This Diwali - This is one of the oft-used phrases of late. Everyone seems to be using it, so thought I, why not join the club.
Was kinda happy to learn that we’d have a long 5 days weekend “This Diwali”. All kinds of plans were given a thought. Going home and celebrating it with parents, or chilling out in Goa (as we frenz from hostel had done 3 yrs back). Dunno, whether I wanted to save money, or was perhaps too lazy to finalize any of those. Was pretty tired of late, eversince I came back from the Kashmir trip. As a result, planned to put all those options to rest; came back and slept early on a lousy Wednesday evening, absolutely clueless about the day to follow.
So, ended up spending “This Diwali” in Bangalore. Feared it would be one of those long boring holidays in bangalore, where all I did was try to do some work, and finally end up wasting my time on orkutting and chatting with folks (a big time killer I must admit).
Twas a dull Thurday morning as I woke up after sleeping for more than half the time that a human-being gets in a day. In fact a good 2 hours more than that. Was kinda sad to start with as it was already afternoon n I’d gotten around 20 missed calls and as many sms’es by then. Somehow dragged myself out of the bed and started brushing as my building watchman started ringing the door-bell like mad. Seeing no response, he started banging the door. Apparantly he was eagerly waiting for me to wake up so he could clean my Gujju (Gujju bole tou My environment friendly Khatara) – as I pay these guys 50/- for each wash. The real motive was to get an excuse for asking for some money before he left for his native place. Half an hour went past, and again the door started shaking. This guy knew English as well as I knew Telugu.
He’s like “saaar … money”.
I’m like “coming coming”.
“yes sir”, as he pushed me aside and started marching into the house, all serious n stuff. Half surprised, I dinno wht to say. Thankfully my DC skills helped me enuff to convey the right message and get him out of sight. He was to again catch hold of me once I finally went down. But this bugger scared me for a second!
As I was wondering when to go to the co, it actually occurred to me that it actually wont be a bad idea to go meet some people. A Bangalore Darshan would sound more like it. Went to Food World, bought around half a dozen packets of “Cadburys Celebrations”. Came to the petrol bunk right nxt to our house on Bashyam Circle. Put petrol worth 1000 bucks for the first time, and it was great to see the my petrol needle in close proximity with the ‘F’ word. “Warna humesha ‘E’ ke ird-gird mandrate rehta hai”.
10 min down and there I was “ghar ka nikla … tanha akela”. Headed down south, to what I now consider my second home – to the Barua’s, since 1991 – home to one of my best friends – Arindam, who’s currently busy cooking his meals and washing his clothes in USC, Los Angeles (looks like he’s getting himself prepared for married life), and I heard he occasionally attends classes wheneva he finds time from his busy part time job. Jokes aside, its always been a great feeling spending time there, and what better occasion than diwali! Spent a good time telling uncle and aunty about my recent trip to Kashmir. Aunty like a true mother was busy telling me about how Arindam’s getting up early these days and getting all responsible responsible (I can only hope so!).
Took leave and headed furthur south, through the narrow road intersecting the Rly Line meeting up with the Mysore Road. Ah, Mysore Road, tht brings back quite a memory. Dint realise, and I’d spent like 4 yrs, all of which flashed in front of the eyes in a few milliseconds. Dint get too much of a time though, as I quickly moved on to the Ring Road, past Pesit (something we RVites used to look upon very much the way most of the Indians look at Pakistan, it even started with the same god-damned letter, how silly, hehe!), past Food World, and a right-turn, and the fourth left, and the nth house on the right took me to my next destination. The board read – “Surayu” or something like that. Called up Sindhu (classmate from RV), and was kinda releived to realise that I’d finally managed to reach the right place, after having parked my vehicles in front of two other “gray” houses and ringing her up. And Surayu was far from “gray” as she’d described it long back. All along I was too busy trying to impress her with my gyaan on y MBA and y!MS, often bordering on philosophy – can't account for any semblance of logic as to wht philosophy had to do with a BScool – but ask Sindhu and she’d surely agree with whateva I had to say. In fact the actual credit for all the knowledge comes from our “Gyaan GuruDev” in Talisma (better known as GyaanJee amongst his ardent followers).
Soon I was out of Surayu, and I was contemplating meeting up with someone with a similar sounding surname. But, tht person lives up-north. But as I was still in South Bangalore, thot the Diwali Santa Claus should meet up with the folks in that part of the world – it was just a coincidence that it was mostly young women - who constituted the “folks” on my Road Less Travelled.
