Thursday, March 24, 2011

Children- Great Teachers

I have often felt that a child can teach you many things in an uncomplicated and most efficient manner. Whether it is loving unconditionally or forgiving one's mistakes, we can learn a lot from the children.

A child loves unconditionally. It is not because of the n number of chocolates or toys that we gift them that they love us. They don't love us less for our weakness. They teach us that it is "ok" to make mistakes; and that one need not unnecessarily fuss about it. They can easily forgive, forget and move ahead.

When a mother scolds her child, the child cries calling the mother herself.  A few minutes later the same child goes to her mother - may be for playing or for something else. She does not hold a grudge. Even if two children fight, they make up. But, if it were two adults who has had a fight, then how long does it take for them to forget and forgive, before they can even talk to each other???

Children are far more caring and observent than we adults credit them with. I have often found my own children caring and thoughtful if ever I am ill. They are always ready to be of any help and even make it a point to console us in troubled times.

The children dont judge us unfavourably - the way we do to them and others. They are more adapting and open. They are enthused and lively all day, almost everyday!

Once upon a time, even we were like that... Why did we change into the nasty things that we sometimes are to each other? Why don't we ever give the benefit of doubt to the other? 

May be it's because we have forgotten to be simple - in our thoughts and our lives. We have forgotten to find happiness in little things of life; instead we complicate life unnecessarily by focussing everything on, and around 'us'. May be it's because we have inflated and pampered our egos in such a way that there is no scope for anything else. We have forgotten to be childlike - unconditional! 

May we all re-discover the child in us and live happily everafter!!!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

രാമഴ

ഏറെ നാള്‍ കഴിഞ്ഞിട്ടിന്നിതായെന്‍ വരണ്ട
മണ്ണിന്‍ മടിത്തട്ടില്‍ അമൃതവര്‍ഷിണിയായ്    
പെയ്തുതിരുന്നു രാമഴ...
കാലചക്രത്തിന്‍ പായ്ച്ചിലില്‍ നഷ്ടമായെന്നു ഞാന്‍
വ്യസനിച്ചതാമെന്‍ പ്രിയ സഖി
നിനച്ചിരിയ്ക്കാതെയെന്നെത്തേടിയെത്തി!


അവളുടെ നനുത്ത കരങ്ങളുമടക്കിപ്പിടിച്ച
ശബ്ദവും, ചന്നംപിന്നമുതിരുന്ന പയാരങ്ങളു-
മെന്നെ ഉന്മത്തയാക്കി.
ജാലകപ്പഴുതിലൂടൊന്നു ഞാനെത്തി നോക്കിയ മാത്ര;
അവളെന്നംഗോപാംഗം കുളിര്‍ത്തെന്നലാല്‍
തഴുകിയുണര്‍ത്തി!


കെട്ടിപ്പുണര്‍ന്നുല്ലസിയ്ക്കാന്‍   കരങ്ങള്‍ നീട്ടിയോടി-
യെത്തിയെന്‍ ചിരകാല സഖിയാം രാത്രിമഴ; ഏറെ
ദൂരവും താണ്ടിയിന്നിവിടെ!
അവളുടെ ചിരപരിചിതമാം ഭാഷണവും സ്പര്‍ശവുമെല്ലാം
എന്നെയാമോദത്തിലാഴ്ത്തി; ഏറെക്കാലം കഴിഞ്ഞിന്നു-
ഞാന്‍ ശാന്തയായ്...

അവള്‍, തന്‍ കരതലങ്ങളാലെന്നെ  പുല്‍കി, ചെറിയോ-
രീണത്തില്‍ മൂളുന്നൊരു താരാട്ടിന്‍ ഈരടികള്‍! 
ഞാനുറക്കത്തിലേയ്ക്കാണ്ട്  പോകായായ-
വളുടെ മടിത്തട്ടില്‍ കിടന്നിങ്ങനെ; ഏറെ മോദമോടെ-
യൊരു കൊച്ചു കുഞ്ഞിന്‍ സ്വപ്ന ലോകത്തിലേക്ക്!  
           

