Thursday, December 31, 2009
The year, when everything went wrong..
Anything written about 2009, would be incomplete without the apparition that occurred to me towards the end of 2008, intuitively indicating the times ahead to be difficult. Startlingly enough, the early days turned out to be a complete contradiction, going on to become indeed one of the best phases of my life. Our three nights four days in Vizag will always remain a treasure and it can potentially make me sob for days to come. As of now, I'll possibly never come over the rivetting deja vu of those mountains, beaches, forests, caves, train journeys, tunnels, hotel rooms, terrace, laughter, dinners..and I can literally go on an on about how terribly I want those five days back into my life in a permanent format..so as to slip into them whenever life becomes unlivable in its native form. Idiosyncratically, they fled past sooner than they arrived and were thankfully followed by our third semester results, which happened to be well. Luckily enough, they got better than its preceding ones, still better than my expectations and incomparably better than what subsequently came up. The next three quarters of the year, had been diametrically opposite to the first few months and I no more wonder how things could have turned so miserably wrong. Only that I always, more or less, believed that morning somehow, does show the day...till this year happened with my life.
The fourth semester exams followed hand-in-hand with some catastrophic results, giving way to heightened unrest at home front. Possibilities of a chance recovery were waning away faster than the vigour of the Leftists in Bengal, leaving me with no odds against pitifully suffering from hopelessness and hairloss. I put on weight, grew tired of ambitions, and God knows how many thousands of times, broke up. To boot that, my cellphone ceased working every alternate day and PC got dysfunctional, thankfully, just twice! I started about five novels, none of which I could conclude with and the fifth semster immunology chapters had myself perfectly screwed up. The year exasperated in every sense possible and I couldn't ask for anything from it, but to give up.
I was yet to get maddened anymore, when winters arrived bang in the middle of my exams, showing somewhat hope of surviving the year. Dec-end had been wonderful with Christmas parties and New year, which made me not quite mind the fifteen marks I disgracefully left incomplete on my exam paper. The year concluded on a vastly cheerful note than it had been throughout, and if all is really well that ends well and myths are to be believed, 2009 for me, may someday possibly turn out to be a year, unconventionally though, living worthwhile.
P.S.:- Happy new year to everyone out there..Have a great year ahead.
Sonnet to thy soul..
When the dead hour struck nightfall
And enfolded the love pining for thee..
In thy silence, that says it all.
You whispered to me thou tales of winter
And hummed the nightingale's song
Within scarlet confines of thy heart
Sheltered me all night long
You held me across the realms of truth
To where moonlight stays by the day
Closed the eyes of the princess within,
And let her dream away..
You kept her from the canopy of pallor, till solitude stormed a clout
And beheld the princess cling to her dreams, till time had run out.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Winters, wreaths and wishes
Christmas yet again, idiosyncratic of good times, zoomed past the city in what seemed like seconds. And it has been yet another day to etch somewhere in between the countless memories that'll make me love this life for ages. I must admit, that it started as a nightmare..and ended with an unpredictably delightful climax, the details of which I do not wish to give out in my blog. But amidst everything, the high point of the yuletide celebrations had to be the coveted surprise gift I received, that absolutely made my day.
Winter is back with its colours to the city's nest, which rested on me as another excuse to coax mom to get me a long woollen overcoat in blue. Strangely enough, for the last couple of years, I find myself getting obsessively smitten by cardigans, or winterwear in that case, to be loaded with literally dozens of them in a few year's hence. And I do not wish to see any prospective vent for overcoming this obsession, living in a city where one can literally make the most of this spell. I've always believed Calcutta to be one of the cities, globally, to enjoy the most beautiful examples of winter season..way better than the Delhi chill that leaves one shrouded under comical monkey caps, or the hints of a winter season in Bombay that can make woollen pullovers a matter of shame. But apart from the season itself, the other snippets of celebrations that completed my day had to be me, trying a hand at origami, making paper wreaths from my grandmother's Christmas editions of origami books. And lastly, I loved myself hugely in the Santa look and was utterly mesmerised by Paulo's Angels.
