Happy Basant

It's sad that no one's around to tell the Earth
Tell her just how much the Sun loves her.
( Amish Tripathi, Raavan,Enemey of Aryavrata)

Happened to read early in the morning (incidentally) today The Ballad of the Sun and the Earth from Raavan by Amish Tripathi. The messages of Happy Basant were already there on whatsapp and as I opened the door, the sunshine had such a warm, vibrant, smiling look as if cheekily muttering 'paala udant'! Juxtaposed to the intimidating thunderous rain the day before last evening, the Sun having been smittern much earlier than scheduled by the hovering dark clouds, today morning bore an altogether hopeful look and chill- less demeanour.

Spring is one such word which symbolises positivity, cheer, joy. It stands for a new beginning leaving behind anything and everything having negative connotation-autumn, cruel winter, dense fog, long nights, small days. It is revered all over the world and welcomed joyfully with kite flying, air baloons, tanning camps and exclusive joie de vivre.
In our country its arrival is marked by Ma Saraswati jayanti-the goddess of love, poetry, creativity, music and dance. Basant is considered an 'anpuchha muhurat'- the most auspicious day beyond any doubt.

Nature has in its coffers bounty of happiness ready to shower the same unto ourselves abundantly without any discrimination. Are we ready to accept as cheerfully and voluntarily the offers it makes? Do we have the zest to celebrate our very own festivals? How many of us value these small but meaningful cherishables to cook yellow sweet rice, wear yellow clothes, share with neighbours the sweet culinaries and fly the kites? Are we, the recepients of rich joyous traditions also going to leave behind for posterity the spirit to celebrate? Or is it waning as days wither us and we mutter: sannoo kee...what to us?

'Where are the songs of spring, ay where are they? (John Keats)

The White Beauty

Fog has always fascinated me since childhood. Walking to school and later biking to college during the thick of winter foggy days had so much charm about it. As an adolescent,the fog represented an enigma but also a strange kind of romance that invoked imagination and I loved to revel in its expanse, smoky uncertainty coupled with cool mistiness. It used to mesmerise the child in me and I vividly remember how with my arms spread and head skywards I expressed my joy enveloped by thick early morning fog.

During my tenure as CEO KDB ,the assignment I enjoyed for seven long summers and winters consecutively with office at Brahmsarover, I would straight go out to feel foggy vastness spread divinely over the the sacred water and on such occasions the zero visibility held a joyful charm undefinable minus any fear whatsoever.

Its only when I have undertaken journeys irresponsibly or due to some delay or the other reason have had to be on road that I have encountered the intimidating nature of fog, challenging movement and asserting heavy handedly , threateningly jeopardising peace and forcing prayers to be mumbled for safe arrival from wherever to wherever. Yes, am afraid to be on road during the fog. The lazy mornings still hold promise of the sunshine but the evening fog can be extremely dicey, uncertain and to say the least really really dangerous for travels.

The wonderful Sun can only for some days be forced to hide but when it shines, the joy impeccable can be felt 'along the heart and in the veins' especially when it follows a thick spell of daring fog. The sense of relief can be seen writ large on faces we encounter as ofcourse, there is no joy akin to the joy rendered by sunshine. True, 'the Sun is still in the sky and shining above' , but the white beauty which mesmerises with its cold opaque presence has its music too-indescribable- enchanting at times, at times solemn, quaint music that makes us sing and dance despite the trsnsitory nature of its very being.

No Blog Post It Is

I have been searching for it for long. All nooks and corners of the places I have been to, resided in are witness to my this search. I looked for it during all the travels I undertook official or personal as it generally met me during the journeys. Much have I tried to find it in papers, scribbles, missives old and new but in vain. The creations I came across gave me a real good hope that these would definitely pave for my meeting with my long lost friend but of no avail. The seasons of all hues have passed by giving me hope sometimes, sometimes despair regarding the encounter I aspired for but the misty breeze of monsoons nor the fall of autumn nor the furious rages of winters have made the hope be realised. But I am quite persistent albeit minus mostly the patience but this time I have been keen to get to meet it come what may as I cannot have lost the precious one with whom the ties were nurtured with pain and passion, with love and care, with sweat and blood, with intensity and sensitivity, with kindness and possessiveness.

There were times when a good pen or a plain white paper were suffice to beckon it. There were times when even in midst of the night it could wake me rightfully amd force me to be with it and indulge in its whims and fancies. There were times when a whiff of fresh air could soak the parched throat and I could sing with full throated ease a duet with it. There were times when a gentle compliment or a voice of sincere appreciation could make me ga ga all over again and I could dance with it romantically looking into its eyes with my hand in hers. Yes, there were times I could cry with my head on its shoulder and its silent patience washed it all-the agonies and tribulations, sorrow and hurt.

I have missed it all these days that it has been away from me. Missed its care and concern for my being, missed its caress and hugs, missed its protection and prodding to come out, breathe in open fully and exhale completely.

My mentors and friends have asked me often asto how it was as they have connected me for long with it. Many a times I have been exhorted to make a focussed search for it and I felt it was nowhere outside. Like 'the presence' it was inside only sulking and lost, a bit hurt by my demeanour towards it as-if it didn't matter as the life does go on-normally whereas in days of the yore it had always enjoyed a prized place, adored and indeed cared for it always had been. There was not a day when I would not spend time with it, make her feel special by holding it lovingly and fondly indulge in its company and the rest of the world was secondary and it was the only thing that was the most precious and valuable, cherishable and the truest friend !!

Its not fair on my part to be casual and care-the-less when it comes to something that has been not just a friend in need but also a friend indeed. I am glad to share that I have found it and I would see to it that I donot make it leave me and I would handle it with care and affection it deserves, give it time and energy sometimes utmost exclusively and make it feel special the way it has always made me feel. I would never never never leave it I have promised to myself because without it I am incomplete, can be forlorn, lost and sunk. I shall atleast set my lands in order and redefine priorties. Having found my 'lekhni' back is indeed making me feel blessed like a chosen child of His.