Games that the Gods play

The sweltering summer heat. This year has been unbelievably hot. Its really strange for Bangalore to see temperatures of 33 deg Celsius. I don’t remember a year before this that I was skeptical about stepping out during the day, because of the sun. Surya* was adamant, that he would shine down on us all through March and April. He showed no sympathy, knowing very well that we were not used to it. (Maybe Yeddy didn’t offer him any coconuts this year. Hmmmph, Yeddy and his vested interests) Either that, or I’ve had a small memory lapse, and can’t remember the way last years summer went. Maybe I didn’t step out, because I was lazy.

Then on one such hot day, Varuna* decided to shower some love on us. It looked like he missed us, because he decided to package some extra love. He sent Rudra* first, to lash on the city. Rudra went all out, struck the ground with brilliant flashes of light. Then Varuna followed, blocking the roads, washing down the city of its sins. Cleaning up, settling the dust. I was on my way to work that evening. It took me a 2 and 3/4 hours to get to work, but I looked out of the window. I watched Rudra in action, striking poses across the sky. The dark clouds, and those brilliant streaks of light, like sharp arrows shooting outwards. Awestruck as I was, I decided to crib (human nature?). I still think the journey could be shorter, but Rudra was fabulous.

Once calm was restored that night, Vayu* took over. He swept through the city, blowing a cool breeze. He was gentle. He made sure that he calmed the people down, specially after Varuna and Rudra decided to shake them up. He stayed till I got home from my graveyard shift that morning. He blew cool air, and made sure that though I was tired, I was calm.

The next morning, Rta* had decided. He decided to restore the rhythmic pattern of the Universe. The orderly way that the world regulates itself, upholding the cycle, teaching me an important lesson. Surya shone down brilliantly the next day, upon a clean Earth. Brighter, since everything got a proper washing down the previous day. He worked through the day to ensure normalcy is restored. Vayu worked all day too, to reduce the intensity of Surya. Varuna and Rudra were at peace.

Everything was orderly again. Life goes on. The circle of life that people spoke about so often (actually the Lion King mentioned it) seemed to fit its true meaning. After every gloomy day, the night settles in. Dark, and threatening. Then dawn creeps in, with the first ray, trying to ensure that everything will be normal again, as long as you’re strong. Strength that stems inside you, should weather any storm. Strength to face the world, with your head held up high.

Hold your head up high, knowing that there is a Rta. The loop will close, the ends of the circle will meet, only to start another circle again.

(* Context given below)

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I was reluctant to post this, although I wrote it on impulse. I don’t mean any harm or offence, of course. I was wondering what magnificent games the Gods would play, if they had to. I instantly remembered that this was one such game. I don’t necessarily believe in the existence of the Gods, or what kinds of Gods there are. I am all for One Religion – Humanity (spoken like in a beauty pageant, but its true). There could be many Gods, or none. Anyway, more about that on an isolated blog post. Treat this like a work of fiction.

Surya – The Sun God, shining magnificently down on the Earth

Varuna – God for the Rains, quenching the thirsty soil, and cleaning the world of apparent sins

Rudra – The God of Storms and lighening. He wields the thunder bolt, like a bow and arrow, reaching far across the skies.

Vayu – Wind, constant motion. The God who breeze through, leaving a calming effect, lest he is ever angry, where he can wreck havoc. 

Rta – God of the universal order. Sometimes described as Reet, or Reeti, which means order, and formal manner. Everything is designed to function according to Rta’s wishes. Rta prevails, no matter what goes wrong

Of Talking Newspapers…

Black and white print. The best thing ever, I’d say. I love books, magazines and of course, newspapers. I love glancing through the papers everyday, even on the days when I know I have absolutely no time and need to rush out. Well, today was different, and definitely lazy, till dad walked into the living room, very excited. He had a bundle of newspapers in his hand, and said “Oh look, the newspapers talking”.

