palaayil enna okke ondu viseshangal..

I am blessed, for I was there when the monsoon showers washed on to the Kerala shores. My trip was pre-planned and I had to attend the marriage function of my friend philosopher Mr. Shimmy Thomas, but monsoon came unplanned and I haven’t even taken an umbrella to tackle her. He lives in the beautiful terrains on the border of Kasargode and Kannur, the place called Cherupuzha. On Thursday morning as I woke up, I was greeted with the lush green mountains of Sreekantapuram – Naduvil (Native place of TP, a place which he boasted of being Kerala’s Ooty - It is true mate) - Aalakkode route which finally ended up in Cherupuzha. I have been to his house before, but the route I took always was from home. This one from Bangalore (without touching Kannur) was narrow, curvy, and scenic. At one point I could see on my side, a deep valley with rubber trees and clouds touching them just below me.

Rain at that time was scattered, raining at one place not at the other. But I could see the real dark side of her, when we were at the church. It was getting dark, sun had hidden as if being afraid of the downpour and there was a marriage to happen. Then it poured, up there from the top, he the creator of all inverted the huge bucket of water.

It rained thick and hard. And in that wet atmosphere, the bride arrived. The driver had to make a great effort in parking the car close to church, so that she won’t get wet.

Next day, I drove the car alone for the maximum distance ever. I was off to my mom’s place, Pala, for a house warming function there. This time there was no dad in the front seat to irritate me with his advices as my parents had another program and had to leave early. J . As I drove freely, I enjoyed the new bye-pass from Thondayad to Ramanattukara on the way. The Thrissur Angamali sector has become even busier, not at single time I could drive past 80Kmph. My Uncle, who came along with me with his family, at times said – “Whenever you feel a need to change, just tell me”. I felt, but never told him ;).

Then it happened somewhere near to Perumbavoor, a White Chevy Optra over took me and a kid from its back seat said something at us. “What did he say?” was the topic in the car was the discussion in the car for the next few minutes. My aunt even suggested that he might have been kidnapped to which my uncle replied in the typical Kozhikkodan Sshtyle – “Pinne Ooloru budhi, Kidnap Cheyyan varunnavaru Optrayilalle vannu kidnap cheyyunne”. But I knew what he said; as the vehicle was not behaving the way I wanted. It was loosing its power and developed a new sound from the rear. It was punctured, and we had driven a few kilometers for now.

As we fixed it, it got dark again and it poured heavy. Then my uncle suggested that it would be better that he drive now and I obliged. On that Main Central Road looking through the window shield, I saw the lush green Kerala. Someone’s comment on the blogosphere is really true; Kerala is at her beautiful best during monsoon.

I should say I was very much relieved to be back there at my mom’s place. It’s been a long time I visited them, mostly due to distance I was myself from my home, physically. I did meet my chittas and cousins in between but was never been to Pala in years. My cousin complained, the last time I met her was at her marriage and now she has a kid of 2 years, and that makes 4 years of gap. Hmmm.. That is too much. I know, but happened mainly due to the fact that whenever I came come from Pune/Mumbai I came for 5-8 days and those days I fully wanted to enjoy at my home .And with a menu given to my mom, I could get every dish I liked. :-)

I and My Uncle got engaged in the daily chores, putting up pandals, bringing in stationary items for the sadhya, pulling up current from the old house to the new house, cleaning and washing the tanks, the usual stuff. The evening before was the interesting one, we were off to Pala town to get something for the next day and since it was evening and my uncle was getting bored he decided to visit his friends shop. There they decided to have a few drinks. I could smell the air that was of conspiring how to avoid me. My Uncles discussion went this way:

Uncle: “We will sit sometime here; I haven’t met Mr. PR for sometime. I hope you don’t get bored.”
Me: “No it’s ok, or else I will go home.”
Uncle: “Will you take the car alone.”

After a thought

Uncle: “Then what will you say if Chitta ask where am I. No no, we will go together.” :-)

I was worrying whether he will put in the question – “Do you drink?” Thank god he didn’t put that, to him I am still a kiddo, I guess. And he had very much difficulty in the gulping the spirit as I found him turned his back towards me when I entered the shop after my purchase. I too was in a kind of weird atmosphere, where my uncle and his friend are drinking and I watching it. I cannot even ask for a sipL. I always say this that sitting amongst people who drinks, without you drinking is the most boring thing on earth.

