just for a while.........
Another commendable thing I'd like to mention is the spirit of Mumbaiites. Its known that whoever comes here never leaves empty handed, that is if he ever wants to leave. I know a story where a traveller had come to Mumbai, lost, weary & hungry. It was 2 in night, & asked for help from some drunkards sitting on a katta. Well, he was sent away with a full stomach, some money for return ticket & a little sway in his gait. Though I doubt he would return to this Andher Nagri but its for sure that he would never forget his mentors. Be it a bomb blast, floods or riots Mumbaiites have fought (& helped to fight) there way to glory.
So,here's my new version song for Aamchi Mumbai
Ae Dil NAHI Mushkil jeena yahaan....................
Zara hasaya Zara Rulaye Yeh Hai Mumbai meri Jaan !
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
The (Hilarious) Taste of India.
I got the taste of a very untouched (read it "crude") Indianness on my flight back to Mumbai from Udaipur. It was my second flight, first being just 2 days ago. As a normal human tendency, I was trying to look very natural & pose to be very much acquainted to this atmosphere as if I am a very frequent flier. Most passengers
were "Firangs" who were trying to act too friendly while some too snobbish. Whenever I see these particular Homo sapiens I automatically want to scream "Simon go back".....
Well, I had checked in my luggage & was wondering whether they will take care of my precious luggage or should i have carried it along.
Suddenly i saw a "Safedi ki chamkaar". Nothing extra-terrestrial….He was a guy of about 25-26 yrs. of medium height, walked little bent..... I think the
stiff corduroy pant could be the reason for it, little dark complexioned and adorning a very WHITE shirt & matching shoes. To add insult to the injury he had streaked his hair blond.
Though very Un-Indian from head to toe, deep inside was a typical Indian-Dude. He came and sat next to me. I wasn’t feeling very lucky about it though.
And then started the worst part........... He had in his hands a plate full of what looked like "yesterday’s left sabji sandwich" & lot of Tomato sauce splashed over it. I have no problems with people satisfying their guts but i HATE the sounds accompanying them. He happily went on "Chomp-Chomp-Chomp". It was so loud that the announcements were difficult to understand. I was reading "Jughead".... What a coincidence!!!! But Jughead looked so cute chomping away. A firang lady next to him gave him an dirty look. Suddenly i felt sympathetic for mere vatan ka munda. Finally, my ordeal ended & he went away but he returned again with his hands full of another plate. I suddenly developed interest in the antic jewelry shop.......& left my seat.
After the security check we were waiting for the departure & what a delight I got to notice the Jitender enter. He had a bar of chocolate in his hand.
Wanted to ask how he maintains his slim figure. He went straight in front (infact very much below) of the TV. The TV was quite wide & could be watched from atleast 2 mtrs away........ lekin hume to bhai sabse aage khade rehena hai. News was being shown.......
He shook his head in despair at the discussion of the Indian team performance in the ongoing cricket matches. Idhar- udhar dekha & found another spectator. Started a serious discussion with him. Suddenly his eye caught on a skimpily clad blond & her male companion who were asking the airport personnel some queries. Apne hero ka HELPING Nature peeche kaise reheta? To my amazement he went straight to them & said "Need halp??" They were questioning him& he was simply nodding & all I could glean was "yah, yah". I doubt whether either party got any clue. Came to his rescue his swanky red mobile with a “Himmesh Reshamiya” Rt. He excused himself & started talking. I couldn’t understand why he required a distant communication system when he had such a buland awaaz. A little louder & he could communicate without mobile. “Mane Maja ma cho…… Nathi karvanu……… Nathi….Mane chokri pasand nathi awanu chu….” What a lucky escape for that girl…..…. I thought. He was oblivious of the stares thrown towards him. The flight departure broke my concentration & we boarded the flight.
When I last saw him……we were at the Mumbai airport & he was hurrying- scurrying to get a pen from somewhere. Then I realized…… Rekha, the film actress was sitting, looking all important. “Sign please” he smiled a wide smile matching Rekhajis.
Though very irritating, what I admired about that guy was his ignorance towards others. He was in his own world, not at all bothered about his surroundings.
A thought occurred to me……….. Sometimes we try to be more sophisticated than we really are, more cultured in our thinking than what we really think and in the process miss small pleasures of life. Why do we suppress ourselves to make the slurping noise while finishing the last drop of coke in a silent theater…..coz it’s multiplex? Why don’t we sing the melodies in our mind loudly in a bus………cos it’s crowded? Why don’t we lick our fingers off the masala in a hotel……….cos it’s too plush? Why do we suppress our laughter when somebody falls……..cos it’s etiquettes? But it’s all for the sake of others. I felt like screaming “Simon go back” but what about another Simon residing in myself who hammers me to do things in a lady-like manner? Scientifically, licking fingers aids in digestion, singing loudly strengthens the lungs & laughing loudly makes you feel happy. Maybe when some Baba or a US- proven theory comes out we will again follow them.
