Day 29!

Believe in Him! Be happy! Lesson learnt!

Day 26 and 27!

Fingers dipped in fabric colours, racing against the midnight hour, sprawled on the ground trying to give effect to the creative ideas swirling in my head, I couldn't post my happy moment yesterday only to give you this today!

My parents' 23rd anniversary and no better gift we could think of for them! Words that can change a person forever --- An ode of love to the ones who matter most!

Day 10!

Left me smiling eye to eye!

God's grace!

As I stand here stranded,
My stomach churning with pain,
Of sadness and disbelief,
I wait for the light,
To carve my path out of the tunnel.

I cannot speak to the souls around me,
They won't understand one bit,
They have their backs turned to me,
Leaving me all alone.

Man is a social being we say,
Yet here I am,
With so many around me,
No one to cup my tears.

My dwindling faith now lies,
In the hopes of your greatness,
Waiting for the unfathomable and immeasurable,
Strength of your mere presence.

As you throw your light,
The darkness around flutters away,
I notice that the backs to me,
Were to protect me from the horrors of the way.

As I wipe my tears,
I see the gnashes they've suffered,
And I realize I'll pray next time,
For what you think I need, rather than what I think I want.

Durga Puja fervour in Calcutta!

It was 4:30 in the morning. The birds hadn’t even started chirping. Something disturbed my sleep. I awoke with a start. I could hear the dhak (drum beats). Durga Puja had arrived!

Covering my ears with the pillow, to muffle out the sound, I tried sleeping again, a smile on my face.

The Pujas had come! The next five days Calcutta would swirl and dance in the revelry of worshipping the Goddess, the city would shine bright through the night, people from the nearby towns would come to visit, sell, and soak themselves in the merriment!

One could see people anywhere, anytime! At 7 am, there’re people on the road. At 1 pm, again people. At 10 pm, still there! At 3 am, no the crowd doesn’t thin out!

These five days — dusk or dawn, morning or evening, noon or midnight – you just couldn’t make out the difference. The city didn’t sleep!

On the few tours made of the various pandals (temporary bamboo structures to house the Goddess), it was hard to miss that the traffic police personnel were having a tougher time manning the crowds than the vehicles!

One of the parks near my place had set up rides along with the pandal. Giant wheel was the hot choice! Not only did it give me the much needed adrenalin rush, but when I looked towards the sky, while my capsule was on the upward journey, I could almost feel myself reaching out to touch the moon. Those few minutes symbolized freedom more than anything! And then came the reality check. As soon as I stepped out of the dark and seldom used back gate of the park, I saw myself staring at a family of a mother and two children. Lying on the footpath, with tattered blankets barely covering them, the mother was trying to put her children to sleep amidst the din of celebrations in the land beyond!

The Pujas mix all hues of reality and of the realms beyond. They mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me it’s the time when my city looks and feels surreal!

The Pujas define Calcutta, its old-world charm, its people, its warmth, its serenity, its culture, its madness, everything!

As I sit here writing this, the roads outside are unusually silent! I hear the distant drum beats occasionally as the idols are being taken to the Ganges for immersion, marking the end of Pujas. A year to go, before She comes again!

May the Goddess bless us all!

Film-bound!

Did I tell you guys I spend a lot of time catching up on films when I need a break from office and studies?
I don't really like those trashy-without-a-story-line films though. Last week I saw the Paresh Rawal-starrer, Akshay Kumar-supported OMG: Oh My God! And the film’s name couldn’t have contained my reactions in a better way. The sublime yet effective impact the film had on the audience is applaudable. If you still haven’t seen it, watch it not for it’s tremendous script, the beautiful thought, the superb acting, Akshay’s stunning entry! No don’t watch it for any of this. Watch it for yourself, to take a much-needed and highly likable break.

And when it comes to watching films which become memorable, how can I forget these:

• Lage Raho Munnabhai - A film which changes the portrayal of Gandhi in all our minds! 
• Aamir - The common man always lives the hard way.
• A Wednesday - Don't underestimate anyone. No one.
• Kahaani - A thriller in the true sense. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!
• Vicky Donor - Charity begins at home. Maybe not always!
• Taare Zameen Par - Not the best film to watch when you want to relax, but one of those best ones when it comes to emotional connect and content.

Coming Soon : Memorable English films! At all theaters near you!

P.S. : Just got an invite for another film! ;)

The Last Time?

Sitting up there in the clouds,

Well, nearly forgotten,

 They must be wondering what we are at,

Doing all but enjoying.

They seem to be questioning,

When was the last time you stopped,

To hear the rustle of the winds,

The pleasant cacophony of the birds,

To feel the breeze blow through your strands,

To see the hues in the sky,

The flowers all around,

The kitten meowing at you,

The dogs playing with their puppies,

The thirsty crow drinking water,

The pigeons in a cat fight,

The leaves falling in winter,

The new ones sprouting in spring,

The 50 shades of green,

The rain pattering on the windows,

The rainbows thereafter?

When was the last time you stopped?

They're still wondering.

Longing Along…

Surrounded by people, yet feeling all alone

How lucky I’d have been to be getting all their love,

They cheer for him, they jeer at me,

All because he has the means, I have the needs.

Walking along the beach, the waves lapping at my feet,

The wind whipping through my hair, their jibes roaring through me.

Silence was what I sought; maybe I wasn’t destined for that too.

I was never given a chance, a chance he never even had to ask for.

I proved them wrong; I stood on my feet,

They pulled the carpet from beneath me,

They pulled me down again.

Today I stare out at the sea,

I see the waves coming towards me,

I let them take me down with them,

And there’s finally silence all around me.

Numb, and quiet, I remember God,

And I promise to Him I’ll come out strong.