Cultural Caravan – The Pit Stops (part I)

Culture – the word itself brings to one’s mind a pot-pourri and vividness of the world that we live in. You just need to drive into a locality a few miles away and already you will be feeling the distinctness of the tones in the spoken language, the accents, the “catch words”, the shops, the streets, each having a story of its own.

As I grew up, I was fortunate enough to see multiple places where I happened to stay for at least a couple of years. Back then, only these 2 distinct things for me marked the culture of one place different from another – language & food! Having stayed in Bokaro (in erstwhile Bihar and present Jharkhand) for around 8 years and then in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) for around 4 years, I was quite exposed to two distinct peculiarities of the place, esp. in Gwalior where I resorted to the use of word haiga which is the local use of the word hai (translated to ‘it is’) and also riya local alias of raha. An ensemble of which sounds much like ‘tu kya kar riya haiga?’ rather than the oft spoken hindi language’s ‘tu kya kar raha hai?’ (What are you doing?). It took quite some time for my language to get neutralized – thanks to onerous efforts by folks! Speaking of Gwalior, my mouth has already become a miniature version of Niagara Falls at the mere thought of ‘bhallas’ and ‘chillas’ (the dilliwallahs must be pretty aware of these roadside delicacies which were not to be seen anywhere in Bihar) which brought in it a very distinct Magadhi taste!

From Gwalior, my ‘base camp’ (as I have come to denote that where my folks stay) moved to Nagpur for 4 years. After my class 12^th, when I was about to leave for Pune for my engineering studies, I was pretty much feeling like a nomad – moving my camp every 4 years! I knew I would be in Pune for atleast 4 years…(If ATKTs didn’t work out then it surely would have broken the third spell of 4 years!). In Nagpur too – again the two most striking things were language & food with a speciality. The words ‘mahol’ (translated to fabulous, though in Urdu – it would be the environment around) and ‘chamka’ (understood as outstanding, though the common parlance would treat it as shine) both of which, of course became part and parcel of me – and still is! Every true Nagpurkar swears by these two! Moving to cuisines – we have the famous Saoji preparation – which will anytime give the Kolhapuri food a run for … its chillies!! The concept of ‘tapris’ became alive for me right in this place – Shankar Nagar Tapri – which serves aloo poha and garma-garam chai at dawn…and the place stays abuzz – with the major crowd being all the tuition students like me or the college janta catching the morning cuppa after the overnight GT session J

At Pune – the cultural capital of the state - the pot-pourri was very different. It seemed like this very sophisticated place while still preserving its own rustic ways – thanks to the Peshwai and the Jejuri influence…Also the faith following of Kalubai and Swami Samarth is very much evident from the typical messages on the rear of autos, six seaters, etc. The words chaaila, laye bhaari, boongat, the vegetable lauki being known only as doodhi-bhopLa…became more of the ‘words of prey’, but nonetheless was ingrained into daily parlance! First brush with the Joshi Vada Pav – from being a delicacy to transforming into something of the daily survival food, from the spicy missal paav, to Sujata’s mastaani (which is nothing but nice thick milkshake of 100 possible varieties, and the special ‘mango mastaani’ topping it all! However, I still wonder why it was named so?) Within Pune itself the hardcore Puneites found in the old area of all the Peths (Somwar, Mangalwar, etc) to the most sophisticated ones of Karve Nagar and Aundh, the city has a unique charm about itself. More and more spices being added to the pot-pourri – thanks to the burgeoning number of students in daily mushrooming engineering, arts and medical colleges in and around the city, where people from all walks of life bring in their own flavours and further add to the zing.

One’s mind does tend to race amuck, surrounded by so much of dynamism around, trying to make sense of things happening, expecting oneself to be a fully functional part of it, with all the anxieties and apprehensions. That is when the brewing starts and one begins to understand the layers beyond what is visible. The mind does begin to drive on a different lane, zooming off from the next pit stop!

More of the cultural nuances peculiarities of my shifting camps in the next pit stop!

Tanay...

Birth – an occasion which is so unique in itself! Such is the occasion that every possible living being rejoices it in its own unique way. It is a symbol of continuity. A symbol of prosperity. An icon of growth. Pure Joy!

It is an energy which has taken a new life, a real physical self, much more beyond a mere metaphysical existence. It has the power to connect so many minds and hearts, create so many new relations. It has the capability to assimilate so many energy channels all into it. A simple smile of that new member can be a reason to celebrate, a tear drop from his eyes can be a cause of worry. A new momentum is created in all the connected lives. Suddenly there is so much to look upto. Also you know that you will be looked upto one day! A vague sense of responsibility creeps in…along with so much of curiosity and anxiety.

Imagine. A new life, looking at the world with so much daze – so much of inquisitiveness, which the new soul cannot even articulate. And there came he…Tanay – my bhanjaa, who brought with him so much happiness in the family.