Friday, March 18, 2011

Munnar - Part 2







It is noteworthy to mention that I started off by blog with an article on Munnar, which got me some good reviews, and gave me the confidence to go ahead with my writing. I had written that piece long ago, with the intention of following it up… But years have passed since the first post and I am yet to write the second part. Now I feel that I have ignored it far too long… let me see if I can brush up my memory!

Munnar Diary- Day 2:

The dawn held new promises in its bosom and we all woke up rather refreshed. The agenda for the day had been laid down – a visit to the famous Eravikulam National Park – the abode of the famed Nilgiri Tahr! It is also famous for the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes Kunthiana), that blooms only once in every 12 years. It is said that when the flowers bloom the whole hill looks blanketed in blue.

Eravikulam National Park is nestled in the high range (popularly known as Kannan Devan Hills) of the Southern Ghats… The name Eravikulam must have evolved from the words: Eravi/Aruvi- meaning stream & Kulam – meaning pond/pool.

The Park is 97 sq. km. in extent. It mainly contains high altitude grasslands. The undulating plateau that encompasses the National Park is said to be about 2000 meters higher than the sea level. The highest peak of South India, Anamudi, which measures 2695 meters, is situated here. Three major types of flora are found here-grasslands, shrub land and forests. Turner’s valley is the deepest valley here and it almost splits the park into two.

After breakfast, we rode to the gate of the park and bought the entry tickets. Private transportation is prohibited in the park and so we had to wait for the KTDC bus that would take us up to a certain point, after which we have to do some hiking to reach the point till which tourists are allowed. The summit of the hill is not accessible for the tourists. On the way up to the end point, we enjoyed unparallel natural beauty. There were some small streams that contained water so cool and refreshing! The flora were mainly shrubs and some wild plant, but with beautiful flowers.


We had huge hopes of sighting the famed goat! But it proved elusive! Few of our fellow tourists gave up very easily and went back to the bus point. Others, like us, enjoyed the nature and decided to test our luck and waited. Soon, it was becoming more and more obvious that we will not get a glimpse of the VIP! So, rather reluctantly, we decided to go back to the boarding point.

Then, someone spotted few specks on a hill top far away, and cry enthusiastically “There it is!” And as we strained our eyes to focus on the spots it seemed moving; so we decided it – it certainly is a Tahr! We zoomed our camera to the maximum and the rather grainy image that was captured, certainly showed a Tahr!


So thus armed with something to show off, we came back, took the bus back to the entrance and drove off in our car in search of our lunch. Of course, we bought the tiny little fresh carrots from the vendor and enjoyed them. They were so sweet, crispy and wonderful to eat!

Soon we reached back at our rooms after lunch and it was already time to go back to home! The one and half days at Munnar seemed to have passed by in a flash! We didn’t have enough of it… Plans of coming back again here were already being formulated in the mind. With that reassuring thought of revisiting Munnar, we started on our return journey. We stopped to buy some spices and specialties of Munnar, before we headed towards our journey to Ernakulam.

Little did I know that Munnar’s captivating beauty was still to charm us on our way back! That, my friend, I’ll tell you next time…

Thursday, March 17, 2011

നിലാവണിഞ്ഞ ഭൂമി


പൂനിലാവിന്‍ സ്വര്‍ണ്ണജാലമെന്‍  
കിളി വാതിലൂടെത്തിനോക്കിയപ്പോള്‍ 
പൂര്‍ണ്ണചന്ദ്രവെണ്ണിലാവിന്‍ പ്രഭയില്‍ 
കുളിരേറ്റുവാങ്ങിക്കിടക്കുന്നുവെന്‍ ലോകം!

നനുത്ത നിലാവിന്‍ ശോഭയിലെന്തു-
ഭംഗി! നിശബ്ദയാം രാവുപോലുമിപ്പോള്‍ 
മൌനമായാലാപിക്കുന്നു സ്നിഗ്ദ്ധമായൊരു 
രാപ്പാടി തന്‍ മനംകവരുമീണങ്ങള്‍...

