Geetsphotos

Geetsphotos

As promised here are the photos we took on the 28th September - they are in the album entitled 28th Sept. Check 'em out!!

Heppy Bir-Day To Meeeeeeee!!!

LOL!!! Well it turned out quite crazy, zombie-ish but fine I guess. Let's pick up from where I left off...

So on Sunday we had a small family get-together of sorts at Rakesh Bhaiyya's place - Bua-phuphaji and Vinita didi from Delhi, Chacha-Chachi-Shubhra didi and Rashi from Pune, the five of us and ofcourse Rakesh Bhaiyya,Ruma bhabhi, Richa and Rashi...the occasion? Nothing much-basically sicken bua-phuphaji are down from Delhi chacha-chachi came from Pune to meet them. Shubhra didi spent the morning with us. She has given me MORE woolens - now with my own stuff, Ruma bhabhi's and Richa's and didi's woolens I can merrily pick and choose what to carry and generally have a wide variety of stuff, provided I have space to carry it! LOL! Now my clothing for the trip is definitely not missing anything! I have more than I need actually. Didi also gave lil bit of of gyan that will be a big help in Magdeburg....danke!! The get-together was loads of fun...Typically confusing as family get-togethers are, with some interesting anecdotes coming out and generally warmth in kinship! Got some photos which I'll upload on Geetsphotos soon....

In the evening I was STRESSED! It seemed that only Tasneem and Aranyak would turn up for the rendezvous, I was very upset with Appu coz she didn't come, but then she wasn't well and had her TOEFL exam coming up...sigh! Anyways in the end Amisha, Preeti and Amit also came. The last two didn't eat, they came to just to wish me and spend some time with me....so I was pretty happy. I was so sure Amit wouldn't come...so that was an added bonus!!!Tasu and Aranyak gave me a bottle of wine...we polished that off in the night itself...Tasu and Amisha left early, but Amit, Aranyak and Preeti stuck around till after midnight to wish me. Preeti stayed till 3 am...we talked about all sorts of 'girly' stuff...Muhahaha!!! Kunu called at midnight - my darling Kunu - he also sent me a bouquet of beautiful while gladioli!! Appu also called and the next day loads of people called all day :)

Next day...phew! Got up at 6 am so that's only 3 hours of sleep, half of what I MUST HAVE in order to function like a Sane Individual. I had to go to the consulate for my visa-correction. Papa and I went there, got the work done quickly (that grouchy man was nowhere to be seen thank god!), had b'fast at Mondegars and then quickly picked up some gifts for people I shall meet in Europe and then he dropped me to the university for my lectures. I was awake till 2 pm..after that the last lecture was agony! My eyes kept shutting...I've never felt soooooooo sleepy every before..it was so bizarre...I was writing with my eyes closed and looked so drunk and dazed! LOL! I left after that not wanting to fall asleep somewhere on the road! Hahaha! Surprisingly a whole lot of people gave me gifts..very overwhelming and nice! Made me feel special and warm inside...tho I was too sleepy to react properly to anyone of them...*Sheepish Look*

Back home phuphaji told me about my 'future' - he's damn good at this stuff - and I found some of it very interesting! Not to be shared on public sites ofcourse!! LOL! Got some very nice ecards from Nitin, Adi, Divya and Odell(our College Gopi and my completely whacky fundoo pal!!)...
We went for dinner to Mainland China...yummy food. It totally makes up for the 1 hour commute to the god-forsaken Saki Naka! Got home and crashed....coz I had to get up at 5 am today to work on my presentation on Ngugi wa Thiongo - I still am not prepared...gonna give loads of superficial talk today...lordy help moi!!!

Today is gonna be yet another hectic and loooong day...but from tomorrow I have nothing major to do, so it's gonna be 'dealing with small' things and packing time from Thursday onwards...guess the countdown begins now???

Its and Bits

So yesterday was like this jinxed day! I went to pick up my visa and had decided to also go to Westside to pick up a pair of jeans since we had this offer - I figured since I love the fit of their jeans I might as well pick one pair up. Anyways I got my visa and was glad and all thinking that finally peace arrives at my doorstep! Then I realise I've forgotten the offer coupon at home...went to Westside anyways coz I'd dragged Amma with me specifically for that purpose. She said to buy the jeans and forget the offer...felt bad I couldn't pick up any tees - they had awesome captions on some. But no point buying tees that I can't carry with me and can't wear for 3 months!
Anyways till then I was still OK...then I scrutinise my visa for minor problems and BOOM-my name was mis-spelt! Anyways I called up on the consulate's emergency number, since they are shut for the weekend and they said that it could be a problem at the airports, so I better come in on Monday and get it rectified....WAHHHHH!!! It's like I'm soooo miserably jinxed! Everytime I breath a sigh of relief, some thing new crops up to mess up my peace of mind!!! Pease Please let this thing settle next week...

