Desi and Videsi Vibes

Well, its not difficult to guess who are in complete love this season...The stuffed toy looks very much like the one which Neha got when she first came to Bangalore...and the rest of course is history




































Picture Varun and Prity post their Las Vegas trip.. Why or who is masked is the real question


























Only when you end up like this Kapil , you can save the doughnuts for me, till then devour...




































When I see Joneja, I see what Homer sees in the mirror, but he assures me that its actually not what it looks...Does anybody know the real picture?





























When the 200 lbs NJ resident Tiwari, after numerable rounds of chilli vodka, spelled out the choicest and the 'holiest of the holy' - I felt nice. Sometimes you just like listening to someone using the choicest of his vernacular vocab...

Bombay Heights

Bus Ride – Bangalore – Bombay


I boarded the bus around seven in the night and till about 10 in the morning, was not sure as to which all cities we zipped past. Unlike other long distance bus travels this one was quite comfortable. From morning 10 till about 12 in the afternoon the ride was very scenic. If I were to forget that I was in India, it was something very much like a Euro bus trip. I did not expect that it would be so scenic and was taken by surprise.


Mr. Kolpert, a play by David Gieselmann at NCPA


I took an instant liking for the National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA), both by its architecture and location. In a city like Bombay where every inch of space counts, NCPA stood starkly different. I get to understand that its hexagonal auditorium is one of its kinds in South Asia. Above all that; I begin to savor the joy of being at a place which provides a platform to so many budding aspirants, and brings renowned artists to the many lovers of art.

Mr. Kolpert has five characters – Ralph and Sarah, the leading couple who invite Bastian and Edith over to their house for want of entertainment and then there is a pizza delivery boy. This play is directed by Anshuman Jha, in spite of the list of accolades listed about this young director on the internet, I personally did not find the performance by him as Ralph to be anything remarkable. His obsession with the mug from which he was apparently sipping his ‘cognac’ was more of a means to control his fidgety hands. Nisha Lalvani delivers a good performance throughout from start till end, whereas Amrita Puri, though she appears to be quite dumb and fake initially, later kind of explodes with emotions.

On thinking about the play now, I feel; how for the duration of the play we as a part of the audience are transported in time and space. It’s purely the expertise of the actors to make us believe to be a part of their lives. I for instance had completely lost track of my surroundings, the people sitting next to me and anything else whatsoever. It relieved my mind of all the small and big things which were running around all over it.

(I was quite intrigued by the remark of a young boy, eleven or twelve, who said, that ‘the view was quite flat’ from the seats in front of the stage when compared to the view from the balcony of the auditorium.)


Marine Drive, South Bombay

This boulevard, in the evening, was the best thing that I discovered in Bombay. The view of the city from the sea shore on which this promenade is built was akin to what the Manhattan I always think would be…There were all kinds of people and though getting a place to perch on the kerb was difficult, yet all of them are oblivious of what you or others do. Big cars zipping by on side and the waves lashing on the other side, was to me where the civilization of Bombay ended and was put to rest by the sea. It is a slice of Bombay, which will always be close to me.


Days of Glory, (Indigenes), PVR Juhu

Directed by Rachid Bouchareb, this not one of the gory war movies; it’s beyond war, beyond causalities. It’s a tale well told, well made and well delivered. I remember Jamel from Amelie and Asterix and Obelix as a funny little man, with a very unique way of delivering dialogs, with a sort of typical accent. I thought of him sometimes as a fidgety mouse on loose. But then, his performance in the movie is quite intense, but similar mannerisms. The movie was a great insight into those times, the terrain, the morals, the people and the struggle.


Café Mondegar, Colaba

Well I was thinking what the hype is about this place is, and when I step in from a rather small doorway, which has hawkers for all sorts of things, I am welcomed to trance in the midst of a bustle. Even sans the music and the graffiti on the walls, the place was a haven for all seeking refuge from the hum-drum of the city outside.


Bade Miya, behind Taj at Gateway of India

Delicious, yummy food and must go for all those take a delight in Indian spices and preparation. In fact, that’s the place where I decided, had to go once again before I left Bombay.


Basilico and Candies, Bandra

The peach iced tea at Basilico and the cold coffee at Candies are something which entices me to visit these places again. Both these places had a string of people immersed in their own worlds dropping by.


