Some Drama this...

So we are back after a while. Been on the threshold of a weekend. Weekends are generally difficult to resist. Especially the thought that one won't have to see office for two days in a row brings a reasonable amount of cheer. And one doesn’t really feel so obliged to write for a blog at such a moment, right?

Hehe..anyways, the weekend saw its own share of sports affairs. The IPL 2 bonanza finally ended. The Deccan Chargers piped the Royal Challengers Bangalore. I can only feel for the cheerleaders!!! Dancing in the cold winds of South Africa in their skimpy attire can be indeed chilly and challenging, isn't it? Wish the RCB had won. At least the party would have been longer. Not that Deccan Chargers had Bad Cheerleaders. But still I always have a soft corner for Mallya's ladies. Thank God, Mallya didn't peck Katrina on her cheeks like he did last time around. A nation would have been in uprising seeing that, I'm sure and many fuming, for sure. Still, two of last year's biggest losers turned out finalists this year. Some Revenge indeed...Kumble was mind-blowing as always, yet somewhere his men fell short. It wasn't like Deccan defeated Bangalore. Rather more like Bangalore defeated themselves. One needs grit and courage. Somehow they fell a little short of it.

On a personal note, I went to check out the movie: "Mee Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy" aka "I'm Shivaji the King speaking"...a nice Marathi movie with some stupendous performances. Especially considering the crap that Marathi movies generally are, this one stood out in perfection. Very few such movies have actually made it to the top, all due to the acting prowess of the actors. Movies like Shwaas, Astitva, Mee Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy, Chaukat Raja are in a league of their own. Shwaas was especially touching, whereas MSRBB was more thrilling and appealing. My folks are generally fond of plays. Those are better they say...For a change they liked MSRBB. Even I would agree I guess. But then the only problem is, Plays are normally held at the Kalidas once a while. And its best if you watch a play with a group of friend's. It’s more fun that way. Plays would outweigh Movies for me any day. Since the real acting skills are showcased only in Plays and Dramas. I always loved plays even at the school level. The thrill of keeping your audience glued to your character through acting is not an easy job, yet one would always strive to attain that perfection while avoid distraction from your audience. A friend of mine, a certain Mr. D’sa pulled off one such stunning performance at a School Play lately. Well, it was more of a Local Community Level function actually. Nevertheless, we completed the entire Skit, almost a half an hour affair, in a matter of a Day and a half with the Dialogues, Costumes, drama et al. Some achievement isn’t it? Especially with Mr. D’sa, came down all the way from Pune to act in the play on a short notice. Superb Job to say the Least. And the joy of your audience appreciating your performance on stage is something which Certificates and Degrees can't provide. Am I hinting at an alternate Career? Maybe Not literally, but somewhere down the line, I would love to be associated with Theatre. Personal Opinion, Period! :))

P.S: I wonder how "Someone" would react after reading this!!!

The Sky just before it starts to rain...

I guess I would be continuing with some more “Philosophy” here. So those that find such stuff boring can just lay off and close this blog right now. See, I’m sparing you the trouble of reading too much. Not that too many people find ‘Reading’ to be as interesting these days. Got so many Distractions and for many, the very act of reading is such a turn-off. For the rest, well read on!!!

So, now someone suggested me to read the poem Robert Frost’s “The Road Less Traveled”. All I can say is that I found someone affirming my thoughts. It is interesting that the poet lived sometime in the 19-20th Century. Almost over a 100 years ago. So, things haven’t changed much. And probably they wouldn’t as well. We still face the same enigmas, the same trials and tribulations, the same uncanny push that people felt centuries ago. The poem was just an example.

On a personal note, I am quite fascinated by the poet’s "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" poem. Especially the last 4 stanzas:

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep.But I have promises to keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep.”

So true. Life keeps us egging on and there is always so much to see and explore. So why wait? Make the Best of what one has. I saw this movie called “Reality Bites” over the weekend. Well, er….not actually, just saw a part of the movie. There is this one scene where Troy, one of the protagonist’s in the movie says: “There's no point to all of this. It's just a random lottery of meaningless tragedy and a series of near escapes. So I take pleasure in the details. You know... a quarter-pounder with cheese, those are good, the sky before it starts to rain, the moment where your laughter becomes a cackle... and I, I sit back and smoke my Camel Straights and I ride my own melt.”

