A Beautiful Day ..!!

It's been a while since I have been meaning to take time out and just be with myself. Not that I am always busy or surrounded by people, it's just that I never enjoyed those times. Sometimes I would feel lonely and at other times, I would be either bored or scared. But the time I had today was just lovely!

After a long time, I just went out without any company (which I don't do usually) and without any work (which I don't do either). I started at 11:30 AM which was an hour late than the time I had thought of. Again I was churned between taking the bus or autorickshaw - bus would have delayed more since I wanted to visit the temples, which would close in the afternoon. But I ended up taking bus till the Jagannath Temple in Agara. As always, the place was not empty yet their was some sort of calmness and quietness in my mind, which I had been looking for. Without delaying, I set off for Koramangala to visit my favorite Ganesh Temple there. But I couldn't make it, it was already closed and would have opened only in evening. It was sad, I wanted to be there... it's been a while since I visited that, but there was nothing I could have done then. So half heartedly I started to my third spot for the day, the Shirdi Sai Temple in Koramangala. I had no idea of where it was except for the hint I took from VJ! I still thought if giving it a try, I would not be lost in that place at least! Finally I found the place without being lost for even once. After seeing the temple, I wondered how come I could never visit this place earlier! How come one of the best places ever in Koramangala skipped out of my sight! It was a beautiful temple of Sai Baba. The presence of Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva, Vaishno Devi, Parvati Devi and Mahaveer added to the tranquility of the place. It was just amazing, especially the 'arati' part. I could just see one for Mahadev (lucky enough to see it at that time of the day). Then I spend a wonderful half an hour in the arati session for Sai Baba. The devotional chants and the devotees around make the whole place just divine! The memories of shirdi visit kept coming in my mind. The entire time I spent there kind of relaxed my otherwise wandering mind. It brought some stillness which was exactly what I was looking for, considering the situations at home. I was so glad to have spent a wonderful quality time! 

After the main mission of the day being accomplished, I had obviously no plans for the rest of the day. So just to keep up with the same inertia of calmness and a happy mind, I looked out for good food. At such times, the one that comes to rescue is Dalma! Having packed my lunch, I came back to my nest to have a happy lunch over the best sitcom Friends. 

I don't exactly remember when I slept off in the afternoon but all I knew was, I had a deep sleep and I woke up with a call from Ma at around 7:30 PM in the evening. I so much wanted to see them all that I literally had to blackmail Chinki to make her come on skype! I am so glad that she did, it was just wonderful seeing Bapa and Ma after a long time! (I saw Chinki last weekend only :P). And thus ends my wonderful day with this blog post of mine!

All beautiful relationships do not depend on how well we understand someone, but on how well we manage the misunderstandings!

Memorable Weekend Getaway..!!

I may not have updated my blog space since a long time, but here is something I just cannot leave without mentioning. A weekend getaway from the moribund city life of Bangalore, so perfect with wonderful people for company (the people who keep appearing in my blog from time to time and about whom I will explain sometime later).

The initial plan was to go to Shirdi, which I had been thinking of visiting since a long time but never had the chance. Then I found some like minded people equally interested in going there. I might have subsided the plan, had the situation been different. But because of the recent incidents that happened, I thought going there would be a good escape. And who knows, may be I would be blessed by Sai Baba to get some inner strength and face everything! Somehow I kept believing that it's the time for me to go and so I did (rather We did :-)).

We did all our bookings and reservations prior to the decided date. The plan sounded a bit deviated but we were determined to make it. On Friday, we bunked the office and worked only for half a day (purely officially) and then set out for the airport. Our flight was scheduled for that evening for Pune. I never had such an enjoyable flight, all thanks to the company I was traveling with. The photo sessions started off there itself. We reached Pune where our chauffeur was waiting with a nameplate for us. That was quite a welcome in that state !! We immediately started for Shirdi as we planned to see the early morning darshan. As it always happens, the road trip was awesome - good food, good music, good talks, good roadside views and everything! We were dead tired by the time we reached but we still ditched sleep and got ready for the temple (good that we did, else we would have missed the puja).

