Goood Morning – A new day, a new year!

This year has started on a whole lot of positivity, unlike last year. Don’t even wish to remember some “incidents” and difficult times caused by unscrupulous people. But, lessons learnt well

Anyway, met a childhood friend after 6 looooong years…we visited Delhi Haat…did some shopping…had some yummy steamy momoz …Met another friend…received a bunch of my favorite flowers(tube-roses) and a music CD that has a collection of my favorite old songs. A very thoughtful present I must say. Had delectable Chinese food for dinner…and a sinful cheese cake to celebrate the new year eve. Will post some pics very soon

So it was meeting friends, presents, shopping, food-ing and fun! Absolute bliss! Delhi is bringing so much happiness to me…could not have asked for more. Love this place.

Touchwood!

Happy New Year to alll you lovely people….. once again

A new chapter in my life!

The train screeched to a halt, early in the morning. I rushed and sprang up; while I ran my fingers through the dishevelled hair and tied it into a knot. I was half-asleep when I pulled my baggage out, and a gentleman helped me open the door, seeing both my hands were full. I politely thanked him and got off the compartment. Breathed in the air, that was fresh and pure…and misty. Morning air always cheers me up, no matter what. Heard the sparrows twitter almost close to my ears, I couldn’t help…but smile. The sky was clear and blue, as if…rinsed with heavy rainfall; the previous night. I walked over the platform pleased and burdened with my heavy bags. I could hear the noisy traffic outside…amidst auto walah’s who scratched and grinned and continued to pester asking… Madam, where to go? I plainly ignored, and basked in the glory of arriving at my destination.

There’s something special, yet distinctly uncanny that pulls me back to this city…this time for a little longer period though. A city that has an unpredictable; yet lovely weather. A city that has  managed to retain some of its huge, gigantic trees and greenery. A city, where a few of my closest friends live. A city, that offers tremendous opportunities to hone my skills, and a city with lots of excitement, madness and joy.

Take a guess…which city? In the meanwhile, let me discover what’s  the special thing about this city that has a magnetic effect on me.

Those alluring Clouds o’er Machu Picchu, Peru

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            (Pic Source: National Geographic – Photo of the day, describes as “Perched high in the Peruvian Andes, the royal retreat of Machu Picchu testifies to the Inca’s masterful building skills with its precision-cut stones and perfectly placed cascades of terraces.”)

Incredibly beautiful! (Have added this to my list already Yes, the list of those sought after destinations I shall travel hopefully; in this lifetime )

The return of Khokababu(Best of Tagore)

Recently, I read a translated book of Rabindranath Tagore’s collection of short stories, The Return of Khokababu by Sipra Bhattacharya. I was completely enthralled reading the chapters, so much so that for a minute I did not want to abandon it and wanted to finish it uniterrupted. Needless to say, this book is one of my most prized possessions now. Simple language, touching stories & characters are portrayed with great sensitivity. Tagore has taken us through…possibly all shades & emotions of life in this collection of short stories.

Most of the tales have women as protagonists of 19th century from Bengal, very poignant & subtle by nature. Their plight of endurance, everyday struggle, unexpressed desires, woven delicately in the form of the tales; indeed touched my heart. But, I also loved Tagore’s imaginary world, sometimes as “Highway”, sometimes as “The Ghat” .  An excerpt from The Highway’s Tale reads as ” I allow nothing to remain – neither laughter nor tears. I only let myself remain, alone, for ever.” There are several such thought provoking lines in the book, that I have underlined them (Out of habit).

No, I do not have the audacity to review such a literary genius’ body of work. These were some of my thoughts after finishing the book, that I wanted to record.

Thank You!

I am hopeless when it comes to tags, since it involves big time thinking & I find it really hard to exploit my leftover brains but a few days ago I got these Badges/Awards for which I am grateful to quite a few…& obviously I cant help but flaunt them

Thanks a lot Comfy

Thankyou Celestialrays

I also would like to take this opportunity to thank others too who have taken time off to visit my blog till date and have managed to leave their sweet comments which has genuinely made me feel happy and content. I have loved connecting with allllllll of you through your lovely posts/blogs…here you go,

Puja, Swaram, Masood, Anup, Mahmud Faisal, Bluemist, Titaxy, Comfy, Celestialrays, LOI, CB, Dev, Psych Babbler, Ajay, Mandira, Fareesa.

Few intermittent visitors too,

 Quarterbar, Pal, Chinkurli, Rajlakshmi, and if I have missed out on anyone …my apology for the same!