Welcome, to new generation advertising, Ladies and Gentlemen. I was enthralled really, and grabbed the paper from him. Only to find a little black box, which in a very sexy voice “Volkswagen Vento, and so on”. I burst out laughing, because all I could think of was this (Click). This was unusual, the only freebies the newspaper ever came with before this, was – many shampoo sachets, conditioner sachets, and this once – Half a sanitary pad (Please tell me what one would do with half?). Well, after much opening and closing of the newspaper, I got bored.

Volkswagen, woke India up today, to something new. They mixed up various media of advertising, to come up with something which made one sit up and notice. Yes, we noticed. I still can’t afford that car. I wish that sexy voice had said, “Congratulations, You’ve won the Volkswagen Vento”. Some high hopes! Smart advertising, and thousands of Rupees spent, they got their message across.

What they didn’t realize they would do, is scaring more than half the population of India. Imagine waking up and groggily giving your English Daily a shake and you hear a voice. I’d probably have jumped out of my skin (I am not exactly the brave-heart in the family). Thank heavens I was awake, and pumped up with caffeine. This really did happen – our helper came home, and started sweeping dust off our floor, till her eyes caught the newspaper. She said she’d picked up the newspaper for a family she goes to early in the morning, and then she heard some weird noise and a black object stuck to the paper. These are her exact words (translated from Kannada, of course) – “I thought someone had left an explosive in the paper!” (She said the B**B word, I dare not). She was right! I’m sure half of India thought it was freaky!

(I also wonder, how most of the Loo-newspaper-readers managed today. Distraction, while on the job? )

The point is, Volkswagen caught attention, leaving some laughing, some palpitating, and some with a minor heart attack. Very smart advertising. Agree? Disagree? – Leave your thoughts as comments.

The auto story..

Black and yellow, three legged (read wheel-ed), loud, airy, mostly noisy. This is what anyone would say, when asked to describe this menacing, traffic rule breaking vehicle. I beg to differ, because, here’s my take on the “Auto”. I am what I am today because of the auto. Its freaky, really, but I’ve been so dependent on this mode of travel, from ever-since-I-remember. Again, there are things terribly wrong with this tuk-tuk. This post is an “ode to the auto”, so I think I’ll keep the ‘auto-bashing’ post for some other day.

I am not a big fan of wanting to ride my own vehicle, re-emphasized by the fact that I fell off my bike yesterday. Besides, I prefer not to be behind wheels, specially since I might end up getting so involved in a conversation and forget to concentrate on the road while driving. This is when Auto, the savior comes in. Owing to terrible, terrible traffic congestion in parts of Bangalore, I have derived that the best way to get to commercial street or to a mall would be by an Auto. I’ve rather taken to this “hop-in, hop-out” concept!

Today, on my way back from interesting brunch, with some fabulous girls, I sat back and began to think, in an Auto, of course. I ended up thinking about how I’m sure everyone I know has an “Auto story” of their own. I remember having so many pleasant and some unpleasant memories in an auto. Unpleasant, pertaining to me being ticked off about something and wanting to get away on my own, and i sought refuge from an auto (to take me to a mall, of course). Pleasant memories shall not be disclosed.

So, I decided to find out if everyone else had an “Auto story” too. I peered into the back seats of passing Auto’s, and at stationary ones at a traffic signal. I hope my attempt at trying to look aloof and nonchalant worked. Here’s what I saw :

* Couples in love, seek the safe refuge of an auto, very often. I think that they’re oblivious to the fact that there could be hundreds of people who could see them. This particular couple whom I saw today, was a young couple, cuddling (of course, *rolls eyes*). Suddenly, they seemed to show each other their rings(engaged?), flashing a big smile at each other. A major *awww* moment, I must say.

* Another auto had a rather tired mother, with three little children, who were excitedly showing off their newly acquired toys to each other. The mother turned a watchful eye at each one of them, smiling to herself, probably happy that the children were enthralled by something she got them. That warm smile, caught onto me as well, and I couldn’t stop smiling after that.

* This one was the best Auto story for the day, where I saw a big dog(German Shepherd), sticking his head out of the vehicle, his big tongue hanging out sloppily to the side. I could see that this was one big happy guy. The owner, was hanging onto the fella’, so he doesn’t jump out! He sure looked like he wanted to!

