Bestes-est birthday

As I drove through the quickly emptying streets of Hyderabad, close to midnight, I wondered if this was going to be my loneliest birthday midnight.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not a sucker for midnight celebrations. And it's not like I have never been alone at midnight on my birthday. But there is that subtle difference between being alone & being lonely.
Anyway, as the clock pushed It's way past 11, I entered Subway to get a bite. Some friends started calling, wishing advance birthdays, as it was well past their bedtime. They candidly asked where I was, urged me to go home soon. After all, it was birthday, you ought to be home.
I ordered my sub, sat down & leisurely finished my midnight dinner. In the meantime, the.clock struck 12, and wishes poured in. By the time I left, it was close to 12.30.
I came out, and was abducted, by aliens. Yes aliens, this specific specie called "friends", who drive all over town with your birthday cake, at midnight, looking for you, just to play a birthday prank, and wish you health and wealth.
Keeping with time-tested rituals, I was picked up, hung in mid-air, kicked in the bums, and then an amazingly tasty cake was cut, half of which ended up on my face. All of this, in a parking lot. :)
Without a doubt, the best birthday ever. Doesn't matter how the rest of the day goes, this was the best one ever.
Oh and yes, now I'm just 4 short of hitting 3 decades. Wish all future ones are as amazing and surprising.

And for all of you who couldn't get a bite of the cake,

The search is ON!

So it's finally official.
I have achieved a feat reached by millions of men before me, and which will be crossed by trillions who will walk this earth after me.
I will very soon be expected to take late night calls, and make calls, to a girl. And both our parents will approve of it.
Very soon, I will be mandated to go on a serious diet, and loose some weight.
Discussions on clothings, home, furniture, kids and honeymoon destinations will probably be the order of the day.

If you haven't guessed by now, well, you are an idiot.
And yes, the rest, you guessed it right. I will be getting married sometime, hopefully in the near future.

No no. No girl has selected me yet. Neither have I.
Actually I have not even met any of the potential matches, filtered through the family checks and filters.

What's official though is that the Search is on. And I have dug up some of the check criterion:
Dad: should be stay at home girl.
Mom: should be a dancer, and a bong.
Naani: shouldn't be from a Muslim family.

And naani has now told me that I should start looking.

So world, the search is on.
For MY PERFECT BRIDE.
Join me, participate, refer, and who knows, you may win yourself a ring side view of the GREAT INDIAN WEDDING TAMASHA.

CYA ALL.

Cops, You Magical Creatures!

Over the last few years of my stay in Hyderabad, I have covered various localities and numerous roads. The traffic is bad sometimes, gives the rash drivers and sometimes the oddly demarcated roads. There are some terribly senseless traffic signals(The one near Pedammagudi temple for instance), and some breaks in road dividers that take away the whole point of having dividers in the first place(A break every 10 mts).
And of course, there's the bad policing.

Cops mostly sit in their cars, vroom around their beat areas, and signal at any stationary vehicle to move so as to not block traffic, or because it's late in the night. The cops manning signals and crossings are mostly on the phone, or chatting up his senior on the bike. The cops at the checkposts(Like the ones near Hi-Tech city area) are mostly invisible, or reading newspapers, or drying their laundry, or on the phone.

Sometimes it really makes me wonder. Who briefs these guys? What is their duty? Why is it that suddenly sometimes, for an hour or too, maybe on a weeknight, they are very active. What is their logic when they stop vehicles and check papers and licenses. Especially 2 wheelers. If I intend to recce an area, and have some antisocial activity in mind, won't i do it better from the safety of a car with tinted glasses? Especially in a up scale area? Where a loitering cycle-wala will look out of place? Maybe I'm wrong and the cops know more. Maybe. I just hope they do.

Another common scene is seeing 1 cop at each crossing even at the peak hours of traffic flow. Struggling with the surge of vehicles, his whistle overshadowed by honking cars(Damn! Why do people honk even when there's no place to go?), the cop usually just stands there, letting the traffic deal with itself. Looking all smug and tired, the cop would usually pick out his phone and stat calling someone(Hopefully for some help).
But then come a day! A twist! The Chief Minister's Convoy.