Anyways some of my friends thought I must not cancel the rendezvous/party thing on Sunday just because I'm blessed with these ultra busy friends who can't make it...so I'm having a rendezvous tomorrow anyways- tres petit rendezvous I think. Only good thing about having a tiny guest gathering is that I'll have to order less food!! LOL!!

Next I went for Mumbai Matinee today - that's one of the movies I didn't wanna miss. It's sad that the director of this movie and of Jogger's Park died before the release of his two movies...anyways the movie is a bit shoddily made, could have done with better editing but its good TP! Quite funny actually with its whole emphasis on the 'Virgin at 32' bit! But there were 2 moments towards the end of the movie that struck a chord - one when Rahul Bose talks of how music/songs can touch you and suit every mood and situation conceivable and second when Perizaad Zorabia talks of meeting someone and feeling this instant connection and at other times knowing someone all your life and never really 'knowing' the person! That reminded me of my own thoughts on soulmates...hmmm....now I hope I manage to catch Jogger's Park too. I think I'm missing Boom but that's Ok coz that was pure curiosity about what AB is doing in such a film. I'd rather watch Anger Management with Jack Nicholas and Adam Sandler and bhaiyya has managed to download the movie..Hurray!!!

I just got back from this exhibition at Anand Hall-ISCON. It was an exhibition of handicrafts, jewellery, clothes etc from North-East India. DROOL MAAL!! I went to pick up gifts for Pat and Bernard, but as expected we picked up loads of other stuff too. I'm delighted with what I found for Pat and Bernard-really good stuff, and also what I found for myself....since Amma is going back to get some razaais for home I shall go with her and pick up some more jewellery-the silver stuff is to kill for! My weakness - silver jewellery with semi-precious stones set in them!! Now I gotta study - I still haven't started on my presentation and I HAVE to finish it tonight...no time after that...Lordy Lordy I'm screwed...a late Saturday night spent studying..Whoa..am I happening or what? Muhahaha!!

Visa Application...

God I'm exhausted. I went yesterday to Ms.Dinter's office at Churchgate-she's the DAAD representative in Mumbai. DAAD is the German Academic Exchange Service - they are funding the exchange program. Anyways I had to pick up a letter stating that we are going on a scholarship and that our visa fees should be pardoned. After that we had a double lecture with Dr.Veveina for Barthes and Derrida. Today I went back to Nariman Point for my visa...I was there from 8.30 to 12.30 - came very close to blowing up one guy there. Instead of being helpful, the man was going out of his way to prove everything I said wrong...despite the fact that I had the right info in the first place he made me go and enquire before giving me the visa form, then insisted I've filled the wrong form and when I filled the form he deemed correct said I've made a mistake the first form was correct. I could have strangled the man at that time...but kept my peace coz I dint want my visa rejected or anything. Anyways finally submitted the visa application, now I gotta go back tomm to pick it up! Anyways I ended up missing Dr.Veveina's 11-1 lecture and after that I was in no mood to go just for 1 lec so I just returned home. Besides this way I can get some work done, rest etc. Won't be going to the univ tomm either coz the pick-up time for the visa is between 1 and 1.30 pm...sigh! Well no problems, my attendance is safe and tomm aint such an imp day in terms of lectures being taken. And once tomm's work is outta the way I'm done with all my preparation for the trip. Tickets, Visa, shopping - all done. Only packing left..that can't be done so soon! LOL!

God's In His Heaven And All's Right With The World...

Phew...Things are finally working out! My passport came yesterday morning! FINALLY! Yippee...I guess? I took it normally, (LOL!) as there are more things to worry about, work out etc etc. Excitement just slows you down, doesn't it? Besides I think I've forgotten to get that excited...I don't how to do that anymore...sensible lil moi!

Anyways so today I'll get my tickets confirmed...(it still rankles that I can't go to Muscat, but it couldn't be helped.) I also applied for the 'No Objection' Certificate the Dept has to give us so we can 'bunk' for so many days!! Haha! Ofcourse that man, Bhongle, was highly annoying and tried to act his usual superior self, but I just refused to give him any 'bhav'! Seriously this is the last time I enter his office...*Touchwood*

Then I get home and besides 2-3 other very nice mails that left me feeling warm inside, was this very cute and helpful mail from Hardo. He's the guy helping out with the accommodation and who will come to the airport to pick us up AND who has kindly offered to let me use his internet access in the university so I can stay connected!! Yes, I'm being VERY nice to him...:) Anyways the flat had seemed exorbitantly expensive earlier, so I'd shot off questions about expenses...the guy has patiently replied to each question and given more info too that made me feel like the whole trip is gonna be a cake walk. He seems like a guy who has an amazing sense of humour and likes to flirt too! Fun guy...he has offered to help out (which he really needn't do) and show me around...cool na? I have a ready-made friend in Magdeburg!! :)

Ofcourse now I hope things get a bit routine coz I've not settled down for days...have reading that's pending coz I'm so tired each night mentally that I can't read more than 20-30 pages. No Studying done in over 2 weeks now...*Guilt Pangs*

Next week will fly past - there's my birthday treat on Sunday followed by my birthday on Monday, followed by my presentation on Tues, then a last visit to Appu's place to spend the night with her, and then packing....before you know it 5th October will be here and I'll leave that night.

