Revisiting

Revisiting the Qutub Shahi tombs and Golkonda fort gave me another chance to take few more beautiful pictures of these relics of the past...Here are a few of them...

Rabindranath Tagore

First time I have laid hands on Tagore's book- Omnibus IV, a collection of short stories, writings of the Upanishad and a few poems of Kabir.

I completed reading the first story: Two sisters. The plot is simple, protagonists are simple and social milieu is even more simple. But it carries lot of depth. One, after going through half the story, may easily tell what may happen in the end but Tagore gives his own direction to the characters so none is portrayed in a negative manner and everybody is a hero.

Reading something on Upanishads is my first attempt and I do know I am wandering here and there. May be I will improve in the coming chapters:)

Just a few lines of the part from Upanishad:

"Children, when they begin to learn each separate letter of the alphabet, find no pleasure in it, because they miss the real purpose of the lesson; in fact, while letters claim our attention only in themselves and as isolated things, they fatigue us. They become a source of joy to us only when they combine into words and sentences and convey an idea.

Likewise, our soul when detached and imprisoned within the narrow limits of a self loses its significance. For its very essence is unity. It can only find out its truth by unifying itself with others".

I always felt that there is a similarity between drinking, munching on junk food and shopping: that they are all addictive.
Once started hard to quit, you want more of it each time you have it.

Caged

It is hard to see the wild animals caged behind the bars. Though we (me n S) liked the vastness of the Hyderabad Zoo, it’s a sad sight to see animals singled out from their counterparts. Taken, that some of them are savage but not compared to the savagery of we humans who would neither let them live in the jungle nor outside.

Just a few days ago, I was teaching my daughter to differentiate between water animals and wild animals of the jungle soon she blurted out wild animals do not stay in jungle but in the zoo! That day too is not very far.

ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯಲೊಂದು ಗುಬ್ಬಿ ಗೂಡ ಕಟ್ಟಿತು ...

Just a few days back I had started teaching my daughter as to where a bird lives. And this week the birds have started that process next to our window. I had just observed these birds sitting next to the window for the first time. I enjoyed the sight as I had not witnessed it from quite sometime now, especially after shifting from Srinagar colony where it was more usual and accessible. There, being on the first floor, the branches of Guava and Pomegranate protruded generously into the balcony making it easier to watch the birds that found shade on those trees.

Whereas here it is an uncommon view. It was S who told me that the birds (do not know the name, they look like sparrows but they are slightly taller and are in dark brown colour) are looking for a place to build their nest as they were all sneaking into the half opened window which could not be closed fully due to some reasons. We were, at first, apprehensive whether to allow these birds to nestle there as we thought they might be scared if our girl knew they were there and meddle with it. But later on we decided to make a few arrangements for them to hide from our daughter and let them continue with their preparation. I too wanted Anvitha to see this sight (sometime later) to give a hands on experience of what she is learning.

We pulled the widow curtains to their side, tied the half-opened window tightly to the grills (to make sure it doesn't open when the wind blew) and put a barricade between the mosquito mesh and the window (just to make sure it is not visible to our daughter if she opens the curtains). All arrangements made we waited for them to start their job. They made their way patiently selecting each grass carefully. They first laid a layer of dry grass and upon that started with the wet grass. In just two days time they have covered up completely leaving a small gap to move about. Now and then, I sneak at them just to see what the bird is up to but in vain. I know they too need some privacy. It is only through their sounds and flapping of their wings one can make their presence felt.
Yesterday when my girl threw a tantrum they started flapping their wings- a sign of fear or danger. I worried they would find another place. But in the evening when Anvitha started her Music classes (so called) I was consoled and wanted the birds to be there. And in the night, when S was late and I laid my hands on Tagore's book (my first attempt on His book) a perfect backdrop was created with the chirping of these cute birds. The movement of the curtains made me think of the endless efforts they were making in perfecting their nest and its occupant.

How I wish to show their nest to Anvitha but I know I have to wait.

Hotel Diana

This is one of my husband's favourite hotels in Udupi(of his parents' too).
And that's the reason he didn't want me to miss it this time.
Though the entrance of the hotel looks somewhat old and unappealing, the circular pavement that leads to the first storey of the building catches ones attention immediately.
The pavement also hides in itself a small well which can easily be overlooked because of the greenery that surrounds the place.
The inside of the hotel is impeccably clean and if you visit the place during rainy season you can find a bucket placed next to every table:the reason, to keep your wet umbrellas.
The speciality of the place is their Gudbud ice cream (which i tasted alone:()but i liked their Masala Dosa more.
The dosas are crispy yet so soft that it melts the moment it reaches the mouth. The ghee adds to the taste.
Variety of chutneys that is provided for each dish is commendable.
I will remember their food for a very long time especially the savouring of Gudbud watching the heavy rains through the window next to me, though i missed my daughter and S by my side.

