My Story Writing Entry

The place I work for, organized a story writing competition. Its been years since I last participated in one of these. School was the last time. Was too disenchanted with everything, back in college to even find out, if they did stuff like this.

Anyways, thought I'd post my entry here. Not really proud of it though. Think its too disjointed. But posting it here, for your comments, nonetheless. And if your wondering, where the Colonial theme came from, well, inspiration is courtesy, John Master's : Nightrunners of Bengal. ;)

There was a 500 word limit to the story, and I deliberately underlined the lines which connected the pictures. Didn't wanna take any risks, what with my weird writing style! ;(

The smell of wet earth wafted up my nostrils. Though the rain had stopped only a while back, the signs of rejuvenated life in all its glory were already peeping out from the crevices in the soil. The green sprouting grass, the gay flowers, the croaking toads, the hopping sparrows. And in the middle of it all, My Perfect Little World.

Father was mostly away, while I was growing up. Company business. And Mother was busy fussing over her tea parties. And so, my childhood was spent with my two Hindoostani friends. The ayah, Kamla, and the maali, Rambahadur.

Chasing butterflies in our manicured lawn, my golden mane flying in the sweet breeze off the Hoogly, my two brown friends, shouting words of encouragement to their little Gori Memsaab, were like the drops of pure bliss in my otherwise melancholy life.

But as the years flew on by, so did my friends from childhood. Growing up in colonial India, wasn’t the most adventurous of things to do. And the Victorian society wasn’t very liberating either. I was suffocated, I was craving for a breath of fresh air. I was almost dying for it, when Sherman walked into my life.

He was everything I wanted, and more. A charming, spirited young man, who opened up my eyes to the world. We would stroll in the gardens, debating love and philosophy under the clear blue skies, or sit in wonderment of nature aboard the Company Ferry, over the calm Hoogly. But it wasn’t meant to be. Before long, Sherman’s marching orders arrived, and he never came back.

The years withered away, after that. A loveless marriage, an ordinary and predictable life, and finally old age. The only respite from it all, was an adorable daughter, late into the marriage, who kept me alive through the worst of the lows. My Little Blue Robin.

And now, as I lie on my death bed, with life slowly closing its door on me, my eyes frantically search for her. The little girl, has long since grown up to be a fine young lady, living in a far off land, with her own prince charming. But in my eyes, she will forever be my little girl.

As my breathing becomes more laboured, the darkness closes in tighter. I am desperately looking for my little girl. As I am about to give up on the last shreds of hope, I finally see her. Peeping in through a slat on the door. Smiling, mischievous. The darkness all around her, but never encompassing her. Her eyes twinkling, almost inviting. And I breathe in my last. Happy. Finally, Free.

Looking For A New Roomie

Raj is moving out, and we need someone else to move in, in his place. When I looked over the whiteboard at work, saw a number of sheets stuck up, looking for roomies. None of them struck me in particular. So, took a green coloured printout of this. Lets see, if we get any hits.

Looking for an apartment with ZERO Rent? Yes, you read it right. No Rent! Your prayers have been answered! ;)

3 BHK, in PAI Layout (off Old Madras Road, near Kaggadaspura) close to DRDO. 4 th floor, with elevator and car parking facility available.

There are currently 2 of us staying there, and looking for a third roomie. We don’t expect you to pay any rent, or security deposit, or electricity bill.

However, as you get to stay with pseudo neo celebrities like us, we expect you to pay 2667/- per month as homage, and a one time darshan fee of 16,667/- which we will return to you, when you decide to move over, for another soul to come bask in our glory.

P.S. If you REALLY believed that stuff, please don’t bother calling us. We would hate to break your heart. However, if you are not that gullible, give us a ring at : 98861*****

Conversations With My God

These are excerpts of the 3 odd hour long conversation with My God, while sitting, strolling, running in the rain, standing under the shade, leaning against the stairs of a building, in Koromangla. The original contained alot of Hindi, but that has been translated, to the best of my abilities, which frankly speaking, isn't much.

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God : Arrey Dada, meeting you after 2 years, what? (laughing)
RD : Yes Sir, absolutely. (touching his feet) How have you been?
God : Forget about me, is it the same thing bothering you again, like the last time we met?
RD : (Astonished) Errrr, no, not exactly. Shall we have some coffee?

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R : So, you must be wondering, how ungrateful of RD, to come bothering you, after being invisible for 2 odd years?
G : No.
R : No? (hint of amusement)
G : Arrey, I am a simple man, I don't complicate my life by over analyzing things that shouldn't be over analyzed.
R : But still?
G : No. You don't believe me, do you? Well, actually, I guessed what was bothering you.
R : No. No. Its nothing like that. Just a coupla things together, unpleasant things, things that I am not particularly good at handling. A little overwhelmed. That's all. Just wanted to talk to you. You know, how I have always loved being around you and the Dr.
G : (laughs) Yes. I know. But its ok, you take your time. I have the whole evening free. Want to take a stroll?
R : (Staring for a moment) Sure. I would love to.