I think that is one of the most beautiful lines I have ever heard in any movie. Okay let’s leave the smoking part aside. That is something I detest too. Anyways, what the protagonist is trying to say is, to enjoy every little moment that you have, because one doesn’t realize if tomorrow you would lose that moment and never have it back again. No matter if thing’s may not make sense now and it may all seem very monotonous and meaningless, yet find time to enjoy yourself. There is a sense of discomfort and despair, yet the protagonist finds a moment to smile and enjoys the moment, regardless. Among the little things in life, those simple moments which you feel are always so elusive and difficult to find time for.

‘Ride your own melt’ meaning ‘Do what you feel right, as per what your own conscience says and above all, have fun’. A friend of mine once said this, especially after he was a little high on spirits. He pointed to his watch and said, "Remember Buddy, no matter what amount of money you pay, and how hard you try, you will never get this particular moment that you experience right now. The moment its gone, you have lost it. And there is nothing you can do to retrieve it. So make the Best of it while it lasts". It may be conflicting at times, yet do what your Heart says, always!!!

Isn’t that what Life is all about? Au revoir…people!!!

The Untrodden Path

I found this nice one-liner written on one of my friend's "About me" sections: "We're all in our private traps, clamped in them. And none of us can ever get out. We scratch and claw, but only at the air, only at each other. And for all of it, we never budge an inch..." So True...

Just goes on to depict our egos and the importance we attach to it. Indeed Life would be much better if only we let go of our selfish egos. But most often than not, it comes at a price. Are we willing to pay that price? Most of us aren't, that's for sure. Choices are often too difficult to make. It gets difficult; one only fears the repercussions of choice. Most often than not, it is so difficult to take that leap, go that extra mile. Because we fear, fear for what, though? Fear of being abandoned, fear of being segregated, fear of being left alone in the lurch. If nothing, then fear of having failed. But hey, isn't it true that at least there is a subtle sense of having tried something? The Joy and pleasure of having given it your everything? The quiet comfort and the sense of unseen satisfaction that "Hey, maybe it didn't work out, but I tried my Best". And that's what keeps us egging on, pushing things to the limit. And wandering into the unknown.. After all, in a sentence one can only say: The path untried may sound ridiculous and naive to some, but it is also the path wherein lies the joy of seeking the unknown. Would we all be willing to step out and walk into the untrodden path? Often when you look at the ocean, its immensity and endlessness scares you. Ever been in the middle of the ocean where land seems but a distant horizon? And if you look the other way, one shudders to think where does this ocean end? And does it really end in the first place. It is a question which might have plagued the early sailor's too. The ones who sailed the ends of the earth for months on end, unsure if they would ever return back to their own homes. But they did, some perish. But they became legends in themselves. And that is the true essence of stepping into the unknown, creating a way for others, by taking a path never taken before. So would one be willing to dare go that way?

It is a Choice one makes. But hey, if you haven’t taken that path, do not criticize the one that fails because he had at least the audacity to try. While the rest waited and watched to see the outcome. If successful, one would be felicitated, if not, then forgotten forever. And lost in the multitude of millions. We all fear to let go sometimes. But we must whenever we can. Keeping a Hand on our Heart. And moving on with a Smile. Ever so difficult, yet the only way forward. After all, that is what one calls “Destiny – the Untrodden Path”.

A Clear Mandate for India

So, finally the Elections are over and the verdict is out. The nation has witnessed a thumping victory for the Congress a.k.a the UPA. And what a Mandate!!! The UPA just needs a few seats more to pass the magical figure of 272 to form the Govt. And going by the eagerness with which the Independents and smaller parties are supporting the UPA, I am confident that we should see a Stable Government. The Markets have gone Crazy today and quite rightly so. The Biggest positive that the markets have seen is the decimation of the Left, who has since inception been opposed to reforms and Capitalist moves of any kind. So now the onus lies entirely on the Central Govt. to take its own decisions. Hopefully this will bring about relatively faster Decision making. So much Hope rests on the shoulders of the New Govt. One sincerely hopes they come true and they live up to their expectations. So Congratulations to the victors and for the losers, well, au revoir (Until the Next Time...). For Critics, the Indian Nation has voted. So shut the hell up and accept the verdict whether you like it or not. For the next 5 years, this is the Government you have to bear, regardless of your preferences.

Meanwhile, the Clouds seem to darken and the weather has taken a complete U turn now. Mangoes are back and the juicy delights of the yellow fruit are a joy to savour. I believe sincerely that one of God's greatest creations was the Alphonso mango. A ripe Alphonso mango is simply too difficult to resist. They are best eaten at 6 Degrees chilled and of course, you do not cut the mango in bits and pieces, but eat it from the top, entirely. That's the Best way to have it. Why??? Because that's the only way you get to have the whole Mango...Everyone also seems to await the Monsoons. It is humid but better than before now. I am dying to get my Windcheater and Umbrella out. Reminds me of a song by Rihanna - Under my Umbrella....

