February Love- Part 1

Come February and the atmosphere all around suggests oodles of cuddles, lots of candlelight dinners and just pure romancing idea's!

I guess it's got to do with the crazy amount of marketing that's gone into making a 'Valentines Day' what it is in a country like that of mine where till date there are violent demonstration by political parties over the concept of PDA (Public Display of Affection)! So while we juggle between the violence of political play and apt responses from social bodies like  The Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose, and Forward Women who introduced the 'Pink Chaddi campaign'; I seem to fall prey to a barrage of romantic movies which can keep playing in a loop...

Here's a list of a few that tops my chart this season. :)

Sound of Music:

First up on my list is 'Sound of Music'. Possibly my first ever encounter with love as an emotion in motion picture!

"The hills are alive with the sound of music with songs they have sung for a thousand years..." sings Maria drowning the audience into captivating Alp's and wins not just the love of Captain Von Trapp but the world for decades on. No wonder the movie bagged the 38th Oscar's.

What can one say about a legend.



I began relating to the film with songs like 'Do re me...', 'raindrops on roses', 'The Lonely Goatherd' when I was 6

Moved onto feeling smitten with 'I am 16' when I was a teenager

And to the now when I am 32 I just cant stop being amazed at the intense portrayal of romance between Julie Andrew's and Captain Von Trapp.

An ever green film and I am sure I'll continue to love it beyond my grave!!!



You've Got Mail:

Next up on my list is the 1998 Nora Ephron's 'You've Got Mail'.

"I turn on my computer, I go online and my breath catches in my chest until I hear 3 lil words.................... 'you've got mail'..."!

Two business rivals who hate each other at the office but fall in love over the internet.

Hmmm...sigh...Can rattle out every dialogue in the film like how a 5 year old would with a Jungle Book!!!

Some stuff that I recall the moment I think of this movie: 

Film Trailer

'What will NY152 say today I wonder?'

Original video of 'Dream' by The Cranberries

@the Supermarket
Twirling
Kevin; this woman is the most incredible creature I have ever know!
Thank you for the daisies!
Blue birds fly: Finally meeting at the garden.

My stomach still churns (so much of blush) every time I hear Tom Hank's say 'Dont cry Shopgirl'!!!


Of course one can't forget:
Notting Hill
Pretty Woman
Sweet November
Music & Lyric


What a sucker for romance! :P

Keep watching this space for more...

My chocolate Santa's gifted me an oven!!!

Always wanted to own a decently large oven and finally my sweet heart obliged and bought it for me today as a pre-Christmas gift. So finally I own a 40litre Morphy Richards oven and I just cant wait to bring in all the celebrations around the next few weeks.

I am so looking forward to some 'Happy Baking' times!

Dhunuchi naach: my personal aroti to Durga Ma

The earliest memory of me doing Dhunuchi Naach goes back to as early as being 4. In a pandal near the big lake in Hyderabad, with my Dadu watching over me, I swayed to the rhythmic strums of the Dhaki's and the next vivid memory was of picking up a small silver trophy as a token of appreciation by the Pujo for my performance. I don't think there has been a year where I may have missed an opportunity to perform ever since. Now at 32 when I am asked how does it feel to win OR have I come first I have only one thing to say; this is my personal offering of devotion to Ma, it is not about competing but about being one with her through my dance...

The aroma of dhuno, the resonating sound of multiple dhak's calling out to Ma and that enigmatic face fills me with an emotion which is beyond words. All I can feel at that moment is thumping of my heart, my feet tapping and a surge to sway with the rhythm without loosing a moment. To me it is the sound of victory and the elation felt when good prevails over evil...

With this year now in the past all I can say is: 'Bolo bolo Durga Ma ki; Jai... Ashche bochor abaar hobe!!!'

Pictures courtesy: Mukesh Trivedi- Senior Photographer DNA and Samar Sengupta

October 2010

Ganpati bappa moriya...

This was Adi's first year of Ganpati celebration at home. It is a yearly festivity at my in-laws and finally we have got the strength to carry forward the tradition at our home from this year.

Buying the idol was amazing fun. We had a whole load of elphant god's we could choose from but being a toddler home we settled down for a very unconventional look- we brought home 'Bal Ganesha' (toddler elephant god). Our Ganesha was riding a scooty with his lil friend; the mouse, pearched at his feet looking a wee-bit scared at the thought of a joy ride with the Lord...un-charted territories I guess!!! :)

Satya did the Puja as per vidhi's. I made the prasadam at home.

Puliodhare, payasam and modaks (courtesy a friend) both rice n wheat. Post the puja we had friends who joined in for lunch which was served on banana leaves...We tried to make it as authentic as possible!

We had guests all trough the 1.5 days of celebrations.

Thank-you all for all the encouragement as well as being so enthusiastic! It has build up our apetite for a more funfilled occasion for next year...

Ganpati bappa moriya...pudhchya varshi laukar yeah!