Forget the spelling. Dilly-dallying it would be, but I would rather go with "i". Why ??
Because I will not say "Delhi". Dilli it is and Dilli it will be. Probably Indians will never understand what "romantic" is all about. But the photographer in me will never allow "Delhi" to replace "Dilli", or for that matter "Kolkata" to replace the love of my life "Calcutta".
A Calcutta lover visiting Delhi for the first time can never be apprehensive. He can just be biased. I was no exception either. Not being blessed with the macho manly guts that men so proudly flaunt, I could not, of course, verbally mutilate Dilli and its stories. What I could do, was blindly smother Calcutta with all my attention, all my praise and all my love. You realise you have a strong point against me here ? Yes, apprehension leads to bias :)
My poor sister, a big time "Delhi" lover (I decided to be gracious and not challenge her romance quotient), had to bear the brunt of all my Calcutta love for a little more than 24 hours. The practical human being in her was her only defence, as "you should not judge without having a look" remained her sole objection. And how mercilessly did I manage to "overrule" her objection !!!
Every argument was attacked with a verbal overflow of Calcuttan culture, sweetness of the people and photogenic brilliance of the city. The feminist in me had gone into hibernation as the poor girl was left shaking her head all the time.
...
Friday, January 13, 2012
If Life Could Be A Steam Engine
If melancholy whispered as it left you alone,
Seemingly musical so,
If strands of hair felt pensiveness caress;
Life sees off monotone...
If curvy trails did then smile back,
Grins spread over angles,
And voices rhymed back as they left;
Like bells ringing off ankles...
If tunnels seemed so special though,
As daylight sneaked in through..
Did worried thoughts get long their due,
With answers so very few...
If stations came and stations went,
As burden made its way..
If life could be a steam engine,
There would be no grey.
Seemingly musical so,
If strands of hair felt pensiveness caress;
Life sees off monotone...
If curvy trails did then smile back,
Grins spread over angles,
And voices rhymed back as they left;
Like bells ringing off ankles...
If tunnels seemed so special though,
As daylight sneaked in through..
Did worried thoughts get long their due,
With answers so very few...
If stations came and stations went,
As burden made its way..
If life could be a steam engine,
There would be no grey.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Shore and the Waves
The crimson red horizon calls out, and I see you;
We hug, smiles unable to fake an excuse...
The warm sun shines down as we continue our banter
Tales, old tales, our tales, your tales, my tales.
The sunny morning when we met, and smiled,
That rainy afternoon when we had the time of our lives,
The breeze flowing by, wishing us good,
Tales of us, the beauty, the serenity and the peace...
"Peaceful beauty", and people think we make that;
Ask the greenery around, they will tell...
The evening sun is cool, as slumber does not disturb us
The breeze flows by, smiles and greets us.
The most splendid display of graciousness, the moon, makes us smile.
As you decide to retire, I think,
My existence cannot be static, I cannot exist without you,
You never leave me alone, and I know,
Ask your sand and he will tell.
I want to be a part of you, I yearn,
I reach out for you, you are there, yet I have to return.
We hug, smiles unable to fake an excuse...
The warm sun shines down as we continue our banter
Tales, old tales, our tales, your tales, my tales.
The sunny morning when we met, and smiled,
That rainy afternoon when we had the time of our lives,
The breeze flowing by, wishing us good,
Tales of us, the beauty, the serenity and the peace...
"Peaceful beauty", and people think we make that;
Ask the greenery around, they will tell...
The evening sun is cool, as slumber does not disturb us
The breeze flows by, smiles and greets us.
The most splendid display of graciousness, the moon, makes us smile.
As you decide to retire, I think,
My existence cannot be static, I cannot exist without you,
You never leave me alone, and I know,
Ask your sand and he will tell.
I want to be a part of you, I yearn,
I reach out for you, you are there, yet I have to return.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Unassuming Hypocrite (3)
It was half past seven when he reached home. It had not really been a happening day. It was not that "happening" was like the theme of his life. A sedate life, very few people around him, and he liked it being that way.
He switched on the radio, his sole companion since the very beginning. It almost sort of got his state of mind every time, and he believed in this.
"Kabhi dekho man nahi jaage, peechhe peechhe sapno ke bhaage..."
A rainy winter evening, and the hypocrite had just returned from a fortnight's vacation.
The Hypocrite: Hey.. What's up ?
She: Hello. Nothing much. You say...
The Hypocrite: [pause] I just landed. God, how I wanted these two weeks to get over.
She: But why ? Wasn't home good ? You so wanted to be back at home.
