Desert Trails

Riot of colours

2012-01-26T14:08:00.000+03:00

(Wordless Thursday!)

Am I Versatile??

2012-01-19T12:40:00.000+03:00

Well, prepare yourself for a boring, insipid, narcissistic post ahead! Having said that I have to announce that I have been 'awarded' 'The Versatile Blogger' (for reasons best known to her) by Nancy of Reflections, and have been asked to do the Tag.

The rules of this tag:

 Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your Blog Post
 Thank the Blogger who nominated you
 Share 7 Random things about yourself
 Nominate 15 fellow Bloggers
 Inform the Bloggers of their nomination

So here goes, Thank you Nancy, for having conferred on me the title and the tag!

7 Random things about myself :

~ I like to add the finishing touches to any project done, and actually love the sprucing up part more than the actual project!

~ Love pastel colours, anytime, anywhere, anyday.

~ Totally at home with kids, more than grownups!!

~ Flounder a great deal when it comes to expression of speech, as compared to the written form.

~ Irked by people who do not follow the tag, 'Let live'.

~ Hand work as always been a weakness, which goes into hibernation but manages to surface with renewed passion, thankfully.

~Love Baking, and wish( if only) cooking = baking!

Now for the nominating part, it is next to impossible to hunt for 15 bloggers who drop in here! So will restrict to two, Dee, who with her open conversations, laced with amusement and witty observations keeps the readers entertained; and KP, with his versatile plots, storylines and characters, is a spinner of interesting tales.

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More randomness -

In memory of our dear cat who choose to walk away one fine day!! :)

This and that

2012-01-12T12:15:00.000+03:00

Finished the abridged version of Mahabharata, by C.Rajagopalachari, and felt that, a small part of me would be at rest, as I have always felt we gorge on stuff from across the seas more, than what is at home! Or atleast it is definitely true in my case, so don't mean to generalize. Also realised, as they say in our journeys, the destinations need not be new, the vision has to be, every time. So it goes for reading too I guess. A book may reach out, with different perspectives, over the years, as we grow, assimilate, and as our thought processes change, and invariably so does the impact the book has, on the reader. The comprehension of what is offered is in a fluid state, and such books rightly called reference guides, offer insights into the nuances of life, whatever stage one might be in.

In this epic, there are equal doses of noble and evil individuals, fair and unfair practices, impulsive and premeditated decisions, wars won and wars lost, the whys and why nots, and all loose ends tied up in the final chapters. Interestingly came across this video clipping and it was amazing the way the presenter actually gets to analyse the epic, dissect it ruthlessly, twist and twirl it, to come up with some brilliant analogies. (Actually enjoyed it!)

Have started 'Ponniyin Selvan' yet another book which used to make me cringe, whenever the topic came up, for I had no inkling as to what it was all about. It is one of the most popular Tamil Classics by Amarar Kalki, a historical novel, which captured the hearts of many in the 70's. Well, was enamoured by it, even in the first few pages. Its incredible, the descriptions, the plot, the detailing, the emotions and the unraveling of the mystery laden story.

I have never been a huge fan of historical novels, and so this makes it all the more intriguing, that I should have been taken up by it, so swiftly. Well, for now, am glad I have a good book in hand, for the coming days or months, as it is a huge five volume tale, with fine print running across weathered, dog-eared, musty pages.

This TED video was a bit alarming, especially those blue bubbles, and totally off beat from the above topic. (Maybe I'm watching way too many videos for my own good!)

Down memory lane...

2012-01-05T12:07:00.001+03:00

Wishing all a Splendid New Year Ahead!!

Mine started fabulously with music, that revoked fond memories, as we were led down memory lane, by the inimitable SPBalasubramanian himself. It was an unique and an almost inexplicable experience, and was truly glad that I was able to be a part of it.

It was a New Year bonanza for the audience, as he mesmerised them with the still magical, golden soulful voice of his. It was just as he sang...Andhi mazhlai pozhigirathu (Its raining, the evening showers), as the crowd was drenched in Golden Oldies as Engeyum Yepothum, Kaathalin Deepam onru, Mannil intha kaadhal inri, Ilaya nila...and many more lovely songs, even as we seemed to almost relive the songs and the scenes that have been entrenched for years, and held dear, in our personal 'hard disk'.

SPB as he is fondly known as, was his casual self, and there was never a dull moment, the entertainer he is, enamoured the crowd with his impromptu jibes and his near caustic witty observations. It was a treat to watch him perform on stage.

The orchestra (Saadhaga Paravaigal) was amazing too, especially the Flutist and the Drummer, and the Key Board player too. They did a flawless job, and served as a fitting accompaniment to the masetro. The new comer Sathya Prakash was a refreshing surprise, an youngster meting out classical songs as 'Oru Naal Pothuma' and 'Paatum Naane' with ease, much to the delight of the crowd. All in all it was a lovely night, and would not have asked for a better start this year!

As the reviews for 'Mouna Guru' kept trickling in, thought will give it a shot, and did. It is a movie which has make the audience sit up and take notice of films, once again, films which do not rely on heavy cast or expensive locations, but focus, as in actually focus, on story, acting and coherence. Period. And it works. There were many loopholes, but all said, comes across as a very brave and valiant attempt. Personally the movie was a bit disturbing,- the bordering-on-excessive use of violence and the potrayal of the fiendish, diabolic streak in men, was disheartening, even if it be the truth.

But then you can always have your dose of Pirates of Carribean, or episodes of Planet Earth to fall back on!!

To name a few...

2011-12-28T13:28:00.000+03:00

Movies. What it conjures up is a magicalworld of make believe, where we get to see our thoughts and dreams come alivethrough characters whom we identify ourselves with, stories which run parallelto ours, and lives we get to live as if our own. It moves us to tears orsheer rage, or rollicking laughter or intense pain. It all happens in thecelluloid world. And we are forever in a relentless search, for that one which would stir us deeply and enrich us, as the few others, which have along theyears, have helped us grow and discover the oddities life has to offer, and the means of embracing them.

Thought, shall cover few of myfavourite ones, and to start with two of Mani Ratnam’s awesome works ofart. Any time all time favourite is Bombay.Absolutely loved it, from the word go. The dark coastal town draped in blackwith the bellowing winds, the throbbing streets and chawls of apna Mumbai, thedecor including the quaint window panesof the sprawling kitchen and tiny bedrooms; and the moods captured, be it theintense pulsating romance, the mounting fear and terror that grips you, or theterrible feeling of loss and grief thatengulfs you, it is all there delicately interwoven.

It is amazing to watchManisha Koirala emote, especially as an anguished mother (where she searches for her missing sons), was portrayedexceedingly well. It was a class performance I would think. And then the mesmerising music of AR Rahman. Such a medley of pure bliss. The soulstirring ‘Uyire..’, romance dripping ‘Kannalene...’ and the rocking ‘Humma...’toname a few. Somehow the film offers such wholesome entertainment, that you are left with a sense of having experienced something totally beautiful, as true art should be.

"Kannathil Muthamittal', yet another masterpiece from Manirathnam, one of the few which was not made in Hindi. In my scale the ratings climb up, if the movie moves me to tears, each time I watch it. And this one never fails to induce the tear ducts even as I battle with it. Even when you know what is to follow, and you brace yourself, the intensity and depth of the feeling conveyed through sensitive words and expressions, reaches out to you so seamlessly. You cannot but wonder at the ingenuity of the artistes involved be it the director, the actors, or the script writers.

Two social issues handled here, Adoption and Tamil Eelam Rights. They were done so well, that at no point you are made to feel that they are being addressed or presented. You are entwined into the story and with the characters, so much so that you begin to live their lives, feel their sorrows, understand their loss, even as questions thrown at the viewers rankle your mind. We do trudge back home with a heavy heart, but only to delve deeply into the issues, arriving at our own debatable conjectures.The characters and what they experience become a part of us. And favourite song from a mix of great melodies, Kannathil...for the lovely lyrics.

The list is long, and hope to cover a few more, but as I write it makes me wonder what a bereft place the world would be without movies and geniuses who make them. Closing with a song from 'Dil Se', (somehow never did like the Tamil version, movie and music, try as I did), for the pure magic that blazes the screen with AR Rahman-Manirathnam synthesis.

Thirukkural

2011-12-22T12:14:00.000+03:00

At the onset would like to statethat I am not an authority in the subject, and I endeavour to write purely out of personal interest, and so if there are any discrepancies or deficienciesin the content, do let me know. Would gladly rectify.

Thirukkural a classic, writtentwo thousand years ago, is still looked upon as a remarkable work of a geniusnonpareil. It is even difficult to comprehend the extent of the poet,Thiruvalluvar’s wisdom, perception and insight into the multitudinous fragmentsthat make up life. As many are aware,the literary work consists of 1330 couplets, under three main divisions –Arathupal (Virtue), Porutpal (Wealth) and Kamathupal(Love). But the amazingpart is the 133 subdivisions, each with 10 couplets, which covers almost theentire scheme of life.

Going through the headings of these subdivisions one isleft with a deep awe and admiration for the poet, who has covered topics as TherinthuSeyalvagai (Acting with fore-thought), Nilayamai (Instability), Sengonmai(UprightGovernment), Vinai seyal vagai (Mode of Action), Avai arithal (Judging theAudience), Natpu Aarayuthal (Choice of Friends), Nanri il selvam (Niggardliness), kurippu arithal (Ascertaining other’s intentions), Pasapuruparuvuthal (suffering from sallowness), pulavi (feigning dislike) and many more.

Shall just share a few, which appealed to me. It is a treasure trove, which I intend to fish, for more such gems.

Equality

நன்றே தரினும் நடுவு இகந்து ஆம் ஆக்கத்தை

அன்றே அழிய விடல்.

Foresake even in the moment (of acquisition) that gainwhich, though it should bring advantage, is not fair to all.

Wisdom

எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள்

மெய்பொருள் காண்ப தறிவு.

To discern the truth in everything, by whomsoever spoken, this is wisdom.

Quality of Action

வினைத்திட்பம் என்ப தொருவன் மனத்திட்பம்

மற்றைய எல்லாம் பிற.

Firmness in action is simply one's firmness of mind; all other abilities are not so.

Separation from loved one

நனவினான் நல்கா தவரை கனவினால்

காண்டலின் உண்டென் உயிர்.

My life lasts because, in my dream I behold him who does not favour me in my waking hours.

A heavy topic maybe, but somehow felt that none of these couplets come across as irrelevant, even in today's context, which is what makes it an irrefutable 'reference book'.

(Translation version is available, of the above book. Get one for enlightenment!)

Time of the year

2011-12-15T13:27:00.001+03:00

Distracted by the faint chirp of birds,

And besotted by nature’s symphony.

I willingly give in, to the lure of words
And within my self, I find harmony.

What’s with the seasons, you may ask.

That makes us spread wings at times,

And glide over the stars in the dark.

It’s the magic of the winter climes.

We shiver and swear, but love the air;

Snuggle and cuddle, in bundled up ware.

Socks and woollen gloves we wear

For this awful chill we have to bear.

New year is around the corner, I think;

And warm wishes galore, in the offing.

