My love for Malgudi Days and R K Laxman’s expressive cartoon figures!!!

Tanaanaa tana nananaaaaaaa- Come this tune and my mind goes back memory lane way back in 1986 when it was first shown on television. R. K. Narayan who penned this wonderful Malgudi Days has given my generation and also every generation something so wonderful;  memories of watching Malgudi Days remains everfresh.  

Swami, the character full of innocence and his attachment to his grandmother, Swami and his friends are memories that will last a lifetime.  When I think of Malgudi days, I am able to recreate the scene in front of my eyes even now.  I remember it was in 1986 when Doordarshan started showcasing it primetime. The 9 p.m. prime time (as we know it now) showcased Swami and his friends, Malgudi characters instead of Arnab Goswami.   Many of my friends and generation made Swami and his family a part of our life and the innocence and the realism with which every actor from Girish Karnad to Anant Nag fitted into every role of Malgudi days so brilliantly.  The captivating and rustic background music by L Vaidyanathan and last but not the least, the wonderful cartoon sketches by R. K Laxman made the characters come alive on the Bush Television.

The imaginary city created by R K Narayan was so life like that it felt as if events and incidences happened and we became a part of it.  It was seeing these cartoon figures that I started sketching and I used to love sketching. For me every cartoon figure of RKLaxman sent out a message and something that I could learn from.  When I was little, I imagined that every station in a village looked like Malgudi.  It looked so beautiful, the railway track, the fencing, just few villagers selling their wares evoked a strange attraction in me. I am sure there will be many such stations but Malgudi is special in my heart and is closest.

So here’s trying out a simple handmade sketch.  Just for the fun of it!!!

Luv

Rekha

The Badam Tree – She stood tall and beautiful and had an elegance of her own!!

When I was on my way back from office, I noticed the tall and green Badam tree being cut.  My heart skipped a beat and it pained me to see such a majestic tree being brought down.  The first thing that came to my mind was that Maddy would feel so bad to see it being cut.  I remember the tree and have been seeing her since the last 21 years (if I am not mistaken).  The tree stood tall and green with pride and elegance just next to our compound and we could see it from one of our bedrooms.  The tallest part of the tree was as tall as the 5^th floor where we reside.  Come monsoons and she would have all sorts of greens, light, dark and deep hues of greens and light red colours.  The top part of the tree was exactly in the form of an umbrella and we used to really envy as to how nature comes up in some wonderful forms.

But what happened yesterday was really saddening. I am sure that the very fact that the tree was being cut had something to do with the safety of the building.  The Municipality guys came and there was a big crowd when the Badam tree was being cut. It was being cut right from the roots.  People were noticing it and I am sure just like me and Maddy, many people would be sad that this was happening.

I went home and immediately told Maddy that this was happening and he felt so bad, I could feel it.  He loves nature, birds, flowers and trees.  He can explain the simplest of the nature forms with such romance and love.  His expressions were like “ What are you saying”-  Just two days back, we were having our tea and enjoying the scenic nature and the greenery of the surroundings just bang outside our home.  This tree was like a feel good factor.  We tend to get so much attached to these simple things but when it is not present, it feels awful. I had my morning coffee today looking outside and could only see branches, big and small lying close to the ground.  It is said that for a tree to grow as big, it takes many number of years and I am not sure when I would get to see her again, in her full bloom again with the Badam fruits.

Will miss you very much!!!!

Lots of Luv and Blessings

Rekha

p.s.  For me The Badam Tree represented a joint family with elders, grandparents, in laws and her green colour represented life and love in all its glory.

What next ? It’s important to look forward to every moment of our Life!!!

The modern day life is really fast and has its fair share of ups, downs, highs and lows.  It’s like seconds, minutes, hours, days and months are just going away in a jiffy.  I too like many of you have my share of highs and lows.  Some days are so very slow and some just fly away even before I can imagine and it leaves me thinking as to what did I do that brought me happiness or what did I not do that did not make me feel good.  Who doesn’t come with baggage?  It’s left to each one of us to know how to unpack or identify someone who will help you unpack that baggage.

Remember as kids, we used to be happy with even small things and I remember my uncle (periappa in Tamil) used to get the packet of Champion biscuits (sugar and jelly biscuits). This was way back in 1983. Gorging on those biscuits was the ultimate happiness for me and my sister.  I really am not sure about how happiness can be measured, of course happiness is an abstract subject.  But as kids I did measure happiness.  It was getting something nice to eat,  buying a new dress or even buying the scented eraser.  See that’s how I measured happiness.

