Footsteps

It is music to my ears. Every Friday evening I get to hear footsteps of little elves and angels. Some thump, some flitter, some stomp and the dainty ones skip. Then there are the late comers who storm and the ones with fancy shoes strut. Those lost in their own world - saunter in. The youngest of the lot step in shakily. Hand in hand stroll in a few and some stand to be ushered in.
I know them all by their footsteps. These are my bunch of kids who come down every Friday to share an evening with me.
We play and we learn some.
To be able to express is an art and also perhaps a necessity but listening is divine.

Oouch!!!

Being stepped on ones toe can be pretty painful! We all knew that, I can hear you react. But it took me 45 years and a few months to realise it. I watched so many toes getting trampled on by long heels, flat heels, stilettos and even with flat soles. I shrieked along to add to the painful audio more out of "it should be done" feeling than proper absorption.
One fine day it was my turn. No heels but a few words through a mail. Out came my sword - my pen. I poured out my feelings, anguish, anger, frustration and so much more, stuffed it into a mail and sent it. Then I waited to hear the "scream along" voices but none was there to give me company.
Ouch! It hurts.

SPRING TALES

On a lighter vein this morning I quoted the oft quoted line “If winter comes can spring be far behind?” I was replying to an email wherein my friend wrote that winter had crept in early this year into England. Mail sent but my thoughts are still with the line. It denotes hope, prescribes patience and of course brings in a visual treat of seasons changing.

Come spring every year caravans would move in by the river side. The cow bells rang to the lazy strides of the buffalos. It would be a long chain and out poured from them men and women most gaily clad I would say. As a child I marveled at the colors of their long flowing skirts and beaded jewellery. The men wore colorful turbans and soon got busy putting up tents. Women would light a fire and give the animals and children to eat.

Spring was here! The news of the wanderers arriving spread through the air with the first scent of the blossoms. Villagers from near and far would all head for our riverside. Children like butterflies would just skip from one tent to the other staring at the wares on sale. Beads, wooden toys, honey even birds were on display. My favorite tent was the one selling candies. Red, orange, pink, yellow sugar candies on wooden sticks. Yes like lollipops but these were flattened and a little jagged at the edges. One could almost last half a day!

The quietness and the emptiness of the riverside was forgotten in these days. It woke up even before dawn. Sunlight brought in people and more people all eager to walk through the tents and strike a good bargain. Children crying, laughing and cheering as they saw with wonder fire tricks and rope walks. Snake charmers, face readers, gypsy doctors mesmerised us all. At night their music came wafting in with the cool air from the river. From our terrace we could see the leaping flames of the fire they lit. The drum beats and haunting voices still remain with me decades later.

Like all good things and spring they moved on. One fine day it was time for pack up. Tents would get dismantled. The left over wares packed, their children scooped up and put back into the caravans. Again the chime of cowbells and soon it faded into the distance. The cloud of dust too would settle down and soon the riverside became calm and empty once again. Some colorful papers kept fluttering in the air. Some burnt twigs and ashes lie in heaps here and there. All a reminder of the spring gone by.

Early September 2006

A t-shirt here, a hanky there, some papers tucked away under the pillow, it was quite an exercise collecting all the items. Then I strolled to the other room it was her comb, a tiny hair clip, a little charm that had slipped off her bangle, I collect them all. Yes this is all that remains after the great summer fair that we had in our house! My children had comedown to spend the summer with us.

Like the gypsies they just moved in with their bags. Laughter, music, shrill cries filled the otherwise quiet house. They turned everything possible upside down. “We are on a holiday” was their excuse and even though I tried to act stern loved seeing the house bear this “wild” look. Movies, eating out, cooking on the terrace we did it all. Rap music of my son and sweet melodies of my daughter formed a perfect fusion called “noisy music”! It is heady and addictive. Friends and relatives came by and even joined the cricket match on the terrace. The house was echoing with life. I could feel the spring in my steps.

It was time one day for my gypsies to go back, leaving behind a trail of left overs and sweet memories. My eyes fell on the battered magazine, torn cover and dog-eared pages spoke about the storm it must have braved. Just a few days ago they were fighting over it like two bulls! Every thing around was not in place but they all looked awashed with a glow of spring.

Spring just went by. It can’t be too long before it returns.