Balaji South Indian Foods (Anna), Koparkhairane


Anna as he is popularly called by all; made excellent tea, and I slurped some two-three glasses each time I went there. Anna and his store made quite an interesting watch - how his customers – kids, travelers, neighbors, people on their way to work, made a beeline for his tasty breakfast offerings…He managed the customers, making all (however small) customizations they asked for, managed the cooks, managed the vendors from whom he had to buy ingredients and still maintained a calm composure…

Movie Reviews

Hamlet - When coupled with the literary brilliance of Shakespeare, Hamlet was nothing less than a spectacle of its kind. Mel Gibson comforted me with his incredible performance; in fact I would add the only performance which I put to his credit. For not having read Hamlet before, made the movie, a gripping watch till the end of it and not forgetting to add ‘To be or not to be’ continues to be the universal dilemma.

Babel – According to Genesis, the people of the earth decided to build the tower of Babel which would reach till heaven, ambitious and equally foolish, the attempt was left mid way, when God decided to make the people of earth speak different languages... Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Babel though ambitious is no way foolish or left mid way. Not only that, Babel is so far the only movie which took me to the verge of jumping into the movie to take control of what’s going on. Given a gun, I would not have hesitated to shoot Santiago right in his head for being so incredibly reckless and irresponsible. The Japanese girl moved me, her longing for love, just left me thinking how blessed lots of us are...When I saw the plight of the Mexican nanny, I just realized, that how to be framed for something you did not even think of doing, can really leave you both so helpless and miserable at the same time. Though one more to the list of parallel story telling, I would still highly recommend Babel.

Cinema Paradiso – The movie leaves you spellbound with the Totto and Alfredo’s love for cinema, how their lives revolve around it and however strange it might seem, Alfredo intuitions are always true. Totto is simply one of the most adorable characters you can’t stop falling in love over and over again. When he grows up, Jacques Perrin, perfectly captures the emotions of a passionate and love stirred man. Adorable watch, definitely would not rate it very high on my list of all time great movies.

History of Violence – This movie has the potential to ignite the ‘male’ in you. The plot grows on you slowly, and gradually, and suddenly you realize that what you have on hand is a ‘killing machine’. The subtle romance, ‘laid back’ setting of the countryside town, and then the intriguing plot - all together a nice weekend watch.

Trainspotting - Something close which helps you recover from the aftermath of the grand movie ‘Pulp Fiction’. Requiem for a Dream comes second for me after Pulp Fiction, followed by Trainspotting. Read the opening excerpt from the movie Trainspotting, to give you a feel...

“Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television; choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suite on hire purchase in a range of **cking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the f*ck you are on Sunday night. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing ***king junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, ***ked up brats you spawned to replace yourselves. Choose your future. Choose life...
But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose somethin' else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?”

Constant Gardener - Ralph and Rachel made me believe how opposites attract so intensely and faith, in fact a sea of faith which is needed to see a relationship through. The social message, African misery, consumerism, political lobbying and diplomacy were just peripheral ecstasies Constant Gardener offered. What made the movie really a memorable one was how different two people have their ways of loving each other; and how important it is to understand the nuances of these expressions of love.

My Favorite Picks from the movie
Justin -“I do not have any home; Tessa was my home”;

Tessa -“I feel so safe with you”

Tessa - “In any capacity – wife, lover, mistress”
Justine – “You give me too many options to choose”

My family, my short cut to salvation

>> Daddy

Would you call the task Herculean, if you need to vary the ranks of the armed forces to bring back the lost smile on your father’s face? I bet you would not. His broad shoulders (grew broader with shouldering responsibilities), small clear eyes reflecting his clear conscience and his sturdy walk, all seem to say one thing unison – “I am a self made man.” Even if you do not know the adorable characters ‘Chackroos’ and ‘Mangroos’, you may be tempted to hear the stories. Well well only those privileged few, who have spent innumerable hot summer, cold winter, pleasant and not so pleasant afternoons and nights with him, would vouch for the originality, innocence and out-of-nowhere elements to these characters. Well, if I forget to mention his strong affinity to the words ‘Manathil’, I would not to do a wee bit of justice to him. If by chance you did not believe in your roots, better not be found anywhere close to him, else you might just stop believing in yourself! He knew what I would be even before I had started thinking what I wanted to be...

Some things are better when they are not understood and just felt.

