Another cigarette was quietly meeting its end between his fingertips. He was seated next to a huge glass ‘wall’ and meanwhile, the Sun was slowly but steadily melting into the horizon. His mind was in a tumult of thoughts centering on and around the pros and cons of the ‘year-that-was’; the ‘maybe’-s and ‘what-if’-s, decorated with a few ‘I shouldn’t have’-s, closely followed by a series of silent ‘sighs’ of regret.
But, then, thankfully, there was loud music playing in the background.
A welcome distraction, under the circumstances.
“Would you like another drink, sir?”
He nodded in approval.
A number of uniform-clad men strutted up and down the length of the floor shouting complex instructions into their mouthpieces.
Everyone was ‘rehearsing’. This was just a trial run.
Soon this ‘hangout’ would turn into THE ‘place to be’ this new year’s eve.
There would soon be a thousand-odd strangely dressed ‘wannabe’s crawling all over the place, trying to ‘move wit’ da beat’!
Trying to be ‘somebody’ in an alien crowd…
And then, he broke into a wry smile…
The very thought that people would burn holes in their pockets to ‘pretend’ to be ‘happy’ for just a short while seemed quite amusing.
It was all one big hoax… a drama… an illusion…a…
He glanced at his watch and then promptly finished his drink.
A rather nervous, middle-aged gentleman in an ill-fitting black-suit walked up to him rather anxiously.
“Sir, we’ll be opening the gates shortly… and… well, perhaps you should…”
“I know, I know… relax”, came the response.
The Sun had now all but vanished, leaving behind an interesting multitude of colours. The cigarette lay crippled and crumpled in a pile of ashes.
He picked up his jacket and made for the door that led to the green-room.
An hour-and-a-half later, he would take centre-stage…
5,4,3,2,1… Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
once upon a time...
Once upon a time…
I thought I’d walk these roads alone…
I was sure that I had nerves of steel
And a sturdy heart of stone.
For a while the path was smooth and proper,
My confidence intact…
I, Me, Myself were missing home,
But they’d quietly signed a pact.
I started off quite boldly,
And at a fairly hectic pace.
Shook hands and bowed, smiled and laughed
As I went from place to place.
Now and then, I’d miss a step,
But I didn’t really care.
I had to reach a destination,
‘Was determined to be there.
Once upon a time…
I thought I’d walk these roads alone…
But, gradually, I kept moving into
An unfamiliar zone!
Though I was still sure-footed,
Complications did arise.
And often, despite all my efforts,
I was taken by surprise!
I was lost… and in a tizzy,
And knew not what to do…
Hope was hanging by a thread…
When along the path came You! :-)
I began to put my faith in You,
Although You were a stranger;
You, in turn were a Friend and Guide
And steered Me clear of danger.
Once upon a time…
I thought I’d walk these roads alone…
I was sure that I had nerves of steel
And a sturdy heart of stone.
But there were oceans that I couldn’t cross
And rivers that were too deep,
Valleys that were daunting,
And Mountains that were steep.
With You, however, by my side,
This journey’s a vacation.
Together, we celebrate “life” –
Every day is an occasion.
I haven’t yet said ‘Thank You’,
But I guess its now or never…
Once upon a time, I met You
And You changed My life forever!
(Dedicated to my friends and family)
I thought I’d walk these roads alone…
I was sure that I had nerves of steel
And a sturdy heart of stone.
For a while the path was smooth and proper,
My confidence intact…
I, Me, Myself were missing home,
But they’d quietly signed a pact.
I started off quite boldly,
And at a fairly hectic pace.
Shook hands and bowed, smiled and laughed
As I went from place to place.
Now and then, I’d miss a step,
But I didn’t really care.
I had to reach a destination,
‘Was determined to be there.
Once upon a time…
I thought I’d walk these roads alone…
But, gradually, I kept moving into
An unfamiliar zone!
Though I was still sure-footed,
Complications did arise.
And often, despite all my efforts,
I was taken by surprise!
I was lost… and in a tizzy,
And knew not what to do…
Hope was hanging by a thread…
When along the path came You! :-)
I began to put my faith in You,
Although You were a stranger;
You, in turn were a Friend and Guide
And steered Me clear of danger.
Once upon a time…
I thought I’d walk these roads alone…
I was sure that I had nerves of steel
And a sturdy heart of stone.
