Stranger in the Strange Land

While travelling, it’s only after I have breathed enough air that I feel I have reached a new place. It is different, the scent, for every city that you visit. There is a naive smell in the air which makes you feel a particular way about that place.

For those who have been to the hills, or maybe lived there for long, try to recollect that serene essence in the atmosphere. Didn't it make you want to settle there forever? I could have lived all my life amidst that mountain valley of Dharamshala with those amazing Fried Dumplings, or the famous Namgyal Pizza! Likewise, Mumbai had this moisture, that after rain-wanting to eat the mud-smell! And it is surrounded by the amazing aroma of Vada Pao, Cutting Chai and Challis! Haridwar has the smell of water with flowers, and a subtle hint of Aaloo Poori being made at that corner shop at the chowk. That Kheerganga trek. Oh I can still smell marijuana! Please ignore that it is a drug and let us all believe that it is some medicine taken to clear your schizophrenic head with all the people that you meet in your daily routine! (Smiles like a baby, pretending that I never wrote this.)

It’s only after a day that you start visiting the local attractions. They bring a different sense of belonging for a place. For some people beaches and hot chicks get them to groove, while some are happy praying to the lords. While some people were more bothered about the history and religious relativity that Elephanta Caves has for us, some were busy honeymooning in the presence of cute monkey families. It can be trying to capture that snow covered mountain or putting your feet in that rapid flowing river freaking you out as hell which makes you comfortable with the place you’re visiting. It becomes your space, your way of venting out the monotony and your only chance to get lost in the tranquil beauty of the surroundings.

Well, I have never interacted as much with the people of a place as I did in Dharamshala, while I was shooting for my film. Or when I was in Mumbai! For me, those monk kids playing football in the backyard of their monasteries, Epic Cuteness! And those sweet Challi vendors selling challis and smiling at you even when it’s raining cats and dogs, because they somehow see the hungry look on your face, priceless! It could also be that guy in that restaurant ordering for you a plate of chocolate mousse, well maybe because you are the prettiest girl around!

I think it can never be a single factor which makes you like a place. There is always something special, some incident which makes the craze for that place never fade away. There has to be a spot, a teeny tiny stupid thing that you did, or maybe some hot guy you met, that that place will stay in your memory for eternity!

P.S I hope it was pretty clear that food is an inevitable factor for you to like the place. It has to be like super amazing! 

[Written for WordPress Daily Prompts: 365 Writing Prompts. The prompt for today was – Stranger in the Strange Land - What's your favourite part about visiting a new place- The food? The architecture? The people watching?]

Your Life, The Book!

One’s life is…well it’s Life! Your journey towards eternity! It’s how you have lived with people and what all you have done, before you become a mere memory! Many people write their biographies; a long long essay of what their life has been all about. Whether it has been a smooth one or a roller coaster ride? Or maybe something else that only they themselves can describe well. It’s a story which they want the whole wide world to know about them. They weave their lives with words into a book.

Had my life been a book, it would have been a pretty nasty one. Considering the bi-polar (during that time of the month) crazy freak that I am, my autobiography would be like mixing mango’s sourness and a plum’s sweetness together. If you know what I mean!

I want to write my own biography, but C’mon someone else writing it for you is quite exciting as they interpret your life your way but with a subtle hint of their perception. So, I would have loved it if Shakespeare could write my biography for me!

Not just the fact that he’s the father of Literature; he is also a very romantic writer. He wrote Romeo and Juliet! Though I wouldn’t want him to kill me before becoming one with my beloved, I would go bonkers if he wrote for me. My Oh-So-Charming would become a little more handsome and I would be the woman with beauty and there would be a subtle hint of poetic awesomeness in air wherein our love would be like renaissance for all the romantic people out there.

Mine love would be like the unicorn, pure and my lover shall say to myself, “Thou art mine” and I shall embrace him with all the affection that I have. Just imagine if these lines would have been a part of my biography! Awesome it would have been, isn’t it?

