#Lockdown Special : A dialogue with myself

What’s my Kick?

Life is among those very few words which has the most number of synonyms. Among the thousands of them my favourite are - exuberance, energy, exhilaration, vibrancy, sparkle, passion, vivacity, spirit, buoyancy, dynamism, elan and the more GenZ loved Oomph.

Life is a beautiful gift where, Time is more expensive than currency. As the clock ticks, this grace of being alive is reciprocated through celebration. My kick is ‘celebration’.

Earning an opportunity to celebrate is a circle drawn full. From taking up a quest, to achieving the result, to Celebrate is the declaration of a job well done. This drive for ‘Celebration’, thus becomes a series of life experiences woven together. The bigger the celebration, the larger becomes the circle representing the magnanimity of the challenge.

I had realised that experiences matter more than the money in the wallet. And it is the result of this great feat, that at an early age, I was already contributing to the credit card economy. Nonetheless, hard work pays off and I could balance my way through the credit card trap. But as they say, ‘The celebrations must go on!’, they very well did.

Maybe, this came up to be my ideology because of being in an immediately gratifying, goal oriented profession. For a large part of a career and especially the early years, I dealt with perishable projects with result deadlines of not more than 24 hours. In Public Relations and Marketing, each day is a new game. Having lived through that high paced heartbeat and an adrenaline moment 4 times in a week, you got to celebrate. It’s a catharsis. A pat in the back. I had written about this seven years ago in this blog. 

This kick to celebrate made me ambitious for larger goals. The celebrations got bigger, less frequent but certainly, the gratification was long lasting and more peaceful. Perhaps this was coupled with growing wisdom and maturity. Perhaps not, as I came across many who lack these basic virtues despite the age.

The style of celebrating may differ and one should take pride in what pleases them. For me they were more simplistic pleasures of convenience and impulse than meticulous tiring planning. It ranged from a Broadway adaptation of Bill Nighy play to a quick visit to the serene rocks at the University, cooking with friends at home, another trip to the museum and day spent at the Literary fest followed by a Tom Alter play. 

 

               

Sometimes I spiked up the celebration by entering the green room (officially) to have the shortest yet gratifying conversation with Mr. Gulzar, Lucky Ali, Sonu Nigam... When gifted with the luxury of time, the celebration could go up as an evening gig at the Hard Rock Cafe, an Anoushka Shankar concert at the Art center, a Satyajit Ray trilogy workshop at the India International Center, a single handbag trip to Metallica Concert, a full moon starry night at Hampi and writing about it in the magazines.

Now, I wish to celebrate something that I create. I have been attempting it for a while, a novel business product, a startup, a social deliberation and action platform or simply selling experiences in life to help many other people celebrate.

That is my kick, next level!

***

Rise of India's Tier 2 and 3

If I were in the Tier 2 or 3,

It'll still be the Metro to me.

Maybe I'd struggle a bit,

the internet connection may not be fit.

Maybe I'd not have a credit card,

Paying digitally got somewhat hard.

I'd find a gap in fashion I see online, 

My city is a little held back in time.

There may not be a Gap or Gucci,

Yet I'll be no less a Shahrukh or Jacky.

I may not work with Amazon, Google or IKEA,

I'll still earn in lakhs with a single innovative idea.

My marketing may not be driven by a Brand,

Volumes will rule if my Products reach right hands.

As the next big market, there's big cash inflow,

A mine for brands I'll adorn a golden sheen.

In other words, I'll be gifted, you know..,  

My air will be green and so much more clean.

Tu kisi rail si guzarti hai...

I discovered a gem and a legend of the Hindi literature through this beautiful song of a beautiful movie - The first Hindi Ghazal writer of India - Dushyant Kumar.

"Tu kisi rail si guzarti hai, main kisi pul sa thartharata hun"

The lines from his poem stubbornly stuck to my cerebral hemispheres, acing both in the context of melody and the gravity resonating from its every innocent verse.

Today on seeing Masaan, I could only acknowledge, commend and heedlessly comment, "Ee picture kaun banaya hai bay!' 

(I am not allowed the use of the word 'bay' at home and elsewhere. In my defense, for me 'bay' is a mere form of expression that I have culturally imbibed and so fondly like to use)

Dushyant Kumar is the distinct poet who brought in the culture of simplistic wordage and idiosyncrasy in Hindi poetry. It was a bold step in the age where Hindi literature had just distanced itself from Urdu and become the voice of the Nation / awaam ki awaaz.

