Man at the crossing

On Sunday or maybe Monday, last week, I was in a rush (as always) to get to office before 8.30 AM. I understand that other motorists on the road at that time EVERYDAY are on similar missions, but on a daily basis Ms. Understanding takes the back seat during rush hour. 

One of my favorite couples in this world Sangeet and Anand will roar with laughter at this line...I was at the Galadari signal. Anyways, while they continue giggling I shall get to the main part of this post.

There is a tricky right at this signal which is no less dangerous than some war struck border. Getting on to the lane to take this right requires daring calculations and maneuvering. Avoiding an accident requires no fear for traffic violations. Celebrated Grand Prix racers will find this route an exciting challenge. 

At this turn is a zebra crossing and God bless motorists who are kind enough to let pedestrians pass,  regardless of the violent honking that they get subjected to for doing so. Usually it is people jumping on to the road and crossing with severe frowns or cursing the cars. 

On this day, waiting to cross, was an elderly man in simple clothes carrying modest lunch in a transparent bag. No idea how I managed to notice so many things about this individual, but there was something about his smile brighter than the summer sun and body language that was simple yet inspiring. With his sincere smile he was indicating for motorists to let him pass when a tourist joined him at the crossing. The man immediately greeted the tourist. I stopped to let these men cross; he ensured that the tourist got to cross along with him, waved thanks to me and offered a friendly salute to the tourist guy before walking away.

I am guessing it was his smile that captured my attention. Something about this man at the crossing that offered more valuable tips for life than one can possibly find in best selling self help books:

Little patience and a smile can help you get through the busy and complicated crossings in life.

One does not have to initiate a renaissance to be remembered; a pleasant attitude should suffice. 

Dance statement

Talent in general including dance does not necessarily come in exquisite packages. It is prayer for some, fun for others; in other words a celebration of human emotions. 

A range of silly thoughts crossed my head when my guru Pali Chandra asked me to be on stage with dancers from Special Needs Future Development Center (SNF) and Gurukul for SAATHI's third anniversary celebration held at the Indian Consulate on Friday, 8th June. Although I was a part of the workshops, conducted by Pali ji, to prepare the SNF dancers for this show I caught myself worrying about the way I would look on stage. I was worried about not doing justice to the choreography. I was insanely upset that my physical limitations will be obvious to the audience.

These shallow, crazy thoughts pinched my nerves right until I saw the SNF dancers dressed in their costumes with make up on, excited and all smiles back stage. These performers might have been nervous but, certainly none of them were skeptical about being a differently abled dancer. Their attitude and excitement about rocking the stage was contagious, encouraging and humbling. I was not concerned about me anymore, we were a team. It was a dedication to differently abled artists. It was a unified proclamation that art and talent is not restricted to a particular section of the society. It was a prayer to encourage co-existence between the mainstream and specially abled communities. 

On stage with these fantastic stars, in front of a brilliant audience I did what I know how to do best and with no inhibition, I danced! 

What's in a name?

'What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.' Great stuff, but seriously there should be a legal system in place so that SOME mallu parents stop naming their kids with such atrocious names! Aldo is a store, Audi is a CAR goddammit, Salu - ahem ahem, Gregarious - POOR chap! Digol - for flu and running nose am guessing, Jofy - bole tho? Huxely - sm kinda new luxury dish washing liquid perhaps, Berny - really?and SHANKY - tell me this is a joke!
I do not have the most interesting name and I need to probably change it as well. But the ones above need some help ASAP.

Religion - confused

Recently I was asked about my religion and I replied confused! Well I was raised practicing two faiths since the parents had an inter-cast marriage and I have prided myself in being able to respect all religions. Things changed drastically when mum decided to subscribe to dad's faith a few years ago and turned into a demi-preacher. I would have perhaps been a staunch believer quoting verses from the bible if mum had shifted lanes when I was a lot younger. The point is I have not been able to cross over completely and grew up to be critical about eccentric believers of any religion as well as those who cannot tolerate other faiths be it spirit or science.

How can one practice religion faithfully and have zero spirituality? How can one pray whole day, attend numerous prayer or religious gatherings, be acknowledged for firm faith and then not have the ability to appreciate another human being? How is it that you proclaim to be led by the omnipresent but then discount humanity in your approach towards those who don't belong to your belief group?

The whole idea is to be a better human being and if all the religious practices, teachings, counselling, etc. detaches human from being and love from life then I opt to stay confused. 

Dancing with a Difference

Holi ke Rang is the first skill sharing workshop that I have attended which is meant for individuals like me. Although I was there as a supporter I was soon learning dance with the Special Needs Future Development Center participants. I chided myself severely for sympathizing. Purely because, as a differently abled person myself, I am not a huge fan of sympathy. Some of them could not talk at all and few others would forget what they said few seconds ago. However, these individuals with their different abilities put their best foot forward at the workshop. It was difficult not to be inspired, educated and encouraged after the workshop and thank you Pali ji for making this happen. I wish more people were equally convinced about accepting and working with the different abilities of special needs community.

dreaming of reality...

At times there are realities in life that come and go like dreams. Every element of it is so true the person/people in it, the experience, the joy and the pain. Then the reality ceases to exist like a dream that breaks when you suddely wake up. The dream is beautiful and you want to continue seeing it and being in it but, there is no way that the dream returns. Forcing yourself back to sleep, squeezing the eyes shut, trying to remember all the fine details of that dream nothing works and it is the same when the most beautiful reality of llife doest not seem to return. The helplessness to bring it back and hopelesness in attempts to continue the journey just forms comet sized lumps in the throat and turns you into a moving alien mass that is strange to the known self.
Never know if a dream returns, and even if they do there is the ache for it to be more lucid. Don't know how many people experience the bliss of when reality returns, and that is something that you want to hold on to forever if possible.