Penny for my thoughts

let me

2012-01-10T17:25:00.000+05:30

You lead me to the bouncing seashore
let me sail into the ocean of your love

you lead me to the floral paradise
let me savor the fragrance of your love

you wet my palms in the virgin drizzle
let me soak in the rain of your love

you make me wallow in the full moon night
let me embrace the light of your love

you melt me with your chirpy chuckles
let me saturate in the silence of your love

Too Many

2011-10-28T14:05:00.001+05:30

I've loved too many
friend and family
but the love came with too much pain
that i don't know if i can love again
God Give me the power
To show the love from its cover.

My prayer

2011-10-28T13:59:00.000+05:30

In drunken ecstasy
I feel so lonely
With a mom dad and spouse
With a little lovely house
Where did things go wrong
I can't describe in this song
I yearn for love of a kind
Which in this world I never find
I want go back to mamas womb
Or God hell straight to my tomb
This torture oh lord I cannot stand
Oh lord lend me a helping hand

Lovelier things

2011-10-22T05:50:00.001+05:30

Art thou the lover of lovely things
The moon, the stars and the skies
For me art the lover of lovelier things
Like the mystery in your eyes

The Journey

2010-11-14T11:26:00.002+05:30

The morning of 16th I was in glee
I was on my way to Alleppey
My heart was filled with joy and cheer
That day to me was the most dear
That night at 9 the train left
And at 10 we all slept
The passing hours were never known
When I woke at 7 morning was shown
to me by the open windows
I could see green fields, birds and does
The weather was calm and fine
I took that day to be mine
I thought I could enjoy in the train
But Alas! my ideas were in vain
I saw out and to my fright
We were still in TN which had to pass at night
The train though express was a slow moving one
It destroyed my eagerness and all the fun
The train stopped at every single station
But I was filled with great temptation
To know why the train was slow
I think it was slower than any crow
I was then filled with wildness and anger
I felt like beating the driver with a hanger
I thought it would take all night
But suddenly to my great delight
The train sped faster and faster
Like as if it was being chased by its master
But suddenly the speed slowed down
My face went out with a frown
Only to see a station nearing by
My heavy heart showed a sigh
I could do nothing but simply wait
I had no friend and not even a mate
My little stomach growled with hunger
My whole face showed with anger
The train was full 3 hours late
I knew it was just my fate
I waited patiently filled with frustration
And at last I reached my destination

(Written about 20 years ago on the Island Express from Bangalore to Trivandrum - one summer vacation)

The Mourning

2010-05-25T13:53:00.002+05:30

Violent waves in the brimming seas
Crumbled leaves in the leaning trees
No more bees I could see
This world is like the hour of wee

No summer at the right time to shine
Vanished are the flakes in the X’mas time
The leaves were gone long before Autumn came in
Oh, a colorless spring, hearts break within

(c) appa and me

HYN 2010

2010-01-11T17:47:00.001+05:30

As the clock is tickin ...
Let the new year bring in ....
Love and laughter from kith and kin

A toast to a year that has been
A toast for joys again and again
Happy New Year 2010

Anything for you ....

2009-12-08T17:04:00.001+05:30

to stop the tear in your eye
i cud swim a thousand seas
and drench in a thundering rainstorm
and be bashed like the gushing stream

to see the fire in your heart
i could douse a thousand oil wells
and steal the sun in all ferocity
and be the candle that flickers to eternity

to see the smile on your face
i could watch a thousand comedies
and giggle like an innocent Blondie
and play a clown all life

i would die to see you live
i would cry to see you smile
i would perish to see you survive

for even if too blind my love to see
its ok, for baby, your heart is with me
anything for you baby .......

Baby Shower - Flower Shower

2009-12-03T14:11:00.000+05:30

A surprise is here, a surprise so sweet
To welcome a baby and rejoice a mom
A feeling as tender when mom and baby meet
Be there to cheer, be sure to come
The day is the 21st, the venue some place fun

Ssshhh ... tis a secret, don't let the mother know
Let the excitement in the heart never show
For it shall all burst at the baby shower
Gifts and Food and Fun for our Shivani dear

Happy Anniversary Darling ...

2009-10-21T14:27:00.000+05:30

I thought of it as a flower
Alas it was just a bud
Now has it grown from the cover
For red it was, doused in blood

In years two, the bud unfurled
Showing me true charm and grace
Shining brightly, as a coveted pearl
forever I belong, in his embrace

First to know

2009-06-19T13:54:00.001+05:30

I know I'm not the first to ever love
I know I'm not the first to kiss ...
I know I'm not the first who's heart skipped beat
I know I'm not the first to feel complete

But I know I was the first
Who'd earned your love and trust
Who'd stick you in my mind
And to your love had resigned

But why ...
Wasn't I ...
The first to know ...
What you tried to show ...
that love lost its glow ...
You'd say no more than hello
I'm still not the last to let go

Those feelings remain confined
As I will always walk behind ... You

The time has come ......

