Gag bag

Rasgulla - recipe

2012-01-26T07:07:00.003+05:30

Ingredients:

The Rasgullas:

Cow's milk - 3 liters
White Vinegar - about 3-4 tablespoons
Edible coloring - if needed

The sugar syrup

Water - depends on how much syrup you want to make
Granulated sugar - about half or a little less per unit of water
Rose essence - 1 - 1.5 tea spoons

Preparation time: 50-60 minutes

Serves: Depends on how much you eat

Method:

Start boiling the milk. Keep stirring seeing to it that it doesn't spill over.
You will see foam form over the milk. Keep blowing it to the sides to avoid spilling the milk over. Heat on a low flame lest you can't control the overflow.
Once the milk is totally boiling and you have blown the foam/ cream to the sides, take a table spoon of vinegar and pour it in the milk.
You will see that the milk starts to curdle immediately and starts to turn transparent. Keep stirring, however stir lightly lest you break apart the curdling process.
Continue adding tablespoon after tablespoon (shouldn't take more than 3 most likely) till you see that the milk has totally separated into cottage cheese on one side and transparent water on the other.
Take care that you don't add too much vinegar, else the cheese will become chewy and won't taste good.
Also take care while stirring not to break the cheese apart.
Take a sieve and pour off the water immediately. This will avoid the cheese from becoming sour.
A lump of cheese will have formed. Wash it with cold running water and this will ensure that the vinegar goes off. Don't keep the force of the water too high, just enough to cool the lump of cheese and not to break it apart.
Drain extra water off for like 10-15 mins.
Now take a blended and start putting small quantities of cheese into it. You will see that once it is blended, it turns into a nice smooth paste like mixture.
Do this for the whole quantity of the milk.
Now you will have a nice ball of cheese which can be rolled up into small balls of desired size and shape. Take care not to make them too big, since they grow upon placing in the sugar syrup. Optionally you may add coloring of your choice if you so prefer.
Boil the water, add sugar to it and add essence, and keep boiling till the sugar dissolves. Once it is boiling, start placing the balls of cheese thus created.
Let the solution continue to boil, and then cover the vessel up and let it boil on low heat for 3-4 minutes. This will ensure that the cheese is well cooked and well soaked with sugar syrup.
Serve hot or cold, but it tastes best cold.

Garama Garam Roshogulla are now ready to eat! :)

Take me to my garden, Mummy

2011-12-17T02:34:00.001+05:30

It’s a rat race it is,
This life we live,
Trying our best to pay back the arrears,
Of things we don’t even know we borrowed.
Yet somehow we keep running,
In these confused labyrinths of sewers.

There are ladders all around,
All leading up somewhere, somewhere you can’t yet see.
As you start climbing up, you start wondering
When is it that you can see the top of the tree.
And when you think of taking a break
You see a billion others trying to outrun you, in your wake.

You were happy down there,
In that little garden you called your own
And you knew no one could hurt you there
That nothing wrong could happen while over there
But somehow no one let you live
In the only place your heart could a smile wear.

Is this the way you were meant to be?
You recall the days, when you could just flap your wings
And be anywhere you wanted to be.
Why then are we so stunted, so downtrodden?
I rue the innocence and the free spirit I lost
The manipulations, the mad run are certainly not worth the cost.

I want to break free again, to be that person I always wanted to be,
I want to come out without my mask,
To come out just as me.
And though I am just as crazy about everything that I am offered today,
I want to experience that feel again,
Even if it’s just for a day, just for a day.

The Mediterranean Veg. Cheese Grilled Sandwich (Spicy)

2011-12-12T04:43:00.005+05:30

Ingredients:

The sauce ( for 4 slices) :

Olive oil - 2 tblspoons
Cumin powder - half tea spoon
Red chilli powder - 1 tea spoon
Salt - to taste
Black pepper powder - half tea spoon
Honey - 1 tea spoon
Lemon Juice - 1 tea spoon
Minced garlic - 1 clove

The toppings and the base:

Bread slices (white or brown)
Butter
American cheese slices
Sweet corn
Onion
Capsicum (green peppers)
Tomato slices
Black olives, mushrooms (optional)

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Serves: Depends on how much you prepare and how much you eat

Method:

Chop the vegetables into slices or any shape you like. Don't chop them too fine, specially the onions and the tomatoes, since they discharge a lot of water on chopping fine.
Butter the bread slices on one side and lay the cheese slice over that.
Arrange the vegetables taking care you don't overload them.
Pour olive oil in a cup. Mix in the other ingredients, and whisk till a smooth paste is formed.
Apply this paste on the remaining slices. Then form pairs of one each and make a sandwich.
Pre-heat the grill/ oven to 350 F or likewise, and grill these till light brown.
Enjoy hot with ketchup.

Where Go the Boats?

2011-10-11T21:15:00.001+05:30

Dark brown is the river,
Golden is the sand.
It flows along forever,
With trees on either hand.

Green leaves a-floating,
Castles of the foam,
Boats of mine a-boating --
When will all come home?

On goes the river,
And out past the mill
Away down the valley,
Away down the hill.

Away down the river,
A hundred miles or more,
Other little children
Shall bring my boats ashore.

(Love the last thought put into the poem)

Welcoming the winter

2011-10-05T21:28:00.003+05:30

The night shivers,
Wrapped in its dark blanket.
A gentle wind is running,
But don't be fooled by it,
Cause beneath its calm flow
Hides a painful sting.

Life slows down
Dragging on one step at a time.
Bones creak joints crack
It's hard to fall out of that woolen gown.

Night time becomes eerie,
All the voices magnified manifold.
The stars twinkle, the planets sparkle
Like little gems in the dark blanket rolled.

The sun fiery as ever
Tries all it can to no avail.
It's pushed so far off
That all it can do is see its heat fail.

The living become lifeless
The sun resigns and sets off for the other side
And as the days get smaller here
Over there they grow wide.

But wait a minute. Don't be afraid without a reason,
You haven't heard it all as yet.
In 6 months the sun will be back,
But for now join me in welcoming the winter season.

How the mosquito came to become the Gods' apprentice

2011-08-17T14:56:00.004+05:30

Disclaimer: Don't mind the acidic blunt language. If you don't like it, don't read it.

