Starry night sultry night windless calls of heavens beyond,
Jingles of laughter I envision as I thrust my ears against the walls of calm.
A blush gathers on the horizon promising a world of fond,
Moist eyes gaze at stars above; palms feel the mud beneath, as my lips spurt a heavenly psalm.
-Dedicated to people rendered homeless in Myanmar and China
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Case of the Missing Block
It was early parts of my tenure in Shanghai – perhaps April last week of 2008. The exact date eludes my consciousness.
After tiring days of work, luncheons filled with pizzas and burgers and dinners packed with a curious hotchpotch of vegetables conjured by ‘Yours Truly’; Sharath, Kripa and myself embarked on a mission to satiate the long forgotten yet distinctly vivid taste of culinary delicacies from India. And we made a curious pick indeed. We decided to head for Karma(restaurant). The reason for this choice was simply because this place shared the same road as our hotel – Huaihai Road or the internet claimed so,
This,despite warnings from Kripa – ‘Guys, this looks shady!!’ In retrospect and on a closer dissection, based on the information we had, viz. name of the restaurant, Kripa seemed to have a point. Apart from the hard core Subash Ghai fans – who would want to name his/her restaurant Karma? And who would want to dine in a restaurant which would perhaps plays ‘ My Name is Lakhan..Sajnon ka Sajan.’ ? Apparently hunger had numbed all reasoning.
Anyways, our minds, despite interlacing doubts that lingered on the probability of success of the mission, were made up. Conviction ran so deep that we decided to walk it down. Starting from Block 282(Our Base Camp) and ending our mission at Block 1111(Karma), at a rate of approximately 16 Blocks per minute, we estimated a total walk time of 45 minutes.
The peregrination towards the end of all gastronomic distresses began with exuberance and long strides, but as minutes wore on, the rate of ascension in the block numbers began waning threatening to jeopardize our estimated time to target.
Series of ‘Hitachi’ arches and bevies of ‘Brands’ later, we were at Block 1010. Our stomachs did convulse in agony when 1110 was followed by 1112. Our dreams, of hot tandoori roti that shall waft steam as you break, began to blur. But, hold on Ladies and Gentlemen, Yours Truly just had a brain wave.’Hey, we didn’t see any odd-numbered blocks on this side. Guess we are on the wrong side.’
Hope is a funny thing! So began a renewed hunt and exuberance. Quick steps across the other side and Block 1041 smirked at us. We smirked back. We walked past an open area – perhaps an area under construction. Our minds had already pictured Block 1111 greeting us on the other side with arms wide open. Much to our consternation, the block that grinned was 1131! We pottered around, looked in all directions geographically and topographically feasible, within the constraints of the movements allowed by our necks. Block 1111 was not there!!!
So we decided to retrace, perhaps we missed it. Block 1041 smirked. We scowled.
With drooping shoulders we decided to head back to our nest. Dejection soon gave way to hope and the spirit of worldly camaraderie lit in our souls as we vowed to make the evening worthwhile. We decided to switch loyalties and head for a Thai restaurant which we had descried on our way.
Doubt, they say is a root cause of all worldly bothers. But under circumstances which warrant a closer introspection and a careful tread, to be in doubt is not a bad way to go. Anyways, we decided to head straight in to the Thai restaurant and grinned ear-to-ear,at the waitress who approached us, in expectation of a sumptuous dinner. As we perused through the menu our grin transmogrified in to despair. We turned to the waitress who was now inflicted by the grin we had donned a few minutes ago. We conveyed ‘Vegetarian? No Meat?’ She conveyed ‘ Pork?’
The three of us looked at each other at the same time, a feat unachievable under normal circumstances. We scampered out, with shoulders drooping more than ever.
Hope reappeared soon, like a fairy awaiting clouds of despair. We decided to cook it up!!Ah yes! A movie as well. Ah the movie, well that requires another blog altogether...
After tiring days of work, luncheons filled with pizzas and burgers and dinners packed with a curious hotchpotch of vegetables conjured by ‘Yours Truly’; Sharath, Kripa and myself embarked on a mission to satiate the long forgotten yet distinctly vivid taste of culinary delicacies from India. And we made a curious pick indeed. We decided to head for Karma(restaurant). The reason for this choice was simply because this place shared the same road as our hotel – Huaihai Road or the internet claimed so,
This,despite warnings from Kripa – ‘Guys, this looks shady!!’ In retrospect and on a closer dissection, based on the information we had, viz. name of the restaurant, Kripa seemed to have a point. Apart from the hard core Subash Ghai fans – who would want to name his/her restaurant Karma? And who would want to dine in a restaurant which would perhaps plays ‘ My Name is Lakhan..Sajnon ka Sajan.’ ? Apparently hunger had numbed all reasoning.
