Real men and women

Kundamveettile Lakshmikutty teacher, Oduvankad Bhargavi, Raman, Narayani, Kochchunniaar, koma Panicker... these are some people who will remain forever etched in my memory. These are the kind of people you may love or hate but definitely not ignore. They are the symbols of a period of time when people were original; there were no fixed notions of accepted behaviour then. You were what you were, not what others decided was the way to be. I got the chance to see them on my short visits to kerala during my childhood. Then, when I moved to kerala after class X, I got the chance to know them. Villages are made of strong individuals. People here have their own unique character or individuality. Today, in the fast-paced world, most of us are more or less like clones with similar behaviour, attitudes, aspirations and even looks. Cities are usually made up of armies of people marching to the orders. Only few have the scope to be strong individuals...people who dare to be themselves...
Kochunniaar, the cute old man with ear studs, had the habit of caressing all women on the pretext of being very old. He was also known for his miserliness and for having a karinaavu (whatever he said supposedly came true). It was also said that he had evil eyes, his look was supposed to bring bad luck. He used to lend money on interest. Every morning, he would dorn sun glasses and go on his money collection trip, having free cups of tea and all possible things from shops and houses that owed money to him.
Lakshmikutty teacher, the firebrand woman, was once married to a man from AP. The rumours were that she threw him out of her house and life. Till her death she lived all alone in a big house set in an acre of land. She fought with everyone in the village, never bowed down to anyone. Aggresively independant, she was a terror in the village. Again, she was known to be very stringent. She never wasted one dry leaf from her land. Till her death she worked hard. She preferred male company and never let society decide for her. People were scared of her because she said whatever she felt like to whomsoever.

Mera Bharat Mahaan

You don't really need the window seat to see India. She is in display inside the compartment of the train itself. Difference in the flora, terrain and weather outside as we cross different states is clearly visible; inside too, there is so much variety on exhibit. People from different parts of India, brought together in a moving vehicle, bring with them alluring slices of India. The attire, language, food, behaviour give away their origin. The uptight southies and the loud northies are ubiquitous. West and East Indians also display their uniqueness. South Indians with the exception of mallus carry the essential rice-packs (curd rice, lemon rice). Mallus get their fish curry-rice and act oblivious to the stink they spread around. The Punjus and the north Indians take over the bogie with their booming voice and parathas. They have many complaints against the food (especially south Indian) available on the train, nonetheless, they eat everything. Gujjus make the best co-passengers (where food is concerned...rest, I won't vouchsafe). I have been advised by (wise)friends to praise their food and be assured of being well-taken care of throughout the journey. They do not compromise a teeny weeny bit where their food is concerned and even carry raw vegetables and knife for the journey. So, you have this gujju family making bhelpuri in the train and gulping it down with bottles of homemade chaas; and there you have this family from the Hindi belt gorging on puri and aloo ki sabzi.

However, there is rarely an attempt to appreciate the differences. Everyone is smug about his way of living. There is no real sharing, just a semblance of co-existence...All are in their own little compartments. This is my India...

My dumb, cute, stubborn lil birdies

Every morning, diligently, they would start their hard work. This pair of lil birdies would carry blades of grass and little twigs, throw furtive glances at me and start their day's work. They didn't seem to realise that their efforts were futile. I have been watching and interfering in the lives of these two little birdies for more than a month now. It is not the birds' fault that they found my chimney duct the perfect place to built their little home. The mistake is mine. I should have had the chimney duct closed. I still remember the excitement they exhibited when they decided on the site. I was not aware of their plans. I switched on my chimney one day and lo! a ball of dry twigs came flying out. I panicked expecting eggs in it. Fortunately, that was not the case. Then I realised the meaning of the commotion I had witnessed the other day. I knew the birds could not have their nest in the chimney duct. It was highly dangerous. Anyone could switch it on any time and it would mean catastrophic for the birds. I tried scare tactics. I tried to keep the chimney on when they were around. The only thing that seemed to scare them was me. Every time I got back home I found an almost-complete nest in my chimney duct. This became a routine...they assumed the role of bramha and I became shiva. My tandav had no affect on their determined efforts. I realised that birds were a dumb lot indeed! I kept telling them "fools, go away, you are wasting your time and energy". The onle response I got were more determined efforts. Then I got the idea of stuffing the chimney with a towel. It worked, they had to quit. They seemed dejected. Their land deal had gone sour. I was happy that before it got too late they would build a nest at a new place. Last week I found a ball of blades of grass on the gap between the chimney and the wall. Ah! my stubborn lil birds..

Roses

A bed of roses for me
Adrift in the luxury
Of absolute beauty
Smelling like heaven
Drunk with happiness
A pampered soul for me
Gentle is their caress
Soft as a whisper
Every touch makes me blush
Roses as red as red
I ask no less no more
A bed of roses for me

Most beautiful smile

That smile lights up my life...brightens my darkest days...In that smile I see the promise of love...In that smile I see my tomorrow...In that smile million flowers blossom...In that smile is the warmth of hundred hugs...In that smile I quench my thirst...in that smile I see so much wealth...in that smile i see honesty..in that smile i see sunshine...in that smile i see care...in that smile i see the world we share...in that smile i see gifts I cherish...In that smile my fears vanish...In that smile new hope is born...In that smile I see spring...in that smile i feel fresh raindrops...in that smile I feel music...in that smile i taste chocolate...In that smile burns a desire...In that smile is the answer to all my questions...in that smile i feel wonder...in that smile i see my world...in that smile i see sheer beauty and joy...in that smile i get my wings...in that smile i see love. I collect those smiles...they are my treasure...I am a very rich person...