A very beautiful temple or rather 'group of temples' that we found accidentally in the old city of Hyderabad. I say group of temples as there are almost 10 to 11 temples which are same as the other with a Shiv ling inside the temple and a Nandi facing the shiv ling.
Here are a few pictures:

Teaching (or learning) Math

I have always been bad with numbers.
Except the basic operations of addition and multiplication all other calculations make me phobic.
Sometimes I even thought if I were dyscalculic (may be in some respect yes!!!).
Though, being with S I have learnt a great deal now.

When I started taking classes for my student 'N' I concentrated mainly on English.
But her mother explained that not only English but Math too was a great area of concern.
She wanted me to teach both the subjects.
Now, I couldn't admit to her that I was so bad in Math especially even at the third grade level.

I decided to give it a try, though I started it much later when she showed some improvement in English.
At present, to my amusement I am not just teaching her Math but I have learnt a great deal while being in that process. (I must thank S too here as he has given me lot of ideas).
I can easily connect one area to another related topic, can prepare a lesson plan and make it interseting.
As for N's mother is concerned, she is very happy that her daughter has shown changes (if not lot yet considerably)in her 'attitude' towards the subject. This attitude change can make a lot of difference. This who once hated the subject likes to learn the same numbers now!

And I am glad that I too changed my attitude from 'NOT teaching MATH' to 'YES I will teach MATH'.

In a day's time

It's true that I was preparing myself to start working (mostly part- time) and I wasn't too serious about it.
But opportunities do knock at the door with or without warning (or even if we want it or not want it).
So did one chance knock at my door and I did went ahead to try my luck.

Like the other usual interviews the assumption was that it would get over very soon, so taking my girl along did not look a bad idea.
But, big institution; big name...everyone is too busy to complete an interview in an hour's time.
The arrangement for the interview would be done once the candidate has arrived; if the higher authority is busy one has to come back again the next day.

Keeping in mind that my dearest husband and daughter were waiting outside I patiently waited for almost two hours.
After those two hours the information was revealed that I had to give a written test and a demo of the class.
By the time these tasks were done it was lunch time. Lunch was generously offered and served. The huge dining hall and the sumptuous food was attractive but was shortlived as the main interview hadn't been done:(

The next round would be after two days, it was declared.

I prepared myself for the next round (more for attending the interview than to win it over as I was least interested). But A fell ill and I aptly refused to attend the interview. Days passed by and waited for their call but after a week's time it was evident they wouldn't call me back. At once I felt bad as I wanted to face it but later was relieved as I was not prepared for a full time job.

My phone did ring again after 15days and they asked me to come again. Getting prepared myself to waste a full day in the lobby of that huge educational institution I went again. It was a very humorous moment for me to sit in the lobby which also accommodates the cashier who collects the so called Fees for Education from parents (not just parents but very rich parents). All the transactions take place in lakhs in the name of providing world class facility (which they do of course).

At the end of three more rounds of interview I was pretty sure that the job was mine. That had not made me happy. I was feeling good that I would be guided by a very senior psychologist but otherwise everything else made me think that I was going there just for the BIG name and the pay they were offering.

Anyone would be happy to work in those conditions, it attracts all. It played its trick on me too. But there is a corner in me which says I would be more contented in a job where the pay is less because they are trying to help someone genuinely without making the education their business. There is dearth of individuals like us in those non-profit organisations but they fail to attract just because they have less money. Guilt prevails me as I think of this but I know I do not belong where I am now. I cannot last long here and I will not last long here.

Summer and the mosquitoes

Sitting on the net they resemble and remind me of the whole lot of pigeons that balance on the electric wires in and around the area of Punjagutta (in Hyd.). Yes, am talking of the mosquitoes of Kondapur against which we need to wage a war everyday. As compared to pigeons which try to balance their bodies on the high tension wires, these mosquitoes sit perfectly on the net at night even when the pressure of the cooler tries to blow them away. They patiently wait for us to keep either our hands or legs very close to the net so that they wouldn't miss out a single drop of blood. By dawn atleast one or two manage to get inside the net to have a feast and cannot move after that because of their gluttony stomach. What surprises me more than these mosquitoes are the people around who manage to sleep at night without a mosquito net. We too tried doing the same but couldn't manage to sleep for a single night. No amount of repellents or fan would keep them away (apart from the whole flat windows having been nailed by meshes). Though the whole area gets really nice breeze in the evening and night, everybody is forced to shut tight the doors because of the blessed creatures. There is one activity which both me and S seem to enjoy because of these mosquitoes is using of the electric racket to kill them. We do get some kind of sadistic pleasure by killing them that way and it is fun to run behind them.