On the way back, of course he promised me not to mention anything about the visit to Mr. PR’s shop, because if my Chitta knows he visited PR, then she knows what would have happened there. And that night it rained so heavily. The wind was blowing at it best. Then the right most pole that held one end of the tarpaulin came down and along with it came down the huge tarpaulins that were there covering the right side of the courtyard. I ran to save the table and chairs from being wet and tried holding the pole. But I lost, for the wind was too heavy, it was coming down hard on me and the rain too. My uncle too joined me and then he tried to hold it and asked me to tie the ropes. I ran out to tie the rope to the tree, and at that moment a huge wind came in and rain lashed harder. I lost the grip on the rope and my uncle lost the grip on his mundu. The tarpaulins went down and we both were wet.

And when rains subsided, we began the rescue work. The next day it rained again and the same pole misbehaved again, but luckily the function was far from over and now we have to return them. So we didn’t do the rescue work. I sat there listening to the sound of rain that danced according to the different tunes of the wind. My cousin was telling all the news that was pending for four years. I sat silent. At the end of it, she said “Ee Chekkan Onnum Mindum Koode Illa” and left.

In the mean time I found some time to capture the snaps of rain too. I dedicate these to Victor George, a Photo Journalist who worked with Manorama, who loved rains and chased them, and captured them in his frames and also died along with them. Don’t raise your eye-brows; I am no match to him. I don’t even know him personally, neither did he know me. He is the role model for me, when ever I try capturing rainy days.

On my way back too it rained. As my bus crawled through the MC road, the rain water flowed over the big glasses of the Volvo. It formed a blurred vision and the scenery across it was completely blurred, but beautiful. I could see the lights of the streets, some rubber estates far away, children playing in the rains, people trying to get back home, a Maruthi Omni head-on collided with a Lorry and a lot more. The rains never stopped that night. I followed them and enjoyed every cent of land that View through the Big Volvo Glass Window brought me. I wanted to capture them on the frame, but this time I decided to capture in my mind. It was awesomely beautiful.

5 days through Cherupuzha - Kannur - Vadakara - Kozhikode - Perumbavoor - Moovattupuzha - Pala - Ettumaanoor - Kottayam -Moovattupuzha - Perumbavoor - Thrissur. Back in Bangalore from the roads of Madiwala to the bye-lanes through the Christ College, to that small dingy place called Taverekere – life sucks. Now its all memories.

Mom called me up in the morning, they have left Pala. It’s still raining there.

I quote Silverine here (With your permission, Silverine) “We are indeed blessed to have that special place called Kerala, to go to during vacations :)”

Let me modify a bit “I am indeed blessed to have that special place called Pala and Vadakara, to go to, whenever I want :)”

one more ..

നാളെ എന്റെ പിറന്നാളാണ്‌!
എനിക്ക്‌ ഓര്‍മ്മയുണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. അവളുടെ കത്തില്‍ നിന്നാണത്‌ മനസ്സിലായത്‌. അവള്‍ എഴുതിയിരിക്കുന്നു: "വരുന്ന വ്യാഴാഴ്ചയാണു പിറന്നാള്‌. രാവിലെ കുളിച്ചിട്ടെ വല്ല്ലതും കഴിക്കാവൂ. വ്യാഴാഴ്ച പിറന്നാള്‌ വരുന്നതു നല്ലതാണ്‌. ഞാന്‍ ശിവന്റെ അംബലത്തില്‍ ധാരയും പണപായസവും കഴിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്‌. അവിടെ അടുത്ത്‌ അംബലമില്ലേ? ഉണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ കുളിച്ചു തൊഴണം..."
എന്റെ നന്മയ്ക്കു വേണ്ടതെല്ലം ഭാര്യ ചെയ്തു കൊള്ളും. ആ ഉറച്ച വിശ്വാസമാണ്‌ എന്നെ നയിക്കുന്നതു. അവള്‍ വളരെക്കാലമായി എനിക്കു വേണ്ടി പ്രാര്‍ത്ഥിക്കുന്നു. അവളുടെ പ്രാര്‍ത്ഥന ഫലം ഉണ്ടാവാനിടയുണ്ട്‌. ദേവന്മാരുടേയും ദേവിമാരുടേയും കണ്ണിലുണ്ണിയായി വളര്‍ന്നവളാണ്‌.
നാളെ എനിക്കൊഴിവാണ്‌. പിറന്നാളാണെന്നുള്ള വസ്തുത പൂഴ്ത്തി വയ്ക്കുകയാണ്‌ ഭേദം. അറിഞ്ഞാല്‍ കൂട്ടുകാര്‍ ഇരച്ചുകയറും. പാര്‍ട്ടി വേണമെന്ന് ശഠിച്ചാല്‍ പേഴ്‌സ്‌ കാലിയാകും. അവരില്‍ പലരുടേയും പിറന്നാളുകള്‍ക്ക്‌ പാര്‍ട്ടിയും ഡിന്നറും കിട്ടിയിട്ടുണ്ട്‌.
പിറന്നാളിന്റെ സാമീപ്യത്തില്‍ പണ്ടെല്ലാം ആഹ്‌ളാദം തോന്നിയിരുന്നു. ഇപ്പോഴാകട്ടെ, ഒരു നേര്‍ത്ത വേദനയാണ്‌ അനുഭവപ്പെടുന്നത്‌. ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ വസന്തകാലമെന്നു കവികള്‍ പറയുന്ന ഈ കാലഘട്ടത്തിന്റെ അവസാനമടുത്തു തുടങ്ങി.

