Epic Monologue

the problem of gratitude

2009-11-08T23:44:00.000-08:00

Gratitude. The biggest problem with being an atheist is what to do with it, whom to direct it at. But I feel it all the same. And acknowledge it.

is she cool or what

2009-10-26T00:28:00.000-07:00

(Seen at the reception of Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt.)

2009-10-21T23:12:00.000-07:00

एक छोटी सी कविता आद्या के लिए

blogging life

2009-10-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

So I'm back to reading China Mievelle, the perpetrator of weird fiction. I had read 'Perdido Street Station' and it was a rewarding read by the end. 'Iron Council', now, is supposed to have heavy political undertones. It is also a cross between science fiction and cowboy western. Having said that, the book does have a tough skin that's hard to sink teeth in. Reading it on mobile doesn't make the task any easier.

Also reading 'The Castle of Crossed Destinies' by Italo Calvino. But that's for another post.

The hectic affair of getting the child delivered, the to and fro hospital trips, the long vigils by Himani's bed, all that's over. Both Himani and Aadyayani (आद्यायानी)are back home. Of course, it will take her at least another month to leave bed and resume normalcy. But that girl o' mine has always been a tough one.

Oh, and a proper post after such a long time does deserve a mention of Miyazaki, this wonderful and much celebrated Japanese animator that I've discovered only recently. In fact, he deserves a separate post as well. However, if you have been seeking extraordinary storytellers, you must check him out. And the perfect starting point to capture the magnitude of his talent would be 'Spirited Away'. However, each of his works stands on its own, dealing with subjects as varied as coming of age, war, ecology, childhood and fantastic flying machines. (Oh, and that's Yubaba in the picture below, my favouritest witch in the whole wide world, probably a nod to Baba Yaga of the Russian fables by Miyazaki)

And if I manage to post this, it would be a first, my first post from a mobile device.

So I guess I will see you later. And if this mobile posting works, perhaps sooner.

the teensy weensy goddess

2009-10-20T05:01:00.000-07:00

Born on the 14th of October '09, her name is Aadyayani(आद्यायानी). It's an extension of Aadya (meaning the ancient one), one of the many names of Shakti, the feminine deity, the mother Goddess. I had to go through several Sahasranamas (Collections of a thousand names of Gods and Goddesses) of Durga, Parvati, Saraswati, Lakshmi to arrive at this one. Even then it had to be a truce between my choice (Katyayani) and Himani's pick (Adya).

She looks delicate and fragile, her wails are almost melodious, and her temper is prodigal. I do believe I'm gonna spoil her silly.

2009-08-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

अपनी नाक के छोर का पीछा करते एक और दिन बीता। ठीक ही था। अब घर जाना है। बच्चा सवाल करने लगा है- पापा, देर क्यों करते हो रोज़?

2009-08-24T08:29:00.001-07:00

new hindi poem alert

river, me

2009-08-16T23:45:00.000-07:00

New Poem alert

life in a snapshot

2009-08-07T23:14:00.001-07:00

Currently reading: 'A Woman of the Iron People' by Eleanor Arnason. It belongs to a genre (that I did not know about) called anthropological science fiction. The story narrates the first account of a space traveller called Lixia (a woman) from near future making contact with a new sentient race on an alien planet. The new race is intelligent, humanoid, furred and somewhat primitive. Lixia studies and narrates the customs and lifestyle of this race through a woman called Nia who's her companion on a journey they have to undertake. I haven't finished yet, so more later.

Currently listening to: A Heavy Metal band called 'Lamb Of God' that belongs to the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Their style is Metalcore/Grindcore with elements of progressive metal. The songs are frantic-paced and aggressive, with post-grunge growling vocals that characterise so many new bands. It's a first for me, and I'm enjoying it.

Currently thinking of: An offsite for my team. Inspired by this visioning exercise that I recetly attended for a client, I think I'm gonna hold something similar for August.

currently reading...