Apprehensive, nervous, tense? The first definitely - bout things that will change while I'm in Germany. But not tense or nervous anymore. That has faded away now that things are falling into place...hope everything continues to go smoothly for the next 2 weeks and ofcourse while I'm there in Germany...Pray for moi!!!

I Have Only One Nerve And You Are Getting On It...

Haha! The headline says it all doesn't it? Am grumpy, morose, cranky, irritable, fuming, stewing slowly inside, a volcano waiting to erupt...defi not good company today. Wanted to do so much today, but I didn't get out the right side of bed. Just found out that my passport has been dispatched on the 19th which means I should get it within the next couple of days...I should be happy and relieved that that tension is finally over. But I'm unaffected - right now very angry with people. Defi not one of my people days...today I really long to set out by myself and be left alone to do as I wish. Sad part is that I won't be allowed to do any such thing...the questions that will follow will just kindle me further, so I'm gonna be all feminine and pamper myself with some packs, lotions and long hot refreshing bath with some nice scented bath salts, and then light some incense sticks, switch on that fountain delicately scented with patchouli and drown myself in one of the 4 books I've collected for myself this weekend, or study. Just try and fade into the wall work and hope no one expects me to do anything for them, or be smiley...coz I might just end up scratching someone's face then...need an outlet for this turbulence inside...it needs to die a quick death.

Ramblings Of Someone Who Cherishes Walking and Books... :)

Was just talking to Amma about my day...I had gone to town(obviously-today is a Saturday, where else would I be?) and I was just telling her how much I enjoy walking around Churchgate/Colaba. I've grown to enjoy the walk down to BCL, Institute of Science, Oxford, Colaba - most places around Churchgate. Plus I no longer find the train journey from Andheri-Churchgate annoying/tiring/frustrating as most people do. Sure its hot when its crowded, sometimes I have to stand upto Dadar - but I just never thought twice about doing it. Now even with the walking around in the sun and the crowded trains I don't really get the exhausted that I need to collapse when I get home! I got thinking bout this coz we were talking about someone who is a Mumbai-ite like me but abso ignorant of the Mumbai way of living. It just surprises me totally - sure one reaches a point in life when you prefer traveling by cabs etc, specially if you can afford it. But to only travel that way, even when you were younger, in college etc...just appalls me. That's like going for a trek and asking where the cars are!! I for one can't imagine not doing this, and all that talk of exhaustion gets no sympathy from me, for reasons obvious enough...

Anyways I spent a wonderful hour or so at Oxford today. Browsed through the collection, itching to pick up alteast a dozen titles, but settled for just two - Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw (this play was adapted for screen as the popular "My Fair Lady"). Conrad's work is a very important work in all postcolonial studies, talking about Africa as it does, as the 'dark' continent, and ofcourse Conrad's anti-imperialist stance which by no means can be taken as anti-racist, for he was very racist. I'm looking forward to finally reading it, specially since we've referred to it so often in the past few weeks of studying postcolonial theories. Shaw, I picked up because of sheer curiosity and interest. Shaw is one of the most witty English dramatists whose plays were not merely for entertainment, but aimed at making its audience think about contemporary issues of importance.

Shall get to both books ASAP!!!

Soulmates?

Is it possible to meet someone you connect with instantly, on this deep sublime level that most others don't even know exists within you? You can walk along the paths of life, meet different people, befriend some, accepting their differences and learning to live with them. It's a nice life, but a tad bland, don't you think so? To find someone with whom you can share your deepest thoughts and dreams and fears without any hesitation is a fortune few are blessed with. And if that person is someone who thinks, likes, enjoys and appreciates similar things, has similar values and ideals - nothing coud beat that!

I'm defining a soulmate, I know. And few get a true soulmate in the true essence of the word. Most people settle for less - they have to. I don't want to. Up until recently I thought I would have to, for I've never met anyone who came even close to my idea of a soulmate. I have friends who I'm close to, thank god for them, but I want more than that...so much more!

I'm Back...

Wow I've not blogged in dayssssssss....so much to update on!
Well I had a wonderful time dealing with red-tape this week...I'm being highly sarcastic here, so you thick-skinned people please don't read this as my true feelings on the subject...