>>Mummy

The warmth in her eyes and the soft touch of her hands can take away any lingering pain. She lives her life, no façade, no pretence. When she laughs, she laughs, when she sobs, she sobs and mind you when she growls, just stay away. There are no emotions she pretends to hide, making her more alive every moment. Caveat : when she is hibernating, she means that too...If you wish to experience the love that oozes out when she hugs and kisses you, you need not do anything extraordinaire, every moment lived is a reason for celebration. Not a single frown, a muffled laughter, an unspoken word, a stray thought goes undetected from her radar. Not only that, she know exactly what needs to be done to shoot down that UFO on my mind. Well something which I learnt quite young – if you have something in one hand and you are going to pick up the second one, stop. Keep the first thing in your hand at its rightful place and then pick the second. It always helped, literally and otherwise.

>>Brother

If I knew anything that is dangerously contagious, it’s his ‘spirits’. Well let it be a bright day, dull day, sunny day, dark day, rainy day, sunny day....no matter what, if he can’t cheer me up, chances are no one else can. You don’t have to seek the wisdom hidden in his words; it’s always served right on the platter, often garnished with adequate humor. For a contemplative soul like me, I could not have asked for me... Lots of our things fall into the same boxes, the ones which do not help us fill ‘our’ empty boxes neatly. Chances are he will sense that something is going on your life but you may just not take notice of the tumultuous tide in his life. That’s unfair right? Hidden behind what he ‘yells’, ‘mocks’, ‘acts’, ‘croons’, ‘jigs’, ‘jokes’, ‘cries’...is his true self. Very few are able to see ‘him’, those who do cling on...


Well what’s it all got to do with salvation? Well for me salvation is what I need for my quotidian woes, and nothing short of divine providence gives that to me in abundance in what I call MY FAMILY

( nirvana )

The frantic effort to keep myself 'awake' had begun
I began lookin around intended purely to get a 'better grip' of the reality.....
Reality ?
To commit myself to myself......
To seek whose behind the camouflage.......the 'real' one....someone......
But then my indulgence... turned out to be quite fatal......
Somethin very grim, ugly and.......

I was scared to see the 'objects'
Wat 'objects' ?

Many like their worlds to be occupied with them .......filled with them.......
But then it scared me, literally
Some of these 'objects' had ghastly expressions......
Sans smile....
Sans sex appeal......
Exhausted.....worn out....crippled....maimed........
Where are they heading for ?......Wat did they loose out on......?
Wat happened over the years ?
I believe the 'objects' too were like any of us....
But then over the years the unyeilding surmounting demands
Transformed their personalities.......or shud i say 'characteristics'....?

I am scared the 'heat' doesnt take its toll on me....
I cant imagine myself......as one of those 'lost types'......
The 'objects'.....
Well well then thats not wat i am here for......
Thats wat i am not lettin myself to end up.......
Transfomation is inevitable....but no way is it goin to head this way.....
I am not allowin that to happen......
I need to stay in touch..........but with what ?

Save urself, the doomsday is at hand.....
This not the begining, it is neither the end....
It is the begining of the end.......
Beware of the corporatannabilism,
And those who manifest it
Look out for the devils.....they are everywhere....
Just beside u ....rt behind u....

Believe me, u wont even realize
You would have turned into one…
Probably if all this 'outburst' seems to crap to me oneday
I wud know for sure.....
I am one among them....
I hav lost my self .....my old self
I hav moved to a new 'realiztion'.......
But then my brain wud rationalize, patronize
My behaviour, and my attitude as being the rt one...
But wat is right ?
Infact for that matter who decides wat is right for me ?

I dont know wat am i chasin......Am i chasin or am i being chased........
Am i the prey ?
Who the hell is the 'hound' ?
I need to reverse the roles.....soon.
Before the 'maze' takes over the control.....
I need to steer my way thru.....
Will i realize wat is the way....probably i will not and then yeild again..
Succumb again....wat?

Then y did i 'let loose'...
Maybe i will not find a path for myself.....
Or proably the track i choose will pave the path....
Deracination.....elitism......sacrilege....
Spirit to question the answers,
Then to question the questions....
Going on to question the 'seeker'....
But then i did hav a sense of achievement, truimph
Oozing out of me, but then......
But achievement over wat ?
Did somebody say trapped in a ‘trance state’ ?

Maybe......but then who is stoppin u and from what ?
What is it that u are actually seeking for ?
Is it someone...Is it something....
Is it nothing ?
The vacuum is filling up.....Yes it is.....positive,
And it is advancing at a ruthless pace....
Unwanted though....yet inevitable....
Inevitable..........