There are times when thoughts rush in the mind- one after the other. They never cease. They need a form of expression, an expression of writing. But the body id too tired to move and give vent to the feelings. It just wants to be put at rest. It is not just fatigue but boredom too which restricts the body from moving and fingers from scribbling.

When the body does want to show some action, the mind does not co-operate. It doesn't want to think the extra-ordinary. It stops the fingers from dodging anything. Thoughts stagnate.

And there are times when both are in perfect tune with each other but the time isn't right. Just like, when I do decide to write and my mind wants to direct and then my daughter decides to wake up from her nap and calls 'Amma':)

I have been reminded of my father's cooking since yesterday.
Every time my mom out somewhere for more than a day or so it would be my father who would cook for me and my sister.
He is a great cook I must tell.
By adding more than the usual 'tadka' and 'masala' he would make very tasty sambar and rasam.
And he was too tired or bored of his own food he would take us to the nearby RamaRao mess (in Davangere) which me and my sister always waited for.

Recently, he even tried cooking Pulav just for himself when mom was out.
So now I know where I get the habit of cooking for ones' own self and not just for others. We need to care for our tummy and our taste buds too:)

Ruins of the Warangal Fort

Fort Warangal















Beautifully carved Ramappa temple at Palampet

Book, Nature, Nostalgia...

Tagore's Omnibus IV still lies on my table only half-read.

I read it every afternoon when A goes to sleep and after I am done with semi-finished household work. No sooner do I read a few lines than it's time for A to get disturbed and wake up.
I hurriedly close the book, run towards her, offer my arms to her to go back to sleep. After 10 mins. when she is back in her dreamy world I stealthily withdraw my hands and resume my position to read again (though with lot of apprehension as to when she will get up next).

Today's read said:"When are you coming down from your three-storeyed building to meet your love (love of nature) under the shade of trees?"

"When are you coming down to meet me on the green grass under the rustling leaves, where you have the freedom of the sky and of sunlight and the tender touch of life's simplicity."

As I read these lines, I stop and recall the days I was in Mysore's University Fine arts campus attending NCC camp (though it was years ago). I have a hazy picture of the whole campus- the rooms we shared, the greenery, the low-lying branches of various trees just outside our room. But what I recollect the most is the way we all slept under the trees after our heavy work out and during lunch break.
The cool breeze would touch our sweaty body only to make us feel cold and soothing. The nap wouldn't last for more than 30 minutes yet it rejuvenated us all for the next session of rigorous parade.

Those were the naps which I will miss forever.

Keladi and Ikkeri

It's a beautiful sight to watch as I travel through the roads of Western Ghats each time: hundred of years old trees withered as compared to the present day 'green plants'. They are worn out and keep collecting dust on the leaves due to constant commuting of vehicles. Yet they stand strong and mighty spreading their branches far and above.

Few pictures of two places our family visited which is sheltered midst these ghats: Rameshwars temple at Keladi and Aghoreshwara temple at Ikkeri both belonging to the Vijayanagar empire era...

Sprawling Mirjan fort

A 15th century fort near Kumta, Karnataka, was a major trading centre of spices especially pepper. It was then ruled by the local chiefs of Vijayanagar kings, but later it was occupied by the Marathas, Hyder Ali and in the end by the British.

Spread across an area of 11.5 acres one can nothing but admire its magnificence with awe and inspiration.

Here are a few pictures:

I know I am not much of a social person. It doesn’t mean I do not like going out or interacting with people. But the fact remains true that I’m too selective in making friends and I cannot start a conversation easily with new people. The criteria for someone to be my friend are too many and I am aware of the fact that I am being too judgemental in this matter which I cannot resist.