This is a story from the days of old (its a true story by the way). Those were the days of yore, the olden times, and the not so golden times. Well, you, me, none of us were here in any form. It was the time when a huge battle was ongoing between the lords above and the Rakshas (monsters) below in the netherworld. Well, both of them wanted to live in the Heavens above. But the lords had Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh on their side. And this trio gave boons to their peers and turned them into powerful dudes, which in turn led them to beating the Rakshasas to the heavens. Under their shadow, even Indra, and the other such gods showed lots of arrogance.
The heaven was a beautiful place, with abundance in everything. The soft foamy clouds offered transport from place to place, gentle soothing music by Saraswati herself on her Veena played in the background. There were beautiful Apsaras or fairies everywhere, and they danced for you and did many things more anytime you wanted. All in all, it was a place where everyone wanted to be, and one shouldn't blame the Rakshasas for being jealous.
The hell on the other hand was a horrid place, with big satanic fires everywhere, haunting dark husky voices everywhere, and torture techniques which even Leonardo himself would be ashamed to explain being used for any small blunder. But having no place to live, well, the Rakshasas had to resort to living there.
There was one other thing which the Rakshasas were really pissed about. The gods had gotten Yamadeva (Yamdoot) on their side too. This took them to the end of their tether now, since now they couldn't even kill any of the gods by sending Yamadeva on the killing mission. The Rakshasas thought that well, now this is really too much, and if we don't do something soon, well, who knows, the Gods might soon start sending Yamadeva to kill them.
The Rakshasas planned a meeting on dear old earth, cause it was a hell of a place the Gods had started building just recently. The Gods were planning on making it their summer homes or something, sort of like Lavasa. The Rakshasas were not allowed to step onto earth at all, but somehow, one of them had secretly paved a way up to land and had found a perfect hiding spot wherein they could all gather, and sit and discuss on this issue. They had made all necessary arrangements so that their plans go undetected to the ever so interfering gods. They had decided on a quiet dinner and some drinks afterwards, as a mark of their success if they did end up on a good plan. Chicken, mutton and lots of rum were the highlights of this small dinner.
So well, the D day arrived, and all of them made their way in groups of 10-12 slowly up to the predecided spot (well they didn't want the heat sensors of the Gods to be ringing by coming up all together at once did they). Some of them had read J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books and some others had just seen the movies. So as soon as they gathered, they put on the usual enchantment around the spot. You know, the ones by which you go by undetected. Those ones. Once that was done, they sat down to discuss their problems.
Ravana, Kansa all were there. So were Bakasura, Shurpankha, Bhasmasura, Tataka, Hidimba. And all the Kauravas too. Plus many thousands more, some of them you and I don't even know the names of. It all started with the Rakshas-vandan dance and song, with the blowing off of the diyas at the hands of the chief guest, Ghatotkacha. Now this Ghatotkacha was in reality the son of Bheema, one of the Pandavas himself, but he had sworn that he would be on the side of the Rakshasas just as his mother. This is why he has assumed such a high place among the ranks of the Rakshasas. Cause even though they were Rakshasas, even these guys lauded allegiance and trust.
Many suggestions were put forth. Some were really out the world, some, plain devilish, some extravagant and some others were largely impossible. After much ado, and hours and hours of yes and no and **** you and **** you, it was finally decided that a proposal given by a certain devil was the most feasible and maybe the most fantastic in the night so far. All the devils were getting hungry anyway, and so they thought that well, lets just get this meeting over with, and lets say that it has been successful, so we can finally get the drinks and the food coming.
And all hailed #@!@$^ and %#^## and many more such words, and started the feast. What ensued is best not told in the light of small little children reading this story, so well, you can imagine for yourself. We will continue with the break of dawn, when light began to spread on mother earth, and the Devils soon started realizing that time was up, and started walking, tottering back to hell in pairs of 2 or 3 or whatever suited them best.
So ya, the idea was that since the Gods have powers, it was best to get the powers from them. Cause as things stood, the Gods had far too much power and the only way they could be beaten was that the Devils themselves needed powers of their own. Else it was hardly going to be a contest, with the Gods in their post-imperial age, and these Devils still in stone age. So it was decided that all of them start their tapascharya, and appease the gods and make them give boons making the Rakshasas stronger. One Rakshas argues why not ask Gods for heaven itself, which seemed the best idea possible, till someone explained that this wasn't possible as the book on boon asking clearly states that there are certain things you can't ask for (damn the book-worms among the Rakshasas), and heaven is one of them. (I think the Gods themselves had drafted the book, and since there was no one to question, well, it stood as a rule. But it kind of made sense, since you have to earn the heavens and not just ask for it).
So on a dark new moon day, it was decided that all of them sit for penance and continue to do so till the Gods are pleased. They also promised not to get distracted by any other things the gods might send so as to break their concentration. They crossed their hearts and swore in the name of the darkest Devil of them all, Krishna (Yup, Krishna was here too, after all, the kind of things he did didn't go unnoticed, and the sorting hat easily clawed its way into Krishna's head and found all about his infidelity and his little mind games with Arjuna).
Unknown to all of them, the small little mosquito had other plans. He wanted to break free from this hell and make his way to heaven, where he knew he could live a much lavish life with the Gods. He had been taught well by his mom, that we are made for Royal blood, and not this sad little state the rakshasas feed on. And hence, he had a plan to betray the rakshasas to end up with the Gods.
The real problem was that he didn't know why he had ended up in hell. He wasn't that bad after all, he was just doing what he was meant to. That is, suck blood. But somewhere back in time, when a bed bug had called the mosquito a "not-trustworthy devil" (refer to The Louse and the Mosquito - Vikram Seth) the name stuck and when the sorting was being done, the mosquito was put into hell. He was really aghast with the blood sucking bed bug, cause the louse got its place in heaven. And the mosquito's only aim in life was to break even and get a sting of the bed bug himself (which he later said in an interview that he was glad he didn't take a bite, bed bugs are really dull and icky). He was also quite disgusted with the kind of jokes which were being made on him. Firstly, many of the Marathi speaking Rakshasas used to call him Das, which the German speaking Devils interpreted as something really different, and the word spread that the mosquito was neither male nor female. Besides, all of them called his sons as Sandas, which is really derogatory for a baby, even if it is a mosquito's baby. And it didn't stop there, they went on making joke after joke. For instance, Q: What is a mosquito's car known as? A: Volkswagen. (Das Auto). I mean come on, he thought (although he did kind of like this joke, cause it made him wonder if he should really buy a Volkswagen one day).
Anyway, he was sick of the jobless Devils making jokes on him, and decided to betray them to earn his rightful place.
So as the day broke, he rose, quietly as all others made way to hell, and started flying and flying. Up and up he went, further and further till he was beyond the clouds. Once there, he could now fly safely without being spotted. He has to resort to a disillusionment charm till there. Cause he knew that if he were caught, the Devils would really hurt his family is a bad bad way. After all, even he had sisters and wives and all that. He couldn't risk their well being, even for such a noble cause which would help all his brotherhood.
So well, he went on and on. Neither hunger nor thirst could break his resilience now. Mission heaven was all that he could think of. And after days on end, he finally made his appearance at the pearly gates, and knocked. At first it was thought that this mosquito was being sent up as a spy by the Rakshasas themselves, and he was kicked away even before he could open his mouth. But after much pleading and crying, he was summoned to the court, which was busy watching a dance by the lovely damsels. The show was put on break, and the mosquito was asked to speak up (all the Gods were really pissed, as a wonderful visual experience was being halted, but in light of the importance of the matter, the mighty decision had to be taken).
The mosquito started speaking now, buzzing on in detail on every point brought up right since the meeting had been decided, till the actual meeting. In return, he asked for protection of himself and his family, and a place in heaven. The gods were now in a fix, and started thinking. They finally agreed to the terms of the mosquito, in light of their future at the heaven, and said that if what the mosquito says is true, and if they manage in beating the devils, the mosquito will be welcomed in the heavens. For now, the mosquito should stay put in heaven and the rest of the family should continue in hell, since their absence could trigger some doubts.