Diary

I have stopped writing my personal diary these days.
The only time i do feel like writing it is when i am upset or sad.
But then, i do not want to fill my diary with those gloomy notes.
I'd rather leave the pages blank instead of making it a manuscript of my erratic moods.

Silence

This thought has crossed my mind more than once...
Is talking over cell phone so important? Be it walking on the road or driving or just waiting for someone or something, almost all the time.
Or is it just a way of letting know that this gadget has become one of the most important part of their lives?
If people don't have anybody to talk to over the phone they would rather just listen to the music. Again, it's a sign of trend or necessity i do not know.
Don't these people want to be left alone with themselves atleast for some time in a day? Can't silence and your inner self be your company?

Not these days, i guess!!!

Srinagar colony v/s Kondapur

Relocating to a place has its own pros and cons. But our relocation from Srinagar colony to Kondapur seems to be full of cons! Srinagar colony was much much cheaper in terms of cost of living, more accessible to almost all the locations, had lots of greenery, people were more sober and down to earth etc etc.,
Whereas in Kondapur everybody seems to be walking with their nose high up in air, the first sentence which they would ask to start a conversation would be "Where does your husband work?" or "Which school does your child attend?" And their expected answer would be "Microsoft, Wipro, Oracle etc., or Oakridge school, Chirec, DPS or Meridian". If they get these answers they may continue their conversation. At first i used to be very irritated but now i am accustomed to it. Here, money doesn't seem to have any value.
I miss Srinagar colony. No wonder my daughter too is missing her old school Daksha.

I like shopping on the streets of General bazar: the crowded street, inexpensive stuffs and the lively ambience etc etc.,
This weekend's visit there proved to be even more inexpensive as we tried our hands by taking up the local train for commuting rather than wasting time, petrol and money.
The whole day was made more 'delicious' by the pav bhaji of 'Bombay chaat'.
I don't think i've ever had such tasty pav bhaji in my life.
Yummy....

On handwriting...

I have been reading some material on 'Teaching Handwriting to Children' and i came across this beautiful note by someone called Brown:"What is stressed today is handwriting to be 'functional' i.e., stress is on legibility and speed.

...the primary goal in penmanship is to produce efficiently a free flow of ideas or easily read thoughts onto paper with a minimum of attention to the mechanics of the art."

Glimpses of Qutub Shahi Tombs

First rain drops

Both me and my daughter were happy to witness the first rain drops of the season especially in Hyderabad as it is terribly hot during summer.
As it rained, we both stood in the balcony, stretched our palms, caught hold of the drops and played along.
But what amused me at the same time was, not a soul was around to enjoy those refreshing drops of water.
Everyone was either indoors or were out for their work and those who were indoors came out, sneaked, collected their clothes that hung for drying and shut the door again.
Nonetheless, it was a different day for me and my girl and it gave a hope that the summer will be soon over.
But alas! how untrue that was.

ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ 'ಕವಿಮನೆ'

It came as a very unexpected visit, yet how eagerly i wanted to peek into the abode of Kuvempu- 'Kavimane' as it is called. Situated just 18kms away from Theerthahalli (shimoga dist.) amidst the Western Ghats and the skyscraping arecanut trees, Kavimane speaks of a tradition, of aesthetic sense and of architectural marvel of olden days.

A 2 storey building which nestled about 45 people then takes one to a journey of olden and golden era. The intricate carvings on the pillars and the wooden window grills is one of its kind.

Major part of the house is turned into a memorial containing Kuvempu's books, awards, letters etc., One beautiful yet important letter which I read from there was the letter from the poet ಬಿ.ಎಂ.ಶ್ರೀ where he apologizes for not being able to attend Kuvempu's wedding. I did want to take a photograph of the same but "No photography inside the house".

One regret that remains is having missed our visit to 'Kavishaila'- the place which inspired him to write.

Here's the photo of Kavimane from outside:

Get Together

When me and my sister were still young, we teased our mother for attending 'all' the functions at any relatives and friends. At our native place too we mocked at our relatives for their compulsion to attend any function both at their farthest and nearest relatives.
Now, I've started to realise why they would be so eager not to miss any of those gatherings.

Almost everyone of them being home makers, they would be trapped in their houses and household responsibilities 24x7. And these get togethers meant- meeting people, time to relax and only way of socialization.
Moreover, our relatives in the native regions stayed in villages which barely consisted of 5-10 houses for kms away. And attending these functions would be their only means of entertainment too. Whereas for a person residing in a city the options for entertainment can be much more. Even there people call their means of relaxation and entertainment as parties/ get together/kitty parties. The only difference being the names assigned in different set ups.

But, my relatives, being in such remote places, handling so much responsibilities and living with limited resources run much happier lives than us who have less responsibilities and more choice on resources compared to them.
We are surrounded by friends, innumerable modes of entertainment and in constant touch with people due to advanced technology yet we are lonely and depressed many a times.