Being a weekend, I had the opportunity to relax off and watch the IPL for a change. Kolkata Knight Riders seem to be brilliant at losing an almost "won" match. As for the rest, the teams are all slugging it out to make it to the semis. The fight is too close for comfort. And every run counts, esp. after yesterday's Kings XI Punjab defeating Hyderabad Deccan Chargers by a single run. Well, some team is lucky, and sometimes you don't win it all. Come on, Cricket is a game after all. As someone rightfully said, "You lose some, you win them all.” Now keep figuring that out, yourself….

When Shashi Tharoor questioned R K Narayan's "Malgudi"...

Being an avid reader / writer can have its own share of prejudices and bias. Seems like writers and their audience are born that way. Its in their blood, so to say. One may hence always argue that the literary genius of Tharoor beats the Best of International Authors. I would argue that Tharoor comes nowhere close to the simplicity and elegance with which Narayan presented himself in his book. Apparently a few years ago, Tharoor had outsmarted Narayan (or so it seemed) by proving his wit to his audience. Where he claimed that Narayan was too simple in his prose, and in India, Narayan could not equate what Jane Austen stood for English (British) Literature.

Okay for beginner’s, what Mr. Shashi Tharoor exactly stated was that R K Narayan, the author of "Malgudi" was more banal, confined, monotonous, clichéd, predictive with his prose and repetitive with his literary skills. Rather to some extent Shashi Tharoor almost questions R K Narayan's literature as to whether he deserves the place that Narayan occupies in Indian Literature today.

Hmm...One may see valid arguments in this scheme of things. But really is that so? I doubt it. For one, the essence in Indian literary strokes is not to complicate things like British fiction does. Primarily, that is one reason why many mortal souls like us do not quite understand or prefer the book: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Too much jargon wasted in a sense of overtly painted prose. Something similar to a deliberately choked language. Where half of the time is spent in reading and understanding the meanings of every second word literally. One has to probably sit with a Dictionary to understand what those words in her book means. Pretty similar to what Tharoor does as well. Call it the trait of our Author's today. Maybe to show the western world how ahead we are or maybe just to gain literary acclaim. Again I may not doubt Tharoor's excellence or literary skills in any way. But, here in India one has to look from an ordinary mortal’s perspective. Would be prefer choked books which stifle your imagination as well? And why would one do that especially when Books are supposed to break free from the rigid. Why would you want to be more disciplined, when the idea of reading is to enter a whole new world? Keep it Simple, Stupid!!!

Narayan touches everyone's heart with his not so elaborate yet simplistic and touching 'STORIES'. Stories of hope, Passion, Broken Hearts, endurance, enigma ...you name it. Narayan depicts it. Stories than surpass expectations through their simplicity and reality. The stories may be happening to anyone anywhere without much change. Maybe the script and its shade might be archaic for some, maybe its no longer progressive, but then who says progressive is better. As the old adage goes...."Old is Gold", so are Narayan's books. Timeless and Deep in their own special way. But for the likes of Tharoor who would judge those like a School Teacher would judge his pupils, with a cane in hand. Tharoor may be a great author for some but he has no right to denounce or demean someone like Narayan, who even after his death continues to draw us away from our robotic and routine city life. Maybe one fine day we would all look forward to being another Swami playing with his friends in the lovely woods of rural India....

Somewhere that's why a romantic and imaginary city like Malgudi can make every common Indian or even foreigner (considering Non Indians too form a sizeable fan base) seek the same, regardless of clearly understanding the fact that the village is of course imaginary. Can Shashi Tharoor do that? I guess not. Why? Because he is rigid and focuses too much on the style and depth, prose & grammar. Maybe someday when I am old and aged, I would rather recite Malgudi stories to my kids & grandchildren than explain about Tharoor's "India". On a personal note, I would find that more gratifying and the kids too may find it more pleasurable. After all, somehow Imagination is always greater than Materialism....Maybe someday I would still continue my elusive search of the town of Malgudi, knowing well that it may never exist anywhere in this world...

Of Toothaches, Politics and weather...

