Granny Tales 101: Chapter 5

This one took a while to come. Apologies for the delay. But I promise to be more prompt than I have been.

Today I talk about dadi and my piano lessons. Writing about this was unplanned but it seems like the best thing to relive at the moment.

My tryst with the piano began way back in second grade. My mother had seen a small newspaper listing for classes nearby and thought it was something interesting for my sister and I to learn. Our class was in a crammed home where the piano took up all the space in the room. But as kids we didn’t seem to bother. We were captivated by the instrument and the beautiful music one could make from it. And so, my sister and I took an instant liking to it and learnt fast. What began as a short summer camp eventually blossomed into a full-fledged class that saw both of us appear for Grade examinations by the Trinity College, London for nearly 6 consecutive years.

FREE BIRD & HOMELY TIMES

Day #1: Blissful moments

I have been yearning for some ‘me’ time for ages. At home, there is always something or the other going on and the little calmness you get is perhaps only when you poop or shower. So, this travel was solely to give me the ‘alone’ time and family time. Not that I don’t spend enough time with family, but conversations get mundane when you discuss only work and news – which is essentially work again in my case. A breath of fresh air was needed where we went back to giggling at old times, poking fun at little things and doing typical ‘Maithreya’ family stuff. (My big, darling sister is missed, I must confess)

OF HOBBIES & PUNCTURES

Day #1: Chennai to Yelagiri

Cause it is holiday time!

We left from Chennai on Tuesday. And my imaginative half of the brain knew that I wouldn’t let it work in peace till the last minute on Monday night and well, in that case, I must say it knew best. I churned out an article for the paper at jet-speed, relatively at least, since I was in the mood for vacation and I hadn’t packed yet. I then returned home after a meal outside, and started packing.

IRONIES – PART I

Little drops fall into potholes in the street. Tiny eyes look out from their yellow tents supported by tall, sturdy branches, to see if it’s that time of the year. Within seconds the shallow potholes are brimming with water – a muddy brown – and it doesn’t take long before the sound of heavy rain acts as a summon to the little children huddled in the tents of the nearby slums. They run on to the streets – jumping, playing and enjoying – the rain. While one splashes water, the other jumps into the puddle. They listen to nature’s music and dance to its tunes while we just sit within four brick walls, beside our windows with a hot cup of tea taking in nature’s beauty through the eyes of a concrete window. We capture a perfect picture to upload on social media, while they are a part of the picture itself. We order in hot samosas and bhajjis to hog on, while they stand by the petite roadside tea stall and munch on crispy treats in the chilly monsson. The fear of catching a terrible flu successfully suppresses the urge to play in the rain but nothing puts a full stop to their fun.

Surprisingly, you and I have greater access to medicine. 

Carefree, young and happy – they listen to nature’s music to enjoy it in the moment. They don’t take a picture of the rain from their windows to upload it on social media. They seem to understand nature better

(A 7-part series to bring out the ironies in life between the rich and the poor).

THOSE ARE THE GOOD DAYS OF MY LIFE!

A good day is a day that has a little of everything and everyone I like and love. Art, history and culture is a part of this. I love visiting new places and seeing the historical monuments and paintings of the city or town.

A good day is also a calm day. A time when I am alone and just absorbed in the calmness and peace of nature. It brings inner peace and closure in many ways. Whether it is just watching misty mountains or watching the incessant beach waves, the feeling is unparalleled.

A good day is a day well spent with family and friends who you appreciate and whose company you love. They can make you smile in a jiffy and your problems are no longer existent.

Finally, a good day is when you are at a job doing what you love. A day filled with colour. A day filled with a little of everything that makes you happy. These pictures simply show the days I felt really happy, visiting new places and living each moment as it came.

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Today Was a Good Day.”