A small prayer, I would like to send in,

Let the good times and tides, gently roll in.

Do you remember..

2011-12-07T12:27:00.001+03:00

Time for some quizzing!! Yes youread it right! Have been going through few encyclopaedias, the real ones; unlike its more popular online counterparts, are heavy, and they sit gloomilyatop shelves, giving accusing and forlorn looks, at being abandoned and left to fendon their own. So with the noble intention of redeeming things, picked them up and wentthrough a few of them. No heavy stuff, justthe light topics.

Well, the strangest thing thatstruck me while doing this was that, how in this age we're engulfed by information, and is all ours for the taking, at our bidding. And armed with this power of knowledge, we go about ourlives, smug and seemingly ‘enriched’. But the brain, which used to be the reservoir of an amalgamation of knowledge and titbits, acquired over years, with great care and effort, seems tohave been left with one job short. Retrieval. And with this faculty not being putinto use, we may be in danger of losing some precious memories too, slotted or tucked away underthe miscellaneous sections. The memory chip of ours may become obliterated,the function being outdated and redundant. Eerily reminded of scenes in WALL-E!

Well, I would be lying if I were to say I wouldn't be 'clueless' without Wikipedia or 'Google' around; but what I am trying to put across is that we are slowly being, or rather our grey cells are being overridden stealthily by the invasion of a species, which snares and weaves an intricate web, and in the process, rendering us a bit hollow, more so in the upper area, when left on our own. Its not going to happen in the imminent future, but I guess its a sad tale to foresee. And there definitely would be a few WALL-Es and EVEs ( prefer EEVA) around to set things right, if and when we turn into automated fixtures.

Anyways, here are the rules. Cross your heart, and solemnly say " I will not go to Google page. I will not hit the search button. I will try my best to retrieve what has been saved in my memory, by my very own nerve tissues" and then start the quiz, and let me know, how many you were able to get right. Here goes..and have fun!

Subramanyan Chandrasekhar was known for –
Where are the Aleutian Islands?
Salties are refered to –
Cyclops Polyphemus was –
The country known as the Land of the Song –
What are Frescos?
Where would you find 'Wats' and what is it?
Who or what is Aryabhatia?
What is the difference between green tea and black tea?
One of the animals that can survive a nuclear bomb blast -

2011-11-29T07:47:00.001+03:00

Evenings have become frustratingly shorter, and trying to rush out to enjoy this pleasant stage of winter, is becoming increasingly difficult. There has been a month long celebrations going on, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Japan-Kuwait Diplomatic Relations. And this weekend they had a string of activities, and one of them was an evening of Cultural Entertainment at Souq Sharq.

We went a bit early, and the initial arrangements were in progress, stalls and hoardings being put up and the likes. Came back after a while, just in time for their Song Recital, which included a list of Japanese songs. It had a nice gentle, tinkling beat to it, lilting and soft and filled with emotions all the while, which we could somehow feel and appreciate too. Had noted down the name of one particular song, and googled, back home. And now hooked to the song. It is Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakomoto and its lovely.

Had to leave with a heavy heart, as we couldn't do justice to the alluring dumplings which were up for sale. Many were dressed in their traditional attire, as there was to be a Parade later in the evening. It was amazing to see them sport the wooden footwear with complete ease. It was an interesting day out, where we stepped into the Land of the Rising Sun, for a brief while, and realised that people seem different but are basically the same, bound by similar pleasures and travails of life, across the globe.

Following a sudden urge, went on to watch Mayakkam Enna ( 'why in a trance', or so I think!). As the reviews trickled in, of it being a good watch, couldn't resist the lure, especially the name! Well, the first half was pretty good. The second half was a mishmash of melodrama, morals, punch dialogue all thrown in for good measure. But still, my verdict would be, not bad. Though from the comments emanating from the co-watchers in the sparsely filled cinema hall, could gauge that it didn't go all that well with many.

The high point of the movie would be, good acting. The heroine is a treat to watch. Richa Gangopadhyay, has traces of Meena and Revathi, both Tamil yesteryear actresses; a fine actress she could turn out to be, if she wants to be one, I think. Going form her recent history, hasn't done any serious movies, and I wonder why. Dhanush is his usual assured self, as an actor. A subdued potrayal of a 'genius', who goes through the trauma of being unrecognized and later on being a victim of plagiarism (not sure if it can be called that).

Yes, many scenes especially the love triangle scenarios were contrived and wanting in finesse. Dialogues cliched and stereotyped in places, and had a suspicion that there seemed to be mild traces of 'A beautiful Mind' all over. But, kudos to the director and his crew, for coming up with a movie which is sensitive (in most parts), poetic and deep, without giving into the predictable-assured success-masala formula, again.

Why this..?!

2011-11-24T13:00:00.001+03:00

Not being sure as what was to be, the subject of the post, gladly fell back on the good old comfort commodity, music. Just a mention of few songs which I get to hear and enjoy.

Therecent kolaveri wave should set the tempo I guess. So for those of you (thevery few) who haven’t got to watch this sensational hit, sweeping all over likea huge tsunami, in a matter of days, after hitting the you tube, here goes.

Defies all logic as to how it hasmanaged to cut across such a wide audience. They seem to be lapping it up, butwhy?! The lovelorn, drawling soulfultone of a simpleton, which evokes sympathy or a touches a string somewhereinside, or is it just plain bad English (if you can callit that), that amuses and appeals to all. Whatever the reason, Anirudh’s world is nevergoing to be the same again, the unbelievably boyish 21yr old music director!

Adele has been around for a whilenow, and her songs remind me of those of Tracy Chapman and Sinead O'Connor (nothing compares to you), years back, maybe early 90s. Where its a very directcommunication between the singer and the one who listens, with minimumintervention by way of music or irrelevant sounds. Come to think of it maybe Dhanush’s song also does that! Like this one from Adele.

With dish connection been takenoff for some months now, the biggest loss has been that I don’t get to hear my regular dose of hindi songs. Miss that. Got to hear the Afreen song and foundit not bad. Yet to hear it more. Seems Salim Merchant is very much in the fraythese days. The Iktara song has been keeping me company for a long while besides the ZNMD ones. Actually wouldn't mind having some suggestions, regarding the latest hummable Hindi songs!

The Scarlet Letter

2011-11-17T13:18:00.001+03:00

Had been away from Classics for a while, so picked up this one,knowing for sure it will keep me good company in the days to come. But didn't anticipate such a long run; took me almost whole of 5 months to actually finishit. Ofcourse the vacation intervened, but still, it wasn’t as if I couldn’tread then.

Had conflicting reviews when Imentioned to friends about the book, as I was reading it, and most of them not very flattering. Soknew I was not in for a veritable treat. But told myself I wouldnt give it up, but find out for myself what left the slight distaste, and discover whyit had a scandalish hood all over it, over the ages.

Well, the book has been universally certified as ‘morbidlyintense’, and so was it. It has flashes of good prose, where you find yourselfglide into the dark corridors of the churches and walk down the streets of anold England puritan village, led by the elaborate description of NathanielHawthorne. But, at times the writing tends to become tedious and excessivelyoverpowering, that to ease oneself from its grip becomes an effort.

The story is about Hester Prynne,who is made to carry the burden, wearing a scarlet red, embroidered hologram,on her dress, everyday of her life, as redemption for an act of adultery committed. Itscreams out to the world the debauchery she allowed herself to be immersed in,symbolically and is meant to put her to abject shame and misery. Two other centralcharacters, being Rev.Arthur Dimmesdale who goes through a phase of self-afflicted torment, ridden by guilt and shame; and Roger Chillingworth, who ironically possesessome chilling attributes, which enables him to be the diabolic co-tormentor of theformer.

Issues as adultery, sin, shame,guilt and redemption are handled with elaborate justifications and itsramifications, as observed in thepuritan era, but they comes across as too severe and melodramatic. The reader is all along made tosympathise with Hester Prynne, the author trying hard to convince that she orthe act was never ever a heinous crime. So what was the whole book about, oneis left to wonder. It is an attempt to portray an era, a section sliced fromthe past, and elaborate on the lives, morals and values, people preached and inmost instances practised too, I would think.

Back to our home ground, going through Rajaji’s adaptationof the Mahabharatha, and completely overwhelmed by the number of characters andanecdotes woven and all tied up together so well, and of which many of us (Ithink/assume) are not very familiar with. The main plot and characters remainto a certain extent clear in memory, but there is so much more to it. What atremendous script!

It rained. It is tantamount to occurrence of hailstorms in India. So in for some showers, which would play hide and seekthis November. Aren't we glad!

Winter is here...

2011-11-10T08:24:00.002+03:00

The Eid Holidays here isn't overyet. It’s a long nine-day vacation sorts, and the holiday mood still prevails.But it tends to turn routine all topsy-turvy that getting back to the grind orthe rut takes a while, and the process being a bit painful too. The longer thebreak, greater is the pain, as simple as that.

The climate has undergone aradical change. I would think winter is officially here, and no complaints asof now. It’s lovely during the day, and pretty chill during the breezy eveningsand nights. Just right for mid-day picnics, followed up by evening walks with alight sweater or shawl thrown around. We did get to do it a couple of times, andthe experience was totally refreshing and energising, as it always is, when you step out to embrace nature and her bounties.

The Marina Beach was a crowdedaffair, with hordes of picnickers, and we had to weave our way through.But it was enjoyable nevertheless, watching people of all ages and sizes andraces, languishing in the spirit of the season. The slight nip in the air towards the evening made us scurry for warmth,away from the chill breeze making its way from the seas. The tea, which was amistake in the first place, (got swayed by memories of apna masala chai on wintry evenings) didn't do much by way of being a warm milkyyucky concoction. The hot frothy cappucinno would've definitely been a better bet.

Anyways,headed towards Salmiya to make amends, and the Pani puri and Sev puri didn't let us down and the hot jalebi, was a not bad last minute addition. An impromptu visit to a friend’s place was a pleasantsurprise, as they had puja (Ekadashi), and being a part of it, somehow was gratifying. Well, it was good tobe amidst friends, even if it be for a short while, and once in a while.

The trip to Scientific Centre along the Persian Gulf coast was a totally different experience. Less crowd,and more spaced out. Was peaceful and serene, even as we sat talking, the waves lashing against the moistenedglistening rocks and pebbles.

Was mesmerising to watch the twilight descend inall its splendour, transforming the skyline with a surreal crimson and purple haze.

A long lazy stroll in the walkway, with the sea breeze for company, the rendezvous with close friends was a blessing, a memory to treasure and reminisce later in life!

Closing with a song that has been added to my playlist and played frequently!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxjvz-WGhaE
http://www.raaga.com/player4/?id=297761&mode=100&rand=0.36723966780118644

The day after

2011-10-27T12:45:00.000+03:00

The past one week, got myself into close encounters, of the oily kind! Therehas been an assault on the senses, mind, soul and the waistline. Took upon myself to create these beauties,with love and pride poured in ample measures, (in equal proportion to theoil/ghee), eyes sparkling, dil dhadaking, with images of a perfect platter ofgoodies. Well, life is not perfect. Nor was my platter!

