The thrill that cost me dearly...

We fought for space and time
Sometimes angry for no reason or rhyme
I simply could not understand your fears
After all it was only a couple of beers

Your constant calling and concern
Your worry, Dad, I couldnt discern
I cut your call and screamed with glee
As the car stereo boomed 'Tonight you and me!'

As we raced down the road
The wind in my face unburderning the load
I, at the wheel, smiled at him and he held my hand
Life seemed just perfect in all its strand

Then I took a wrong turn
And before I knew it I rammed into a car in front
The next morning when I woke up
I was no longer the yuppy teenager

As I sit near his grave today
All I hear are sounds of cries
All I see is his blood on my car as his car horn beeps loudly in the eerie night
I had snatched a son, brother and friend that day
And all I got were a few stitches...

Oh! The pain is so much
My heart could explode
All I feel are the tears that sting me
Alas... regrets do nothing but taunt me...

(This poem was born when I heard someone I knew had lost his life in a car crash. An extremely fun-loving and smart person who died a tragic death due to a girl who had too many drinks that day!)

Cinema and Movies!

I truly enjoy cinema. Not the movies but the cinema. Ok I do sometimes want to just sit back and let Akshay Kumar tickle my funny bone or nerve or watever. But mostly I prefer cinema.

You know the ones which get reviewed as 'different' 'aethestic' and 'off-beat.' I dont know but I have a penchant for those stories which reek out of the characters. I dont want to see someone (surely shivering) at the Alps serenade in a sari. I want to see Aditi Shrikant Pandit wipe her glasses and chide her husband. I dont enjoy Aishwarya Rai doing Ishq Kamina as much as I enjoy her being Guru's wife.

And yes I am a sucker for sob stories. The tragedies of life - pain, separation, hurt and death. Thats why I cherish Zakhm, The Notebook and Black. One of my all time favourite films is Stepmom - one which always manage to evoke varied responses each time I see it. The mere sensitivity with which it is handled is mind-boggling. The struggle for recognition between the two women is amazing.

I recently saw Nishabd and I loved the film. I think it is an extremely beautiful film. Crafted so well and especially long leg shots of Jiah are astounding. I mean you need to be a distinct sensibility to make such a film. And this from a filmmaker who has made films like Company. There is just no slotting of this man.

Another man whose films I enjoyed watching is Madhur Bhandarkar. Chandni Bar and Page 3 are exceptional films for the mere treatment of the subject. It reminded me of the 1970s era wherein the hero was a common man and not someone who drove a ferrari!

I also am pretty thrilled with the recent film on the Namesake. I mean these are pertinent issues of identity and cinema often is a good medium to bring them to the fore.

I do catch all other movies most of which are quite entertaining. But its only once in a while that a Astitva or a Pather Panchali comes by and no one can create magic like them! :)

I the Protestor!

For a very long time now I have hibernated in the dark corners of my mind and havent written my blog. Somewhere I knew it would beckon me. So here I am back on the circuit. And that is due to a specific reason. It all happened when extremely hot dry March afternoon.

I never truly understood the meaning of protesting against something until the moment I was a part of a protest rally. I was screaming slogans, holding placard and raising my voice in protest. This was unimaginable 5 years ago. I believe I was very status quoist type of person. I dont like conflicts and often wondered about protests. But this moment when I stood up with several other students to protest against the Khairlanji and Nandigram incidents, I understood why so many people across the world do it. What drives them and what they get out of it.

In the end, there were many who said whats the point it isnt as if it makes a difference. But I knew it made. It made a difference because at least we made our dissent known. At least it stirred something within me.

I think sociology is really sensitising me. Awakening me. It is a good feeling. It is "de-academising" me as Sir would say ;) Most of my college friends wont believe that I bunk classes, I am not the top scorer and I am not stressed at all. In fact I am reading much more than I did in BMM and quite enjoying it.

My bias towards Mumbai has made me averse to Pune but I think I owe a lot to the city. It seems to have changed my perspective. Things I otherwise took for granted now need to be earned. The comfort I felt in a familiar place is now replaced by a constant sense of adventure.

I think it is now that I am truly being a student :) Well cheers to that!