2009-03-21T01:26:00.002+05:30

[Bidding goodbye to Ms Mary Fernandes, Cluny's treasure ....

She will be missed forever .... ]

There is silence through the corridors

The ground seems dull in dismay

The flowers around, they sway no more

For she's going today, she's going away

The court will never hear the sound of her feet

Where like a lively lass she'd play and swing

She'd teach and we'd watch, the undying athelete

For no more we'll hear the whistle ring

The classroom walls heave a sorrowful sigh

No one to fling the records, no more

No Shakespeare is taught, no parts of the eye

For she's going away, the one we adore

Prim and Pristine, classy and demure

Grim is her brow yet tender is her smile

Brimming with love, a mind so pure

She could do it all, the most versatile

Newer kids will never know

What she gave away year after year

The gift of dreams, of pretty rainbows

For no corner is turned sans a lesson from her

My eyes fill up, my throat is dry

I'm happy for her, but tis no alibi

For the time has come to say good bye

For ths time has come to say good bye

Obituary - Requiem for a Heartful of Love

2009-03-21T01:23:00.003+05:30

just for a few cents

sense of love is cached

cashed for dollars has the soul

sole it is of the dirty shoes

shooes all away friend and foe

for a few dollars more

the tears to flow have been dammed

damned is life, in black is dyed

died have the thots, he stands alone

loaned his heart, he stands soulless

solace no more

through the large lit glass pane

pain filled eyes of mine, see her as she leaves

leaves of autumn fall, oh they are damned

dammed my sighs,

my heart did break

brake i cant the flowing tears

tears my spirit away, pain i donned

don't go i say, to her i besought

besot in her eyes,

from dark to light, she was my ferry

Oh fairy of mine,

i shuld have guessed

guest i was no more in ur life

New Year Wishes

2009-03-21T01:23:00.001+05:30

Old days have passed, a new sun has shone

A new horizon seen, a new year begun

Wishes for love, wishes for joy

Wishes for endless pleasures to enjoy

Wishes for smiles, chuckles and laughs

Wishes for woe to break into halves.

Wishes for time with ones you cherish

Wishes for a new endearing friendship

Wishes for cookies of chocolate chip

Wishes for all sublime joys to unzip.

May the joys of life combine,

May gracious be the divine

May life be so forever fine

Toast to a rocking 2009

I have been lost ....

2008-11-14T02:47:00.000+05:30

Like an unsung song written on the pages of time
Hummed by one and known by none

Like the tears that dissolve in the pouring rain
Of the heart that soaked in undying pain

Like the roaring waves that grapple to the shore
Only to be gulped by the waters galore

Like a shadow consumed by the dark of night
Unseen by day, unseen by light

Like the pierce of the echo lost in the hills
For my soul has died, all stands still

Tell me ... how to .....

2008-09-26T16:38:00.003+05:30

you're miles away, but i feel you so near
as strangers to this world, ah you're so dear
you chide my passion, wasn't it sincere
you said I'm the one, so did it appear

you drove a knife thru my tender heart
which was full of you, only you
the pathos i strongly try to thwart
i need to ease, tell me how to ... how to

when i think of you, my heart beats fast
the magic of your thought, a trance does cast
so the pain of distance, i try to surpass
but the state of myself, i cant forecast

you drove a knife thru my tender heart
which was full of you, only you
a new beginning, i need to start
i need to let go, tell me how to ... how to

this concoct of pleasure and pain
i drink with zest time and again
the soul that bleeds, i can't restrain
the heart that smiles, i can't contain

you drove a knife thru my tender heart
which was full of you, only you
from strained memories, i need to depart
i need to forget, tell me how to ... how to

Wondered Why ........

2008-09-26T15:23:00.003+05:30

wondered why

you don't walk along, i can't seem to smile
my eyes light up no more, it's been a while
i wear no make-up, i have no hairstyle
my heart's in the bin, my emotions in a pile

ever wondered why it happened
ever wondered why you left me to cry
ever wondered why its a dead end
its cause you said good bye ... good bye
now to fate i comply

since you left, I've walked alone
such solitude i have never known
people ask why I'm so forlorn
I just say, i was struck by a thorn

ever wondered why the wounds don't heal
ever wondered why I'm bleeding in pain
every wondered what i can't conceal
its that I'll never see you again
now it drives me insane