The Hypocrite: You will not understand sweetheart.. Hold on.. I have a call waiting.
[switches calls] hey Mom. I just reached... yeah... as in an hour back.... was unpacking, thought I'd give you a call once that was done.... Will do that mom...
9937948494
The Hypocrite: Hey, you disconnected ?
She: Yup, you had another call waiting for you right. You done with it ?
The Hypocrite: Yup. That was mom.
She: And you are done speaking with your mom in a minute ?? What ???
The Hypocrite: But I was talking with you right ? I can always call her back later.
She: You can always call me back later too. You are impossible.[disconnects]
[pause]
[phone rings] The hypocrite turns around, picks up his phone; "Yes mom. I just returned... Will call you back in a bit"
"Wahi chunkar khaamoshi yun chale jaaye akele kahaan".
He smiled.
...
He switched on the radio, his sole companion since the very beginning. It almost sort of got his state of mind every time, and he believed in this.
"Kabhi dekho man nahi jaage, peechhe peechhe sapno ke bhaage..."
A rainy winter evening, and the hypocrite had just returned from a fortnight's vacation.
The Hypocrite: Hey.. What's up ?
She: Hello. Nothing much. You say...
The Hypocrite: [pause] I just landed. God, how I wanted these two weeks to get over.
She: But why ? Wasn't home good ? You so wanted to be back at home.
The Hypocrite: You will not understand sweetheart.. Hold on.. I have a call waiting.
[switches calls] hey Mom. I just reached... yeah... as in an hour back.... was unpacking, thought I'd give you a call once that was done.... Will do that mom...
9937948494
The Hypocrite: Hey, you disconnected ?
She: Yup, you had another call waiting for you right. You done with it ?
The Hypocrite: Yup. That was mom.
She: And you are done speaking with your mom in a minute ?? What ???
The Hypocrite: But I was talking with you right ? I can always call her back later.
She: You can always call me back later too. You are impossible.[disconnects]
[pause]
[phone rings] The hypocrite turns around, picks up his phone; "Yes mom. I just returned... Will call you back in a bit"
"Wahi chunkar khaamoshi yun chale jaaye akele kahaan".
He smiled.
...
Friday, January 6, 2012
The Unassuming Hypocrite (2)
"Bindiya lagati to, kampti thi palken maeeri...."
Lips moved and he tried to do a Palash Sen as he walked into the foggy streets of deserted Calcutta. Fog was generally not a very Calcuttan thing, but then, we always try to imitate others (most people would hate to admit that). It was as if Calcutta was imitating Dilli and trying to make Dilli lovers nostalgic.
"Whatever..", thought the hypocrite. This was his nemesis. He never had been his greatest supporter. Every thought of his had "REJECTED" written all over it and every explanation had "NO" stamped all over.
It was a rainy evening and the hypocrite had just shifted. A new session had already begun. 9937948494.
The Hypocrite: Hello
She: Hello. What happened?
The Hypocrite: You do not sound well. Everything alright ?
She: You are utterly impossible. It seems that the world ends for you every moment, right ?
The Hypocrite: I was just concerned.
She: Well, I was sleeping. You must think before thinking.
The Hypocrite: Alright. Did I wake you up ?
She: Not really. I would have woken up anyway.
"Whatever" !!! The hypocrite thought and continued walking.
"Ab kya karoon... kaase kahoon...e maeeri..."
He did not do a Palash Sen this time.
.....
Lips moved and he tried to do a Palash Sen as he walked into the foggy streets of deserted Calcutta. Fog was generally not a very Calcuttan thing, but then, we always try to imitate others (most people would hate to admit that). It was as if Calcutta was imitating Dilli and trying to make Dilli lovers nostalgic.
"Whatever..", thought the hypocrite. This was his nemesis. He never had been his greatest supporter. Every thought of his had "REJECTED" written all over it and every explanation had "NO" stamped all over.
It was a rainy evening and the hypocrite had just shifted. A new session had already begun. 9937948494.
The Hypocrite: Hello
She: Hello. What happened?
The Hypocrite: You do not sound well. Everything alright ?
She: You are utterly impossible. It seems that the world ends for you every moment, right ?
The Hypocrite: I was just concerned.
She: Well, I was sleeping. You must think before thinking.
The Hypocrite: Alright. Did I wake you up ?
She: Not really. I would have woken up anyway.
"Whatever" !!! The hypocrite thought and continued walking.
"Ab kya karoon... kaase kahoon...e maeeri..."
He did not do a Palash Sen this time.
.....