p.s.:- Hope everyone had a great Christmas..with sincere wishes of having more of good times ahead.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Growth pangs..and Christmas eve
Its Christmas eve today, and this time, it has been different. I've always refused to believe that anything in this world can match the nostalgia connecting me with my city more than the one encircling Durga Puja. And I can literally go on and on regarding how deadly the feeling can be, to stay away from home during the festive autumn season. Winter, probably, has never been famous for festivities, which literally, comes coupled with idol worship, has it? Its probably a period when people do not dread going out in the Sun lest they might end up within an envelope of sweat. And of course when a New year is imminent, that makes you amnesiac of all the shits life has thrown upon in the year just-spent, letting you see the most of hope and optimism for unfathomable reasons. But, somehow or else, I happened to get nostalgic today. Unexpectedly enough, I found myself missing the days I pined to visit the Park Street of Christmas..the Park Street which lost its vigour somewhere between the tiring miles walked towards college. Or the nights I hung socks in the window, filling them with anticipations and infantile enthusiasm. For some reason, I couldn't help requesting dad today to keep a surprise waiting for me in the window when I wake up this Christmas, followed by earnest persuasions to get atleast something..maybe even a Santa cap..disguised as a surprise. Sadly enough, nothing of that kind happened, and I was nonchalantly handed over a fruit cake on Christmas eve itself, with a sermon that I should try growing up someday. Growing up, well then, possibly happens this way. Its about the processes that robs you of your abilities to wish crazy or letting nostalgia get the better of you. Somewhere deep down, I sincerely wish to voice my hatred against the science behind ageing some other morning, not today. And all the more, yearn to live a grown-up life sometime hence, only to come reversibly back to my normal self. Till then, its Christmas time yet again, and I had to buy a Santa cap for a whopping 45 bucks to satiate myself.
P.S.:- This, for sure, is a lousy post..but somehow couldn't help writing down the same.Merry Christmas to everyone out there.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
November Rain..
There has been some relief of late on the academic front. After shouting endlessly (behind closed doors) at the irresponsible stance of the college authorities to have scheduled an honours exam on the day of a BJP strike, and implore them politely with abundant reasons, our fifth semester exams have finally been postponed for half-a-month. And that was more of a success than what the BJP themselves can achieve through their strike..though I seriously doubt how effective this extended spell would be on our analogous lazy minds and what degree of futility will these silent demonstrations and noisy pleadings amount to, for the reverse doesn't work in Xaviers. But still, as of now, the thought of exams are a tad bit relieving. Rather, life seems worth re-living now.
Winter perhaps, after their long break-up spell of two years, has decided to settle its differences with Calcutta. Last Dec-Jan months had barely been a trailer of what Calcutta is like without men sweating profusely. The rise in humidity post Diwali is somehow endurable..for I had learnt of something called 'October heat' in class five geography books. But any justification behind January heat, I bet, can even put geography to shame. But this time around, winter, it seems, is here to stay..thanks to a few unexpected spells of November rain.
College life is nearing a dead end. Way more dead, since the next avenues are still under heavy mist cover, hesistant enough to go open. Wish its not what we've spent three years hearing to..the pride in declaring that there's "Nothing beyond". Cheer Nihil Ultra, anyone? Finally, making ourselves believe that we have literally concluded with five semesters out of six is something to wonder about and ponder upon.
Today, its one of the most special days of my life, if not the most..Only that it hurts to be alone on a day like this. Its we who made it special, and its us to whom it is. And hence, its all the more painful to celebrate such a day with exams intersecting the back of my mind every second. This blog was an effort to celebrate the day in my own petite way..owing the present joyous state of my mind to the little pleasantries that has been trickling onto my life now and then. And to reach out to you miles away with a share of the feeling that is destined to remain the same..
"When I look into your eyes, I can see a love restrained
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Way She Looked That Night...