The 'music' is deafenin now...
Where is the "door"?
Escape....Runaway......Water........

Nirvana....

Pondicherry - Rendezvous, Ashram, Promenade, Boutique....

Scene 1

Going by the weather forecast, I decided to pack an extra pair of clothes, an umbrella and medicine for cold and running nose in a water proof bag. The tickets were booked and the stay was already taken care. Unlike other trips, I decided to pack only hours before the travel, and not days!

Scene 2

Shorts, umbrella, sweat shirt, and a travel bag – I thought I looked like an exotic species of traveler. Lesson number 1 – when people travel they have enough and more things to keep them occupied rather than exotic species of travelers. Boarded the bus, mind you a sleeper coach, and where you could sleep like a log as in a train. I was soon dozing off, oblivious of Smitha’s shrieks and jolts from the berth below me. She was possessed by the travel ‘spirit’ which haunts her during travel and comforts her otherwise. This ‘spirit’ has a special thing with creativity and each trip a different sort of haunting and hallucination. Those of my fellow travelers, who have been mute witnesses, would vouch for it.

Scene 3

By the time I figured out whether I was supposed to feel cold or frozen, (remember my special attire, with my lower body exposed), it was time to haggle with the auto fellows. The good thing about Pondy haggling with auto guys is that it is always 15, 20, or 30. The guy at the reception at Soorya International was stunned to see us for the third time in a row. He wanted us to actually see the rooms; he was sure that he had not renovated the place, and it was exactly how we had left it since the visit before, and the one before that. Little did he know that his was the only number we had for checking out for a stay at Pondy!

Scene 4

Buffet breakfast was quick, walk down to Ashram, I ask for the map, the woman at the counter checks – Oriya map? I quickly realized that one’s self affirmations can be quite deceptive. Nothing English about me everything desi. I was looking at Rashmi’s quizzical expression, when she asked me, “Why do you have to be silent at the Samadhi?” I offered an explanation, didn’t seem to be logical to her. I gave up. I hear she also asked why there are so many firangs in Pondy. Nobody offered any explanations.

Scene 5

Quick walk to the promenade en route visit the ‘Fleur and Fern’, ‘Aurofurn’, ‘Centre for International Education’, and the ‘Embroidery Department’. During the hop at Splendor, I end up picking belts which I might need if I decide to buy footwear of that color. (I have knack for planning for future). I consult the map; soon discover that Thapar has a natural flair with maps and directions with elaborate explanations as to why the selected route is better. While all are muttering curses on our walk from Splendor to Rendezvous under the sweltering sun, I pray that Rendezvous lives up to its expectations. Surprisingly it exceeds our expectations, the ‘chilly beef green onion’, ‘seer steak’ and ‘fish richeado’ go well with everyone. On our way back to the hotel we stop by at ‘Hot Breads’ for some delicious pastries and dough nuts. We sleep for good three hours in our rooms.

Scene 6

Now we begin the shopping escapade – Auroboutique, Cottage Industry, Auroshikha, Shabd, Vak, Kalki, Casablanca, Hidesign Factory outlet... Though most of escaped the shopping spree unscathed, Sudipta could not just stop himself from buying for Munmun. He was ready to buy the clothes from the kids section too! Finally we settle for dinner at Annachi and we savor - prawns masala, prawns fry, prawns biryani, and kothu parotha. Mind you all this walking up and down while it is drizzling non-stop, is done by five adults with two umbrellas. The various combinations of whose going to be in whose umbrella lead to a lot of pouting, frowning, and muffled laughter from us as well as the bystanders.

Scene 7

Next day morning – Sudipta and Jose – ashram followed by breakfast at Rendezvous – omelet, ham, sausage, fruits, pancake with honey, unlimited tea and coffee. The others breakfast at Cottage restaurant – Brown crispy vada dipped in delicious sambar, ghee roast with pure coconut chutney, hot piping coffee. (Nobody could decide which was a better breakfast) After that we went to the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, only to find it closed.

On our way back, cupid leads Jose to the humble dwellings of Pujarini at Bindaas Café. Quite mesmerized by the charm of the lady, Jose is left speechless. He decides to let the lady know of his literary prowess by reading out aloud articles from the French magazine. (Pujarini tries hard to turn on the music). She absent mindedly invites the gang to a Bollywood dance practice with Norwegians girls and looks at Jose with straying eyes. That was the last the gang heard or saw Jose in senses; who was instantly turned into an ardent devotee of Pujarini.