Well, Shakespeare can’t come alive, not anytime anon. Not to write my biography at least. I had to come up with a name. I had to find my person. So, I thought my best friend could be a good choice to leave with the responsibility to write my biography! He’s a nice person. Just a little annoying, like all the best friends usually are but really cool. He’s been with me in almost all the crazy mad things that I have done, or at least he gets to know the whole story, uncensored. He’s not a writer though. Initially I thought it would be difficult for him to elaborate through words, but then he can always draw! In fact, he will only draw! My book will become an art version of my life! Detailed illustrations of how I fall on the road while walking, even if it’s completely dry or how I manage to be completely contradictive to the points I was fighting over after every five sentences I say in an argument. I believe it might become a little too embarrassing for me, but it will make everyone laugh so I think I can settle there. I shall leave in my will for him to illustrate my biography. He won’t otherwise. Artists are pretty lazy.

Uh, if someone wants to volunteer themselves, they can. What about you Sakshi and Sid? Will you guys write it for me? I wouldn’t mind some humor and satire in there too. I do am mean at times!

For me, I am just wondering will it be possible to write after I die. Like I wish for some ‘The Times of Heaven’ or some ‘The Hell Times’ to be up there. Well, advertising will be too much to ask for!



[Written for WordPress Daily Prompts : 365 Writing Prompts. The prompt for today was – Your Life, The Book - From a famous writer or celebrity, to a WordPress.com blogger or someone close to you — who would you like to be your biographer?]

MIRROR MIRROR

When I look into the mirror,

I see a girl,
Smiling back at me. 

With a hope in her eyes, she beholds the dream of a new world.

Where there would be no barriers, no limitations and no differences. 

Envisaging a world yet to be born!

When I look into the mirror,

I see a Superhero.

Waiting to discover his powers. Wanting to unleash them and make us rid of the
mistakes made by the owners of authority.

Waiting to correct the wrong and make it right. With a little chutzpah, being stupid but being the hero we all need!

When I look into the mirror,
I see my life.

A vision which excites me and gives me a strange pleasure.

I see people around me. Those who I see my life with.
Those with whom I share memories of laughter and sorrow. Of joy and despair.

When I look into the mirror,

I see myself.

A crazy woman with more than a thousand questions in her head.

Naïve inquisitiveness about everything that is happening around. A very strange desire for change and a need for inspiration.

When I look into the mirror,
I see a world.
Unseen by many. 

I say this because that is my imagination. My space.
A place where there is no place for being discontent.

A place where you can run wild and carefree.

When I look into the mirror,

I see this all.

And I see a dream for all of it to become true.


Written for Project 365.
Guest Author's Prompt; 'Mirror Mirror'.

Texty Text

We think. We speak.
We wish to talk. We say.
We call. We chat.
Seldom do we think about writing.
Writing our thoughts to the person whom we want to speak with.

But ever since these ‘text messages’ came into being our world of talking turned itself upside down. A text message with its chutzpah brought a new culture into the lives of us humans. With it came a very endearing version of English (read: highly abbreviated and loved by people because we are always running short of time). So, ‘okay’ became ‘k, ‘just like that’ became ‘JLT’ and our exclamatory ‘Oh My God’ became a very exclamatory OMG! Grammar lost its way and spellings went on a holiday with punctuations. And eventually the troll; R.I.P English was born.

Nevertheless, people didn’t stop talking. I at least never did. Just like the conversations, text messages are long and never ending so much so that my thumb and fingers start hurting at times. Just because the other person can’t hear my voice and guess my feelings it gives me a condescending adrenalin rush to write as much as I can to explain how I am saying what I am saying.

