Musings

Ajay Devgan always delivers a powerful performance. The role was most suitable for him - that of an upright income tax officer. Most of the movie unfolds in a hugh haveli, but it is full of twists and turns. You are glued as the story unfolds and not a moment is boring. Ileana looks drop dead gorgeous though she has very little to do in the film. Saurabh Shukla is very good once again as Tauji. Do watch, it's full on entertainment.

मारव्याच्या स्वरांनी मन पार भूतकाळात गेलं..... ते मंतरलेले दिवस....आईवडिलांच्या प्रेमाची अखंड झालर......तारूण्याचा जोश.......मित्रांचा सहवास.....स्वत:चे हळूहळू उमगू लागलेले मीपण......नव्या आवडी, नवे छंद......खेळाचे आकर्षण.....बंडखोर विचार.......महत्वाकांक्षा.......स्वप्नरंजन.......गुदगुल्या करणारे यौवन....... थांबवा कोणीतरी हे काळजाला भिडणारे मारव्याचे स्वर....बस्स.....इनफ.

Evening time. Office goers returning home. Local train is crowded. I could get a window seat somehow. Opposite me in the window was a young, smart looking girl and next to her sat her boyfriend. They were quite lost in their world, chatting continuously in low tone, laughing, showing each other photos from their mobile phones. People, pretending not to notice, could not help watching them. They were obviously attracted to each other. The boy was bent forward most of the time and the girl had her left hand round his shoulders off and on. The boy had nice hair and the girl liked stroking his hair while talking. Despite their public display of affection they maintained a dignity that I liked. Time did not matter to them. Perhaps they wished for the train to run late. Love is a pretty sight. The daily drab routine of the people around was brightened up today by the youngsters.

I used to visit Sabarimala in Kerala with my friends those days. We used to stay at my friend's place and leave in the evening in a hired mini bus to reach the footsteps of Sabarimala late in the night. Then the steep climb would begin and we would reach the gate at around five in the morning. The gates opened at six and there was always a rush to climb the steps and be one of the first to take a darshan of Lord Ayappa. Once, on one of these visits, as the gates opened we all started to rush in. Suddenly one elderly lady took support of my left shoulder to climb the steep steps. I let her and again started going forward. But she held my shoulder and requested me in a language I did not understand to help her climb the steps. Notwithstanding her language, I understood what she had to say. I gave up the idea of rushing through the gates and allowed her to clutch my shoulder and climb the steps one by one. Already my friends and others had gone far ahead. We entered the gate and the...

I was just coming out of a restaurant at Cuffe Parade. Outside a paan shop, near the railing, a girl was standing alone, smoking in quite a style, without a care in the world. I instantly liked her. She seemed to be making a statement. That I am free, independent. I can decide for myself, choose for myself. That I shall have what I want and refuse what I don't like. I wished I could take a photo of her. But, alas, that was not possible. Her image remained with me in my mind. There is something about a smoking girl, I thought.

I was travelling back in the evening by a local train as usual. There was a moderate crowd. A little girl suddenly came alongside where I was sitting. She was carrying some colouring books, trying to sell them. I noticed that she wore very clean clothes and she herself was very clean. I felt sad that at this age, when she should be going to school and playing with friends, she has to sell books in a train. No one was buying any book. I estimated the price of a book to be Rs.20/-. I asked her and she told me it was Rs.100/-. I was quite shocked. I really had no use for the books as my children are well past that age. When I refused to buy she said she would give it for rs.80/-. Then she showed me the printed price on the book which was just Rs.30/-. I was touched by her innocence. But I declined to buy the book for Rs.80/-. She went away then, seeking other buyers. The train halted and I got down, wondering if I should have bought the book for Rs.80/- to help the girl.

It's a beautiful Sunday morning. Calm and peaceful. Just finished reading newspapers. What next? I could go to a music programme at Sahayog mandir featuring local artists. But that looks unlikely. I could read for a while. The probability of this happening is quite high. I could play harmonium. Some song should enter my mind and inspire me. I intend to have a nice breakfast which is a certainty. There is some office work I have brought home. It has to wait till after 11. Having jotted down these options, the confusion in my mind has cleared somewhat. Now I can get down to giving effect to these options. Writing can be so helpful. It can give you clarity and free your cluttered mind.