Well, lessons learnt are aplenty. Perseverance, not givingup even when thought creeps in, of impending plight of poor unsuspecting visitors;and not giving up because you finish what you started out to do, no matter what,for festivals are all about prevailing over tides.

The curly twirly murukkus, The enticing laddoos, the fieryred jalebis, the colourful tangy mixture, the sedate kaju kathlis, theirresistible ghujiyas, the sober dahi vadas, and the ubiquitous gulabjamuns, on display, to satiate year long yearnings, to relish and remember yesteryears, with a resounding promise of goodies yet to come, even if not perfect.

Golden Stag

2011-10-20T12:06:00.000+03:00

A saga of five generations, drawn beautifully on a canvas set in the deep regions of South India, the author leads us through a journey, dotted with sharply etched characters, coming alive through bold brush strokes of tumultuous emotions that surge and pulsate, all along the narration.

The Western Ghats serve as the essential backdrop, and with graphic descriptions, one becomes almost familiar and at-home with, the locations; be it the Mayan's humble thatched abode under the harsh scorching sun, or Manickam's sprawling bungalow along the dusty lanes of Chitur. Great care has been taken to capture the essence of life lived in this part of the world, the everyday instances, the attitudes ingrained and adapted, the tenets held since eons, the tug of the roots, and the quest for the unknown, and sadly for many it turns out to be a hunt for 'the Golden Stag'.

The author has delved deeply into subjects as Siddha and Hindu Philosophy, that seems to have a tenacious hold on two of the protagonists, Naren and Nagalingam. It serves to soften them, but also confound them with innumerable questions and undecipherable qualms, that plague them incessantly. And as a stark contrast to these characters, are Manickam and Vasan who are impeccably practical, business like and feet firmly on ground. And there is Chandrasekaran who strikes one, as having shades of both, and trying to establish a workable mean, and successfully does so; or so I would think.

The author through the lives of these five main characters, and sub-characters weaves an enchanting tale that subtly brings out, the deceptive vagaries of human nature, even as man tries to wage the battle of life, with his own set of arms; it uncannily reminds me at this point, of the battle scene in Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna advocates Karma Yoga to a despondent Arjuna, " Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight."

The "Golden Stag" leaves one with a sense of having lived life, along with the characters, experiencing their emotions, and identifying oneself totally with it, as we do know, emotions, relationships, death, love, touches all, deeply. And Ms.Sivasundari Bose has managed to touch the reader in more ways than one, and that bespeaks of her success, in bringing out a piece of art, that edges the reader to ponder and reflect on the multifarious facets of life.

Magic Wand

2011-10-13T11:16:00.001+03:00

If only I had a wee little magic wand...

I would swish and sway it around

With infinite style and great aplomb

If only I had a magic wand.

Aba..r.a.c.a..d.a..., and ofcourse it would

Dust the shelves and clean the room

The kitchen sink, the carpet and the loo,

As I drift into a corner, curled with my book.

Meals on the table, Mr. Wand, if you please,

Finish the washing and a break after, is fine.

Piping hot flavoured tea and chips before nine

For I need to wind up this so called poetic piece.

P.S. Sorry to trouble my (if any) readers with this pathetic attempt. Have willed to put in something every Thursday, so thought mebe poetry is easier than 'prose'! :)

2011-10-06T13:24:00.000+03:00

A very Happy Dusshera to all!

The 9 day long festival Navratri, did not do much wonders here,but then of course it does not mean there was no impact at all. I have heardfrom friends that there are Dandiya Raasprogrammes held every year, and would have loved to be a part of it, but it never did happen. The swaying rhythm, the soothing beats, the mesmerisingfluid movements, is a treat to watch. In Pune, used to set off at nights, lugging along sleepy kids, to join the slowly thronging crowd, even as the participants assemble in their chosen shamianas (colourful and well lit tents), with palpable excitement.The youth, in their best garbs, trying to put their best foot forward, and theelder generation turning up with gusto, allowing themselves to slip into memoriesof yesteryears, I suppose. It was fun, andmust be more so being a part of it, this ritual of losing oneself to the beat of the dandiya sticks, a sense of magic seems to pervade, even as they strike each other ever so gently.

And then the southern version of Navarathiri, includes the adorable displayof dolls (Golu), accompanied by a veritable feast of sundals for the entire nine days(a savory dish of tempered dals)and rendering of divine classical music by accomplished and not so accomplished, singers. I have faint memoriessetting up the steps and unwrapping the dolls and deities, and deciding orrather awarding the prime positions to the dolls along the steps. The chettiyarpair with their wares before them was fascinating then and now. You would haveto see one, the Golu display I mean, to understand or appreciate the effort andpassion that goes in, and which sustains this yearly ritual, much to thedelight of many a household in Southern India.

So, when the invitation for one such Golu visit, came my way, grabbed at it with both hands. Yesterday being the last day of the Golu display, managed to go and feast my eyes on a wonderful sight, which fills ones heart and soul. Being away from such things for long, sort of invokes an yearning for them I guess. Well, am posting along some pictures, as the Tamil saying goes, yaam petra inbam, peruga ivvaiyagam!( the joy I experienced, may the whole world partake!)

Indira Parthasarathy – Sirukathaigal (short stories)

2011-09-29T13:12:00.000+03:00

The book is a collection of shortstories by Indira Parthasarathy, who is a renown Tamil writer andplaywright. When I decided to pick up this particular edition, was not sure ifI had read his previous works, though had a faint memory of having read, maybe years back. In the recent past, find myself being pulled into Tamilworks, good ones, as if to appease the guilt, I seem to have harboured right from my teen years.

Opted for French in my final years in school,as foreign languages, seemed to lure you like no other. Tamil was so ‘local’, ofcourse when compared to its more romantic and alluring counterpart! Well, sowhen most of my friends used to spend hours labouring through their Tamilliterature and grammar, we the lucky few had a heyday, skimming and dilly-dallyingwith basics, a la l’ecole, le garcon, la fille, and and by the end of thecourse, found myself bursting with pride, that I could dash off a decent letter,all in French, even if it be to a Bookseller, to order quelques livres!

Well, back to the book in hand, wasthoroughly impressed and even inspired by the writing. The style and content speaksof infinite command and mastery over the art of storytelling. Very powerful yetsubtle. Silences brimming with intensity. Characters with morphed rage and lust, viceand greed. Characters with pain, borne of abject poverty and self damnation. They’reall there. Reverberating hollowness amidstthe opulent class, stark bleakness that strangles the lower class, and the just about surviving, caught-in-the-middle class, are elicited, through sensitive and intricatecharacter sketches. The author sustains the anticipation of the reader by presenting in each story, a surprise element, either in the form of content or the persona he portrays.

So many images rush through mymind, as I try to recollect or list a few of them. The father with his 10yr olddaughter, on a hot sweltering Sunday noon awaits a bus, to take them home; whattranspires then, seem to reinstate theabsurdity, of trying to make a decent living, holding on to your mores. A soft spoken aspiring poet forced into amarriage of convenience, in a quirk of destiny transforms herself into a thumpingsuccess; her friend though tries in vain to search for traces of the lostsomeone. Are some things lost forever, overridden in pursuit of success? Theflashy call-girl who turns up as the friendly neighbour, the connivingpolitician, making a fool of himself before a phirangi, theever faithful manager, quitting because he finally realises what itis, to stand for what ones very being believes in. The list is endless, and thecharacters are endearing, each in their own way.

Another feature of Indira Parthasarathy's writing is that, the social issues, inconsistencies, delusions, codes, pressures, are brought out vividly, through the eyes of the protagonist, in accordance to his state of mind prevailing then, at that point of time. This helps the reader to totally identify himself with the situation, and the plethora of thoughts and emotions conveyed, making the reading process a very genuine experience, to be savoured and mulled over at leisure.

I would definitely recommend thebook to all Tamil readers, and there seem to be translatedversions available too. Seriously thinking of looking up his other awardwinning works, especially Kuruthi punal, the Sahitya Academy winner. Glad this quest for Tamil books, has turned out to be a rewarding and satisfying one, so far.

A different Life

2011-09-22T10:32:00.000+03:00

During my stay in Trichy, this August, had an opportunity to get to know about a NGO organisation, New Life. It was a brief acquaintance and my association did not yield any fruitful results from my side. Was not able to contribute my time or help in a concrete, worthwhile form. But, it did leave an indelible mark. It opened up the fact that, there exists sections of society which we are totally unaware of, or rather choose to be unaware of, and there is another faction of society who silently serve this neglected, but much in need-of-help section, who exists, camouflaged in every corner of our nation.

New Life carry on their services with the help of Donors and Sponsors but volunteers who pitch in, make all the difference I would think. When they gave me a brief sketch of their projects done so far, and the ongoing ones, I could see the level of commitment and sustained work put into it wholeheartedly. The successful attainment of several goals, achieved within a well knit network, reaching across a huge population in and around Trichy, holds testimony to this.

One of their projects involve identifying children who live in an environment deprived of moral or emotional support, an environment highly conducive to development of delinquent habits. This identification is done with help from Police Department, and subsequently these children are in a sense adopted by New Life. It is seen to that, the child completes his school education, atleast up to High School, and he or she is equipped vocationally, to enter society as an independent and productive member. This effort is greatly laudable as the follow up is a long drawn process, which involves several hurdles, socially, economically and emotionally. Thanks to New Life which has consistently and effectively been carrying on this project for the past 15 years, there has been instances of many individuals, who lead a successful and meaningful life, head held high.

I have just touched upon a tip of an iceberg with regard to the services done and people's life being touched upon by Service organisations. But it was very heartening and inspiring to visit the centres and be an observer of the changes that are, and will be taking place in the chidlren's lives, instilling hope and self-belief, and heralding a promising, bright New Life.

This post is a part of BlogAdda's Bloggers Social Responsibility (BSR) initiative. I am exercising my BSR. You can too with three simple steps. Visit http://www.blogadda.com/bsr/ and support the NGO's.

A Taste of History

2011-09-15T12:08:00.000+03:00

This Summer vacation did not have any major trips, but it was dotted with short and interesting trips around Tamilnadu. It started with, visit to Madurai, followed by Nagarkoil, Thirupurankundram and culminating in Kanyakumari. It was a pleasant trip, and Nagarcoil being a relatively new place to us, was exciting to get acquainted with the little town, which seemed to be an interesting fusion of Kerala and Tamilnadu! Kanyakumari as always was awe-inspiring, and a sense of calm and peace descends, while you are there.

Another mini trip was made to Tanjore, which is hardly an hour's drive from Trichy. The highlight was, our visit to Saraswati Mahal Library and another museum nearby. The Library is a very old one, dating back to 16th century, started by the Nayak kings; but it was Serofji II, a Maratha king who out of his sheer passion for language and books, collected a huge collection (60,000 volumes), of old and rare books, in French, Dutch, Russian, Tamil and Marathi too. It was truly amazing to see the collection of old palm-leaf manuscripts, illustrated medical books, detailed maps of old cities, (London, Moscow, Tanjore - how they had such clear aerial perspective was beyond comprehension), caricatures of rulers, common man, historic monuments, all preserved for posterity.

