Flashes and fathoms-1

Kochi-Vayatila

Urban life has been sulking Madhurima Nambeesan for a long time, she missed her friends in her village in Kannur. Things were simple and people straight forward yet too many murders and bombs made her life miserable in Koothuparamba which finally forced her to shift to Kochi. Though it bears the inadvertent title of  being "The Queen of Arabian Sea" all that Madhu felt was a titular expression . Ah yes, she missed her village just like anyone who came to a city for the first time. She had trouble in communicating, it was impossible to understand what she said, basically because Kochiates are not much used with the Kannada influenced malayalam from Malabar. However Madhu survived, but what she missed was some smiling and friendly faces.

Kochi- Thevara

It was with great expectations did she gave life to her dream- "Paint me Blue". It was her ardent dream to become a social entrepreneur, Radhamani loved social service to any other career. Her friend always saw an emerging leader in her, and why not, she was industrious, intelligent and above all committed. There was an exceptional charisma about this lady, making her chutzpah the dominance at any gathering. But she was a simpleton who believed in the subtle joys for perennial happiness. She traveled a lot and it was common for her to meet and greet people. But her excellence in understanding human pain was her emphasizing and predominant character. Her work sufficed to the orphanages and old age homes in and around Kochi. But it was an ongoing work that filled her up. She thought "Arts and Craft" to the kids at orphanages  and made it a point to spread all the love she had to her little darlings. Her consistent visit to the old age homes with the hope of spreading all the happiness she has was received quite well by the grannies and grandpas. She gave them time, which was fortunately what they really wanted other than the occasional visit of a group of students presenting gifts or visiting them just for the sake of some "flashes". She never really brought anything for them other than an occasional set of books or fruits-which she grew in her garden. It made 'she' the 'object' that they eagerly waited for rather than  the gifts. Radha was living her life to the fullest, experiencing the joy in living the life the way she liked by helping in shaping others life. But then suddenly she was 'hit'- and that was when she met-
Madhurima Nambeesan

Kochi-Varkeys Super Bazar

John Mathappan was the only son of Peter  Arackkal Mathappan, a powerful name amongst the goondas in Fatehpur Sikri. He was shot in a gang war and succumbed later to the injuries. John was looked after by his mother who fled the place and settled in Kochi. She tried sending John to a nearby school, but had little success. Little John never spoke much to anyone, and when he did there was a rain of verbal abuse in Hindi. Mary Mathappan made it a point to send little John to the nearby church, especially on Sundays. Just like every other mother in the world, she feared her son would ruin his future. Slowly but gradually Mary saw visible changes in John. He stopped swearing and using abusive language and his interest shifted into painting. Mary decided to remarry a distant relative of hers due to insistence of her relatives. Little Johny was happy to be a Big Brother to the two kids who were born in time. But trouble crept in the small house of Mary after her third child was born, it was impossible to control Dominic as he felt John as an outsider. He beat the child constantly for absolutely no reason, all his mother could do was to beg and weep to spare her child. Finally John left home at 15 and never came back. He started earning money by accompanying  Painter Mani to his sites. He had money but not enough to survive. He was waiting for an interview as a sales boy at Varkeys when he saw this girl approaching him. She had the most beautiful smile in the world and suddenly the world seems to shrink down. He felt lighter, warmer and special. There was no way that he could take his eyes off this beautiful goddess send from heaven. As he looked she came closer to him and said something, John could see only her beautiful red lips forming shapes so good, her deep brown eyes with thick lashes fluttering, her hair moving rhythmically to the blow of the wind. He heard nothing but-'Madhurima Nambeesan'

to be continued.....

Of DICTIONARIES and BLOGS

   I've been an ardent dictionary user for quite sometime, in fact dictionary is one of the books that i have always been carrying around . "The Oxford English Dictionary" has always been my favorite, the simple reason being that it was my first dictionary. It has been occupying that little corner of my hand bag for a long time. To some Dictionary is a necessity, i emphasize the  book worms here, the ones  who have nothing better than sinking into the pages of  imagination thankfully they are  harmless. Meanwhile for some it is a call of "Prestige", it was a trend during my college days(persistently existing) to carry around a Dictionary (or any book for that matter) longer and even bulkier than its owner only to cover the bosom, or rather for its better view. In either way this is the lot which I'm sure has taken up no pains to turn the pages of the "subject" . Then there is this lot who think it to be sophisticated, prestigious and above the normal degree to carry around of all the books , but Dictionary. They are the most intriguing of people you find, not only are they  proficiently efficient in using the book, but they count on it for each and every other word which could otherwise have been made simple.