In last 3 years, I have seen changes at the top executive post of this state, and I have seen them disturb my peace very often. Well, of course, the Big Man has to travel. In his convoy of 10-12 cars. Of course I understand. And he has to block the traffic for ages before he arrives. Security reasons. I understand. Today's world. Tough. Dangerous.
What I don't get is a simple fact. How, and where from, do we deploy '1-cop-per-15-meters' both sides of the road, for 5-6 hours which encompass the CMs travel time? Where do these cops, (mind-it) super efficient they are in handling chaotic traffic, where do they go once the CM is gone? Are they special group, who barricade CMs paths? Only called into action wherever the CM goes? Or they are just everyday cops, who show up and work well, when the CM comes? If the last case is true, Mr. CM, please follow me everywhere I go!

Paan Singh Tomar - A Review

Just came home after watching this movie.

Yes, it is great.
The director kind of continues from where must have left of during his days on the 'Bandit Queen' crew. The vistas of Chambal ki ghati come out very similar to how it showed up in the older film.
Irrfan again packs a punch in his portrayal of a common man, though in this case, this common man is not just anybody of the street.
A son of chambal, a military man, who joins the military sports team just because there is no limit on the food ration for 'sports people'. He's not scared to say the right thing, and actually snubs his superiors calling them good-for-nothing. Punished and sent to the Military Physical Training facility, he gives up his pet event, the 5000 mts race 2 months before a Defense sports meet, because he empathizes with his coach. He takes up Steeplechase instead, a event he had never heard of before in his life. And wins the event in the 13th National Games, setting a national record. Cut to the Asian games, where he is handed spikes moments before the event, that he takes off halfway through his first lap, and eventually loses the race. His heroics though win him adulation and fans, one of whom even gets their picture taken. When he is not allowed to join his batallion during the 65 war, he tell his superior 'take away all my awards and let me go to war', such is his dedication to protecting the nation, his Dharti Maa. He convers this rage to efforts, and wins the gold in the International Defense Sports meet, competing with kids half his age. But this is just as long as the good times go.
A family feud for (what else but) land makes him quit his Military job, and return to become a agriculturalist in his village. But life in the Bihaarr is not peaceful, as  the family feud takes ugly turns, and after pleading help from the District Collector and the cops, and see his crops cut up, his son beaten up, and his mother eaten to death, Subedaar Paan Singh decides to take up the gun. As he reminds us many a times in the movie, "Bihaarr me sirf Baagi hote hai" and "Baagi koi khud se nahi banta". He builds a gang, mostly members of his own extended family, raises money by kidnapping, trains his crew, and kills his enemies. Emotions run high in many of the scenes, and it is in these scenes, like the once in which Paan Singh kills his elder cousin, that we see the tormented man he has become. As the movie ended it left me with a lot of thoughts.
When does one cross the line between sanity and insanity? Something that a person wouldn't even imagine ever in his life suddenly becomes his choice for way of life.
How a person goes from not caring a bit about a sport to a world class sportsman to a gun carrying bandit, hiding the angst of never fighting for his country and the bitterness of leaving a sport behind that gave him a name.
What's right? What's wrong? Who defines? Do the decisions stand the test of time?

But I digress.

The film is brilliant in its making. There are small details that are taken care of. The usage of music is great. And the dialogues, wow the dialogues. "Beehad mein to baaghi rehte hain, Parliament mein daaku."

Go watch this film to see a meaningful hindi film in a long time.

Yaaron, Dosti, Bari hi haseen hai

A group of 2 boys and 1 girl had just got off a overnight bus. They looked around the busy highway, as if in search of a familiar sight.

Dressed poshly, they looked like kids out of college, maybe into their first jobs. Minimal luggage - plastered with airline tags, signaled towards busy feet and travelling habit. The girl carried a cuddly pink blanket. Cute.

Obviously they were new in town.


The other side of the highway suddenly cried for attention. 2 pairs of hands, waving frantically, trying to capture some eyeballs. 2 boys appeared, running, walking, half falling, but constantly moving their hands, and cutting across the crowd of people and automobiles.

5 pairs of eyes met across the traffic, there was silent signal transfer, and then a flurry of  movements, as both groups moved towards each other. The 2 boys, protectively guarding the girl in the centre, who just wanted to cross the busy highway on a run.

The road is crossed, a battle won against the rash drivers and the incessant traffic, and the two groups meet on the non-existing footpath.

Big hugs. Group hugs. Twinkle in the eyes. Hi-fives. The joy of meeting pals.

Standing 5 feet away from them, at Alwin cross-road, I missed my friends.