The neighbouring museum was very interesting too, filled with works of art, on stone and metal. The exquisite skill was amply evident, and we were almost carried back into the world of the ancient dynasties. The mueseum was housed in an old structure as you can see here, which was used by kings or maybe noblemen as abode of residence, we presume. It was fun climbing our way up along the dark, narrow staircases, on either sides, all the way to the top floor. A multi-storeyed building with perfect architectural symmetry, and provisions for numerous carved windows and niches, which opened out to the lushy green fields of the Chola land. Could almost imagine the pretty princesses and maidens peeping out, and chasing each other down the stairs!

By evening, reached the Periya koil (Big Temple), or the Bragatheeshwar Temple, a renown structure in South India, built by Raja Raja Cholan in the 11th century. The vimana of this temple is very special, as the structure does not cast a shadow at any point of time!
The huge Nandhi idol found outside, is made from a single stone, which is said to weigh more than 25 tons.The place was teeming with tourists and local visitors, and as the sun went down, everyone seemed to be filled with a sense of being a part of history. And me for one, was glad, my children, were there with me to partake in this special moment!

Yann Martel's Life of Pi

2011-05-04T12:39:00.001+03:00

The Life of Pi was interesting to say the least; a novel that effectively manages to transform you into a 12yr old lad, 'Pi' as he makes this indomitable journey across oceans, in a little bobbing boat.

It is slowly enthralling, a lullaby sort of book, which does not necessarily put you to sleep, but soothes you, as you slip into the folds of the little town of Pondicherry. The author manages to hold a conversation with the reader, a very direct one, where he draws you into his theories on religion, relationships and life at large, with consummate ease.

Yes, it does have a lull, especially towards the end when you start yearning for land as much as the boy lost in sea does, his body shrivelled and dried to the bone, dusted with salt from the air, spirit almost squelched brutally, after many a battle with his once-sane mind. But the end does arrive, and you do make a landing, but find yourself having difficulty in bidding goodbye.

Not one of the 'truly awesome' books, but yes one that transcends you to places, where only the author and the reader are entitled to visit. Places that do not exist anywhere in the physical world, but captured and unfolded in those small grey pages, 'for your eyes only', which is what a good book is all about.

( Latest news is that it is being made into a movie, with Irfaan Khan, Tabu (as parents I presume) and the Spiderman boy, Toby Maguire in the lead (as a 12yr old?!!)

Books and Kites

2011-04-12T11:30:00.001+03:00

A trip to a Book Store has always been very special, all through the years. And it was more so here, in Kuwait as I had as good as given up hope that I would chance upon a proper book store; one, which could weave in a sense of magic everytime you enter its doorway. Well, it truly did this time around!

Had looked up this place via the Internet , and planned to hunt for it this weekend and make a visit too, for all its worth. Even at the outset was somehow convinced that it would be good, as the website definitely seemed promising. So making our way through the most crowded locality in Kuwait, Mirqab, on a Friday, wondering all the while, where could this shop be, hidden amidst the din and almost a maelstrom of moving throng of people. And lo, there it stood, almost obscure and aloof, a small but a cosy nest of books. A sense of joy sweeps over, as I take in the rows of shelves, and the small reading couches and the books of the oh-so-familiar authors. So, pleased as a pie, with a bag loaded with books made our way back home, infused with a feeling of having met long last friends, and bringing some back home with me! And yes the pleasure of having an unread book by your bedside, is inexplicable!

Never thought I would fly a kite at this age, and experience the pleasure of helping something soar higher and higher. And ofcourse realising the all encompassing truth - when to let go and when not to. So flying kites might actually instil in this dictum in a very effective, albeit a subtle way, for individuals who fail to grasp it, in their pursuit of happiness and success!

It was a pleasant breezy day, just right for kite flying, at the Mahboula beach. And friends were excited too, at the prospect of rediscovering the much loved activity of their childhood days. And memories of yesteryears were rekindled and it was good to watch them slip back to their past, with a bemused smile on their lips. With the sea so close by and summer setting in slowly, promised ourselves that we should do it again.

Failaka Islands

2011-04-06T13:06:00.000+03:00

This place has always been on the to-see-places in Kuwait, but had mixed responses when queried about. So we were in two minds until now, if we should actually make the trip, and if we did, would it be worthwhile. The reactions usually ranged from, 'yeah its fine, good..' sort of okeyish...or ' nothing much to see, just the ride on the boat and back, not all that good'. But having few days to kill, decided to go for it, come what may, and yes, we were not disappointed, thankfully.

Had to leave for the boarding point, quite early in the morning, and was surprised to see a huge crowd, groups, families, lugging baggages, cycles, and the general picnic paraphernalia. The place was actually teeming with people, jostling for want of space at the ticket booths, which set off the excitement to begin with. Then there was the wait for the boat or the barge to arrive, and the queueing in, to board. It was pretty well packed, and we just about managed to secure a place, on the open deck. It was a beautiful day, and it was wonderful to see the fading coastline, on one side and the vast expanse of open sea, on the other, as we gently bobbed along to the rhythm of the waves.

It was a almost an hour long ride, but it was fun observing people, the interesting sections of the barge, and of course catching up with friends, while clicking pictures. After landing on the island, we had to find means of transport to ferry us around the place. Settled for a mini bus, which could accomodate the whole group, and few more. Headed for the man-made lake, nearby and had our breakfast, as we were famished by then. Kids went on boat rides which included the kayaks too. The geese strutting around added some interest to the scene. Was oft reminded of the lakes and numerous boat rides of Kodai and Yercaud.

Next stop was the display of tanks and ammunition used during the Iraq attack way back in 1990. It gave an insight into the severity of the attack, and also the advanced machinery used during the war. Also visited some old buildings which had to bear the brunt of the brutal attack by Saddam Hussein and his men.

Time for lunch and we headed for a beach side resort-like arrangement. Children immediately headed for the beach, for a quick dip, to be followed by ride on the Water Scooter. Had awesome fun, as it was an exhilaratingly thrilling adventure, zooming at that speed. Ravenous stomachs were filled with the local fare of Shawarmas. Lounged for a while, played a round of cards and then headed back to the Barge, which took us back home.
It was a fairly eventful trip, unlike what many had predicted. Wonder why they didn't find the islands interesting enough. Maybe we are an easier lot to please!

Our heroes

2011-04-04T09:23:00.000+03:00

Zaheer khan you truly were a gem,
Munaf your whipping balls dug in,
Harbhajan your hands spun magic!
With charm and immaculate timing.

Raina you were as solid as ever,
Shewag you caught a stunner!
Shreeshanth you were, but a
mere rollicking entertainer.

Gambhir our hearts did lurch
and cried, for your missed ton.
Yuvraj you were a sparkling star,
twinkiling incessant, unlike none.

Sachin you firmly believed, and
so did the nation with you;
we turned our elusive dreams
come heart wrenchingly true.

Dhoni you were our dhoom dhoom
You were our gutsy valiant warrior
you slammed home the truth, that
WORLD CHAMPIONS we are!

Sand Storm

2011-04-03T13:10:00.001+03:00

Yes, we live in a desert, reigned by sand, and it was restated in no less means, on 25.03.2011, when the lands bordering the Arabian gulf, was swamped, smothered and benumbed by a monstrous sandstorm. It was an incredible experience, a natural phenomenon that one gets to see in the National Geographic Channel, as we lounge in the comforts of our drawing rooms.

The strangest thing was that, we were totally unaware of the enormity of the event initially, and were happily clicking away pictures, close to the sea. The plan was to grab some coffee at the Cafe along the coast, with few friends. The sky seemed to change colours, and gave no indication of what lay in store. But when it did unleash its intent, found ourselves literally scurrying for cover, rushing to the nearest building, as fine sand particles seemed to overpower everything on its way, as a huge tidal wave would.

As we were sort of huddled up inside the huge mall, it did hit me that, what was happening here is not much different from the Tsunami; Nature dictating terms, and not man, and when it does, - you are but a speck in space. It was a humbling moment, and a startling one too. The ride back along the highway, cars shrouded in dust, moving tentatively but intent on reaching home safe, was a sobering experience, one which will stay in memory for a while.

The heartening part of the entire episode was that, except for the infiltration of sand carried from miles across, inside homes, hospitals, schools and airports, there were no major casualties. Mother nature had been kind, and we have been fortunate, and heart goes out to the ones on the other side of the world.

Few links you might be interested in.

` Desert Farms '

2011-04-03T12:22:00.000+03:00

It was after much deliberation we did leave the comforts of home, into the sandy highway, which was shrouded in a mist of grey hazy sky. It was not an ideal day for a picnic, but we had enough of staying indoors, the past 3 days, being National holidays. We had to get out somewhere, not yet another Mall. We started late, around 12, with some quickly packed light lunches. The drive was good, with some good converstation floating around, as always veering towards life in India vs Kuwait.

As we neared Wafra, not knowing what to expect or what not to rather, we ended up going in circles, trying to find a farm-resort like setup, where we could pitch tent. But that was not to be, as there was hardly any movement, and activity in any form in that zone a zilch. But we did chance upon a roadside fruitseller, who drew our attention, and stepped down with a sigh, for having landed 'somewhere'! His fares were quite interesting, especially the Bhajiya chillies, and the huge red tomatoes too. Broccoli wasnt very impressive, the small 'ezhandhaplams' (bores) were. So with some boxes loaded, we set about looking out for some more impromptu stops.

And lo where did we find ourselves but in the midst of a an almost busy junction, teeming with people, doing what, marketing ofcourse. There was this huge market right in the middle, acutely reminding one of many such back home. So entered all pumped up with excitement, at the prospect of setting eyes on veggies and fruits and sellers with whom we could actually talk about their wares, and maybe clinch a bargain too. When was the last time you got to do it? Maybe when you were sent on a emergency trip to the local market in Trichy? It was exciting, a rustic earthly atmosphere, nudging your way in, trying not to miss out the smaller or the lesser known species of both the botanical and the zoological kind.

The rabbits were a sight to behold, dressed up in their dainty skirts! The hens looked a tad different from their Indian counterparts, and the cocks had a more severe, but smaller comb. And there was a peacock too in this melee of two legged and four legged creatures caged or otherwise. Was an amazing experience.

More so, as here in Kuwait, we hardly get to lay eyes on any mobile zoological species around! As simple as that. Yes we have cats, plumpy ones at that, languid and would seem they are distant cousins of sloths. And yes, we have the small social group of sprightly sparrows with their lovely chirpings, which are music to ears, that are more tuned in to endless vroomning and screeching of cars and bigger cars. So much so that the other day when we happened to see a huge herd of wooly sheep, gathered in flocks found myself showing signs of intense joy and excitement much to the disdain of a sceptical better half.

And so there are farms in Kuwait, however ironic that might sound, and it was wonderful visiting a crowded colourful noisy market. And got to know, that there is an animal shelter in Wafra, where they have pets for sale/adoption. Planning to make a trip, after I succeed in convincing 'authorities' at home that cats are benign cute adorable species, akin to its canine counterparts. Lets see how long that's going to take, wish me luck!

