Long live astrologers.

" The company has won the best employer of Asia award last year and there is no doubt on job security ",He added patting his moustache ." And our share price has gone up this year "
"Ohh , is it ?", exclaimed Neethu as she was planning to buy some .
Her pearl necklace which she forcefully put around my neck that morning has started irritating. I could feel the weight of the ear ring which held two arrays of white stones in its silver backbone.
" We get away to Pondichery on weekends , most of our friends are there " , Neethu glanced meaningfully at me since we knew Pondichery is the booz paradise . I was watching two old women wrapped in fine silk having Idlis , the only other customers in the restaurant. Their nose studs looked like nuts and bolts made of gold.
" Whats the nature of your work ?" , he asked and Neethu was explaining some thing . I wondered I have already explained this thing over phone hours ago. Once Neethu finished he talked about the business that the company he work for do and the number of offices they have in India.
" Why don't you talk ?", I wished to say that I was recollecting my employers financial status in the last quarter .But I ended up with " Me?...Oh...yeah , you have a sister ,right?" , He had shared that information over phone.
"Yes , she is married", he said quite unconcerned.
"OK....so you did your graduation before PG ,right?" Every one gave me a puzzled look and I corrected myself ," I mean... from which college?".He said some college name.
"Is that all you wish to know ?", even Neethu was looking at my face .I decided to admit frankly " Eh ...I 'm first time into a scene like this ...so ..." , I tried to smile as brightly as possible so that I can hide my unhappiness. I tried to have the juice but the heavy breakfast which went inside my stomach just 30 minutes ago prevented me from that.
It all started with a phone call from my father the previous day . Some close friends has come up with a wedding proposal and you may receive a call from them .He tried to sound casual but he couldn't. I asked him if he wanted me to get married and sent away . "You are not going to marry this one I'm sure, but the obligation to this friend who came with the proposal ....You can refuse after meeting the guy but turning down the invitation to meet will be inappropriate. And after all its nothing like sending 'away ' ...they too are from the North Kerala."
I nearly screamed, "Why do you think of the possibilities and all these North Kerala stuff...you said this is just ...."
"yes ,it is ....Just informing...", dad finished.
After a while I got a call from this guy very politely introducing himself.A few seconds later he started like
' I have studied this subject , working in this company , I have dad , mom ans a sister at home,she is married , my height ,my weight .............' Felt like I was a recruiter and this candidate has given all the details including his vital status.
He continued like filling the form to join a social network 'what my friends think of me, the city I like to work , the food I crave for....' I got enough time to Google his name while talking and I was surprised by Google's accuracy .The first result was his name and same thing happened with Orkut and Facebook .I went through and tried to find out reasons to avoid the meeting . But this guy had a perfectly diplomatic profile.At the end the meeting place was decided , the restaurant which is famous for Dosas and sweets which smell ghee.
"Ha ha ha ha....", that was Neethu's response ( Why ? ) .
Another friend asked ," why don't you feel interested? Planning for higher studies?"
I said ," No.At least , not very soon "
She lowered her voice ," Got a crush ?"
"You know Rahul Dravid and Tom Cruise are already married ."
"Oh ...You still fantasise those old men !! " She continued,"...Then what ? This is your perfect age to get married."
A cousin who used to argue about being single and enjoying the freedom of life advised ," Go and meet the guy , at least you can blog about it ."

Neethu agreed to accompany me after half an hour of compulsion and we made it to the restaurant next morning. Plenty of time left to the appointment , we had a heavy breakfast .The guy accompanied by a friend arrived after we finished our breakfast and they ordered some fruit juice.
After a while of my aloofness , every body stopped talking .By that time almost all possible questions were asked and facts were informed. The official declaration of the end of meeting came . The waiter brought the bill and placed it at the center of the table as he was not sure who is responsible for payment.

"Its already late for you , you can leave .We 'll settle the bill ." I offered as humbly as possible.His obsession about his employer was not enough to make it to Mr.Punctual title.
"Any way I'm late , I can wait for the bill too.I'll pay ", we gave in when they moved the bill to their side and he pulled out the notes of hundred from his wallet, obviously more than what costs for four fruit juices in an ordinary Chennai restaurant. But he looked at the bill and the currency in his hand.I wondered if they have specified ' payment in South African Rand only '.He put his hands again in the wallet but there were not enough hundreds and he started searching for his cardholder.Meanwhile his friend glanced into the bill and took money from his pocket and closed the bill . Neethu and I wondered how come four juices cost that much .
On the way back Neethu said her hands still smell of the ghee from the breakfast .Suddenly everything made sense.........money,bill,blank looks , going through the bill again and silently paying the bill.They gave a combined bill for our breakfast and the additional juices. Those guys didn't had a clue that we had our breakfast there till they got the bill and they payed for it too .And we ...had forgotten about that part of the bill totally.
Embarrassed we were heading to work , again my phone showed my fathers number and he informed me that some astrologer advised not even to think of wedding for next one year.
Some times I do support astrologers too .


