Chetan Bhagath infatuation

When i knocked the door, my only intention was to meet Magna.I myself pushed the door open after a while of no response and found some one lost in a laptop monitor.It was Mubi and i really didn't want to disturb her.So i started to close the door behind but suddenly a book on the table caught my attention.Mubi nodded in agreement to lend me the book.Five point some one by Chetan Bhagath.Oh yes, it was in the news.But yet to read a review on it since it was the early days after its launch.Any way i had given up the idea to take a bath by then.I headed back to my comfort zone and started reading it.
Reading that book was a smooth process .It was like watching a television soap.Keeps you on anxiety at each and every word.What i was so happy about was how my roomies listened to the story when i started narrating, even the people who used to vomit at the mere sight of a book.Being a full length entertainer five point some one gained this much popularity among my friends too as it is with any one else who read it.I saw that book being relayed from one room to the next in the hostel.
Then came the next one .One night @ the call center.The introduction was nice, the flow went till the climax and i felt getting a call from god made the book a bit less impressive.He could have conveyed the idea in many other ways without irritating this much at the end.Waiting for 'Hello' now(its just a sentence i always pronounce regarding movies that are expecting releasing date.It doesn't mean i will run to the theater to watch it once it is released,not even in next decade.I will wait until i get a pirated copy at home).
I spotted '3 mistakes of my life ' with a road side book vendor but bought it only when i convinced my mom at a rail way station.The train was so late that i could finish the book sitting in that railway waiting room.Filled with so much serious issues but spoke in his usual way.
I have seen 'i hate Chetan Bhagath' communities in Orkut.MTV tickr laughs at his English.I myself felt the stories can be told in some more effective way.Even if he talk about such relevant things like rat races,call center lives,religious politics,business ........he don't make his reader think on anything.Reader is lost in his magical narration and he speaks so casually as there isn't much to think about.And another argument is that its his tags IIT and IIM make him a hero among youngsters.
After pointing out all these short comings let me declare that i'm an ardent fan of this author .I follow all his books,new posts in his blog....He is really a phenomenon, i must admit.He does this much even in this time every one exclaim like 'loads of work at office...then how? '.A techie graduated from IIT and post graduated from IIM and now working with Deuchs bank he can utter these words in all sense.But being very talented in managing his publicity and private life, he even surprised his colleagues.They dint knew it was this Chetan Bhagath they read so passionately are they working with.He was the chief guest of a function in NIT-C.I came to know only when it was over(there was nothing special if i knew earlier).Any way looking forward for his next work.

Whats missing?

Its almost over by now.The one Onam I have been waiting for so eagerly.This time there was not anything like getting rid of stupid exams, holidays............Still I had a woe that I will celebrate each and every moment of this season.I wanted to feel the same way as it was in my childhood.And the preparations started right from the day of Atham*.I 'discovered' some unhealthy Thumbas* in the distance I can cover in case I wake up late(this came handy from the 4th day).Selected a smooth pebble as Thrikkakkarappan*(I gave a big thought before this.Don't know whats behind this custom. I don't know if it falls to a superstition or a custom.Wanna avoid it ? Na.....just be the same way I did as a kid...thats it.Wow.....following my own footsteps!!!!!).Then came the question of location.No way, I am not gonna work over a 'Thara'*(some deviations are allowed).Let it be in the sit out.


Everything went well till the 5Th day.Famine of different colours of flowers came to play.I remedied by accepting leaves in place.Then a dentist turned the whole routine upside down.Some sedative pills dint allow me to rise early(Actually it was me who dint took care of my teeth n brought the matter worse that i couldn't avoid approaching the dentist).Anyway I could have relaxed having a caring father who brought me flowers from the market.But being myself so intelligent lead me to blunders.I kept the whole mass of flowers in freezer so that it stay chilled .My heart sank the next morning when i opened the freezer in hope of fresh, chilled flowers.Its was a discoloured ,stinking heap ......:( I lost my heart. From the next day onwards it was just doing a duty i have committed to.Still i remembered how precious this time is and i have to enjoy it to the last bit.Some how i did till today.