Now my bhanjaa is more than 6 months old and it is now that his aalsi mamu has found time to pen down his dormant thoughts!! (Better late than never…hehehe)

Miss meeting you so much bhanje…coming soon to spoil you lotssss!!! :)

Maggi - बस 2 mintute !!! .... an ode

Maggi, my staple food, तुम्ही हो मेरी प्रियतमा,
मिला दे दिल को, करे साथीयो को जमा
भले लाए कोई MTR, Kohinoor ya लाए Khong Guan,
तुमसे ही dillagi है, दगा कर के ना कर पाऊन्गा क्षमा.

कुछ तीखी, कुछ खट्टी, तुम हो सबसे smooth,
Nestle के 2 Minute में, मन जाए सबका लूट,
खोलो packet, डालो मसाला, थोडा पानी और रखो microwave में,
फिर दब्बा खोल के चखो जरा, मिलेगा सच्चा tasty सुबूत.

कभी आटा Maggi, कभी Plain Maggi, और कभी लाता Tomato Maggi,
स्वाद सबका बेमिसाल है, चाहे हो वो Indonesian Maggi,
हर fork, हर spoon में देसी स्वाद की याद दिलाती,
सबको लुभाती, भूख मिटाती, सबसे प्यारी - जय बोलो! Maggi Maggi Maggi!!!

:)

A day without checking my e-mails!

It was a day to behold!!! 27 Dec 2006. I didn’t check my email at all that day owing to ‘disruption of a disruptive technology’ as one of my friends put it, that is disruption of Internet service in Singapore and some parts of East Asia thanks to an earthquake measuring 6.7 on Richter Scale which erupted at…. And probably shook up a couple of tectonic plates below and unwired a couple of cables lying deep in the sea! Phew!

The network effects that followed was really interesting! The second major disruption was that my roomie – bhattax – who is a cricket fanatic, was unable to check the cricket match scores (India Vs South Africa at Durban) Since the past two days, though he spared no thoughts on disrupting the bandwidth at the hostel by enjoying live online streaming of the matches, thanks to sopcast. The cricket fever is completely hot with the matches and the Ashes stealing the room TRPs !!! Finally a ‘disruptive character’ in the adjacent room, whom we fondly call – JLo – managed to do some jugaad and made atleast the scores available! That was some relief…

The third disruption was owing to Mr Oldie in the room [sorry daaa ;)] – our very own raja - who desperately wanted to chat with God-knows-who and was getting restless by the minute. I was asked close to 117 times whether the ‘net was working, and I just had one answer !!! ‘No daaa…’ [I really don’t know the origin of the word daa, but its there, and has become so pervasive that every person – male or female – is turning out to be daa for me :)]. I being the youngest one in the room (chooo chweettt !!!) was pestered and bullied so much by the oldies to go and check this up with one of our IT assistants – Mr Nagraj – [ the first time I heard this name, it reminded of the Super Commando Dhruv too, and when I was going to meet this guy, I imagined this guy with a stylish Nagraj style hair in a green outfit, with snakes coming outta his fingers. Beware of the ‘zeharili fufkaar’ ] however this guy turned out to be quite human like ;) [For those who are still wondering who the hell is the snake man Nagraj, click here, and probably this might remind you of the old times,...those 50paise normal comics and 1 Rupee digest version of Raj Comics that we used to get on rent!!!] But I didn’t budge. bhai aise kaise koi bhi bully kar lega na ???

Unfortunately, come what may, the 'net just wont work.

However, fortunately we got access to some of the sites which were working – IBN Live, Rediff, etc. which allowed us leeway to connect to the outside world, and know what’s happening beyond this island. Feeling relieved on getting connected at last…though just a little bit, it was a huge relief for all. Never did we imagine a day like this in our lives, and that too when we are in Singapore – one of the most advanced countries! But the fact is nothing works if Momma Nature ain’t happy!

With the next day gaping wide open with all the airlines, music and newspaper industry with all the olives, apples and murdochs hovering above us, just wishing that we are wired soon!!!

Ciao…

ho hO HO!Christmas in S'pore!

This Christmas was special.

I had an opportunity to be on the celebrated Orchard Road in Singapore for Christmas and boy!!! what a fiesta the road showcases !!! With scores of people all around , the dance, the music going on non-stop...the lightings on the ever lit Orchard Road, glittering as gold, youngsters hulla-balooing at the top of their voices spraying foams and spaghettis !!! It was a full blown carnival.

Alighting on the Borders (a global book and music retail store - probably one of the largest in this region) with a couple of my friends, I had decided to join in the other folks who had already reached Takashimaya mall in Ngee Ann City. They called me up and I told them...'bas ek minute yaar, am almost there' not realizing that that ek minute 'll be close to 45 minutes !!! The crowd, though maddening, had a certain charm about itself. Here I was walking amongst the people, suddenly it dawned unto me - the realisation of being in a foreign land, with all unknown faces, listening to people speak in an unknown language, in an all new ambience...the stuff which mostly TV shows are made of... I was right there! Feeling more as one, than I ever did ( I don't know what that means, but that's what I felt!!)

A hard knock on my shoulder brought me back to the Orchard Road.