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R : Can I ask you a personal question? You know, you don't really have to answer or something, if you don't want to. Really. Ummm, I wouldn't have asked you, and you know I wouldn't have, but...
G : (laughing) Dada, you haven't changed much.
R : No. I guess not. But I wish I had.
G : (patting my arm) Go on, ask. But I think, I know where this is going.
R : You do?
G : You want to ask me about how I handled my *******?
R : (smiling) I shouldn't have tried. You know me too well.
G : (laughs) Well, nothing like that. I was just trained for a lot of things, as a child.
R : Well, as in, how you handled it emotionally?
G : Lets go sit on that park bench. I hope you don't mind sitting on a park bench, in the evening, with a middle aged man, huh? (smiling)
R : For a chance to chat with you? I wouldn't mind wearing pink negligee and pole dancing, in the park!
G : (Laughing uncontrollably)

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G : Do you watch Republic Day, or Independence Day parades?
R : I used to, me and my dad. But not lately.
G : You should.
R : (looking up at the sky, kids playing around) Its so peaceful here. I can almost forget my worries.
G : You can do that, even in the middle of chaos. You don't need a park, and children playing around you.
R : No. I can't. Some of the stuff I can't. Anyways, why were you talking about the parades?
G : Have you seen them release doves on that day?
R : Not actually. But I know what you are talking about. I know they do it. Supposed to signify freedom, liberty and all.
G : There's something for you to learn from that.
R : What exactly?
G : Learn to Let Go, Dada. Learn to let things go.
R : (staring at my toes)

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G : You know, if you accept that everything around you is illusory, it won't be so difficult.
R : Then I might as well sit at home, and watch the grass grow na? Everything's illusory anyways.
G : (laughing) Won't that be nice? But I think you should do just that, if you can do it.
R : What do you mean, if you can do it?
G : My bet is, you won't be able to sit, and do nothing.
R : Ok. You win. Your point being?
G : Nothing. I am just stating some random facts to you (staring up at the sky, smiling)

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R : Damn! Its gonna start raining now. I think we should get some shade.
G : Yes. We should (getting up)
R : No wait. Wait. Wait. This rain is illusory, I am not really getting drenched, am I? Its all an illusion, right? Lets sit here, and enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas. Let me change the illusion a little.
G : (laughing hard) Dada, you still have a strong reaction to denial. Come on, lets get some shade (pulling my arm)

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G : It takes a lot of courage to let go.
R : You gotta be joking. It takes courage to hang on, inspite of the odds. To believe that things will be alright, somehow, even when no one else thinks so. Not the other way round.
G : No. Your wrong. It takes courage, to really, sincerely believe that things will be ok, even after the worst low, and you don't need to hold on to fantasies to survive. It takes courage to face the truth. It takes courage to accept that something that is gone, is really gone. Gone for good. It takes courage to accept all this, and still move on.
R : Well, you do have a point, but I don't agree with you.
G : (laughing) But Dada, am not asking you to agree with me. Only asking you to believe me.

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G : If it was meant to be, it would have worked out, whether you'd tried or not. But if it isn't meant to be, no matter what you do, it wouldn't work out. The only thing you can then do, is move on.
R : You sound like Akshaye Khanna from DCH (smiling)
G : Really? That's a compliment.
R : But you know, its much easier said than done.
G : Well, its as easy as you want it to be. Try it.

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G : Have you ever wondered why I am so attached to all the girls, among my students?
R : (smiling) I think I once told you, that it is one thing we both have in common. Remember, I had dedicated a song to you? Elvis Presley - Girl Happy.
G : (laughing loudly) My God, no. You wanna know the real reason?
R : Yes. Sure.
G : (after a couple of moments of silence) Because they remind me of my sister.
R : Oh! Sorry, that was just a joke. How come you never mentioned your sister before?
G : Because she is dead. (continues)

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R : My God! I am so sorry. I am so, so, sorry. Sorry. Really Sorry. (stuttering) I mean, I really shouldn't have. Am sorry (holding his shoulder, ashamed of myself)
G : Arrey Dada, relax. Its ok. Not your fault. And I am not bothered, talking about her. I have no bitterness. No grief. What happened was destined to be. I have accepted that. Never let adversity get the better of you. Infact, you should use it, to help you become a better man, a stronger man. Not bitter and complaining. But stronger and forgiving.
R : (no words)
G : If I can overcome something that big, don't you think your problems are trivial in comparision?
R : (whisper) Yes.

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G : Stop complicating your life. It is simple. Keep it that way. Its better.
R : And I suppose you will tell me to become a Yogi?
G : Good God No. Why would I?
R : I don't know. All that stuff about letting go and all, doesn't sound like ordinary stuff.
G : Are you telling me you can't do something?
R : No, I am Not. I am only telling you, I don't wanna do something I don't believe in.
G : You don't believe it, or you don't want to believe it?
R : I don't believe it.
G : I think you are just making excuses, because you don't have the courage to do it.
R : You know, when I was a kid, my folks taught me well enough, not to fall for silly challenges. I am not falling for that. Not that stupid, you know.
G : (laughing) If you had been that stupid, I wouldn't have wasted so much time explaining things to you. Would have simply ordered you.

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R : I am RD. I can't blindly follow what someone else tells me to. Not even, if its my God.
G : I don't expect you to. You have a strong spirit.
R : (laughing) I wish you had used the word Attitude instead. Spirit sounds like something you'd use for a wild mustang!
G : (laughing) Shouldn't that be a compliment?
R : Maybe.