But I know the whole enthusiasm is missing.So recreating the kiddy mindset is almost impossible.It was a time when the heart pleased on very simple things and I found myself energetic doing pleasing things.Now what is left is the longing for being enthusiastic on such things that entertained me once(I don't know if it is necessary.do we have to change our interests as time passes?).And yes , now a days I am an expert in the art of making myself happy.............

Thrikkakkarappan* -a symbolic representation in mud of thrimoorthis....but we use a pebble
Atham * - first day of festivities in the ten-day-long Onam
Thumba* - a white flower
Thara *- a earthen platform on which flower patterns are laid

Raghu Vamsham Manipravalam

I think we should use a Lil of our brain before making promises.I do think so.But i use my heart and make promises in excitement and later struggle to keep it up(No problem until there are a list of excuses ).

It was on one of my visits to my aunt took place this 'promise'.There is a distant uncle of my mom living next door to this aunt.We (me n my cousins) always stop at him whenever we pass by.

One month ago ,when i stepped in to his veranda he seemed happy unusually.I was wondering when he asked if i know anything about his family history instead of the expected 'how r u' and 'wen d u came'.Then all those story telling sessions came into my mind through which he made me believe that there was a snake and a table inside the house which appears as it dawns and disappears at dusk.I peeped into the rooms if it is still there whenever i got a chance.He asked me to wait there and disappeared upstairs.He brought something in his hands and put down on a table.Some old manuscripts,a cane basket ,a white container with some temple's logo on it.

Whats goin on?I was confused."i have a lot to talk to you.You are not in a hurry,right?",he whispered in a very low tone.I was not in a hurry,even if i was i could have given up to listen to him.What if he is going to tell an exciting story that unrolls through thrilling twists and turns! He must be expecting me to write it down one day.The first chapter of 'One night at a call centre came into mind'.If i happen to create such a thing that i bag Booker Prize......................I was on the podium to receive the prize when the cracking sound of the cane basket interrupted.

"This was my uncles basket", he started slowly,"he was one of the great mahouts of that time.His master was happy to let him take the elephant home".That was a new information. A boy from his family told me that they owned a number of elephants long ago.There were two elephants instead of watch dogs ,the boy boasted of.I imagined it mouth open!!!Two elephants standing on both sides of the door way!!!Back at home i persuaded my father to recollect if any of our predecessors had an elephant.He shook his head firmly, disappointing me.

"Uncle used to take the elephant all over the world('world' has to shrug to a few kilometers to fit into this statement) for months. He carried his belongings in this basket and returned with full of money in this", he continued."The animal never disobeyed him" (And there were stories to prove this.) "but you know, he had a sad demise with so many diseases killing him inch by inch.His wife cheated him .She stole all his wealth and gave it to her stupid brother.Uncle had a plan to give it to us.If it was so where could we be now!".He showed me the invitations the uncle got from different temples to bring the elephant.He had a collection of elephants molars, hair from its tail...... Then he opened the container and showed me a huge collection of old coins from the time of Maharaja.I couldn't identify any(One of my friend used to show case her coin collection whenever i visit her home.I had tried to register that i'm not interested but she continued.I took revenge by displaying my collection of cricket posters for which i knew she had no interest).

He started packing the things once again .It was then only i noticed an old book.I was curious n asked what it is.He asked me to promise that i will read it line by line without leaving a single word unread.I smiled in welcome and he handed it over to me.It was the last book on earth i wanted to read but i have already made the promise.It was an old copy of 'Raghu vamsham manipravalam'.I never put my head in to such scholarly scripts but read some summary of it or pure translations.Next he presented me with a hand full of his coins.He is so kind to me!! I felt my eyes being wet.I started loving this old man with full heart.I thought some how I'll keep my promise.I didn't knew i was this special to him.

Then came the dialogue "I gave a quarter of this to Sonu and Manju earlier.Now its for you.I'll give the rest to Vishnu and Chinju the next time they come here".I was stuck......so this have happened twice already.It was only a part of the promotion of his 'family history'.My Booker prize........

I didn't bothered about keeping my word up.But whenever i met him he queried where am i reading in Raghuvamsham.I slipped away with some lame excuses every time.My father adviced me to by heart one or two stanzas and recite it when he asks.He will be satisfied,my dad assured me(mmmm...might be his trick).