But there were oceans that I couldn’t cross
And rivers that were too deep,
Valleys that were daunting,
And Mountains that were steep.
With You, however, by my side,
This journey’s a vacation.
Together, we celebrate “life” –
Every day is an occasion.
I haven’t yet said ‘Thank You’,
But I guess its now or never…
Once upon a time, I met You
And You changed My life forever!
(Dedicated to my friends and family)
Monday, May 16, 2005
Monday!
(A series of 'snapshots' taken on what is arguably the worst working-day in the week)
16th May, 2005
10:00am
Homesick!
It has been nearly four months since I was in Kolkata... but it seems like a decade has passed between then and now...
In almost a year, I've just been on 'home-turf' for a little under two weeks!
(Sigh...)
This continuous, practiced 'absence ', to me, is analogous to holding your breath underwater (!). Initially, its a tough ask; you find yourself 're-appearing' and gasping ever so often. But with time, as your 'stamina' builds, you learn to remain below the surface for longer stretches of time with lesser difficulty... or something like that anyhow.
Now, if only I had gills...
****************
2:15pm
There are times when you're immersed in work and that is, perhaps, a good thing. It tends to make you impenetrable, impervious, invincible!
Ok... maybe that was little far-fetched (maybe I got a lil' carried away...), but my point is: it enables you to shut-out everything else that is a part of your life... sometimes even 'important' things.
Unfortunately, today is NOT one of those days. Today is about making silly mistakes. It is about staring blankly at the monitor. It is about your eyes glazing over and about being transported to some faraway-place... you are having the time of your life... you are with a 'cool' bunch o' people... no, in-fact you're 'high' and riding a roller-coaster... rocketing down a steep decline at break-neck speed.... whoo-hoo... yippee.... wheee..... with 'Comfortably Numb' (extended lead version) playing in your head...!
This and so much more, until you are rudely 'interrupted' by one of your neighbour's (extra-talkative cubicle-mate's) "latest", "ultimate", "jhakkas" polyphonic ringtones ("It is cool, no?"). And, before you know it, that pencil you were holding is suddenly broken (snap!) into two...
(#!@$*!#)
But, when approached, you are still nodding in agreement and smiling (feebly)... Hypocrisy personified!
You are 'celebrating work' (the company catch-phrase).
****************
3:30pm
Three cups of coffee this afternoon... thus far.
There is caffeine flowing through my veins, but surprisingly none of it is reaching my brain. I am still yawning (Yaaaa....wwwn!). Any bright ideas? I MUST do something...!!
For starters, my playlist needs a serious makeover. It has suddenly dawned upon me that I have been listening to the same songs over and over again... for the past two months!!
***************
6:15pm.
Not a very good day, I must say... but work-wise, its almost over (I think...)!
However, as the sun dips below the hills in the distance, and while I drink more coffee (cup no. 5) it finally hits me... today is MONDAY. The week has only just begun!
16th May, 2005
10:00am
Homesick!
It has been nearly four months since I was in Kolkata... but it seems like a decade has passed between then and now...
In almost a year, I've just been on 'home-turf' for a little under two weeks!
(Sigh...)
This continuous, practiced 'absence ', to me, is analogous to holding your breath underwater (!). Initially, its a tough ask; you find yourself 're-appearing' and gasping ever so often. But with time, as your 'stamina' builds, you learn to remain below the surface for longer stretches of time with lesser difficulty... or something like that anyhow.
Now, if only I had gills...
****************
2:15pm
There are times when you're immersed in work and that is, perhaps, a good thing. It tends to make you impenetrable, impervious, invincible!
Ok... maybe that was little far-fetched (maybe I got a lil' carried away...), but my point is: it enables you to shut-out everything else that is a part of your life... sometimes even 'important' things.
Unfortunately, today is NOT one of those days. Today is about making silly mistakes. It is about staring blankly at the monitor. It is about your eyes glazing over and about being transported to some faraway-place... you are having the time of your life... you are with a 'cool' bunch o' people... no, in-fact you're 'high' and riding a roller-coaster... rocketing down a steep decline at break-neck speed.... whoo-hoo... yippee.... wheee..... with 'Comfortably Numb' (extended lead version) playing in your head...!
This and so much more, until you are rudely 'interrupted' by one of your neighbour's (extra-talkative cubicle-mate's) "latest", "ultimate", "jhakkas" polyphonic ringtones ("It is cool, no?"). And, before you know it, that pencil you were holding is suddenly broken (snap!) into two...
