SLEEP

I want to sleep, a dreamless slumber
Not the kind that’s been bothering me for a very long time.
And keeping me awake for most of the nights

Sleeping seemed to be a punishment.
Punished with weird dreams, of fear and sorrows
Yet I couldn’t remember the torture that I went through when I woke up

I consider the ones who sleep well to be the most blessed ones.
They forget everything for a few hours,
And give in to the luxury of relaxed muscles and vaccum and beautiful dreams

Cursed are the ones like me, who can not even give in to that luxury....................................

O Sleep.... i miss thee!

Love Letters – A review

My view about Chennai has just been altered, after realizing the taste that the city holds for theatre. Been for a few plays in the last few months, which was a breath of fresh air after a period of ‘not knowing what to do during weekends’, and then came the big Metroplus Fest. So it was with great enthusiasm and expectation that I went for ‘Love Letters’. And yes, I can still hear those words; feel the same tears in my eyes, and the experience of being loved and being in love.

The beauty of the whole script just swept me away (as I’m sure it did for the others). Another few feathers to the hat- the cast by Rajat Kapoor and Shernaz Patel, the simplest of simplest themes and backgrounds, humour, with just the perfect voice modulations and simple changes in attire that denoted the passage of time.






Directed by Rahul da Cunha, the story is about Andrew Lad and Melissa Gardner, childhood friends, and their story through life by way of letters, a bondage which could not be terminated by time or distance. They shared their innocent thoughts and ideas and way of life through these love letters. Both were extreme opposites, Andy being a father’s boy, and Melissa portraying the spoilt daughter of divorced parents. Their love grew with the letters, but none of them admitted it either. The passage of time drove them to different worlds, but the letters kept flowing, the love planting its roots deep into emotion….

Andy becomes a lawyer (not to miss a series of flings and affairs in between), to be a man of ‘righteousness and rectitude’, gets married and settled, and continues his dedication to his family and country, whereas Melissa becomes famous with her works of art, traveling across the world, and changing men along the way. The love letters continued, as ‘seasons greetings’, ‘Merry Christmas’, ‘Congratulations’, and ‘are you there?’ messages. Melissa goes through divorces and rehabilitations, and Andy finally becomes the Senator.







In due course, Melissa realizes that Andy is her only love, and tried to express it to Andy in many ways. Andy continued to ignore it by concentrating on his family and work, although Melissa was of utmost importance to him.

Melissa turned into an alcoholic, and lost interest in life, and became depressed day by day.. However, Andy’s letters kept her alive. A meeting after a long time gets them into a one night stand, where both of them confess their love for each other. But Andy continued his dedication to his family and senatorship, and tried to not get deep into it. Melissa, by then has turned into a complete wreck, and moves into her own shell. Andy continued his letters, as he was worried about her. But nobody could bring back Melissa, as she gave herself to the ultimate- Death

The final act could just turn any unemotional person to tears. Andy pours out his heart before the grave of Melissa, writing a letter to her mother, confessing his undying love to her daughter from the time he received the first letter, which was an invitation to a birthday party.

The crowd just applauded to the combination of excellence, beauty and poise. A standing ovation was the perfect gift for the wonderful couple, who were extremely pleased as well with the response from the audience.

My final note about the play- ‘Love Letters’, for sure must have touched a corner of each ones heart, bringing back a lot of memories hidden/ thrown among score of other memories. Some brought tears about lost love, love and distance, some brought laughter, of old childhood friends and crushes, and people who have never met, but still got close with letters and mails. Lot of questions was answered, and a lot of answers brought new questions. I definitely left the ‘Lady Andal School campus’ with both.

DETACHMENT

The rejection hurt…
The no appreciation hurt…..
The back stab was shocking….
The response ‘PRIVACY’ really really hurt….
So I tried to detach myself from anything that may end up in these situations
Ah, but the potholes. How can I fill them??