Once again I pay my sincere gratitude to one and all. Keep blogging and continue to visit my blog and share your comments, believe me… it makes my day

Cheers & God bless!

Ghar ka khana!

Interestingly our taste-buds crave for an array of food each time. Sometimes spicy, sometimes sweet, sometimes plain simple food, sometimes no food at all may be. Most of the times, if dining outside I get tempted to try on different cuisines just for the sake of experimenting & experiencing (of course to kill my appetite too), when I realise some taste scrumptious and some don’t.                                

My food habits are pathetic, I hardly eat my breakfast. If breakfast means having a mug of tea, then I follow it ritually with a buttered toast (now I am bored of this too). Lunch is usually a Sub. I prefer Sub not for any Size Zero fad but my work gets really hectic and eating a heavy lunch makes me feel drowsy and makes it difficult to sit through the remaining hours post lunch.  Though some days, team lunch / lunch with friends becomes an indulgent. Dinner I skip if I have had a heavy lunch or may be chapatti/rice with some curry. 

What I long for is a nice weekend home cooked lunch, which I try and make it lavish yet simple. Nothing tops my list than home cooked food. So here I went to hand-pick some fresh looking luscious veggies from bazaar. (Not the super markets as I feel they are not the farm fresh ones). 

Today’s lunch was made of raw jackfruit and potato curry (one of my favourites), lady’s finger cooked with shallots in a poppy seed paste, some daal to go with rice & fresh cucumber salad and green chillies.

Dessert…? It was chilled Lassi (A drink made of sugar & yoghurt) topped with cream to beat the heat!

Thandi hawain…!

The fragrance so sweet,
Weather nice and warm,
Is summer already around?

Summers are painfully hot but there’s something distinct about the evenings in summer, when it’s slightly breezy especially during the beginning of the season! Pleasant and cool, it was heavenly when i just went for a brief stroll around the lake. All I could remember was the song from this movie….”Naujawan” …”thandi hawayein lehra ke aayen…..

have been humming it since then

Am touched…

…after watching this beautifully animated movie Up.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                A dream like …imaginative creation ! Guys, if you haven’t watched it… you have missed something! It’s FUNtastic!

Reading Mania?

I believe, reading a whole lot of books & journals stir up my imaginations. I begin to think hard, kindle my thoughts, collect and try to store them in some corner of my mind. Rethink, and in some sort of way try to connect. Actually; I feel I become more observant, acquiring diversified perspectives, evolving a sense of strange familiarity in & around.

Apparently, it gets difficult each time I finish a book and then rummage through the store to find the next pick. It’s fun. Recently, I finished reading The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards. A good read, about relationships, parenting, expectations, and disappointments, involved. Later, my greed did not subside, I wanted to read more. More & More. This time, I thought a lighter one. Hence, chose Have a little faith – A True story, by Mitch Albom. Albom’s prior bestseller, Tuesdays with Morrie surely was captivating.

Now, this is photography!

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Though it’s  linked to my blog..I fail to visit everyday and thus missed this terrific shot @ National Geographic Photo Of The Day dated 15th Nov 09. The pic, I believe is taken on Spitfire Lake(Northern New York State) in the Adirondack Park at 7.00 AM.

Wintry Mornings

When you wake up in the morning apparently to find yourself quivering, feeling lethargic …yet pleasantly warm …you know winter season has arrived :) … The fogs that refuse to steer away until afternoon sometimes, the sun hiding much behind, the chill, and of course the warmth one feels under the warm clothings is all so wonderful. Much later when the sparkling sunny rays sneak and clear the fog, you feel the intensity and that’s terrific. You strangely feel cosy. That’s a winter morning for you… a season between autumn and spring, a season with shorter days and longer nights! A season for blossoms…a season for snowfall…a season for celebrations!

 We all must learn to enjoy each season the way it is meant to be. Several mugs of hot beverages, fire place, and curled up in the comforter with a book may be… is all I want in a chilly dusky weather. And, do not miss the moonlight in a cold wintry night, it’s incredibly beautiful!

As Henry David Thoreau (An American Author) says, “Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each”

Durga Puja – Nostalgic

Festival means loads of shopping, fun and frolic , get together with friends and ofcourse lip smacking delicacies. It’s “Durga Pujo” time now and as a child I have grown up visiting various Pujo Pandals and the exquisite sculptures of “Ma Durga” seated in those beautifully designed, magnificent and fantabulous themes.. It used to be so much fun to hang around with friends, giving anjali and devouring the bhog of khichudi(A porridge cooked with rice, lentils, veggies), meeshti chaatney(a sweet pickle sort), begun bhaja(fried aubergines) and believe me it tastes heavenly. This festivity used to continue for days together with many more feasts and exotic dishes.