All he can now hear, clear and loud is her laughter; and that is what will remain close to his heart for the days to come....

Santa Claus is coming to town

Nihal: gregarious, not street-smart and loves western classical music and adores his personal collection. He is responsible for a JEE implementation project for a Japanese client. He works at Bangalore and lives on the Airport road.

Maya: smart, practical but not very out spoken. A freelancer loves gardening and essentially a ‘dreamer’.

Mrinal: a six year old dreamy child with a sparkle in his eyes. Curious to explore things around him and is fascinated by the stars in the sky and their patterns. Loves Pokemon.

Zakhir: the regular-on-the-street autowallah hails from Hyderabad and lives by the rules set by ‘Munnabhai MBBS’.



Scene I

Faint sound of Beethoven’s ninth movement being played in the background. Nihal rushing through his breakfast. Maya busy on her computer, composing something very intriguing. Mrinal all dressed up for school, watching the Christmas special on Pokemon.

Nihal: Oh damn it. I mean what is this. It’s even more complex than my daily dose of su-duko while driving my car to work. What does this Hujikawa san think of himself; the god almighty himself. And why does he need’ inch-by-inch’ details of the project progress. Does he think that he is dealing with set of motley clowns who need to be monitored....?

(Mrinal, suddenly distracted...interrupts)

Mrinal: What did you say papa, Hujikawa san. Should I also start calling you papa san and Santa as Santa san?

Maya: See, this is what I have been telling you all this while. You and your IT jargons are influencing the thoughts of our dear Mrinal. See how he wants to call Santa as Santa san.

Nihal: Let’s not start it off again Maya. Chal Mrinal I will drop you at your bus stop.

Maya: You always escape from any serious discussions. Anyways, I am really struck up with my article for the Xmas eve. I seem to be completely blank and I don’t know why it keeps happening Nihal. I think we should probably discuss this with your influence on Mrinal. So that means we have two discussions pending. BTW, don’t forget to pick up what you were supposed to pick up last week.


Scene II

A typical day at work for Nihal.

(Jose is almost sleeping on his desk when Nihal walks in...)

Nihal: What’s up with you today, Srinivas?

Jose: I had a really rough night yesterday. No electricity baba. A splitting head-ache. I’m planning to sleep here till the power comes back.

(Phone rings...)

Jose: Nihal, its paddy here. I don’t think I will be able to make it for the meeting today. My ‘live-in’ partner ‘walked out’ on me. I don’t think I will be able to make it for the meeting today. I need to figure out how to get back my things back which she took away.

Nihal: Can you...Hello, hello.... Who do they think is the project manager here...? This in turn means I’m the only one who would be there for the ‘inch-by-inch’ review with Hujikawa san.

(Later at the T-con with his client)

Nihal: I truly understand your concern Hujikawa san, but understanding the underlying technical complexity in achieving integration between technical version 1.73 migration point to 1.79 migration point has been very challenging.

Hujikawa san: Nihal all you have is three hours.

Nihal: What three hours? But but my resources are undergoing some specialized training on the advanced tools to manage this complexity…

Hujikawa san: We are not working tomorrow, how about tomorrow EOD.

Nihal: Yes, yes, tomorrow by EOD we will be able to give you the prototype.

(Phone vibrates… Nihal is not able to concentrate)

Hujikawa san: What is that disturbing sound, is it your phone Nihal?

Nihal: Excuse me, I think it is one of our technical specialists with the latest update…Yes Maya what is it?

Maya: Do not forget the gift for Mrinal. I am still blank and I don’t know what to do…I really need complete the article, Nihal are you there, Nihal, Nihal…

(He snaps the phone.)

Nihal: Sorry for the interruption, let us continue...

(And so on and so forth Nihal’s T-con goes on and on. Barely does he realize that it is already 9:00 and what all he needs to accomplish. God why do you make man so weak?)

Nihal: Oh my gosh! It’s already nine, I need to rush to MG road and pick up the ‘Master Blaster’ bey blade for Mrinal.


Scene III

(While Nihal is battling with his predicaments at work, let’s us peek-in to see how Mrinal and Maya keep themselves occupied at home)

Mrinal: I don’t think I’ve been a good boy this year. Santa has not yet given me my gift yet. I’ve been a monster as mummy keeps calling me. But at least I have finally finished making the cards for Papa and mummy. And also some candles.