- ഒരു പിറന്നാളിന്റെ ഓര്‍മ്മ, എം.ടി. വാസുദേവന്‍ നായര്‍

Is it the end of that beautiful moments in one's life ? 26 years after the drop from mother's womb to the world that is changing, I too am changed. I should right?, for its the only thing in life that is constant :-)
Mom called up and asked: "Son, what do you want?"
I said, "Nothing Mom"
"You should go to temple P, Isn't there a temple near to your place?"
"No Mom, I cannot go, there aren't many."
"Its Ok. I will go to the temple here and do the rituals." Blessings are always like that, need to get it from some god through some one.

Birthdays after home leaving was always the same. Call from my sis at the stroke of midnight, then from a few other friends. Others will come up with cold handshakes and Kingfisher Lagers. Not being at home always saddened the things, but I regularly went to temple, all these times except for today.
Today sis called up at the midnight, then only Boyzone knew about it. And the bumps were different and strange because, I didn't tell them. In fact I forgot it till a few hours before my sis called. -ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ വസന്തകാലമെന്നു കവികള്‍ പറയുന്ന ഈ കാലഘട്ടത്തിന്റെ അവസാനമടുത്തു തുടങ്ങിയോ-
I don't know. !! But I enjoyed it, being rolled up in a bed and four thadimaadanmaars sitting on top of it and playing a round of rummy. Thank God Abhi won fast, did you?
So finaly one more year less to live :-(

miss you

I always wondered what make you to a cool couple, and I am still searching the answer for that. I remember the warm shake hand that you both exchanged at the office reception on that rainy day. I was tense and alone, you were both smiling and talking. And while I was busy mugging up software engineering and Oracle Procedures, you were reading Harry Porter, and you got close. On one afternoon you told me "How would be it, if we got married ?". I was angry, I thought atleast you both would keep the "Friendship Tag" alive , but I was wrong and I was wrong for the whole eternity. Life taught me that good lovers were always best friends.
 
We had good time there, enjoyed our days, went to Hiranandani, ate our Tandoori Chickens, and got parted to Pune and Bangalore. But the chain of mails continued. You got married and I was not there physically to wish you. But I could see the marriage from miles apart. Only the second time I felt sorry of not attending a marriage, because we were not there.

The we re-grouped, but the 'we' were different this time. And slowly I drafted into the Bangalore Boyzone. The ride to your house always gave me the immense pleasure for I could ride my bike at 100kmph on that stretch of Intermediate Ring Road. We made GOA POA, we had awesome weekends with some 'fantabulous' hands on those rummies ( which had rules no one in this world knew except for you ;) ) and yes monopoly too(with much of this Kalipps displeasure).

Now you guys are moving on, but for a while. And since the world is small and we have promises to keep we will meet again.

But I will miss those weekends, that are not complete without you.
I will miss those dinners at Kayal.
I will miss those terribles.
I will miss those rummies.
I will miss those drives.
I will miss you both.

To a wonderful couple I have ever seen, Have a wonderful time there and all the best.
Be a cool couple :-)

10000

I completed 10,000 kms of riding my bike. It happend a few minutes before, I was coming to the office. On the road that lead to my office. May 19th 2006. July 14th 2004 was the day, when I first kept my hands on the Blue Pulsar DTSi. 23 months and 5 days later it has crossed that milestone. All these time apart from a puncture during the starting days, not a single problem with him. Malshej Ghats, Bhimashankar, Mahabaleshwar, Harihareshwar, Murud-Janjira, a greater part of Pune City and now in Bangalore, all those roads were covered without a single problem.