So they waited, to see any signs of movement in hell. As expected, on the given date, all the Rakshasas took positions and started their penance. Such was their penance that the whole of the heavens started vibrating. Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh were most affected. Cause they were getting alerts after alerts, and they finally had to type DND and send it to 5050 in order to stop the nuisance of the SMSs. Their desktops were filled with alert messages after alerts of "Om namah shivay" and similar messages and for a few moments, the whole of heaven was dumbstruck. The mosquito on the other hand was beaming, and had it been Hell, the glow could have easily brought light to the whole of hell. Or maybe even averted the energy crisis which is going on in the Vidarbha area. But well, it was heaven, and it was already glowing all around anyway.
The Gods called together another meeting, and started discussing ways to avert this problem. Many suggested that the Gods needn't appear in front of the Rakshasas at all to grant them boons, which will certainly solve the whole problem. But again, that damn book was opened, and it was stated in clear thick bold size 16 Times New Roman text, that the boon giver is at the mercy of the pledge he had taken before he became a boon giver. So well, this suggestion was put aside, and many more started thinking and coming up with ideas.
Finally it was decided that apart from trying to break the Devils' concentration they didn't have much in their hands. So again, the Gods started resorting to their age old techniques of guile and treachery.
The place where the Devils were worshiping their deities was a wide large stretch of land, with not much to offer. There was water around, but nothing to eat and the temperature was very conducive for habitation. Although the Devils had put enchantments around the area, which made it difficult to spot them, the Gods didn't have a hard time figuring out where the mass penance was going on. After all, they just did a route command on the alerts they received, and they could directly trace where the IP packets were coming from. But they couldn't attack nor kill a person in penance, cause he is doing a noble deed after all, so even Yamadeva was helpless. The Gods did a survey of the area, and finally decided on some basic methods of distractions. They put plate full of mutton and flesh with a sweetened blood topped with cream cheese dip on the side. Multitude of toppings and sauces were kept on the side, right from saliva and mucus to well... You get it. So well, the whole area was filled with the aroma of melting cheese and coffee and all such odors which played with the senses. The Devils had half expected this, but even then, some of them just couldn't concentrate anymore. They were already in penance for a month now, and they were getting kind of hungry. But they remembered their promises and stuck to their resolve. But the sweet scents couldn't just be ignored. At last a few of them fell prey to the trap and as soon as they bit on the first morsel, Yamadeva did his duty and killed them off(it was argued later as to why the Gods hadn't killed them right away, but it was understood that Yamadeva could kill only when a person commits a mistake grave enough, and breaking a penance midway was one of them). The food trap was kept for almost an year, in which many of the Devils fell prey too, but around 30-40% still continued, with a more heightened resolve to control.
The gods were in a fix again. They now decided to make the weather in that area really non-conducive, and hence, called upon Varun. Varun was the god of wind, and he made it rain, brought the temperatures below zero, and started really chilly and numbing prickly winds, almost to the point where the heavens started feeling the effects of the climate on earth. This to us today, is better known as an ice age. The rakshasas though were unaffected, having suffered mightily in hell. This was just another day for them. The Gods repented the way they treated the rakshasas, cause it was back-firing on them now, just like how English batsmen repented the bowling practice they gave the West Indians in the 80s. Hardly 1 or 2 of the Rakshasas fell out, that too because they fell ill and had to walk out.
Around 3 years went by, and the Gods were still trying to break the Devils' resolves. But to no end. The alerts kept popping up, and it was almost becoming too much to live with. The Gods contacted Google for a much larger space, since their mail boxes were totally full. Marking the messages as spam hardly meant anything, cause even the weekly spam clearing hardly helped free up any space. Google itself was having problems since important emails being sent by regular customers had to be put on hold, since these alerts were marked with high priority and always queued up other emails. People were losing faith in Google, and for a moment, it seemed as if Hotmail would be back in action, since they now provided unlimited email space (this in reality is never unlimited, but that is not to be disclosed is it).
5 years, and around 25% Rakshasas stood tall chanting and expecting the Gods to get pleased. The faith meter on the Gods were starting to fill up soon, (the Devils had researched Illumination) and they knew that soon enough they would have to grant anything that the Devils wished. One last try was decided, this time to send Mohini and her friends in an effort to break the Demons with a show of pure lust. This was foreseen by the Devils too, but as some say, there are a few things which one can never control. With the kind of performances and antics these beautiful girls were performing, it was hard even for God himself to resist. Many a worshipers were broken and eventually killed of by Yamadeva, even before they could touch these femme fatales. After much gnawing and gashing of teeth, and of screeches and noises unheard of, these enchantresses returned, pretty successful, but gasping for air, and still leaving the task half done. The last 3 devils still remained, unmoved, unaffected and dauntless. They continued filling their faith in the Gods cauldron and God was now starting to wonder if eventually, he would lose this battle.
8 years now, and still no sign of any disturbance on the faces of these Rakshasas. The final weapon had been played and God was now in a fix as to what to do next. Many meetings, conferences were held. Status reports were being sent out everyday, and yet, there was no answer. Many gods had given up, and had started saying good byes to the place which they had called their own. Around two more years were left, and with the kind of progress the Devils were making it seemed maybe that they would end up pleasing god even earlier.
There was no hope left in heaven. The mosquito was alarmed too, as it would mean that he would never get to live in Heaven anyway. He has switched parties at the wrong time, and he cursed his fate so. He took out his wallet, and looked at the photos of his near and dear ones. He shed a tear when he realized that he could not be meeting them again, if this continued. That night, when he slept, he got many frightening dreams, of devils torturing his family and he was bound and gagged and was being fed milk. He got up sweating and startled, and he was terrified. He wondered if he could help in anyway, and then it struck him like it was with him all along. It only needed an enzyme, a catalyst, a thought to provoke him to think about it. He got up immediately flew up, and approached Brahma and asked if he could help in this task. Having given up hope anyway, he summoned all gods and asked if they could give the mosquito a chance. Since there was nothing worse the mosquito could do, they allowed him to go down and try to make things right.
The mosquito went down, and floated in front of the last three devils who stood worshiping. He observed that they were deep in penance, almost as if they were asleep. Had it not been for his warmth and CO2 detectors, he would have hardly realized if anyone was alive in the vicinity.
He went up, and bit one of them. It hardly mattered, cos he had been provided with an anesthetic by god himself, which prevented any pain when bitten. The scratching and the itching was for later on, and the devils were very well used to it, having lived with a swarm of mosquitoes all their lives. The mosquito then smirked, he had that sly smile on his face. And then without a hint, he flew up to the ear of one and buzzed wildly (gnnuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu). In what seemed like a split second, the devil slapped himself on his ear even as the mosquito just flew past and saved himself. Yamadeva who was dozing since he hardly believed that a mosquito could help, was kicked by the others till he woke up. He then took the life of the Devil. In a matter of two more seconds, the other two devils had gotten distracted and were killed off too. The heavens showered praises and flowers on the mosquito down on earth, and the whole of his family was welcomed to the heaven. But the mosquito then decided that he would rather stay on earth since there was abundance of blood and trees around, and he could not bring himself to bite Gods themselves. The Gods granted this permission to the mosquitoes in unison, and to this day, they live on, in numbers so vast and growing daily, that even with the advancement of Science to such a huge degree, we still haven't been able to stop this menace. But after all, a mosquito is the Gods own tool, his own helper, and it would take a hell lot more than just brains to get rid of them.