Maya: I really do not want to disappoint Mrinal this Xmas. Though I’ve been calling him a monster and ‘faltoo’ all through the year. I know that he has been an angel all round the year. I just hope Nihal does not forget the gift. I think I will sms him to remind him.



Scene IV

(Nihal ventures into the unending traffic of Bangalore from Electronic City. Every inch of space, a victory indeed. Radio city his only companion, distracting and irritating Fiona doing what she can do best- gossip…)

Nihal: If Santa Claus were to actually come down to Bangalore, leave apart Airport road, Santa would not even reach the kids of Bommanhalli. I could see the bey blade in Mrinal’s eyes today morning. Santa why don’t you ever do your duty religiously and spare poor fathers like me…

(Nihal, inching further, finally manages to reach Brigade road, only to find a serpentine queue of vehicles…If things have to go wrong, it definitely does…)

Nihal: I think I will leave my car here and rush to pick the bey blade and get back in a jiffy.

(Things are never simple. At the store there is only single piece of the Master Blaster bey blade and to add to the commotion, there is another contender for it. Will Nihal be able to outwit his competitor?)

Customer: The last of the bey blades, well I have it now.

Nihal: Oh thank god that’s the last one in stock and I can pick that up for Mrinal.

Customer: Well well where do you think you are taking it away?

Nihal: I was here before you and I am the rightful owner for it.

Customer: Do you think you have your name scribbled all over it kya?

Nihal: By the way do you have it engraved or what?

Customer: Let’s arm wrestle to see who wins…

Nihal: What a crazy idea is this. Better think of something substantial now.

Customer: It’s going to be arm wrestling.

Nihal: Well who guesses the price right gets to walk away with it. Its 499 I must say.

Customer: No way, 699.

Nihal: It costs 525 and I am closer to it. I take it.

(That was not all for Nihal; his card was not working when he went to pay for it. He somehow managed with whatever liquid cash he had. If things where as simple as this all of us would have been heroes. Little does he know what is in store for him outside the store?)

Nihal: I think it was my good presence of mind that I was able to outwit that scoundrel. Hey how similar does that car look. Well almost exactly my color and the patch exactly like mine. Are they towing it away? Well what is the number on it? Oh my gosh, that’s my car. That is my car. Hey where are you taking it. Stop, stop. Oh it’s gone. They towed it away. What will I do now? I think I will take care of it tomorrow.

(You see Nihal was confused. He really didn’t know what to do. He was not at fault. Neither where they. But that’s how life is right. C’est la vie. By the way you must be thinking where our popular Zakhir disappeared. Well he was waiting for his prey in his auto nearby)



Scene V

Zakhir: Yen martad di ra.. Eh chipkali kahan jaane ko mangta?

Nihal: Airport chalna hai kya?

Zakhir: Boss bole to 200 lagega. Chalna hai kya?

Nihal: Kya 200, one and half le lo na bhai.

Zakhir: Kya bolta hai saab, airport road se khaali aana ka. Wahan se koi bhi saawari nahin milta boss. Waise bhi aaj kal petrol aur gas ke daam to kya hai maloom hai kya? Bangalore zoo chalna hai to bolo…

Nihal: Why did I ever decide on buying a place on the Airport road…? Don’t worry boss, mera neighbor roj ghumane ke liye MG Road aata hai. Aap ko sawari zaroor milega.

Zakhir: Last price bole to 150 aur wapis aaneka 50 aur extra lagega. Chalna hai kya?

Nihal: Aacha chalo. What a crook he is… Jaldi chalo bhai. Airport road ka traffic mujhe yahan se hi dikh raha hai.

(Zakhir manages to keep his cool while maneuvering through the traffic. He is at his best with his regional Kannada for everyone on the road.)


Scene VI

(Well finally Nihal manages to reach home. It’s already past 11 and little is he surprised to see Mrinal awake.)

Mrinal: Good evening papa.

Maya: Nihal is everything intact? Everything is in place; right?

Nihal: Yes. Everything finally accomplished. Oh no where is the gift? Where is the gift? I forgot to pick it up from the auto. Maya won’t believe me. Mrinal won’t forgive me. I have failed.

Maya: Nihal forgot to get the gift. Poor Nihal could not make it and I could not even help him.