So papa returned from Germany on Turesday night and we thought we must spend a day alone...just father and daughter-so sweet na? So the very next day, with papa still getting over jet-lag and exhaustion that any person over 60 would feel after an overseas working trip, we set off for Crawford market. Wonderful place...the police quarters, the head office of the Mumbai police...spick and span and such warm humans they all are! After knocking on several doors we find out that my papers left the CID office on the 6th september. So we went to the passport office only to be informed that its past 12.30 so please return the next day! So yesterday we set off bright and early for the Passport Office, voila..it seems that my passport was made on the 15th, now I must sit tight while the clerk decides to dispatch it at his convenience....this after 2 queues, 2 clerks, 1 letter, 1 form and 1 "saab"!!!

Red Tape Zindabad!! Nothing like it man...it rules...

Thats on that front...otherwise I'm feeling like the whole world is coming down on me. Things have been frenzied and crazy for 10 days now...running around outside home, attending lectures, going to study at the library, a forthcoming presentation on Ngugi wa Thiongo's 'Decolonising the Mind' on the 30th, a rendezvous to organise on the 28th,friends to meet and worry about....CRAZY!! Kunaal was here earlier this week - we went out for dinner, but were both pensive and hardly talked. Couldn't spend much time together coz he was here on work...sad coz now I'll meet him only on my return...will miss him like nuts....my kunu baba!

Oh I've not mentioned how I'd been had na? So it turns out that Amit never left...or rather he did, only for Nagpur, not New York! God I was so annoyed with him for pulling that one...its one of worst yet...he's here till 7th October - he's actually leaving AFTER me...talk about ironies!

Pray that all this settles down by next week, else the German's will receive a very exhausted and bed-raggled Geetanjali on the 7th October!!

Monday Blues?

Damn this whole thing! What should have been an exciting thing seems to be just a headache now. Sure I knew I'd have to work doubly hard for MA and Alliance Francaise on my return, as well as before leaving. I was OK with that. What I wasn't OK with was this confusion. My passport still hasnt come yet..isnt that brilliant? Way to go babe...you're set to conquer the world. Ha!!!

As if this wasn't enough, there's a big confusion about tickets. I've finally sorted it out a bit and think I'm going by Alitalia, but knowing I can't visit Mansi has taken all and any excitement and eagerness out of the trip. I was supposed to go visit Mansi in Muscat on my return journey, but we ended up coming to face to face with some bizarre rule that female tourists can't enter Oman without a male escort. I waited for a few days to find out about it and anyways today I finally gave up and got my Gulf Air tickets cancelled. Only to get a mail from her asking me to hang on for a few more days. I'm so tired of this whole mess, I just wanna stay here now.

I'm so fed-up of everything. My life used to be simple at one time..what went wrong? I mean right now just everything in my life seems complicated - social life, personal life, studies, this exchange program...I could just curl up into a foetal position and give up on everything. I'm tired. Its been over a year and things just won't settle down. If I get one thing right something else goes wrong. If this is what it means to grow up and hope to have dreams fulfilled..I want a simple, staid and boring adult life.

Time To Spit Out Thoughts....

It's been a crazy wierd week. Full of energy, bustling activity, with not a moment to spare for any musings or pondering which I'm prone to. Quite a lot happened this week - mostly positive, very little negative. And that little negative was not directly concerned with me, so it's actually been a marvellous week. Some fundamental things got cleared out, without much thought or anguish, and I'm feeling lighter and better than I have in months now. Right from deep inside. I'm relishing this feeling of good inside me for now and hope it lasts and leads to better things in the future.

Today I was supposed to go to BCL and study. Also planned to go to Oxford Bookstore to pick up some books I need, browse and chill out at the 'cha-bar'. But I'm feeling lazy and well, somehow not in the mood to travel all the way to the other end of the city. Next week is quite light so I think I'll go mid-week for a change, after lectures or something. Guess I'll make the most of my day at home and do some studying at home itself.

Kunaal is coming tomorrow. I'd promised him that we'd have a petit rendezvous when he comes down. This would be the last one we'd have till I return. So anyways I made plans and decided who all I can call..till the problems started cropping up. So now it seems half the people I invited can't make it! So its gonna be a tres petit rendezvous! LOL! Troubled me initally then I decided not to let it ruin my general 'joie de vivre' state of being! Que sera sera...I am looking forward to spending time with him - one of my three guardian angels! Haha!! :)

Am reading Suniti Namjoshi's 'Feminist Fables, Saint Suniti and the Dragon'. It's a minor feminist classic in which she has reworked ancient myths, legends and fairy tales from the West and the East giving them a feminist slant, making the reader re-think and question traditional, accepted roles of the woman in society and culture. Certain sections caught my attention and I couldn't resist posting them on the Literary Mosaic...