India Day 2010

2010-10-03T09:39:00.001+03:00

India Day is celebrated annualy,here in Kuwait, and it usually has a troupe to perform, flown in from India, which is the highlight of the day. This time around, it was on Friday, Oct 1st, and the performers were Bhoomi Trivedi and Sreeram Chandra, the popular Indian Idol winners. So after much thought, we did make it to the celebrations, at Doha Entertainment City, which was teeming with a highly excited and pumped up, (predominantly) Indian crowd.

The whole place was lit up and agog with music and dance, and ofcourse people queuing up near their favourite rides. We had a leisurely ride on the Safari Boat and the Railway Line, Train Ride. It was really amusing to see such a mad rush for the 'train', and was reminded of the countless platforms in India, and its stark contrast to the mock one here. Children were commenting that it made the right chugging and clanking noise as expected of trains! The other topsy-turvy, screaming-screeching rides were attempted by few, but we opted to be the happy-being-watchers. It was a very sultry humid night, and the electric fans around the park, with fine mist being sprayed, offered a brief, but much needed respite, from the almost sweltering heat.

And the singers must have really felt the heat too, amidst the bright lights and beams being flashed on stage. They put up a great entertaining show, giving their all, interacting with the crowd all the while. It was a short programme, but nevetheless gave the people what they wanted, as we could see the youngsters near the stage swaying and moving to the beats, thoroughly drenched in the downpour of music. Even as the programme came to a close, the crowd seemed to be reluctant to leave the premises, and was seen moving around trying to hold on to the mood, for a little longer, even before they set out on their long drive back home on the long winding, 'deserted' 7th ring road. It was a strange and wonderful feeling to be amongst our country fellowmen, surrounded by our music, in a land far away from our homeland.

Wordless

2010-09-30T09:47:00.011+03:00

Seems to say a thousand words though

Resident of Kuwait zoo!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Souk Sharq - boat ride.

2010-09-27T08:27:00.013+03:00

The summer has been relentlessly breathing down our necks, with just a hint of drop in temperature since yesterday. Humidity has set in, and maybe this heralds a brief break before the harsh winter decides to settle in. So looking forward to some pleasant days this October, with some breeze and the sunrays being a bit gentle.

Last weekend inspite of the heat, decided to step out and spend the evening along the lovely Souk Sharq; and our outing did turn out to be fun and we were glad we made it. There is this nice little Cafe tucked behind, almost hidden, close to the parking. It had a lovely ambience, with the added pleasure of being seated beside the crashing waves, and the wonderful view of the outstretched sea, the sun slowly but surely dipping in. The French Coffee was almost perfect, and served to perfection too, with the piping hot concoction being poured in small dainty cups, from a pot. Tea, ofcourse the local speciality, black, was just right, that managed to down two huge cups. There was Lemon Mint Iced, Rainbow special a colourful display with bits of fruits and icecreams thrown in. And it was a great way to spend the evening catching up with friends while leisurely sipping your own thing.

And then we decided to take the short boat ride, for which we had to wait for a while, and so walked along the pier, where these boats and yachts were docked. And by the time we boarded the boat, it had turned dark, but that didn't seem to dampen our spirits or the experience, as I had thought it might. Being in the sea, if not as exciting as being in air, is nonetheless an exciting and beautiful experience. Our cameras didn't do justice to the beautiful scenes, but still managed to capture a bit of it. It was strange going on a ride with the local crowd, with some typical Arabic music in the background, and the boat dancing merrily to it in the dark sea. Would definitely go for another ride during the day, maybe, and if possible a longer one.

And a total contrast to the above with-the-nature trip, the visit to the new Lulu Hyper Market, in Qurain was all zazzy, and synthetic, the lure of consumerism at its best. Was amazed at the definition of Consumerism in Wikipedia, "systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods or services in ever greater amounts"! Ofcourse we all happily fall prey, and no one is complaining, atleast not here!

Anyways, this beautiful evening sun, caught while with a friend along the walking path nearby, reminds one of the beauty that is all encompassing and omnipresent, and that, it is within us, to look out for it.

Eid Mubarak!

2010-09-09T13:16:00.004+03:00

The past one month of fasting ,rituals and intense prayers will culiminate tomorrow, as the holy month of Ramzan comes to a joyous end. Everyday schedule and meal patterns will come back to its normal routine, and schools too will start their sessions in a week or so.

So as of now, the roads and shopping complexes are still relatively deserted, and look a bit desolate too! The place will come alive, thronging with children and families in a weeks time, and the clogs of the machine will start their chugging, in full swing . So until then, looking forward to enjoying the long weekend coming up. Hoping to visit some places, relaxing with friends, with a dash of movies and music, days ahead, doesn't seem too bad ! :)

Summer 2010

2010-08-30T06:59:00.016+03:00

It's as good as an extinct blog now, this blog of mine! Sad indeed, it had to happen this way, but still glad there's a place I can come back, log in to anytime, and share my thoughts and experiences, or maybe just put them down!

So the annual trip went on fabulously, and days seemed to have just whizzed past. Feel quite blessed that we were able to do the countless things, we got to do. Ofcourse being with family and friends being the best part, and the endless drives and short trips and long ones too; catching up with the gol gappas,kachoris and paniyarams and vada paavs!! The amazing part was that we were able to enjoy and savour, the best of all the places we visited, as a visitor. But strangely enough was left with this rankling feeling of, trying to grapple for our roots and maybe branches too, while we seem to drift along with the currents, to an unknown destination!!

Well, back to more prosaic sections of our trip, ofcourse touched and lined with unfathomable beauty and pleasure; Our stay in Trichy, my hometown was hectic to say the least, so didnt actually get to have the usual quota of lo..ong leisurely days which seem to stretch endlessly...but still was lovely to be home, coddled and cosseted, basking in an onslaught of memories of yesteryears. We made a short trip to Delhi, more for the kids' sake, to get the taste of Indian history and grandeur, which seems to be under hiding many a times. It was a wonderful experience, with its own highs and lows. Glad we made it. The next trip was to Kodai, a dear old place, and the stay amidst the misty-clouds-clad hills and amazingly vibrant flora, with family was a gratifying experience.

Pune, such an interesting mix of the old and the new. A place where tradition and history seem to hover around, as you catch glimpses of it amidst the glitz and glamour. It is heartening to observe traces of the old city, with her gentle but strong influence still running deep. Caught up with friends dear, and some shopping; walk down Lakshmi Road was a walk down memory lane.

Goa, a wet, wet one, robed in green was a magnificent sight, one I would gladly trade in for, seated here in an arid barren desert!! Monsoon drenches the coastal land and she drapes herself in foliage that seems to burst forth from literally, every nook and corner, almost like an invasion of green. Dona Paula was the only place we got closest to the beach, and it was all calm and serene surprisingly. Was able to make frequent trips to Panjim, and visit all the quaint little shops and get a whiff of the real ethnic flavour of the place, and also peep into the lives of this sleepy little, laidback, endearing place spelled Goa!

A visit to all these places, leaves one not just satiated but also yearning for more! As R.Frost rightly said, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep..."!

Lovely Hills

2009-07-07T10:32:00.014+03:00

A long hiatus it seems! Somehow lost touch, and its tough getting back, into the groove, i guess. Should make some more effort to slip off the groove!! Loads of excuses - exams, vacation, travel, health and lots more, all rush to my fore, to defend me! But know am guilty of ignoring this 'blogging' activity or maybe the ink had just dried up! Well, felt glad am being missed or rather my writing is being missed by a loyal few! Thanks so much for keeping up the faith in me and my sporadic ramblings...!

Well, amidst a hectic trip down South India, managed to sneak in a small overnight stay at Yercaud. A lovely place tucked away in the Shevaroy Hills, standing aloof and distant, yet cozy and comfy. The evening was just perfect for the boat ride and the dusk-view of the lofty hills, and the towering trees bordering the expanse of water was breathtaking.

The evening spiced up with roasted corn cobs and tangy raw mangoes and a general foray into the local 'petti kadais'(knick knack corner shops). Reached the 'Pakoda Point' almost around sunset, but just in time to get some awesome aerial views and a taste of local 'fares' to snack on.

The cottages where we stayed were set amidst a huge coffee plantation, and the only thing missing was a strong aroma of the coffee beans wafting by. The 'green' beans were huge and ripe but yielded no clue as to how it transforms to a magical brown bean that churns out the headiest concoction on the face of earth. The cottages had this lovely ivy sort creepers winding their way up, and maybe someday like in an old Fairy Tale, the flora around would take over, and a prince would need to cut through the unwieldy foliage!!

The 'Aadi Kaathu' in Trichy is so inviograting, feel sorry for the few who had to stay back in Kuwait, there seems to be a no-respite-in-sight 6 day dust storm raging! Heard the monsoon has started in all earnest in the Coastal West, taking its lapse a bit too seriously! Hope it does abate a bit by the time we land there. Eagerly looking forward to some heavenly scenes and the feel of squelchy mud and the divine earthy smell, mingled with the fresh scent of the damp wood. But for now, the place seems just right with a touch of breeze and a dash of sunshine. Am not complaining!

Let the music play on…

2009-04-25T18:40:00.002+03:00

Had been Tagged a long long time ago! Its to do about our favourite songs, I guess 5 from each language, you are familiar with (if I’m not wrong!).

Well, English songs grew up on a small dosage, but a concentrated one suffused with ABBA, Beatles, Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Wham and few stray Grammy hits. Period. But picked them up again after shifting to Kuwait, and now have current favourites, and also managed to catch up with a few great ones, that I had missed in the years in between!! So here goes :

English – 1. La Isla Bonita - Madonna

2. Hasta manana – ABBA

3. Careless Whispers – George Michael

4. Bubbly – Colbie Caillat

5. When I’m gone – Simple plan

My Hindi songs pre-marriage was restricted to Julie, Sholay and ofcourse Sagar. But after my shift to Pune, had my share of bollywood songs. From melodious to the fast moving ones, liked them all!

Hindi – 1. Tere Bina – Guru

2. Mithwaa – KANK

3. Piyu bole – Parineeta

4. Kaje ra re – BAB

5. kya muje pyar hai – woh lamhe

Tamil songs have been always around, in and out, just a bit off touch, off late. It is going to be all the more difficult drawing out the 5 songs, covering more than 3 decades!! Though AR Rahman rules the roost, the past one decade.

Tamil – 1. Songs from alaiypayuthe

2. ‘’ ‘’ rhythm

3. porale ponnu thayee – karuthamma

4. munbe vaa – SOK

5. songs from aayutha ezuthu

Phew! done. This definitely is not an exhaustive list, its just the tip of icebergs! thanks wannabe, really enjoyed doing it going back and forth on flashback trips.

“ Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! “
- J. K. Rowling,

she indeed knew what she was saying!!

Oops! The forecast was wrong!

2009-04-04T10:19:00.001+03:00

Yes, I know I had vowed not to write anything about ‘weather’, but then we need to go back on our words at times, when it comes to such consistently unpredictable topics! And this is how the country has looked for the past fortnight.