Mrinal: Papa and mummy, I have something to tell you both. Please read this…

(He hands over the apology letter. Maya reads the letter and is almost in tears, Nihal is drowned with guilt.)

Mrinal: I always wondered why Santa never gifts you both. Papa you work so hard through out the day and Mummy you keep writing and thinking all day. Why does Santa never gift big people? So I have made this card and some candles for you. Merry Xmas.

(He hands over the card and the candles. The parents are speechless)

(Suddenly the doorbell rings…)

Mrinal: Well it is exactly midnight but I do not think it is the Santa. I am not opening the door.

(Nihal opens the door, only to see Zakhir at the doorstep)

Zakhir: Saab, bole to woh 50 rupees wapis jaane ka apun to abhi chahiye. Kya saab itna accha kapda pahanta hai aur pachas rupiye nahin de sakte kya?

(Nihal is almost mad)

Zakhir: Saab bole to apun III class tak Bishop Cotton school mein padh re la. But bole to family problems se padhai to choot gaya. Baad mein falily mein bhaut bada ho gaya aur who khush ho ke apun ko auto de diya. Par saab, jo Santa Claus ne apun ko gift school mein diya tha, who aaj bhi apun ne sambhal ke rakha hai. Bole to apun ko maloom hai baccha log gift ke liye wait karta hoga. Kahan hai tumhara baccha log?

(Zakhir hands over the gift to Mrinal)

Mrinal: Tumhara naam kya hai?

Zakhir: Bole to apun ka naam hai Zakhir. (Zakhir wears the Santa cap) Sorry Zakhir hai nahin tha. Mein Santa hoon. Merry Xmas.

Nihal: Yes, Mrinal, he is indeed the Santa. Santa Claus is coming to town. Indeed Santa Claus is coming to town.

(Santa Claus is coming to town, played in the background)







Apology Letter

Papa and Mama,

I am very sorry for being a ‘monster’ all through the year. When the guests came over and all the cookies were missing, it was me who had all of them. When you both were not around, I copied the home work from Rustum’s textbook and watched Pokemon all day long. And all the time I complained of stomach ache, and not go to school, it was bcoz I was feeling lazy. I am so sorry papa and mummy. Papa I also tried to open the cupboard to see the magazines kept there.


Mrinal

The Race

there’s a man going around taking names
and he decides who to free and who to blame
everybody won’t be treated quite the same
there will be a golden ladder reaching down

when the man comes around

the hairs on your arm will stand up
at the terror in each sip
in each sup
will you partake the last offered cup?
or disappear into the potter’s ground

when the man comes around


(the light is gradually focused on the stage, three men are ready to run a race, and the faces are not visible)

Xy: who are you?
XY: I AM XY. I KNOW THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST AND THE NUMBER
IS HUGE NUMBER AND THE NUMBER IS SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY
SIX. Beware of him… He is everywhere. He is here too.
XY: WHO ARE YOU?
Xy: I am XY. Do you know what I do for a living? You
better not know. But in the process I learned to
survive.
XY and XY: Who are you?
xy: I am xy. Life is melancholy and unfair. The only thing
in life you know for sure is that life is unfair.

All of them repeat xy. We are xy. They hold each other’s hand and run, but do not move.

Anonymous: you will all reach together …..ha ha ha ha
(they all turn back…..)
Anonymous: you will all reach together….ha ha ha ha…
(they all ask together ‘So what Moron?” )
Anonymous: So what? What else the golden ladder….
The golden ladder that leads down

(they look at each other)
Anonymous: Don’t you know of the golden ladder? that’s
there at the end of it ….
(they all answer ‘no’…they ask “what is the this golden ladder?”)
Anonymous : the golden ladder takes you down, you get what
you want and you loose nothing. Everything is
for you and you are for everything. You will
want no more as there will be no want. you
will be you.
( they all ask : but who is you? We know only we…where did this you come form? What is it? What does it do? What does ‘You’ not do?
Anonymous: ‘You’ is ‘You’. (points at each one of them)
And when each one of you see ‘what is in it for
me? you will find you……
Anonymous: do you want the golden ladder?
to each of them, all of them say “yes”.-
( the anonymous disappears )
Anonymous: Believe me the answer is blowin in the wind
The answer my friend is blowin in the wind