Dushyant Kumar, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Harivansh Rai Bachhan, Sumitra Nandan Pant were the flag bearers of Hindi poetry which was Nationalistic and inspiring youth to independence. 

Here's my favourite Inqulaabi poem from him - 

हो गई है पीर पर्वत-सी पिघलनी चाहिए,

इस हिमालय से कोई गंगा निकलनी चाहिए।

आज यह दीवार, परदों की तरह हिलने लगी,

शर्त लेकिन थी कि ये बुनियाद हिलनी चाहिए।

हर सड़क पर, हर गली में, हर नगर, हर गाँव में,

हाथ लहराते हुए हर लाश चलनी चाहिए।

सिर्फ हंगामा खड़ा करना मेरा मकसद नहीं,

सारी कोशिश है कि ये सूरत बदलनी चाहिए।

मेरे सीने में नहीं तो तेरे सीने में सही,

हो कहीं भी आग, लेकिन आग जलनी चाहिए।

(Most of us wouldn't know it's by him while we have used these lines in Hindi essays, debates and one-act plays, I didn't.)

Kumar died at the young age of 42 in 1975. I am sure he'd have a lot to write that year, were he healthy.  Here's the poem which inspired Varun Grover to write lyrics of Masaan's song - 

मैं जिसे ओढ़ता-बिछाता हूँ

मैं जिसे ओढ़ता-बिछाता हूँ, वो ग़ज़ल आपको सुनाता हूँ

एक जंगल है तेरी आँखों में, मैं जहाँ राह भूल जाता हूँ

तू किसी रेल-सी गुज़रती है, मैं किसी पुल-सा थरथराता हूँ

हर तरफ़ ऐतराज़ होता है, मैं अगर रौशनी में आता हूँ

एक बाज़ू उखड़ गया जबसे, और ज़्यादा वज़न उठाता हूँ

मैं तुझे भूलने की कोशिश में, आज कितने क़रीब पाता हूँ

कौन ये फ़ासला निभाएगा, मैं फ़रिश्ता हूँ सच बताता हूँ

A logical and innocent marvel is Phillauri

A poet’s masterpiece is Phillauri

*I have purposely not mentioned anything from the climax

The last time I was possessed by the afterglow of a movie was when I had watched Anurag Kashyap’s DevD.  It’s perhaps the splendor of colours which casts the first spell in the enigmatic journey.

I knew I would take back something from the movie, when I heard the song Sahiban for the first time. The magician who created such melody must possess the grace of God / Cosmos. What I take back is a bagful of grace, charm and love for the creative and the simpleton. I fear that the bag is so heavy and delicate at the same time.

The story of Phillaur that is weaved with heart touching songs and equally strong lyrics. The choicest of actors bring back innocence to what we celebrate as the larger than life Bollywood.

Yes it is logical that two talented souls of a generation in the village of Phillaur find each other. Because that is Darwin’s natural selection or the cosmos conspiring together in Coelho’s terms.

It is not seen very often that the male protagonist is given a chance to prove himself and rise up yet the dialogues and the sanctity of the actors make it so rational and wise. This also subtly shows the enlightened and powerful women of the foregone era. It is not just now that they are empowered but always had the metal to bring transformation.

It is logical that there is a ghost because there is a need of such a strong story to be told to an audience unaware of the pain and experience of the tragedy it takes us through. It is sheer grace that the director Anshai Lal preserves the same humor and spirit throughout the film. Imagine calling the ghost 'idiot' in the peak and rush of the climax. Though with utmost affection, it's always risky!

It is a brave film which reflects the conviction in the script. Anushka produced and acted in a movie about the supernatural, jumping through time periods and whose music spans the ancient Sufi and the nascent beat-boxing. Diljeet is a man of God and I am biased in my affection and decree about his valour. It is so logical that he would experiment with his image in his second Hindi movie because he believes in the meritorious power of the script. Phillauri also reveals the picture of the women of pre-independent India who withdrew from honing their talent. We subtly realise that among these women were our own grand mothers.

I am still glowing in the rapture. And among the visions that are still beneath my eyelids are the haunting eyes of the heroine’s brother, the blissful smiling Diljeet immersed in Dum Dum and his ektara, the divinity of Anushka in red, the silhouette of the poet and the singer by the big moon among many more.      