Pic courtesy :gaming today

Wanna buy a train .

I had typed this some months ago and had discarded then itself. Since my blog is starving now a days I'm posting it here.

Warning: This post may contain emotional outbursts which may not suit some readers.

Lemme be straight .I missed my train a couple of hours ago.Now what came to your mind may be a girl looking outside the vehicle impatiently in a traffic jam and gazing at her watch frequently.On reaching the railway station she runs behind the moving train and stops a little bent,panting at the end of the platform.But my case is completely different.
I had booked this ticket one month ago.Unlike my usual sun day night journeys to Chennai , this time it is a Mon day.Obviously a different train but I didn't notice.I was very reluctant to leave home while it rains.I wanted to be here and enjoy every drop of the season.The train and schedule was programmed in my mind according to the usual one.I didn't bothered to see the train name,number or time.I had enough time during the day so that I visited the aunt who was the last in my visiting list.I packed my things as if I had to engage my time with something.
When it was time to leave dad started asking the routine reminders of keeping keys,ID cards,purse....I got irritated ," I'm no more a kid.I know how to take care of such things".This time it was he who got irritated. I again started talking under my lips about leaving home so early . Dad and mom kept quiet this time . We bought hot banana chips and halwa on the way , still one more hour left. As we reached the railway station mom noticed it was almost empty.I couldn't find any info about Chennai express.I approached information counter.When I said Chennai express , the one who was in that counter demanded my ticket."This is a Chennai mail ticket.The train left 2 hours ago ".I could make out every thing in that moment.A flash blinded me for that moment.

I was so embarrassed to face my parents.But we thought of alternatives and ended up with a decision to leave tomorrow.I phoned my superior and got leave for tomorrow too.On the way back , dad kept advising me one after another.I nodded my head in a certain interval.And he hit back with my own point ," You 'll be a kid for us always..."
....Hope I didn't burst emotionally .
I took a resolution to be more careful in everything so that I 'll loose the label " care less".

Later my friends asked me 'Jeeth syndrome?' ...Oh yeah I have watched 'Jab we met' many times.

365 days

I completed one year of the cubicle life this week along with thirty of my peers. It was on the 13Th of October 2008 we were summoned for training to the beautiful coastal city of Mangalore. Mangalore was slowly recovering from the riots and curfews were just called off a week ago.Every one who talked about the place was in all praise of it .Serene beaches , delicious sea food , yet to be polluted and spoiled. The name of the training academy(ELLA) reminds Ella Fitzgerald ( They have kept a picture of her some where inside the campus ) . We were thirty people whose address ends with names of different states in India.
Those days starting early in the morning and ending late at night were the most enjoyed days of my life , keeping the examination part aside.A quick visit to Mangala Devi temple on the days of exams , definitely to bribe the goddess and once the results are announced , to thank . Pani Puri in front of the temple and tender coconut on the way back .

We used to stay in the class room till 12 'o clock every night , to study only if it is the previous day of exam otherwise to play computer games. Evenings at the Amphitheater , noodles as a synonym of food, weekends shopping at HampanKatta , Rinku Punjabi Dhaba,movies , the house keeper sighing at my unmade bed and wardrobe which was a total mess , the cultural fests , birthday celebrations , a few trips ......incredible , I should say . Diwali and New Year were celebrations to cherish . After three months we were all send to different locations , the worst part being 4 of our friends being eliminated.
Those days will remain as one of the most favorite part of my life and the months followed in Chennai were no less wonderful .
On this occasion I wish my friends happy anniversary and a prosperous time ahead .

Vidyarambham

When I was offering prayers I could hear kids crying and screaming from the other part of the temple.Its Vijaya Dashami today , observed as 'Vidyarambham ' in Kerala , which literally means the starting of learning process.Kids at the age of 3 or 4 start their 'formal' education on this day.Being asked to pronounce strange Sanskrit lines scares the kids.I have vague memories of my Vidyarambham.I could recite "Hari shree Ganapathaye Nama: " even before the priest dictated because of my father's effort on the previous day.I glanced at my father's face every now and then and he nodded smiling.Writing the same in red rice felt like a game. ( I had tried this at home many times after Vidyarambham and had got scolded for spilling rice ).Then the priest wrote the same on my tongue with a golden ring.That was years ago.
I made my way through the crowd to get my book after Saraswathi pooja which had already started on the day of Durgashtami and lasts through MahaNavami.Those two days were the most expected days of school life which simply means off to studies by all means.Always the mathematics books were sent for Pooja.Since we used to say " we should not touch the book" , even touching a piece of paper or reading a flash news from TV seemed sin full. During the 9 days of Navarathri most of my friends used to avoid non vegetarian food but in my case I always stay unaware of Navarathri untill it is Saraswathi Pooja. 'AayudhaPooja ' ( Pooja of implements ) too will take place during these days which means even news paper presses would be on holiday.