Today, as it’s maha-ashtami I made a complete beakfast of Luchi(Puris), narkel nadu(Coconut laddu), aalu dum, cholar daal(lentil preparation), and paayesh(kheer).

Wishing you all a very Happy Navratri and Dashehra!!

Hot beverage called “Tea”

To be very candid, I was never a tea person and preferred only occasionally when it rained heavily or it was cold, or  may be with hot fritters or when I felt like having a cup of chai just like that …but of late I have started enjoying it like never before in a BIG mug sipping the hot brewed tea…(may be my bong instinct )… Trust me, it’s so revitalizing.  Some prefer it strong; some prefer it sweet and milky. Some like plain tea, while some prefer ginger tea or masala chai. I prefer my tea very light, brewed strongly with crushed ginger & a little tint of milk & almost negligible sugar. If served with spongy tea-cakes or cookies I would simply be delighted. At breakfast I have it usually with a buttered toast or a croissant…and it is a super energizer for the rest of my day!!

Tea, if had in nominal capacity is not injurious, but if someone gets addicted it’s dangerous due to it’s caffeine content, though it’s comparatively less than coffee. We at home have always been loyal to our old brand Brooke Bond, my mom says it gives a very good liqueur . However, I also like Taj Mahal chai which adds a distinct taste to my penchant for tea. With changing times and to cater to tea-fanatics’ altering tastes like me we find an assortment of flavours and kinds of tea these days. Green Tea seemingly is very good for the stressed mind and body and is not harmful due to it’s antioxidant properties.  I prefer it having after a rich meal and it surely makes me feel lighter!!!

Well, today morning for a change cooked myself a nice cheese omlette topped with butter ofcourse along with my favourite adraki chai

It was sunnyday today :)

  

 Stuffed samosas…. with evening chai

  

Chingri macher malai curry(A bengali delicacy – Prawns cooked in a rich and creamy coconut milk). Goes very well with steamed rice

Sometimes prayers do get answered

Until wednesday evening I was like..Oh God phllllz..how good it would have been if the Ganesh immersion ceremony was observed on a Friday(4th Sep) instead of Thursday(3rd Sep), this way it would mark a loooong loooong happpppy weekend. Little did I know that this would result to a major tragedy in the form of our honorable CM’s death in a chopper-crash followed by state-wide bandh on Friday..and obviously me earning  4 days holiday…eventually! Life outside home was jeopardised for obvious reasons..!

During these days however, I have learnt and mastered the art of making perfect..fluffy honey pancakes served with maple syrup and blueberries!!! It was yummmm I think I went crazy and overboard so was passionately pursuing my culinary skills during this inevitably…. wretchedly desired holiday & ended up cooking some almond firni, mutton kolhapuri(sanjeev kapoor style), and panch mishali(a bengali vegetarian dish) :p!! Tomorrow ..the last day am planning to make roshogullas and samosas

ooops while publishing i realised it’s already sunday!!

Kolkata & Bay of Bengal

It was a very short trip to Kolkata recently, but I love the place, ofcourse minus it’s humid horrid weather. Kolkata has it’s own charm otherwise, you get to see those lovely..ancient architecture, beautiful french windows and an earthy feel beside the river ganges and Howra Bridge….!! Hmm it’s truly magnetic, and not to forget those chatpati chaat,  samosa, veg-chops, phuchka(Pani-Puri), egg-rolls, authentic bengali cuisine and land of ultra-soft Roshogulllas

This picture is taken from the aircraft while flying back over the river and then gradually the Bay of Bengal…the clouds floating like soft fluffy cotton all across the sky….Oh!!! It was beautiful &  so mystifying that I just got absorbed and absorbed….

Movie Reviews

  Vishal Bhardwaj has proved it yet again. He is one of the best film makers in Hindi Film Industry. I guess Omkara was his last one and with Kaminey promos and “dhan tadaan” song I was so much looking forward to watching it. It has a simple story line, but scores very very high on performances delivered by every character in the film. I think that’s a speciality of Vishal’s offering, he chooses and portrays his characters with fine nuances even if they have a ten minute appearance, but they do leave an impact. Cinematography, is worth an applause! The movie has some crass humor, drama & lots of violence, so may not suit the audience who have a subtle taste of movies otherwise!