പാതിരാപ്പൂക്കളും താരകക്കൂട്ടങ്ങളും 
അങ്ങകലെയായ് പുഞ്ചിരി തൂകിനില്ക്കും
താമരപൊയ്കയിലെ നീലത്താമരകളും  
നിശാഗന്ധി തന്നുടെ മാസ്മരഗന്ധവുമെല്ലാം 
എന്നുള്ളില്‍ പുളകത്തിന്‍ മുത്തു പൊഴിക്കുന്നു!

ഈ രാവിന്‍ സൌന്ദര്യമെന്നിലേയ്ക്കൊന്നു 
ഞാനാവാഹിച്ചിടട്ടെ; കറയറ്റൊരു  പ്രകൃതിതന്‍ 
സ്നേഹസമൃദ്ധമാം   മനോഹാരിതയിലൊരു
നിലാത്തുള്ളിയായ് അലിഞ്ഞൊതുങ്ങിടട്ടെ!     

Essence of my life


Every steps I've taken
In this short life,
I know, has been under
His guidance!

Every success I’ve tasted
In this life,
I know, was made sweeter
By HIS presence!

Every sorrow that has come to me
In my strife,
I know, has been HIS unique way –
Of telling- HE is there for me

Every person that has blessed my life
In these decades of my life,
I know, was HIM personified –
To help me live better!

Every instance – joyous and sad –
That I’ve come to experience,
I know, was HIS way
Of making me stronger!

Every day, each moment, of
This trifling life
I know, were made significant
By HIS presence in it!

Every day, I bow to HIM,
In deepest of devotion,
For I know, HE is the
Essence of my life; my existence!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Let Be...

I have found my pot of happiness
After having lost it in the strife of life...

A heartful of laughter,
A handful of joy,
Unlimited Love
That's what I have!

Life is what I make
Not what I take...

Flowers, moon and sky -
All singing in joy!

Smiling, my heart sings out-
Oh! I've found my joy!

It's all in my heart,
It's all in my being.
As life blooms out -
I spread my wings out...

Let me fly high in the sky,
With none, but Thy...

Let me be this way - now & ever
Let me be here - Forever!


Yours...

The misty morning brought to me
Memories of the winter gone by;
I was more happy then
My love and I were together when!

Life seems to have lost it's charm
Nothing can do me more harm
Than being away from my Love;
For, life is lost without Love.

The dew drops are nothing but my tears,
The dark night engulf me in fears;
I yearn for my beloved tonight
Like I have ached for anyone yet!

Come, hug me and keep me warm,
Yours till the eternity, I am;
The world is worthless without you,
As I can't even breathe without you!

ഏകാന്തപഥിക


ഏകാന്തപഥിക

ഏകാന്തതയുടെ മൌനവീഥിയില്‍ 
ഏറെനേരം സഞ്ചരിച്ച ഞാനൊരു മാത്ര 
പന്ഥാവിനരുകില്‍ നിലകൊള്ളു-
മാല്‍ മരത്തണലണയാന്‍ കൊതിച്ചു.

ചുട്ടുപൊള്ളും വെയിലിന്‍ ശക്തി-
യേറ്റെന്‍  തനു തളര്‍ന്നുരുകവേ 
ശീതളച്ഛായ തന്‍ കുളിര്‍മ്മയ്ക്കായ്‌ 
മനമൊരു മഴപ്പക്ഷിയായ് തുടിച്ചുയര്‍ന്നു!
  
വിയര്‍പ്പാം ഗംഗയിലൊഴുകി പോക-
ട്ടെയെന്‍ പല പല മോഹഭംഗങ്ങള്‍;
നനുത്ത ശരീരത്തിനുള്ളിലുദിച്ചിടട്ടെ 
ഒരു നവോന്മേഷത്തിന്‍ സഹസ്രധാര!!!

ഇനിയുമേറെ ദൂരെ പോകാനുണ്ടെ-
നിക്കീ വഴിത്താരകളിലൂടെത്തന്നെ 
തുണയായ് എന്നുമെന്‍ കൂട്ടിനുണ്ടാം
ഏകാന്തതതന്‍ വാചാല നിമിഷങ്ങള്‍!