Who said anything about summer??!! And now it’s been pouring, and pouring like there is no tomorrow! We ain’t complaining I guess, the residents of Kuwait. It’s been lovely the mild drizzle, the misty backdrop, the chill winds; it’s like we have been transported somewhere else!

Last week, there were hailstones too! All we got to see were tiny pebble sized ones pitter pattering on the tiles below, but in Ahamadi they got to see huge ones i guess, and got to have a look at the amazing sized ones! (thanks to my better-half’s clicking mood which prevailed then)

And yesterday though it was not exactly a day for picnic, had some lovely moments getting wet and ‘chilled’ out in the rains. And flowers and plants weren’t they glad to be drenched so. Was elated to be amongst the vibrant colours and almost felt blessed! May the showers gladden the hearts of these dancing flowers for a while more, and ours too!

Summer arrives, finally...

2009-03-21T14:48:00.001+03:00

Its been a very moody, misty muggy March!! There seemed to be some reluctance, and maybe the skies, the sun, the wind, the clouds had varying sessions of impromptu meetings, to devise methods in keeping the oncoming summer at bay!! There were windy days, dusty days, rainy days, ‘chilly’ days and outright muggy days. Never knew what would be in store the next day morning; wet pavements or brown dusty streets, wailing winds, or the warm,fuzzy rays straining through the grey mass of clouds.

And now its finally come to an end, i guess this period of confusion, prevailing in the skies above, and all have been told to get back to their respective jobs, and stop fooling around; Mr. Sun has been formally instated as the reigning premiere for the upcoming session!!

I really marvel at the few greenery, which i happen to chance upon on the streets. Never fails to bring a smile, and fills me with a sense of awe and wonder at the efforts gone into it, in making the flowers bloom, so gaily, in keeping the green parts, a real fresh sprightly green! Hats off to them! To all those who harbour away at their petite gardens or pathways. Thanks to them, we get to feast upon, these wonderful gifts of nature, which definitely spruce up our spirits, besides their silent life nurturing role.

My blog these days seems to resemble monthly weather reports! But honestly this bizarre changes in climate, this past month i would think, is definitely worth writing about! And hoping not to crib and whine about the summer, but focus on things other than climate, weather, clouds and rain. (fingers crossed!)

Hail February!

2009-02-21T16:48:00.004+03:00

Yes its been a lovely February, weather wise. You couldn’t ask for more. The showers, the breeze, the tentative sun, playing with the clouds, an absolutely lovely scene beyond those windows. The trees and plants lapping it all up, sometimes see them dancing away gaily; the chirping birds, the hopping sparrows, the circling seagulls….there’s a nice nip in the air, and hope March doesn’t turn too hot all in a rush.

The upcoming weekend being a long one, can almost sense the crowd thronging towards the beaches and parks and the open spaces. With the Liberation Day and Kuwait National Day, coming up, the decorations starting to make its presence felt, we are in for some gay celebrations and some wonderful moments wallowing in the prevailing absolutely enviable climate, here in Kuwait! Yeah!!

Come Again...

2009-02-07T16:11:00.006+03:00

Skies ain’t blue, Showers are few
But lovely it is, Seems like bliss!
Winds blowing, Leaves dancing
Soil drenching, Spring cleaning!

For distant lands, across the sands;
They seem to move, to scripted maps.
As I watch, the clouds floating,
I sit here pensively, contemplating.

Leave behind a little moisture,
In this enormous, Arabian air.
Arid and dry it’s bound to turn
And rays irked, are sure to burn.

As the winter draws to a close
Winds kicking a clamour, as it blows.
The gentle and the torrid breeze,
Bidding adieu, to the mournful trees.

A Musical Experience

2009-01-24T08:54:00.011+03:00

A cool January evening, turned out to be a pleasantly surprising, transcendental experience, beyond imagination. It was a small gathering of music or rather classical music lovers, hailing from South India, and the occasion was Thyagararja Aaradhanai, meaning salutations to the one and only classical music exponent Thyagaraja Bhagadavar.

I am definitely not competent enough to speak or comment about this revered and profound subject, but I was just thankful and privileged to be a part of the electrifying atmosphere that evening. Just to be, as an observer, trying to drink in, the sheer pleasure of listening to a mesmerizing performance. The violinist played such soul-stirring music, that we found ourselves drawn completely into his world of poignant, soulful notes. Not in vain is it termed the 'queen of instruments'! The truth being we did not sit through the entire programme, but what I did manage to garner from those few hours was enough to make an indelible impression, which seemed to pervade me for a while.

Apart from the utter enjoyment of the scintillating performance, rendered by the group, what sort of shook me and made me realize, is how we tend to forget our roots, and miss out on the richness of the bottomless pit of wealth, it has to offer. As the speakers with their vibrant and striking words, unfolded before us the background behind the Thyagaraajar’s life, and about his astounding compositions, we could all but listen, in awe and wonder. The Pancharathna Kirthis was expounded upon so vividly, that for a lay person like me, who had no inkling that it had such such intense and insightful depth to it, it was a wonderful revelation. This might give you a general idea about, what I have or I had been so taken up with!

And of course it was so unbelievable being in a milieu, that could have easily passed off as a gathering, right in the heart of any town or city in Tamilnadu; the pattu paavadais, and kanjeevarams the diamond thodus (earrings), and the tinkling of Tamil all around! Was left to muse, how we uproot ourselves, to be transplanted elsewhere, and we sadly loose the initiative to celebrate the vastness and the incredible beauty of our beloved heritage. And it has been more than a week now as I think back, the intensity of my feelings has definitely petered out a bit, and am glad that I did manage to capture that moment in writing, for I would need a reminder about, things that lay beyond the everyday realms of our lives. The untouched ocean of knowledge, that lies beyond, to be tasted and savoured. And I would like to tell myself, I have …’miles to go, before I sleep’….

Blooming Beauties!

2008-12-20T08:53:00.002+03:00

A long break from blogging, as other priorities have sort of pushed my blogging time, right down, and had to pull it up, with great difficulty, to give its rightful place, right on top, after oh- so- long! So just putting up two tiny blogs, with pictures to do more of the talking!

With the summer waning away and climate turning absolutely pleasant, picked up few plants at the nursery. I think it belongs to the zinnia family, though not sure. They looked lovely, in full bloom, and some buds still to open up. The entire family took it up to tenderly water the pots and placing them on sills for its daily dose of sunlight, and then putting them back in time. And well the effort did shine through, much to our delight!

It’s Fauna this time...!

2008-12-20T07:46:00.010+03:00

A wonderful huge garden, relatively close to our place, is hugely popular, during the pre-winter season, where families throng the place for picnics. Crowds descending with a trail of stuff, the pram, the cycle, the bats and the balls, the huge mats, blankets the entire barbeque embellishments, and the huge food bag(s) ofcourse. Its fun watching them troop in like an army building up their base! Huge stetches of green grass, big drooping trees, and well laid walking paths and pavements, and not to forget the lovely lamp posts, which looked great as the night crept in!

The best part was the visit to the mini zoo, within the huge park, which never fails to delight, especially the liitle ones who go all ga-ga watching either the tricks of the monkeys or awed by the huge ostrich strutting around. Was glad the animals were enjoying the brilliant weather, and hoped that the summer to follow is not too harsh on them. So just a few pictures, though not very good ones, which manage to capture the animals, who mustve made an arduous trip across oceans and plains, to be here, in this Arabian desert, warming the hearts of the multitude, who go back with a definite skip in their steps and a smile on their face.

And then it poured!!

2008-10-30T10:10:00.012+03:00

With the onset of October, the scorching heat gave way to milder, pleasanter days and nights. So could see people, out in the streets, especially in the evenings and weekends. More of picnics, more of trips to the beach, trying to make most of it, the outings, before it turns too chill for comfort, towards November. The past two weeks though, it began to turn muggy and humid, sort of upsetting things. Well, that was a prelude to the showers to follow, was not known then. Well what a shower it turned out to be, yesterday!!

It did rain cats and dogs, atleast in our part of Kuwait, for surprisingly there were parts which didn't seem to have received any! It was lovely, all the prerequisites of a perfect rainy day! Starting with a consistent cool breeze, (which always is accompanied by a 'whooo...ing' or rather a loud whistling noise around here), the darkening clouds, the smell of damp soil, the claps of thunder, and the dazzling lightening too! What seemed to be a mild drizzle to begin with, gained momentum and it was a full fledged pour, lasting for few hours.

Was reminded of the scores of Indian Monsoon we have been part of, more so when we saw kids and ladies stepping out to 'have a dance' in the rain!! Most windows were thrown open, and heads popping out, straining to have a look at this wonderful gushing, gurgling dripping wet sight; to an otherwise dry, dusty, arid scene outside. Streams of muddy water making their way to the nearest outlet, cars and buildings stumped, by this sudden torrid wash, and the pigeons and cats, scurrying for cover or huddled up in corners. The rain did take the desert land by surprise, to say the least, man ,besast et al!!

And it was such a comforting coincidence, that the rains did not make its sudden appearance during our Diwali Celebrations, the previous two days. The general festive mood, though slightly felt was there alright; and with the usual rituals being carried out in a foreign land, they seem to take on a greater significance. So a very eventful week, with loads of goodies to gorge ourselves on, lots of visiting to be in done, getting in touch with friends and family, sharing of good times and wishes - what festivals are all about!

So gearing up for winter, in the offing, summer clothes stacked away, and the woolies dragged down. Sigh! In for a, not long, but a cold, merciless season of heaters and sweaters, socks and gloves, and maybe laced with hot coffee and crispies, steaming kababs and pizzas doesn't seem all that gloomy!!

Visit to the Kuwait Towers

2008-10-14T09:46:00.013+03:00

Planning for an outing on Id, did not leave us with many choices. But Kuwait Towers worked out to be a great choice by the end of the day. We had been forewarned about a possible preposterous traffic rush, and a general closure of all activities around. But what welcomed us were stretches of empty roads, a great sunny day, and people (minimal, mostly non-Muslims, and many non-Asians, for a change) lazily moving around, relaxed and taking in, and relishing the general holiday mood. Could see mums, dads with kids, cycling, or maybe old friends taking a leisurely stroll, along the beach. This was the view along the Gulf Road, which runs along almost the entire eastern stretch of Kuwait, alongside the lapping waters of the Arabian or as it was called earlier,Persian Gulf.

As we approach the towers, which is situated on a slightly curved small peninsula like extension, towards the Gulf, we need to take a sharp right turn, while the Gulf Road, takes a left turn to continue along the contour of the land, north- westward. The first impression is amazement at the sheer size of the three towers, with the blue balls perched atop. We get our entry tickets, and by the time we count five, we are at the top floor! That was quick quips my son, as we step out into the viewing area. It is circular rotating platform, from where we are able to take in the entire view. Initially the triangular viewing sections were a bit dirty for our liking, but soon we could see the window cleaners doing their job, moving up and down, in their motorised shafts. We could see the portion of land below, gently curving in further into the sea, with a huge water park strategically placed, along a lovely coast line. We could also catch sight of the ball at closer range, where we could see, they were actually covered with small disc shaped metal pieces in shades of blue, which gives it the colour.

