Passion Re'kindle'd

I have been doing it since ages, grab a book, plump up a pillow and lie devouring it (the book, not the pillow). Lost in another world I was, of magic, thrill, suspense, romance.

Could this feeling be re'kindle'd? I wonder...

But then they also said, mobiles will never catch up, cloning was not possible, and computers would have to be too bulky and too expensive.

Sometimes it is difficult to understand them

Two duds in a day. I can officially declare Sunday, the day of bad choices.

The first was the movie, “The Island”. The film is well made no doubt, but only technically. At the end of 90 minutes, I knew all about Japanese farming but nothing about what the film was trying to convey. So, these people lead a hard life. But why do they? Why don’t they seek a job in the mainland? And poor people in India lead harder lives, even today, long after the black and white era. We see that on news all the time, so much so, we have become immune to it. A poor man’s life is surreal, on the periphery of our everyday existence.

It’s like RZ said after hearing of the bomb blasts in UP, “Wow! A blast after a long time!”. Not the same thing, but you get the point. Too much of a bad thing, can actually make it tolerable after a while.

Before the play started

The next was Antigone. Now I loved the whole three part play of Sophocles when I’d read it. But I did not think Antigone merited a play unto itself. Other than the acting prowess of the stalwart cast, for whom theatre now is almost second nature, the play was staid, almost boring. I enjoyed the informal interaction before the play began more – the games they played in circles (some kind of team building act I think), the recital of the Ancient Mariner, and chit chat with the lights-men.

But can I, mere mortal, judge greats?

Note to myself – There is no need to run through life trying to achieve something. Achievement is a parameter set by the external world. I have to be at peace with myself.

Peace is the only way

Another pilgrimage – albeit a short one. We sped in our car to Dakshineswar and Belur Math. The day was cool and pleasant. I had never been here and was mighty excited.

Dakshineswar is situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in North Kolkata. The presiding deity of the temple is Kali. There are also twelve mini temples dedicated to Shiva. The temple is huge, the courtyard clean and spacious – everything well kept. The temple’s pastel yellow and red, when viewed over the Ganges, is breathtaking.

The moms rued that they did not get along a bottle to take back the water from the Ganges. But one look at the bathing ghat and you know what a distasteful task that might turn out to be. Burly men soaping themselves, spitting and rinsing – this rather not find way to the God’s altar!

A visit to the Adyapeath Kali temple was next – I enjoyed this Darshan the most. One is not allowed to enter the main temple; Darshan is to be done from an elevated compound facing the temple. When we reached at 10:30, the place was already crowded; women seated at the front and men at the back. The gates opened, and we immediately surged forward for a glimpse. It felt like spotting a superstar or royalty – someone we hear of all the time and think can never see. The whole experience was inexplicably moving.

Now over the Vivekananda bridge. To Belur Math – the main monastery of the Ramakrishna order. Men in precise saffron robes. Lots of trees. Clear grounds. Buzzing visitors. Another spectacular view of the Ganges. We spent few hours at their book store and meditation hall.

There is war in Nandigram. What about? I don’t seem to remember the original issue. Was it not the issue of setting up an SEZ? Has not that been resolved? And anyway, how will two days of halting trains and burning buses help?

Is there something like divine intervention? Of all the folders of photos on my phone, the best were of Dakshineshwar - the one next to the Ganga(which looked more spectacular than the Thames, I swear!), the beautifully resplendent temples, the blood red hibiscus and crisp pedas. How could that (and only that) folder not open?

Never mind. We will go again.

Of Family, Flowers and Festivals

The weather is perfect. The crackers sound almost musical.

There is no better place than home, with family, during a fesival. We sat till late yesterday in the Kali Puja pandal, amidst padar adda, dhak and heady intonation.

Some other things I have been busy with...

My Lotus pond

Some yellow

I am going home for Diwali. Looking forward to loads of sweets, catching up and activity. Diyas, laddoos and marigold. Life is going to be yellow....

Happy Diwali!