Back from temple I opened the book and read a line from it.Wrote down the Malayalam alphabet in a paper stopping at every letter and wondering how it is a part of my life .I listened to my kid cousin pronouncing every letter trying hard to keep it sound clear even though two of her front row teeth are missing. Its the fresh restart of learning .

Colors in darkness.

It was our first week in the training academy .One morning we were intimated that our Business Etiquette lessons 'd start today and the trainer will be in class within 10 minutes.It followed a small introduction of him.Since I had woke up very early ( might not be very early in many other's terms) and the god of sleep was really fond of me ,I couldn't get the whole introduction but some tags like 'IIT Bombay', 'author of a book on...' etc was absorbed by the drooping head.As we waited for him to arrive , a man in formals with a cooling glass on his face entered the class briskly.He positioned himself in front of the training hall.He appeared ridiculous with his cooling glasses in a room which was nearly freezing with a high A/C.But instantly we noticed that he have a folded white stick in his hand.He felt his laptop keys with his hand and an accessibility tool was reading him the screen.
"The trainer is blind!!!", some one exclaimed.We couldn't digest the idea of a man who is visually challenged trains others on corporate grooming which is all about looks and appearance. He introduced himself as Manuj Kumar Tamuli and there started the wonderful days of our training. The blind man gave endless presentations everyday.Manuj uses his laptop and projector with such skills that will excel any normal person.He remember each and every words and diagrams of the slides.Just give him the slide number and he starts his magic.
We had discussions on everything under the sky .I always wonders if he know what it looks like when he talks about colors , art ,TV programs and nature.He can reach his chamber at the end of the corridor or the training rooms that line one side of the corridor or the restroom and cafeteria without any body's help.The academy's website quotes his life as an inspirational thought for the trainees.
He could identify all his acquaintances' voice and he aligns himself to the direction of a conversation so that he appears absolutely normal.His ability to entertain and keep a crowd lively was amazing.One who can't see anything teaches those who can see about body languages and gestures!!!
We always used to think that at the end of the training they will reveal that he could see and he was pretending so to keep a close watch on the trainees, a filmy twist.It didn't happen.His perception of the surrounding was so perfect that we thought he have lost his sight very recently but it was wrong.He was born blind.
Manuj's life is a challenge to the creator who didn't impart the gift of vision in it and is an answer to people who blame their deficiencies.
Salutes Manuj for his attitude towards life.

Whats missing ? , Season II

'Onam is the national festival of Kerala '.The first sentence I used to write in essays on Onam through out my primary school exams.It was a sure as well as welcomed question.The exams 'd get over a few days before
Onam and the mirth starts.Even the word 'Onam' always accompanies a happy smile.Ten days of making Pookkalam* .Starting with a single color of flower on the first day ,two colors on day two and so on till the tenth day.New dresses and sadya* on 'Thiruvonam*' add the glamor.


Through the years my Onam celebrations have been changing its flavours.When I was a kid I strictly observed making Pookkalam ,collecting flowers from here and there.As time changed I gave a reverse inheritance of my rights to make Pookkalam back to Amma and she did it Only on Thiruvonam.From collecting flowers , my happiness diverted to celebrate Onam at a friend's place , extend a helping hand in Kitchen on the day of Thiruvonam and now to work in office on the day of Onam( I can't call it my happiness and even I hate calling it my fate).
As years go on , I feel like I had better celebrations in previous years. During the last Onam season I had an insight that this year , just like any other past year , will be remembered as a good old time in future.So I tried to enjoy the festival consciously. It was literally a free time.A few weeks after I graduated from college and a few weeks before I joined my present job.
This time I 'm waiting to see how my Onam will be registered in tomorrow's album.I am waiting for an Onam which I 'll long to celebrate for the sake of my happiness and not for it to be remembered. Every one says , as you grow up the enthusiasm vanishes.If it is true then I'm waiting for a day when I become a kid again.I know some thing is missing now.

My last Onam is here Whats missing?