Finally remember that: “Waat iffe nahi lagti ki tu kaun fa rafta chunta hai ….waat iffe lagti hai ki tu kaun fa rafta chorta hai” you have to watch the movie to understand this

  

There are very few movies that touch your soul, and Stepmom is one of them. I watched it a few days ago on HBO. Jackie(Susan) is fighting a terminal cancer & a LIFE that involves Luke – her ex-husband(Ed Harris), her children – Ben…Anna; and stepmom, Isabel(Julia Roberts). Isabel learns that Luke cannot do without his children and makes every effort to win their love & affection. She TRIES and continues to try through every means & does her bit, while Jackie with great dignity and poise endures the pain of both the disease and life’s emotional battle. An excerpt from the movie that’s worth a mention:  Jackie telling her daughter while celebrating her last christmas with children: “People go on forever; because there’s always somebody to take you along in the journey of life!”

Early Sunday Morning!

 

Sunday mornings, what do you do when you unwillingly wake up early? Make yourself a hot cup of ginger tea with buttered toast and croissants, pick your current read and sneak into the terrace…sometimes looking at the family of pigeons and sometimes reading the book.! Believe me it’s divine….sipping and feeling the warmth in the slightly windy weather…

August 1st – Calendar Blocked :)

I was lucky to have posted Evam’s(Theater Group, Blr based) one of the shows before, “The Odd Couple” and to that I win a Free Golden Ticket to their upcoming Play in Hyderabad “An Idiot For Dinner”   on 1st Aug ..! 

  

id·i·ot [id-ee-uht] n.. A foolish or stupid person.  SMASH HIT IN BANGALORE & CHENNAI, NOW PREMIERING IN HYDERABAD!!

Evam  &  The Boardwalkers invites you to a dinner with more laughs than you have ever had!
 
An idiot for Dinner - A stage adaptation of the French film ‘The Dinner of Idiots’ , Also made as the Hindi film ‘Bheja Fry’
 
Directed by Michael Muthu
 
Saturday, August 1st – 3:30 and 7:30 pm @ Ravindra Bharathi Auditorium, Near Assembly, Public Garden Road, Saifabad, Hyderabad – 500 004, Tickets: Rs. 200/300/500

Grab Tickets at www.bookmyshow.com NOW! Also, now you get the tickets delivered right to your doorstep by calling 39895050! Tickets also available at Odyssey (Jubilee Hills & Vikrampuri)

For more details, log on to www.evam.in
Call Us @               09840222363         09840222363 /               09840612333         09840612333 for details!
 
Preferred Media Partner: Hyderabad Times, Radio Partner:Radio Mirchi
Retail Partner: Odyssey 
Lifestyle Partner: StyleSpa
 
About the play: Impeccable food, great wine, engaging conversation, soft music. What could possibly be missing in a perfect dinner gathering? Well… An IDIOT? Originally made in French, titled “Le diner des cons”, our adaptation begins with Sanjay, who – with the help of an “idiot scout” manages to find a perfect idiot to take to the dinner where the evening’s “guests” are poked fun at. Our enterprising protagonist, R.Golden Gopu, gets invited to one of those dinners. Gopu loves to build replicas with matchsticks, which seems to be the only thing he can ever do without causing pandemonium.As the chaotic evening unfolds, click here for more 

 So, when was the last time You met an Idiot?

Ye shaam, yeh mausam aur….

Well, the pic says it all…. today’s evening was simply awesome. Dark clouds and my friend and I were drivin back home. We stopped by for some time to relish the moment. I am sure this is a cliche` post with monsoons all around but I could not resist . We had roasted makai and a cup of garma garam adrak wali chai…..

“P.N. : I know monsoonz is not all that good at some places like Mumbai and Orissa, where it’s just a nightmare …i hope India comes up with better solutions to fight such disasters.”

Another thing that am passionate about is….

Lovely cute green plants. They are life supporting and so soothing isn’t???….I was just waiting for the monsoons to arrive so that I could adorn my terrace garden. Here; started with a few of them….

Plan to add Bonsai plants, champa, bougainvillea, Gulmohr…

Am a Gizmo freak and my latest gizmos…. :D

I got rid of my lousy EX- Hand Phone and freakin with a new ….NOKIA 5800 which is super coooooooooooooool

And this is another sleek Video Ipod…..