Reflections...

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Location: Delhi, Delhi, India

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Thoughts penned down at office

While walking back to my seat after lunch - the tree lined avenue of Passeig de Gracia bedecked at frequent intervals by architectural marvels like Gaudi's masterpieces flash through my mind. The sensation is so strong that for a while I could feel the powerful curtains of the unbroken silence - that used to prevail there- descend upon me. And with this comes a desparate longing to see again with my own eyes and hear again with my own ears the city which my memories keep reminding me about.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Strife

Happiness which the eyes don't share
Cool river water with a hint of salt
A distracted mind with an uneasy itch
Decisions discoloured by doubt
As a shadow of temporary permanence
Renders a dull shade to the colours around me

Gasping as a drowning man in absence of light
With slow shivering steps as I climb my mountain
(Journeying towards the peak and the sun's rays beyond)
The thought often occur to me
To strike off what is unconquered
And delay not the comfort the light has to offer

Ruminations in Barcelona

I recently discovered a notebook which I had with me during the time I was in Barcelona last year. It contains a mix of scribbles - some related to the work I had there and some thoughts that occurred to me while I was there. I have put two such writings..

Do I get overwhelmed easily ? And is it always the wrong thing ? But why do I care anymore about whats wrong or right ? Is there any wrong or right really ? Or are they just choosing one among 2 diverging roads.

But the aim is not to get philosophical - the aim is to put on paper - all the experiences that have happened to me during my stay in Barcelona - and how they have enriched me.

It is probably difficult to separate Barcelona from CS ( a beautiful project with a wonderful concept cutting across all parts of the globe). The people I have met here are essentially because of this amazing project.

But I'd still give a lot of credit to Barcelona. Its so different and it has something for everybody. In fact it offers an opportunity to explore all the varied avenues that we might have. From being a favourite party spot to Gaudi (an architect of considerable renown) and his brilliance - to Picasso - to Barca - to the beach - to Barri Gothic and its small confusing alleyways - to the profusion of bars of different variety which are stepped in old world charm and culture - not to forget the broad tree lined avenues and the ubiquitous roller skater or skate boarder.

People out here are blessed with the opportunity to pursue what they want - from intellectual pursuits,......

(The thoughts which were being jotted down while sitting on one of the benches in a tree lined avenue got interrupted when a minor accident took place on the road between a car and a motorcycle)


How broad minded are people really ? Do we really try and define these things - or is it that they tend to have a deeper meaning the more we are exposed to situations that can be classified as putting them under a test.

Maybe its so easy to talk and agree and be enthusiastic about certain things, situations and people in general - but its after you have expressed there emotions - that you feel the need to get back to your sheltered alcove.

So the real test, the real learning is when you have to lose yourself all the time, immerse yourself in living the kind of life you support or advocate.

Maybe I am digressing. This is about me and how I have started to view people who are in the same situation I was a couple of years back when I was traveling through Europe in a different way - from high up my perch as if.Have I become too consumed by the external layers of garments that people tend to wear on them.

How important are the things to me - that make me uncomfortable in her company - when otherwise we can really talk our hearts out.

Have I looked in the mirror lately ? Like looked really deep and stripped myself of all the trappings - to think about the person I have actually become.

Life has given me a lot of blessing of late. Of course I had to overcome my initial inhibitions before I could - so call "win" them. And yet I have not been doing my bit to keep them with me - by my side. I get distracted so easily - that the things which are actually dear to me, which I should nurture - I forget about them.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Vicky Cristina Barcelona and some more of Barcelona

Watching the movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona felt like a wave of calm soothing water wash over all my distress and anxiety. I chanced upon the movie in the video parlour and the thought of seeing a few glimpses of that memorable city was enough to make me pick it up.

And frankly I wasn't disappointed by my impulse decision. The movie cutting across two Spanish cities captures the essence and spirit of the their life very well. It creates an imagery of the laid back Spanish life that is so real - one can almost touch it.

While the story revolves around a sense of discovering oneself, of fulfillment, of carefree abandon, of love and lust - the backdrop is replete with images of the ecstasy derived out of art, the love of wine and the Spanish guitar and the good living that so much form a part of the life of the Spanish people - and which creates the atmosphere for the protagonists to wander fearless into territories uncharted by their society and its popular held notions.

This is the second movie I saw, the first one being L'auberge espagnole, which talks about the city of Barcelona making a lasting impact on the lives of people who live there for some time. I couldn't agree more having emerged much more surer and aware of myself after having spent a small part of my life there.

But I got so caught up talking about Barcelona that I completely left out in the cold the thought I had started with. Immersed as most of us are by our work - yet for me I have never felt that the work is a part of me - it always feels like I am swimming against a strong current as opposed to floating in a peaceful stream. I think any thoughts, any memories and any imaginations that we have about this calm, serene water transports us to a place where our mind, our heart and our conscious can't follow with its tough, unanswerable questions.