ME - advertisement

2008-06-14T16:08:00.001+05:30

my life i sing as a little song
sweet and sour, a song so long

so brace yourself for a time of ur life
cause this may make me your beloved wife

in the city of tech, in a small family
lived my bro, mom, dad and me

engineering is the path i thread
now in an MNC, i earn my bread

i love to trek, i love to walk
i love to swim, i love to talk

i lose myself in nature so pure
the green, the water, does me allure

i love the movies, and many a play
all these loves are here to stay

my brows do lift when i see something new
i learn it all, life does renew

monotony, man is not the thing for me,
for i'm buzzing along, like a honey bee

when things are simple my heart's at rest
negation and hypocrisy i do detest

independence, an open mind, i do attest
accomodative i am, my smile can infest

through career and work, my goal i can see
but time i find always for family

people i respect for their beliefs and thots
all other prejudice needs to be fought

i feel the world needs more than we give
that makes me want each day to live

so to clean the air i plant a tree
so i teach a child to set her free

o man, o woman , none is truly better
God made us to complement each other

marriage is teamwork, the hardest known to man
it needs a lot of love, a partner and a plan

this ocean here, is a no man's land
at the brink of the same, strong i stand

to look for love again, which once was gone for good
for a wise man to know me and to be understood

thank you for reading thru till the very end
if you think you like me, come be my forever friend

Empty days

2008-02-11T14:03:00.000+05:30

When I can’t wake up beside you on new year's morn

I know my life's gonna be sad and forlorn

You’ve said good bye and you’re now gone

My heart’s been pricked again with a thorn

When I can’t lunch with you on thanksgiving day

I know you’ve left me right midway

My wishes are dead and my dreams they decay

For you’re gone far away far away far away

When on Easter I can’t go to church with you

The bright summer days leave me feeling blue

The colors of fall seem grey with no hue

I wonder if my love was ever less then true

When on valentine’s day to you I can’t give my heart

No more you are mine and my only sweetheart

Fate has now thrown us apart

I see no reason why a new life should start

When on your birthday my wishes aren’t the first

For your feelings for me have now reversed

My heart in pain and yearning does burst

My eyes they cry, for my life is cursed

When the break of day looms in gloom

For no longer I smell your perfume

I wear a smile, a false costume

My life is just a big vacuum

As vows are renewed ....

2008-01-29T12:33:00.000+05:30

to our dear mom and dad
to todayz joy we do add

as the year you rejoice, forty two
as the wedding vows you do renew

anniversary wishes we send to you
to rever you, our friend and guru

may together you be for years to come
may the love in you forever blossom

the party we join, for the venue is our heart
as another journey of love you start

wishes from afar to our parents dear
wishes for joy throughout the year

Apart

2007-07-02T12:38:00.000+05:30

Sad stories don't make me cry
Love songs don't make me sigh
the reason I see
is you hold the key
to my little heart
and we're far apart

The sky seems so sad & blue
sunrises herald days no more new
the reason I know
for colorless rainbows
for you painted my heart
but we're far apart

Days seem long, time stands still,
Smile I can't, must I even will
the reason I guess
my life's a mess
you stole my heart
but we're far apart.

Where are those days

2007-07-02T12:36:00.000+05:30

Where are those days
when with your one glance
A bounty of romance
was born for you and me

Where are those days
when a love so true
I felt for you
and we were meant to be

Where are those days
when a tear in your eye
would bring me to cry
and a kiss would set you free

Where are those days
when never you'd find
a love so blind
but love was there to see

Depart from life ?

2006-11-11T12:54:00.000+05:30

a glimpse of u is like the sunrise
u bring the sparkle back to my eyes

u light up my life like the start of day
and change cold winters to the summers of may

you smile and set my heart free
i feel life as it should be

i rejoice the splendid colors of the fall
when ur beside at all sights i entrall

how i long to hold you hand
and look at you with subtle sights

and heave sighs that flutters the heart
when we bought loving down to an art

how should one forget ? how should I go on ?
one who i think from dusk to dawn

the lovely memories with which i strife
how can i forget my own life

Lead me ....

2006-10-31T05:52:00.000+05:30

i feel i've done the things that need to be done
all tasks are finished and laurels are won

and i've seen the sights that need to be seen
when nothing is left in life to redeem

what makes me push the minute so far
what makes me bring life into every hour

what should i do to make my heart beat
what should i do to move my two feet

when there is no courage to start again
when there is way too much burden n pain

O Lord lend me a helping hand
hold me as i stagger, help me stand

as i thread a path with no clue,
lead me to walk unto targets anew

A tribute

2006-10-05T11:17:00.000+05:30

The first pal who walked along
Making life one melodious song

The snacks n breaks n rides n calls
no end to the wonders i recall

Many a secret we hide in our hearts
no time or place can do us apart

perseverence a name for thee
is laks my friend, and u'll agree

Judge her, i really can't no more
we still are there from days of yore

shez special to me and thatz all i know
for thru smiles or none, together we grow

bosom friends are hard to find
especially of lakshmi's kind

With all her care, the Lord does bless
Nothing more that i cud confess

---- A tribute to my good old pal, laks

Someday ...........