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R : A friend of mine and I are organizing a lunch at my school. Why don't you and the Dr. come over? It will be nice. My kids could do with an idol.
G : Sure. You just let me know when and where.
R : I will. And Thank you so very much for talking to me. I feel better.
G : You do? I thought we didn't agree on anything.
R : If we had, I would have been surprised (smiling)
G : (laughing) Ok. I hope the next time I meet you, you will be in a better state of mind.
R : (smiling) Me too.

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G : Dada! (shouting over the traffic, from the other side of the narrow road)
R : Just a moment, Sir (crossing the road, like a maniac)
G : Crossing the road like that, you just proved you are from Kolkata! (smiling)
R : Habbits of a misspent youth, I guess. (smiling)
G : Just wanted to tell you, remember this day and place. Someday, you will be standing right here, and telling me how stupid you were to worry about something so trivial. And we will both have a good laugh then.
R : (laughing uncontrollably) I already feel better and smarter!

My Laughter Dose At 3 God Damn A.M. - Part II

I finally managed to finish Upmanyu Chatterjee's The Mammaries Of The Welfare State. The book's been lying around for a while now. Though I had set my heart on reading its prequel, English August, which I couldn't locate at Blossoms, had to settle for this. Though the time of the night when I read the following lines was not technically 3 A.M, it did feel that way. But once I read these lines, I was laughing helplessly! And so, I produce them, verbatim. If your sense of humour is not crude enough to appreciate it, my apologies.

Did he spit in the urinal while pissing?
Or sigh audibly, and invoke a God, while leaning forward, resting his head against the tiles, gazing down and playing a sort of billiards with the naphthalene balls in the bowl with his jet of urine as the cue?

The best part of this was, I have actually seen people do both of this! ;) Those of you who have read the very first post of this blog, might remember that it was about my observations, at the men's room. And I can vouch, that people actually do this stuff! ;)

My Laughter Dose At 3 God Damn A.M. - Part I

Well, after a coupla RD Isspecial, amazingly self derogatory posts, I thought I'd write about these two things, that brought a genuine smile, errr, no, no, make that, made me laugh hysterically!

It was like 0245 hrs, on a weekday. I was just about ready to drop dead on my bed, when S pings me. He wants a Hindi song, translated! Am like, WHAT! Its 3 in the bloody morning, and you want a bloody song, to be bloody translated? Can't this wait till bloody morning?

But it turned out, that the lady who S had given his heart away to (without the damsel really being interested in it) had dedicated this song to him, and it was imperative that he know what she wanted to tell him, before he could sleep peacefully! And so, it had to be right then.

Grudgingly, I asked him to forward the song to me. I should have smelt a rat, when I saw the file had no name, just an undecipherable number. But assuming the lady in question, to be one of the family of vulpes vulpes, I hit the download button. And after 3 odd minutes of sleep induced impatience, finally had the song enqueued on WinAmp. What I heard, for the next coupla minutes, had me rolling on the floor! And I am not bullshitting you. I was actually on the floor, rolling, laughing uncontrollably.

I reproduce the first coupla lines here, without any translation. If you can't read Hindi in an English script and understand it, too bad for you. (Note : This was playing, with the background score of a typical T-Series bhakti song)

Na Baans Ki Bansi, Na Sone Ka Sariya, Bas Gaand Mein Danda, Gaand Mein Danda!



P.S. I don't think I need to tell you, what was S's reaction, after I translated that for him! ;)

My Big, Fat Bongaru Dreaming

Bad! Bad! Bad! It was a bad combination, right from the beginning. A restless mind, accompanying a permanently broken heart, with a hyperactive imagination, at an all time low self esteem, a 13 year old teenager trapped inside the body of a 25 year old prematurely aging man, watching a romantic comedy where the underdog finally takes the cake!

Phew! Not even the Mad, Mad Hatter could get it so wrong. But then again, RD is a world apart. A genius, if you will. And this is how, I got down to watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

A nice, sweet, funny romantic comedy. Thoroughly enjoyable. I think there's something magical about the whole Cinderella story, for us Low Self Esteemed folks. Its like a beacon in the dark, unfriendly, loneliness of this world. A haven, where you can safely hide, and indulge in your fantasies. Tell yourself, again and again and again, that you are not a loser. Your just a Slow Starter. And maybe, maybe, if you are lucky, you'll start to believe it yourself!

My Emotionality

Its definitely an insult, and there's no question about it. No. None at all. However, what remains to be answered is, why couldn't they be a little more subtle about it? Zor ka jhadka, dheere se lagta.

So, it all started when Ms. Na(Iyer) and The N, let me know, that they thought I was a very Emotional kinda guy! I was like, What??? I wouldn't mind an Ass. I wouldn't mind a Jerk. I wouldn't even mind a Loser. Those can all be repackaged as something of a compliment, in a sense that the Complimentor wouldn't even have intended. But think about it. An Emotional Guy? Jeez! I can't think of even a single comback from that!

And so, I decided to go about proving to these two silly women, that RD is NOT an Emotional Person. Don't ask me why it hit so hard, but it did. So I stopped wishing good morning to all and sundry that I meet from 8 in the morning, to well past noon. I substituted a smirk for my smile. The usually flippant compliments that I usually dish out in plenty, were shelved in the back burner. To sum it up, I tried to imitate the more conventional, the more acceptable (though prejudiced) behaviour of the people of my sex.