The time it took is abit long I know, for my MBT Roadie mates completed it way before. May be due to the fact that I rode it less in Pune,  but Bangalore being a big city , I have already covered 2000 kms in 2 and half months. Way to go..

And now it is time for his checkup, it seeems.

in another world

They came in big drops yesterday, those rain drops, and splashed on hard to the mother earth. I heard them, through the door across the hall and first saw them through the window. They were beating down hard. The good old Mazha that used to wet my uniforms and books a few year before. It wasn't a new one. For I didn't smell the wet soil around. I was always afraid of that smell. "On hearing that Snakes will come." Achchamma used to say and I used to fear snakes.

I didn't curse the rain, for I had just cursed the hot atmosphere the night before, when the power failed up to rotate my fan. I waited in the parking lot for it to go away.

I wanted to say, Rain Rain Go Away, but couldn't - some how I was loving it raining. It splashed on to my shoes and trousers. Then I sat on my bike moved it to side. I watched the rain sitting on the bike. On that one irresistable moment, I decided to drive on. Rain splashed on my helmet and dress. I could feel the chill deep inside the body. In no time my hands were wet.

"Dooba Dooba Rahta Hu Main" by Silk Route was now playing it on the FM Radio. I enjoyed it as I drove. Both were wet, the singer in her eyes and me in rain.

As I drove into my house car park, I was happy. Those 6 kms of drive I really loved it. To be soaked in the rain. I felt like being on another world. A world very much away from Bangalore with green and clean atmosphere, pure water, trees and rain and lakes. I was there alone in the rain. On the other side I could see people giving me strange looks. I was wet, I had cleaned myself in the nature's mineral water.

Its raining again today. Kalla Karkkidakam. Nanaykkanaayi Kaathirikkuvaanu. Njan Nanayaanum.

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വലിയ തുള്ളികള്‍ ആയിട്ടാണ് ഇന്നലെ അവ ആദ്യം പെയ്തതു, തടിച്ചുരുണ്ട മഴത്തുള്ളികള്‍. വാതിലിനപ്പുറത്ത്‌ നിന്നു വന്ന മഴയുടെ ശബ്ദത്തില്‍ നിന്ന് അതിന്റെ ശക്തി എനിക്കു ഊഹിക്കാന്‍ കഴിഞ്ഞു. തകര്‍ത്തു പെയ്യുന്നു. ആ പഴയ കള്ള കര്‍ക്കിടക മഴ. എന്റെ യൂണിഫൊറവും പുസ്തകങളും നനച്ച അതേ പഴയ മഴ. എന്തുകൊണ്ടോ, പുതുമഴയുടെ ഗന്ധം ഇതിനിനുണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. ആ മണത്തെ ഞാന്‍ എന്നും ഭയപെട്ടിരുന്നു. “മോനേ, ആ മണം കെട്ടാല്‍ പാം‌ബുകള്‍ വരും, സൂക്ഷിക്കണം”. അച്ചമ്മ എന്നും പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു.

ആ മഴയെ ഞാന്‍ ശപിച്ചില്ല. മിന്നിഞ്ഞാന്നു ആണല്ലൊ ഞാന്‍ ഈ പൊള്ളുന്ന ചൂടിനെ ശപിച്ചത്. ഒരു കറന്റു പോയ നേരത്തു. അവന്‍ പൊകട്ടെ, ഞാന്‍ കാത്തിരിക്കാം.

എങ്കിലും അവനോട് പൊകാന്‍ ഞാന്‍ ആവശ്യപെട്ടില്ല. അവന്റെ ഭംഗി ആസ്വദിച്ചു ഞാന്‍ ആ ‘പാര്‍ക്കിങ് ലോട്ടില്‍’ നിന്നു. അവന്‍ എന്റെ ചെരിപ്പും പാന്റ്സും നനച്ചപ്പൊള്‍ അവനോടു പിണങ്ങി ഞാന്‍ എന്റെ ബൈക്കിന്റെ മുകളിലേക്ക് കയറി. പിന്നീട് നിയന്ത്രികാനാവാത്ത ഒരു ദുര്‍ഭല നിമിഷത്തില്‍ ഞാ‍ന്‍ അവനെ സ്റ്റാര്‍‌ട്ട് ചെയ്തു മഴയെ പുണര്‍ന്നു. മഴ എന്റെ ഹെല്‍മെറ്റിലും ദേഹത്തും പറ്റികയറി പിടിച്ചു. അകത്തു എനിക്കു തണുക്കുന്നുണ്ടായിരുന്നു, എന്നിട്ടും ഞാന്‍ നിര്‍ത്തിയില്ല.