Visits to the Dentist are always plagued with Apprehensions. BIG Time Apprehensions....More so when you know that you have broken your tooth and have to extract the other half. And adding to the misery is the fact that the other half is deeply ingrained in your gums. Now my dentist is a really nice guy,(actually he is my school friend). He tells me very politely that the tooth refuses to budge. So he will have to shake the tooth, drill the sides and then take it out. Now entering the dentist's clinic itself is a task in itself and fills you with fear. On top of it all, when he actually says all this you are bound to feel something. And that something is definitely NOT pleasant. Anyways, to top it all, after a marathon procedure which seemed to span at least an hour (maybe more), the tooth came out in all its glory, wounded and red. Then our champion tells me that I would need to get it stitched by sutures. Just when you thought that the pain is gone and the ordeal has ended, comes news of sutures being needed. So I had to sit through it all again, and put up with the sutures. Now apparently it would take at least another week by the time the sutures are removed. So I wait eagerly now for the sutures to be removed. Even the leaders fighting elections wouldn't wait so ardently, as me, for the week to end.

Meanwhile back to other news. One of the most hilarious things I have seen this week was this video being aired on national TV of a state leader & former CM entering the house of another national leader with a handkerchief covering more than half of his face. Now it’s pretty obvious that he is hiding himself. Fair enough...we give the guy his due. But true to his political nature, he calls a press conference sooner than expected to explain his actions. Did we ask for an explanation? Are politicians answerable?? But anyways, so sweet of him to do so...And the question is finally asked to him by our ever enthusiastic media: Sir, why did you cover your face with a handkerchief while entering Madam's house?. (Hello, isn’t it obvious? He was trying to have a supposedly Secret meeting!)But then the answer that he gave stumped one and all: He said, "Er...i was just wiping my face with a handkerchief. It was too hot." Hmm, now that amazed everybody for just a moment because the next moment they burst out into a thunderous........wave of laughter. I guess most of the nation watching this did. It simply beats all logic that a former CM travelling in an AC Mercedes at 7 in the evening when the sun has already set feels hot?? Only two scenarios: One. Mercedes is producing those cars in some remote location in the Sahara Desert that too of an inferior third grade raw material or our Champion is repeatedly making a fool of himself. Spare a thought for the poor guy though anyways!!! As they say, it happens only in India!

The mornings are seemingly getting better day by day as the weather slowly and gradually softens up. The humidity remains intact though, but hey, ‘Something is better than absolutely nothing,’ right? The mad heat of May seems to be withering away as the dark clouds seem to gather across the sky. Shades of grey in scattered directions spread across the horizon. Ah well!! Another reason for me to sleep longer. Sigh!!! The rains are supposed to be on time this year. That's was the Met Department says. But as usual they are wrong around 90% of the times. Come to think of it, it would be really cool to have a job or be working for the Met Department. More often than not, they always get their predictions wrong. And yet they stay in place and don't lose their job. Strange, isn't it? They seem to have dismantled an old Doppler radar which was well... apparently aging and getting old. They decided to replace it with a new one. Now it seems that the new one may not be ready till the monsoon ends this year. Sad state of affairs is the least I can say. Especially if there is (God forbid) another 26th July flood this year, who's to blame? Some say its not used to predict floods. Well okay but doesn’t it assist in the prediction? Anyways predictions are often wrong so I guess one cannot complain. Maybe after all there is some reason why I named this blog as the smiling raindrop. So, Bring on the rains!!!!

Before I sign off though one note about the pictures on this blog. My friend’s suggested that I keep the picture on every post in line with the topic. Fair point, so the appropriate picture here would be that of a Mercedes. Imagine sweating it out inside this piece of luxury that too with the AC on!!!

An Ordinary Day...

Now two of the things that have really kept me glued to the Television are 1.The Indian Premier League and 2. The Indian Political League...

The Indian Premier League is nothing but a nice example of how a sport can be popularized using Marketing effectively. My bro kept complaining that the event being showcased in South Africa doesn’t have enough viewers. It seems they don’t need viewers cos most of the organizers costs are recovered from sponsors, ad revenues, and of course tv commercials.......no wonder they end up paying those guys a bomb for 3 odd hrs. Crazy world this is, isn’t it?? Who needs an MBA for heaven's sake? Even education costs a fortune these days...phew!!!

The Indian Political league is more fun than the Indian Premier League. with great pomp and hopes we go out to vote only to later sit back and see what are the new political alignments & re-alignments constantly taking place. While conspiracy theories do the rounds, it is fun to watch how politicians woo people with everything from rice @ rs.2 / kg to promises of building temples and proving dominance. Hmm now rice@ Rs. 2/kg is understandable but a temple??? Okay some say that its an emotional issue, culture, pride blah blah....finally comes down to one factor......treating religion like a commodity......i give u rice, u vote for me...................okay forget the rice, i give u temple, u vote for me........Whatever suits the masses, deliver the same!!! Like a Commodity!!!