Guys and girls, you out there, who came in my life and made my life the way it is, beat me up when I deserved it, and were my pillars of support when I needed it, I miss you all. Maybe I don't call too often. I never send emails. Maybe I don't even wish u on your birthdays.
BUT!
Believe me, I miss you all.
Enjoy this ode to friendship, My friends.

Didi

Last year, on Feb 7th, I got a call in the middle of the morning, that went on to change my life forever over the course of the next 7 days or so.

Munidi called me to ask me to come to Agartala, as Tinidi was admitted in the hospital, and was in a comatose state. I didn't know what to do, and booked travel tickets for 9th Feb. I had to go. After all, she was my sister.

Munidi and Tinidi are my elder sisters, and cousins as they may be, they are closest siblings I have. I have very fond memories of times spent together during my growing up years, planning our next day, next week, next year, and our far-in-the-future life. We were inseparable. Also, Munidi and me, the elder ones in our respective families, shared common traits - heavier builds, bookworms, etc etc, and Tinidi and Kutu, the younger ones, had similar features. We were a great gang. :-)

On the fateful morning of February the 8th, 2011, Munidi, in a broken voice, called me and told me it was all over, that I can cancel my tickets, and there was no need to travel.

The moment froze. I can't exactly remember what happened. But I found myself standing next to  Durgamcheruvu, a lake near office, with a colleague, trying to make some sense of what was happening. In a matter of maybe 30 seconds, I had experienced death, loss of a loved one. But I don't think I cried. I was shocked, sad, but somehow that wasn't equal to tears streaming down my cheeks.

Only after a couple of days, when I reached Agartala, my Agartala, that the truth slowly started dawning on me. Uncle and Aunt, shocked, sobbing, like little children, trying to cling on to memories for support. Munidi was suddenly all grown up, handling the house. It was a mad house. People dropped in at any time, sit, try to talk to uncle and aunt, who broke down each time someone walked in. After some time, I felt like locking the gate and not let anyone enter the house. I sometimes went around town, met friends of Tinidi and Munidi, who were helping with all arrangements. There was so much to do. Death didn't bring peace. It brought struggle, grief, and a pile of work. In the valentine season, in the season of love, we were out completing tasks deemed necessary by death.

There is one person on this planet who, I think, can tell me the exact numbers of seconds passed from THAT fateful moment. I am damn sure he kept count, at least for the first few months. Maybe even now. He is living his life, not the way he expected to, but he's going along. That's whats expected out of him, isn't it.

The last time I met Tinidi was in 2009, I was on a short trip to Agartala, and she introduced me to him. She was shy when she told me about him, and she wanted my approval. My approval. I was younger than her, by years. She had known the guy for about a decade, if not more. They had been 'going-out' for years. Everyone in the family knew about them. But still, she wanted me to approve. It was sweet, and tender. That's how much I meant to her, I guess. Well, I had her talk to my girlfriend when I was in a relationship. I guess we meant that much to each other.

We didn't talk often. There would be a phone call in months, an email, a greetings card sometimes. That's all. I wish I knew her better. I wish.

Goodmorning, Friday the 13th

So, it was Morning of Friday the 13th.

Down-under, The Aussies were giving us a good beating - more like beating our bats with swinging fast deliveries, and we were soon 4 down.

I have been listening to music on Saavn for the last few days. It's good. So today morning, I clicked surprise me, and came a playlist.

And it played - "Itni shakti hame de na dataa, man ka vishwas kamzor ho na".

Kinda matched the match situation.

But then, my brain went into a Friday overdrive.

Literal Translation of the lyrics:
Give me enough power O Lord,
So my belief in you never wanes,
So I always walk on the right path,
So I never make a mistake.

How a statistician will interpret it(Probably)
Give my TEST enough POWER, my DATA,
So I can accept my Alternative Hypothesis,
Let me DESIGN as best as I can,
So I can cover for all mistakes during CONDUCT.

What do you think?

Art-y Times

Last few month of 2011 have been, well, very Artistic!

No! No! No! I didn't display my creativity and torture people. (Did take some pretty cool shots though! And got praised by a lot of people too! CHEERS..)

- The Hindu Metroplus Theater Fest 2011
        - The Interview -
        After Kiran Madam left, didn't go for any plays. This was the first. Thanks to Abhishek for the company.
And what a story.
The story of a fresher being interviewed by a part-eccentric part-innocent rotund balding boss, who's sleeping with his sexy Assistant on the side, and by another employee who sees himself as the next to ascend the throne.
Starts with a lot of funnies, but as we end the performance, the darkness from the corporate corridors suddenly looms larger, and scarier.
But most of all, the contrast of the first and the last scene, left me spellbound.