* There was also a very interesting auto story, when we were stationary at a traffic signal. There was an auto adjacent to me, and there was obvious cacophony coming from inside. I had to look, I was in my curious-best today! Well, there were three, slightly (?) overweight women, stuffed into the back of the auto, with bright saree’s, and flowers in their hair, discussing something very important. They obviously wanted everyone stopped at the signal to know what they were discussing, and so I kindly obliged. I learned that they were flower sellers, (confirmed by big bags full of flowers that lay at their feet) who had missed selling flowers that day, discussing what a loss it was to them. I also learned from one of them, that her daughter had the audacity to tell her that she didn’t want to sell flowers! This was followed by huge exclamation from the other two women, and then our autos had to move. I missed the rest of the story. Thank Heavens I knew Kannada, l’d have missed out on a story like this otherwise.

* Most autos had single travelers like me, sitting silently, thinking and probably planning out their day. Or thinking about how they could fix a messy situation. I guess I’ll never know.

That’s that! Here I am, back home, after having paid the auto driver and having earned my share of weird looks from him, writing my very own Auto story.

Laughter? Says who?

With due respect to “The Reader’s Digest”, I beg to differ. I don’t entirely agree with the concept of their very popular section, ‘Laughter, the best medicine’. Sure, most of the jokes are insanely funny, but they’re not medicine for me. For me, the best medicine has been and will always been something, which is addictive. (Fore-warning to the men : You may not relate to this one, read at your own risk or for tips/tricks to please the womenfolk ;) ). I’d gladly rename the column on RD to “Shopping, the most effective medicine” or “Shopping, expensive but effective medicine”.

I declare that I’m a crazy Shopper! I’m one of those maniacs who you hear of often, who shop, till they drop, take a 5 minute break, and shop some more. A very good friend of mine, You-day, aptly pointed out one day – “Hey, I know your favorite word. SALE!” Yep, Yep You-day, Right you are. This is a weakness, for me, for plenty of other women, and a few men. These few men, may not accept it, but it is a little secret they maintain. ( I think..) You-day is probably one of this kind, who enjoys shopping – he claims that I was attracted to a Shoe-store, just because it was named “Magnet”. This is a magic word – SALE. I hate the crowd and noise that comes as a part and parcel of a sale, but honestly, I’m like a deaf horse when I’m working hard, at making a good buy. So my fantasy world might have an entire mall on a SALE, with no other shoppers grabbing at stuff I liked and couldn’t reach first. I’d take my own time, ambling along, make horrible faces at stuff I think is quite ghastly. Sounds perfect, sighhhh!

Anyway, today,  being a pretty bad day for me, had me storming out of home, with a fat face. I walked, briskly away from home. Home is supposed to be a place where you find peace right? (This might be related to “wedding talks”. I don’t want to turn this into marriage-vent-space, so ignore.) My walk turned into a short trip, with me heading towards an auto-rickshaw, and asking him to take me to a very popular mall. When your mood is stormy, retail therapy works like a charm, take my word for it. For an extra, power packed “kick”, try buying something that you would normally ignore, thinking “too short”, “out of budget”, “too bright”. You have no idea what an immediate effect this will have on you, psychologically. Stuff that you buy on days like these, are usually those that you plan to wear sometime in the future, when you’re thinner, or to a holiday in Goa. Not right now, but its totally worth each bit of the money you spent!

I admit that I’m not one of the best examples of  “effective money spending” or “save today,  spend tomorrow”. Do not follow by example, if you care enough for your wallet. But then, a girl has to do what she has to do! She has to shop, justify why she shopped, and write about it, in hope that there will be other women, who would adopt and seek the joys of Retail Therapy.

A very wise girl told me one day, when we were out shopping (Of course, what else could possibly lead to a line like this one), “My sister says you shouldn’t feel guilty when you shop. If you want to look good, no one can possibly make you stop!” And so I go on, with greater zeal and vigor, rejuvenated like never  before.