Feminist Fables

They are worth reading, even if you are not a feminist, or for that matter even if you a male-chauvinist...you will find them incredibly witty, elegantly written and amusing!

I've never talked music on the blog before...bizarre considering the importance of music in my life. I recently picked up a CD titled 'Voyage II' - world music. Here are some favourites from the collection:

1. Enya- Only Time (Theme from'Sweet November')
2. Moby- Porcelain (Theme from 'The Beach')
3. Sarah Brightman- Eden
4. Enigma- Return to Innocence (a very old favourite of mine!)
5.Karunesh- Punjab (Amazing haunting melody!)
6. Vangelis- Chariots of Fire (Theme from 'Chariots of Fire' - who hasn't heard this one?)
7. Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan- Silence

Enough for now...there are so many thoughts raging through my head right now I'm getting confused with what to give priority. Time for a long refreshing bath, a pampering session perhaps...adios for now..shall be back later!

Dreams...

Penned this last night..don't know why, what made me write it...it came to me and I figured let's pen it down and see how it looks on paper...

"Dreams. Elusive fragments of 'a-reality.'
Real, yet not.
Illusions you want to delude yourself into believing.
Clouds flitting in your conscious, unearthed from your unconscious.
Manifestations of unspoken desires.
Will they ever be 'real'? "

What think?

Mantras, Seminars and Romance!

Phew...yesterday was the second and last day of the seminar. It should have been two consecutive days, but Tuesday was the last day of Ganpati festival, so the State had announced a holiday for visarjan. I've already blogged about my objections to that...so I won't dwell on that again...

But since we are on the topic of religion, someone recently reminded me of the soothing and healing power of shlokas being recited. It may sound corny but mantras/shlokas being sung in a soft, rhythmic manner can truly make you feel good from inside. I guess it's the same thing when people feel good inside a temple. I seem to lack that quality - I only admire the architecture and idols from an aesthetic point-of-view and completely miss out the feeling of humility one generally feels in front of the idol. But chant the gayatri mantra around me or make me sit for a havan...I feel good inside out!

Hmm..back to the seminar. The second day was GOOD! We started off with Dr.Bharucha, who needless to say was excellent. She dealt with Rohinton Mistry an his 'Repossessing of the Master's Tongue.' Dr.Lukhmani did a stylistic analysis of Hiromi Goto's poem 'The Body Politic' - that was very interesting. It led to a huge discussion on the whole issue of the Self-Other dichotomy and we came up with very interesting points. The poet has experimented with the typography, using the paper as a canvas to draw her ideas...a highly interesting poem to read if you can lay your hands on it...here's an extract:

"I can never unzip my skin
and step into another.
I am happy with my colour until someone points
out it clashes with my costume.
I hold my culture in my hands and form it on my own,
so that no one else can shape the way
it lies upon my body."

The next session by Ms. Kumudavalii Vasudevan...I don't know what she spoke about. It was highly boring!!!
The post-lunch sessions were excellent . All three of them. Ms. Anju Makhija's perspective on children's literature in Canada was followed by Dr. Mala Pandurang's analysis of the metaphor of 'cultural baggage' in M.J.Vassanji's novels. The last paper was by Dr. Manju Sampat who dealt with Bharati Mukherjee's writing.

Was thinking yesterday on my way home from Andheri station - there's so much I still have to read and learn, it makes me feel really ignorant about the world. Hearing the professors and speakers interact, discuss and illustrate their points by quoting critics, extracts from poems and books...made me feel like I don't know anything!! I seriously must read more. I definitely don't read enough and hardly know anything! I truly have a long way to go before I get anywhere....

Then I overheard this girl behind me discussing romantic gestures...and I was struck by the difference between popular notions and my own notion of what's romantic. The girl was gushing about red roses and sunsets and soft mushy numbers....and I'm thinking...ye gods!! I'd rather get a bouquet of wild flowers - since that's too idyllic, I'll settle for carnations, tulips, lilies, orchids...anything but roses! They are so boring! As for sunsets...I always thought sunrises were more beautiful...and isn't a sunrise more symbolic of a happy future than a sunset? That by no means says that sunsets aren't gorgeous...but well...just a thought...

Just Like That...

7th, Sunday...
Did the first bit of shopping after drawing up a list (I have to be organised in everything I do!) of the stuff I need for my trip. I'm getting some stuff from Shubhra didi and some from Appu so I don't need to buy too many woollens and stuff I will NEVER need in Mumbai. But I did need shoes (the sensible variety, not the types I normally favour!), and an overcoat and thermals. Picked up a pair of shoes suitable for walking on icy surfaces, just in case it snows (defi will in the Black Forest mountains and I fully intend to visit that region!), and a black overcoat. Awesome..I felt like a terrorist in it...I know I will be one of the crowd wearing the thing in Germany...but it felt wierd to try it on and see myself in the mirror!! Also bought a couple of tees and shirts ....not cap sleeves/sleeveless like I wear here, but full sleeves...more suitable!
In the evening we went over to Shashank and Julie's for dinner (they are Bhabhi's bro and bhabhi)- that was a duty evening-out!! No further comments...