(#!@$*!#)
But, when approached, you are still nodding in agreement and smiling (feebly)... Hypocrisy personified!
You are 'celebrating work' (the company catch-phrase).
****************
3:30pm
Three cups of coffee this afternoon... thus far.
There is caffeine flowing through my veins, but surprisingly none of it is reaching my brain. I am still yawning (Yaaaa....wwwn!). Any bright ideas? I MUST do something...!!
For starters, my playlist needs a serious makeover. It has suddenly dawned upon me that I have been listening to the same songs over and over again... for the past two months!!
***************
6:15pm.
Not a very good day, I must say... but work-wise, its almost over (I think...)!
However, as the sun dips below the hills in the distance, and while I drink more coffee (cup no. 5) it finally hits me... today is MONDAY. The week has only just begun!
Friday, March 11, 2005
Scribbled notes...?
So often in life, I don’t think before I act.
I am an impulsive person as a matter of fact.
Very often I dislike my whimsical ways,
And their corresponding actions I regret for days…
But I strike it lucky every once in a while,
And there are incidents that really do bring back a smile...
Some people I've met give "Life" that extra spark,
Leave them out and it’s all just a stroll in the dark.
"Change is constant", it has famously been said.
Yet there are memories that I just can't get out of my head...
Of good times and great times that you and I did share,
Although now, we're all just "busy"... too busy to care...
But I still long to see you, perhaps sometime soon?
How ‘bout this weekend... or lunch, this afternoon?
I suppose its wishful thinking, I often live in dreams,
I guess life just isn't as simple as it seems...
I am an impulsive person as a matter of fact.
Very often I dislike my whimsical ways,
And their corresponding actions I regret for days…
But I strike it lucky every once in a while,
And there are incidents that really do bring back a smile...
Some people I've met give "Life" that extra spark,
Leave them out and it’s all just a stroll in the dark.
"Change is constant", it has famously been said.
Yet there are memories that I just can't get out of my head...
Of good times and great times that you and I did share,
Although now, we're all just "busy"... too busy to care...
But I still long to see you, perhaps sometime soon?
How ‘bout this weekend... or lunch, this afternoon?
I suppose its wishful thinking, I often live in dreams,
I guess life just isn't as simple as it seems...
Thursday, March 03, 2005
...good night, sailor (bed-time rhyme)
Anchor your ship for tonight, but sail into a dream.
You've won your battles for the day, plus kudos and esteem...
You've travelled for so many a mile...
Sleep for now, for just a while...
But at the break of dawn, be alert, be ready,
Set your course, set sail, but hold her steady.
You've won your battles for the day, plus kudos and esteem...
You've travelled for so many a mile...
Sleep for now, for just a while...
But at the break of dawn, be alert, be ready,
Set your course, set sail, but hold her steady.
Friday, January 21, 2005
... computers & contradictions
Another day dawns upon us...
No time to smell the flowers :-( ...
We just log-in to our terminals
And linger on for hours!
Deadlines to be met... &
"Issues" to be "resolved";
Do we have other talents?
Or, have they all dissolved??
Its all sophisticated -
Hi-tech and pretty neat;
And though captive in our cubicles,
We remember to compete!!
Projects come and go,
With appraisals galore;
We get paid plenty,
But we're asking for more!
We're all just queueing up for kudos ...
Some, like me, aren't too bright :-( ...
But some of us have all the luck
And make our way onsite!
Now, I guess that's something
You'd equate with success...
Even though you're leaving home,
And your love-life's in a mess!
Access-cards & credit cards...
And online applications...
Meetings and long-telecons
To distant destinations ...
There's a client - someone, somewhere ...
Do they even know my name??
But as long as money's changing hands,
I guess its all fair-game... !
I'm a product of the system...
I'm really one of "them" !! (oh no!)
I'm a glorified slave & yet
"La creme de la creme"!
Hey! We also do a bit of work -
Its not all science-fiction;
I'm a software professional -
I'm a walking contradiction!!
No time to smell the flowers :-( ...
We just log-in to our terminals
And linger on for hours!
Deadlines to be met... &
"Issues" to be "resolved";
Do we have other talents?
Or, have they all dissolved??
Its all sophisticated -
Hi-tech and pretty neat;
And though captive in our cubicles,
We remember to compete!!
Projects come and go,
With appraisals galore;
We get paid plenty,
But we're asking for more!
