Tuesday, September 23, 2008

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.


Friday, September 12, 2008

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