I know what are you thinking now...LIKE FATHER ,LIKE DAUGHTER.

My brother Sonu...............................

While going through the old SM'S' in the inbox, i noticed this particular one from Sonu. "When we were kids, we were eager to grow up.And now we are grown up and realize that those wounded knees were much better than today's broken heart." TRUE.Indeed! A sentence from my 12Th std Malayalam book read like this 'every individual and society have the golden memories of their past'.Those were the best days of my life.I have a very clear memory(clear should be emphasised, i even remember the exact words of dialogues) about that time.All those are strongly related to my paternal and maternal ancestral homes.

The one figure who played the main persona was Lil Sonu.We are maternal cousins by blood.We met at our Grand mother's place twice or thrice in a year.This boy was such an obedient and disciplined one that everybody asked me to follow his manners.Me, the naughtiest of all girls, observed this with a rebellion going on inside.How he ne'er shouted at our grand mother(who used to advise me on each n everything, for which i had a great disliking), how he ne'er drenched in mud water,oh god, i couldn't imagine being like that!!!

Always our grandmother gave him privileges since he is the only boy in the family that time(there was already a girl who preceded me).I was totally against the system and sometimes viewed him even as an enemy.

But i can't find words to express how loyal Sonu was to me and he bear ed all my verbal and physical attacks as he is destined to do the same.There are uncountable occasions i can point out.....

Once we planned to play upstairs and i carried a tumbler of water along with some mixture to eat.Some how i spilled half of that water on the wooden staircase.On the way down Sonu slipped from that step and rolled down falling to the bottom.I cried as loudly as possible.Even neighbours came running and they took the bleeding boy to nearby clinic. I told them it was me who had the idea of carrying water n spilled it, everybody started scolding me.Back from the hospital he asked me if we can play sitting somewhere. I threw a heavy rubber ball and asked him to catch it.Oh, the ball hit exactly on the stitched wound on his fore head! He sobbed but kept quiet when someone passed by and asked me not to tell others ,otherwise they 'll scold you again.I couldn't understand why he dint want me to be caught guilty.If it was me he could have hung up by myself.

Another trick i used to play on him was to visit our neighbours'. I used to explain them that Sonu cried to come here ,so 'poor' me took him here, thats it.It should have me who convinced him to visit them and the helpless boy looked into my eyes with a question.I looked away and he smiles as what i said was the truth.

Though he was 2 years younger than me, it was he who imparted me valuable
bits of knowledge.He told me about the golden treasures possibly hidden somewhere around the house.We used to dig the sand heap brought for house repair to find out the treasure.We used to hide an army medal(probably our uncle's) in sand and indulged ourselves in 'mission medal recovery'.He told me stories about spies and detectives.The only thriller i had was 'Inspector Garud' from Balarama.He ne'er cared for Cinderella whom i adored.We always enacted some stories and he let me play the main character.

Once our grand mother stated in a family get together that how pious Sonu is that he worshipped even the 'black stones'.The next time i went out ,i closed my hands in prayer in front of each and every stone that discoloured to black 'coz of the moss gathered on it.

He had a craving for automobiles then itself.He bought toy cars n trucks and damaged them within hours.When we were living in the city, he along with his parents payed visits frequently.We used to play with building blocks and a yellow egg rack.I presented him with my toy cars(i scarcely had cars but dolls).Once i had a green jeep with a driver in it.He pleaded for it.I was so reluctant to to give it away that i lied it was my friend's.But at last we made the deal, he can have the car n me the driver.He plucked the driver from it and gave it to me.

I have a lot of very joyous moments spend with him coming to my mind.Any way he remains the same today.Always loving ,caring and trust worthy.I thank god for such a sweet little brother.Love him always..........

A walk in the fields......................