 Happiness is becoming shortlived nowadays.  I wonder as to what is happening. Getting a new gadget or buying a new vehicle or even getting the most expensive of outfits or jewelery is somehow not allowing our happiness quotient to go on a higher scale.  Why is it so?  Are we ageing?  I really do not know.  May be it’s not about ageing also.  Or is it contentment at a low level?  Is being less ambitious a sign of contentment?  Standing in the long queues for hours together to buy the Garden saree (which has always been my favorite) does not seem to excite me any longer.  The huge banners of sale that are displayed on every shop during the monsoon sale is not exciting any longer.  May be it’s the saturation level. It is actually so important to keep the interest alive, be it in material things as it helps the going get smoother and it’s a feel good factor.  If something is going to make you feel good and you feel happy doing it or getting it, PLEASE DO IT.  You never know when you will lose interest in doing the same things that once upon a time brought a smile on your face.

Everything is about feeling good. Why do we buy what we buy?  Even if that happiness is temporary, it does give happiness and that’s VERY IMPORTANT.  If going to your favorite restaurant and eating is what you are looking forward to, please do it.  If buying a decorative piece of home furniture for your home is what you have always wanted to, just DO IT.  The time to do it is NOW.  One is never sure whether the same thing will interest you after few months or years.  These are the small things that will bring us happiness in our lives and we should definitely do it. I am sure most of you would have heard and read articles similar to this, but when something is reiterated, the brain somehow tends to think in that direction and may be it helps.

p.s.  All the above is completely my perception. These are solely my opinions and views and I am no authority on deciding the generic happiness quotient.  This is my perception of LIFE.

Lots of Luv

Rekha

Can love happen Twice – Someone asked me this?

Seriously, I am not quite sure about how to approach this subject.   One of the readers of my blog asked this and I told her that I am unsure at this point in time to answer this.  I know that this was a very political answer that I gave, but I did ponder over this.  When I was a teenager, I believed that love happens once and it is forever.  I guess technology increases the chances of falling in love (honestly).  Out of sight out of mind is definitely true in many cases that I have seen and heard.

With applications like Whatsap and other social media, you tend to get in touch with friends, your old love is ignited and so many things.  I am not saying that technology is the only root cause for many things that are happening around.  But it definitely has a role to play. The social networking websites provide enough room for a man and woman to express themselves without necessarily being serious about a relationship.

Gone are the days when men and women were naughty at forty, now you can get naughty at any age.  These technology gadgets have equipped us with a new vigour, enthusiasm and opened up opportunities. Applications like Whatsapp, Facebook are definitely places where one can voice out their feelings to their college or school friends (this entirely depends on the rapport they share with their friends).

I am not quite sure as to whether it is wrong to fall in love again.  Yes, it happens many a times for e.g. in a corporate setting.  Two people working together for eight hours on a particular job/project and yes, it does happen. I have seen BMM students who work on projects continuously on specific projects getting attracted and falling head over heels.  The project changes, the guy or girl changes. There are definitely shades of grey in every field and you or me have no right as to decide what is right or wrong.

We hear so many cases of extramarital relationships nowadays.  What is actually going wrong? Is the husband or wife lying, are they not enjoying each other’s company or is there a communication gap.  Why is the husband so cold or why is the wife not showing interest to the husband’s communication.  Yes, many do go through these so called cold periods. 

There is definitely a very thin line between being JUST FRIENDS and actually ending up in an EXTRAMARITAL relationship. There are a lot of thoughts and emotions that are going on in mind when I am writing about this topic.  Am not sure as to how the readers are going to comprehend this blogpost.  But I had to write it for one of my readers. Falling in LOVE is beautiful and there is no doubt about it, but sustaining it and staying true is something that definitely calls for a lot of guts(I should say).

Saying bye for now!!!

Luv

Rekha

p.s: There may be incidences where one is attracted to someone and two people genuinely feel for each other and there is a strong chemistry (for whatever reasons).   Nevertheless, we need to be doubly sure of what we are doing.

MY 100TH BLOGPOST- What should I write?

Amitabh Bachchan, the greatest Indian Actor,once said that he has butterflies everytime he gives a shot, be it for a new movie, an advertisement or even for a campaign. Every individual is like that.  There is anxiety filled when things are new and one is keen in giving the best every time.  The hard work, dedication and perseverance of Amitabh is something that makes him command respect and I completely adore him.