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Unassuming Hypocrite (1)
The unassuming hypocrite looked out of the window towards the road which ran by his house. It was a small little pad which he had gotten built for himself, tidy, and just as he would have liked it. A wall adorned with photographs most people would look at and smirk. But then, he liked them.
As the radio blurted out, "a love that will never grow old", the unassuming hypocrite looked out again. A scooter passed by and he blinked slowly.
It was a cool summer evening when the phone rang;
The Hypocrite: Hello.
She: How have you been ?
The Hypocrite: Kinda good. What difference does it make when you are not around ? Every freaking day is as monotonous as it can be.
She: Okay. By the way, I had been to our college today.
The Hypocrite: [pauses][deep breath]. So ?
She: My scooter broke down and he dropped me at home.
The Hypocrite: Okay. And I thought I would have been the first one.
She: You are impossible.
Indeed, he was impossible. But then he was affectionate as well. It was a paradox that very few people liked him.
He shrugged and decided to go for a walk.
....
As the radio blurted out, "a love that will never grow old", the unassuming hypocrite looked out again. A scooter passed by and he blinked slowly.
It was a cool summer evening when the phone rang;
The Hypocrite: Hello.
She: How have you been ?
The Hypocrite: Kinda good. What difference does it make when you are not around ? Every freaking day is as monotonous as it can be.
She: Okay. By the way, I had been to our college today.
The Hypocrite: [pauses][deep breath]. So ?
She: My scooter broke down and he dropped me at home.
The Hypocrite: Okay. And I thought I would have been the first one.
She: You are impossible.
Indeed, he was impossible. But then he was affectionate as well. It was a paradox that very few people liked him.
He shrugged and decided to go for a walk.
....
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Lose Yourself
Dear Jogi,
Here's another one for you.
"...Je bhabe drishyo anek gilchhe amay roj,
Shekhane adaal peyle, bhangchi aami; hochhi je nikhoj,
Jekhane dak pathale mrito deher bhide,
Shekhaane tulchhi chhobi, dolchhi neshay, aaschi abar phire..."
You have heard this in fact. But then there was this certain portion which I liked and thought you would like it too. Remember the day when you had called me up, distressed and out of all bounds? That was some day, wasn't it ? What happened Jogi ? Where have you been since?
Remember buddy, the first day ? A shadow walking right up to your room and you not being scared even for a moment. Phew !!! We almost talked the entire night out.
Remember the day when you had come back home, and the days that followed ? Remember Day 1 at Kharagpur ? You were ecstatic. You were such a talkative little soul. Remember when you had explained me the principles you stood by? You almost had me do the same for myself.
Remember that vacation buddy, when every square inch of home seemed like heaven ? Remember that morning at Kharagpur when you had woken me up just to whine about not being at home ? Remember that morning at Kolkata when you had gone berserk shooting and talked about it for one full week ? Remember those Vellore days last year ? You didn't mind the hospital so much, as long as we had the time to talk.
I know I wasn't there that day Jogi. But does that make things so difficult ? Why haven't we spoken in many days Jogi ? Do you not miss me ? You have a life Jogi, I don't. I need you for my sheer existence. I need you to be me. You complete me all the time.
Come back Jogi.
Ciao.
Here's another one for you.
"...Je bhabe drishyo anek gilchhe amay roj,
Shekhane adaal peyle, bhangchi aami; hochhi je nikhoj,
Jekhane dak pathale mrito deher bhide,
Shekhaane tulchhi chhobi, dolchhi neshay, aaschi abar phire..."
You have heard this in fact. But then there was this certain portion which I liked and thought you would like it too. Remember the day when you had called me up, distressed and out of all bounds? That was some day, wasn't it ? What happened Jogi ? Where have you been since?
Remember buddy, the first day ? A shadow walking right up to your room and you not being scared even for a moment. Phew !!! We almost talked the entire night out.
Remember the day when you had come back home, and the days that followed ? Remember Day 1 at Kharagpur ? You were ecstatic. You were such a talkative little soul. Remember when you had explained me the principles you stood by? You almost had me do the same for myself.
Remember that vacation buddy, when every square inch of home seemed like heaven ? Remember that morning at Kharagpur when you had woken me up just to whine about not being at home ? Remember that morning at Kolkata when you had gone berserk shooting and talked about it for one full week ? Remember those Vellore days last year ? You didn't mind the hospital so much, as long as we had the time to talk.
I know I wasn't there that day Jogi. But does that make things so difficult ? Why haven't we spoken in many days Jogi ? Do you not miss me ? You have a life Jogi, I don't. I need you for my sheer existence. I need you to be me. You complete me all the time.
Come back Jogi.
Ciao.
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