Listen.....its huge rain drops tapping on the Teak leaves.Where do the ferns learned to dance with them?The whole washed Ixora stands humbly bend.Let us step out of home to the thrilling greenary of the field.Paddy is half immersed in water.You can't step through the narrow walk way which reminds of moors from some novels.
But try slowly walking on more firmer hummocks.You can explore a magical world full of lush vegetation and mirthy music!!!!!!! Its true,i have tried it many times.
The grass grown hummocks hide crickets,snails(usually with a heap of eggs laid),and a lot of unknown creatures.Snakes raise their head from water as if you are an alien(Hey,i'm living near by, the only thing is its after a long while i'm visiting your place!). By the next movement you make , they crwal under water.Grasses wear drops of crystal clear water on top.
Yup, its the bull frog here! They are the drummers of the evening Jugalbandi lead by crickets.I remember how i adored their concert while walking with my father when i was a child. The loud music penetrates your ear drum and you are lost in it.
take a look into the deep sedentary waters.Hey,this might be some animated movie set! Small fishes with bright spots on their head swimming among the high grown water plants. I have always waited for Ariel or some other mermaid to come into my sight...................



Who s that pecking my feet from behind? Oh my god, that leggy crab!!!!!Its nice to watch him moving but i swear not much nice to get in to his hold.These crabs are haunted by foxes at night( Foxes, the night riders,are the howling bad boys.U don't have to startle up from sleep ,just cuddle up the pillow).
Leave the crab and look at the sky.A fleet of Herons flying away.Ofcourse they can out shine any airforce fleet.Its their cousins(i suppose so) Egrets who meditate on one legg for hours.
The bomber Kingfishers scoop from the nearby trees. They are the always victorious people with their precision.
Wow, here comes my favourite of all.The Miss Universe of this land!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The gorgeous white breasted Waterhen. This beautiful marsh bird have such a rhythmic walk that you stare breathless .Its the cocked-up tail movement that shows the bright rusty red underneath.But be careful not to shout of excitement, she is a shy girl.Her big appeal comes with the Kwaak-kwaak(once i read somewhere that there was a contradiction about what they are yelling.Is it Kwaak-kwaak or Gwaak-gwaak.This story is used to laugh at the useless of all the quarrels).Ok..she tells its gonna be the night fall.Lets go back home now.It may rain anytime and the foxes show up..................

Bye till we meet again.......................

Another 'good bye' time.....the rush of so called fare wells,slam books n all.Those long four years r gonna end here.I don't remember me being sentimental in any of such times....10th ,12th......no,nowhere..........Always i have been optimistic about meeting my friends again .But its entirely different this time.....I might be the laziest girl who reluctantly attended as less classes as possible(Oh,that s how i made into the condonation list).I talked to my class mates very less.Barely hung around with them .Still i feel like i'm gonna miss them so badly in the coming days.

Just can't think about leaving KBLH.It was our Empire.All those 'dance till you drop ' nights,the howling during the power cuts,filmsy fights with seniors,posters,cats,Onam feast,nine o'clock rounds of matron........the list goes on.

What if i come back as a visitor,one day?Oh ,some body occupying my space in 401!Better i won't go back for a long time.May be time will change envies to nostalgia.
I will be looking forward to the boxy image of M.E.S.College Of Engg.Kuttippuram on the top of hill to appear in to sight as i passby ,some day.
Any way ,friends bye till we meet again............................................

A lunch break thought from lab.

It has been a dream come true.My college.Upon the hill behind the quiet flow of Nila.So close to all those places M.T.showed me in his novels.And the college itself was compared to Tajmahal.

Oh.....is this all dreams are made for.To be awaken to the truth.God might had laughed while i weaved those dreams ..."stupid u won't step down to Nila till the end of your college life.U 'll look at her through your window n wonder how could she be this fast and furious in her depths.Many of your fellows 'll drown in Nila..You will simply step into restaurants and talk about Tandoori Rotti and Butter Chicken with ur big mouthed friends.You 'll run home at the mere sight of weekends to your own Koottalida.Still this is why day dreams are there"

Now its almost time to leave here,Thrikkanapuram as it is never known.It is always known as Kuttippuram.There is a slight disappointment i havn't been to those beautiful villages yet,Thrithala,Koodallur,Kumbidi....Oh...but why ,
tomorrow i'll go to Jayasree's home.Excitement lurks.I'll talk about it once i come back.Let me rush to the mess hall now.