Words

2011-08-11T14:53:00.002+05:30

For a while now, I have wondered
what the hell is wrong with me
the stream of thoughts which earlier flowed,
is somehow obstructed, lately

I can hardly think of topics
of matters which matter to me
the fog, the haze, the vacuum, the noise (whatever you call it)
just doesn't allow me to see clearly

I used to be affected by everyday things
the silence, the dreams, a hug, you see.
But if you stand where I am currently
you might start to wonder if this really is me

Have I lost my touch, have I lost my gift
to put thoughts in words, a channel to express me
What is it that I have done (or not done)
to bring this situation upon me.

I think a break might do the trick
giving time to destroy the wall of brick
Or will this just increase the rust?
Taking me further away into the thick?

All along this time now,
I have forced myself to write
I have tried to make something happen
than just lay lazing around in the trite

And I soon realized
I just wrote a poem, well, here's a start
But as I read it, I saw the stark difference in the ideas, the flow and the words
Cause after all, its the brain speaking, and not the tender heart

Revealed..

2011-08-05T11:49:00.002+05:30

A man can be judged by the sock he wears. (Or then, he just might be having a bad sock day)

Everything down to the last cuff link may be awesome, shiny and well kept. But somehow, people tend to ignore the one little thing that mars them, which makes them human again, and which brings out the real self in them. Its a wonder as to how people don't take care of it, inspite of knowing it all along. But then you can never hide your real self can you? And its the sock that give you away! :)
I don't need to write long long paragraphs for this. Just fold up your denims to know yourself :)

Kasab - A Limerick

2011-07-18T12:04:00.002+05:30

There was this terrorist guy named Kasab,
Whose mind plotted to blow everything but Arab,
His mind brainwashed,
And the Indian government masked,
They sure look as if they might soon feed him Seekh Kabab.

What is love?

2011-05-15T02:21:00.007+05:30

Something so pure,
like the look a mother has on seeing her baby?
Or the (lies) promises made by one,
to keep the lover 10000 miles apart on her feet?
Is it piercing your chest with needles to write her name?
blood oozing, pain searing, face wincing,
Or a soft tender peck planted,
no violence, no pain, just taking you to the edge of your seat.

Is it saying out loud, with a ring worth a gazillion,
in front of a crowd of 6 billion witnesses, like a prince?
Or just that sly wink,
so sneaky, not another soul in it.
Is it taking her out on a rich dinner,
wine and dessert and all?
Or the dry bread a dog steals,
for her puppies to get their daily bit.

Is it at first sight?
ignorant, foolish, blind, unquestioned?
Or the many questions answered by a girls father,
so that he can get his daughter married?
Is it trustworthy?
Like the aging 90 year old couple still in wedlock?
Or is it ever changing?
Cause who has the control over the feelings carried?

Is it for eternity?
Like the patriot whose name is etched on the walls of the struggle?
Or is it just in the moment?
Like so many claim on the morning after.
Does it have to have a name?
marriage, baby, affair, or just a Friday night?
Or can it be anonymous?
with no recollection whatsoever, and which doesn’t even matter, right?

Does it have to be between two?
a sport, a lover, a fighter?
Or is it more complicated,
triangle, family, religion, country, friends?
Can it just be with the animate?
Hearts beating, minds talking, warmth flowing.
Or can it be with the lifeless,
like with Ben Franklin and the lightening.

So simple, so many forms, seen everywhere,
Yet one of the most complex feelings to ever define, even in sentences long.
No wonder many fall, stutter, stumble, fail,
while claiming they knew it so clearly all along.

Patharvat

2011-04-18T11:26:00.001+05:30

Junaat imala zala saara

Paduni taaka deuni dhakka

Aaj imarat junaat zali

Jeev akaran martil khali

Mhanuni adhi ya

Padun taka

Maara haka jamva loka

Lokashakticha sadhuni moka

Padun taaka

Aanik bandha navi imarat

Patharvat me navya yugatil ahech sobat

Asen jari me adnya rangada

Ek dagad tari ghadu dya re ya majhya hatuni

Ek channicha ek ghaav tari basudya re ya dagadavari

Manavteche navin mandir

Yethe banddha ya jagevar

Padun taka deuni dhakka

-Amar Sheikh

Sayankalchi shobha

2011-04-18T10:55:00.000+05:30

Piwale tambus uun kovale pasare chaufera

Odha nei sone waate vahuniya duura

Zaadani kiti mukut ghatale dokis soneri

Kurnavar shetaat pasarala gulal chauferi

Hirve hirve gaar shet he sundar saliche

Zoke ghete kase chhukade hirve galiche

Soneri makhamali ruperi pankh kitikanche

Ranga kitiwar tarhetarheche indradhanushyache

Ashi achal fulpakhare fule saalit janu fulati

Saaliwar zopli janu ka palanyas zulati

Zulkan sulkan ikdun tikde kiti dusri udati

Hire manake pachu futuni pankhachi gargarti

Paha pakhare charoni hoti zadawar gola

Kuthe budala palikadil to sonyacha gola

Bha Ra Tambe

Grants...