MELLOWED TO TRAMPLED

Mine is a feeble voice, perhaps it will never be heard. But it is my voice and I want to speak. Please allow me to be alive. Just why should mine and like me a million other voices be thwarted? It is again a step to create ripples just to keep up the image that a lot is being done. Time's up I feel. Own up to flaws and plug the right loop holes. Ask the common man and he will show you the way.

Personally, this is my little window. Small joys, sorrows, laughter and tears are all that I have strung together. Loved to see the counter rolling even if it was a lone click on a day, it told me somebody had stopped by and perhaps read a few of my thoughts. Each comment I treasure for it only made me go back to my writing board with that extra zest!

More than all of this, I enjoyed reading the blogs of other keen bloggers. It made me laugh, think and even learn.

Just why may I ask must I be deprived of this?

Can I hear you reply "... come on you are used to living without proper drinking water, electricity for most part of the day! What great shakes is it if you live without blogs, huh?"

RIGHT!

You just turned me into a WITHERED LEAF and maybe my epitaph will never get written.

We’ve Got A Gift

“Everybody look who is here!” were the excited words of our neighbour’s teenager boy cradling the little puppy in his hands. All our heads went up in unison and we stared at the little beauty. It needs a home continued the teenager. Its current owners are a working family and are having a difficult time looking after the puppy.

We have had cats in our home for the last thirty years but never a dog. Not that we do not love one but more because of the fear of losing it. The fact is that never a dog was brought into our home. Birds, rats and what have you have had their time with us but never a dog.

My father was in the next room and hearing that a dog has come in, came out protesting. “No way we can keep a dog” his voice booming but as he opened the door he broke into a wide smile seeing those innocent eyes. “Very sweet” he said, echoing all our feelings.

Next was my husband from whom we needed a clearance. He always felt that having a dog is no casual affair and we must be ready for all the commitments that come along with it. I gave him a call and told him of the new entrant waiting for clearance. He was a bit stern and told me that it would be entirely my decision. Trifle disappointed, I hung up.

The little puppy was inquisitively going around the house and sniffing everybody and everything around. The telephone rang, it was my husband. “How is it to look at, I am coming home soon, hope it is still around.” I could not believe what I heard. The little mongrel had cast a spell on all of us!

Soon we were all playing with the little puppy! Imagine, my father, mother, me and neighbourhood kids all running around and yes my daughter was calling up every few minutes to check how it was settling down with us.

Soon the car horn sounded and we all stood for the final verdict. Out walked my husband (looking crisp even after the whole day at office, told you he is a thorough bred gentleman)! He stood still and the puppy too looked. Their eyes met and then in one swift movement, the puppy dashed towards my husband and stood up on its hind legs.

The rest as they say is history! My husband petted it and patted it and soon he too was running and playing with it!

So we have a new member in our household. We were told it had a name but it never responds if you call it by that name. Perhaps it never heard it enough. So the name hunting phase began and each one coming up with our creative best.

In one such session, my mother called out “BHOCHKOO” and the little puppy jumped onto her lap. Decided! Bhochkoo it is. But what about a good name as they say, one for more formal occasions. That too did not take too long to decide, DINKY DOGGY.

30th of May will always now be remembered and celebrated by our family. That was the day Dinky came into our home. Life can certainly surprise us with beautiful unexpected gifts. Little did we know at dawn on that day that a special parcel of joy was awaiting us. Just as the foot steps of my parents were getting a little tired and ours a little too empty with our children gone far, in walked Bhochkoo jazzing it all up for us.

I leave you with a list my mother gave me to get from the store last evening:

· Tea Leaves
· Cerelac ( baby food)
· Baby Vitamin drops
· Rusk biscuits
· Chewing sticks or biscuits

Yes one more item had to be added to the list, a pair of sandals for me. The present one got chewed last night.

Some Pictures And A Perfect Holiday - 1

We were to head westwards for our holidays but on the eve of our journey we decided to go northwards, to see the Himalayas!

As our car began its winding journey, this is what we found! A lone tree lending colour and happiness to an entire green background. We knew the magic had begun.





Misty mountains and pine trees, the journey had just begun. Enchanting is not a wrong word to use here. The journey was getting ethereal.








Soon the mighty snow clad peaks were visible. Abode of the Divine. Stretching for miles. The dazzle of the sun was blinding but we just gaped in awe at its majesty.