Rain Showers

I had to fumble around for a fresh piece of paper to write this
To write about the first rain of the monsoon in Chennai











The ever parched earth which took the 43 degrees and beyond,
Devoured the sweet drops from heaven
The smell of the rain slicked mud was divine,
and the dry leaves shed from their abode
To leave behind the green shiny ones

The rumble of the thunder didn’t hurt my ears,
As it promised me more rain

I opened all my windows, which usually brought only pollution, screeching sounds and dirt,
I watched the little drops that stuck to the electric lines and the crows that got their first bath after days…
And also the the happiness of little kids when they splashed their legs in the slushy water
Much to the disapproval of their mothers

The trees waved happily, so did my unkempt hair
The light breeze tickled my body, and I felt refreshed…

My solitary happiness knew no bounds
The few drops of rain washed away some unwanted memories ‘n’thoughts
I sat by the window, watching the gift from heavens
The rain that the city and I wanted badly…

Lonesomeness

I realized that it had finally crept into my life
I could call it Loneliness or solitude…..
Probably I wasn’t used to this feeling before
So it felt outlandish when it crawled in without invitation…..

Some said it was just the feeling, and nothing else….
Some asked me to find a room mate
While some said it was the right time to tie the knot
And a few of them tried to help me out of it









They say that there is a difference between being alone and feeling alone.
What is it that I’m going through?? The first one or the second???
The world wide webbo suggested to convert the moment into singleness rather than loneliness,
Hmmm, I have a friend- ‘dotcom’

I turned back once again…….
And sighed a relief that atleast my shadow accompanied me
Thank you SUN!!

TEARS

The precious little drop of saline water ………..
Something which the Almighty poured in abundance to the female generation
Guess I was voted to be its brand ambassador …
Cos it never stopped flowing………….










Despair was just one of the reasons…
Anger was another…. Even cranky little jokes could make me cry..
Reminiscence into the past being the worst….
It crept in for the good and the bad days

Some found it silly… some found it immature…..
Some found it beautiful.. the crazy ones…I miss them
Some wiped a tear or two…my best ones
Some ensured that it flowed till ‘no more tears’.

The ‘ram’ never speaks out; its in their genes
The pain, the anger and the happiness and the loneliness….
But my valuable drop of water spoke….for all of the above

‘Till death do us part’

DREAMER

I would say ‘never dream’
It’s just a temporary cherished desire
This reverie just goes on and on, and you build on it……….
You pay heed to all inspirational quotes and proverbs about fulfilled dreams,
Successful stories and testimonials….
And the stargaze continues… of colors, achievement,…love ……

Its just a momentary stage,
Of happiness and yearning
And then, the reality bites
Usually at the wrong place
But if the goddess of luck favored you,
You can write your testimonial……..

And for the rest, the unfulfilled dreams were ‘fantastic’ yet ‘hopeless’
Just like the fantasy induced by the opium pipe
And gone after the puff………………………..

One year old!!!

The infant has completed a year,
And the baby received her first gift!!!

Thanks dumpo!!!

Year 2007

As the embers of 2007 are getting prepared to be replaced by a fresh 2008,
The world waits in anticipation and elation for the year that is approaching,

Though every year-end brings a lot of negative energy,
In the form of tsunami, earthquake and terror attacks
Each soul tries to bury the past along with the year,
and plants the new seed of hope in their hearts.

Giant barricades are erected to cloud the evil named pain and sorrow.
And fragrance spread to feel good and motivated
Wishes are sent around…..yes…. sent around
To wish the same for others as well

The mistakes and sins are remembered, just to remind
The dangers of repeating them again
The prayers and kindness are appreciated, just to thank
For the right thought at the time of need.

I evolved some thoughts and moments into a shell called ‘blog’
Some of them contained the ‘grains’, which hurt the shell,
as it made its way into the enclosed shape
while some brought in bright ‘colors’ along with them

I churned and tossed them around, but they remained in the shell
I shed tears unsure of the rationale
I’ve heard of the gem that forms as an aftermath of the extremes
So I wait for the beauty… I wait for the pearl…in confused silence