2011-04-10T07:55:00.001+05:30

We hear about people getting grants. This is what we all say about those people! :)

Shravanmaas

2011-04-08T16:03:00.003+05:30

Another lovely poem, from the 10th standard.

Shravanmaasi harsh maansi hirval daate chohikade,

kshanaat yete sarsar shirve, kshanaat firuni uun pade.

Varti baghta indradhanucha goph duheri vinlaase,

mangal toran kay bandhile nabho mandapi koni bhaase.

Zaalasa suryasta vaatato sanja ahaha to ughade,

taru shikharanvar uncha gharanvar piwale piwale uun pade.

Balack mala udata bhaase kalpasumanchi malachite

utaruni yeti awanivarti grahagolachiti ekamate.

Uthati varti jaldanvarti anant sandhya raag paha,

sarva nabhavar hoy rekhile sundarteche roop mahaan.

Fadfad karuni bhijale apule pankha pakhare savarati,

sundar harni hirvya kurani nijbalansaha bagadti.

Khillare hi charti raani gop hi gaani gaat fire,

manjul pawa gay tayacha shravan mahima ek fule.

Survarnachampak fulala vipini ramya kevada hi daravalala,

parijatakhi baghta bhama rosh manicha mavalala.

Sundar pardi gheuni haati puropakanthi kshubdh mati,

sundar bala ya fulamala ramya fule patri khudati.

Dev darshana nighti lalana harsh maayina hrudayaat,

vadani tyanchya vachuni ghyawe shravan mahinyache geet.

-Traymbak Bapuji Thombre (Baalkavi)

Majhi shala

2011-03-28T14:18:00.001+05:30

Another one, from the 8th standard if I recall correctly...

Hi awadte maj manaapasuni shala,

lavite lala hi jasa mauli baala,

hasarya fulancha bag jasa anandi,

hi tashich shala mule ithe swachandi

hasuni hasavuni kheluni sanguni goshti

amhaas amuche guruji shikshan deti

he prem karaya kiti bhvati bhau

hatat ghalauni haat tayanchya raahu

yethech bandhu premache ghyaa dhade

mag desh karya karnyala vha khade

pasarava naav shaleche chahukade

mag lok bolatil dhanya dhanya ti shala

ji deshasathi tayaar karate baala

-P K Atre

Ajiche ghadyal

2011-03-27T00:30:00.006+05:30

Continuing the trend of posting old poems as I recall them (with the help of Chinmay Deodhar, Chinmay Datar), here is another one...
This was in the 8th standard

Ajichya jawali ghadyal kasle ahe chamatkarika,

dei theuni te kuthe ajuni he nahi kuna thauk

Tyachi tiktik chalate na kadhi, ahe te muke watate

killi dei na tyas ti kadhi tari te sarkhe chalte.

Abhyasaas uthiv aaj majala aji pahatetari,

jevha me tija sanguni nijatase ratri bichanyawari,

sade pach hi na vajata to kuthe haak ye nemaki,

bala zanjar zahle arawala to kombde uth ki.

Taaichi karnyas jammat tase bhau save bhandata,

jaai sampuniya sakaal na muli patta kadhi lagata,

Ali otivari une bagh mhane aji daha wajle,

ja ja lavkar ja kani to ghanaghana ghanta dhwani adale.

Khelachya agdi bharat gadhuni jata amhi angani,

ho kevha tinhisanj he na samje, aji pari aatuni mhane

Khel pure, gharat parata zali dive laagan.

oline basuni mhana parvacha oti vari yeun.

Sange vel tashyach vaar tithi hi aji ghadalyatunahi

thandi uun pausahi kalatase sare tila tyatuni

maujeche ase ghadyal daduni kothe tine thevile

gathode fadtale shodhuni alo, tari na mile

-P. K. Atre

I want to be… wire-free

2011-03-20T13:26:00.002+05:30

Wires just everywhere,
from headphones to cables,
from power chargers to laptops,
from mobiles to coffee tables.

They are just everywhere,
right and left, up and down.
They like to get involved,
even on separating, they retangle, on their own.

They are short, they are long,
some looped, knotted, wedged.
Some just hanging by a thread.
Some insulated, others just frayed.

Aluminium, Copper, Silver, hair,
no matter what I use to make them,
never are they satisfied alone,
and are hence seen together, as a twisted pair.

I am sure there’s some mystery behind them,
or atleast a wicked plot if you call it,
why else am I given one free,
with every purchase of an appliance kit?

They have got too much power, too much control
Mocking the deepest dreams of every man, every noteworthy Sire,
Why, they even broke into our privacy,
camouflaged as an underwire.

I just want to get done with these freaks,
before they make my life a mess.
Precautions they say, are better than cures,
and hence, I am going wireless.

Irshaad

2011-02-04T21:50:00.002+05:30

I came up with this with some help from Amit Julka, the J-man! :)

آپکی خدمت کے لئے تا ابد رکنے کی قسم کھائی تھی ہمنے

دھوکے باز تھا خدا، جسنے وقت کو ہی روک دیا

for the non-nastaliqs.. :)

aapki khidmat ke liye taabad rukne ki kasam khai hamne,
dhoke baaz tha khuda, jisne waqt ko hi ruka diya

khidmat - to serve
taabad - end of time

Sex

2010-12-14T07:01:00.002+05:30

Just wanted to try this out..!!

I have the counter on my blog. I want to see how much the word 'sex' works with respect to the blog hits my blog earns.
Right now, its 3503...

That means, that my average hits per week must be something in 5-10. Lets see how much this generates! :)

I will put up the updated statistics soon :)

Thanks a lot... Sorry for the disappointment..! :P

Sweet child of mine...

2010-12-13T14:36:00.002+05:30

Yaah! I have heard of you,
Well who hasn’t, actually.
You are the one who just presented the paper on parallel lines,
Ushered in a new era in mathematics, says Geometry.

Your name keeps coming up, just about everywhere I see,
The television, the internet, YouTube, the torrents.
Your photos are in the newspaper (they cut short the sports section! x-( )
It’s like you have trapped the world in your enchantments.

Frankly speaking,
I just don’t care.
Do you really believe that I am jealous?
Are you really that unaware?

From where I look,
You and me, we aren’t that different, you see
after all, you are no superhuman,
you still got to pee.

The coming generations of students will say it all,
while trying to decipher your geometrical game.
Remember how you had cursed Newton,
When Physics had blasted you into the hall of shame?

I can live without your theorem,
So can the people around me, quite easily.
You know, I wouldn’t even mind much,
If it weren’t for that crazy attitude, you silly.

