Whispering Thoughts

Mum’s back. And with her return, the home is crackling with energy again. With warmth, and with smiles. Radiating life. Was she gone for just “three days”!!!! It definitely seemed much longer than that.  All these days, it was just me, my granny and my disastrous cooking experiments. Beyond that nothing. No one to talk to, share my heart out and seek guidance. Take inspiration from. Mum, I was not able to cook the sweetrice on Basant Panchami properly. Ma, I could not iron dad’s shirt. The curd did not set properly. Harjas does not eat properly when I cook. And I did not clean all the rooms. I ran a few errands and missed a few. And this is just the beginning of the mess I made in her absence. Every passing moment brought her return closer. And my relief. But … Mother was supposed to return yesterday night. The elections in Punjab played spoilsport. The delay, though only in hours, seemed an eternity. And now that she is back, we are back to being our reg...

… And it began with a Facebook update for MLTR’s “Someday” video link. I was first introduced to the songs of MLTR by my friend. And theirs were the first English songs I heard. So, they cosily make it to personal favourite category. I can play their songs over and over again and never get tired. Now, I do not have huge collection of English songs; just a little folder that holds choicest ones. And any new addition to it is always cherished. So, in the last two hours, in which I was supposed to finish up some important work and hit the sack, I have been free downloading (not fair but then I cannot keep buying every single track I like, not until I start getting a fat pay check.) a few (10 in all) songs. So that next week I will have some fresh beats to listen to (that is fresh for me). So, come tomorrow and I will be listening to … 1. MLTR - Someday 2. MLTR – It’s Only Love 3. MLTR – Complicated Heart 4. MLTR – Breaking my heart 5. MLTR – You took my hea...

Happy Holidays. An expression of joy. Of exuberance. Happy Holidays. And a very “ Happy Holidays Homework ”. Especially, if you happen to be a school student. The assignments, the models, the charts. The art and craft that goes into it. The glues, the paints, the scissors, scraps and stuff. Things that were done mostly by parents and presented proudly by the wards as their own humble efforts. The truth shouted from the exhibits. The truth heard but ignored. Why am I speaking reminiscently of those school days? Because, a last few days have been pretty much the same. It so happens that our kindergarten kiddo, Harjas, is having his winter vacations and he has been assigned with some interesting projects … some within his reach and others need a little supervision and assistance of we, the elders. So, his holidays homework is what my sister, my nephew, my mother and myself have been doing (in that order precisely. And since my name is at last, all I did is nothing. I di...

It rained all night, with all its might. Rain we heard and rain was in sight. Damp and cold and dark everywhere; Not a ray of sun, for light and care. The sky overcast with thick and thunderous cloud. The grey spirit, weeping and wailing aloud; Roared and growled and thoroughly spent. It came, it cried and away it went … Void, empty, and drained. Oh! Last night it rained … Impregnating all with seeds of life; With the zeal and zest, fresh after strife. Leaving behind the rustling leaves, The glistening greens, the cold and biting breeze. Cleansed everything that it could; Mind, body and soul as it should. New, fresh and aglow, all seems to be again. Heralding new beginnings, lo! Here comes the rain.

Give me wings and let me fly. Watch me as I soar high. Let the knots that bind me, be untied today. Let me spread my wings, and fly away. Higher and higher, oh! I will reach the star, The sun, the moon, the ones that seemed so far. Sailing with the winds, I will close my eyes. Forward and onward, I will scale the skies. When the winds go rough, I’ll strive and make my way… To the vast expanse, sans the clouds grey. And you will watch my flight and you will hear my song. You will enjoy my dive and you will sing along. Then I will spread my wings and fly away, To swirl, to sway and to sashay To the clear blue skies, where they belong … My feathers, my flight and my song.

When the world over people were celebrating Christmas, our Sikh congregation here was celebrating the “Prakash Utsavs”, the Guruparvs of birth, of not one but two jewels … the beginning of “prabhaat feris” for the 10 th “Guru, Gobind Singh” Ji’s birthday celebrations and for “Satguru Raam Singh ji, Kilewale”. While the birth celebrations of 10 th Guru ji’s birthday are still continuing, those for Raam Singh Ji Kilewale concluded with great pomp and show. To involve kids in the rich and splendid heritage, there were various competitions organized where kids showcased their talents and learnt a thing or two. Poetry recitation, shabad kirtan, katha or the story telling, reciting the gurbani … there was a long list for different age groups and for different talents. We (read yours humbly) thought it would be a good platform for Harjas, my five and a half years old nephew, to learn how to face crowds and overcome stage fears. So, two days before celebrations, we found a short spiri...

“Aarti” time holds me in awe of the light from the wicks soaked in ghee (clarified butter). The flickering “aate wala diya” placed in a big “thaali” splashed generously with rose petals moved clockwise before the deity with hymns playing in the background and focus on the Almighty, eliminating all distractions with the ringing bells, invoking the Supreme to bless us mortals … it is the most picturesque of all rituals. And this “thaali” holds the food for the soul … The flower petals … the opening of the heart The ringing bells … warding off distractions and invocations to “Him” The camphor … burning of the evil desires The singing and the clapping … the joy you experience The “thaali” … the tray that holds the offerings … the tray that holds the blessings received. The lamp … the fire …                 The light of life … Fire … be it the Sun or the blaze … illuminates and teaches us to...