So, me calls up Seema (nice friend) who was unfortunately out with some friend. Damn! I should’ve guessed and no wonder as there were too many guys hitting her scrap-book @ orkut, and she’s too sweet a girl to say no to the corniest of dudes. Again a co-incidence that I happen to be up-to-date with the scrap-books of most of the women on my orkut-list, cant help it L.
As I was crossing Jay Nagar (on my way to MGs), just thought of meeting up with the Bakshis. I vaguely remembered where they stayed, and when I reached where I thot they lived, all that I could see was an empty land instead of a three-storeyed building. I was astounded seeing the building disappear. After struggling a bit, managed to find their land-line no. and Boxy da (as we called Abhishek Bakshi – my snr from college and indisputably RV’s most eligible bachelor) was all surprised to see their land-line ring. The instrument made it presence felt after a yr or so apparently. Inspite of boxy giving me the directions, I cud reach only after my share of Binary Searching. I’ve been to their place at least thrice before; Damn, I’d make such a hopeless driver. Btw, it was two diwalis back that I’d visited this place last, and boy did I have a nice time then – u always do when there are good looking women around – donn u? Anyways, that’s a different story altogether. Bakshi aunty was all goodi goodi sweet sweet, as she always is, narrating stories about boxy and his unending list of friends. Couldn’t have digested boxy’s friends without the lovely pudding that Aunty had prepared, yum! But, honestly, it felt good going there after a while. But, could manage to spend only little time there, as Rama (da Talisma dude, yo!) kept calling me time n again to find it I was planning to come anytime sooner.
Finally, rushed back to the better half of bangalore (for all the reasons). Went past a few “mamas” – especially the ones near Cauvery theatre circle - who’s only job it seems is to pounce on any vehicle with a non-Karnataka registration. I’m scared of them even when I’m not driving my Gujju and actually walking past them, damn!
Had called up Namrata (classmate from RV) in the morning, and promised her tht I’d visit her “Paati” (granny) in the evening once, the “social animal” that I am. But seeing no one at her home (Malleswaram) dinn dampen my spirits. I was only happy cuz that meant that I saved on a packet of “Celebrations” – which would be my dinner if no one cared to offer me one (I can be such a scoundrel at times!), and moreover I could spend more time at my next destination, which happened to be a lille further north. Actually I’d been to that place only once in my life, and I guess I don’t have much left to talk about my sense of direction and memory. I went past IISc, took a right turn and dragged along as I crossed KV IISc. Kept going straight as I looked for the elusive left turn. But that was not to come. Finally after some time I got one and I moved right in (kinda knowing that it was the wrong turn, still hoping otherwise). But now I was stuck, I dint remember much after that anyways. No Search Algo would’ve helped. Parked my vehicle and thought it was a nice time to walk after driving for close to 60 kms. I walked past all the subsequent right turns that I could, with a stupid grin on my face, as all the residents happily celebrating diwali stared at a stranger lost as if unsure of his existence. Finally I had to give “her” a call, to find out if she was at all at home – I obviously wansnt particularly interested in meeting her family. A touch disappointed with the answer, Diwali wishes were exchanged and I headed for Shriram Srishti (SS) Apts where dear Rama was eagerly waiting. Although there was enough room for old sparks to fly, I must say, this was more out of honest intentions and zero expectations (u folks know me), so nothing really to be disappointed about, rt? Readers who know me at a personal level, I guess would very well know who I’m talking about. Yeah right, about Champakali (:D). Khair!
Reached SS, and was amazed to see the atmosphere. It was like 100 people jumping all over the place, lighting candles, bursting crackers and the likes. I headed straight for Rama’s flat, met up with Ram Senior and aunty. As usual, handed over the “Celebrations” chanting “Happy Diwali” in true Santa style – guess I’m taking the metaphor too far! Then as per mom’s strict instructions, I was to light some diya’s at our to-be flat (707B). Rama arranged for the needful and there we go. Although there’s still no electricity as yet in 707B, the view from the verandah was breathtaking. From that height you get to see a good part of the city, and it was just a treat to the eyes. In no time we were done with the lighting of diyas and before we could assemble for the functions and events at SS, we found time to visit Sriranjani (our collegue at Talisma – by the way lotsa people from Talisma have bought flats at SS) and family. Her son – Adwik – was just too sweet to take your eyes off from. Spent about 5-10 min playing with him, before we joined the gathering in the space between the two SS towers. General introduction was taking place for the SS dwellers, and before I could realise they started calling out the people from 7th floor. Somehow gathered myself up, and managed to blabber something amidst thunderous applause. Later Rama told me that I indeed made some sense. Felt happy about it J, hehe! As everyone followed me, a familiar voice called me from behind – “oh Nikhil Bhaskaran” – another Talisma dude (n a big-time biking freak). Next to him stood a young lady, and before he could say anything I suggested – ur sister right! The answer was not to be in affirmitive, as he immediately pointed out that it was “his aunt” and not his sis. I was like – thank god it was not the other way round! I tend to open my mouth more than I think I shud.