Would this intricate and innocent rhapsody sustain in the noise of Bollywood? It should and it mighty well will, among all connoisseurs of creativity and brilliance. 

Our right to clean air and our responsibility to NCR’s biggest ailment

It’s almost a poetic end.

A fitting finale to the excesses of a city which have come back to wrap it entirely in a thick veil of smog, with no sun, or hope, in sight.   

We have played with nature so much that we have created a whole new season! A season marred with erratic weather conditions, with temperatures fluctuating wildly from 31 to 16 degree Celsius! Add to that a relentless cover of smog all over the city made up of dust and poisonous gasses, and voila, you nearly have the setting for a post-apocalyptic dystopian sci-fi story. Unfortunately for us, it is not fiction but the hard reality.

On 1^st of November, a day after Diwali, an entire city woke up to arrival of an unwelcome guest in Particulate Matter 2.5 or PM 2.5, considered the most dangerous particle, at more than 20 times the permissible limit in Delhi’s air. Suddenly, the city was clutching at its last breaths.

As per a survey in June this year, 47% residents in Delhi-NCR have symptoms of various respiratory diseases. Numerous committees, advisory boards and action plans later, the effects have been few and far between. A comprehensive plan, formulated in consultation with various medical and environmental organizations, is still missing. Knee-jerk reactions such as declaring school holidays will not have any effect unless core lifestyle habits are targeted for change.

While Diwali firecrackers have been a significant cause for rising pollution this year, there are other factors involved which are of a recurring nature. These include the transportation of trucks and commercial vehicles through Delhi, along with industrial waste.  These vehicles are invariably of an old model, and often do not meet the pollution or energy standards as defined.

As if it were another great sale day, media reported the deficit of anti-pollution masks and how people thronged the markets to buy them. While our officials visit the global cities for learning infrastructural lessons in education, governance; why haven’t we yet considered the danger of smog and pollution from the world’s most important business center Beijing.

Beijing's air is heavily polluted owing to its windless and warm weather and has been receiving smog waves which are tackled efficiently. As part of Beijing municipal’s severe air pollution emergency plan, which took effect in March 2015, the government implements a range of measures to cope with the alert. Electric vehicles, movement based on odd or even vehicle numbers, longer and more frequent operating hours of public transport is the foremost. The plan comprises daily cleaning of roads and banning of fireworks, garbage burning and as detailed as to open outdoor barbecues.

We do not have government lead steps rolled out to bring reduction of emissions from coal and non-renewable energy burning industries and vehicles so as to boost cleaner and more efficient use of renewable energy forms, electricity and natural gas in place of coal, support for wind, solar and bio power sectors. Vacuum cleaning of Delhi’s arterial roads was to start in April this year and four machines were engaged for a few days but the project couldn’t take off.

The Delhi government has rolled out some policies which include regular sprinkling of water on Delhi roads and establishing air-purifier. But the effectiveness of these claims are unl is going to be effective and bring about results. At this moment however, with things looking grim, there is an increased role of us as citizens to play. It’s time that all of us come together and take the task of getting ourselves aware and educated and spreading the knowledge to others. The RWAs should come together to deploy car pools, efficiently manage waste, reduction in crop-field burning, implementation of control measures to deal with air pollution and a blanket ban on Dussehra and Diwali firecrackers. Furthermore, care and attention to patients such as children and senior citizens with respiratory ailments needs to be given top priority.

A major portion of our current population is suffering from pulmonary issues with constant cough and breathlessness, irritation in the eyes, lack of energy etc. While I write this, I can still hear firecrackers burning. Is this the level of education, civic responsibility and surroundings that we will be leaving behind as a legacy to our children? With empty parks, rapidly filling hospitals and a constant air of despair, the city’s countdown has almost begun. We can either remain silent spectators to it, or be accountable for the health and safety of our seniors and young ones, and prevent the pollution quicksand from engulfing us.

As she blew the candles on the cake..

Showers of blessings to Dear Jesna,
23 years! and chirpy Dear Jesna!

Today the Virgo lass shall smile,
I gather she has a different style.

I wish for you a laughter devine,
Like subtle happiness from the wine.

I wish for you for a future bright,
That steps you take fall mostly right.

You rise above the small and shallow,
And achieve a rich and radiant halo.

I wish for you a splendid Sunrise,
A victorious Sunset after a day gone wise.