Those who know me know that I love to talk all day, all night without sparing a moment. So automatically my text messages go way beyond the limit. I see no harm in writing long messages or even longer messages. And as much I as I love expressing myself, I also love you guys (the ones who are reading my blog). So to spare you the horror of listening to me; rather reading me say all of it in a much longer detail; let me show you an instance. In the message below, I was sad and that was what I wanted to say. Instead, I wrote my friend some 193 words! Happy reading!

“I want to indulge in APODYOPSIS! Don't go looking for the shit, it means mentally undressing someone! No reason. 

I have clearly gone mental at 3 in the night! Actually, I feel the devil has won over me and I want to fight a few people, take them out so to speak! It's the feeling that you get when you are not able to have an orgasm!

Life is a race, like a broken anda! Was this the dialogue?

Change your DP! Every time I see it I feel like punching your face so that the nimbu paani will come out! You should never mess with a girl high on hormonal medication.

I don't know what I am saying. I haven’t even read it after writing. This is one of my usual random things. Let's go shopping the week. I have nothing to wear.

And I want to have a dog!

I want to go live in Goa, or maybe Kerala, or maybe a house of my own. I'm tired of explaining things. Don't kill me haan tomorrow. Let’s go out and have gol gappas. I really want to. I just feel sad.”

P.S No judging.

The K-drama Theory

'K-drama!’ are we still into the Ekta Kapoor zone? Well, I'm sure we would have definitely doomed if that would have been the case. Though, what first came into my mind after I first read the topic was our famous television soap opera director; and her fancy with saas-bahu sagas and the letter 'K'. I was lost into the thought of all those years when I fought my family members to stop watching these serials and sleep instead!

While I was relieved that we don't have to talk about these annoying never ending sagas, I was also intrigued and delighted to speak about the recent wave of Korean Culture, more popularly known as 'Hallyu' in Korean. These Korean dramas have become a new getaway from the usual romantic comedy sitcoms. As I realize, not many of us know about the Korean culture laying its roots in the minds of South Asian people especially North-east Indian audiences.

Let us be all super fascinated by the story of Korean culture becoming the new popular culture in the world. South Korea, once known as a country under the influence of other nations of the world has turned itself into the most influential culture. Its entertainment industry has emerged, and Hallyu, has become the source of some of the most popular movies, television dramas and music. What first began with soap operas has made the movement grow to a level where the Korean sitcoms and its music have become the phenomenon. This is just like becoming 'Friends' or 'The Big Bang theory' (read: your favourite show) for us Indians. Every instance has to have a mentioning of some part of the series which co relates with your situation.

The Korean wave gained recognition and popularity in India with the Revolutionary People's Front putting a ban on hindi movie channels in Manipur. To fill up the vacuum in their empty minds with the desire for fun and entertainment, people turned towards Korean channels like Arirang and KBS. As far as I know, each person living there now has a personal favourite channel and series. The Korean wave has not just limited itself to movies and dramas, it's music is equally getting appreciated and followed. To those who get chills after listening to good music, Korean music is surely a delight for them.

What started as a military strategy for Iraq, Korean period dramas have escalated as wildfire across countries like China, Japan, Malaysia, Phillipines and Northeast India. It has begun gaining popularity among the folks of north India too. Even countries like the USA have seen strong following for k-dramas and have some of the biggest fan clubs and streamers.

While the reason for the success of Korean dramas in India can be many, one the most prominent reason is cultural proximity. From trade in the old days to Buddhism to palanquin bearers or the youthful romance. People either find the storyline too simple and easy to grasp yet powerful enough to keep them hooked or they simply drool over the fashion and good looks of the stars. Whatever the reason might be, the K-dramas are becoming the new 'in thing' for the youth. Maybe, it's all because of the digital media. Hail Google!

With all that information, which I feel is sufficient to make you atleast read about the Korean dramas once, I am off to watch my new favourite Korean drama 'The Heirs’. And well, you should it try too and stir some K-drama in your life.


This post has been written for the blogging competition being conducted by Korean Cultural Centre India, the country partners for First Frame 2014- Sixth International Students’ Film Festival conducted by MBICEM.