An alternate means of transport! Horse rides are an integral part of any hill station. The tall trees and the tiny winding road with a few travellers made a perfect picture I thought. It was a different world as if time stood still here. No rush, no hurry. Only nature in its full glory.

Some Pictures And A Perfect Holiday - 2

How about these for a ride to school? Yak is worshipped here but seldom much thought is given before cutting off its tail because it means instant money. When will we realise that everyone has a right to live!









An effort to freeze a fleeting moment. For a change I will let the picture do the talking. Do not miss the cut stem and no, I did not say it was for the dining table vase!








My favourite garden lined with flowers. Have spent a few afternoons walking around reflecting if life can indeed be lived sitting on a wooden bench in such pristine settings!

The cool breeze and the mighty Himalayas as a backdrop, this to me was certainly the closest I could get to the Garden of Eden.
No, I did not paint the sky with my colours. This is what greeted us after a stormy night! Spellbound we could only click with our camera to carry it back with us.

Do you think we can get this shade in our paintbox? Even if we do, where are we to get a canvas of this magnitude?

Nature never ceases to surprise us, we just need the eye to see it.

Some Pictures And A Perfect Holiday - 3

"The hills were alive with the sound of music...". We heard it. The breeze making its way through the leaves, the lonely bird, the unknown chatter, the silence, everything made music. A divine composition. We just stood and heard in rapt silence.









Oh there were sighs too. We felt it. Trees standing, waiting to be sacrificed in the name of development. A jarring note indeed.


We left the hills carrying with us its majestic glory.

Truly Himalayas.

We finally reached the western city where we have a home. This is the road that leads to our apartment. The green arch that the trees form is such a welcoming sight. Soon it will be flame orange as the boughs break into blossom.









This is the view of the skyline from our balcony.
Lots of high rises have mushroomed in the last few years, heralding in a new culture. Be it the hills or towns destruction, sorry, development is inevitable.




Holidays are fleeting as the morning mist. Precious perhaps for the same reason.

Saluting with a Head Stand

It should be her 66th birthday but she insists it is her 67th. Do not ask me the reason because I could never understand her calculations in the “fast mode”. Always a step ahead, always ready for a leap, almost ever ready for take off that is surely an interesting way of leading life!

Mixed together in all this is an awesome sense of humour and deadly observation skills. Can lip read and mind read words as they are being formed. Flights of fantasies and ghosts creeping up are a reality for her!

Scrabbles and puzzles, news and fiction, atlas and capitals are her daily bread. Bookworm thrives on data, never mind its authenticity. An eye for minutest of details. She reads between lines and what is not in the lines!

Love beads and colours. Ornaments are to be flaunted is her humble motto. Why she must wear her sun dial locket to the jewelers or why she must ask the time when she wears the watch locket that she bought from Switzerland, remain an obviously in your face unanswered question in our minds!

Brought up in a large illustrious family among seven siblings have lent its own hue onto her. Loves to be amongst people, chirpy talking 119 to a dozen. Giving always, be it in kind or service. Laughing, not paying heed to her missing teeth!

Anything that is purely “English” brings a gleam to her eyes. High teas, snooty airs, English pronunciations, sun peeping out after a shower makes her feel that English weather is here. Wonder if the Britishers regret leaving her back!

Every afternoon that I spend with her, she takes me on a journey around the globe. We begin with her favourite Jakarta and move onto the Far East. Then we briefly stop over to say “hello” to my son in the USA. Then we could be anywhere! Maybe on an African Safari or in Europe soaking in the beauty. Or we could be on a cruise on the Mediterranean!

Chocolates, kittens, puppies and dolls are a few of her favourite things. Children find her to be an excellent friend. I have been left stumped seeing small kiddies walk in through our door and hold and her hand and drag her to a corner so they can play undisturbed. I have peeped through closed doors and have found her follow intricate dance steps and do precarious balancing acts all that she is being asked to do!

Roller coasters, giant wheels, rocking ships, bouncy cars, tumbling seats and what have you are her favourite rides. I have stood gaping as she threw up her hands with glee enjoying such pleasures. I have had dizzy fits just watching her but she was cool as cucumber waiting at another queue for another ride!

My children love her because she is their answer to all their wild desires. She went in search of a pet shop at night for my son. With my daughter she used to be her singing partner. Have seen them blissfully share an ear phone lost in listening to music. Also can talk about Einstein and Shakespeare in the same breath!