Suddenly the crowd went berserk and there was a huge roar. I could hear the countdown ...10...9...8...7...6...5..4....3....2....1.......MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!! (For a sec, I was thought it was 31st Dec, that's what we generally do...right? countdown for the new year?) The clock had struck 12 and it was 25th December 2006. Christmas !! And then started the real thing. The entire crowd started converging in 'huge pockets' and dancing, spraying foam on each other (reminded me of the Holi, sans colours) Sans colours? Only in my imagination, as soon enough I was sprayed with multicoloured foam and spaghettis !!! :) It was the first time I celebrated Christmas like this...among my new 'friends', I call them foam-friends!! There I bumped into a couple of my friends, and then we went on a photo-clicking frenzy.

Though there was huge traffic on the Orchard Road, the police were managing it beautifully ensuring smooth movement.

Amidst all the carnival, foam, spaghetti sprays, songs, dance and laughter, I finally met the Takashimaya gang and all of us headed further into the crowd. Though it was almost 1.30, the crowd had still not lost the tempo and the celebrations were still rocking the place. The pavements almost wet with foam sprays and beer (yeah, beer - it was flowing all around), the place was completely transformed. The 'fine' city suddenly had a different veil, and we were all held in awe!! (thx to so much litter all around).I thought, exceptions have to be there, even in Singapore, and why not when its Christmas time!!! All hungry, by this time, we ventured for food into the Lucky Plaza and also had close up Santa-photo sessions prior to fooding! Sample attached:


By 2-ish, we too were almost on our way back, and what we saw was really commendable. Even when the celebrations were fully on, the cleaners had started picking up the litter lying outside the shops, mostly empty foam and beer cans, systematically packing them into trash bags and towing them away to make more rounds. Though they could have easily refused, saying 'ek minute yaar, bas I 'll join you to clean up after 2 beers; or after spending some more time with friends'. But they didn't shrug off their responsibility, even for an evening. I couldn't help but admire the spirit of these people, who know how to take care of their sweet little city-country! Hats off to the cleaners!!!

I guess some takeaways are always there, in any new 'world' you go to.

Merry Christmas to all of you! May Lord's sweet blessings always shower upon you...Amen!

Migrating...

No No....I am not migrating anywhere, but just that my posts are migrating from the other blog site to this one...I guess the dimension given by the convergence of real and square root of -1 does give enough leeway to include anything and everything!

What the heck?!?!?!?!?!

To cut the long story short...the posts on the other blog will now be available on this one and I 'll be closing down the other blog...!

ciao.

Flavors of Life

“Life is like a box of chocolates…You never know what comes next”, told Forrest Gump’s mother to him. It is always full of surprises, with you know, stuff happening around the corner, just across the blind spot, when you are least certain of what is coming over the bend. Though there is a fair amount of excitement too that is involved.

The other day, I was talking to one of my friends and the conversation just meandered from one topic to another. It eventually touched upon the life too! We need to look at things, at times, just at times with a macroscopic perspective rather than a microscopic perspective. It really helps one to see the ‘bigger picture’. Being one with the events, one tends to get so engrossed with the dynamics of the environment, that we just loose touch with the practical side. It starts getting all very dreamy like, moving very much astray from the reality, and one fine day you wake up and….BAMMMM!!!!

Your life is different.

You are just not you. You have, what they call, a faint memory of ‘what-you-used-to-be’, and a very different outlook all-together. Sometimes, not even an outlook. And that’s where you start questioning things. That’s the first knock of reality on your door!

All that you have been assuming and believing all along, now just seems what at best can be described as, a distant dream. You stand there fazed, wondering what the hell happened, how things around you just disappeared! Yeah, disappeared!! People, attitudes, thoughts - the déjà vu s! They have literally vanished from your life.

Your life sure as hell is different.

Walking the path not walked upon by, you again start wondering – are you supposed to be going where the path takes you or you should be going where you want to go? For how long can you only depend on things to happen on their own accord – as if to achieve some kind of perfect harmony – having a fear to disturb the delicate balance of 'God-knows-what'!

Cut it!!

You open your eyes, slowly, take a deep breath, smell that hot coffee! It’s a new morning. In fact it’s an entirely new year which has crawled in silently like the shadows from under the door. You did see the smoke and the fire, and hear the howl. Millions witnessed the holy transition but you stood there oblivious to all in your sweet little ‘daewoo’, counting the ephemeral stars…more so in your lives.

Life! Yeah. There are so many flavors of life, so many spices in it which actually makes for the great taste. At times spicy, at times salty, some like it a little sweet, others love the tangy tinge; but it sure fills more than your stomach! It feeds your soul. Some also like it bland, may be for sometime, which acts as a self-prescription, owing to having too much of spices. But sure enough the craving for the tangy tinge surely pulls one back from bland to a blend of all flavors.

It's time to gear up your taste buds! It's time to prepare for the second knock of reality...

Wishing you a very happy, colorful, fragrant and an appetizing New Year 2007!!!!