യാത്രയായീടട്ടെ ഞാന്‍ വീണ്ടുമീവണ്ണം
ഏകാന്തപഥികയായിനിയുമിപ്പോള്‍ - 
വഴിവക്കിലമരും മാമരങ്ങളെ, എന്നും
നിങ്ങള്‍ സാക്ഷിയെന്‍ നീണ്ടയാത്രയ്ക്ക്.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

മോഹങ്ങള്‍

മോഹങ്ങള്‍ 


മഴവില്ലിന്‍ ചാരുതയും മഴത്തുള്ളിതന്‍ കുളിര്‍മ്മയും,  
കളകളമൊഴുകും പുഴ തന്‍ സംഗീതവും,
അസ്തമയാര്‍ക്കന്റെ ചായമേറിയ മുഖവും,
അനന്തമാം ആകാശത്തിന്‍ നിറപ്പകിട്ടും,  
മുകില്‍മാലകള്‍‍ക്കിടയിലൂടെത്തിനോക്കും
സൂര്യരശ്മികള്‍ തന്‍ മാസ്മരതയും
മഴയേറ്റുവാങ്ങി കുണുങ്ങി നില്‍ക്കും മാമരങ്ങളും,
മേഘത്തോണികളെ തടുത്തു നിര്‍ത്തും മാമലകളും 
മെല്ലെ മെല്ലെ വീശുമീ കുളിര്‍ത്തെന്നലും
അഗണ്യമാം വിഹഗഗണങ്ങളുമെല്ലാം  
കേവലമാമീ മനസ്സിനെ മോഹിപ്പിക്കുന്നു...

പുഴയാവാന്‍, മഴവില്ലായുയരാന്‍, മഴത്തുള്ളിയായ്
താഴേക്കൊഴുകിവീഴാന്‍, സൂര്യരശ്മിയായ് 
പ്രകാശംപരത്തിയെത്താന്‍, പറവയായ് 
മാനം മുട്ടെ പറന്നുയരാന്‍, തലയുയര്‍ത്തി നില്‍ക്കുമൊരു  
പര്‍വ്വതനിരയായ് നീലാംബരത്തെ ചുംബിച്ചുണര്‍ത്താന്‍,   
മാമരമായ് പടര്‍ന്നു പന്തലിച്ചു തണലേകി മേവാന്‍....
മന്ദാനിലനായി കുളിര്‍ പരത്തിയൊഴുകാന്‍...
ആകാശത്തിന്നനന്തതയായ് പരന്നു കിടക്കാന്‍ 
സൂര്യതേജസ്സിന്നരുണിമയായ് മാറാന്‍...
എണ്ണമേറാതുള്ള മോഹങ്ങളെന്‍ കൊച്ചു 
മനസ്സിന്നുള്ളിലൊളിച്ചിരിപ്പൂ                    

അവയെല്ലാം മറന്നിടാം ഞാന്‍; എന്‍ ചെറു ജീവിതം
സാര്‍ത്ഥകമായ്   ജീവിക്കാനെനിക്കാകുമെങ്കില്‍;
മഴയും പുഴയും മാനവും മരവുമാകേണ്ടതില്ലെനിക്ക്   
ഒരു നല്ല മനുജനായ്  മരണത്തെ പുല്‍കാന്‍
മാത്രമാണെനിക്ക്   മോഹമിപ്പോള്‍! 

Monday, March 14, 2011

Pond

There is a huge pond nearby the place I live. Adding to the grandeur is a famous Shiva temple in front of which is the pond situated. As can be expected in a village, a couple of temples devoted to Krishna and Ayyappa too grace the place. The whole ambience around the place is very serene. I enjoy being there.



In the mornings one can see the water lilies poking their smiling faces out of the water, instantly bringing warmth in you. The magenta colour of the flower stands out in the greenish shade of water. There is certain crispiness in the atmosphere. A kingfisher is awaiting his chance for his breakfast and keeps his vigil for the right moment.


By noon, the flowers have all gone asleep and lay tired in the waters. The gentle waves rock the flowers and keep them comfortable in their cradle. Numerous schools of fish perform their synchronies charmingly. Despite the sweltering heat, the breeze that blows from the pond is cool and soothing. That may be the reason why the youngsters are gathering around in groups there in the mid noon, exchanging news. And on some days a snake bird can be seen diving into the waters at one place and coming up elsewhere. The black bird surely knows how to beat the heat!