The insides were furnished with polished metal and granite, and could see some photos, displaying scenes, when the Tower was vandalised, during the Iraq War, and how it was restored. The tower has been around for quite some time, first opened to public in 1979! There was an interesting curio shop, featuring the typical memorabilia, and typically steep priced. There was a viewing telescope through which we couldn’t see much, because it was timed, and before we could decide on a spot and focus, the time was up. So don’t see what’s the whole fun, in having telescopes auto timed! So done with viewing and clicking and more clicking of snaps, zoomed down to have a bite, at a sandwich counter, and the juice was a great quencher. The garden below was green, real green surprisingly and the grass, fresh and wet! So after a short walk below, as it was almost noon by then, along the dyked coast, was back along the swerving Gulf Road, glad at having had a good time at one of the ‘must see’ spots in Kuwait.

To Tag or not to??

2008-10-12T08:07:00.004+03:00

Well, doing a Tag, Tagging, are stuff, that comes along with the package i guess, of being, in Blogdom. Me being a novice still, totally at a loss as to how you go about making Tags interesting; still left clueless. For some veterans it seems to be a cake walk, coming up with witty one-liners effortlessly. And the questions were sort of, a bit queasy at times, and had to wade my way through them. Ofcourse being tagged is an official way of informing that your presence has been acknowledged i guess. So my heartfelt thanks to the initiation, by Reflections.
And here goes....

If you can have a dream come true, what would it be.

As of now….being able to spend more time with my little niece.

Whose butt would you like to kick?
The minds behind the terrorist attacks.

What would you do with a billion dollars?
Just sit tight for a while, with a Cheshire smile on my face!

If you could root for one social cause, what would it be?
Three square meals, for every individual on the face of this earth.

Will you fall in love with your best friend?
It happens all the while i guess, and if it equates to absolutely loving your friend!

If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
Dejection, Anger and Retrospection!

If you fall in love with two people simultaneously who will you pick?
Picking up dresses is done.

Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by someone?
Both i would think, even if it be at different points of time.

How long do you intend to wait for someone you love?
Wait and ????

If the person you secretly like is attached, what will you do?
Its no heinous crime to ‘like’ a person i guess, secretly, attached or whatever!

What takes you down the fastest?
Listening to someone go back on their words.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
(Hope to) Satisfied and Happy with Myself!

What’s your fear?
That I would not do full justice to my potentials (whatever little), and opportunities that come

my way.

Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?

As many had mentioned, would like to change the combination!

Would you give all in a relationship?
Most of the times, i guess.

Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing he has done?
Same as above!

Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?
Being in a good relationship, doesn’t bring in the preference i guess.

What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Reflections : A very interesting, positive and lively person, or that’s what she comes across as, in her two wonderful blog sites.

Phew! Done with it. And as per the rules of the tag, i am supposed to Tag few more, but me being relatively new i think i would exempt myself from the rule! ;) Maybe next time round, when I am Tagged, hoping to have more readers to Tag! So Beware!! :)

Closer home

2008-09-16T09:17:00.030+03:00

The route from Goa to Pune was awesome, rain and mist playing havoc with the hills and cascades of the grand Western Ghats, whipping up a stunningly beautiful landscape. The pictures would say it all I guess. Monsoon again, though was on the wane, so got to feast on some steaming hot corns and delicious vada paavs, enroute.

Meeting old friends with lots of catching up to do (both for us and kids), visiting our usual haunts, observing the growing changes, were all part of the short trip. Getting back to your old friends is such a lovely experience, its like getting back to your own self; where one’s thoughts, aspirations, fears and triumphs are voiced out, only to be totally understood and empathised with, and the huge gap of time and distance becomes, as good as non-existent. I would think maintaining and keeping alive old friendships, is such an important and special chore, in one’s life, that gives such a fulfilling and an enriching dimension to our otherwise routine life.

My train trip from Pune was like experiencing a slice of India indeed, in its true sense and spirit. Be it the change in terrain, the shades of the soil, the flora and fauna, the village scenes - they are all so different, as you cross the so called borders (of states); but each one of them be it the brightly painted yellow ‘lorries’, or the ambling, rattling six-seaters, the eclectic crowd thronging the countless stations strewn all over the country, the language or the dialect, each bursting with its individual identity and pride. The entire experience offers such a diverse, exciting adventure of sorts, to say the least. And this being the scene outside the metal windows, what one can expect on the inside is your own guess! Never a dull moment, nothing like a train ride, as it whistles and rattles past, the much worn tracks traversing huge sections of our homeland. Was constantly reminded of the lovely lovely, 'From a railway carriage’ by RLStevenson. This was an interesting link on the net - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jCoigg77Y4

Trichy, my dear home town, where we had a family meet, was a memorable experience. And so was left with not much time to do our usual shopping, restaurant and cinema hall hunts! There was this slight and sometime not so slight showers that played spoil sport too. Anyhow family did get to visit the famous ‘Ucchi pillayar koil’ the Rockfort Temple as its called, sans me. So have some lovely pictures of Trichy/Tiruchirapalli from atop, not a bird's view, more like a goat's view!! The splendid Cauvery weaving its way in the background, the imposing structure of Srirangam (temple), and a portion of the Pillayar koil where there is a small connection with the inroads.

Looking back,it was a terrific trip, and now loaded with pictures and memories to last for a while, frozen and preserved.

Gorgeous Goa

2008-09-09T09:36:00.031+03:00

It was a wonderful memorable trip, though it included constant packing and unpacking, living outside suitcases. Felt good stowing away all those huge cases, which will have some respite, after their hectic run, this season!

Shall touch upon Goa, where I got to spend time leisurely, without any agenda. It has never been a tourist visit, it’s always more of a family trip, and we get to stay at home, with our extended family. So the bonus being, you get to view the place in all its shades and manifestations. And the longer you stay in the place the general air, the character of the place seems to linger and sort of pervade your senses. And so it is, addictive, to millions of tourists thronging this place from, across the globe.

It was monsoon, and so one can imagine how lovely it would have been. I, after my stint in an arid desert zone, my mind went berserk. The flora, the greenery, the swaying palms, the ferns, the fresh dew laden grass, the squelchy mud, and ofcourse the thundering showers! Walking through swirling waters hoping there isn’t a manhole, along the way, giving way to blaring cars with swishing wipers, and two-wheelers trying to juggle their way off potholes, all the while, trying to huddle inside an umbrella, which does more to hinder your view than protect (the already wet) you. Was all in good fun!

Loved those brightly (read orange, red, ochre, dark blue) painted stately houses, that stand tall and proud on terraced slopes. And lovelier gardens so well maintained, looking all pretty and bright. One doesn’t need green fingers out here I think, the foliage seems to have a vibrant life of its own, and seems to pulsate with vitality. And it is so heartening to observe that, Goa has managed to stay and retain much of its large expanses of natural terrain, in the midst of which you happen to see buildings sprouting up, or roads swerving down, almost merging with the landscape.

The seas being too rough and wild in monsoon, the beaches ofcourse were out of bound. But did get to watch, this beautiful myriad of colours, shifting and mesmerising us with a backdrop, which was breathtakingly stunning. It was a great way to end our trip, filled with a sense of subdued calm and tranquillity inter-mingled with joy.

2008-07-24T20:25:00.029+03:00

Lovely weather here down south, and a great time to be on vacation. Showers every alternate day, and mostly at night, makes it all the more pleasant and un-invasive. Great for morning walks, the soil still being damp and at places squelchy, dotted with chocolate puddles. The morning breeze being so fresh and invigorating, that it falls under the list of ‘those inexplicable’ blissful sensastions.

The roads in the early part of the day, bears no resemblance to what it is, during the better part of the day! Wading through a sea of vehicles, could well be an adventure sport in its own right! Nosing your way, sidling into the gaps, instincts razor sharp, you need them, either to swerve dramatically, to avoid an over speeding driver, zipping inches away, or to wedge your vehicle into the narrowest gap in front of you, before nudged by a million other forms on wheels. Its survival of the fittest, the fastest and the smartest out there. While in the back seat, its best to just shut your eyes, or take part in some deep, engrosing conversation, wherein you allow yourself not to be distracted by a racey action-flick, unfolding right before your eyes!

Just thought would touch upon some interesting features about food in the Middle East. The staple diet or rather the one you would order in an restaurant would be like khubuz and hummus (vegetarian), and showrma or shish taouk(non-vegetarian) along with pickles and garlic dip, and of course the famous Biryani .

Khubuz (has varied spellings and pronunciations!) also known as 'pita', very much like our Naan, and is a bread baked in a kiln, and removed by metal rods, just like our rotis. But slightly thicker and sort of spongy and yeasty.

Shawarma is a non-veg dish (of chicken or lamb) where the soft tender cooked meat, is shredded and garnished. Eaten as a roll or sandwhich with the khubuz.

Hummus is a dip or a main side dish, basically made of ground chickpeas or channa. It has a nice smooth consistency and is very wholesome.

Shish taouk is basically chicken kabab, served with salad. The only difference, from its Indian counterpart being that, they form one long section, instead of chopped individual pieces.

Garlic Dip - Not sure what the exact Arabic name is, but it is an almost inevitable accompaniment, and is said to neutralise the effect of excessive fat and oil in the meal.

Biryani - To be honest I have not tasted a typical Kuwaiti Biryani, so will refrain from saying much, except for the fact that the dish did indeed cross over from Persia across the Arabian Sea to India. So I would think it would taste much the same as it does in India! Maybe another blog can be dedicated to this Queen of all Dishes at a later stage; Or would welcome fellow bloggers or readers to contribute towards this section.

From my limited knowledge, and from what I have observed from my short stay in Kuwait, I understand that the cuisine, is a mixture of Lebanese and Iraqi and Arabian cuisine. And ofcourse the country has been sort of swamped by fast food chains, which are so very popular, that you tend to find them more, than the typical Arabi restaurants, and followed closely by Indian restaurants of course. So we do have our share of Dosas and Butter chickens and Utthappams and Naans, regulary at the local 'Udippis' or 'Saagars' and the 'Daawats'!

A summer evening

2008-07-06T08:34:00.009+03:00

The fauna and flora here is nothing spectacular I would think, or rather nothing much to write about; but still when you set your mind to it, you can have your share of greenery, or rather in this part of Kuwait, it would be ‘brownery’. The fact that the landscape is so oft ravaged by sandstorms, the plants bear the brunt, and tend to be laden by the constant onslaught of sand particles. They seem to sort of weigh down on them, and stay put, giving them a brownish tinge, to the entire structure of the plant, tree, so much so that it merges perfectly with the sandy landscape.

Right in the middle of summer vacation, another month or so, to go still, and you see crowded streets, malls, and of course open grounds, dotted with numerous football teams, of varying age groups, and varying energy levels. Was reminded of our playgrounds being crammed, with charged up feisty players, (predominantly the 5-14 yr olds) brandishing their invincible bat, and lunging with all that they have got, to get the perfect yorker. And scanning for a similar sight, was awarded with one, and heart did leap with joy to behold a team, made of all but 8 players, but the spirit there all the same, heaving a mighty six, and the lunge to catch the ball. Cricket is around, trying to carve a niche, and managing to, amidst the roaring fury of football mania.

