Wrote this 2 weeks ago when it was still raining in Bangalore…...
My office is in white field and I stay on Airport road. I commute by bus. For the first time in all these years, I look forward to the bus journey in the evening. I leave office between 4:30 and 6:00 and each day the evening is a new picture, a new painting.
There sky is embellished with clouds…
Clouds soaked in honey, milk, rose water, sandal
Drenched with Silver, gold, saffron and lilac
Sprinkled with turmeric, lavender and vermillion
Against a canvas of ink, cobalt, ashes
Or a solution of copper sulphate
The sun is also mild…
Even the glass finished concrete buildings look so beautiful. Part of a building is glowing in the evening sun and part of it under the shadow of the clouds…
I wonder if you could see such a sight anywhere other than in Bangalore.
After enjoying a five minute walk to the bus stop, I get into the bus. Absent minded as I am, I have always been oblivious to the pains of traveling by buses. But now it’s not my absent mindedness but the beautiful evening that engulfs me and I am unaware of what’s going on…
I usually find a window seat. I crane my neck to look out of the window. It’s the colourful clouds that fascinate me. The bus takes a turn here and then onwards, I am facing the setting sun.
A kannada song begins to play on radio city.
Ee Sanje Yaakagide Neenillade Ee Sanje Yaakagide
Ee Sanje Saakagide Neenillade Ee Sanje Saakagide
Why is the evening so beautiful, when you are not here with me?
This evening is beginning to hurt, for you are not here with me…
The road is flanked by Jackeranda trees on both sides. There is purple and pink blossom on the trees and no leaves at all. Further, the 3 kilometer stretch towards airport is flanked by trees on both sides forming an arch over the road. Here there is a mango tree, there a Gulmohar and there a grove of Ashoka tress. From parrot green to bottle green, Bangalore offers a superfluity of greens. I have fallen in love with Bangalore all over again.
The thick clouds have covered the sun completely for sometime. And then the winds blow, the clouds drift and the sun reveals itself in all its magnificence. I feel like clapping my hands. This happens again and again. The game of hide and seek.
The clouds are really thick and dark now. It begins to drizzle and then it starts pouring. While I enjoy the sight, the next song begins..
Minchagi Neenu Baralu Ninthalliye malegaala
Bechhage Nee Jotheyiralu Kootaalliye Chaligala
Virahada Bege Sudalu Yedeyali Besigekala
Innelli Nanage Uligala
When you come to me, like a flash of lightening, that moment, the rainy season begins for me
As you cuddle up next to me, there is winter all around
When I burn in your separation, there is summer in my heart…
Love has happened.
Where is the hope for my survival…
There is a smile on my face and a tear in the eye…my heart feels a wrench…
For a moment, I become consumed in self pity at the realization of having no one in my life to share this all with. The sun has set ….but that special someone does not seem to tire of playing hide and seek with me… whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you get tired soon… I hope the winds of my destiny will cause this separation to drift and I hope you reveal yourself to me in all your magnificence… I hope this lifelong wait is going to be worth it......
Some pictures for you....
A rainy evening lit by sodium vapour lamps on Airport road. Can you see the rain falling in sheets?
Ah!What a photographer!! :)
4 comments:
I wish the Bangalore that you just mentioned is as beautiful as you said. I cannot take the same words because when I see Bangalore, I try to capture the beauty that was there about 15 years back. And the way the traffic goes I think you might agree. I wrote something last month (http://wheniwentout.blogspot.com/2008/04/hosur-road-journey-between-heaven-hell.html)
You may have a look ....
No harsh feelings, keep blogging,
Sandy
Welcome Sandy,
I have seen Bangalore 15 years ago and it pains to see the damage IT has done to it... But you should visit other major cities and you will think that Bang.. is the best of them all... I wrote this in March this year when it was really really green (due to the untimely rains perhaps). Moreover I stay on Airport road and due to the many military establishment there, there is plenty of green...
How did you like the photographs? :)
May I know how you happened to visit this space?
Long back left Bangalore with my heart filled with loads of memories.Maam,you do have a sense of beauty.There is a place in your city,am sure u must have already been there,The Ramakrishna Ashram at Bull Temple Road...you must attend the evening Aarati there atleast once..in my time there was a gentleman,though blind,who used to sing the Aaratrik Bhaljan.Its a wonderful feeling.Am sure u would like it.Also near to Bangalore a small place called Ghati Subramanya might present u with some wonderful views. We had our Survey camp held there.The small station named Makalidurga is also very very beautiful.Regards..Joy.
Thanks for your nice words... So where do you live now? Do you miss Bangalore?
I have lived in bangalore for years now... but not yet visited the Ramakrishna Ashram. Will visit the place sometime...
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