She's Arrived :)

A couple of days back I fought with my parents. For various reasons. And told them I will not join them in Calcutta for Durga Pujo if they don’t let me go to Bombay to meet Johnnie before he finally flies for UK. BUT the dhak beckons. The dhunuchi naach invites. Ma-er mukh leads me to Her. With authority. And I’m NOT going to miss it for anything.

This is ONE time when the agnostic me surrenders completely.

I’ve knelt, bowed and prayed before numerous Durga idols, BUT there’s this thing about Durga Pujo in Calcutta. Hands down- IT’S KICKASS. It’s true of any festival, just like Chhath is best in Bihar, Onam in Kerala and Pongal in Tamilnadu; Durga Pujo is the MOST beautiful in Calcutta. There’s so much magnificence, so much colour, so much faith. Under that effervescent smoke of the dhunuchi the world somehow seems so much clearer. The sound of the dhak sends you into a trance and in a very unique way, humbles you. The Dhunuchi Naach, according to me, is the world’s most graceful dance men ever danced. In honor of a woman. And NOTHING beats the ceremonious lighting of the 108 diyas. And when the air is filled with the sweet smell of the flowers used for the Pushpanjali you just wish, the aroma lingered…for a little longer..

I love it when married women play the sindoor khela. It’s amazing how a pinch of Vermilion signifies the sanctity of the relationship between a husband and a wife. The white saree with the lal border and huge bindis. G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. That is when you are reminded of the shakti they’re bestowed with. The shakti that gives birth, that nurtures, that protects. And in ways inexplicable those gorgeous smiles add to Her authority. Her beauty. Her dignity.

Robindra Shongeet recitals in the evenings is something I’m dying to watch. The portrayal of Sita in Thakur’s own words is a must.

Like every year, this year, I will pray with ALL my heart. For men all over the world to realize what it takes to be a Woman and how to RESPECT womanhood. To give power to all the women in the world. Let them realize the power of 'I'.

I am Durga.

More from Calcutta..later..till then Shubho Bijoya :)


PS: Did I forget(??) food??? Pandal hopping can leave you salivating and so, Durga Pujo is NEVER complete without food!Be it the Prasad, the richly flavoured daal, the seasoned mangsho, the spicy Khichuri or simply a platter of mishti. Oh-yum-DELICIOUS! :D

PPS: This is bringing out a lovely colour in me! (smug) :D

Of life in short orgasms…

Snow flakes and diamonds
The sharp heels
The perfume that smells of anxiety
The warm eiderdown

Nothing asked, nothing told
God stabbed under her skin
Between acts of a play almost written
The dried paint on her lips
The ringing cash registers
She pretends to dress
As she hums the tune her mother sang her once

And brushes the song off her shooulders
Lost at the cross-roads
Under snow flakes and diamonds

Some Sunday, he'll kiss my cheek and say hello..

Atleast one??

who will not be a lecherous bastard..

who will not grope me when I hug him..

who will help me define who I am..

who will not scoff when I say, I want to pursue religious studies one day..

who will help me solve the Rubik's cube..

who will respect me and my dreams..

Oh let the cynic be. With truth. So yeah, NO. But, maybe, just maybe, YES :)

Some Sunday. North East India. A random Stranger. Open the zipper on those clouds. Paint those mountains purple. Oh, beauty :)

When??

Aware

A 56-year old perfectly healthy guy. No diabetes, no heart problems, no cholesterol. Just BP. Loves his son. Loves his 2 daughters more than the son.

Is pronounced dead on arrival.

While the military van’s (that hit his bike) driver and the traffic police haggle and while others pass by, cursing the stupid accident that has brought the traffic to a standstill and caused them delay, he fought the battle, for two hours. He’s rushed to the GH, where he is not attended to for over half an hour, but somehow they had time to rob him of his gold-chain his loved one had once gifted him.

A perfectly healthy guy. Gone. Just like that. Poof.

Yes, I cursed the system where hospitals still ask you to file an FIR before an accident patient can be admitted to trauma care. Where a person is given NO first aid, but is robbed of his gold chain first. Where people cowardly turn a blind eye to the horror that faces them in the eye. But, before I cursed, I was suddenly VERY aware of the loss. Aware of the fact that it could happen to anybody. To people I love.

PS: The man is my colleague’s father. The only thing she said when I met her was, “why him? HE could’ve have called me”

To Dad...

SUPPORT is not always monetary.

Love,
Bittu