My first poem was an accident, but as time flew the innocence left, but never in the work. Slowly and gradually Dictionary became a close friend of mine.  My sole intention was to make my work sound sophisticated and exceptional and this I did by the use of  the most trying words instead of the simple ones. This became my trend altogether for a long time. But things started changing when "ITS MY CAULDRON" happened.I was inspired to start it after a collision with one of the popular blogs. Her blog was an overnight success, there was nothing special about the blog other than the occasional sexually arousing anecdotes of the blogger. But the reason for its success was that, it was told right from the heart and the language used was simple, urbane and awesome. There was a beautiful mixture of the right words at the right time, without a fuss on the persistent use of my old friend 'Mr Dictionary'. The narrative glued us to the seats and gave a better picture of the events that happened to the blogger and to what she felt. 

Recently there was yet another "head on collision" with a friend of mine, after the usual exchange of greetings the guy simply send me his blog link insisting that he was the "Father of English Language". It was with great expectations did i open up the link only to find it to be deeply disappointing. It was impossible to read even a single line of his creation without strenuous use of Mr D. This effort shrunk the whole idea which was expressed with great anticipation. I'm sure there was surely some cream, which unfortunately was waiting for a good churn in the form of a complete revamp.

I wish this friend of mine understand that it is always a simple presentation that actually gives the right punch to the right people. Eventually the idea of all the writers including "bloggers" is either to convey some message or share an experience. In both situations it is absolutely necessary that the reader understands the matter conveyed, and only when this happens the process of communication is complete. It is not the exhibition of advertant  and complicated use of words that brings out the best writer in you, but it is the sublimity, observation, humor ,originality and simplicity that dominates. I love Dictionary but id rather not  dement my brain . For in the end of the day my neck and the pain there, will always be my own...

Run 'AMMA' RUN!!!

(Not so)Dear 'AMMA' ;

 It Is time you learn the basic lessons of humanity. I'm not an anti Tamilian nor do i have anything against the people in Tamil Nadu. In fact I've got more Tamil friends than from my own place. Ive always wished to settle in Chennai, for the people has always been extremely caring and friendly. It is disheartening to find that although you are in the supreme position in the state of Tamil Nadu, you seems to be lacking the spirit of a good human being, which i should emphasize to be an indispensable part of a leader. It is through the little acts of kindness that embeds a person forever in others hearts. Im sure these must be part of your propaganda before elections. It is good to see a developed Tamil Nadu because from what we have learned, it is a part of India and that all the people including you are the citizens of this great land. Though however your profile seems to be intriguing to which i have no absolute right to shadow, but i do take the liberty to limelight that you seems to be giving little justice to whatever education you have received. Apparently you must be wondering that your 63 years of lifespan has brought you into too many ups and downs and it is that life which has been your 'guru'. Im sorry to say this but im forced to, it is the ones that give justice to humanity and not the tyrants who are the actual leaders. I am not saying that you are a bad leader, but the influence that you provide to your people is not intriguing. Of course some of your remarkable steps have given Tamil Nadu development, but remember what is the use of just development when there is no one to adore? Again it is the survival that matters the most for us human beings,and it is this instinct that has made us supreme. You must be knowing just like me that there is no level to what human determination could do. It is not during the times when people hold on for their poor dear lives that one must show the tedious amount of selfishness arrogance and heinous stubbornness. Tamil Nadu and Kerala has always tried to keep an amicable relationship throughout and it is only when the life of not "few"(if that doesnt interest you) but a lot of people is at stake that made even the common man to come out against you. Basically we are tired and scared of this reprehensible action of yours. Interestingly it is the burst of these emotions that forces even the most common man to be doing uncommon deeds. Tyrants have a short lifespan, history has thought us so. Either they change their ways or revolution forces them to. These small agitations if not taken care of may result in "civil war" which is being feared by not just the leaders but also common people like us. Flood, destruction to flaura, fauna and above all life of men would all be blamed on your massive shoulders, "IRON LADY". I remember your visit to The Guruvayoor Temple sometime back . You had gifted a baby elephant to Lord Krishna. If you are not an atheist then in what religion and which god justifies the killing of people? I have no right to your private matters but i wonder what would you do for the upcoming traumatic insomnia. No amount of water(which seems to be the issue of the hour if you notice) will wipe away the drops of blood splashed over you. Everything in this world is connected so are we, and if you remember it is the same planet that we share. To be more specific it is the resources of the country called "INDIA" that we share. Oops! I forgot the part that it is just "Tamil Nadu" for you. Bravo! what a step towards national integration!!(rather a threat)9/10 people here listen to the songs of Ilayaraja, Harris Jayaraj and so many other maestros. The actors like Surya,Sivaji Ganeshan, Vijay and so many more have always stolen our hearts and tamil is understood and even spoken around just like our mother tongue. Is your arrogance mightier than the power of love? Oh yes love that runs through the veins of every Indian for the love of their country and its people. Beware your name has started to be spoken in every street of the world, for in every corner of the world there lives our brothers and sisters. So run 'AMMA', run before it is too late; let-"LIVE AND LET LIVE" be the motto that you follow.

 Regardless "SOME INDIAN CITIZEN"