May your smile never go vary,
May you celebrate each day like a fairy.

A Happy Birthday to the Lass clement,
May Today and Alls be the greatest present.


PS: This poem is a birthday wish to a dear friend born in the month of September back in 2014.
A brilliant human being, she'll always be a dear.

While on the job

Here’s a conversation from work today and I get to be the bright one. :) 

XXX: You know Udit, I spent hours preparing for a review meeting with the Boss and he cracks the whole thing up in 15 minutes… one feels a little Err... depreciated. 

I: Oh come on XXX Sirji… The Boss is reviewing the job that you are doing. He doesn’t have to know 'your' job. He just has to know, if you know your job in all detail and are doing it well. Knowing this much, the Boss's job is done. 

There was applause in the cosmos or so it seemed… somewhere… far far away.

Fasting (is) Feasting!!

So we have ISIS, followed by Taliban, notorious Kim Jong Un, the perennial Kashmir, vexing Arvind Kejriwal and the recent JNU boloney and many others... Namely the big problems of the World! 

Here’s a circular scaled map of the entire known Universe in a single field of view using logarithmic maps and satellite images collected by NASA and ESA missions. Now, I am particularly fascinated by it!

Among various astronomical things it makes me realize, “How tiny am I and my troubles.” In the above map my existence and presence is NIL. Oops...

But look at my Magnanimity! By sheer ignoring food, I have the power to turn around scenarios! Well sadly, that’s no Creating a Difference or Changing the World moment.

Hindus dedicate 9 days to the Mother Goddess which is what is known as the Navratris. In my definition, the Dedication is about Indulgence. Astronomically also, this is a good setting, like there’s magic in the Air! (Like the Universe will be positive and take care of itself and we mortals needn’t worry much - or pretend to). On second thoughts, maybe not everyone feels it.

Of the ones who ‘get it’ :) ; some observe fasts, yes because they wish to enjoy this effect on themselves; some observe other rituals like chanting and kirtan. And yes that brings me to saying that after 5 years of experimenting with myself, I’d say that the concept of Vrat is not about conquering food and condiments. It is mere celebration of the cosmos and its conspiracies.

Dedicating ourselves to the goddesses, by meditation and mantras during these days helps us connect to the cosmos better. In the longer run of life food just becomes the least in priority temptations for us, music, mind and madness take an importance. The phenomenon of 'God is in the Details' and the 'Brilliance of the Cosmos' is adored and admired most often. With a higher awareness of body and sustenance, food is acknowledged only as a fuel for energy. The simpler the better and this is what made me a vegetarian with a sandwich fixation.

I may as I grow, understand life more clearly as I have learnt or opened up a few layers over the years while accepting fasts. A more profound and vivid conversation takes place in between the mind and the body these days and both are happy in each other’s company. Fasters would have been best left alone, yet, there runs a parallel, inevitable life. They always strive to get back to the conversation leapfrogging the obstructions or disturbances. It’s the same feeling when two blissfully playing toddlers are separated or when two pets take extreme fancy to each other.

Food here becomes a mere Fuel and the smallest of problems. One eats what is available the easiest and doesn’t let the conversation be bothered (basically avoiding the burps and farts during the talk).

I pray if everyone could fast to get a sense of their body and mind, and be humbled by the real magnanimous Cosmos, yet I won’t motivate others to. Or maybe after nine days; meanwhile, I am too happy enjoying my state and the cosmic conversations :)

Happy Navratris!

Zest for Life!

Psyche

I see happiness behind your eyes,
A surrendering innocence in your smiles,
Excitement about the road you'll take,
Transcending pride in your enchanting style.

Among the favourite of His proud treasures,
You surpass beauty in every measures.
I feel deep immense poetry everywhere about you,
Wallah.. I am stunned to see what you hold inside you.

Steady feet, pillared legs,
Brilliant bright, beyond pure white,
Carved curves, tender nerves,
Your feet a star, on a festive night.

Carved Creamy Calling Calves,
Strong minarets of a masterpiece,
In obeisance I bow down to them,
Nervously touch the softest tease

Transfixed to the power that lies ahead,
The source of the mother, the energy red,
Where lies the genesis of life,
I surrender unto your love so rife.

An untraveled roadway to purity,
Through untouched snowy mighty paths,
A temple within a 'Jasmine forest' dark,
I worship thee with tremendous spark.