Inside the temple, after lots of resting, talking and waiting, finally it was our turn to go inside the main hall where the darshan was to be done. Our group was divided as we made our way into the hall (which was a matter of worry for us). The ambiance inside the hall was soothing. The marble white deity of Baba was glowing. The radiant face will make one forget everything. The entire hall was echoed with devotional songs as the arti was performed. The arti was significant in a way since it was the beginning of the day. After around an hour or so, it got over and was the time when the devotees get to go near the deity. In some time, we were out and were done with visiting other smaller temples inside it. I was visiting for the first time so I really did not set any expectations out of that darshan. All I can summarize is, it was wonderful and I will surely come once again, may be with my parents.

After the main programme on our agenda was ticked off, we were a little relaxed. People with me were a little more relaxed than I was, so they just slept off! We got ready for Shani Shignapur, the village famous for having houses with no doors. The village is said to be protected by Lord Shani, the raging and powerful of the planetary gods! The entire trip to the village was tiring due to the uneven roads. The experience became dreadful as we were nearing the village. The place so famous for its security left us frozen when our cab was followed by a group of bikers, who intended to take out money from us in the name of darshan n all. Such horrible experience it was! And scary too! All thanks to our cab driver, who served as a perfect guide to us - we could save ourselves from such people. We just hoped the visit to that place be over as soon as possible.

The moment we were done, it was time for the longest journey of the weekend - Shani Shignapur to Mahabaleswar via Pune. And probably it was the best part of the entire plan too! We just talked, on and on about various things, various topics. We halted at different places for food and refreshment. To add to it, the mountains and hilly roadways - they were a delight in themselves. Every odd seems beautiful when there are good people to share it - people who can make you laugh till you drop, by showing you white fox on the ghats or elephants from nowhere! :D

By the time we reached Mahabaleswar, it was late and dark. The plan of having dinner at Mapro Gardens was already shifted to the next day and after having a simple dinner, we hurried to the bungalow we had booked. The place was calm, cozy and beautiful. After deciding on our schedule for the next day, we soon got ready for a photo session. The place was just apt for photography experiments! Our photographer did an incredible job (yes, the subjects were amazing too :P)! We then retired to our room for some rest. The plan was to talk the whole night but some people just loved the cozy bed and were soon in the dreamworld!! Next day, we were almost 2 hours late as per the plan yet we decided to still go with it. After a brief photo shoot, we checked out of the bungalow and started for the beautiful Sahyadri mountain ranges of Mahabaleswar. There is one thing about mountains - they are always beautiful! They will never ditch the viewers. Mahabaleswar was just heaven for such nature gazers and photographers! We covered almost all the view points and could not get over the beauty of the place. We did our best in capturing the mesmerizing beauty. Even though the photos came out nicely, yet they would never match the beauty that is engraved in our hearts! We met a few people- mostly the snacks and juice sellers and we totally lost ourselves to their simplicity! Some people are just so wonderful - they just create an everlasting impression in our minds! We were almost done with the visit when we decided to go for a boat ride in the famous Venna lake there. The experience was awesome! Our last shot was to be at Mapro Garden for lunch but we could just manage to have juice and ice-cream (yes, they are the tastiest I ever had)!

Without wasting anymore time, we just set out to Pune for our departure was scheduled from there. We hardly talked while coming back. The two days of unlimited fun took a toll on us and we were dead tired. After a proper Maharashtrian lunch, we made our way to the airport and just made in time. Thus ended the saga of our ultimate trip!

Our entire visit was memorable - all thanks to a few people and places that I would like to mention - our cab driver (such a wonderful fellow he was), the snacks selling lady, the service guy at the airport, the air hostess on our return flight, the shop where we looked for banana, the bungalow where we stayed, the boatman at the lake, the Pune city, beautiful Mahabaleswar, serene Shirdi and Shani Shignapur. On top of everything, good company! However odd it would be, we can still enjoy if we have wonderful people to share with. I was lucky in that way -  I had a wonderful group, both visible and invisible :P :D



The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why!

As The Time Moves ..!!

I don't remember when I last wrote something on this blog space. Although I know that I was never that busy to even post a blog, but I also agree that I was not that motivated to post something. Nothing worked which otherwise would have worked when I feel down and demotivated. Looks like, with the fast moving time... I have kind of slowed down! 

