On the night I landed here all I could see from my window was heaps and heaps of moist bluish white mass covering the fertility of the land. Never did I believe that I would one day wander in a country that I thought stayed only on Atlas maps. All I remembered was my brother's off white shirt that had barren pine trees printed on it. And that to me was a foreign land. Sometimes it was Bangalore's Cubbon park that I thought London looked like. America meant tall buildings I saw on MG Road. Certain days I was transposed to New York in my dreams. For some reason it should really have been California. What did Canada look like? I had never spent any time thinking about it. Russia was more on my mind than my current country of residence. Then after a while the novelty wore off. It was the same highways and exits I saw on TV. Every city looked alike. Seasons changed. Colors of leaves changed. Leaves fell off. It all came back again. Who was I anymore? I thought. Did living in a strange new country transform me anyway? Or was it just that everything I learned was applied in my new life? Anyone teach me anything? The other day in Jhumpa Lahiri's 'Interpreter of Maladies' the writer says that the protogonist is self-educated. Is anyone really? We can all be self-tutored but self educated? Hmm that's heavy I'd say. Now ask me where this is all leading. And I would respond 'into dear K's woven scarfs, C's charming smile, I's manic laughter, E's neurotic behaviour and my tender love's heart. I hide. Never again will I run.
It was the early 90s. Life was just taking a turn as was India. One day it was the magic of Eddie Murphy, Tyra Banks and Michael Jackson. Magic Johnson hits the big drum and declares in a booming voice. It was a time to remember alright.. On a Sunday it was suddenly Eric Clapton who brought 'Tears in Heaven'. Was it Tears for Fears who said 'Everybody wants to rule the world?'. DesRee and Terence Trent Darby with the silken 'Delicate', 24 by 7 taking to you a fast paced 'Take me away", Bon Jovi keeping the faith, Guns N' Roses welcoming you to the jungle with Axl Rose's sexy hairdo in 'Yesterday'. It was then the beginning of the end for Kurt Cobain. Just as I was getting so hooked to the Seattle band he put a bullet through his head. Quick. I wrote an ode to the man. So did a few more million fans. India had stepped into liberalisation. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh had 'freed' India from License Raj Economy. The youth were ...
Comments
Your last line "Never will I ever run" is staring at me.
Wish we had enough courage and awareness to stay grounded wherever we are.
Bring on more...