xy: I do not want the golden ladder…. I do not want to
leave, and get the golden ladder. He could be the
beast. He is the beast do not believe him…
XY: WHY ARE YOU SCARED WE WILL ALSO COME WITH YOU… WE WILL
FIND THE GOLDEN LADDER. I CAN SURVIVE ANYTHING
Xy: we will see who will get the golden ladder first.
Life is unjust and you never know what to expect at
Any moment
xy: I don’t want the golden ladder….i am not going
anywhere. I will wait here. And why should we go to
get the golden ladder. We are happy ourselves. We do
not want anything. We have everything.
XY: I AM GOING FOR THE GOLDEN LADDER. I AM POSITIVE.
Xy: if I reach the golden ladder before you, I may get
more of ‘everything’. Remember he said, ‘everything is
for you and you are for everything’.
xy: but before you both go, can go there get me some
water… I am going nowhere. It never made any sense to
me. If everything is what everybody is going to get,
then we all can get it together. We can have
everything together. We All get the same wont we?
Will you get me some water.
(Both of them turn back to get water …)


xy: I found what is in it for me. I know who is ‘You’. Take
care you evil ones. I will reach the golden ladder
before you.
(xy starts running, leaving both of them behind, they also start running behind them. )
XY: THE RACE HAS BEGUN. THE RACE HAS BEGUN. INDEED THE
RACE HAS BEGUN.
XY: I will overtake him and you. I know where the ladder
is and I will not tell you.
XY: HEY PEOPLE JUST A MINUTE. YOU ARE ALL MORONS. YOU HAD
NO SENSE BEFORE AND YOU STILL SEEM TO HAVE NOTHING AT
ALL. WHO SAID THE GOLDEN LADDER IS THERE.….IT IS HERE.
NOW I WILL GET THE LADDER FIRST. HA HA HA HA
(xy and xy start running after him. They are all running)
XY: who said he is right we were running from the
Beginning there. We will get the ladder there
itself. I don’t want to run this way. I am sure you
will not get the ladder there.
He starts running in the original direction. Rest of then feel he is right and they start running behind him. he lets them overtake him. once they are ahead, he runs back in the previous direction. The other two still run in the original direction. Now there only two of them are on the stage and are running.
xy: can’t we stop for sometime, I am tired and I don’t see
any ladder
XY: even I am tired but we will not stop.
(they see a woman running along with them.)
they both stop and go to her…
xy: are you xy, whom we met in the beginning? Why do you
look different.
YY: no I am YY. And what are you?
(both of them together say we are ‘xy’)
XY: HEY DO YOU KNOW WHAT? I FEEL SOMETHING IN ME WHEN IS
SEE HER
xy: even I feel something when I see her. What is yy. Yy
is good.
XY: ARE YOU COMING FROM THE GOLDEN LADDER?
YY: what is the golden ladder?
xy: the golden ladder there at the end. There everything
is for and you are for everything. There is nothing
You want as there will be no want.
Yy: will you take me to the golden ladder?
XY: I WILL TAKE HER TO THE GOLDEN LADDER.
Xy: I told her about the golden ladder I will take her.
XY: I WILL TAKE HER.
xy: I will take her.
They both see that yy has already started running for the ladder…. They also start running behind her

(all of the characters now slowly appear on the screen….
All of them are running in a circle….)
xy: no way out. No way out. we are trapped
XY: IT IS A STATE OF TRANCE. ILLUSIONS EVERYWHERE. WHAT IS
THE REALITY. WHERE IS THE LIGHT.
XY: WE HAVE LOST EVERYTHING. NOTHING WAS OURS. NOTHING DID
WE GAIN. WHY DID WE DO THIS. WHY ARE WE STILL DOING
IT. CANT WE STOP?
(Anonymous is in the center and laughing…Ha ha ha ha ha)

xy: can’t we stop the race ? (to the audience)
XY: CAN’T WE STOP THIS FOR ONCE AND ALL?
(to the audience )
XY: Do we need to wait for someone to tell us? Can’t we
stop ourselves? (to the audience)


there’s a man going around taking names
and he decides who to free and who to blame
everybody won’t be treated quite the same
there will be a golden ladder reaching down

when the man comes around

the hairs on your arm will stand up
at the terror in each sip
in each sup
will you partake the last offered cup?
or disappear into the potter’s ground

when the man comes around

( “the man comes around" written and performed by johnny cash, under license from universal music enterprise )



(November 2, 2004)