8th Monday...
Today is Mansi's birthday. Last year this time I was with her, at her farewell party. This is the first year since I've known her that she ain't here for her birthday..feels darn odd not baking a cake for her, when I'm dying to. Might just bake one and eat it myself...she will hate me for doing that...but what the hell...I'll tell her when I call her up later tonight, just to make her screech in irritation! Muhahaha - cheap thrills. I miss the babe...

Today was also the first day of the Seminar on "Re-membering the Master's Tongue -Politics of Language in Contemporary Canadian Culture." The Canadian Consul General to India launched Dr Bharucha's and Dr.Veveina's book and then the 6 papers of the day were read out.

I wish there was some way of knowing before-hand which people will be interesting - of the 6 papers read, 3 were utterly drab.
An extremely interesting analysis of Eden Robinson's short story "Queen of the North" by Dr.anjali Bhelande was followed by 2 highly boring and dead presentations : Ms. Vibha Vasi's study of the play "The Rez Sisters" and Dr.Conde's study of Alice Munrow's "Runaway." The one in the post lunch session was really mind-numbing and quite successfully put us to sleep. As a result the next paper, though interesting didn't register. Ms. Kamala Gopalan's analysis of Lesbian Writer's Engagement with Language was interesting but well....
The last 2 were really awesome. Dr.Sunanda Pal spoke about the dynamics of belonging in Claire Harris' "Drawing Down a Daughter " - it's a collection of poems. And ofcourse Dr. V - she is the best! Her study of M. Nourbese Philip's poetry was mindblowing!!! I wish however it was scheduled for earlier in the day when my grey cells were alive and kicking, not seduced into a semi-comatose state!
Looking forward to the papers on Wednesday - Dr Bharucha is speaking first, then a load of others who I hope do not sing any lullaby! (Bitchy, ain't I?)

Musings...

Yesterday was yet another ' Ganpati Visarjan' day. Every time, I have my objections to this whole procedure. The festival was started as a way of uniting people during the British Raj, by Lokmanya Tilak. It was meant to serve the purpose of reminding people that we are one as a nation and that we should put aside petty differences in worship of one God. True, the spirit of harmony is present even today - we have all heard of the legendary Lal Bagh Ganpati which stops in front of a mosque on it's way to the sea, but haven't things gotten way out of hand now?

The simple clay idols (which when immersed in the sea didn't pollute it or harm the sea-life, other than perhaps raising the water level eventually, which isn't really good for the ecology) have been replaced by monstrosities made out of Plaster of Paris, and Oil Paints. In order to gain their little spot in the limelight, people also resort to tactics like making Ganpatis out of Chocolate (last year) or Dal (this year)!! I wonder what they do with that - immerse the idol and waste 'food' or give it street children to eat - which would be blasphemous! But then isn't the idea of making an idol out of chocolate, itself blasphemous? Not to mention highly ridiculous? And then there's this competition for the 'richest' Ganpati -read gaudiest display of wealth, invested wrongly - where is this wealth when we talk of the country's progress? Does the Lord truly want all this? Does He need such an obvious display as proof of our belief in Him?

Then comes the noise. I know people feel festivals are times to celebrate with great pomp and cheer. But there are people who like to sleep at a sensible hour and not be woken up by the clashing of the 'lezhim' and the beating of the 'dholak' at midnight. What about the people who live by the sea..I live close to it so I have an idea what the ones right by the sea have to go through - the noise keeps them up through the night.

The immersion, is yet another story! Most do not know this, but at Versova the bigger idols are placed on a plank balanced between two boats, then the boats go out into the sea, find an empty spot, and Lord Ganesha is kicked into the sea! Am I the only one seeing this as an insult? The same idol is thrown back by the sea in bits and pieces for days later and ends up in the garbage truck of the BMC. And ofcourse the beach is littered with the remains, flowers, plastic, thermocol and what-not for months.

What are we achieving by all this? Can't we worship God in a way that would truly be holy in every sense of the term? In a way that would not harm other people, organisms and the environment? Some how in view of all this the feelings of awe and humility I should experience when in front of an idol, just vanish. C'est triste!

Update?