2006-05-30T23:24:00.000+05:30

Dedicated to the greatest poet I have known .... My daddy .....

Someday the world will know you .....
They haven't yet got a clue .....

Someday, not long from now,
The world to you, will take a bow

For that day, patiently I wait
To see the acclaim and to know you're great

Keep your spirits, and don't feel blue .....
Someday, the world will surely know you .....

Silence - the song

2006-05-15T19:33:00.000+05:30

All i wanted was that your eyes
show me the invite to your heart

All i wanted was that nod
to sign me to stand beside
as a new life we start

You'd never speak
but i know the words
You'd never speak
but all's been heard

All i wanted was the touch
and to know that touch would last forever
All i wanted was the silence
which spoke a thousand words
and proclaimed togetherness forever

You'd never speak
and i'd know it all
You'd never speak
and i'd have heard your call

For the Future ....

2006-05-04T16:22:00.000+05:30

Wishes and blessings for once and forever,
May success herald your new endeavour,
May wisdom drive you and failure you see never,
Rise and shine always and wherever.

Forget not the roads you tread,
As you stride the path to your goal,
Hold hands of those who need your aid
Touch ppl with your heart, words and soul.

For however high you get
And all the ppl you meet to part,
Nothing is as precious as the gift
Of a giving and golden heart

With best wishes to friend Narayan, as he leaves us at Sasken and threads a new path.

Fill my emptiness

2006-05-02T00:55:00.000+05:30

Come fill my emptiness,
with a love thats so strong.
Come fill my emptiness,
with a love to last life long.
Come fill my emptiness,
like the melody in a song .
Come fill my emptiness,
and make right all thats wrong.

The Plea ...

2006-04-06T03:45:00.000+05:30

Years have passed, time has gone by,
summers have skimmed, and the warmth of july

I've grown sullen, and you've gotten smart
Yet i sense we've not grown apart

You think and feel that i have no clue
I know you searching, for love so true,

Sigh, i know, am not the standby
Yet, I await the apple of my eye

Can't you hear my shouts and plea
Do take your second chance with me

Release me of this ache and pain.
Come along, just let me love you again

Let me make my abode your heart,
I promise, I'll stay till death do us apart.

The Sinusoid

2006-03-28T03:37:00.000+05:30

Whilst my mirth and anger sinusoid within daddy's umbrella of care .......

How can I, not be cross,
When emotions of mine, you kick and toss
They fill me up with rue and pathos,
Your words of dust, dirt and moss.

Yet how long can the anger stay ?
Time does heal, all must fade away.
Frowns must go, come smiles and gay
Its the darkest before the break of day

For the love we share is meant to be,
Cause all the streams belong to the sea

The agony of the apocalypse

2006-02-13T19:13:00.000+05:30

Friday the thirteen was indeed a fateful day
Your life and mine towards each other did sway

Our lives locked and we swung together for a while
Full many a laugh and lot more of smile

Somewhere down the line, we seemed to swing apart
Ego came along and broke each other's heart

Through the cracks did leak all the love we had
Life lost its glimmer, now all frowns did we clad

The sun set on our lives, we'd never see shine again
Bitterness replaced want, life drove us insane

Did we hate each other, I quietly ask the question
Love could never fade, that is my confession

Why then did we share the most wonderful times of life
Why then the warmth all transform to a strife

Does everything that chance, happen for a reason
Can't love last through years and many a gay season

Today I stand on the cliff with regret and remorse
My heart can't love another, tis dismal and coarse

Why did we part ? so we'd cry in loneliness ?
Why yet there is love, that no words can ever express

Celebrate you

2006-01-31T01:06:00.000+05:30

Dearest Vaishal,

May the sun shine brightly for you today
May the flowers bloom especially for you
May the rainbow bright up the sky and shine with its brilliance today
May the sunflowers turn to your lovely countenance today
May every silhouette reflect your beauty today
May every poem written today be about you.
May the whole world celebrate you, as I celebrate our friendship on you birthday !!!!
God Bless !!!!And many more happy returns of the day.

True love - The Irony of Opposites

2005-11-01T03:03:00.000+05:30

True love is ....
- lovelier than the red rose
- more graceful than the lillies

- higher than the everest
- yet deeper than the pacific

- harder than the diamond
- yet tender as the dew drop

- selfless as a mother's love
- and reassuring like a friend's hug

- darker than midnight
- yet more brilliant than the rainbow

- bashful as the new bride
- yet bolder than a warrior

- exciting as the first kiss
- yet subtler than the baby's smile

- vast as the universe
- yet myterious as the electron

- complex as mathematics
- yet simple as a child's wail

- ferocious as the tsunami
- yet tender as the autumn breeze

- has the choicest smiles and heartiest laughs
- yet has the painful wails and saltiest tears

- most complex emotion to comprehend
- yet the most simplest emotion to succumb

- it can fill your heart with the best of life
- and yet leave you empty forever

Aankhon ki gustakiyan

2005-10-24T20:17:00.000+05:30

At the Fatehpur-Sikri at Agra, the local guide related a shayari (local hindi/urdu verse).
" Sehar karo tho Chaman ki karo,
Baazaar mein kya rakkha hai.
Kathl karo tho nigahon se karo,
Talwar mein kya rakkha hai."