- Quadir Ali Baig Theater Fest
        - Adhe Adhure -
        Disturbing, very disturbing. Lilette Dubey, Mohan Agashe and the rest of the cast play a family in the 60s, struggling through the joblessness of the father and the son, a runaway elder daughter, and a misbehaving school-going daughter.
        From time to time, you feel like you understand the characters, and just when you are about to close their file, there's a new chapter that emerges. You feel sympathetic towards the struggling mother for some time, and then suddenly she transforms. As the shock of the transformation subsided, I was left with a nagging question.
"Is it unfair, for a mother of 3, to seek some comfort, some solace, some independence, from the life she creates for herself and her family, over a couple of decades? Will it be wrong if she flies off, leaving everything behind, to have a better life?"
Commendable performances by the cast, especially Dr.Agashe in a multitude of characters portrayed with brilliance.

        - Noti Binodini -
        Beautiful use of screens, lights, projections and music, along with multiple actresses playing the same character - made this a memorable performance.
The sometimes-painful story of one of India's foremost professional actresses from the theater world in early 1900s, based on her autobiography, was performed by a talented cast in front of a spellbound audience. The standout moments of the performance were the transformations/transfer of Binodini's character to the various actresses, pulled off with precision between astonishing lighting, music and set-changes with an ease that only comes accompanied with talent.

- Hyderabad Children Theater Fest
        - A special Bond -
        Based on short stories by Ruskin bond, a fun story about a small child sent to holiday in the seclusion and quiet life of the mountains, only to find out it's not that secluded, nor is it very quiet. Railway tunnel guard, Leopard, Monkey, Ghost, genial grandad, New crazy-ass friends, Gardener, Aunt, her friend, and the husband. Filled with wacky interesting characters that made the duration of the play look too small.

- The Hindu November Fest
        - Zeb and Haniya -
        Breathtaking songs in languages I don't know. They enjoyed the singing, and the crowd had loads of fans, someone wanted to take the flutist home with her. The melodies, fusing world music with sufi tunes, and some very strong messages left us all wanting more.

        - Adrishta -
        Fusing Carnatic with Hindustani, and fusing instrumental sounds from both genres, creating magic. Heard some new instruments and fell in love all over again with classical music.

        - Remembering Panchamda -
        A decent concert, covering a truckload of Pancham-Hits. But the most I  liked was the instru--mental medley, the crazy chanting for the bassist, and when the singers did their own unplugged interpretations of some tracks(not something the purists liked a lot, but hey, Pancham wasn't a purist, was he?)

- The Times Fest
        - Indian Ocean Live -
        Any description needed for the music?
Made even more special by the open air venue, closeness of the stage, rough-stone-cut stage, and presense of by sweet brother with me. The pics taken at this concert put me in touch with one member of the band, so hopefully next time around, i get to take some closer shots :-)

- Zakir Hussain Live
          At Choumahala Palace, tucked away inside a non-descriptive doorway near Charminar. Beautiful ambiance, lights, and evening. The opening was a little too much to handle (went on for too long, had loooooooooooong tracks to play), but they were a good bunch of performers.  But all was forgotten and forgiven when the master came on stage. Now I know why he's so famous. Not oonly does he play the Tabla like magic, he has an attitude. Funny, Familiar, and yet Tough. Waiting for my refill during the Shakti concert now.


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Office Events and Photography

- Photography class and Photowalk
   Saurabh and Mahesh taught us some nuances about photography, and then took us out for a morning shoot. great experience.

- Independence Day Celebration
   My first official office shoot. Well, didn't go that well. Pics came out bad. But then, that's how we learn.

- Documentary and Talk on CONSERVATION by Bikram Grewal

- Jhankaar 2011
   Second time shooting in the office, great moments, great performances, and if I may say so myself, great pics. People loved them.
I did too. :-)

- End Year Party 2011
  Dance Dance, Click Click, Fun Fun. :-)

- Family Day 2011
   The last fun filled time of the year at work, all colleagues, with their families, showing off the office. Some clicks. Was loads of fun.

- Glimpses of Suburbia
   My new project. Lets see how it pans out.

2012 awaits.