Ah..I mentioned I had a meeting with Prof Lange, right? Well that went quite well. We had to fill out some forms and discuss the accomodation options. We decided that we'd prefer a flat - the rent once we divide it amongst the three of us comes upto the same as a hotel room would cost. And if we rent a flat, we save on food, coz then we can atleast cook the basic stuff and eat just, like, one meal out? That would help, considering our stipend ain't all that much. As Prof Lange said we are gonna be on a 'shoe-string bidget' specially if we hope to travel. And I definitely do - as much as the cold weather allows! *Brrrr* Apparently it doesn't snow in Magdeburg every year, but it drizzles, and temperatures go as low as Zero Degrees. Ofcourse it will also get dark by late afternoon and since its a small town, streets would be deserted and lonely. That will take some getting used to - here streets are rarely ever deserted before midnight!!

Also met the 2 German students who've come down this year for the exchange. They seem nice enough - they did make a few comments about our dear Dr.Bhongle but it was in German, so well not comprehensible. Sad...would love a feedback on Bhongleji...Muhahaha!

What else? Yeah there's a seminar next week organised by Dr.Veveina, on The Politics of Language. It's an Indo-Canadian venture which will be inaugurated by the Canadian Consul General to India by the launch of the books written by Dr V and Dr.Bharucha repsectively. These two ladies are simply awe-inspiring! Infact we (New Lit and PIES students) gave them a token of our appreciation today, since it was Teacher's Day! Anyways yeah the seminar - its run into some problems because of, well, some very nasty people - I hope that sorts out by Monday.
*Cross my fingers!*

On a last note....before I start my second novel - Sunetra Gupta - Amit left last night. And Madam the Genius (we are referring to me here) confused the dates and as a result didn't get to meet him before he left. Damn!!!! Well, que sera sera...and the process begins again....
*Sigh*

Literary Tidbits...

I just stumbled upon this stanza from a poem of Dylan Thomas -

"Do not go gentle into that good night
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

It reminded me of a poem we did in class - Prospice by Robert Browning. Written after his wife, Elizabeth B Browning died, he looks forward to death in the poem, but sees it not as succumbing to an inevitable end, rather as a fight against an enemy. A powerful poem. Ofcourse Browning has been a poet I've enjoyed reading ever since College days, so it goes without saying that I would like this one too...

Read The Poems

On to other things - I just finished reading 'Looking For Maya' by Atima Srivastava. No, I didn't pick it up becasue of the common surname, no, she's not a distant relative or anything. I had heard of her last year when we studied Diasporic writers for Contemporary British Literature. Then Preeti happened to mention that she had the book because of this seminar they had for MA (I) students ( personal grouse - why couldn't MA (II) students attend that seminar?)...anyways I took all three books that were dealt with: 'Looking for Maya' by Atima Srivastava, 'Anita and Me' by Meera Syal (I've seen the movie.) and 'Glassblower's Breath' by Sunetra Gupta. I read this one first since I've heard so much about it. It's a book about a young girl's search for her identity. An interesting read - you can finish it at one reading. Here's how the novel starts:

"Sipping an espresso, I stretched out my legs in the sunlight. All around me, people were babbling in different languages, students, tourists. The waiter in his crisp apron carried precarious coffees to the tables set on the pavement. Behind me, I could hear the Italian football on the big screen, inside the café and I felt inexplicably happy. The final examinations were over, the long Summer: yawned before me and I had a feeling that I was going to live and live. "

I'm going to post a review on Literary Mosaic - do browse and if you can pick the book up and read it. It's a recommendation for sure.

Gotta rush now. Got a meeting with Prof Lange at 3 pm today at the Campus - to iron out last formalities of the exchange program. He's in Mumbai only for 2 days before proceeding on to somewhere else for more important work. It's only 10.09 am, but I intend to sit in the Library and get some work done before the meeting...so ciao for now...shall be back...

Contemplations And More...

I was clearing out the stuff I had saved on the computer - sorting out junk from what's not - and I stumbled onto this. I wrote it on a particularly low day and well it got me thinking again...

"...and so I sat down one day and howled my heart out. Odd how people call themselves your 'best friend' (I'm gonna screech if I hear that term applied to me once more!), but don't even begin to scratch the surface as far as understanding you is concerned. All they are interested in, is a facade that they have forced upon you, what THEY believe is you, not what you REALLY are. Pull the strings - jerk you around like a puppet. Is that what 'friendship' has come to mean today? A means of getting what you want from the 'other'? A transaction that fulfills your needs in the business of life - but one that requires no research or dedication? I've seen more emotion in a business transaction...if this what it's all about I'd rather be a 'lone warrior'..."

-March 25th, 2003.

I don't think I agree completely with what I've said. Yeah friendship sure seems to be very farcical these days, but being a long warrior? I don't think i'm strong enough for that. I must have been royally pissed off at the person that set me off that day, I can't remember exactly what did set me off, to boldly make such a declaration. Ah well, it's easier said that done. Said that to someone else too, today morning. So easy to preach ain't it? Dole out packets of advice. But so difficult to put even half of that into practice when you are faced with the same situation. I should know...