Anyways, our minds, despite interlacing doubts that lingered on the probability of success of the mission, were made up. Conviction ran so deep that we decided to walk it down. Starting from Block 282(Our Base Camp) and ending our mission at Block 1111(Karma), at a rate of approximately 16 Blocks per minute, we estimated a total walk time of 45 minutes.
The peregrination towards the end of all gastronomic distresses began with exuberance and long strides, but as minutes wore on, the rate of ascension in the block numbers began waning threatening to jeopardize our estimated time to target.
Series of ‘Hitachi’ arches and bevies of ‘Brands’ later, we were at Block 1010. Our stomachs did convulse in agony when 1110 was followed by 1112. Our dreams, of hot tandoori roti that shall waft steam as you break, began to blur. But, hold on Ladies and Gentlemen, Yours Truly just had a brain wave.’Hey, we didn’t see any odd-numbered blocks on this side. Guess we are on the wrong side.’
Hope is a funny thing! So began a renewed hunt and exuberance. Quick steps across the other side and Block 1041 smirked at us. We smirked back. We walked past an open area – perhaps an area under construction. Our minds had already pictured Block 1111 greeting us on the other side with arms wide open. Much to our consternation, the block that grinned was 1131! We pottered around, looked in all directions geographically and topographically feasible, within the constraints of the movements allowed by our necks. Block 1111 was not there!!!
So we decided to retrace, perhaps we missed it. Block 1041 smirked. We scowled.
With drooping shoulders we decided to head back to our nest. Dejection soon gave way to hope and the spirit of worldly camaraderie lit in our souls as we vowed to make the evening worthwhile. We decided to switch loyalties and head for a Thai restaurant which we had descried on our way.
Doubt, they say is a root cause of all worldly bothers. But under circumstances which warrant a closer introspection and a careful tread, to be in doubt is not a bad way to go. Anyways, we decided to head straight in to the Thai restaurant and grinned ear-to-ear,at the waitress who approached us, in expectation of a sumptuous dinner. As we perused through the menu our grin transmogrified in to despair. We turned to the waitress who was now inflicted by the grin we had donned a few minutes ago. We conveyed ‘Vegetarian? No Meat?’ She conveyed ‘ Pork?’
The three of us looked at each other at the same time, a feat unachievable under normal circumstances. We scampered out, with shoulders drooping more than ever.
Hope reappeared soon, like a fairy awaiting clouds of despair. We decided to cook it up!!Ah yes! A movie as well. Ah the movie, well that requires another blog altogether...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A voice croons....
When corpus misplaces co-ordination and mind twirls in a miasma,
A voice croons.
Tranquility wafts in a slow rhythm like the smell of the morning tea,
A voice croons.
Haze strips itself and reveals a world that blooms and chirps in harmony,
A voice croons.
Worldly bothers dissipate away like the red autumn leaf from a tree looking beyond winter,
A voice croons.
Weight sheds its ego and mind flees in direction unknown yet splendid,
A voice croons.
Pupil dilates and eyelids compress whilst mind immerses in a trance,
A voice croons.
A voice….Mohd Rafi Forever.
A voice croons.
Tranquility wafts in a slow rhythm like the smell of the morning tea,
A voice croons.
Haze strips itself and reveals a world that blooms and chirps in harmony,
A voice croons.
Worldly bothers dissipate away like the red autumn leaf from a tree looking beyond winter,
A voice croons.
Weight sheds its ego and mind flees in direction unknown yet splendid,
A voice croons.
Pupil dilates and eyelids compress whilst mind immerses in a trance,
A voice croons.
A voice….Mohd Rafi Forever.
Friday, May 02, 2008
The Story of Shanghai Part 2
Another opportunity to sneak out! This meant a 7 AM excursion to the Jade Buddha Temple also known as Yufo Si.
If you are lucky, you can envisage peace and solitude in the concrete jungles of Shanghai, in this abode – in this monastery, right in the bustle of the city. As I said – if you are lucky. Despite the environs of an active monastery, Yufo Si has been ensnared in the clutches of tourism.
The monastery, architecturally, transports your senses in to the mystique of Buddhism and the charms of a Heavenly Kingdom. The monastery’s pristine architecture stands on wood; polished, preserved and personified and emitting an aura of tranquility.
The monastery is divided in to various chambers. The courtyard, which witnesses congregation of those seeking divine blessings – has ‘Heavenly King Hall’ (housing – among others – Laughing Buddha ,Four Heavenly Kings)on one side, and ‘Grand Hall’ (housing – among others – Three Golden Buddhas) on the other.