Reading and Writing has always been my passion.  I could just keep reading for hours together and I remember how during my school and college days, I used to read Women’s Era.  I used to go for the second hand books as the first hand ones were expensive.  I used to literally wait for the editions of WE.  Few articles used to get repeated but there was a thrill in reading WE on rainy afternoons once I was back from college tucking myself inside the comforter. My happiness knew no bounds.  Few of the characters in the stories touched my heart a lot.  It made me think how wonderfully the stories were written and I always used to think that one day I would write. Would write just for the thrill of it, voicing out my innermost feelings about life, relationships and everything that I felt and experienced.

For me writing this 100^th blogpost is giving me butterflies.  There are mixed emotions, I am happy as well as a little confused as to what to pen.  But I want to keep it simple.  The journey of writing a blog has been quite fulfilling and I everytime I sit down to write, thoughts and memories becomes fresh. Rewinding past memories of school, my first job, first salary, the first crush, my first debate, first prize and every happy moment is something that I keep rewinding and going through.  It is important that each one of us take out few minutes of our life and rewind those wonderful memories, I am sure you but can’t stop smiling.

My Milan trip was one such trip that gave me jitters as well as excitement and a proud feeling.  The travel in the bus from the apartment to the office was pleasant, at times it drizzled.  The walk to the nearby park during the lunch break was soothing. The cold winds made the atmosphere really wonderful.  The calls I made from Milan to Mumbai during those breaks in that park with so much to talk to are something that I will always remember.  Counting the days when I would be back in Mumbai is something that I looked forward to.  Few experiences and incidents in life are such that it leaves a lasting mark in our mind and soul.  The manner in which my little princess rummaged my bags to check what I had bought from Milan is something that brings a smile on my face.  I remember I used to do the same when my Appa used to be back from office and I always felt there was something for me in his briefcase. It could be a simple thing like a new pen or a new notebook.  Even now the thought is so fresh in my mind as if it has just taken place yesterday.

Even simple things like getting wet in the rain, eating bhutta, watching a romantic movie with Maddy are things that cannot be expressed in words.  Shopping with my daughter at Hill Road, eating Ragda Pattice and Pani puri at Elco is something that cannot be compared to the fine dine restaurants (of course these are my thoughts).  Walking down the Mulund market which is perpetually busy and shopping for clothes and chunky jewelry is something that I till date enjoy and I pray that I continue to do so and my interest lasts.  Last but not the least; eating the dabheli and having the heavenly sugar cane juice is something that satiates my soul completely.

Having said that I will like to say a big Thanks to all those people who look forward to reading my blogposts and getting back to me with messages, SMSes and private messages.  All your likes and comments are etched in my heart and I will continue to write.

Thanks to all you wonderful people.

Keep loving me and blessing me always!!

                                                                                               

Rekha

Having somewhere to go is home and having loved ones with you is Family!!! What more can I ask for

There are many people in my life who have touched my heart and soul in more ways than one. One such person is Monideepa Joydhar (Moni) and I love you Moni for the way you have been with me in good times as well as in my not so good times.  Our friendship started with Uhde India and she continues to be a pillar of support and her zest, attitude and positivity is something that I still adore and will continue to do so.  Moni called me up just the other day and was so happy after I wrote the blogpost about my Milan trip. From her voice and her enthusiasm, I knew that she just wanted to leave everything aside and rush to me to know more about me and my feelings and emotions, when I was on that trip.  Few people can just relate to you just the way you are and even in silence there is a lot of communication.  We may not necessarily call up each other, chat for hours and even see each other for months, but when you really want someone to talk to, there is this one person who genuinely is there for you, listens to you without judging you absolutely.  It is important that each one of us try and identify one such individual.  In times of anxiety, depression and days when we are down, this is one person whom we can rely completely upon.

Some more incidences from my Milan trip:

The Mumbai Istanbul Milan flight was good and I was absolutely comfortable with it.  My friend in office Tejal had ensured that I got an aisle seat and a comfortable seat.  Food was not on my mind as I had already convinced my brain that food is something that I would have adjust during my stay in Italy.  A friend of mine had already fed a lot of information in my mind that. When you are in Rome, behave like a Roman or act like a Roman.

I reach the Malpensa airport, a pretty quiet one, unlike the Dubai Airport or even our T2 International airport.  I liked it.  Italians as such are very friendly and warm people as compared to many of the European countries (this is what I have heard), though am not quite sure about it, frankly I haven’t visited too many countries.  The taxi was waiting for me and it was quite a big sedan.  I had readily kept the sheet where the address was written.  He spoke to me in broken English and all the while in the taxi, I was skeptical if he was driving me to the correct destination. But it was conveyed to me by my Indian office that Milan is a safe place and even at midnight women could travel alone.  Having said all that, my mind would still have doubts.  But somewhere I had read that the more you doubt, you are distancing yourself from your goal.  Ultimately I reach the destination – my apartment.