The references to the "eyes" and its subtle means of communication and expression, especially in the arena of romance is remarkable. Most poetry seem incomplete without this analogy.
I have made a small collection of such references to read and cherish.

From Breathless ... by Shanker Mahadevan
"kaisii miiTHii baate.n thii.n vo
kaisii mulaaqaate.n thii.n vo
jab mai.n ne na jaana tha nazaro.n se kaise pigaRte hai.n dil
aur aarzuu paathe hai kaisii man.zil"
Jab maine jaana tha, nazaro se kaise pigalthe hai dil ..... how hearts are melted by the gaze. Does this run you into nostalgia.
The most common incident that comes to my mind when i read this is "lovefilled glances" and "winks". Have you been winked at ? If so, how did it actually feel ... annoying or special !!!

From the song "Seekho naa ... " by Shubha Mudgal (Album : Ab ke saawan)
"Seekho naa ... naino khi bhasha piya .......
Kehthi hai, tumse yeh khamoshiyan ......
Seekho naa .....
Lab tho na kholunge main, samjho dil khi boli ... Seekho naa ....

Padna seekho,
salvato ko ...
Maathe pe yeh, balkhaa ke, Likhti yeh kya

Kehne ko baaki hai kya ....
Aankhon ne sab keh to diya. "

This further strongly reminds me of the song "Sound of silence" by Simon and Grafunkel. Quite amusing to imagine how the sound of Silence would be. Does Silence have a sound ....
We see two new languages here, the "Sound of Silence" and "Aankhon ki bhasha".
The punch line here seems "Aankhon ne sab keh tho diya". A whole conversation happened between gazes and expressions of the eye.

As expressive as the eye can be, the eye is also an attribute to one's beauty. That explains the existance of the words, "Visalakshi" and "Meenakshi" used as names for Hindu women. Here "akShi" means eye in sanskrit.

The latest addition to the "Language of gazes" is from the movie Parineeta, in the most cherished song of the movie "Piyu Bole ..."
" lab to na kholuu.n mai.n kholuu.n na lab to par
aa.nkho.n se sab kah diya "
Once again, one speaks to her beloved with the language of the eyes. And of course, it was well understood. Perhaps love is the tool to decipher the language of the eyes.

The Revelation

2005-08-09T18:20:00.000+05:30

My Toastmaster's speech for the International Taped Speech contest.

Hello friends, I am Priya here, welcome to the noon show in your favorite channel Bangalore FM 91. We start the show with a favorite of one and all, the song "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. Peter enjoyed the song on his car stereo as he flew through Airport Road, one of Bangalore's best roads. Soon he stopped at a red, right in front. He smiled at the girl who stopped on a two wheeler right beside him, he spelt within, "Aah, this is life".

Fellow Toastmasters and friends ... why am I speaking of Peter, who is he, just another software engineer, strolling fashionably the lighted streets of Bangalore. Lets find out what happened to Peter and his life.

The red light at the army quarters was a pretty long once, and soon the heat started to take toll. He drew down his tinted glass windows and somehow tried to keep away from the scorching heat. It was a hot sultry day. As he waited the signal to turn green, he saw a little boy at the light, he was barely 9. And he was trying to sell some yellow colored towels. That little boy came running to Peter, "Sir please take one” Peter thought, "aargh what is this new trouble now". He shooed the kid away. When suddenly there was a shout .... "Move out", some other kid on the footpath, who seemed to be the little boy’s competitor in selling yellow towels, shouted out to him, as the light had turned green. The little boy stumbled his way to the footpath. He never made a difference in Peter's life.

Peter was driving to a highly expensive joint on Airport road to join his college mates for lunch and a pint of beer after a long long time. No one really bothered about the prices.

