Thursday, September 9, 2010

Stop the clocks???


A few days ago, I talked to this very old friend of mine from my first school, after a very  long time. Last time I talked to him was way back in 5th standard, and then he got transferred. Anyway, now while we were talking he says, " Remember when we were kids. Didn't we just wanna grow up??". I do not recollect much from the fifth standard, but surely could not disagree with his claim. For me, these Dadas and Bhaiyyas from the upper classes were so cool that we just wanted to be like them when we would grow older.
It was the 90s and the Indipop revolution was at its top. Shaan, Sagarika, Anamika, Silk Route, Junoon(pakistani rock but still), Alisha,and atleast a dozen of other pop singers and Daler Mehndi emerged into the scene of Hindi music. And the walkman was launched in India that time. All of the Bhaiyyas would have it. It was kind of a status symbol back then. These Bhaiyyas would bring it to school to, of course, show off. But then there were people those days buying into the idea that Walkman was cool. All the girls loved it. plus us young blossoms would gather around them to have a taste of the music to the ears. The influence of English Music was always there, but at their home rather than school, and at walls rather than the Music Player.

They used to get all the amazing outfits and accessories. Leather Jackets, boot cut jeans, big brown Iron boots, cool black sunglasses and all. My dad worked in a PSU in Assam, so I had the privilege to attend a lot of social parties and meets at clubs. These Bhaiyyas would come up in jackets and all like even in summer times. And they would sport long hair, which was again cool in the Ice age. The term "Jhakaas" was actually used. 

The most important reason we wanted to be like them was for the girls. They would hang out with absolute chics of the time. We used to be the messengers sending out messages to the senior girls from the senior boys. If you have happened to see the first episode of Just Mohabbat, It was something like that. And secretly, we would be hoping that our share of girls grew up fast!!

The college bhaiyyas/didis were one of their kinds. They would come for their summer holidays and when you go visit them, they'll be like" Are Alok, tu Itna bada ho gaya? Tu Is class me pahunch gaya??". And you can only smile back. Itna common sense to hona chahiye but.


And When I caught up my teens, it was the 21st century. everything was gonna change forever. Sunglasses or Leather jackets were gonna be the things of the past. The Old Walkman was gonna go out of the window forever. Himesh would dominate the music screen, and so would Lady Gaga. People, and even the girls would talk freely about ma and behen, and middle finger would be mostly used to show act of rage and aggressiveness. Long hairs would be hated and scalp showing would become fancy.Also, the goaty beard.
 
The change was not absolutely radical. It was more like the On demand change. We are blessed to be living the life that we are. Absolutely amazing. While I was still day dreaming about the school days and now, My friend asks me, "Kabhi kabhi aisa lagta hai ki fir se school time me chale jaye??:)". I was like, " Na baba! I am fine here". The guy dint reply back. I will have to call him lagta hai. Bura man gaya hoga.




 

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Yay! Class!! SILENT please!

My very good friend was quite bemused by the name I chose for the blog. First, I dont belong to Ampang. When I say that, I mean it in all aspects possible. I dont know anyone out here. Except for two families that I know from Assam and one very friendly Nigerian old man who lives right across our apartment. The guy calls me Mr Cook( He saw me once sporting ManC Tshirt). Anyway, Its not all my fault. People don't care much either. It does not feel good when the watchmen to your building asks you to sign the visitors' diary every alternative day. Their Gleeful apology afterwards don't help much either. But at least, the ESPRIT guy knows me and considers me a Privileged customer.

Secondly,  My Visa expires on 7th of this month. God only knows where I'm gonna be after that. Even if I get Malaysian Visa, I will  anyway have to go back to India for my US Visa sometime. But you cant really blame me for choosing this moment of commotion to start writing blog. My jeevan has always been Table Tennis ka khela so far. I dont expect it to change much either.
 
Ampang is beautiful.And silent. Quite a bold and audacious statement from a guy living at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, with skyscrapers all around and People swarming like bees on the street in the daytime. But at night, the street is completely empty.And silent. This is the most wonderful part of the day. You actually tend to appreciate the silence in a big city. I wish to believe that this is a perfect place to write. I also wish to believe that all world famous writers  have started from a place similar to mine. Not that I want to be one of them, but my blog is as dear to me as their books are to them.

Prior to this, I was mostly familiar with  a few other moments of silence at NIT Trichy. Like:
1. The one in Garnet B 84, with Reddy, glued to his computer in the darkness, with earphones on.
2. Or the one after midnight in Trichy. Every NITTian mustve enjoyed it. Didnt most of you sneak out of Agate at night for your tour to kabristan, or for a cup of coffee or tea at Bru( Well if you dint..You've been a sucker..so say yes)?
3.I remember the Silence after Dean Students told us that we all will be going to Jail. Only Ullas dared to speak and he never spoke again in four years.
4. I remember the time When Sushant was about to face the last ball of our first Ruby cup final. There was an amazing complete absence of sound accompanied with acute numbness.
5. The one in temple.
6. The one after long Daru Sessions, when somebody was jussst gonna cry.
7. The moment when I realized I am not gonna see most of them again(not all of them have to be happy moment, applies to 3rd point as well).

I am blessed to be at Ampang, and if I can find some joy here, I am sure I'll find it anywhere I move. Let it be Logan.

And suddenly the fat( I assume) kid above our apartment has got up from bed. His usual mode of Locomotion is running. that shakes the whole of our apartment too. Still better than the horrible weekends when the kid's dad(again an assumption) start drilling his house around. Oh well, so much for the Silence.

Ive unnecessarily typed for some half an hour now. Will stop for your sake. Next time, should be writing on some serious topic. I swear.

Oh by the way, Do Watch "Aashayein". Nice movie. wonderful songs as well.

Live 4ever!


Glossary

Jeevan: Noun. Life
Table Tennis ka ek khela: Noun A game of Table Tennis.
Daru: Noun. Alcohol; Ankit Mahajan( Alternate Meaning)
Kabristan:Noun Cemetery