In the evening, all the peace is broken. Many kids gather around the pond to dive into and swim in the water and have a great time refreshing themselves. A lot of devotees hurry down the steps to wash their face and feet before going to pray to God. A lot of washing and bathing too occur as the hours of dusk go by.

By night it’s quieter. The blooming buds are turning into flowers and the soft wind is kissing its petals. The moonlight is hugging the water and the ripples are creating lovely pattern of rings… Everything looks lovely in the moonlit night. The breeze is cooler and aromatic as the night flowers blooms… Truly the earth has turned into heaven.

Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

The recent catastrophe that devastated Japan left me thinking as to how powerless we are in front of the furies of nature. While watching the scenes of Tsunami washing away the whole of Miyagi town, I was dumbstruck and humbled at the same time. When the waters rushed in, it engulfed everything in its path – buildings, vehicles, trees and plants and what not! It seemed like watching a child tossing his playthings in a tub of water; but the aftermath of the calamity is too terrible for me even to describe!!!

Naturally, we were worried about our friends and relatives in Japan. On calling up a mutual acquaintance, I was taken aback by the nonchalant manner in which they responded to the news of earthquake. As earthquakes were pretty normal there, it made no news to them. It turned out that they didn’t know about the devastating Tsunami.

I couldn’t help admiring the Japanese premier for his calm address to the press. As an earthquake prone region, they are better prepared to tackle the crisis. But the Tsunami brought in unprecedented devastation in its wake. The Prime minister later declared that this was the major crisis to have happened to Japan since WWII.

If the earthquake shook the region, the Tsunami wrecked it and the latest news of a volcanic eruption added to the havoc. These were all natural disasters. But a still larger one is looming high, it seems- the nuclear reactors are malfunctioning. Though no serious radiation has yet happened, one can’t keep thinking what if things are not under control soon!

It brought back the truth to the mind. However much man thinks that he has controlled the nature and its resources, he is nothing. A huge shake or a giant wave of rushing water or even erupting mountain can finish him off in no time. When one understands this, one can only feel humbled.

My feelings go to all the victims and Japan as a whole. It will take a lot of time to heal and rebuild the lives. But, human beings have the uncanny knack of bringing out the best in them in such worst times. So, it will be no wonder is the Japanese bounce back into life sooner! I hope they do!!!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Reminiscence


I was cruising along in life and suddenly I was engulfed by nostalgia. My thoughts took me back to my childhood wherein life was happier, simpler and less confusing. All one did was live in the moment. When I look back, I can say that I lived that life to the fullest.


I had my share of fights with my sisters, but I also had enough time to play games with them, and share my laughter and tears too. More importantly, we loved each other and that kept us together. I can recall numerous occasions on which they lovingly guided me and kept me out of trouble. Of course, they got me into trouble a couple of times too...

I turned out to be a loner later on, enjoying the solitude of the trees and nature that surrounded our ancestral home. Holidays invariably saw me near the pond gazing into the water or watching the kingfisher or the Kulakozhi (White breasted water hen) family that roamed about the pond premises. I used to day dream on all sorts of subjects and believed that the nature and the creatures could hear me - I thought of myself as their friend.


During the monsoon, I loved soaking in the rain and playing in the puddle. I loved picking mangoes during the summer and used to eat them as soon as I pick them up - why bother washing them? When the older cousins came for holidays they always beat me in the race to pick up newly fallen mangoes and often left me crying with no mangoes to eat!


I loved everything those days. I could roam around carefree, never judged people unfavorably and always found happiness in little things...


Sometimes I feel like going back to all that... Life was less complicated and demanding. I wish I still had that simplicity in me. I wish I could smile a lot more like I used to do then. But when I realize that those days made the me of now, I can't help feeling grateful!!!

Of Little Trips and Great Learnings

The other day, we (some staff, volunteers and service users of Mary Seacole House, Liverpool) went on a day trip to Llangollen. This wasn&#...