However, the mainstay of the monastery are the two Jade Buddhas(origins seem to be from Burma). The seated Buddha, ensconced in meditation and evoking tranquility, is bedecked with jewels and gems – adding richness and splendour to solitude. The chamber, which houses the larger of the two Jade Buddhas – stirs up sanguinity and inviolability. The other Jade Buddha – Reclining Buddha manifests His peaceful death.
Photographing the two, as expected is prohibited. There is also a replica of the Reclining Buddha, much bigger, made of marble and gifted by the government of Singapore.
Also, back yard of the monastery – has a small pond, abode to Koi Fish(es). The fish, seeming survives for over 200 years!
As I had indicated – tourism has overwhelmed this tranquil monastery, stealing the other- worldly charms. Go early and you might just catch the twilights of peace!
And yes, there is a restaurant adjoining the monastery, where you can enjoy Buddhist delicacies, devoid of meat, garlic, onion among others. This is what constituted my breakfast –
Bread – perhaps made of maida flour and fried, a taste reminiscent of batura, and soya sauce on side. Oolong tea (Oolong tea leaves in hot water), is a must try as well.
If you are lucky, you can envisage peace and solitude in the concrete jungles of Shanghai, in this abode – in this monastery, right in the bustle of the city. As I said – if you are lucky. Despite the environs of an active monastery, Yufo Si has been ensnared in the clutches of tourism.
The monastery, architecturally, transports your senses in to the mystique of Buddhism and the charms of a Heavenly Kingdom. The monastery’s pristine architecture stands on wood; polished, preserved and personified and emitting an aura of tranquility.
The monastery is divided in to various chambers. The courtyard, which witnesses congregation of those seeking divine blessings – has ‘Heavenly King Hall’ (housing – among others – Laughing Buddha ,Four Heavenly Kings)on one side, and ‘Grand Hall’ (housing – among others – Three Golden Buddhas) on the other.
However, the mainstay of the monastery are the two Jade Buddhas(origins seem to be from Burma). The seated Buddha, ensconced in meditation and evoking tranquility, is bedecked with jewels and gems – adding richness and splendour to solitude. The chamber, which houses the larger of the two Jade Buddhas – stirs up sanguinity and inviolability. The other Jade Buddha – Reclining Buddha manifests His peaceful death.
Photographing the two, as expected is prohibited. There is also a replica of the Reclining Buddha, much bigger, made of marble and gifted by the government of Singapore.
Also, back yard of the monastery – has a small pond, abode to Koi Fish(es). The fish, seeming survives for over 200 years!
As I had indicated – tourism has overwhelmed this tranquil monastery, stealing the other- worldly charms. Go early and you might just catch the twilights of peace!
And yes, there is a restaurant adjoining the monastery, where you can enjoy Buddhist delicacies, devoid of meat, garlic, onion among others. This is what constituted my breakfast –
Bread – perhaps made of maida flour and fried, a taste reminiscent of batura, and soya sauce on side. Oolong tea (Oolong tea leaves in hot water), is a must try as well.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Wounds for Joy...
Toiling by the day and labouring through the night,
But there is only so much I can bear, in this relentless fight!
Hungry mouths aplenty I descry, my bosom shrieks in agony and terror does accrue,
But apathy is not mine, may you not misconstrue.
Pliable I have been, demands afresh and burrows deep,
Scars and wounds I bear for your sake, harmful substances I help seep.
Tears have been in happiness, and wounds for joy,
But there is only so much I can do, my boy!
Your scars grate my wounds; nightmares carve themselves out of harmony,
But there is only so much I can bear to see, my eyes strain in melancholy.
Riches copious I did seed, Rice, Oil, Corn, Salt or Meat,
But plea I do in solemnity, may my seeds be treasured as greatness you seek.
- Dedicated to World Hunger Problem
But there is only so much I can bear, in this relentless fight!
Hungry mouths aplenty I descry, my bosom shrieks in agony and terror does accrue,
But apathy is not mine, may you not misconstrue.
Pliable I have been, demands afresh and burrows deep,
Scars and wounds I bear for your sake, harmful substances I help seep.
Tears have been in happiness, and wounds for joy,
But there is only so much I can do, my boy!
Your scars grate my wounds; nightmares carve themselves out of harmony,
But there is only so much I can bear to see, my eyes strain in melancholy.
Riches copious I did seed, Rice, Oil, Corn, Salt or Meat,
But plea I do in solemnity, may my seeds be treasured as greatness you seek.
- Dedicated to World Hunger Problem
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