The building or the hotel where I was put up looked like one of the old European buildings and I had seen something like this in Romedy Now Channel.  I knew I would be missing out on my English movies as well and this was totally uneasy for me. 

The chauffeur helps me get my baggage to the reception of the apartment.  The receptionist Gloria was a very warm lady and instantly I could connect with her.  I went to my apartment and kept my luggage, 2 big bags and a small bag where my mother had packed all the necessary eating stuff.  I was really hungry and I opened the packet where my amma had packed theplas for me.  My throat choked on seeing the packet.  See how our mind plays tricks.  I felt cold, I was not able to explain what was happening to me.  The hunger vanished suddenly and it was taken over with some feeling of emptiness.  It was not even 30 mints I landed in the apartment.

I pacified myself that I had to be here only for 30 days and in a jiffy it could be managed.   It was drizzling slightly out and I stood near the window looking at the drizzle.  It took me back to Sion where my room faces bang opposite the Sion Fort which is lush with greenery and when it drizzles, it looks sooooooo beautiful.  I always enjoyed looking at the rain and sipping my chai or kaapi with some dry snacks.  Every time the drop of rain fell on the sill, it would wet my face and I loved doing that. The rains were different here, the furniture was different, the feel of the mattress was different, the table, chair – you name anything, it was different. Nothing here was mine except for my body, mind and soul – now even that was not mine. I was only physically present here and had left my mind and soul back in Mumbai.  It was getting dark and I had still not had the enthusiasm to unpack my bags and arrange my stuff.  Never ever had I felt so sluggish and lethargic, I knew I had to do it though.  The only good thing was that I could get to skype with Maddy and Jyothi and could see them. But mind said, you can only see them, you can get to feel them or hug them.  I wanted to hug Jyothi and Maddy badly and tell them that how much I was missing them.  But I knew that these were the initial days and within 2 days, I would get back to normal.  Patience told me that I had to wait and watch and have patience.

More to come.

Lots of Luv

Rekha

p.s. : I sincerely feel all those people who leave their families in pursuit of their job need to be saluted.  It takes a lot of guts and mental strength to live away from one’s family and friends and to accept the new changes in life, be it a new job, country, people, language, food..

You always receive what you ask for - My musings with Milan

What was happening to me? I was totally not in a position to understand what my hormones were aiming for?  There were mixed feelings and emotions within me. Anxiety can be good as long as it knows its limits.  But what happens when there is fear mixed with anxiety, I have gone through ten days of anxiety (I can only summarise that the fear of being alone gripped me so much that I didn’t want to be away from Maddy even for a minute).

Was I supposed to be happy that I was getting this opportunity or was I sad that I would be away from this closely knit immediate family.  But somewhere there was happiness that this life time opportunity had come to me, something that I could never even have dreamt about.  Solitude can weigh heavily on our minds and brain and if one goes weak, it can prove to be very difficult.

The D Day arrived.  Had to pack bags for the deputation to the romantic city of Italy. I had heard that Milan was a beautiful and place where couples could just chill out and be their self. But I was travelling alone, completely by myself.  My little devil helped me pack my bags.  Had it been with family, my excitement would have been uncontrollable, I knew that well. 

30 kgs was that I could carry and I knew that my luggage would not exceed so much. Amma and Appa were there the previous night with me just telling me as to how I needed to manage there.  Everyone was there to see me off. There was excitement in me, a little bit of anxiety. I was going to discover a new place, something I had never ever done in my life. Was going to go to a place without Maddy (that was something totally unthought of).  I believe the Universe grants us things and situations in life, exactly in the manner in which the order has been placed. I was unsure as to whether I had asked for this?  My thoughts run haywire and I was convinced that Yes, I would have asked for some quiet place and minutes of solitude (especially on those days when I used to get dead tired) on returning from office. And yes the Universe answers all our questions and prayers.  It answered mine too.

I enter the T2 airport with 3 bags and my lappy.  Maddy is waiting outside. I turn behind and suddenly this thought (Why the hell am I travelling alone).I caught his expressions – he was feeling bad to let me go alone and that too to a foreign country.  I get goosebumps even now when I try to rewind that situation.  However, I would want to erase this situation from my life as staying away from family is not something that excites me and has never excited me.Tears rolled down my cheeks and I am unable to see clearly. I wiped my tears as Maddy always used to say that smile, it makes you look better and beautiful. If you cry, I am going to know and I did not want his heart to know that I was crying and not very excited about travelling alone.  Work was on my mind and I enjoyed and loved my job, so the burden was definitely less.

More to come!!!!

Remain blessed always

Rekha