It’s like you have moved to a new world,
you have given us all a sack.
For a man of such stature and wit,
Your memory is certainly a drawback.

Today, it’s your day. Enjoy and bask in the glory,
But pride hath a fall, and I am not being just folklory.
Soon the media will find something new,
and they will turn their back on you.

Alone lost, I can see you just as if it were yesterday,
But it’s a pity you didn’t learn from your earlier crime.
But my dear child, I will be here with open arms,
Just like the last time.

Love,
Dad

Just like a child...

2010-12-13T08:33:00.002+05:30

Just like a child, who trust his father dear
And who delight, to feel his presence near
Just like a child, whose mind has not a doubt
And whose heart is never proud.

Hear I come, o lord
Hear I come just like a child
Hear I come, o lord
Hear I come just like a child

Just like a child, so weak he cannot stand
But who holds firm and tight his mother's hand
Just like a child, who sings in bright daylight
Fearing not the long dark night.

Just like a child that guilty deeds oppress
With mind and heart in trouble and distress
who throws himself into his mother's arms
Sure she'll free him from his qualms.

Christmas Gifts

2010-12-12T11:59:00.002+05:30

Share your wishlists! Anonymously! :)

Things I like about US

2010-11-20T03:34:00.003+05:30

Well its been 2-3 months since after coming to the US, and there are a few things I have begun to appreciate. Let's go over a few I can recall:

1) No one judges you over here. You can dance on the streets, laugh out loud, be loud about your emotions, talk as if there isn't anyone around. Talk on ANY subject and still have no one look at you with eyes and ears wide open (except maybe on color, where you might end up getting killed).
2) Everyone greets you. However hollow it might be, it still feels good to be greeted and recognized.
3) There certainly IS dignity of labor. You might end up getting taught by the same person who just poured your coffee a few hours ago.
4) People recognise your capability and your limitations. No one expects too much and hence the pressures on you reduce.
5) There is always a learning curve. Stagnation is very limited. And if there is any, I haven't encountered it as yet.
6) Everyone eats the same junk and hence you aren't the only odd one out.
7) Still topping the list is that you can be expressive. :-)

Education in US

2010-11-06T13:20:00.000+05:30

Of crystal balls and those cloudy insights

2010-11-03T10:20:00.002+05:30

A glimpse into those pieces,
I once held together as one.
Reminds me of those special days,
into which today, for eternity I could gaze.

A smiling face glistens past one,
a shadow of a face I know.
Where have all the moments gone,
on whom I tightly held onto?

Last time I saw them,
they were alive, beaming and gleaming.
Today, I am not so sure,
is it just me or am I dreaming?

Ah! A crystal ball drops by,
with a flourish it unveils the future.
Oh wait! Am I ready to see this?
Of this I am not so sure!

What I want to see, what I wish to have,
may or may not be there.
Do I want to hurt myself
even without being over there?

Fascinated though I am,
at the prospect of seeing something I could.
But wouldn’t it just be more enthralling,
to actually live through something that good?

Today I have a thought,
its not actually true.
Its just something I wish it to be,
which has stuck onto me like glue.

However much have the little pieces been exposed.
Howmuchever sun and rain they bore.
I know some things for certain when I can say,
That though weathered, they are still the ones I adore!

Jhil mil taare

2010-10-10T13:22:00.001+05:30

Again, a blast from the past. A very old poem. Have a look and try to recall it :)

I guess Std 6, Hindi

Jhil mil taare

Jhil mil taare pyaare pyaare
chamak uthe aakash me
Chaand uchakkar aaya upar
in taaro ke paas me
Neela ambar taaro ka ghar
deepo ke tyohaar sa
Chanda nirmal jo Gangajal
maa ke paavan pyaar ka
Taare jhil mil chanda khil khil
kitni haseen bikherte
Aao chhat par dekhe milkar
taare hamko terate

Crazy :)

2010-10-04T21:03:00.002+05:30

In pdf files, there is a HAND tool. Whenever you click the page, it sort of contracts and you get the feel that the hand is scratching something. I had an image of myself in pdf. I had lots of fun virtually scratching myself :P :D
.... and that is how Sanjeev spent his weekend :D

A song on my lips

2010-09-21T09:29:00.000+05:30

Every road through hills and valleys
Leads to heaven by and by
And the wind that sweeps the alleys
Points a finger to the sky

Chorus:
A song on my lips, a song in my heart
I go my merry way
The sun in my eyes, The sun in my heart,
Lights up my step day to day

Many friends are on the highway,
And they're waiting for a smile
Walk along my friend on my way
Holding hands a little while
Chorus

There are times of storm and sorrow
When the goal drifts out of sight
But the road leads on tomorrow
To the land of peace and light
Chorus

Then we'll all be reunited
Singing one eternal chord
For we know we've been invited
To the mansion of the Lord
Chorus

Living in the magic world

2010-08-28T19:12:00.001+05:30

My ultimate dream. To live the Hogwarts life. I don’t know why. But I just wanted that life. Not all the chaos of Voldemort or other bad guys. Just the normal life. Moving in the streets of London. Having a school which keeps you together. For a whole year. Going home in the holidays. Coming to school in a train. With friends. The whole human race limited to that little number of people. Having daily meals/ feasts with everyone. Having a huge campus, playgrounds, friends rooting for you at a game. Going off on weekends to Hogsmeade. Having a few adventures of my own. They don’t even have to be all that flamboyant as Harry did have. But I wanted to live that.

Everytime I read the book, saw the movie, I yearned to live that life. I could relate so much to it. And maybe on screen they make it look all fancy and out of the world. Maybe it might not be all that short and sweet and nice. But it has a spice to it. I don’t even want the magic part. But I wanted to experience it nonetheless.

And right now, I feel like I did live through it. Actually, I have a lot of thoughts on the same. But then, lets move across them one by one.

I just visited Orlando, Universal Studios. And they have this Harry Potter theme park and ride. And believe me, I lived the whole life in it. Flying on broomsticks (WOW), coming across the whomping willow, the dementors, the Aragogs. The dragons, the school’s castle, the bridge. It was amazing. Actually experiencing it is a different thing all together. And I just loved the feel. It was scary, it was amazing, it was truly out of the world. And I just felt as if one of my wish had come true. If you get a chance, please do visit it. It is an experience you want to live through.
Then I started looking back. Wondering what is my life compared to this one? I think at the moment, I have lived through all that I wanted as a dream. I have lived alone. I have lived with friends. I have had wonderful holidays, vacations. I have experienced some amazing moments, I have had some of the best adventures with my most precious friends. I think it is these moments that we want everytime. I think it is this what we yearn for when we see movies or read books. Cause it is just too perfect. While living, we never realize it due to all the mess around us. Due to all that keeps happening from time to time. We are never able to appreciate the beauty of our life. Flying on broomsticks. Ya, that can’t be done. But going on a wonderful drive to some place awesome. Yes, that can be done. Playing Quidditch. Maybe not. But having the most precious time laughing over a game of football/ badminton/ cricket. Very much possible! And it is what we experience every day. But we tend to ignore the beauty of our life when comparing it with someone else. Think about it! Isn’t life maybe just too perfect or too amazing to let go off? They say the grass on the other side is always greener. True it is. I could never pull off an Alohomora or the likes. But the magic of life isn’t something you get by swishing a wand. It’s much more… Much much more!