Today was one of those awful days when little happened and little went well. I started by making a major blunder in the morning, which I wish to erase from my memory sicne I can't turn things around. My back was aching since yesterday evening, and legs felt like jelly. Add to that an allergic attack, which meant I was sneezing my head off this morning. In order to stop that I had to take an anti-allergic, so I couldn't take a pain-killer. Went to the University with the mother of all backaches. Was so dopey, I hardly registered what was happening and even missed roll call in the second lecture. Didn't bother to get myself marked later either. Luckily I have studied a bit today, so the day wasn't a total waste. But there is this overwhelming sense of incompleteness - I keep getting a feeling that something should have happened or that I'm forgetting something. Wonder what?

Hadtalika ki Teej, Gauri Pooja and Ganesh Chaturthi

Saturday was Hadtalika ki Teej. It's the equivalent of Karvachauth, which is a more popular festival. Basically you fast for the 'lmabi aayu' of your 'pati parmeshwar', hope that you won't be widowed, and that you have his 'saath' for 'saat janam' - from my tone you know what I think of such concepts, and you can guess if I will ever subject myself to it! Anyways, it's a more demanding fast than Karvachauth - in this one you can't eat in the morning or even after the 'chand' comes out. You eat directly the next day, or else there are all these dire consequences to worry about. Anyways the fast is culminated by praying to Lord Shiva and Parvati (Gauri pooja) and reading out the 'katha.' Amma and bhabhi kept the fast and we had the pooja in the evening. Ofcourse I had no part in the whole affair, considering I'm not a 'suhangan' and ofcourse more importantly, my opinions!

I had gone to Cottage Industries with Papa - he's flying to Germany next week and had to pick up corporate gifts, stuff for colleagues and friends. After shopping for all the gifts, we lunched at Mondegar's and made a quick stop at BCL before heading home. I met Appu at the station before proceeding to Bhaiyya's office to get something scanned - came home and Appu got her work done by Bhaiyya. She left and the pooja started so I sat for that. After that I met Amit - twisted his arm to meet him, but I had had a rotten day in terms of my swinging emotions (god do they swing like a crazy pendulum these days!) and I needed to get out of the house. Took a loooooooooooong walk before coming home. Just thinking about it - I'm gonna miss him like crazy when he leaves on Friday. So what else is new? I miss all my friends, and well - I missed him like crazy all of last year till he came! C'est triste!

Sunday- Ganesh Chaturthi. A day that brings good luck to many houses that welcome the Lord into their midst! I had to visit a few houses too. Appu obviously. I've been going there ever since the first time they kept a Ganpati at home. This time I reached nice and early, helped set up everything and was there for the 'sthapna pooja' and 'aarti' - sumptuous meal, leisurely afternoon spent chatting with one of my dearest friends, some work on her reco-s and SOP for her applications for MS in the 'Land of Dreams' - and then I left. Last stop for the day was Mausi's place - chatted with Preeti about life, its complications, love et al!!

Got home by 11 - was so tired! But didn't sleep immediately - Kunu called. I was on the phone till midnight...hehehe! And then chatted with Amma till 1 am. Yeps I slept after that - 4 hours - pretty awesome considering my insomniac phase, eh?

Got to go the university early today....shall continue this later..have more on my mind that I wanna spit out.

Guten Tag

The invitation letter has finally arrived from Magdeburg University. And what a way it arrived in! Since there was no news from Germany, I had no dates that I could give the girl who is also going on an exchange program from the Dept of German at our university, obviously to Magdeburg. Anyways so she told this to Ms.Dinter - who teaches at the German Dept twice a week. Ms.Dinter (a very nice lady I must say!) emailed Prof Lange, HOD, English Dept, Magdeburg Univ. The next thing I know is that I have received two emails from Prof Lange and our dear HOD Bhongle calls up saying that he has received the invitation letter by fax! Today I went to the univ just to collect my letter - its a faxed version of the letter Prof Lange sent by email to me.

I had replied to Prof Lange and asked him if there is a particular date we should reach by - he suggests that Saima and I reach during the week starting 6th October, since teaching commences on 13th October and stay till the first week of January, so that we can also collect the stipend for January which we can't if we leave by Dec. Hehehe!! The stipend allotted is 400 Eu...damn neat na? I'm beginning to agree with Sandeep jijaji when he says that the Germans are a nice lot!! :)

Well I guess now I shall start preparing in earnest - there's a lot to be taken care of. Study harder so I can get as much reference work finished off as I can before leaving...shopping for warm clothes, thermal wear, jeans, tops (this is the fun part), gifts for Pat, Sudha didi, Mansi (yes Papa said I can stop in Muskat on my return journey and visit her for 2 days or so! Awesome na?)...medical insurance...any material I may need for my stay there...guess its officially time to get excited, eh? And time to pick up a few German phrases too! :)

University of Magdeburg