Celebrating life!

Born – burden Mistakes – immense Joys – unnecessary Aspirations – unrealistic Sorrows – overemphasis Responsibilities - more Dreams – impractical Speech – unworthy Strengths – negligible Weaknesses – innumerable Experiences – inconsequential Marriage – relief Death – happiness

     I have been one of those people blessed with thick, black, wavy hair. Even when I cut it short, it grows back to waist-length in approximately a year or so. So when I first heard about Pantene’s hair donation campaign last year, I was instantly inspired. I knew such a phenomenon existed in the West as I had a cousin who frequently chopped off his locks for such a cause. It was the first time I came to know about such a campaign in India but unfortunately I could not cut my hair in time. I searched the net then to find someone who would accept my hair. The agency I found in Mumbai did not seem reliable to me and I was wondering what to do.      Then one day, I attended a media workshop at St. Teresa’s College and in the newsletter I got from them, I read about their hair donation campaign. On further investigation I found the project was to my satisfaction and now I could finally do the deed. So I ran through the instructions and then approached m...

You decided I must be born - I was. You decided I shouldn't shed tears - I didn't. You decided I was your punching bag - I complied. You decided I would grow unattended - I grew. You decided to shower me with abuse - I listened. You decided my talents were worthless - I nodded. You decided my spotless skin was ugly - I agreed. wingless     shelterless     abandoned       bleeding      depraved       joyless I look at you It was never me. It was you.

Raindrop on my camera lens hankies wet with humidity we trudge an unfamiliar road to find a place, highly recommended. Backyard Civilization's art gallery Up the silent stairs into the artists’ foray shoes off our lives left on hold at the entrance we behold: Part of series of paintings entitled "Fool's Garden" gardens of extraordinary colours, peopled with fools from varied ages, Part of painting on paper entitled "Time wounds all heals" and heels wounded by time having stepped on seeds of different generations. The virtues of a village Tea-stained pencil work about replanting the virtues of a village captured our imagination as they walked past us to a new location, a new destiny. Our eyes were drawn away to the warm welcome of a fur ball Resident at the gallery examines our bags following an inspection of our luggage and begging for a caress. Only to be drawn back to an explosion of col...

When I met you I had on me: a broken heart an abused soul a lifetime of anger social rejection flurried emotions a longing for love a heap of panic attacks a blownup side effect body a friendless mind appreciation, well-starved minimal human contact an increased desire to belong And you gave me a receipt for: TOTAL ACCEPTANCE

I thought people only lived here in apartments and villas but I discovered life on the staircases when both elevators broke down and I had to climb 7 floors. There I discovered a community that meets to smoke cigarettes and exchange gossip. I found a group that airs their laundry as they discuss Brazil, Germany’s win or the upcoming Eid. There kids play and build stamina going round and round and round and cockroaches scuttle in search of food and new frontiers.  There I huff and puff and think If not for the broken elevators would I even know about the secret life of the stairwells that forge bonds unlike any other.

Getting completely drenched even with your best rain gear on Men who wear their lungis like a mini skirt (though they will have a major issue if women wore similar skirts) Puddles that make your car jump sky-high Getting poked in the eye by someone’s umbrella Impossible-to-see-through car windows despite being glass Streams and pond where there were none before Suffocating hot buses on account of all the shutters down Dangerously high levels of body odor in above mentioned situation (make sure to have a gag bag) Slipping & falling at least once especially in a muddy area Finding your foot caked in mud after u step into an innocent puddle Reaching home and finding everything in your bag soaked Someone will definitely share his/her fully-wet condition with you, physically Spend entire days feeling unconnected because you have no electricity Find your way blocked by all kinds of fallen plants   and sometimes cars too Invisible mosquit...

     Easter, true to its spirit, was one full of surprises, pleasant memories and nostalgia. For some reason I thought I would be flying out on a Wednesday till a chance reminder from hubby on Monday night made me realize that I was actually flying out on Tuesday. Oh dear! Then it was a last-minute mad rush to pack. I ran helter-skelter trying to get everything packed into my bags while I ensured the luggage didn’t exceed the weight limit. By Tuesday evening I had finally packed it all, though stuffed would be a better word. Now I was excited to leave. My friend’s warning that they would charge me if I went even a bit over the luggage weight limit, had me do a last minute repacking.     Having checked in online (I was within the weight limit, yay!) and being early, I was one of the first people to check-in. At the boarding gate I finally deciphered what the lady was announcing. It wasn’t a new word sones that I was hearing (like scones without the c) but ‘...

cats on the rooftop cats in my chair cats asleep on the table n above the microwave. cats at my feet in bed cats atop the ol' tv cats amidst the oranges n peeing in the sink. cats lying near the sleeping dog n in dad's favourite armchair cats fast asleep in my lap n on the laundry pile. cats climbing the banana tree n fighting with an overgrown puppy cats watching mum cook n dad locking the gates. cats hiding in Rafeeq's auto n winding their way across windows cats trying to roll a stone n hoping to catch the chick. cats watching the washing machine n people going to work in the morning cats trying to steal fish n eating biscuits n chips. cats begging for a jug of milk n cats hanging from mum's apron cats asleep on my computer n hiding in a brown paper bag. cats on my left cats on my right woe is me! cats in my dreams as well.

Rain clouds rumble lightning slaps thunder screams dogs whimper chickens hide trees shiver houses humph electricity disappears people curse mosquitoes feast candles sweat cars cry and you talk about  the power of your prayer.