Overcoming these obstacles even if I make friends, it’s always at a time when they are about to move away from- either the location or the city or the country where I am residing. It’s astonishing how it happens all the time.

It pains when I’ve found a person in whom I can confide and that person departs. May be that’s the way this world works all the time. It’s an indication; a sign that there are other people too who meet the same frequencies as mine and I just need to look for them and broaden my outlook while I am judging them.

Girl's Birthday

A cute drawing titled 'Girl's Birthday' by my student.

The cosy mosquito net

Mosquito nets can serve two purposes:

One, as a home decor accessory it can add to the beauty of your cot and bed (so, as a want).

Second, the most important, to protect oneself from 'obviously' mosquitoes (so,as a need).
As far as our family is concerned, it's serving the second purpose thanks to the Shilpa Park mosquitoes (breeding park for these killer insects).

Whatever may be the reason i have always liked using mosquito nets.
The process of tying it every night and then reassembling it the next morning is quite cumbersome and boring;that is the reason why my mom would tie it for me then every night murmuring few words for not doing my works.

Now i am forced to do the same job to save my girl from those creatures. Though initially i was happy as S had taken over the job, later i realised that the responsibility was falling on my shoulders gradually.

But at the end of all this painstaking work i do get a cosy place to dwell in the night.
It creates a separate room-like space once you enter it and makes your bed look more bigger than it actually is (it just looks but doesn't make your bed big in reality:()

These protecting nets can even be nightmarish once it gives way to a single mosquito. But right now i am worried about the next season- 'Hyderabad Summer' and 'The Use of a Mosquito Net'!!!

About Self and Individuality...

...by Rabindranath Tagore

"At one pole of my being I am one with stocks and stones. There I have to acknowledge the rule of universal law. That is where the foundation of my existence lies, deep down below. Its strength lies in its being held firm in the clasp of the comprehensive world., and in the fullness of its community with all things.

But at the other pole of my being I am separate from all. There I have broken through the cordon of equality and stand alone as an individual. I am absolutely unique, I am I, I am incomparable. The whole weight of the universe cannot crush out this individuality of mine. I maintain it in spite of the tremendous gravitation of all things. It is small in appearance but great in reality. For it holds its own against the forces that would rob it of its distinction and make it one with the dust.

This is the superstructure of the self which rises from the indeterminate depth and darkness of its foundation into the open, proud of its isolation, proud of having given shape to a single individual idea of the architect's which has no duplicate in the whole universe. If this individuality be demolished then though no material be lost, not an atom destroyed the creative joy which was crystallised therein gone. We are absolutely bankrupt if we are deprived of this speciality, this individuality, which is the only thing we can call our own; and which, if lost, is also a loss to the whole world...."


P.S: Take time and patience to read this.

ಅನಾವರಣ

I really like this new serial 'Anavarana' aired at ETV Kannada.
It's dialogues are good, it's story is bounded in reality and it's not about a boy-girl relationship nor about never ending saas- bahu saga.
In today's episode, one of the characters speaks about getting bored so easily with life to her grandmother and her granny reasons and figures out the possible reasons.
She says, your childhood (referring more to the present time) has not had taste of playing outdoor games, but only of computer games; has not lost games with friends and peers but with machines so on and so forth.

I was instantly reminded of the interview that I'd seen weeks back with Daniel Goleman.
He said human brains are wired to have conversations with other individuals face to face and to have a social relationship by physically being present. They are not meant for making connections virtually. Virtual world seems good for some time and later the mind yearn for face to face connections, you are left with nobody around and you become a loner.

Coming back to my serial, one small experience grandmother shares with her is: she learns making upma from her mother. She tries it out in her mother's absence. It turns out to be good, she is happy for herself and the father who will taste it. The next time it turns out be bad, she cries. Her grand-daughter stops her saying why worry about that in this present age when you get ready made mix not just for upma but all the dishes and more over who has the time to spend on preparing a simple dish like upma.

Their conversation gets carried away to all such detailed topics of everyday life, conflicts between the past and present generation and ends for the day. Waiting for the next episode (if my daughter allows me to watch).