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.

Conversation with the rocks...

10th Dec 2011

Hampi, Karnataka, on the rocks.

What’s Happiness?

For me a delicate, temporary phase where extreme positivity surrounds you.

Why is it temporary?

It is temporary because incidents and events effect our convenience. Acceptance and surrender would make us positive again.

Acceptance or surrender; is it a compromise or escapism?

No, only after we accept and expand the zone of convenience we would be able to respond efficiently and positively to the situation.

So eventually, the zone becomes huge.

Yes, and we come to be higher degree or level of human beings.

Analogy 1: Falling off from the raft at rapids.

Response: Stay calm and breathe, you wouldn’t drown, if you remember, you are wearing a life jacket.

Analogy 2: In cricket, you hit a sixer only when you hit the ball out of the boundary line. Yeah... :-)

Is that why we like to travel?

Yes, as that’s the fastest form of expanding the comfort zone. Real learning and education takes place in travelling.

I have a fascination for rocks and the part of Himalayas that I come from aren’t rocky enough. I have fond memories of the sensuous Dhauladhar range and myself basking like a turtle for hours every other day at JNU. I had my first conversations with the rocks at JNU's Parthasarthy Rocks. Hampi has been a boon to me, for after years I have a place in Southern India where I feel connected to myself.