Wish you a happy Onam

Pookkalam - patterns made by flowers
Sadya - the feast
Thiruvonam - the 10th day of Onam celebrations

Badshah Bhai

There were two incidents which make me talk about music.The happiest is that my friend Neethu sang for an album named 'Interval' which is expected to release soon.And the other is ,I talked to a college mate who gave up his engineering career and learning music production now.Their passion for music made me travel pretty back down in my memory lane .
My school had a group of students who sing for all the programs . Me and my friends used to frequent their practice sessions.We gave them chance to bask in the glory of their talent with our admiring eyes.The teacher who used to train them in school knew how badly I wanted to sing.Once he gave a chance for me to sing with his group in a training session and every one who was present there could identify my voice running far beyond the others.The teacher asked me to return to the audience side after a few minutes .He did not bothered to gave me ,not even to my friends, another chance...that much was the impact.A friend consoled me," You can't sing without proper training in classical music .Once we get trained for at least six months we can sing better than these people".We knew all those students were trained in karnatic music from their childhood.
That night I told my parents I wish to learn music.My father asked me " Do you feel you sing good?"."Acha , how can I come to a conclusion without getting proper training .First lemme get trained ". There weren't any music teachers around , so I demanded them to take me to a music school which is pretty far away from home.Being a primary school student I was not used to travel alone , so my parents could easily discard that institute.I came to know about a full time music school which have hostel facility.I was ready to give up my regular school classes and I dreamed of a future devoid of mathematics teachers but blissful music .My mom raised her head from the book she was reading " Bhavya, do you know , In my childhood I wanted to learn drawing .But circumstances didn't allowed me to and I don't regret for it now.Very less people make a living out of art". "I 'll be one of that very less people".
The news of a music school opening near to our place didn't escape my notice.Classes are handled by a famous artist retired from All India Radio.I found myself enrolled in the class on the next Mahanavami.My class mates were in the age range of 5 - 40 .Needless to say , except the few of 5 and 6 year old , most of them already had basic training earlier.And 4 of them were doing degree courses in music and came to the class just to get the Guru's blessings.But the teacher insisted of starting from scratch.Forgot to mention, that was a part time class .(I couldn't drive Mathematics teachers away from my life).
Every day the class had wonders in store for me.I understood how 'swaras' are laid in the back bone of a song and how 'tal' framed the songs.The teacher was an expert ,not even in singing but teaching too.I remember how he moved his hands in air to show the ascending and descending swaras.Still I wonder how perfect he puts each swara in the exact position , how his voice dissolves in the shruthi of 'Thamburu'.
As strongly as I admired the music lessons , I hated that much to sing.The only reason behind that was my voice not being obedient to me.My voice never cared for 'shruthi'.Except mine and two other boys ( they were brothers) ,every body else's voice converged as one and flowed in the tune.I tried to hide my voice in others.But the Guru declared " he can count the number of voices that comes out.Don't try to hide your voice ".Even if he didn't look at me ,I knew I was the target.When it came to individual practice even lip synchronization couldn't save me.There were theory classes on the second Sunday of every month.He used to explain how different Raga's came into existence and talked about the history of music.It was in such classes he used to talk about the similarity between different genres of music. I liked such classes only.
Then came the next Mahanavami and every one was supposed to sing for the pooja. I set my mind up and Guru grouped me with two other best singers .(He was sure I'll do lip synchronization only). To make things even worse , he invited the student's parents and some how one of my neighbour came to know about it.That uncle himself assumed the duty of publicising it.In the evening of that program I could find all my well wishers lined up the first raw .I don't know what happened , nobody criticised after the program.
After some days the two brothers I mentioned earlier, those who too were as pathetic as I was, left the class.Then the teacher said ," There are people who are not gifted in music , they might have some other talents.Even if such people try hard to learn music , they won't succeed .They may come inside the rules of music.But music is not some thing about rules .So if you are not gifted its better to leave and go in search of your piece of cake.I was talking about those two boys...".That words of wisdom opened my eyes.I thought of giving up music and I did after a few weeks.
From that day I haven't ever tried humming a tone even in bathroom.I realized my role is to enjoy music as a listener.I don't regret that I can't sing.I don't regret that I joined that music class.That incident gave me valuable insights.
Later in college hostel a senior girl asked me to sing a song as part of the so called 'ragging' ( I guess , it was me who got ragged least in our batch .This girl was the weakest of the seniors who never got a prey).I warned her as humbly as I could " I sing really bad, nobody ever allows me to sing" ,"Ohh...is it so? then I'm giving you a chance" .I started with "har ghadi badal rahi...." she couldn't control her laughter and told me "I didn't expect when you said...".
My cousin used to say , he can run a remix company with the help of me.If I sing , nobody can find out it was a popular song.A friend used to say , I sing like the priest in their church.In short I never open my mouth in singing.
I met Badshah Bhai very recently.I have a feeling of coherence when I listen to his songs.Eey...I'm talking about the new character in 9Xm family , Badshah Bhai.I got a boost up and I may sing one day...he he...just kidding.