A humming word

Ammamma. The word itself evokes memories for us. Her passing is the passing of a part of our childhood which we (my cousins and I) cherish. This is a piece for her. Ammamma is a telugu word to address mom's mom.  Ammamma lived in Chikkadpally, an area in the older part of Hyderabad, in one of those houses with multiple door entries, many windows in every room, and washroom that’s outside the house. Like Ammamma, the house was open, warm and welcoming. Anyone (whom we know ofcourse) could come inside and stay there as long as they wanted to. This was the 90s and perhaps due to the times we lived in, people were trusting of each other, children grew up in multiple households (grandparents’, aunts’, uncles’..). In our household, while there was emphasis on studies, there was emphasis on having fun too – be it watching movies, playing in the gully, studying and going to tuition together, or watching the Sunday Jungle Book together. Ammamma played a pivotal role in taking us to movi...

I don’t feel in full sentences anymore.   I feel in these emdashes in these semicolons in these commas and in these […]   punctuated by interruptions--- vehicular noise, a notification, a chirp a thought   I don’t feel in full sentences anymore    <draft 1 on the theme: concious living>    

Akaash Vani is a movie every person who has been raised on a diet of misplaced filial piety must watch. Filial Piety is a concept by Confucius which emphasises on love, care for the elderly. While the concept seems noble, the misuse of power seeps into relationships too.  Elders demand 'respect' by strangling needs of the young by expecting them to give up on what they value to 'fit in' in the society. The movie, Akaash Vani, is a story of this misplaced filial piety. The story is about Akaash and Vani, a girl and a boy, away from their home, studying in a university, and in love. They wish to get married and plan a future together. Beleiving that they will get married, Akaash pursues his higher studies and moves abroad to provide for Vani and himself. Meanwhile Vani returns home to learn that her sister has eloped with someone thus bringing the family dishonour.  To restore their honour, Vani's parents marry Vani to a man, who is well educated but has no emotional ...

  Bala and me Bala's presence at YK Antiques has been so impactful that when he left Hyderabad, it left a gaping hole. One that we cannot fill and thinking we can fill it is only foolish. His passion and love for YK Antiques is unparalled.  Satya, Bala and sir with Dobara team For the unitiated, YK Antiques is a home museum in Alwal, Hyderabad, and is run by YK Murthy and is supported by the love of volunteers -- Satya, Vinay, Preeti, Laalithya, among others.  And today, there was a School Tour to the museum. And personally, the presence of Bala's absence was felt. Before Bala moved to Goa, he spent most of his time at YK Antiques and he and YK Sir set the home museum with utmost care. Whenever there was a school tour, Bala would spontaneously conjure some fascinating activity.  And this time, it was we who had to do it. I knew it would be hard to fill in the shoes of Bala. And the next thing, I thought was to involve my mother, who is creative and spontaneous. The t...

For two months, for one hour, fortnightly, we would become kids and travel through a structured hindi writing program of poems, stories and writing exercises with Bansa Library kids.  Initially, when the program was being planned, I thought how would 4 sessions cover it all? But Garima ji planned it so well that each session was enriching. We wrote as a group at the end of the session too. And yes, there were a few hindrances.  Online Engagement. We know how many treat Online Meetings.  Yet, we managed to pull it off. Garima ji kept her camera on and so did the children and thus, we did too, atleast mostly. Also the interactive learning kept us going. Another hindrance was Homework. With the advent of latest tools, doing 'homework' has become close to not doing it at all or doing in the most convenient way. So after the first two sessions, Garima ji moved to a 'in the class writing' approach. That way the children don't have the pressure of writing outside and any i...

my father has a strict countenance. on the first meet, some may feel overwhelmed by his strict appearance but beneath all of that is a loving and compassionate man. often, i am at the receiving end of how can i be more compassionate and here are a few instances: my father loves his friends and the way he speaks to them, deeply involved about their welfare while not being too imposing, is something i love to learn from him. sometimes i get over-involved with my friends but i am learning to me mindful too. as my writing mentor and friend Urbi says, 'love people from a distance they are comfortable with'. my father exemplifies that.  whenever i have a disagreement, my father sides the one who is 'wrong' by gently correcting the person who has taken the position of power of being 'right'. he often says, it is about the change. focus on growth and not merely pointing to the mistake and taking the position of power if you're right. i learn this from my partner as ...

पढाई कबसे जूती बन गई ? जिसको पहनकार लगे है लम्बी दौड़ मैं | किसी की फूलती साँस को आराम देने के लिए उसे पानी भी ना पिलाएँ | पढाई हमें सज्जन बनाती हैं हमें जोड़े रखती हैं पर हम तो बेमतलब तोड़ने में लगे हैं || Thank you Shrey ma'am for your thoughts. Edited by Garima ji: पढ़ाई कबसे जूती बन गई ? जिसको पहनकर, लगे हैं लम्बी दौड़ में किसी की फूलती साँस को, थमकर पानी भी ना पिलाएँ ? पढ़ाई जन को सज्जन बनाती है, हमें जोड़े रखती हैं । पर हम तो तोड़ने में लगे हैं |