Oh she has acted in plays, won debates, quizzes, and champion in table tennis. Written plays and poetry. What takes the cake is her act as a joker at an official function, the photographs stand as testimony!

An achiever in short. Always in the fast forward mode. Daringly optimistic.

Tomorrow is her birthday, 66th or 67th we shall debate on it. But today, all I want is to wish her with all my heart a very happy birthday.

Let time stand still for a moment and recollect your journey. It is not everyday that life creates a unique creation.

Wish I could do a ‘Head Stand” to wish her! She deserves one and it would have been just appropriate!

She is my mother!

Wake Up: Who? Me?

“No signs, no symptoms, we had no clue until this evening”. The last words lost in her wails that she was trying to gulp down but the tears came streaming down her cheeks. She is the wife. I held onto her hand that felt moist and icy. We were standing huddled together in front of the operation theatre of a city hospital. Fear, sympathy, concern written on our faces as we all try to hold on to our faith and belief that he will come out alive.

The “he” I am talking about here is a friend of ours on the wrong side of forty. Miles to go before he can rest and miles to go to realize his dream is his story, much like any of us. A senior management executive in a high flying company. Long tailed car, apartment, children in good institutions, a caring wife and a host of loving friends. That is him, our friend in the operation theatre who just collapsed in his office with acute chest pain.

The silent killer strikes again, may sound like a title of a cheap thriller but for most of us, have someone who right now is under its grip. Stress. It stealthily creeps in. It finds a welcoming ovation be it a child or in an adult. Why has stress permeated into our system with such ease? We have a lot of answering to do.

“Yeh Dil Maange More” (The heart desires for more), is a catchy line. But could it be that “more” factor that consumes us, making us push ourselves beyond return? A four wheeler is not enough but do we have the brand that will make the neighbour’s eyebrows perk up? Am I wearing the jacket or jeans with that tag that make all drool? Homes are not just for shelter but a statement of our lifestyle. Skipping ropes and free hand exercising are not in anymore, it has to be a gymnasium or a club where we can scream that we are into health.

Shopping is no more something that we indulge in on a lazy afternoon. It is now all about finding that exclusive piece that has not been spotted before. Choosing after hour activity for children too need careful planning. Not much on what the child is inclined towards but what will put us in the “in – vogue club”.

To my opinion what really is the killer is the effort to portray a “happening” image. Being street smart and "cheeky Charlie" in responses for some is quite an effort yet it is to be cultivated since that brings in a swarm of friends. Wearing that “casual” label is not as casual it may look. To keep that tuft of hair in that unruly position needs a lot of grooming! Slit jeans and catchy liner T-shirts come with a price and I know many youngsters who go to any length to earn that extra buck. Food from home is an absolute taboo; fast food joints and ill lit cafeteria are places to be spotted in. It adds to the ‘hip-hop’ image!

Movies are no more small cost affairs. Two tickets with popcorn and a drink at the multiplex could drill a tidy hole in your pocket. Birthdays, anniversaries have to be lavish affairs at the club or at restaurants or leisure centers. The list can go on and you may think I am a moron. I do not have anything against this changing life style but I do feel that we have to learn to get comfortable with what we are and what we can do.

Also an aspect that I feel need attention is our interaction skills. Sometimes in classrooms or boardrooms or in routine office jobs or even amongst friends or couples communication needs to get less stressful. A change in tones, choice of words can take that sting off. Walking up and solving an issue is much easier than dragging it on emails and print. Simple, small steps can do wonders. We have to get back to what our fore fathers believed in: simple living and high thinking.

“Please arrange for blood”, the sombre command brought me back with a jolt. I still had the icy hands of our friend’s wife in mine.

When will we hear the alarm bell and wake up? Life is not to be lost in chasing what is in and what is out or flexing muscles so that you can hear the sound of power. Smile not to show fangs or wear masks to impress. Life is beautiful; to be lived as it comes.

Tough call! It is easier said than done. Especially when I am bursting at the seams to tell one and all about our new make over we gave to our home. “Make over” is the buzz word now and we are riding high on the waves. Good we did not go for the ‘twinkling stars’ ceiling because it would look out of place during the day. The flame orange nook peeping out of….

Some people, they never learn!