Soon, the events started unfolding one by one, beginning with the fire-crackers and the colorful rockets. Soon after, we started off with a competition for the couples and it was amazing fun, looking at the urgency and seriousness that was exhibited by the participants. According to the rule, the couples were to stand facing each other and a circular strip to be passed across them – top to bottom. The fate of the couples was based on when the music stopped as they passed on the ‘cycle rim’ to the next couple. It was fun to see how some of the slightly hefty couples managed to pass the rim across their combined might. Then we started off with Antax (myself and rama leading the gentlemen) and some cute looking young ladies (unmarried I hope) leading the other team. It was great fun and age was really no bar, as each member on either sides added to the fun. Great show! Then we had another game called “30 seconds to fame”, and there we really went after Rama. Rama – the creative guy that he is - came up with a great idea of making the couples (less than 5 yrs into marriage) propose to each other in their unique ways. Remarkable among them was one couple where the guy proposed to his wife like a “mumBHAI” – “apun ko tere se shaadi karna ko maangtaa hai kya” – types, and guess what, in return he actually received a sandle. That was quite a response! Time’s changing guys, watch out!
Finally the time came for the prizes for some of the events. And I was kinda shocked to hear the results of one of them being “the best dressed male”, cuz it was given to me.Not too surprised after I opened the gift, only to find that it was a deo-spray (AXE to be precise). Was wondering for the actual reason y I was selected. I knew the long day had its toll, but …
As I started my way back from SS towards Talisma (yeah Talisma, cuz its more like home; if u’ve got nothing to do, u know where to go), the mama’s made their entry into the story. “You don’t have your seat belt on. You only need to pay 300 now” – was all they had to say. Eventful as my life always is, I aint anymore surprised with how my life unfolds. I requested them to be fair to me on a diwali evening(this would infact work during ramadan days in Kashmir with Muslim traffic folks), but not with these mama’s during Diwali. I was asked to park my car and wait. Thankfully so, as it allowed me to do the smartest thing I’d done the whole day. I immediately took out all my 500s and put them inside my car and walked up to them again to plead. One of ‘em tried to sound a bit understanding and offered to lemme go at a 100. I was like, this is all I had (3 tenners and some chillars) and no wonder that bugger settled with that after another dose of persuasion (long live Sudeep Saha – one of my RV classmates – the god in these matters). Later I realised that I could’ve done away with a tenner or two, damn! I aint that smart also!
Finally I reached Talisma at 12 am. As I went to the café to recharge myself, I realised that the folks who were partying in the compound in front of Talisma were not done as yet with their diwali celebrations, leading me into one of the best displays of rockets ever. The colorful explosions happening in the sky in rapid succession was truly mesmerizing. The fact that I was standing on the terrace added to it cuz most of the explosions were happening at my level, giving me a unique - so to say - 3D view of the explosions. There must’ve been around 300 explosions in a span of 2-3 min, around 2 per second. The sky was bright and colorful all along. Just outta this world!
Wht a way to end “This Diwali” and it was surely better than sitting in the co. the whole day and …
Just a passing thought – Obvi it has its own charm celebrating Diwali with your folks back home, but it isnt that bad celebrating it with the folks as I met them at their respective places, with the RJs on Radiocity (that kept me going), with the kids as I crossed small lanes - planting tiny bombs or lighting flower-pots, with all the people I saw on the road – full of energy in their sparkling outfits, with an odd rocket dispersing its colors on the horizon; seriously the festive mood the pervaded the atmosphere. Believe me, it was great fun seeing the city celebrate “This Diwali”, and twas truly worth the 100 or so Kms tht I covered to realize that.