Hi Pets ... long time ... his friends greeted him and waved to him as his eyes searched for the reserved table. Lots of informal greetings exchanged ... they spoke of their long lost crushes, girlfriends, their managers and the traffic in bangalore. Weak topics ..... The Radio was switched on and it was Priya once again on the noon show. Now they were playing a number by Phil Collins' "Just another day in paradise". Arjun, one of the guys in the group, got nostalgic. During the college days he used to be a volunteer for CRY, which stands for "Child Relief and You". Arjun participated in the activities of CRY. No one among his group ever joined him. Though today in the midst of his job and duties as a husband ... he did not find enuf time to work for any NGO, he still yearned to do his part. Nevertheless he kept track the activities of CRY and did help them out financially. That song really brought him to tears. Hey Arjun, be a man!! You don't cry listening to a song ... even your wife won't do that ..... they all laughed at Arjun. Arjun was hurt .. he still hadn't changed, as sensitive as he was 5 years ago. Arjun stood up and made a proclamation ... hey guys this Saturday, there is a voluntary camp for children at CRY, and we all are going for it. There were so many moans, nah, not on a Saturday Arjun, please. Arjun literally threatened everyone, and made them swear in the name of their friendship that all would join him. CRY could make use of 5 young and dynamic youngsters.

By now, the lunch was eaten and the beer all finished up, and there came the bill. Though they all had planned to go dutch, Peter paid it. His eyebrows just lifted up as he stared at the bill, one bottle of Kingfisher Draught beer, which cost just about 45 bucks out in the market was charged hundred. Now now now that was daylight robbery .... Peter expressed his surprise to his friends. Arjun who was already in full form, remarked, that is something like 300 rupees we've wasted, hey guys that would have made a good contribution to CRY.

This pinched Peter, he is paying 300 Rupees more, just for beer .... how true Arjun was, if not donating it to CRY, he could as well have got himself something he could use.

As Peter drove back, he felt it badly. He felt that something was amiss in life, it was not marriage and a family of his own that he lacked, it was something more grave, more profound. He told himself, let me chance CRY this saturday.

Saturday, all the guys drove to Wheeler's Road where the CRY office was situated. Except Peter, all the rest cursed Arjun for having stolen their weekend. Peter spent half a day with the children. He remembered his childhood days when he heard the children playing Ringa Ringa roses, pocket full of poses. As they said husha, busha all fall down, a little girl stumbled in her excitement and hurt herself. One of the volunteers just came running and told her to be careful. He remembered how his mom had nursed his sister when she fell the same way when they were young

How pitiful, these children did not have mothers to care for them. Peter stopped himself wallowing in sympathy towards the children, he realized he was also transforming into another Arjun, frail .... But never mind ...... Peter enjoyed the company of the children, the more time he spent with them, the more he realized how much more fortunate he was in life. He told them stories and made pancakes with the mud. That day he returned home with a joy which was so unfathomable, so addictive that he would do it again and again in life.

A week later, on a Sunday, Peter was heading to the Airport to pick up his little niece. He had with him 5 of the her favourite bar chocolates. It was the same red light at the Army quarters. Peter saw a similar face selling yellow towels. This time again, the little boy knocked at his car window. Peter could not help but smile, he gave the boy one of those chocolates he had with him and asked him his name. It was a pleasant surprise for the kid and he was all smiles. He quickly snatched it from Peter, and ran across shouting, "Thanks Sir, My name is Raja"

Once again Peter felt that same unfathomable ecstasy. Maybe he was being selfish by giving away just one chocolate, nevertheless Peter had made Raja’s day. As he headed towards the airport he thought he made the little boy feel that he was cared for. Never did he know, how much more Raja longed to meet Peter again.

Friends, The one who loves, is always loved. One who shares, is always safe in someone's heart somewhere. And believe me, God surely takes care of that.

Project Speech #3 : Organize your speech - They Taught me to Speak

2005-08-09T18:08:00.000+05:30

Project Speech #3 : Organize your speech

They Taught me to Speak

Anil's eyes opened up in pride and delight as he looked at the interview card. The company was Asia's leading mechanical firm. Having the right experience of 3 years in the field and a sound academic background, he knew the interview would be a cakewalk. All his friends congratulated him. This company was a high payer. In front of his eyes gleamed the mettalic green matiz, he hoped to own very soon, as he patiently waited for the D-day.

Fellow Toastmasters', distinguished guest and dear friends, so can any of you guess what happened to Anil.

Excellent Mr Anil, you are really good. People of your calibre are needed in this company. We are offering you a salary of "X" Rupees a year. Would this be acceptable ? WHAT ? "X" Rupees ...... that was way below expectation. Anil thought maybe this company was also hit by the recession .... was it or was it not ? But Anil could not negotiate, he just couldn't speak .... He never found the right words. He kept mum & shook his head in acceptance. As he hung his head down in disappointment, slowly the picture of the green matiz disappeared into oblivion.

