Monday, September 24, 2012

Wholly Elephant God

Wednesday last, for some of us, began, long before day break, with a short interruption, in an otherwise commendable scheme of power supply - This was as if by indication of what was to come later in the day!

Contrary to a lot many others, I was working that day despite the city welcoming the 'Holy Elephant God' in whose reverence this metropolis comes to a grinding halt, once, or perhaps twice, every year! And so, you'd  forgive me very much for lovingly, and deferentially, calling him the 'Wholly Elephant God!'

Stepping out at the usual stroke of the hour in the morning, I noticed a conspicuous absence of the otherwise long-flowing river of people. The usually overflowing bus, to the nearest suburban railway station, ambled in slow and 'attractively' unoccupied. At the railway station, some ten minutes later, a desolate sight greeted me and as a 12-car-snaking-string-of-a-train pulled up, I derisively chuckled, to myself, at how empty it was!

Riding the 65 minute, 20 mile journey, in perfectly blissful dreamlike solitude, I was differently edgy and strangely excited at how much space that morning presented, as opposed to the otherwise needle-stack-span everyday offering, which is earned after no less than battle-like bluster! It was a feeling of being blessed with countless luxuries than what could possibly be imagined, let alone enjoyed.

Jokes apart, the absence of flutter, mayhem and the coupled din caused me to wonder if I had landed up a place anew - only to realize that even the beloved 'Manhattan of India' is entitled to some rare slumber - this time, thanks to the 'Wholly Elephant God.'

Monday, September 17, 2012

Kurunjis in Bloom

Despite the present geographical disparity of some 730 miles, I go many lengths to stay connected to Ooty and be updated of what happens there, from time to time.

You can therefore imagine my elation when, on Thursday last, The Times of India carried a feature on the Kurunji bloom in Ooty, which is ongoing. Binomally known Strobilanthes kunthiana, the Neelakurinji are how the blue mountains, back home, got their famed name - The Nilgiris. These purplish blue flowers blossom only once in 12 years and served as a means for calculating age among the tribal folk!

Understandably, my mind is wandering about those pristine mountains now, envisioning the wonder, longing to be part of that heaven, forever and ever

On another note, my comment management system gave me a slip last post onwards. I have written to the support team of Intensedebate and am hoping that they right the wrong soon. Some of your comments have disappeared, in the past, and will, in all probability go down under this time too! Nevertheless, do please leave me your wonderful thoughts, as always. Nothing gives me more pleasure than hearing from all of you. 

Monday, September 10, 2012

An Oasis in the Maze

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you, so says the Holy Bible.

Here, in India's Manhattan, my wife and I have completed three joyful months and have now begun a new phase in what seems to be the closest I can get to calling it the lap of nature.

In the midst of high-rises and cobble stone pathways, studded with tall green trees and lush vegetation, our little abode opens out to a marvelous expanse of nature - Dawn brings with it a flock of pigeons, parrots and a number of other feathered friends welcoming the serene morning tranquility with a unison chorus of joy and cheer.

You can't possibly imagine my delight and contentment at the feeling of having discovered an oasis in this monolithically maniacal maze of human creation.

Monday, September 03, 2012

Leave a Light on

This morning, to bring back a sense of nostalgia, I'm featuring the yesteryear superhit pop track Leave a Light on by Belinda Carlisle from her 1989 album Runaway Horses.

It was released as the album's first single in the end of 1989 as a CD single, 7" single and a 12" single. The song reached within the top ten position in Australia, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Netherlands and the UK making it one of her biggest hits to date. In the U.S. it peaked at number 11.

"Leave a Light On'" features former Beatle George Harrison on the slide guitar.

All you folks, have a wonderful week ahead and 'leave a light on' for your loved ones! :-)



Footnotes:

Inputs from Wikipedia.