Now before you go off wondering if I am seriously as loony as I sound, hold on. This was just a joke for me. Been in an emotional roller coaster for a while, and well, nothing better than some role playing, to get the good, ol' RD, back up and about.

But the funny part was, it didn't work. No. No. Let me rephrase that. It couldn't have worked. I had probably got it all mixed up in my head (and why doesn't that surprise me no more?) I wasn't really trying to get rid of the Emotional tag. No. Don't think so. I was trying to get rid of the implications that are brought on, by that word. Yes. That sounds closer to the truth.

You see, in my mind, I have word associations. Some words are good, and some words are bad. And what is the logic behind this classification, you ask me? None. Absolutely None. Nada. Zilch. The classifications are derived from my subconscious. No logic. No sense. Just impulse. And in my mind, Emotional is the same as Weak. And that is classified Bad.

So, there I was, trying to prove to myself that I was a Strong, Angry Young Man (what was I thinking, Amitabh Bachhan???), with not a care in the world. But the irony of it all was, that I was the opposite, the perfect anti Hero, of the guy I was trying to be! I am RD. Which means, that by definition, I am none of those cool things. I am weak, I am old, I can't take nothing seriously, I laugh hysterically when I am under stress, I am the funny guy you love to hang out with when your down and low and then move on when you feel better. I am all these things and more. And somewhere deep down inside, I think I have been running away from it, for quite a while now.

Was thinking about these things, for a major part of Sunday. Spent a lot of time, in that quasi sleepy mode, when you are half aware of everything around you, but not completely. Nice, dreamy, slow state of mind. That's when a lot of stuff goes through my head, and I try and think things through. Didn't help much, but I felt a little better about being me. I still harbour the same insecurities, the same prejudices, the same flawed outlook on life. But in a weird way, it doesn't feel so bad no more!

My Take On Wonder Boys

I think this movie would have hit the right spot, in my heart, irrespective of when I'd watched it. I don't particularly like cliched movies, but I don't get particularly affected by bad reviews either. And when I read that it was about the relationship of a boy and his idol, I knew I had to watch it.

It was with considerable annoyance, that Manish once complained to me, that the primary source of concern for our society was the drastic way in which we have radically changed the criteria for our idols. The learned, the wise, are passe. The savvy, the uber cool are in. And the scariest part of it all, is the fact that the parents, the ever vigilante, the supreme resistors of change in any society, have failed to even notice this slow but complete change in our minds, our attitudes.

So, I didn't find it very surprising, when one day, (and I must admit here that Wonder Boys did have more than a passing influence on my decision) I decided to try and stay with a teacher of mine, and didn't get very agreeable responses from some of the people who I care for, whose support, at times of distress, I rely on. However, it was amusing.

Amusing in a way that I could not even comprehend. While no one really had a strong reason as to why I shouldn't, everyone seemed to be certain, that it wasn't a good idea. When pressed, I got replies that bordered on absurdity. And though I found the whole deal to be vaguely reminiscent of unfound biases and prejudices that people usually harbour, and hence, not to be given much of a second thought to, I couldn't help feeling amused. Feeling very amused.

My Rants...

I feel like am an Automaton. And no, I don't use that word as a joke here, I mean it. Yesterday was the fourth consecutive day, when I ended up with a very unusual (read : unRD'ish) day. Lots and lots of things, just didn't make sense. This is not me. This cannot be me! Having spent 25 odd years with myself, I think I know what it feels like, being me. And the last coupla days, have so not been the same! Ok, wait. Before I start senselessly ranting, let me jot down my thoughts objectively. Maybe, it will help me clear my head, maybe it will simply serve as the catalyst I need, to set things right, again.

Now, what convinced me that something wasn't the way it should be, were :
(a) Eating only one square meal a day and not feeling hungry. And though I am known to skip meals often, this is unheard of, even by RD Standards. Only breakfast. And not even feeling it. Not like me. Not like me at all.

(b) No Dreaming. And this is the part that hurts the most. Curled up under the bed reading a Three Investigators book; a decade back, or working late in the night tapping away at some ungainly javascript; now, my dreams have always been there with me. I can dream with my eyes open, I can dream while speaking to someone (when my brains shuts off), I can dream while riding, I can dream while pretty much doing anything. I have a pathological need for them, my dreams. Its my escape from the drab world that I am often forced to be a part of. But for the last coupla days, I can't even replay my dreams in my mind!

(c) No Working. I usually put in a solid coupla hours at work, after I get home. Just keeps me going. The mind numbing Bozocity that I have to bear throughout the day, saps me of my enthusiasm and energy, and I have to rely on my working at home, to rejuvenate myself. And yes, you've guessed it. Haven't been working at all, lately.

(d) Sleeping Early. I did all my sleeping that I could possibly need for a good whole lifetime, in my first, miserable year at college. I had no computer, I had no family, I had no friends. My only refuge then, was sleeping, and sleep I did. Like a drunk. But ever since I got out of there, I don't sleep much. Or atleast, not to the same extent as I used to, for that one year. But day before yesterday, I slept almost 12 hours, at a stretch, and I regularly doze off, in the afternoon as well.