'Happily Ever After'

Stories and fables, Fantasies and myths all of these are very strong opinion makers in our lives. So intricately entwined with the reality, we often forget rather seem incapable of differentiating between 'real' and 'reel'. One such fantasy, I believe to be is 'Happily Ever After'. The phrase makes me go crazy, literally, as I keep thinking, what will make me so satisfied that I can add this to my life; Happily Ever After!

I was happy when I got a job. I will be happier if I could build a house for me. And I'll be the happiest if Ambani would sponsor me! Seriously, who doesn't want that? But does it mean, being 'Happily Ever After' is all related to the materialistic pleasures? Maybe. Maybe not.

I was happy when I first met my best friend. I was happier when I met my other best friend. I will be the happiest if I get to make more best friends. Does that mean, people in your life will get to decide about when will your life be 'Happily Ever After'? Maybe. Maybe not.

I was happy when I first clicked a picture. I was happier when I got it published. I was the happiest when I saw my movie. My work gives me a lot of satisfaction. But does that mean, it will give me my 'Happily Ever After' day? Maybe. Maybe not.

We are happy when we have our loved ones with us. We are happy when someone says, "you look beautiful". We are happy when a child smiles at us. We are happy when we travel to new places. We are happy when we get to bathe in rain. We are happy listening to our favorite music. We are happy having fun with our friends. We are happy when we kiss. We can be happy all the time. But does that mean, we can be happy, the 'Happily Ever After' way? Maybe. Maybe not.

When we have little, we want more. When we get something, we want everything. And when we have everything, we want more of that everything. So when is it that we stop? We stop and we say, "I'm happy, 'Happily Ever After'".

Shades of Love

One of those times when you need somebody, and you have them it does feel like a drug moving through your veins. And just as anybody would I ran towards him, not wanting to notice the consequences. That hug was just a modest way of saying I want more. He met me when I was in the sunny side and the grass was much greener there. There, where he stood amidst the crowd waiting for me to come and embrace life. I say this with a lump in my throat.

He pulled me out of something, something I may have readily succumbed to long back. He made me see the sky, the flowers, the walls and a bit of myself. We spoke to each other, but I was only listening to him. We walked together, but I was watching his steps. He touched me with a sense of belonging, the one I had never experienced before. I wanted to run away with him. Run away to a place where I could lie in his arms and have the serenity touch my soul. Just then, I heard him say to me, " Come let me take you on a journey." I didn't know where we were going, not that I cared to ask. But it indeed was a place where I found myself. He laughed and took me in his arms, so soft yet strong, making me feel warm. I love the smell of his sweat, telling that to myself I stopped thinking for a passing second seeming like forever, held him tightly and breathed him in.

While caressing his hands, still lying in his arms on the green grass, my mind was boggling to find out why is he here? He has his secrets. He was too afraid to love, yet lacking the courage to abandon it. His presence had always affected me, but I never could know what mine did for him. I could hear his heart beat loud and clear and lifted my head once to look at him while we were still entwined into an intimate embrace. Being held into his arms, it was perfect. Of course, I wanted more than perfect. What could that possibly be? I did not have a clue.

He ran his fingers gently down my cheeks and asked, is it gone? Your fret? I wanted to smile and say yes, but I didn't. I didn't want to give up the feeling of being in his arms. Well, a man and a woman together, we laughed allowing laughter to bring its magic. We both felt an urge, with our pulse going up too quickly. We understood it all along and let us go to get what we both longed for. Not opening my eyes, not knowing whether he did the same or not, our lips touched and sparked a passion that I never had experienced before. It was a feeling too naive to be explained.

He always kept his promise. He always makes me smile. He always takes away the unwanted and stir a ray faith in me. One of its kind. He always say, we will stay together. Eager for exactly that, I leaned towards him once again, knowing deep down that he may be destined to walk away.