P.S.:- Subho Bijoya to everyone out there. Hope all of you had a great puja.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
She...
This is seemingly the last Durga Puja of my 20 year stay in Kolkata. And next year around this time I'll probably be missing classes to stay near home, near Her. But what I'll really miss is the countdown to the festival..the moment since when monsoon starts drifting away giving way to cottony clouds..when a clayey aroma wanders between us, implying that She's on Her way..and the mushrooming shopping destinations which go berserk with their offers. I'll miss the framing of the pandals at almost every corner, which first bring about Her smell..and Her arrival at midnight amidst some euphoric dhaker baddi, when on such an event, once a kid told me.."Didi, Dugga Puja eshe galo!"These will always frame the bits and pieces of my life that can never be shrouded under ignorance or oblivion, irrespective of how much tears they bring about. And there'll always be some little things like the occassional dhaker baddi and vibrant dhunuchi naach, whose mere thought will convey the smell of my city to whichever corner I am. Leaving apart all the political and economic changes that it imperatively requires, I'd really wish to stay alive to see Kolkata exactly this way during the Durga Puja ever and forever down the millennia. And seek that ethereal smell through and through my marrows that plays with me so often, and that, which has and always will help me to keep myself spirited, effevescent and alive.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
When Imaginations fly...
The queen of evenings peeps through her veil..
Alike the bride blushing scarlet,
As she dissolves in her new found delight
All that’s dreary and withers away..
All that was gloom till last night.
And someone alights a blown out candle
Renewing the vigour of a new dusk in life
Along the horizon where thoughts cease to wane..
Across the courtyard where dreams shimmer bright..
When grief conquers the course of life,
And the sun adieus with a tear and a sigh
When despair gathers murk too dense
To behold the zenith of the twilight..
Someone stretches a hand through the mist
Someone, who is nowhere in sight..
Somewhere the mind trails a wrong way
Somethings make it falter to sway
Somewhere the mind faces its end
Someone it seeks as its only friend..
Times when solitude throttles every might
Deserting behind with multitudes of plight,
The kiss of a breeze whispers it all
That beyond here there’s nowhere to fall..
From where the sky gathers all its white
And hopes fly high and free as a kite.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Adieu..
Saturday, August 1, 2009
His Masterpiece...
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Hangover...
A cold wild wind will come
Sweethearts walk by together
And I still miss someone..
I go out on a party
And look for a little fun
But I find a darkened corner
'Cause I still miss someone..
Oh, no I never got over those blues eyes
I see them every where
I miss those arms that held me
When all the love was there..
I wonder if he's sorry
For leavin' what we'd begun
There's someone for me somewhere
And I still miss someone..
and i still miss someone...
This is to something I haven't yet been able to put to words, or speak out to someone. And to a friend who just had a heartbreak.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
It's been an year...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
An Evanescent Evening..
Whilst they wished to play it again..
In the rain.
Monsoon deluded them.
But they had more,
to give in to the game..
Live yet another elusive evening
And quench a few promises.
He had his trousers rolled up
She, her fluid tresses free
With their feet treading quietly
To the surreal depths of the sea..
They had it on their mind
The promise of the game..
on another murky evening
on some dusty, familiar lane..
where withered bits of maples
held it by the hand
Heralding the rain..
And the ivy leaves camouflaged
Their clandestine game.
They had it on their mind
The blurred remnants of an evening
That got lost on the way..
Behind the translucent veil of the feeling
That hollowed them astray.
And the shadows that swirled around them
Swabbing the ecstasy out of the rain
With a trail of the pureed joy ..
Honeycombed by the peccadillo
To love and love again..
And left the children wonder at
How tethers break..and dreams cease,
For who tore their bond apart..
And hurled onto the lap of abyss
From the evening, From the feeling
From the game of bliss and pain
Were it the forlorn rain-soaked shadows?
Or the illusory shadow-soaked rain?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Twelfth Night..
