Happy Teacher's Day 2013!

For the little steps and strides,

For the fumbles and orating styles,

For the math signs and lab combustion,

For the history lessons and geographic stations!

For the classes and the extracurricular,

For the discipline and the fun,

For the dreams and the dares,

For the rational thinking and the obscure creativity!

For the drama and the artsy times,

For the prose and poetic rhymes,

For the being and the living,

For the realizations and the reminiscences!

For the inspiration and the mentoring,

For the advice and the goodwill,

For the friendship and the love!

To every 'teacher' I know!

Happy Teachers Day!

National Holiday for 'Women' Festivals!

A conversation on the bus today between two young women sitting opposite to me. Both were dressed in traditional attire, complete with jewellery and flowers on their head. (The conversation was in Kannada, and here is the almost verbatim translation)

W1: Saree very pretty ya
W2: your necklace is very nice, mother in law gave? your first varamahalakshmi vrata naa?
W1: yes, but what use? no holiday today?
Today is varamahalakshmi; so every 'lakshmi' should get compulsory leave (referring to wives, daughters, daughters in law...all women folk)
W2: agree! all our women ministers keep talking about women issues, they should demand for a national holiday for all women on varamahalakshmi and gowri puja day!
W1: correct correct! Also for Bhimamavasya and shivaratri, because that time all indian women pray for husband prosperity.

Different people, different concerns!

The Beginning Epilogue

 

 

Little steps

Cautious treads

Big Dreams

Fascinating Hopes

Little Disillusionments

Big Learnings

Growing humility

Diminishing fear

Vast Networks

Close-knit Circle of Trust

Magnanimous horizon

Frugal footfalls

Closing distance

Unlocking Opportunities

...a cauldron of burning thoughts

One of those mornings when you sit in the crowded bus; wind blowing in your face thanks to the blessed window seat and a myriad of ideas; the desire to do something, the need to make a difference...call it a reflective, introspective morning but a morning that leaves you energised with a cauldron of burning thoughts!

A cauldron of burning thoughts

Chaotic Clarity

Mayéd Inspiration

In Rhythm with Life

There were days during school when I was obsessed with pencils, erasers and sketching. Sketching profiles, scenaries etc. Decided to revisit that chapter, that passion.

Posting one of my sketches - 'In Rhythm with Life'- the original version and then the version with some magic done by a friend, Vikas just transformed it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

ना छीनो मुझसे मेरा बच्चपन

खेलती हूँ मैं गुड़ियों से,

सपने हैं रंग बिरंगे,

आसमान हैं मेरा आँगन 

खेलु मैं होके मगन 

बातें चॉकलेट मिठाई की  

हंसी की किलकारी हैं 

आँखों में मासूमियत 

दिमाग में हलकी शररत. 

कौन हो तुम कहाँ से आये ?

हैवान हो या जंगली मानुस ?

छोड़ो मुझे, आँखें मैं मूँद लु .

बस याद वोह दर्द,

ना समझू मैं इस दुनिया को. .

ना छीनो मुझसे मेरा बच्चपन 

मासूम हूँ मैं

 ना छीनो मुझसे मेरा बच्चपन 

नाज़ुक हूँ मैं 

  ना छीनो मुझसे मेरा बच्चपन 

इंसान हूँ मैं 

लड़की हूँ मैं 

किसी की बेटी हूँ मैं 

किसी की बहिन हूँ मैं'

किसी की दुनिया हूँ मैं'

   .......ना छीनो मुझसे मेरा बच्चपन 

........................ना छीनो मुझसे मेरा बच्चपन

Live Your Dreamt Reality

I may not know what tomorrow holds for me

But I remember how my yesterday was

And I can ensure how my today will be.

 

There will always be people undermining you,

Stand tall to them.

There will always be people doubting your skills,

Kill them with your flair.

There will always be people telling you how to behave,

Smile and do your thing your way.

There will always be people telling you what not to do,

Listen and let the rational you think.

There will always be people telling you you are too dominant,

Give them the ‘leadership’ look.

There will always be people telling you to abide hierarchy,

Tell them you give a ‘mango’

There will always be people telling you you are ‘weird & radical’

Like my friend said, believe you are ‘limited edition’

There will always be people telling you you can’t make a change,

Tell them at least you are trying.

 

Yet there will be people who will know

You have a wild streak and it is fine

You lead by nature and it is fine

You are not so ‘normal’ and it is fine

You are you and it is fine!

 

Live your life thinking of the latter group

The former will always be larger,

More intimidating, more disruptive…

But the power lies in your beliefs,

Your thoughts and your actions.

You are the maker of your destiny,

Carve your niche,

Believe in your endeavours,

Live your dreamt reality!

 

**Dedicated to the friends I know who dare to be different, who inspire me to tread a new path, who are making a difference to this society through their words and actions.

 

Mitti se bane hum...

मिटटी से बने हम, मिटटी में मिल जाते हैं,

झुलसती आग के दामन में,

यह शरीर समा जाता हैं,

रह जाती हैं बस यादें,

वोह मुस्कान, वोह मस्ती,

वोह आंसूं, वोह बच्पना… 

* Dedicated to Kanjilal Kaku,
"will always remember you , your smile, your pampering and all the drama practices..."

You do not have the right to clip my wings.

Do not bind me in shackles,

shackles of doubt,

shackles of disrespect,

shackles of hatred.

 

I have a right to voice my choice,

I have a right to live my life,

I have a right to realise my dream.

 

This is not about bondage,

This is not about superiority,

This is not about ego.

 

You do not have the right to beat me,

You do not have the right to undermine me,

You do not have the right to  clip my wings.

Marital abuse is common in many Indian homes. The feeling of superiority and the play of power marks these relationships. Many a times, it is the so called 'educated' men who treat their wives in a despicable manner. I dedicate this poem to the 'brave' women who fight and who have the courage to walk out and start life afresh.