The drudgeries of life
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Same time, last year...
I'm a tad bit confused... is this seriously a new year, or have I walked back into the last year again?!
Not a silly question, mind you, given my proficiency at ending up at square one time and again...
But no, seriously! Comparing January 2010 and January 2011, I'm reminded of the billboard outside a certain shop I came across in Leh, which read: "Same Same But Different".
The irony of it all! Sighs.
2010 had started off on a perfect high... 2011 has had a rocking start as well.
Le mois de Janvier, 2010, accompanied by the ravishing cold, beautiful weather, enchanting company, truckloads of optimism and positivity et al promised a fresh approach to everything... same holds true for the current month.
There was so much to look forward to at this point of time, last year... that too applies to the present.
Had watched Chance Pe Dance in the 3rd week of 2010, and walked out of the multiplex with a scrambled brain... Experienced Dhobi Ghat this time, and still debating with myself whether to like the movie or to hate it (ok, loved the cinematography, not to forget the somewhat haunting and engrossing relation between Arun & Yasmin!)
I was cribbing about packing one such night, exactly 365 days ago... today I'm doing the same. (Call me a hypocrite, if you may, for loving traveling yet hating the P of its precursor!)
Attended a dear friend's marriage, the first of the year on a Sunday at almost the same time in MMX... going to do an encore for another dear friend's marriage tomorrow, only this time the counter goes up to MMXI!
The ensuing Monday last time was meant to be a dreaded day full of boring lectures (but not everything that is meant to be actually happens!)... the coming Monday is all set to be a long boring day at work (though I tweaked some strings and ensured that nothing of that sort plays spoilsport...)
So on and so forth...
Back to the irony bit.
Though the starting months of both the years in question have a striking resemblance, they're totally different... poles apart!
Situations are similar, but the circumstances are different.
Identities have been retained, yet images have undergone drastic changes.
Personae are the same, but the people are strangers.
Reactions are ditto, but the chemistry is strangely new.
Feelings are intact, but reservations have flourished.
Age is almost the same, yet the youthfulness seems to have aged.
As the popular song November Rain goes: Cause nothin' lasts forever, and we both know hearts can change...
Extrapolate, please.
In retrospect, it seems like one whole year passed by in a jiffy, though there were several moments, good and bad, that seemed to last a lifetime. God's way of saying, "How selfish that you wish to freeze only the happy moments!"
All said and done, I don't know where 2011 is headed, but I certainly don't want it to end up like 2010.
Anyway, the show must go on!
Enough of rambling. As much as I tried to postpone the darn thing, I must pack! :(
And have to get up at 5:30, on a Sunday of all days :'(
So till next week, adios!
Have an awesome weekend!
Labels: 2010, 2011, Beginnings, Friends, January, Marriage, Memories, Nostalgia, Time, Travel
Friday, December 03, 2010
The New Calcutta
With all the hoopla surrounding the advent of the new age and modernization, it's probably easy to ignore its naysayers. Sometimes I feel that the latter do have a valid point.
While not being an opponent of modernization per se, I hate the prospect of it ruining the heritage and history of a place.
Take Calcutta for instance.
Three days ago, when I disembarked at Howrah Station after 5 long years, with lots of luggage in tow, all I wanted to do was roam around the beautiful city of Cal on foot (baggages and burdens be damned!); revisit the places that my parents, my sister and I had been to almost every single December in the past decade, and relive memories; last but not the least, make a serious attempt to capture in pixels Cal's undefinable beauty, mysterious charm, the constant hubbub yet the ironical calm!
And walk I did...
There she is!
The sight which awaits you once you step outside Howrah Station...
Howrah Station
That very rooftop by the clock tower where, while waiting for our train, Dada used to take us for a night view of Howrah Bridge!
Competition for Delhi Metro's Yellow line!
Hanging bridge!
That's Howrah Bridge for you...
This gigantic structure has had me mesmerized, since 1986 :)
Howrah Railway Station, as seen from the other end of Hooghly
(Pic clicked with the permission of a local cop... seems photography on the Howrah Bridge is prohibited!)
Colors galore
And you wondered what the rail tracks in the middle of the road were for? :)
Never seen such active traffic cops...
And they were all yellow!!
Five years ago, when I last visited the place, I remember having witnessed the emergence of malls, and a few branded shops at the ancient (to me, at least!) New Market. At that point of time, I thought nothing of it save for the fact that they were measly eyesores that would not last long...
This time round, it was simply impossible to ignore the way gaudily colored hoardings were eerily masquerading atop the once beautiful colonial buildings, how superficial malls were breaching the privacy of traditional markets, how swept up open parking spaces gave an artificial look to the once crowded yet somewhat charming surroundings.