What amuses me is, the fact that I am aware of this all, and yet, I just don't feel like doing anything about it. Absolutely nothing. I know that all I gotta do is just start doing things from my regular routine, force the mind to listen to the will, and it will all be good and fine, before long. But I couldn't.

The other day, woke up really early in the morning, while REM was singing Losing My Religion, and tried very hard to think things through, sort things out. But nothing materialized. I couldn't even get my mind to concentrate. Kept getting distracted. Finally, irritated, I gave up, and went back to sleep.

The whole idea of writing it all down, was to take another shot at it. Maybe, now I will feel humiliated to get things back on track. Maybe, I will feel the need to prove that I am in Control of my life, and get back to being me. Or maybe, it was all a waste of time. Just another outlet for the egotistical, emotionally dependent scumbag me. I don't know.

My "Feel Like Shit" Day

Just another one of those days, I guess. Couldn't shake away the whole "Everything's just shit" feeling! I tried tracing its roots, and figured that Friday night conversation over dinner with MisTique, ranks way above anything else (more on that in another post, maybe). Add to that the post-party-depression after last night's Daaru Party, and you have a perfect recipe for Disaster, as far as RD's frail emotional balance is concerned.

Have been listening to this song for like a million times since morning. Just can't get it out of my system. With reason? I don't know. Some food for thought, before I go to bed. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow, and everything will be magically taken care of!


Tired of sittin' and hatin' and makin' these excuses,
For why you're not around, and feeling so useless,
It seems one thing has been true all along,
You don't really know what you've got 'til it's gone,

My Nobo Borsho

As the Bengali New Year (Nobo Borsho) rolled in, I found myself unable to tear away from this song by a vintage Bangla Rock band, Mohiner Ghoraguli. Given my addiction to music, I wouldn't usually consider such an incident to be blogworthy. But it was the imagery that the song brought to my mind, that got me thinking.

I am not a Rock Pundit, by even a far shot. I only appreciate music, that I like. And I usually, don't like Psychedelia. However, this was the first time, when I could completely relate to the concept of Hallucinatory Rock, that is often associated with the music of the legendary Pink Floyd. While singing along, I had this crazy feeling, that I was drifting along among the clouds, swimming in a vast expanse of void, looking up at the sky, seeing her house, drifting along some more... And all this, without a single drop of alcohol, or a whiff of grass! I was hallucinating all the way to kingdom come, and Loving each and every moment of the ride!

I reproduce the lyrics here, alongwith my translation. Nor are the lyrics completely accurate, nor the translation. But it don't matter to me. This is the way I sing it, so...



Mohiner Ghoraguli - Akaashe Chhoraano Megher Kachha Kachhi

Aakashe Chhoraano, Megher Kaachha Kachhi
Dekha Jaaye Tomader Baari

Chhile Kottha'i Bosha Baadaami Beral Bone Shoonne Maaya Jaal,
Chaayi Ronge Pencha Shei Chokh Teepe Boshe Aachhe Koto Na Bochhor Kal
Kaalo Dorjaa Khule, Baire Tumi Ele
Baaganer Gaachhe Haanshi Chhoraabe Boono Phoole

Shei Baarir Nei Thhikhaana,
Shudhu Ojaana Lal Surkir Poth Shunne Dai Paari

Paakaano Shinrir Pothe Shekhaane Nebe Aashe Chaander Aalo
Kauke Cheno Na Tumi Tomake Chene Na Keu, Shei To Bhaalo
Tumi Gaan Geye, Ghure Phire,
Tomaar Elo Chool Oi Baatashe, Shudhu Orre

Shei Baarir Nei Thhikhaana,
Shudhu Ojaana Lal Surkir Poth Shunne Dai Paari

Akaashe Chhoraano, Megher Kaachha Kachhi
Dekha Jaaye Tomader Baari



Translation

Among The Clouds Scattered In The Sky,
I Can See Your House

The Fawn Coloured Cat In The Attic, Weaves A Web Of Illusions In The Void,
The Gray Owl Has Been Sitting With Its Eyes Closed For Years Now
Finally, You Come Out Of The Black Coloured Door,
To Spread Some Laughter And Joy Among The Wild Flowers Of The Garden

But That House Has No Address,
Just An Unknown Dusty Path, Caked In Red Dust, Running Off Into The Void

The Moonlight Comes Down To The Base Of The Winding Stair Case,
You Are A Stranger To This Strange, Strange World
You Walk Around The Garden, Singing
Your Wavy Open Hair, Flies In The Soft Breeze

But That House Has No Address,
Just An Unknown Dusty Path, Caked In Red Dust, Running Off Into The Void

Among The Clouds Scattered In The Sky,
I Can See Your House...

My Bucket List

There aint too many books or movies that I have come across, which do a good job at handling the subject of death. And when you come to think of it, its really funny. I mean, here we have something that is inevitable, as certain as Life itself, or maybe more so, and yet, so few even make an effort to understand it, or atleast accept it with dignity. But after watching Bucket List, I realised, there was another thing, which no one does. And that was, to make death a Celebration of the human spirit.