When you search for beauty, you are sure to find it, or so I would like to think. So as the twilight set in, managed to get this ‘colourful’ image, with the tiny dot of moon, heralding yet another long, warm night.

Crazy Phrase-y (Word Game)

2008-06-11T08:28:00.010+03:00

Rules of the Game : Starting with the given word, form a sentence, without using prepositions, pronouns or conjunctions. Poetic or wacky, it is entirely your choice. Points are not awarded, just based on the length of the sentence, vocabulary and expression also counts! The word given here is

Falling .....
Falling leaves swirl languorously gliding, swaying, creating a beautiful pattern, the blue sky, the canvas.

Falling down served many a purpose, including a smashed ladder, heralding a tinkling laugh, making matters worse indeed.

.......................................................................................................

Lets see who comes up with the phrasiest of the phrase-y sentences. Bring in the poetic streak, then on it becomes easy! Do pitch in, and have fun.

The following list, is not an exhaustive one, so some concessions have been made. But the specified words are to be skipped, or else will entail disqualification. Happy phrasing!!

Prepositions – "about," "above," "across," "after," "against," "along," "among," "around," "at," "before," "behind," "below," "beneath," "beside," "between," "beyond," "but," "by," "despite," "down," "during," "except," "for," "from," "in," "inside," "into," "like," "near," "of," "off," "on," "onto," "out," "outside," "over," "past," "since," "through," "throughout," "till," "to," "toward," "under," "underneath," "until," "up," "upon," "with," "within," and "without."

Pronouns – "I," "you," "she," "he," "it," "we," "you," "they,” "me," "you," "her," "him," "it," "us," "you," and "them."

Conjunctions - "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," or "yet", "after," "although," "as," "because," "before," "how," "if," "once," "since," "than," "that," "though," "till," "until," "when," "where," "whether," and "while."

Sandstorms and Seagulls!

2008-06-10T08:37:00.007+03:00

The Dust storm seems to have come to stay. Will be around for a while, it looks like, sometimes mild, sometimes descending with a vengeance shrouding the entire vicinity, with a thick blanket of fine swirling stand, and at times almost non-existent; but it’s there alright. And the strangest part being, geographically, it has been stated that the monsoon rains, towards the south-easterly direction in the globe, and the dust storms here, are connected. And so, as the dust and sand, goes through its angry journey across the desert lands, the rain unleashes itself on areas, just divided by a large expanse of ocean. How and why, it is beyond me, though of course it is all to do with the Elements of earth, going on with its routine, with some party days, thrown in, I guess.

Watching the waves in its incessant trips to the shore, is always a pleasure. And getting to see the seagulls making its rounds, perching on a stray boulder or a boat, is interesting too. The view from the tower in Al-Kout, is something I always look forward to. Somehow, suddenly you seem to rise above the motley crowd of human race, and get to be with nature, with just a few flights of steps. The rounded pebble like rocks which form the jetty, itself looks lovely and distinct; the sea line dotted with few bobbing boats, and the birds trying to catch their feed, wait patiently or keep hovering around, yet don’t come too near the shoreline. The coastline looks pretty impressive too, with the high-rise buildings reaching for the sky. Leaves one to wonder, however grand, imposing and luxurious man tries to make his creations (Al-kout Mall), what actually soothes your self, and brings in a sense of peace is of course the creations of nature, and its wonderful we get to find it, amidst our other pursuits. (Thanks to kuw son of flickr for this lovely breathtaking picture of the tower.)

Dust Storms - http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Dust_storm

Al-kout Mall - http://www.nicoleb.org/Countries/Kuwait/Al_Kout_Mall.html

Pondering

2008-06-05T09:50:00.008+03:00

" Help rendered to another cannot be measured

by the extent of assistance imparted;

Its real measure is the recipient's worthiness. "(105)

This is indeed, not just an inspiring thought, but such a humbling one too. I mean, its always assumed that the giver is on a higher plane, and gains more points too!! But this totally challenges that concept. Its beautiful actually the thought, and coming from someone who passed this planet around the 200 BC era!! One of the pearls of wisdom of the Poet Thiruvalluvar, from the southern tip of India.

Such insights, such a lovely grasp of the oddities of human life in all its forms. While reading Thomas Hardy, struck me how thinkers and writers had this luxury of completely ransacking the human mind, at leisure, and then laying out all that they had found, and finally arrive at, theories as to, why people are, the way they are. And these theories most of them turn out to be real profound and so well scripted. In this period of diversified but short span interests and distractions, I think the time taken to ponder and ruminate on something is come in a wonderful form of 'Blogging'! So we are the unofficial 'thinkers' or maybe even the undisputed philosophers of this era!! That's a quirky thought!

The wind is almost howling as it blows against my window panes, and slightly the panes shudder. Yes it has been predicted to be a mild warm day, and its such a blessing I would think. Hope it lasts through the weekend.

Nature and its trails

2008-06-04T08:18:00.019+03:00

As Kuwait is reeling and sweltering under the onslaught of heat waves, well into our 'famed summer', interspersed with its share of dust storms,- elsewhere it seems to be pouring cats and dogs. Or rather more than that.

Western Europe is going through a terrible time, with the torrential rains playing havoc. Major landslides causing roadways to be blocked, cars and vehicles all caught in the eddy of swirling muddy waters, coursing throught the cities and the countrysides. England, Italy, France and Belgium have not been spared too.

Heavy floods in Germany, and the country is thrown into a shock, I would think. It somehow seems that these natural disasters, have a way of striking the 'lesser mortal-countries', or the not-so-developed countries, and its like 'Oh! its happened again', 'Poor things', 'Wonder how we could help?' and so on. All genuine concerns there alright. But when it actually strikes places, which are know to be clinically efficient and impeccably organised and absolutely well funded, there is a mild surprise sorts. The point is, how the fury of Nature when unleashed, becomes a leveller, against which no one has any answers, until it abates.

And with the talk of nature, reminds me, the thing one gets to miss most in Kuwait is greenery. I dont think that very term would exist, or be applicable here in this section of the world! Actually come to think of it, this thought leads me to feeling absolutely wretched. Well, so what do we do, buy small 6 inch saplings, and try to do some simulation, within the confines of our homes. Yes we do, but still wonder, especially people who come from corners of the world where they live right amidst those tall imposing trees, walk on mossy wet grass everyday, listen to the calls of wild birds, smell the waft of moist air, go for a swim in the backyard brook, what do they do? Don't they miss them?? Sigh! I do.

What hits you first, when you take a trip through your hometowns, is the presence of this colour, green. The presence of green interlaced in the landscape, every corner and nook. Eyes does search, in vain, for these vaulted images, only to finally rest back in the plant that stands alone, in my drawing room, and gain small comfort.

Change - inevitable but promising.

2008-06-02T09:11:00.005+03:00

A new Government, new Ministry, a fresh crop of Ministers the air filled with hope and a sense of enthusiasm everywhere is always a welcome sign. Wherever you are, whoever you are. So the speeches made and the promises too seem to invoke a sense of optimism and anticipation. But where do we feature in the plans, schedules and framework, if at all is a disturbing question indeed.

So the Academic year is drawing to a close in many schools here, and the holiday mood slowly seeping in, and for a few it already has, who have left for their homes far away. So with the scorching summer on its way, people are only too enthusiastic about making their getaway, as soon as possible. So lots of shopping, planning and travelling in the agenda for many, and great times to look forward to.

Flats and buildings which are cloaked in a gloomy silence, (with exams going on ) will resonate and reverberate with cheers and yells of joy shortly, as the children would flock the places below, to meet, play and have a rollicking time; where they throng from, this mob of kids, were they in hiding all these months, one wonders! So wishing all a Happy Holidays out here, though it’s ironical that way back home, everyone is done with their vacations, and are stepping into their serious routine mode, at this very moment!!

Show Time

2008-05-28T10:01:00.021+03:00

Well thought shall post some Entertainment stuff today, to perk up the jazz factor of the blog. So what follows will be some music, movies and ofcourse cricket.

My Two Cents on

Top 3 Tamil Songs as on 29.5.08

Ulaga nayagane (dasavatharam) - starts off great and ofcourse you have the typical reshamiya's beat, that never fails to pull in the listener into his song. But as it moves on it sort of falls into the rut of old tunes. The chorus part is good, and as I had said because of the Himesh bhais trademark beat, itll be on top for a while i guess.

Pudhu pudhu (dhoom dham) - a slight disappointment, the music is ofcourse mindblowing. Benny's voice with minimum music has been used predominantly througout, with few other voices thrown in. Experiments have always been Harris's forte, and so would be a definite hit with the youth. All said Harris Jeyraj's music never lets go off you, long after you ve listened to it.

Palaanadhu (kuruvi) - A typical one for our illaya thalapathi in his latest Kuruvi :). Would suit him like a glove. Has all the ingredients of formulaised hit song, but that its been jazzed up a bit more this time round, with some sprinkling of punjabi!!

Top 3 Hindi Songs

Break free - from Krazzy 4, is a great "u-gotta-go-yo!" song, and it goes along well with the theme of the movie i think. A nice hip hoppy song which puts you in a feel good mood.

Mujh pe tho jadoo from Race. Somehow, comes across as one from an album , and not a typical movie song. Taz's strong vibrating voice, sort of lifts along the song, through out, though has too many distractions along. A nice punjabi beat again here, though personally would suggest the pehli nazar mein, inspite of it being a clean lift from a korean song!

Judaai from Jannat. Yet another imraan hashmi's hit, and not without its load of mooning and crooning! He has this sure hit formula written all over him, so take him on screen and make him sing you have a hit. The song isnt all that bad, just that, it is not all that good too.

The Battle is on

Chennai Super Kings have effortlessly made their way into the semi finals thanks to a gritty display by Raina and Doni where they face an inspired Kings XI Punjab team after their recent thumping of a lacklustre Rajasthan Royals.

Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals both by way of points accured earlier in the tournament face each other for a place in the final on Friday.

So all set for

1st Semi-Final: Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals at Mumbai - May 30, 2008
2nd Semi-Final: Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab at Mumbai - May 31, 2008

Flag off

2008-05-26T09:37:00.009+03:00

State of Kuwait, as it is called is all of, just around 17000 square kms of land, sort of squashed, between the grand mass of Saudi Arabia in the West and, the lapping waters of the green and history ridden Persian Gulf in the East, and dangerously skidding a tiny portion with the ominous, but undenying presence of Iraq in the North.

Geographically speaking, it is predominantly a desert, and figuratively speaking a flourishing one at that! The small section which is inhabited, has been so transformed, as Aladdin would have, if he had his genie with him; into a world where we all but forget, we are in the middle of an arid scorching desert. Shall elaborate more on this, as my blogroll grows, or so i would hope.

So, basically shall attempt to express in this Blog, a few of my humble impressions and share some notes, about this country, where I happen to be a new tenant. So it will be just a shared journey in my discovery, or a walk with me along my Desert Trails!