As Anil worked for the company, he spoke about his disappointment to one of his colleagues. His colleague and friend gave him a brilliant idea to improve his communication skills. He enlightened Anil about the Toastmaster's club in their company, especially the Table Topic sessions

What was it that was so elegant about the Table Topic Sessions in Toastmasters'? Anil attended the Toastmaster Session as a guest to find out more. All of a sudden he had a host of friends in his life. He felt like he worked for his company since years. He was welcomed with a lot of warmth and made to feel at home. Soon, Anil began attending the ToastMaster sessions regularly and became a member

Little by little, Anil learnt to speak at the moment. Speak without preparation. He learnt to speak on varied topics from galaxies to penguins, from wireless networks to the traffic in Bangalore. He learnt to sum up all points and put them in a convincing way. To talk briefly about a topic, yet to the point.

The same Anil, who hesitated to speak in front of the three interview panelists, now spoke in front of a group of more then 30 people. He could look into the eyes of the audience as he spoke.

As Anil flourished as a speaker in the ToastMaster's club, he learnt to talk with creativity. He learnt to add a dash of humour to his dialogues. And made his illustrations as interactive and comprehensive.

Anil became a very popular member of his team. Very soon he became a manager. Anil would explain to his juniors the importance of communication skills in one's life. Very humourously he relates some stories of people who have suffered due to lack of the same. There was this good friend of Anil, who once had a telephonic interview with a company in Britian. His friend was continously using the work "matlab" which is the word for "means" in the hindi language.

Unfortunately the interviewers at the other end of the phone, thought this guy knew a lot of "MATLAB" which was a graphical software for mechanical engineers, and they hired him anyway. Friends, just imagine the embrassment Anil's friend faced when he learnt he was underqualified for the job, amidst alien people in an alien land.

Due to his popularity and competancy, Anil even asked to represent his group. And this time he murmured "Thanks to the Toastmasters club", as he sat on this side of the table interviewing candidates for his company. He realised how very important it was to have good communication skills. How it had helped him become a leader. How it was the icing on the very large set of technical skills he possessed. How it had driven him from the position of a interviewee to that of an interviewer soon enough in life. Toastmaster's had indeed taught him to speak.
As he thought of this, once again the mettalic green matiz flashed in front of his eyes, and he knew he wasn't going to lose it this time.

Parineeta ...

2005-07-28T16:48:00.000+05:30

This saturday, my old friend Anu and myself watched the movie "Parineeta".
It was quite some time since I watch a movie this profound. Indeed I must confess I haven't watched Company nor Yuva, and have been left behind in the malayalam filmdom. So I must be quite and more justified in quoting that Parineeta was a fine motion picture.

One of the best factors about this movie, is that the director successfully takes you back in time and the settings, costume, culture, music, lifestyle and mindset represent the 1960s era.
There are many other aspects. Parineeta is one such movie, where the magic in the air, transends you completely from the current. The emotions portrayed are so subtle, yet so powerful. It leaves you with a certain feeling of nostalgia, which is so painful, yet so cherishable, especially if you have had a taste of love in your life. More so, if one has gone through a surge of emotions at some point.
Such was the state of mind, that we got ourselves a personal copy of the original work translated into English.

A brilliant play of emotions, makes you wonder about the basic fundamentals of all relationships we encounter in life. It might not pass for an art movie in the true sense, but yes it very much is a subject of substance.

The story of Parineeta, is in no way complicated, but is very simple yet powerful.
and definitely introspective. Perhaps Dil Chatha hai or even "Mr and MrsIyer", has so much a complex plot than Parineeta.

The icing on the cake is the music and the rich lyrics of every song. Its quite typical, that one would leave the theatre humming away the song "Piya bole" which is extremely melodious and addictive. There is one sentence in the song, which goes as
"lab to na kholuu.n mai.n kholuu.n na lab toparaa.nkho.n se sab kah diya "
This reminded me of the old song from Shubha Mudgal's album,
"Seekhonaa .. naino khi bhaasha piya".
Aahh ... The power of words and the analogies introduced by poetry always remain incomparable.

A second song, is the one with Rekha singing for us the imminent unanswerable question we ask ourselves at some point in life .....
"kaisii pahelii hai yeh kaisii paheli zi.ndagaanii"
(look here for all the lyrics :http://www.bollywhat.com/lyrics/pari_lyr.html)

Kudos to all the artistes. Sanjay is reassuring, SaifAli leaves you spellbound.Vidya Balan (who is Lolita or the protogonist) is highly cherubic and has definitely made a mark for herself (i feel a lil more proud, as she shares my name ;-)). I am more than glad that she graduated to good cinema from advertisements which cite "Maine mechanic kho engineer bana diya, woh bhi, budget mein".

Parineeta is definitely a "must see". Its a moving story. If you`d like to watch "life like" movies from the old hindi collections such as "anand" or "pyaasa" or kannada or malayalam award winning movies, or even recent ones like "raincoat" you'll adore this one and its not in any way depressing.

http://www.parineetathefilm.com/

Parineeta is quite a Pari-puurn movie.