And we fall in the trap. What pity!!!! But then we live in a real world and fantasies and dreams are called so for a reason after all.

These Newspapers are full of the regular stuff......murder, rape, thugs, goons, fraud, etc...
Ever wondered how they are a depiction of the real "us". maybe not quite, but they are indeed an example of our emotions, feelings...products of why we are the way we are today....Products of Society and Civilization. A friend of mine told me once that given a chance we wud all behave like freaky animals and just like to do what we wish, regardless of whether it is ethical or not. Something similar to what Osho preached if I'm not mistaken. Osho btw proclaimed himself to be GOD. Hmm thats a nice thought but then, who has seen GOD??? What proof do we have of him if there ever is one? And even if we were to prove him or see him, wouldnt we question as to how did he come into being? Maybe the answer lies in the essence of God in itself. God resides in each one one of us as does the Devil. After all, maybe the great battle of Kurukshetra is fought always in our minds. The fight of Good over Evil. And the choice is ours to make: God or the Devil. So why fight so much over Religion in the first place?

An evangelist once met me on the road outside my office while returning home. As evangelists are, he started off with a conversation
Evangelist: Sir, can i talk with you?
Me: Yes (Dude, I look like a likely bakra. Go on with your rant!!!)

E: Sir, have u heard about Jesus Christ. Only he can save you.
Me: Well yes. Im a Catholic. So???

E: Sir, open this bible to page no.... and read this para XYZ....
Me: yes i have read it before but why are you telling me this? (Time for Brainwashing)

E: Sir, this says that only Jesus Christ can save you.
Me: Okay well but that's your interpretation of it. I don’t think I wud put it that way.( I am not taking your Bullshit talks lying down)

E: Sir, u need to understand that what they teach you in ‘your’ Catholic Church is fake. Follow our teachings and our Church as we are the only true Church as Jesus says here in the Bible, there will be fake preachers blah blah....and we only need to follow the word of God which is the Bible,blah blah....
Me: As I said before I don’t think that is how I wud put it. I believe that is your interpretation of it. Maybe I may not think of it that way.

E: Sir, do u understand u will be condemned and burn in hell eternally.
me: Well okay but i believe in on religion called Humanity which supersedes all other faiths. If for that I have to burn in hell, so be it!!!

E: But sir, only this Word of God can save you.
Me: Who says so? I think being humane to others is greater a religion than any of these books or scriptures. And why would I need to follow things the way they are in the book. Isn’t it possible that your interpretation may be biased and incorrect? And what if you are wrong?

Finally, the evangelist gave up and he left. Although I wud still ask the same question to anyone. Would a person who only follows a particular faith (desisting other faiths, making a mockery of them), be greater than someone who may not even believe in a concept of God, (yet being humane to as many as possible)??? Why would he burn in hell??? And if that were really the case, then maybe we don’t deserve to be humane in the first place!!!

The evangelist had no answer and I don’t think anybody would either....So then I conclude that maybe we might all differ in faiths but isn’t being in a common "humane" religion much better a way to find God?

My Reflections

"Raindrops keep falling on my head!!!!....hmm mmm mmm!!!
Thats the song that comes to mind as I write my first ever blog. Its a start, a new beginning as I like to call it myself. One of my wishes has always been to write, a joy in itself. Though I have never ever published my poems, my thoughts etc.....there is so much of Life that I experience which I wish to put across in words. And hence what better way than the use of technology to start blogging.......
Hey, that reminds me I havent introduced myself yet.....
Maybe I should, but then does it really matter??? I guess not.....

I'm from Mumbai, the city of chaos and rush.........A city that in its true sense never sleeps.............
I guess I wont divulge much now cos this blog isnt really about me, but more so my experiences with time, places and events that have shaped me as an individual........

The choice of the blog name was tough as most didnt match with what I wanted to put across while some just were not available.....(Too late, sometimes!!!)
Nevertheless, found this one handy (smilingraindrop) ........
Raindrop cos raindrops have always amazed me....the joy of the raindrop softly pricking your face esp. after a long hot summer is a pleasure in itself.......Smiling bcoz when u first feel it, no matter what, the first raindrop always makes u smile. For me, the raindrops in themselves bring cheer and a cool, cosy, soft feel which only nature can depict.......