This post is a bit ill-timed and delayed but then while the thoughts cropped up in my mind at the right moments, I was too lazy or busy to pen them down. But for the sake of posting, I post it now, better late than never.
RIP Steve Jobs
I got the news first from FB updates and couldn’t believe it initially. The day advanced with more condolences and expressions of grief and sorrow in FB. So there, another great man died and I got introspective about where I was headed myself. It was actually a sad realization that almost everyone I know and consider worthy enough is actually doing so much better than me. I guess I ended up being depressed about my own worthlessness than the news of death itself.
Happy Dussehra
October has always put me in a confusing state ever since my childhood. Where I come from, the month is marked by major festivals like Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali. And while everyone around me is busy shopping, dressing up and roaming around in a festive mood, I and my family literally stand out for delayed festivities which come 2 months later.
Quaintly my office was open on Dussehra and I for once didn’t feel out of place. Celebrations were toned down either because it’s Chennai or some reasons unknown to me. I received a gift pack which I believe was intended for Ayudha Puja the day before, rather than Dussehra. Nevertheless, I was happy that I received something for free.
The gift pack contained assorted sweets and a packet of rice puffs. Plain rice puffs! I doubt if I or anyone else in my PG is going to eat it (I and my room-mates finished the can of Rasgullas in one night). Maybe I would give the rice puffs to a beggar, let him too have a Happy Dussehra, though belated.
Anna does the Bhadra Purush
The day before, my office was closed because of Ayudha Puja. Being a truck maker, it’s natural for my company to worship the God of machines and livelihood, than celebrate the defeat of a demon king from the neighbourhood. My friend suggested we should check out the Navratri celebrations.As I hummed on the phone, she assured me she just wanted to see the idol, and there was food (not Prasad), real good food. Okay! I agreed.
It was a typical Puja place, crowded, loud and stuffy. I let her go ahead and see the idol while I caught my breath in front of a huge fan. I looked around and it seemed as if Bengal had come to Chennai. Probably all the Bengalis of the city had come. I felt at home, the familiar Bengali guy, sweating in a silk kurta, shouting “tadatadi” at the equally sweaty “roll wala”, while his hot young wife stood waiting with a disapproving look, her face wet with sweat but her makeup intact.
People aside, I loved the food in the stalls. But then given that my locality is infested with vegetarian restaurants, even a boiled chicken leg would be a delicacy for me.
Plans for the weekend
I guess I have kind of settled down in Chennai. I’m comfortable with my current arrangement regarding accommodation, food and commutation. Some of the best things about Chennai are:
RIP Steve Jobs
I got the news first from FB updates and couldn’t believe it initially. The day advanced with more condolences and expressions of grief and sorrow in FB. So there, another great man died and I got introspective about where I was headed myself. It was actually a sad realization that almost everyone I know and consider worthy enough is actually doing so much better than me. I guess I ended up being depressed about my own worthlessness than the news of death itself.
Happy Dussehra
October has always put me in a confusing state ever since my childhood. Where I come from, the month is marked by major festivals like Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali. And while everyone around me is busy shopping, dressing up and roaming around in a festive mood, I and my family literally stand out for delayed festivities which come 2 months later.
Quaintly my office was open on Dussehra and I for once didn’t feel out of place. Celebrations were toned down either because it’s Chennai or some reasons unknown to me. I received a gift pack which I believe was intended for Ayudha Puja the day before, rather than Dussehra. Nevertheless, I was happy that I received something for free.
The gift pack contained assorted sweets and a packet of rice puffs. Plain rice puffs! I doubt if I or anyone else in my PG is going to eat it (I and my room-mates finished the can of Rasgullas in one night). Maybe I would give the rice puffs to a beggar, let him too have a Happy Dussehra, though belated.
Anna does the Bhadra Purush
The day before, my office was closed because of Ayudha Puja. Being a truck maker, it’s natural for my company to worship the God of machines and livelihood, than celebrate the defeat of a demon king from the neighbourhood. My friend suggested we should check out the Navratri celebrations.As I hummed on the phone, she assured me she just wanted to see the idol, and there was food (not Prasad), real good food. Okay! I agreed.
It was a typical Puja place, crowded, loud and stuffy. I let her go ahead and see the idol while I caught my breath in front of a huge fan. I looked around and it seemed as if Bengal had come to Chennai. Probably all the Bengalis of the city had come. I felt at home, the familiar Bengali guy, sweating in a silk kurta, shouting “tadatadi” at the equally sweaty “roll wala”, while his hot young wife stood waiting with a disapproving look, her face wet with sweat but her makeup intact.
People aside, I loved the food in the stalls. But then given that my locality is infested with vegetarian restaurants, even a boiled chicken leg would be a delicacy for me.
Plans for the weekend
I guess I have kind of settled down in Chennai. I’m comfortable with my current arrangement regarding accommodation, food and commutation. Some of the best things about Chennai are:
- Lesser traffic than other metros. I have hopes of buying a car and driving it here.
- Some very good places to eat. Let’s face it, the people and the weather have masked the fact that Chennai has a lot to offer to a foodie.
- It’s cheap. Plus the malls have such bad collections that it’s actually therapeutic for shopaholics.
- The language is a bit difficult for me to grasp, I still speak out the numbers in Kannada rather than Tamil. This filters out all the noise. Imagine what bliss it is to not understand what abuse the random passer-by just hurled at you!
5 comments:
First part about Steve Jobs and your reaction...reminded me...that's so you!!!
-Prakhar
@ Prakhar: nothing can take that out of me :)
>>It was actually a sad realization that almost everyone I know and consider worthy enough is actually doing so much better than me.
Does my name appear in that list :P
@ Voice: what're you currently doing btw? :P
I can tell you but then I have to kill you :P
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