Inspired by the movie, I decided to make my own bucket list. I have stuck it as a Post It on my homepage (iGoogle), and thought about making it public here as well. At the end of my life, whenever that might be, I would atleast have some sort of a yardstick, to measure the futility of it all, I guess... ;)

1. Have a pet dog,
2. Own a Porsche,
3. Go to the Andamans,
4. Have a villa in Pondicherry,
5. Get a tattoo,
6. Grow long hair,
7. Send Madhu Pintu on a World Cruise,
8. Kiss the girl who brings a smile to my face,
9. Go sky diving,
10. Own a Bose Sound System,
11. Swim with the dolphins

My Personalised, Made-At-Home High!

I have been thinking of writing about this for sometime now, but couldn't get down to it. Issues were weighing me down. But luckily, the clouds cleared last evening, after a mild thunderstorm, and am back to being the usual me. And reading through this article on Mukul's blog, I decided to write about, what gives me a high.

Standing in the bathroom, with a bucket full of cold water. And before we proceed, let me repeat, this is Bangalore, and I am a Bengali! By Genetic DEFINITION, I feel chilled, at the slightest hint of a drop in mercury. And this here, is no exception. But I am one of those crazy maniacs, who tries to get his cheap thrills, as and when he can. So, I move on.

Take a mug of that water. Hold it high against my forehead. The light shimmers off the surface. Orange patterns, on the floor. Slowly tilt it, till a drop hangs from the edge. Suspended animation. My entire body is still, waiting for the sudden rush of cold, that will engulf me soon. I can feel my heart beat a little faster. I can feel the blood rush through my ears. And in that last moment before the water hits me, I am peaking on the Adrenaline rush. The anticipation of the coming cold, is so strong, so intense that a slight involuntary shiver rocks my body!

But as soon as the water hits me, its quits for the Adrenaline Rush. It isn't even half as cold as I had anticipated. Infact, after sweating through the heat outside, its pleasantly refreshing! A complete anti climax to the "Chill Thrill"! But then again, high's were never meant to last too long!

My "Back To Being Young" Playlist

This is my current playlist. Don't ask me why, but I feel so young, again! Some of these songs have memories of cassette tapes, associated with them! Beat that! If any of you have any memories with any song here, let me know...

1. Anwar - Dilbar Mera (4:53)
2. Anwar - Javeda Zindagi (8:22)
3. Anwar - Maula Mere Maula (6:04)
4. Apna Sapna Money Money - Paisa Paisa (4:07)
5. Awaarapan - Toh Phir Aao (5:48)
6. Bas Eak Pal - Bas Eak Pal (5:36)
7. Bas Eak Pal - Tere Bin (4:36)
8. Bhool Bhulaiya - Labon Ko (5:43)
9. Bhool Bhulaiya - Mere Dholna (6:47)
10. Black Friday - Bande (7:48)
11. Black Friday - Bharam Bhaap Ke (8:36)
12. BluffMaster - Say Na (3:18)
13. BluffMaster - Right Here, Right Now (3:02)
14. Chak De - Chak De India (4:43)
15. Chak De - Badal Pe Paon Hain (4:05)
16. Chak De - Maula Mere Le Le Meri Jaan (4:48)
17. Delhi Heights - Dilli (5:50)
18. Delhi Heights - Tere Bin (5:22)
19. Delhi Heights - Kitni Der Tak (5:07)
20. Dil Chahta Hai - Dil Chahta Hai (5:10)
21. Dil Chahta Hai - Dil Chahta Hai((Reprise) (4:18)
22. Dil chahta hai - Tanhayee (6:10)
23. Dunia Dilwaalon Ki - Mustafa Mustafa (6:03)
24. Ek Chalis Ki Last Local - Laree Choote (4:02)
25. Gangster - Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai (6:29)
26. Gangster - Bheegi Bheegi (5:44)
27. Honeymoon Travels - Sajnaji Vaari Vaari (3:42)
28. Honeymoon Travels - Halke Halke (5:17)
29. Hum Tum - Hum Tum (3:38)
30. Jhankaar Beats - Ruk Ruk Rukna Hai (3:19)
31. Jhankaar Beats - Tu Hi Dil Hai (6:10)
32. Jhankaar Beats - Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna (4:23)
33. Jhankaar Beats - Jab Kabhi Chand Na Ho (4:39)
34. Jhankaar Beats - Tera Muskurana (3:54)
35. Jhankaar Beats - Suno Na (6:31)
36. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander - Pehla Nasha (4:52)
37. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander - Yahan Ke Hum Sikandar (5:26)
38. Kalyug - Adat (5:36)
39. Khosla Ka Ghonsla - Chak De Phhattey (5:46)
40. Khuda Ke Liye - Allah Ho (4:31)
41. Khuda Ke Liye - Bande (3:34)
42. Metro - In Dino (6:41)
43. Metro - O Meri Jaan (5:06)
44. Metro - Rishtey (7:23)
45. Metro - Alvia (Reprise) (5:49)
46. Metro - Baatein Kuchh Ankaheein Si (4:38)
47. Musafir - Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Na (4:30)
48. Musafir - Saaki (5:21)
49. Musafir - Rabba (5:52)
50. Pyaar Ke SideEffects - Pyaar Karke Pachhtaya (4:08)
51. Pyaar Ke SideEffects - Jaane Kya (6:14)
52. Rang De Basanti - Rang De Basanti (6:03)
53. Rang De Basanti - Roobaaroo (4:43)
54. Salaam E Ishq - Ya Rabba (6:56)
55. Taare Zameen Par - Maa (5:12)
56. Taare Zameen Par - Kholo Kholo (5:13)
57. Taare Zameen Par - Taare Zameen Par (7:12)
58. Taare Zameen Par - Mera Jahaan (6:34)
59. The Train - Beete Lamhein (5:01)
60. The Train - Mausam (5:45)
61. Woh Lamhe - Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai (4:26)
62. Zinda - Yeh Hai Meri Kahaani (5:19)
63. Zinda - Maula (3:46)