Happy Shopping Ladies! :)

Love, Peace, Shoes!
PS : I acquired Denim Shorts, which I know I’m never going to wear..! :) Its future planning…

A Very Beachy Affair This…

Every one, without exception, always has someplace where they find Peace. The place can vary, and so can the kind of peace that they are looking for. For the menfolk(I love commenting on them), it could be as silly as dropping themselves loosely on a bean bag with a gaming joystick in hand and punching the air out of an animated figure. For me, it has always been the beach.

Life threw me into City(Read this), and City had a beach, a very long one at that. Mind you, City was always piping hot, with tropical weather at its best 9 months out of 12. The other three months were bearable, considering it was winter. So, I always loved the beach at night. City has a beach which i’m going to call Ellie, of course.

Being in City all alone, made me fall in love with Ellie. Normally a very stressed out day at the workplace, would normally end with me calling ThunderBird (one of my best friends who helped me get past City), and zooming off to Ellie. The long paved red walkway for 60-something couples to walk along, after a wholesome dinner was the first thing that struck you as different. Ellie was rather small, but the market, food and entertainment section (often like a fair) was restricted to one stretch of the beach. The other half was for regular thinkers (like me, ahem) and young couples (City had very few of those) to plonk themselves by the water.

Each time I made my way to the sea-side, sand in my shoes, a strong-warm wind blew towards me, and I’d trod carefully, looking for any sharp objects that I’d like to avoid stepping on. Plonking myself on the sand, I always made it a point to look in the direction of the fair. A little giant wheel (oxymoron that) with its rotating lights, carts selling awful chilli bajji‘s, the little Gas-lights that lit them, and my favorite object of attention – The Balloon Shooting stalls. These stalls normally had a bunch of little children, waiting for a strong gust of wind to blow these balloons off the flimsy cloth wall. Once that happened, they’d tear down chasing behind them, laughing loud, eventually bursting them on their way back.

Then, a long hard look into the sea, which almost always decided to blow some peace my way. Thankfully ThunderBird never asked why I wanted to go. I’ve thought hard about my transfer, work problems, mended a broken heart, made my will stronger by Ellie. Everything that needed hours of pondering over, would be reserved for a trip to Ellie. This, had to be followed by dinner at Mash and that was a ritual. I’d always look forward to those heavenly plates of hot food. So, decide to walk back to the road, towards mash, tousled hair, salty lips and the smell of the sea.

A first of sorts

You’ve got to just love those rainy days in this city. Bangalore, my charming little (atleast, used to be one) city where you expect a tormenting cloud to hover about for hours and then not shower down upon you. The point I’m making is, clouds seem to think here. Uncanny as it may sound, the same cloud can give you a burst of rain and silently float away. Come and go without a bang, and the next minute, bright sunshine!

Ask any true Bangalorean (Bengaluru-ean/Benagloorite sounds rather depressing), they’d give you the most heart rendering reaction about Bangalore (again, I’m going to stick to the charming name it had). “Bangalore’s got charm”, which pretty much seeps into the people living here as well. Charming, quaint, practical and all those adjectives you’d choose to describe a really charming place.

Being away from here, home, was probably the hardest phase for me. They say, once a Bangalorean, always a Bangalorean. No other city can be called home after being here. After being dropped (like hot cake, at that) into a city (owning to my cribbing nature, I’d rather not name this city, just going to call it city), I felt alienated. Entering City was like entering an oven which your mother chose to pre-heat to bake some cake. City was not so kind to me either, since it had a brain of its own (generously lent to it by the residents). It chose to give me the worst summer, worst monsoon I’d ever faced.

Sooner than I expected, i got used to City, with its ways that connected to the roots of the Indian Culture. I saw it all around me, amidst all the hustle and bustle, the big waves, the loud gyrating music and dance, City never failed to impart little lessons. Lessons for me to look back at life, undo somethings, redo some others. The most important lesson, never (and i mean never) discard your old history text books. You’ll find the most amazing man-made structures in City and surrounding areas. Artistic temples, big sculptures and references in your old history books that you never thought you’d encounter.

City is certainly going to have many references in this thread and then the story of how Bangalore pulled me back in one line- Bangalore is home (and I came back humming Mama, I’m coming hooooomme) and will always be.