Pachola

2010-07-21T02:02:00.002+05:30

Std 9^th
Marathi
Pachola
Kusumagraj

Aad watela door ek maal

Taru tya varati ek la vishaal

Ani tyachya bilgoniya padaas

Jeerna pachola pade to udaas

Usha yeo shimpit jeevanaasi

Nisha kaalokhi dadvu dya jagasi

Surya gaganaatun otu dya nikhara

Muk saare he saahato bichaara

Taru varachi hastat tyaas paane

Hase muthbhar te gavati majene

Vaatsaru va tudvisa tyaas jaat

Pari pachola dise nitya shaanta

Ani ante din ek tya vanaat

Yei dhaavat chaufer kshubdha vaat

Dise pachola gherun tayaate

Nei udvuni tyas door door kothe

Aani jaaga ho mokali talashi

Punha padnya varatun parna rashi

Daya kar daan

2010-07-15T12:29:00.002+05:30

We had this lovely scout song, which I loved to sing. Here it is, as I recall it :)

I will be posting a few poems, songs I learned during my school days from hereon, hope it makes a fun read! :)

Any mistakes can be rectified by commenting!

Daya kar daan bhakti ka,

Hame paramaatma dena.

Daya karna hamari aatma

Mein shuddhata dena.

Hamare dhyaan mein aao,

Prabhu aakhon me bas jaao,

Andhere dil mein aa karke,

Param jyoti jaga dena.

Baha do prem ki Ganga,

Dilo mein prem ka sagar,

Hamein aapas mein mil julkar

Prabh rehena sikha dena.

Hamara karma ho seva,

Hamara dharma ho seva

Sada imaan ho seva

Wa sevakchar bana dena.

Watan ke vaaste jeena,

Watan ke vaaste marna,

Watan par jaan fida karna

Prabhu humko sikha dena.

Daya kar daan bhakti ka,

Hame paramaatma dena.

Daya karna hamari aatma

Mein shuddhata dena.

I wish...

2010-06-29T16:08:00.003+05:30

I must confess I am not a traveler. I hate traveling as such, instead I prefer to laze around in some lonely spot, with no crowd and least noise. However I still like my luxury, and I don’t like to part from it. So a modern house in a serene place is my best dream.
But I still like my rendezvous with nature for a short duration, and I do have a wish-list sorts about the places I intend to visit.

• Alaska
• Oceania
• Mauritius
• Leh-Ladakh
• Pakistan
• North east India
• Central Europe and Mediterranean
• Jerusalem/ Israel
• Siberia
• Antarctica

And I want to go backpacking somewhere. With just bare necessity, maybe a little money to spend and 10-15 days of total nomadic life. I will do that at age 25. :) Maybe Dreams says it better :)

A lot like love...?

2010-06-16T12:45:00.002+05:30

Caught behind the veil of screens,
Mere shadows, ghosts or just another automated tool?
With Unicode for words, mp3 for sounds.
A mouse for limbs, and headphones for ears.
Hours sweep past.
But not a moments emotion shared.
Blessed were the likes of Jack and Rose,
Who got a moment together,
But lived a life in it.

Cricket – A Batsman’s game

2010-06-01T11:06:00.000+05:30

I have often wondered how team games like Cricket or Football or Hockey work. Or for that matter any team game. Every player has a role to play. You can be a bowler or a wicketkeeper or a batsman if we consider cricket. You have a defined role. A bowler opens the bowling attack, and is supposed to pick up early wickets. A batsman on the other hand is supposed to make use of the conditions and score quickly to set up a good total.

Or for that matter even in Football. A defender, is supposed to clear the ball if it comes in his half, and a striker is supposed to put those half chances to full use. A defender should give up his excitement of going forward, and trying to score. He should not give in to his instincts of trying to do skills. He should have a no nonsense approach to his game. The mid fielders get to flaunt these skills and can be showy in their game.

All in all, I don’t think you get to show case all your talents on the pitch.

Another thing is that in cricket, it hardly so happens that a bowler gets a man of the match. It is always the batsmen who walk away with this prestigious prize. A bowler can take 3 wickets, but it's still not enough in front of the 70 odd made by the batsman. Why is this so? Isn’t the bowler doing his job of taking the wickets? If it's a high scoring game, the batsman who scored the century gets the prize. If it's a low scoring game, the batsman who lasted and scored that winning run in a nail biting finish gets the prize. If the first side scores a huge total. And the second side get out at a low score, it is always said that the team lost because they crumbled to the pressure of the score. Never is it said that some good bowling did the trick. It's unfair on the part of the bowler, he always sees a Sachin walk up to the podium to collect the trophy. Hardly ever is he called up.

In every team game, I think it's a collective effort. I agree that some matches have their own heroes, but most of the times, it is because every man does his job. If a striker scores a hat trick, it's all due to the feeders, else he would have nowhere.

It’s the same everywhere. In a company, the profit all goes to the owner, but it's those small things which every person does behind the screen, that all things happen so smoothly. In all things, it's a collective effort. A stage performance, a concert, a get together of friends. Even a party. A trip. It's all because every person contributes in his her own special way. We may not be able to applaud every person, but never forget to acknowledge the effort. Every person counts. Every small deed helps. Every small effort pays. It may be small, but it makes a difference! Always remember, alone, you can do nothing. You can accomplish nothing. A family, a group. Anywhere. All are necessary so that every person is in his her right state of mind. A husband cannot blame his wife for not contributing to the house income. She has her assigned task, appreciate that. Nor does it work the other way. Look into yourself, and always work selflessly. Cause every small bit you do helps you eventually. Always keep your calm, and do everything without expectations. Your effort pays off, even if not appreciated. But one day, you will feel the need for something small someone always did, and then you will realize how important that person was. It's a team effort always.

You need everyone. Everyone needs you. Life is a game. Play your role. And expect the others to do the same. It's no one’s fault if on a given day, the striker doesn’t score. There is always the next game. But just cause the striker didn’t score, don’t forget to clear that ball off the line, else you not only don’t score, but also concede, and lose the game. Keep your team mates together, it will benefit you a lot in the long run.