We're all just queueing up for kudos ...
Some, like me, aren't too bright :-( ...
But some of us have all the luck
And make our way onsite!
Now, I guess that's something
You'd equate with success...
Even though you're leaving home,
And your love-life's in a mess!
Access-cards & credit cards...
And online applications...
Meetings and long-telecons
To distant destinations ...
There's a client - someone, somewhere ...
Do they even know my name??
But as long as money's changing hands,
I guess its all fair-game... !
I'm a product of the system...
I'm really one of "them" !! (oh no!)
I'm a glorified slave & yet
"La creme de la creme"!
Hey! We also do a bit of work -
Its not all science-fiction;
I'm a software professional -
I'm a walking contradiction!!
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
... barandaey roddur (in bengali)
(A collage of memories...)
"Barandaey roddur",
Kintu tomra bohu dur…
Boshey achhi "Ekla Ghor"-ey,
Onek kichhui mon-ey porey...
"Phirbena ar", phirbey ki?
"Purani Jeans" ar "Maaeri"?
Adda-session "Din-er sheshey",
Mon-ey Mon-ey "Chokhar deshey".
"244" ar "Mary-Anne",
College ketey movie-r plan,
Holmes, Felu, Tin-tin,
"Juju", "Toker Jotno Nin".
Para versus Para khela,
Ar mor-er mathaey shondhey bela,
Pheley rekhey baki kaaj,
Bollywood ar Maharaj.
Cyber-cafe, Video-game,
Bhuley jaoa "Prothom prem"…
Hathey-natey dhora pora,
Baba-Ma-er shasti - kora!
Jhograjhati ar nirasha...
Bari-r ador, bhalobasha...
"Barandaey roddur",
Mon gaichhey "ghorey pherar shur"…
- Sourav
References:
"Barandaey roddur" - sung/performed by Bhoomi (bangla-band)
"Ekla Ghor" - sung/performed by Fossils (bangla-band)
"Phirbena ar" - from "Holud Pakhi" by Cactus (bangla-band)
"Din-er sheshey", "Chokhar Deshey" - from the song "Chokhar Deshey" sung by Bhoomi.
"Purani Jeans" - by Ali Haider
"Maaeri" - by Euphoria
"244" from "2441139", "Mary-Anne" - songs by Anjan Dutta
"Juju", "Toker Jotno Nin" - songs by Chandrabindoo (bangla-band)
"Prothom Prem" - from "Nilanjana" by Nachiketa
"...ghorey pherar shur" - "Pother Prantey/ Jamaica Farewell" - Harry Belafonte
"Barandaey roddur",
Kintu tomra bohu dur…
Boshey achhi "Ekla Ghor"-ey,
Onek kichhui mon-ey porey...
"Phirbena ar", phirbey ki?
"Purani Jeans" ar "Maaeri"?
Adda-session "Din-er sheshey",
Mon-ey Mon-ey "Chokhar deshey".
"244" ar "Mary-Anne",
College ketey movie-r plan,
Holmes, Felu, Tin-tin,
"Juju", "Toker Jotno Nin".
Para versus Para khela,
Ar mor-er mathaey shondhey bela,
Pheley rekhey baki kaaj,
Bollywood ar Maharaj.
Cyber-cafe, Video-game,
Bhuley jaoa "Prothom prem"…
Hathey-natey dhora pora,
Baba-Ma-er shasti - kora!
Jhograjhati ar nirasha...
Bari-r ador, bhalobasha...
"Barandaey roddur",
Mon gaichhey "ghorey pherar shur"…
- Sourav
References:
"Barandaey roddur" - sung/performed by Bhoomi (bangla-band)
"Ekla Ghor" - sung/performed by Fossils (bangla-band)
"Phirbena ar" - from "Holud Pakhi" by Cactus (bangla-band)
"Din-er sheshey", "Chokhar Deshey" - from the song "Chokhar Deshey" sung by Bhoomi.
"Purani Jeans" - by Ali Haider
"Maaeri" - by Euphoria
"244" from "2441139", "Mary-Anne" - songs by Anjan Dutta
"Juju", "Toker Jotno Nin" - songs by Chandrabindoo (bangla-band)
"Prothom Prem" - from "Nilanjana" by Nachiketa
"...ghorey pherar shur" - "Pother Prantey/ Jamaica Farewell" - Harry Belafonte
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