2009-08-03T02:08:00.001-07:00

'Man Plus' by Frederik Pohl, and am once again struck by the ingenuity of sci-fi writers' imagination and thoroughness of their detailing. Perhaps, its closer to forecasting rather than mere story writing. 'Man Plus', a 1976 Nebula winner, is the story of an astronaut who is engineered into a cyborg for the purpose of living on Mars. It also reminds me of 'Spin', yet another story that deals with Mars (terraforming, different time zones, good shit).

ode to leela

2009-07-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

I was only 12 when I fell in love with her. Such was the power of her performance in Anuradha. Even in a Black and White film, (the much revered) Leela Naidu could express every shade of gray through her portrayal of this very real, timeless woman. And her beauty was ethereal, her grace- divine. No wonder I was smitten. And now she's gone. May she rest in peace.

bombs and people

2009-06-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

In a world without windows, only walls, I tick like a timebomb, waiting for the counter to stop counting. Waiting to explode, words like splinters at supersonic speeds, ripping the dream reality apart. Shards that shred illusions. And then? Silence. Peace perhaps.

पोएम alert

2009-06-05T09:46:00.001-07:00

एक नयी कविता

on a train

2009-05-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

Trains have a way of poking memories like a rake pokes the ashes in a cold fireplace. Eddie fills his earphones with slow conteplative music. A semi barren landscape rushes by the windows.

cool like jack

2009-05-22T21:22:00.001-07:00

The portrait's by Ron Wood, that Rolling Stone.

Ain't no one cooler than Jack.

blatant shameless plagiarisation? or uncanny coincidence? you decide.

2009-05-17T02:08:00.000-07:00

This is what we presented to icontrol (an iptv product), a JV between MTNL/BSNL and Aksh Optifibres some time in October 2008:

This is what was released in today's newspaper for a similar product from MTNL/BSNL.

So , are you thinking what we are thinking?

Cross-posted on our official blog.

o the joy of getting published aka blow your own trumpet

2009-05-17T01:11:00.000-07:00

2009-05-15T01:50:00.001-07:00

हिन्दी कविता alert

2009-05-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

To be with one's parents and child is to be like a tree whole, with roots and fruits.

कुछ लिखते हैं

2009-05-01T00:24:00.000-07:00

चलो आज अपना बचपन याद करते हैं. घडी की सुई उल्टी घुमाते हैं. कुछ लिखते हैं. लैपटॉप को ताक पे रख के डायरी पेन उठाते हैं. कुछ लिखते हैं. कुछ नया महसूस करते हैं. सुन्न पड़ी यादों को तड़का लगाते हैं. कुछ लिखते हैं.

हाय गरमी

2009-04-29T02:21:00.000-07:00

सूरज गुस्से में है। आसमान उबल रहा है। सड़क जूतों पर चिपकने लगी हैं। अगर चिल्लायें तो आवाज पिघल कर टपक जाए। गहरी साँस लें तो नाक के भीतर के रोयें झुलस जाएँ । सुनते थे क्रिस्तानी नर्क में बहुत गरमी है। कहीं वो नर्क पाताल से उठ कर जमीन पर तो नहीं आ गया है।

new hindi poem alert

2009-04-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

here and here and here

for a friend

2009-04-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

My friend Shonee has been a victim of the misuse of IPC 498A, the dowry law. While the law has its merits, it has often been abused and misused . In the coming elections, Shonee is supporting a candidate who is sympathetic towards the said cause. This is his plea:

Hi Friends,

I would start this mail by quoting Disraeli. He famously said, the only way to achieve progress is that "we must educate the masters", that in our present context means that at this election time the duty is cast upon us to disseminate information, ideas and right figures to the public at large. Because only then, the small voice of reasoning would be heard by the masters who control our fate by sitting in the August house of Parliament of India.
It is estimated that man started roaming on earth around twenty lakh year before and most of our actions at that time were guided by the animalistic instincts of fear, hatred, possessiveness and narrow loyalities. The advancement of human brain brought reasoning some 10,000 year ago only. So, no wonder that at times of turbulance and test, we go back to our herd mentality and count ourselves on regional and communal loyalities, caste considerations, or even if I may say class considerations in big cities.
However, if we continue doing the same, election after election, that would be anti-evolution. We evolved, because we could put rest to these fears and considerations for the betterment of complete human race, thus at this point of time, it is our duty to not only vote but vote carefully and wisely. Guided purely by the reasoning, so that we do vote for the best man and only by doing so, we can "educate our masters".
The reason, as is seen in abundance today, is that the voice of small minority, if it is loud and vociferous is mistaken as the voice of majority. And when the bang is so loud, the small voice of reason is not heard. And as long as, we, who consider themselves as thinking men, will not take pain of expressing ourselves, educating one person at a time, we can't even think of doing what we see as restoration of basic human freedoms.
If we ask anyone today, what does majority of our legislators personify, the response invariably would be - arrogance of power. The class lines after every elections are divided only in two. The rulers and the ruled. The rulers think they can bend everything to satiate their narrow agendas and we ruled bear their incompetence and uncrupulousness. Which is a dangerous blend.
In my short journey in standing upto the wickedness of people, I have often seen that the laws drafted by these incompetent people are plain wicked and insane.
Thus we a small minority voice of reason, which include Save Indian Family, Save Family Foundation, My Nation, CRISP, MASI etc. have lent our voice of sanity to Sudhir Kumar from New Delhi constituency.
Sudhir Kumar amongst other things stands for the following:
Equality for All
Domestic Harmony
Judicial and Legal Reforms
Stop the Misuse of Dowry Law
Urban Rebuilding
Rebuiding the Bond with Indians Abroad
Freedom of Media and Private Radio
If you like the agenda, he is fighting for, please come out and vote for Sudhir Kumar. If you know someone in Delhi, please encourage him to vote for Sudhir Kumar. And if you can inform others about the agenda by way of newsletter, email forwards, blogging, sms, please do so. As there is no other way to educate the masters except by breaking that impregnable wall of party and caste based politics in which the demons feel safe.
And, yes, to the cynics who ask, how far would we go with one candidate. My answer is simple - The journey of a thousand miles begin with just one step. And Sudhir had the courage to take that first step. Your support is vital
Regards,
Shonee Kapoor
PS: I would urge all of you to vote for the best man in your respective constituency, irrespective of other considerations. Afterall, a right man or woman in wrong party is better than a wrong man or woman in right party. And, please do VOTE.
PPS: My above post is not copyright protected. Anyone is free to blog it/ forward it/ amend it.

--
Shonee Kapoor
Email: harassed.by.498a@gmail.com

Blog: http://ipc498a.wordpress.com/
Forum: http://forum.498a.org/
Website: http://www.498a.org/
______________________________
___________________

Sirf Hangama khada karna mera maqsad nahi,
Saari Koshish hai ki ye surat badalni chahiye.

Mere seene mein nahi to tere seene mein sahi,
Ho Kahin bhi aag, lekin aag jalni chahiye.

safety in delhi

2009-03-26T02:44:00.000-07:00

When you have a child, fun and frustration walk hand in hand. Every day brings a new dilemma to the fore.

Today, the school was taking my child and his class to Children's Park in Delhi. Now, I am of the opinion that the child should be exposed to as much experience (especially social interaction with his new peers and teachers) as possible, in a secure environment of course .

However, incidents like Jigeesha Murder Case fill my wife's heart with dread (and I dare not call it irrational). It sure makes us wonder if there's wisdom in just keeping our children safe at home, as long as it isn't absolutely necessary to let them out.

back

2009-03-24T21:56:00.000-07:00

The silence, ever so often, makes such a clamour, wouldn't you agree?

And, so we are back. What's been keeping us? Well, there's family for one. Jay has started going to school (Nursery, Apeejay Saket). So much change for a mere child- change of city, change of school, change of house, change of people he's used to. Yet, like always, he is taking it all in his stride with the poise of a little grown-up man.

Moms (his, and mine) are here too. Soon, we'd shift to a new (bigger) house, and life would be that much closer to regular family life (whatever that is).

This week also saw an old old friend Manish Tanwar (a.k.a. Tudu) visiting Delhi. He's married, and happily. That feels good.

And I've been possessed by the Ender's saga (Spurred on by the comic above). Seven books down, one book and one story to go. Orson Scott Card is good. Make that real good. (Although I'm a little surprised at his blatant homophobia, not in the book, but in general. Must be the Mormon indoctrination.)

Did I tell you about 'Little Big', a book that's hard to put in a particular genre? Post modern fantasy, they call it, I think. But it's one book you should read, even if it's not written in a coherent, linear fashion. It's poetry in prose, and just like the fairies, the central (or is it peripheral) subject of this book, the meaning also remains elusive and yet visible from the corner of our eyes at all time. It would probably remind you of an Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups.

What else?

Ah, Watchmen. The movie didn't disappoint, and that's a lot to say, for to capture the complexity of the book was a nigh impossible task. Let me put in a gentle (but firm) word of caution for those who haven't read the classic graphic novel by that eccentric and brilliant man Alan Moore. You might have a hard time getting the movie. Go read the book first. You won't regret it, I promise.

More later.