Am Just A Dreamer, I Dream My Life Away...

Stuck at work. Boring shit. But has to be done, to pay the rent. A telephone conversation happening in the next cubicle. Droning. Nothing specific. Sounded like white noise. But suddenly, out of no where, some images flashed in my mind. Images, accompanied with that deceptive feeling of comfort and leisure.

A room. A terrace. Dark and raining outside. Tea in a kettle. I FELT the warmth. My favourite chocolate biscuits. I felt a tingle in my tongue. A bright tea cosy. Dim lights. Music, but I couldn't recognise it. Some people I love and care for. Sitting around a sofa. Plump cushions. Thick carpet. Dark furniture around, with hazy details. And surprisingly, no Me, in the whole room.

And then, as always, I snapped out of it. Very sudden. Very abrupt. Infact, the transition was so bad, that for a second or two, I couldn't figure out my bearing! But what struck me most about this little day dreaming episode, was the presence of a very good friend of mine with whom am fighting, in real life. Complicated. But the overall mood is superficial animosity. And yet, I saw her there. Infact, I even vividly remember her idiosyncrasies, while offering tea to someone! In that room. On the terrace. While it was raining outside. Deep, in the world of my dreams.

And it scared me. Is this then, a harbinger of the fast approaching end? Or, is it just another figment of my tired, hyperactive mind? I don't know. But I can't wait to find out.

The Elocutionist

I usually don't like to think of myself as anything apart from a geek, but if I had to try really hard, to think of another passion that is next to my heart, I'd probably put Recitation, above the others. Yes. Recitation, or rather, Elocution, the synonym of my choice.

Ever since I was a kid, I have loved to be on stage. Loved to hog the limelight. Hogged it all. And Elocution and Debating were the best opportunities that I had. And I took to them, like a fish to water. Over the years, debating somehow took a backseat, but elocuting remained close to my heart.

But its been a good many years, since I last went up to the stage, and recited anything. College was a big nightmare that I mindlessly waded through, and work doesn't seem to be different either. Slowly, even the frequency of my Bathroom Recitations waned. And it slowly but surely passed into my list of Things I Used To Like Doing.

Last evening, I chanced upon a pretty darned good print of The Ladykillers. Amazing movie. Though I admit that I am favourably biased towards Tom Hanks, this movie touched a sweet spot. Something long forgotten. A thing of the past.

As soon as I finished watching the movie, dug up some the best pieces that I have ever come across, and saved, in the hope of reciting them someday! Turned on a dim light near the table (which I had conveniently turned around, to face the mirror), enqued some Vivaldi on Winamp, and got down to work.

The next hour or so, was one of the best that I have had in a long, long time. Fleeting memories of a bygone era caressed me. The knot in my stomach before every elocution, the slight perspiration before going on stage, that last moment of utter panic, and finally, the all enveloping feeling of ecstacy at the end of it all. It was all there. It was ALL there!

But the bug has bitten me for good. Been secretly working on a piece. Have plans of doing a recitation at office. Not sure, if its a receptive audience, but well, what the heck! I just need some people around, to see if I still, got the touch. Will blog on the outcome, if it happens.

The Best Post Of The Blog, Is The One That...

Why is it, that the best day of your life, is the one that you never get to live? The Best Girl, is the one you never get to hold? The most cherished dreams, are the ones that never come true?

As I was telling GB, this is probably a combination of the weather, the music, and the fact that I am hopelessly stuck with my Baby. This, this, ummmm, this whole philosophical outlook, if I could call it that. But I can't help thinking. Why are pain and loss, so entwined with My Destiny? Sometimes, its tiring. Sometimes, its scary. If I can't do away with them, atleast I wish I was numb to them. The word that comes to mind, is "indifference". Blissfully indifferent, to it all. Just floating. Drifting. Passing by. No crests of pain, or troughs of joy. Just undulating numbness. Ah! I wish...

She's Just Mine All Mine

Though the title is from a corny AC/DC song, that's the only phrase that got stuck in my mind, everytime I tried thinking of a title for this post. Nothing else. Zilch. Nada. So, I stuck with it. Not sure, how appropriate it is. But then again, I don't have to work at holding your attention. This blog is for me, so...

Usually, I have work to do, as soon as I reach home, and blogging takes a back seat. But today, I returned late, and after that mind numbing shit that I have to call work, I wasn't upto anything creative by a far shot. So, I decided to take some time off, and dig a little deeper into some unpleasantness. I know, I won't do it, if I get so much as half a chance to evade it.