Probably having grown up side-by-side with the advancement of modernization, the gradual changes in the surroundings didn't affect me much earlier.
But what I witnessed in Cal was contrast at it's best - a VLCC style before-and-after picture. And believe me, I didn't find it one bit rosy!
I dare say modernization if stretched beyond limits is like cancer... it slowly by slowly eats into the rich heritage of a place... it's akin to rape that violates modesty... damn! It's outrightly blasphemous.
A few years ago, all you could see from the this very spot was the "New Empire Cinema" board...
Today, you can't even spot that name in the mayhem!
Contrast!
Eyesores, anyone?
Simpark Mall encroaching on S. S. Hogg Market territory :(
Blimey! Just a few years ago, this was Hotel East End!
Phew! A surge of emotion. Apologies.
I belong to the old times?! Yep, I know :p
Thankfully Calcutta has still managed to retains it's old charm... How long will it last? Search me.
It was a pleasure walking and walking, then fetching a bus ride, resuming walking, then traveling via a Cal-style rickshaw, walking again, and finally settling for one of the ubiquitous yellow cabs!
From the Howrah Bridge to New Market, the colorful cluster of flower vendors under a bridge, the winding streets, the myriad of alleyways, the lazy trams, the sea of yellow cabs, the queue of poor people awaiting their turn to bathe under a road-side tap, the rickety bus, the lake in the belly of the city, famous skyscrapers (or at least the Indian versions of the lot!), street-side hawkers, a plethora of shops, Nauhoms and its yummy goodies (can't resist a *slurrrrpppp*, sorry :p), Nizam's, the cuppa tea served in a earthen cup, the one-of-a-kind rickshaw ride, Chowringhee Lane, Kyd Street, Hotel East End (now Sofia Continental :( ), Park Street, St. Thomas Church, Planet M, Flurys, and lots more.
That's when I had to take off for Salt Lake City. And I was glad that I had decided to travel in this state (straight off the train, minus a bath, with luggage in tow)... I knew I wasn't coming back with such little time at hand.
Early morning reflections seen in the pond in New Market's backyard.
Dilapidated buildings, nouveau high rises, greenery, rhythmic hum of traffic in the background, calmness, symmetry... quite a blend!
Two is a crow'd ;)
Destination: New Market!
Shuttered paradise!
The old New Market, as I've always referred to it.
Somewhere I belong... especially during Christmas time :D
Nauhom!
Underground labyrinth!
Still Elite :)
THE place to have rolls! *yummy*
"No Beef", mind you :|
Best breakfast I've had in ages! :D
Still there...
The world outside New Market
Time to head for Salt Lake City...
Contrast galore... be it in the architecture or the vehicles...
Somehow I missed the late night Delhi traffic!
Chessboard at the intersection?!
Ever-active market place...
It's 3 AM for Heaven's sake, but Sealdah is abuzz with activity!
What topped the list was meeting Shruthee at her college (W. B. National University Of Juridical Sciences) and spending a good time there! Played Sassywoody (her Guitar!), clicked pics, walked around her neat campus listening to her kahanis, had maggi and omelette-pav (her usual meal, I suppose :| ), shared gyaan with her! She sure loved my company... given that it was exam season, I was a better choice over law books!
Next up, meeting Raj at his huuuge research facility, discussing robots and robotics! Man oh man, I was impressed \m/
Next up, meeting Raj at his huuuge research facility, discussing robots and robotics! Man oh man, I was impressed \m/
Then came Ankur's Bachelor Party and the frenzy (:p)! I better not say much...
Next morning, accompanied A to some nostalgia-inducing places in Salt Lake City itself...
Phew! Managed to meet the big man Chirag too! Dhanya ho gaye hum, sirji :D
Met Parinita after 8 long years at Infinity Towers, Sector 5... awesome reunion! :) Nupur, I'm going to kill you for not being there! Grrrr
Then the last minute shopping... and meeting Sharma after 4 years!
Finally the loooong marriage ceremony that stretched into the wee hours of the next morning! And my relentless *click*, dance, *click*, munch, *click* till everyone called it quits... loved it all!
Before we knew it, Ankur had bitten the dust! :p
Loads of luck and best wishes for a wonderful life together, Kirti and Ankur :)
That was that!
Couldn't manage as much shopping on Esplanade as I would've liked. Time's such a scarce resource.
Back in Delhi now... for a while!
Back to the drudgeries of life... (pun intended, for a very stupid donkey)
Bon nuit!
Labels: Cal, Calcutta, Esplanade, Friends, Howrah Bridge, Howrah Station, Marriage, Modernization, New Market, Nostalgia, Park Street, Photography, Salt Lake City, St. Thomas Church, Taxis, Tram, Traveling