Blessed Blissed Bathed in tranquil,
Climbing the valleys, troughs and streams,
Flawless landscape, the expansive Hills,
A slate behind that fulfils all artistic dreams

I breathe harder clutching the supple, softest slopes,
Nearing destiny, the delectable door to all my hopes,
There lie the koel's neck, about which dark the Ganges run,
Where I get lost repeatedly and salvated emerge again.

Your prowess your elegance your elan,
Your grandeur your substance your command,
Shall set the world's trifling limitations freeing,
For Your Zest to Life is unmatched to humble beings.
                                           *

Psyche in the Bath is a painting by John William Godward, an English painter from the Neo-Clasicist Era. Displayed at the Western Block of the Salar Jung museum, Hyderabad, India it is one of my favorite part of the Museum and a painting that stops time for me.

The other works of JW Godward are as compelling. www.johnwilliamgodward.org. My poem above is a tribute to the most beautiful woman and Godward's vision of Psyche.
An Irony : JW Godward committed suicide at the age of 61.

Lutyen's Sunday!

These pictures are from my pilgrimages to the Mecca of cyclists. 

Pedallers coming from far and near pay a Quixotic obeisance to the monument with a hand on their heart and head held high. The Rajpath connecting to the South and North Blocks become the perfect complexes adorning the Tall Sanctum Santorum. 

Calm, Pride, Honour, Favored, Gratitude, Bedazzled are some of the feelings buzzing in the tunnel connecting the heart and the mind while trudging through the long road on the two wheels.

 Baby Eagle flies high, fends for prey, the early hours of day

Foreboding Foliage 

The Raj'path' to Freedom 

"O kaka.. Haule Haule", the Sardarji roared

Roxanne

Us at the 'Ministry of Magic' 

The spirit of India Gate never sleeps, passionate pilgrims like us thrive in its enigma and ecstasy.

Hyderabad to Harinagar; Himalayas Beckon

Golconda bids a farewell, Coco's Tara wishes me well and The Himalayas await

I fought against the urge to fit Hampi in the Headline. It does bring relief to those who know me well I am sure. (I reckon, apparently almost everyone knows me well.) Hampi had become another Home in Southern India in the four Humble yet Highly Haywire years in Hyderabad. The mysterious land has a major value contribution to my life's learning and is a cherished immeasurable asset which I carried to the North.   

The mighty Hampi (Vithalla Temple campus)

Hunooz Dilli Door Ast (Abhi Dilli Door Hai / Delhi is yet far away) was my state whenever it was the decision making time. While I knew Delhi is going to be as enterprising and enriching, I always shirked to leave Hyderabad. Of course it is the warmth of the city which never wanted me to withdraw the comforts and the contentment. Besides that, it was the humanity in the city which held me. Friendships sprung up to become Families pampering you and not just taking care. The others you met through the day ensured you to maintain a decent emotional quotient emanating through their honest talk (includes small, medium and large) and enchanting smiles. I wouldn't be a racist to say that the Telugus have the most candid and frank smiles, sincere as well. 

Ab Dilli Door Nahi (Delhi is Not Far Anymore) happened so immediately. I had to chose over nostalgia and the existing. There was so much of the present that I had to handle and do justice to. The destined gullible friends and family who's character and nature I share could never have enough of the time I could squeeze out. I owe them a bond forever.

My cycle has taught me to keep pedaling lest I'll fall, lose balance so to say. So is our duty in this world. To keep moving. In my case probably not like the gypsies. Unlike them solitary souls, I'll be held by those who have been generous and touched my life. For I have deep regard and gratitude for every one who has helped me learn or unlearn or teach me or just be there for me, or simply heard me mercilessly sing. 

Now nestled in Delhi's Harinagar, with all enthusiasm and the Wisdom of the South, I ready myself to another set of journeys. To newer meadows and pastures. Among these it excites me the most to scale the Himalayas where I hail from. Who knows where lies a Serendipity! (Chuckles)

PS : I have found myself responding in Telugu, "oka nimisham maa", or Hyderabadi, "Hou ji.. Aatun". I missed my daily quota of Telugu from various sources and saw a reality show on Zee Telugu and Maa TV. Of course I do listen to songs from the recent Rowdy Fellow and my favourite Happy Days. I with fanatic excitement watched Bahubali's first trailer. Super Mama!! And I have made an effort to open my mind and heart to Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift. 

Here's a song I dedicate to everyone at Hyderabad.