I never knew

2005-07-08T18:15:00.000+05:30

When we watched the titanic sink,
holding hand in hand ...
i never mused that our lives would too
we don't hold hands anymore

When we built our dreams on dusky evenings,
standing face to face ...
i never knew, our lives would blacken like the night
we don't face each other anymore

When we `thralled on a working code
sitting side by side ...
i never knew, our lives would never compile,
we don't sit beside anymore

When you said good bye to follow your dream
with tears in the eyes,
i never knew it would be forever
for there are no tears left anymore

Black Day

2005-07-07T17:01:00.000+05:30

Wednesday, March 9th, 2005
I still can't recall why we picked Black. The last time the girls in the group, had organized an ethnic day (which was incidentally my initiative), I cud not participate for personal reasons (my darling paty expired). Being naturally enthusiastic about wearing a saree to the workplace, I tempted the girls to have another ethnic day. This time around, it was a "Theme day" or we thought we cud all wear clothes of the same colour. So whatz the most common color ..... yep BLACK !!!! I think this thought came to cause co-incidentally the movie BLACK was running in the theatres and I was so pre-occupied with watching it.

So my dear friend archana (archu as we call her) triggered the whole event .... WE WEAR BLACK on the 9th MARCH, 2005. Excitement had no limits, Roopa got herself a new Black Shirt. Valli had to make sure her salwar was pressed. Goody .... everyone seemed to be on the move.

Come the 7th, archu called a small conference in her cubicle. 8th is Women's day, letz prepone the celebration to the 8th .... Sounds wonderful .... But then ... 8th is Shivratri too (Shivratri, the holy festival of the Hindus, commemorating Lord Shiva, the destroyer).Nandu or nandini said, no way she was wearing BLACK on shivratri. She would rather appease the "destroyer". So the plans were back to the 9th ....

The sun dawned on the 9th ... and it was BLACK day in the BSC Team @ sasken. BLACK day was rather a contradiction here ... were we celebrating womanhood ... psst .... it was just to break the monotony.

A treat for the eyes, the bachelors' in the team ... missed a heartbeat (;-) ok chetan said that) ... it was the GIRLS in BLACK .....Hema looked gorgeous in a lovely salwar-kameez with exquisite embroidery, Soumya and Ramya in dashing black salwars, valli and anu in a green and red combo respectively, nandu in a full black salwar, preetha was donned with polka dots against the black background of her kameez, archu was ravishing in saree (me too inferior in comparison). And the most important person, roops was indeed roopavanthi in her black trousers and black full arm shirt. I must give it to her, its she who celebrated "Black Day" to the tee !!!!! The two people missing are Asha and Deepa, sadly ill today !!

At 5, we are gonna have a photoshoot. Its 5:15 and no one is budging from their seats. A queer dedication to the work all of a sudden.We gathered ppl around my cube, but anu and preetha were missing, coffee i suppose. Two cameras, one of archu's friendz and the other belonged to nalin. Flashes, flashes everywhere, oops hope no one from the security notices us. In some time, when the whole crowd gathered, we had a few sessions at the magical hands of partha (who i learnt lately has taken up professional photography).There ends another exciting day, which was so bright due the energies and smiles of one and all, that it was no where near anything BLACK. hurray !!!!!

My favorite things

2005-07-07T16:03:00.001+05:30

The irresistable song from "The Sound of Music" rhapsodically sung by Maria (the perpetual nuns' problem - Julie Andrews) makes me add a few more lines ... read my version

The arc in the sky with colors of seven,
Late Sunday mornings, when I wake up at eleven,
Nights beside mom, Oh how I love to cling,
These are a few of my favorite things

The waters so vast, I lose myself in space,
The gusts of salt, that caress my face,
Riding the rains, Oh God give me wings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

The breeze so chilled, gives me a goose pimple,
A baby's smile, so tender so simple,
My sighs, my crushes and romantic flings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

A sip of black coffee at twelve in the night,
The chirp of the birds in the morning twilight,
Warm popping corn, and the memories they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

The peace in the arms of the man whose just mine,
A kiss on the lips, life's just so fine,
Under the moonlight, my heart wants to sing,
These are a few of my favorite things.

My darling friend

2005-07-07T15:39:00.000+05:30

My darling friend, a fine person you are,
Close to my heart, yet so far,
You fill my life with so much love,
Blessing of mine, sent from above.

You make me smile, you make life so fine,
I'm glad you are there, I'm glad you're mine.
My heart does sigh, we missed times together,
But now we don't, we have one another.

Love and trust, does our lives bind,
Where will you such friendship ever find !
As life tumbles into paths anew,
Be there for me, I'll be there for you.

Dedicated to Viji, my close and indeed darling friend, who touched my heart with a lovely card, and touched my soul by her mere presence in my life

Talents wasted ...

2005-03-04T12:36:00.000+05:30

Thomas Gray once quoted

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air."