എഫ് എം റേഡിയോവില്‍ സില്‍ക് റൂട്ടിന്റെ “ഡൂബാ ഡൂബാ രഹ്താ ഹൂ” പാടി കൊണ്ടിരുന്നു. അയാള്‍ നനഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്നത്രെ, ഞാനും കൂട്ടുണ്ടല്ലൊ എന്ന് ഞാന്‍ മനസ്സില്‍ പറഞ്ഞു.

ആറു km നു ശേഷം എന്റെ വീട്ടില്‍ ഞാ‍ന്‍ നനഞ്ഞൊലിച്ച് കയറി ചെന്നു. ഞാന്‍ അത്‌ഭുതപ്പെട്ടു, ഞാന്‍ മറ്റൊരു ലോകത്തിലോ? സിറ്റിയില്‍ നിന്നും അകന്നു പൂക്കളും, മരങ്ങളും, മഴയും , പച്ചപ്പും ഉള്ള ഒരു ലോകത്തില്‍ - അവിടെ ഞാന്‍ ഒറ്റക്ക് മഴ നനയുകയാണ്. അപ്പുറത്തു നിന്നും ആളുകള്‍ തുറിച്ചു നോക്കുന്നു - അവനു വട്ടായിരിക്കും. ഞാന്‍ നനഞ്ഞ് കുളിച്ചു നില്‍ക്കുന്നു, പ്രകൃതിയുടെ മിനറല്‍ വാട്ടറില്‍.

ഇന്ന് ഇപ്പോഴും മഴ പെയ്യുന്നുണ്ട്. കള്ള കര്‍ക്കിടകം. നനയ്കുവാനായി കാത്തിരിക്കുവാണ്. നനയാനായി ഞാനും.

poppins

Anyone for Poppins Muttai? I picked up two stacks of it which have multiple tastes and multiple colors. mmmm Yummie. And finally when I crush it on my teeth..oooosh a mix of salty sugary taste. I am on Cloud Nine. Wonder what it costs Rs 2 only still over the years.

School Days..
Mummy would pack me to Chandrettan's Peedika(shop) to buy groceries and vegetables. Chandrettan gives a bill, so I need to reproduce it at home. Bug the Veggie guy won't. Somewhere I would adjust to get in a Rs 2 so that the 1 Kg Tomato or a 500g beans would cost 2 rupees more or 1 each :-)
And on way back from Kittettan's Shop I would get the poppins, then I would take a longer route, to finish the whole stack so that poppins is history before I reach home.
Mummy after collecting the bills and tallying would say , with a deep sigh, "Thakkalikokke Ingane Vila Koodiyaal Entha Cheyya" (What will happen if prices go high). I will rush to wash my mouth to remove the colors of poppins on my toungue.

One more stack to finish, still tastes the same.

Parle Poppins!!

professionals .. are we?

"The new guys wouldn't be joining us on Monday." said my Boss.
"One guy is saying he has some family problems and the other said his company is asking for the Visa Bond Amount to be paid." He said as the resons why they are not joining.

These guys were interviewed a week after I joined on the 1st of March and was given a joining date of 8th May. They were given the expenses they needed to reach Bangalore from their town to attend the interview. They happily accepted the offer once they were selected and promised to join on time. Never ever did they talk about the above mentioned reasons. Now a week before, they are saying this, when my company called them up.

They must have been sent to a professional college to study about a professional job being done.. professionally. Right? So don't they have the minimum decency in saying that they can't accept the offer (For whatever resons it may be) some time after the job was offered. Or are these offers accepted just to shake their present managers and the company.

I have heard many a friends say this, if you want a good hike or your appraisal didnt satisfy you get a job and talk with your manager. True, we can do that, but then why you want to acccept an offer in that case. You can always tell them - "look I have a few things to think about and I will get back to you on this if I will accept it or not". In fact I myself has done this once when I wanted to move out of my project and I was not that happy with the offer that the new company offerend. So I never committed anything, but went back and talked to my existing boss. I am not justifying here what I had done is right, but I feel what they have did is not right. For that matter I did move out from my previous company after a few weeks, since the promises was not kept and I got a good offer. Then I put down my papers and had a smooth exit, eventhough that period was full of pressurising moments with people asking the reasons, offering me new challenges, new roles. I had a tough time to keep my mind from distracting and there by saved it from being a culprit to immense pressure.

And now we have to find out new resources, interview them , select them, give an offer and get them on board, all that will take time and money.

Professionals we are, and we need to be at the heart too.