A humming word

The abstract noun "genius" is commonly misused. "You're a genius" is a common derisive remark. Leonardo Da Vinci was a genius. Ramanujan was a mathematical genius. The lists of Genuises cannot be complete without the mention of painters like Van Gogh. Edward Hopper. And poets like Li Young Lee. Roger Robinson. And then, there are sparks of genius. A genius is the purest form and the most intense application of the mind and heart. For me, sparks of genius, were in movies like The Devil Wears Prada, where Meryl Streep says "that's all" with a soft yet stern tone that shakes institutions. Or Kangana Ranaut in Fashion. Her poise and her attitude was a spark of genius. And, then, there are books like Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. The plot is simple: to solve the murder of a neighbour's Dog, Christopher resolves to find the crime-doer. Christopher has Asperger's Syndrome. It is mentioned nowhere but only in the blurb of the book....

"I am dying since ten years" - Debbie says when Joseph Mascarenhas (Joe) justifies his disappearance over several evenings and tearfully tells her how their friend Rob is diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain Tumor. He comfortably tries to escape the whole confrontation with Debbie until she coerces him to play for a sailing band and earn enough for her and their son. Live your dream is a powerful yet a dangerous notion. How far can one go for their dream? In the mortar and pestle of life, it is often the dreamer's family that gets pounded. Joe, claiming to be emotional and broken, spends ten years of his life, teaching guitar and performing in nondescript clubs. While Debbie's life takes a U-turn and she ends up being the stronger of the two and managers their family fish business. The stench of the fish doesn't leave her. While his friends have moved ahead, Joe, decides to stay stagnant. Debbie despite being the pushy householder lets him be, thinking he will make her p...

MR Book Center or as the owner Uncle calls it “Mister Book Center” sits comfortably, tucked under the Begumpet Flyover. The innocent Green and Yellow banner with Bold Letters hide the mammoth collection of the store. Enter it and you’d be welcomed by Calendars, translation of popular books in Telugu and racks and racks of books. It is a wonderland for book lovers.  A thirty-five-year family-run business, MR is the initial of their father’s and brother’s names. The staff is friendly and the owner uncle, another MR, is warm and easy to speak with. He showed us a copy of Quran that had a small note by the Nizam. He also told us anecdotes of book lovers who never married for the fear of not having to keep their books. The eminent Corona and the waning book visitors managed to creep in our conversations. And he immediately mentioned that he partnered with Amazon and Flipkart with a glint in his eyes.   A rare Quran      MR Uncle One would remember that they sol...