My friend

2010-05-14T23:43:00.001+05:30

I always wanted an elephant as a pet. I wanted to keep him in my parking, and wanted to give it food to eat, maybe play with it. Go for rides on it. It was my childhood fantasy. Even now, it remains my favorite animal, and bags the place for the animal I love the most, but am scared of the most! :)
Here's an ode to it...

I dream of an elephant,
completely milk white,
which not only looks thin,
but is just as light.

It runs around in my park,
even after it gets dark.
And then admires the moon,
only to realize it's time to sleep soon.

With its big black eyes,
it can tell all my lies.
But it will never scold nor hit,
only will it teach what is right.

When I am feeling sad,
it will sit beside me,
and hug me with its trunk,
so tight that my face opens with a glee.

It is my best friend,
which will to my every need tend.
I just wish someone will
to me this friend lend.

Nostalgia

2010-05-12T22:46:00.000+05:30

A silent wish
A lone drop of tear
A pair of folded hands
Held up in prayer

Faint sounds of laughter
Fond memories of yore
The harder you try and seek them
You end up missing them even more

You wonder where it all got lost
You wonder where it all went
An hour of trying and remembering
Leaves you feeling nothing but spent

Just one more day of school
Just one more day of scolding
Just one more day of making up
And laughing and crying

You feel penniless
In spite of earning dollars
You cant help but feel blue
Wandering amidst a sea of white collars

A break from all the tensions
To just run care-free and wild
A peaceful moment of silence
In the company of caring arms by your side

What you want is affection
A kind word
A familiar face
But no one turns around
To make you feel at home
In this human albeit rat-race

This is how you'll grow old
This is how your bones will rust
You hope that someone remembers you
Before you vanish in a cloud of dust

Those were the days...

2010-05-02T05:08:00.008+05:30

You knew you could get up late,
Throw tantrums, of things you just can't relate,
Lie blissfully and then hope to mend your ways,
Cause those were the days.

You could go downstairs, to see the table laid,
Not even bother if you made your bed,
Find warm milk, a toast and a pack of your favorite Lays,
Cause those were the days.

You could shed that tear, or laugh unfazed,
Or snuggle up to your mom to get a fright erased,
See everyone run behind you to get you dressed,
Not a thought ever passed to see them washed and pressed,

You could decide which place to go to picnic or to dine,
Or storm off and shut your door when things don't go fine.
No matter how and where and what you are,
You always knew that you will be the star,
People miss your antics when you go a little far,
And come to pick you up in your favorite car.
And when you then show back your angelic face,
You get presents all with ribbon and lace.
"Oh how tall has he grown", "How smart he is", is what everyone says,
Cause after all, those were the days.

But now everything is different, all has changed,
Time has flown by, taking away the things of old,
You are now big, and alone and no one bothers much,
You got no one, no one to help you as such.

No one wakes you up, or gets you ready for the day,
Whether it is for a workday or a holiday.
No one buys you anything or takes you out,
There is no one to reprimand or punish or to just shout.

Your mistake earlier bought you another chance,
But now, it just means you got fired with no advance.
No one compliments you on a new bag, shoe or dress.
It is no longer cool to cheat to win a game of chess.

There are no weekends or summer holidays to look forward to,
No theme parties, night outs, celebrations, decorations to do.
A bruised knee, lots of tears, a band-aid, a smile,
All this just hasn't happened in a long long while.

Stealing mangoes and flowers and other fruit,
Playing hide and seek, cricket or game of toot-toot.
Ringing your neighbors doorbell and running afar,
May now just lead up to a mighty war.

Being called cute and adorable by any aunt and uncle,
Get goosebumps when your crush smiles at you with a twinkle.
All this stuff just doesn't happen anymore.
What happened? Wheres all the innocence I had in my core?

I guess I know the answer when I think of the yore.
That I am just not thirteen anymore.
I miss those days those nights those time.
Life was beautiful and my world was so small.
I know it that I am short of words when my lines fail to rhyme,
But those were just the best days of my life, if I may call.

(inspired after watching 13 going on 30)

The hug and the tear

2010-04-16T17:07:00.002+05:30

Suddenly out of nowhere,
it begins to form there.
Suddenly, I feel heavy,
as if the whole world’s weight bears down on me.

That choking feeling I get,
a cloud of emotions all crammed up.
There is no more space left.
yes, it's filled upto the brim of the cup.

Yet it keeps expanding itself,
pressurizing all my boundaries.
Forcing me to open my flood gates,
reminding me of the weight that it carries.

My defenses are crumbling,
my resistance is weakening.
I want to say so much, to express it all,
while proving that I am not weak at all.

Am I happy, am I sad? In either case,
the feeling is the same you see.
But then something happens, all of a sudden,
unexpected, unforeseen, undefeatable by me.

Kind words, small moist doleful eyes,
a look of ‘I am with you no matter what’.
Two arms, pull me into an embrace,
I give up, knowing very well that I have lost.

A moment elapses,
the last of my defenses raise their white flags.
And like summer tempest they come rushing,
easing the tension, freeing up all the clogs.

The choking feeling gets erased, peace overcomes.
Those little drops of pearls,
they did it for me.
TEARS, we call them affectionately.

School Songs

2010-04-05T15:14:00.000+05:30

School Songs:
Carmel School Kuwait

The bells of CSK, we hear they are ringing,
Re-echo sweet memories, over land the sea.
They urge us to duty, to mount upwards nobly
The bells shall ring as we shall sing EXCELSIOR.

We stand for our colors, the white and the blue
The worst do we all dare, in all failure through
(something something something something)
The bells shall ring as we shall sing EXCELSIOR.

(I can't remember a few lines.. Can anyone help me out here?)

Symbiosis, Pune

Oh come lets sing of Symbiosis,
Sing till the rafters ring
Oh come lets sing of Symbiosis,
Sing till the rafters ring
Remembering my alma mater,
Will bring to my mind
The motto engraved on my soul
Onwards towards ever better, upwards to God ever closer.
Onwards towards ever better, upwards to God ever closer.

Symbiosis stands for oneness,
With all the living symbols,
Of unity in diversity
The world is a smaller place
Filled with beauty and grace
Knowledge and truth prevail
And if ever we fail
We will always remember
Onwards towards ever better, upwards to God ever closer.
Onwards towards ever better, upwards to God ever closer.

Life is ever changing, and it is challenging,
Lets lay for one another, lets stand as one together,
But when Naidu, and Tagore,
Keller and Raman,
Guide our paths forever
Always and forever
Onwards towards ever better, upwards to God ever closer.
Onwards towards ever better, upwards to God ever closer.