A lots have happened by now - from staying alone to stay with Ma and Chinki for almost a month, taking them in and around Bangalore to going home with them, getting a raise at work to moving out of house - my life is almost back to the beginning now. Wonder what keeps me going still! Must be the wonderful time spent in Odisha with family or the small to smaller trips and outings or the fun at work or the silent thoughts in my mind! Whatever it be, at the end it's all good. Thank God!

This blog which I once started just for fun, yet which became a part of me... was lying here so neglected which made me think how blank my life has been al these while. But when I hit the pictures section, it makes me believe that my life has been so fulfilling all these while that I have captured them in pictures, so that I can always feel the essence of it! Even if the time runs fast, I am happy that I could chase some of its moments through my blog! Hope this will make time to halt at least once in my life, when I look back for some strength!

Bollywood Story ..!!

I am not much of a movie buff... however I just watch them as and when I like based on my interest or the movie's casting or at least timing - the important being the star cast. For me, movie means a few good artists whom I always see as the rulers of the cinema in their respective fields - Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Yash Chopra, Madhuri, Shah Rukh and a bit of the two other Khans!

I was introduced to the world of cinema through Aamir Khan starer 'Hum Hain Raahi Pyaar Ke' and I loved every bit of it. Till today, it's one of my all time favorites to watch! However, I could never visualize Aamir the way I see Shah Rukh. I always felt connected to his movies... I have felt love and emotions around whenever I see movies like 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' or 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' or 'Mohabbatein'. I have always found myself laughing or crying while watching these movies... they are truly special! There is no doubt in the fact that SRK is an achiever... the king of Bollywood! But then, He is not the only one!! 

The only actor who can beat him in this category would be none other than the real king of romance, the legend himself, the first ever mega star of the Hindi film industry - one and only Rajesh Khanna! He was the one to woo millions of the hearts with his unique charismatic mannerism. His mere presence in a film would burn the silver screen. While girls were giving out their hearts for his fine looks and romanticism (which he acquired through his heart-touching movies), there were guys who would always imitate (or at least try to) his style - dressing or speaking or dancing or even hair styling! No wonder, he was always referred to as The Rajesh Khanna! His larger than life movies like 'Anand', 'Amar Prem', 'Aradhana', 'Bawarchi' etc make him stand out of the crowd even today! To many (including me), he taught how to love. Love, not only to someone but to life too! His movies would always be full of life... though in many of his movies, he would be dead. As goes the dialogue of his most popular movie Anand, "Babu Moshay, zindegi aur maut toh upar wale ke haath mein hain Jahanpanah, jisse na aap badal sakte hain na main. Hum sab toh rangmanch ki katputliyaan hain, jiski dor upar wale ke haath mein bandhi hai, kab kaun kaise uthega ye koi nahi jaanta". True to his words, he left the world in the most saddened and unexpected way. The news of his sad demise was a blow to me. It felt as if I lost someone very dear to me! It was a feeling I would never like to experience ever in my life. Today he is no more, yet he would continue to live in our hearts through his evergreen, full of love and larger than life movies! As one more dialogue of his movie goes, "Anand mara nahi, Anand marte nahi!"

One more actor who has always amazed me with his typical ways would be Dev Anand! I haven't seen much of his movies yet I truly admire the way he presented himself. He was one of the most influential and handsome actors ever of the Indian cinema. His signature style would include the way he delivered his dialogues and that Dev Anand trademark cap and muffler! He, according to me, was one such star who dedicated his life to movies.. kept experimenting, kept directing and introducing budding talents to the industry! He actually knew how to celebrate life. With him fading out of the film industry, there's been a huge gap which can never be filled again. There was and there is only one Dev Anand ever... who still reigns our hearts with his wonderful movies!

Coming to the leading ladies of Bollywood, I could actually never get out of Madhuri's era. Though I admire quite a number of the top grader actors - Waheeda Rehman, Hema Malini, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla and Kajol. But if ever asked to choose one, it would be Madhuri! Her magical smile still works in creating wonders!