It brought back those tears which I had not expected that night, and the eerie feeling that quite often makes me beg before the rain to come and cover up the whole of my existence in the eddy currents of its fearful and loathsome vigour.
And reminded me the moment back home, when on the terrace with my mother under the full moon-light, I saw her eyes getting filled up reminiscing some distant, unfulfilled, unforgettable memories while musing on the lines...
Shey ki keboli jatonamoy..."
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Hey Nuton..
Jaha kichu tumi borshile aji
Bokkhe niye kate prato diba nishi
Tobo odhora ashish shonge..
Taale shure gaane chhonde tobo
Hoy banglar probhat nobo nobo
Praner kotha kaane kobo kobo,
Bhashibe ramdhonu ronge..
Ashiyachho grishho dwiprohore
Hoyia bohurupi himel haowa..
Borshar ghono megher araale
Sharod-obhimukhe dhaowa..
Shopiyachi tobo choron tole
Pujiya tobo she naam
Hey kobi aji diboshe tomare
Shohosro koti pronam..
P.S.:-This was done with the purpose of paying a miniscule homage to the man who has shaped our lives. Very very random..
Friday, May 8, 2009
Broken..
Broken like a dream
Broken like the dawn
Forlorn hopes shiver
Wander by the river
Cast out as cursed
Vanquished as a pawn
A deadly venom's kiss
A life is here to cease
Effused through a fissure
Buried in ashes, brown
Doom climbs the door
Spills on the floor
Struggling to breathe
In the sea of despair, drown
But I'll wait for you
As the ship's lonesome crew
For lives, through and through
Till I win my last fight
For that lucid beam hued blue
For the song I'll sing to you
For you'll close my eyes
After I live my last night.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Downpour...
I know I've lost, and there's nothing to gain
Embroiling me further in the fangs of a bane
I watch my hopes going to vain
I know my tears you'll disdain
But before you, I haven't learnt to feign
Tied up in times' merciless chain
I lay on the broken pieces of my window pane
Yes, I can take all the pain
For another walk with you under the heaviest rain...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Resonance...
We meet to create memories..
P.S.-Thank you friends..Thank you for bringing such wonderful times in my life.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Few Beautiful Minds...
It has sustained the virility of the revered spot it has replaced..the collapsed theatre that stood in the same address as it stands now. The legendary Sans Souci theatre that we can only strive to fathom a blurred impression of. Handsome limousines and elegant women in dainty evening gowns carrying artistic parasols..ornate staircases leading to the stage..Shakespearean plays being unwound out. And the debacle that destroyed it all.
It has put in vain the best efforts made to mix accurate proportions of the yellows and greens with a paintbrush in an elaborate attempt to bring its image into an approximation of life. I figure out that the innate divinity with which it had embarked upon is as hard to create an artefact of as it is to reach out.
It has started living its 150th year now and is counting days to celebrate its post-centenary golden jubilee completion. It has worn out in parts many a times and has undergone crude surgeries to retain its vigour. It saw children treading into its lap and men walk out. It has seen its siblings cropping up in and around its fences and shared rendezvous with the older kids in gray hairs. It has continued to spellbind people with its opulence and the brightly hued avalanches of glory it carries forward as its legacy. And its 150 year-old stories that still stupefies us.
It has written a chapter named 'St. Xaviers'. Nurtured a few beautiful minds and linked the term 'Xaverian' with a tinge of pride. And rendered meaning to the abstract and abrupt essence of the word 'beautiful' that still prevails in pieces between us.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Through a tinted glass...
And the streets turn sharply towards the gale..
I know it just when you step home
As my thoughts get lost on a nameless trail..
I'll flow to your deepest depths,
You, the current of my waves..
I'll sway to wherever you lead
To your ebb tides I’ll cede..
Are you the dream, yet to be seen?
Are you the way life should have been?
Are you my hopes, in a cocoon?
Are you that long awaited monsoon?
Are you the wings to set me free?
Are you the horizon beckoning me?
Are you the rest of my story?
Are you the muse of my untold poetry?