Trip to Vizag

Our jaunt to Vizag was a freak out plan that took birth about four weeks ago. Drained and strained by the hectic chores of life at 3:30 or 4 am on a Friday (that’s quite like us) we took a decision to pack our bags and leave at the earliest possible date that was commensurate for all. At times in life we often reach a point wherein the mechanical routine gets so much into you that the solitary desire to ‘break free’ overtakes every other daily duty, routine office work and responsibility that binds you. Such was our frame of mind when after six months of deliberation (am sure all of us involved know how many times we have discussed a vacation) we took the call to just ‘go’ “come what may” be the consequences.

A vacation is the only time wherein we get time to contemplate about life, where we are and maybe what we intend to do. My agenda for the trip was a bit different. As mentioned before it was to break free from the shackles which bound me for the last few months. But alas destiny has its own plans in every intended trip which sparked some colorful moments, hilarious incidents, surprise separations, heightened emotions - all of which paved way for some great experiences and thought provoking realizations.

Amongst the other places of visit (Kailashgiri, beaches) I somehow knew that I would go back to the Kali temple eversince I visited it for the first time in 2007. I felt at strangely at home and relaxed. Ma Kali’s eyes conveyed unconditional assurance. I thanked the person who built this wonderful temple facing the sea.

The climax of the trip was definitely the night out at the beach. Along with my friends I went absolutely crazy. We totally let loose, experiencing an all time high - shouting, screaming, running and absorbing the night in ecstasy. To load shedding and complete darkness added to the excitement. It almost unbelievable how we invested our efforts to get the correct focus of the camera and managed to pose in darkness for "perfect" photo shoots. The waves dashed and as usual I fell completely drenched. One of the few times, I let go completely. It seemed that all my virtues and vices fused in the unending sea and for once I felt I could be myself minus any pretensions and consequences.

The road to Araku got me connected with the mountains and their grandeur. The constant defenders of nature irrespective of time and space gave me the much needed feeling of consistency in vacillating times. Borra caves, gardens and coffee plantations was a time of prefect communion with nature.

To add to my philosophical reflections I would emphasize that the trip exposed me to a mixed bag. The eternal sea with the rising and receding waves reminded me of our journey through life with its highs and lows. I traced the path of a wave rising from eternity, making for the peak midway or towards the end but reaching its destination to this side of the shore at any cost. It seemed that the sea told me the story of life. On the other hand the mountains spoke of solitude, peace, determination and permanency in nature. I drew inspiration for my inward nature and internal solace. There could be no better balance and leveling of life a combination of the moving sea and still mountains.

My trip was not only one of reflections. I had a ball of a time laughing my heart out, cracking jokes, being a victim to the silly ones, tripping to glory, complaining, yelling, demanding food hungrily, fasting, yapping, sleeping, being sarcastic with anger…It covered almost every emotion… So a toast to the buddies who made this happen …I love you all!

I would coin this trip as certainly a one I would look back down memory lane. As the saying goes people, associates, acquaintances friends come and go in your life but memories, and feelings remain. And some moments which are trapped within frames of a photograph add to the bag of experiences that stay with you. Surprisingly I remembered a film dialogue that “The show must go on” irrespective of any situation. It’s our spirits that trigger us to move on. An interaction with nature reiterated this fact yet again.

She was in chains...

Quite some time a younger me wrote this one:

She was in chains...seemed like within four walls of prison
Confinement was her life, solitariness her friend
She dwelt alone with her thoughts in her small world
One day, the tempest arrived...the earth shook
Crumbling and rumbling the doors broke, the chains crashed
It seemed she was confronted with eternity, unlimited and boundless was her vision
The wind touched her face, she breathed the fragrance of nature
She ran wildly, screamed aloud, insanity drove her
She was free, forever free...
But insanity was transient...she heard the sound of chains again...
She felt the pain...tears gushed down her eyes
Running and panting she came back to the walls
All she could see was debris and total destruction
She wondered whether the storm had destroyed her life?
The alarm bell rang and she jumped out of the bed
It was dawn which transcended through the four walls which bound her
So was she dreaming or was it in nightmare?
She wondered in despair...
She went back in her little world where she dwelt in her own thoughts
But then she could hear the chains whispering again
Maybe someone someday would free her
With a mixed bag of hope and despair she continued through the day thereafter

A new ray of light in our lives

It was sheer excitement, hope and joy in ally with mild anticipation that began nine months ago and finally culminated into 21st May- The day when “Ahona entered planet Earth!”(That was my sister’s title line in the album she sent us). Life at times unfolds its beauty in the obvious yet most unique experiences. That’s exactly what dittoed my feelings the day my niece was born.

In spite of being located in the other half of the world, my pulses ticked with greater speed ever since I heard that Didi (my sister) was in the labor room. When I heard the news from Kingshuk da( my brother in law), I gauged that physical distance which is often coined as an obstacle is at times superseded by overwhelming emotions and happiness. Although I won’t deny that I would have loved to be there, I was no less ecstatic in my present vicinity. And in present times of pressure, stress and madness of the rat race, it’s not often that I feel this way.

What followed was endless phone calls, sms, exchange of greetings, deliberations about her pet name and celebration. There was a wave of euphoria between family members, relatives, friends and well wishers. I felt that the common chord of happiness struck between a group of people who were separated by physical distance and yet unified by their strong bonding and attachment. My niece’s birth reiterated this fact yet again.

When I first saw her photographs I was unable to believe my eyes. My imagination had been contoured within the frames of some magnificent pictures. Her gaze, laughter, tears, wonders and surprise stares summated to a pristine and pure feeling which filled me with gratitude to the divine. Didi’s subtle smile, Kingshuk da’s happiness and Ma’s joy were all trapped within the lenses. On this side of the globe, it’s amazing how her snaps can color even the dullest days and gloomiest moods with a heartfelt smile.

I later learned from Didi that Ahona means dawn or the awakening light. The name is indeed symbolic. Ahona is the first member of the next generation in our family. As Didi and Kingshuk da enter parenthood, we (me, cousin brothers and sisters) become Mashis (Aunts), and Mama (Uncles), and our parents, aunts and uncles become grandparents, it is the beginning of a new phase for all of us. She has entered with a light of sunshine in our lives, rejuvenated our spirits and a belief that life is beautiful.