Its tough to unlearn what we have learnt since childhood…….but once in a while I’d also like to unwind & become a little “un-phoren” & a lot more Indian.
I got the taste of a very untouched (read it "crude") Indianness on my flight back to Mumbai from Udaipur. It was my second flight, first being just 2 days ago. As a normal human tendency, I was trying to look very natural & pose to be very much acquainted to this atmosphere as if I am a very frequent flier. Most passengers
were "Firangs" who were trying to act too friendly while some too snobbish. Whenever I see these particular Homo sapiens I automatically want to scream "Simon go back".....
Well, I had checked in my luggage & was wondering whether they will take care of my precious luggage or should i have carried it along.
Suddenly i saw a "Safedi ki chamkaar". Nothing extra-terrestrial….He was a guy of about 25-26 yrs. of medium height, walked little bent..... I think the
stiff corduroy pant could be the reason for it, little dark complexioned and adorning a very WHITE shirt & matching shoes. To add insult to the injury he had streaked his hair blond.
Though very Un-Indian from head to toe, deep inside was a typical Indian-Dude. He came and sat next to me. I wasn’t feeling very lucky about it though.
And then started the worst part........... He had in his hands a plate full of what looked like "yesterday’s left sabji sandwich" & lot of Tomato sauce splashed over it. I have no problems with people satisfying their guts but i HATE the sounds accompanying them. He happily went on "Chomp-Chomp-Chomp". It was so loud that the announcements were difficult to understand. I was reading "Jughead".... What a coincidence!!!! But Jughead looked so cute chomping away. A firang lady next to him gave him an dirty look. Suddenly i felt sympathetic for mere vatan ka munda. Finally, my ordeal ended & he went away but he returned again with his hands full of another plate. I suddenly developed interest in the antic jewelry shop.......& left my seat.
After the security check we were waiting for the departure & what a delight I got to notice the Jitender enter. He had a bar of chocolate in his hand.
Wanted to ask how he maintains his slim figure. He went straight in front (infact very much below) of the TV. The TV was quite wide & could be watched from atleast 2 mtrs away........ lekin hume to bhai sabse aage khade rehena hai. News was being shown.......
He shook his head in despair at the discussion of the Indian team performance in the ongoing cricket matches. Idhar- udhar dekha & found another spectator. Started a serious discussion with him. Suddenly his eye caught on a skimpily clad blond & her male companion who were asking the airport personnel some queries. Apne hero ka HELPING Nature peeche kaise reheta? To my amazement he went straight to them & said "Need halp??" They were questioning him& he was simply nodding & all I could glean was "yah, yah". I doubt whether either party got any clue. Came to his rescue his swanky red mobile with a “Himmesh Reshamiya” Rt. He excused himself & started talking. I couldn’t understand why he required a distant communication system when he had such a buland awaaz. A little louder & he could communicate without mobile. “Mane Maja ma cho…… Nathi karvanu……… Nathi….Mane chokri pasand nathi awanu chu….” What a lucky escape for that girl…..…. I thought. He was oblivious of the stares thrown towards him. The flight departure broke my concentration & we boarded the flight.
When I last saw him……we were at the Mumbai airport & he was hurrying- scurrying to get a pen from somewhere. Then I realized…… Rekha, the film actress was sitting, looking all important. “Sign please” he smiled a wide smile matching Rekhajis.
Though very irritating, what I admired about that guy was his ignorance towards others. He was in his own world, not at all bothered about his surroundings.
A thought occurred to me……….. Sometimes we try to be more sophisticated than we really are, more cultured in our thinking than what we really think and in the process miss small pleasures of life. Why do we suppress ourselves to make the slurping noise while finishing the last drop of coke in a silent theater…..coz it’s multiplex? Why don’t we sing the melodies in our mind loudly in a bus………cos it’s crowded? Why don’t we lick our fingers off the masala in a hotel……….cos it’s too plush? Why do we suppress our laughter when somebody falls……..cos it’s etiquettes? But it’s all for the sake of others. I felt like screaming “Simon go back” but what about another Simon residing in myself who hammers me to do things in a lady-like manner? Scientifically, licking fingers aids in digestion, singing loudly strengthens the lungs & laughing loudly makes you feel happy. Maybe when some Baba or a US- proven theory comes out we will again follow them.
Its tough to unlearn what we have learnt since childhood…….but once in a while I’d also like to unwind & become a little “un-phoren” & a lot more Indian.
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