Patterns, I think reveal a lot. When a precise solution eludes you, look for patterns. They often guide you to a helpful direction, even if they may not contain the solution itself. And at a sub conscious level, I think that is what I have been doing for the last coupla hours. Looking for patterns. Patterns to my erratic mood swings. Patterns to my weird reaction to human company. Patterns to something unexpected. Patterns to an anomaly.

When I told VG about this post, she told me that I am going crazy. That I am over analysing things. But I beg to disagree. Sometimes, I think a man should spend some time, thinking about his life. Where he is heading, and what might be in store for him, there. And RD doesn't do this, often enough. So, this can't be over analysis. Just can't.

I think one of the things that is a problem, is my inability to





Took a break. Dozed off last night, and I think I have lost the flow. ;(

Somewhere I (Un)Belong

A couple of disjointed lines from a song by one of my favourite Bangla Bands, Fossils, should pretty much sum up, what I wish to write about.

Fossils - Ekla Ghor
"Ei Ekla Ghor Amaar Desh, Amaar Ekla Thhakaar Obbhesh... Bondhuder bhire'o ekla ekla aami khunje phiri lokkho amaar, paaltaachhe na ei obostha'ta, jodio paalte jaaowa'r dorkar"

Translation : "This lonely room is my Home, Its my habbit to live alone... Even among a crowd of friends, I keep searching for my goal (meaning in life), and the situation just refuses to change, though a change is highly anticipated and needed"



This is what was running through my mind in a rush, blocking everything out, Saturday night. Unexplained. Unexpected. A sudden stampede of a chain of thought, that completely broke down my already fragile emotional state of mind. I went from teeming excitement, to utter depression, in a matter of just a coupla minutes, and the reason still eludes me, even after thinking about it all, for 2 days.

I was with a group of people, who are the closest to what I can call My Friends, the mood was jovial, and everything was good and fun. I personally, wasn't in any particularly foul mood. Was doing decently good with my people skills as well. Heck! These were my friends. I shouldn't even be worried about my skills, interacting with them. But I wasn't taking any chances. I had planned this one through. No glitches. I was going to be nice. I was going to be funny. I was going to be chatty. I will keep myself occupied, and not let my mind run away, chasing some fancy, destructive ideas. Having fun, would be a Bonus! And as I said, I was doing pretty good.

And then suddenly, out of nowhere, I started going down, like a heavy stone in a river. Hurtling full speed, into the depths of depression. Sinking and sinking bad. And I mean, Real Bad. All my thoughts just went zilch in no time, and I started struggling to even get into the conversation happening around me! Gradually, the voices started to fade out, and I was left alone, screaming in my mind. Screaming, SCREAMING, SCREAMING!

I Don't Belong Here. These are a group of strangers, and I don't even know them! Maybe I knew them, in a distant past. Maybe I even liked them, back then. But not now, not here. I don't even want to know them. I feel so, I feel so, so Lonely. I don't deserve this. This is my vaccation, Goddamnit. I should be enjoying it. But I can't. I want to throw up. I want to throw up till there's nothing inside of me. I want to get up, and start running. Keep running, till I drop down. I don't know where to, I don't know how far. I don't wanna know. I don't care. As long as its away from here. Far, far Away.

It had happened before, and it was happening again. Out of nowhere, the question of what the hell I was doing there, at that point of time, with that bunch of people, loomed large, and I had no answer. I mean, ofcourse I was there with my friends. And obviously, I was having a good time. But that hollow creepy feeling won't go away. Nor would the screaming voice. I tried concentrating on the conversation around me, I tried thinking of the pleasant things that had happened to me. I tried them all. Nothing worked.

However, I did manage to overcome the intense desire to run away from it all. I had made a gritty promise to myself, that no matter what happened, I won't run away. I'll face it, whatever it is. I'll stay and fight. The fact, that this was late in the night, in the middle of a jungle, and I had no access to any form of transport, helped keep my resolve. But it was closely fought. I needed a lot of that silly stupid thing that people call will power, to keep myself from doing more harm than I had already done.

Quietly got me into bed, slept it off, and well, was better on Sunday morning. But the bitter aftertaste lingers on. I don't think I can let this pass lightly. Its getting serious. Its getting repetitive. Worst part is, I think I have some clues about the root cause. But its so downright dark and dirty, that I even refuse to think about it. But maybe I should. Maybe I should, real quick.

And till then, my conquest of the man inside, must continue.

Roller Coaster Ride, Anyone?

While surfing some blogs, I came across this post, and well, just couldn't keep myself from re iterating it here, in Pink! ;) No guesses why.

"I was 25 at the time, and basically oscillated day to day between thinking "This is the greatest idea ever!" and "This will never work. Who am I to take on Intuit and Microsoft? If this was a good idea, someone would have done it before." It’s very emotional, and I don’t think people ever tell you about that. You see your net worth quickly draining, you have no idea what’s going to happen next, and you’re sitting alone in a room with no help, no resources, just your brain and sheer will-power. When ever I got down, I would listen to "That’s Life" by Frank Sinatra, or think about a Shakespeare quote I liked as a kid: "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we might oft win, by fearing to attempt." "

Lately, been ripping stuff off others. Think its time for an original post or two. Hmmm...