Bollywood is not just about the actors and characters... it's also about the makers and creators! It is usually the creativity of a director that makes the film to stand out of the rest. A movie is only the outcome of what the director always visualizes and my favorite here would be undoubtedly the one and only Yash Chopra! He , in true sense, changed the way of Indian cinema. His movies would stand out in terms of the strong and rebellious story line and casting, soothing music, mesmerizing locations and of course, beautiful depiction of beauty! Let it be the dialogues or the costumes, the emotions or the dramas, the sets or the sequence... they would be out and out Yash Chopra types only! I wonder, how could he make simple concepts, lively! One more thing so typical about his movies would be the way the leading ladies would be portrayed... simple, serene yet classy! I believe, Yash Chopra was the man behind the remaking of some of the leading actors from Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh, from Rakhee to Sridevi to Madhuri. In addition to the huge star cast, he is also credited with some of the best works of the Indian cinema ever - 'Waqt' (the first multi-starer), 'Deewar' (redefining the angry young man, Mr. Bachchan), 'Chandni' (the first love story of its kind), 'Darr' (the leading actor in a negative role), 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' (iconic movie which introduced the new lover boy in Shah Rukh), 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' (typical Yash Raj types dreamy love story) and many more! Only a person with golden heart who can see beauty in everything, portray love in anything can make such beautiful movies... movies so near to our hearts, so full of love! With his sad demise, the void in the film industry is forever yet his magnificent works would still regard him as the game changer and an icon even in the coming generations!

I am sure, God must be busy creating a masterpiece movie with the finest of actors and the wonderful director, up there in his land... leaving us with our losses! For me, movie now just means SRK!

My Dearest "Neets" ..!!

I am not much of a writer. Writers are those amazingly creative people who can captivate their readers through the beauty of their words. I can't do anything of that sort. I write about what I feel, what I believe, what I think and about whom I love and care. Having said that, the chapters in my blog-life would be incomplete if I don't mention this special person... who has such a deep influence in my own life! For everyone, she is one of my cousins but for me, she is more than a sister... the same old Putul Apa!

I never got to see most of my cousins for they were away in different states. We could meet in some family functions only. But Putul Apa is the one with whom I have spent some of the wonderful, cherish-able moments of my life. Once the summer vacation or puja vacation starts, we would be all set to go to Rourkela. It was, and till date it is, one of my favorite holiday destinations ever... not because of the place but because of the people... because of Her. Good old days they were! From our games of ludo to dinner at Madhuban, pav-bhaji hunt in the evening to shopping at Indera, playing with Goldie to teasing Chinki and even the unfulfilled desire to visit the Brahmani Club...everything was so so enjoyable! Days were equally good when She used to come to Puri. Our hunt for junk food and good restaurants would always top the list of our ventures. From Jagannath Temple to sea beach, from Chung Wah to Penguin... we have loads of memories to cherish forever! Rourkela, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri or even our village, whenever we met.. it was special! The very thought of those times is enough to bring a smile on my face.

Her effect is immense in my life. She has always been my role model. In fact, it won't be wrong if I say, I grew up seeing her! She is the one to introduce me to the magical world of readers. Her shelf was so full of books which she kept reading whenever she had the time. I remember the first novel of my life, "Round The World In Eighty Days", which I read when I was in Rourkela during one of those vacations. I was amazed at how beautifully books were written! She brought the joy of reading into my life. It's not only reading, she also  amazed me with her creativity. I have grown up seeing her hand-made models and drawings. Quizzing, debating, drawing, singing, dancing -  Her name would always be in the list! For me, She is exactly what Chinki thinks of me - "all rounder"! The only difference being... She is actually one! For me, She is my inspiration, my friend, mentor, critic, guide and everything! I remember clearly each and every piece of advice she has ever given me and I look forward for her advises and support, always. I can only try to be like Her but it's really not easy to be one, for She is a powerful package altogether!

With time, people do change. But She hasn't. She is the same old Putul Apa for me. I share the same coziness with her even today, which was there in years down the line. Now, we live in different cities and have different lives. But these spatial and temporal constraints could not let us down. We are so frequently in touch that it never felt that we are away - all thanks to the love we have for each other and of course, technology. Hope this love stays always and we be the same forever! Love you lots, Putul Apa :)

P.S. When we were kids, you never used to like your name - Putul. What about now? :P I had this thought and I thought of not mentioning it, but I won't have justified my post without Me mentioning Putul Apa :D

Dreams have only one owner at a time.That's why dreamers are lonely!