The Winter of My Life

Winter is a fundamentally indolent season. This is the time when we are reluctant to relinquish the comfort of our quilt and work. Thus,a break is necessary. Winter is ideal for picnics and outings. The slight nip in the air is marvelous and this is the time when we involuntarily reach for the woolens. There are times in which we end up looking like Santa Claus due to the numerous layers of clothing, but this is the time when traveling is a pleasure. Winter paves the way for Christmas. This is essentially a time for Christians, but what is to stop us from having our share of enjoyment during this time? This is the ideal time for fruit cakes....yum yum. If you are a MasterChef, you can actually attempt baking one, however if like me cooking isn`t really your forte, well thank Goodness there are places where you can buy the cakes. What do you feel when you look at the pale sun`s rays falling on the leaves, during the bleak winter mornings? It is simultaneously depressing and welcoming. As soon as you get up, don`t you wish you can snuggle back inside the comfort of the quilt again? After a while, when you feel the blood flowing in your veins again, that is the time when you start contemplating what you should do, during the day..........a long, lazy day which lies ahead of you. Winter also heralds death, the end of life. Innumerable poets and authors have referred to the time when a person reaches the winter of his life......imminent death. This could be the reason why winter is not everyone`s preferred season. However, in a nutshell i love winter and its infinite possibilities.........especially the nip in the air and the endless gourmet possibilities:)

A man for all seasons

Moner Manush

Saw a bengali film after ages yesterday. The film is Moner Manush, by Goutam Ghosh.I was never an ardent Prosenjit fan but i was pleasantly surprised first by Autograph and then Moner Manush.

Moner Manush narrates the exploits of Lalan Fakir. What is amazing about the film is the message it portrays, subtle yet loud enough to be heard. Communism, pantheism the film explores all this & much more. There are certain aspects which could be perceived as too bold however what leaves a lasting impression is the simple manner in which Lalan puts forth his views, within a delightful song & dance routine.

Prasenjit is amazing as Lalan Fakir. The lilting tunes almost involuntarily make you hum along. Another remarkable aspect is the humility of Lalan Fakir, who manages to put forth his inimitable views whilst acknowledging that he is unlettered.The film does not preach, this is something i really liked. There are certain bold aspects, however this is also a simple truth. When you are in search of your own identity, it is not essential that you must renounce everything in the process. It is not possible, nor desirable. This film is thus a search, for your own identity, your sense of worth......

The minus point in the film is its length. There are parts which are unnecessary and it could have done with some clipping at times, this is my opinion of course. On the whole it is a good film, a Bengali Musical if i may say so. But when you are detailing the exploits of a Baul, songs are necessary of course. I loved Prasenjit in the film and his commercial ventures notwithstanding, this is one of his best efforts.

The Unfairness of Life

Life is, at the risk of sounding cliched, filled with more than its fair share of trials & tribulations. This is an aspect we are forced to accept most of the time, however there are rare instances during which we can feel the beginning of a rebellion, deep inside. Why it that life is so unfair to some people, whilst there are people who seem to be born with the silver spoon in their mouth. Why is there such a disparity? There are people who are forced to beg for a living, simultaneously there are people who do not have to lift a finger, and are born with all the riches.

Such is life, fair or unfair, just or unjust, this is just the way it is & we would be happier if we could simply accept it. However, acceptance is not easy. It is just not possible that people would accept the injustice which is meted out to them. There are some, like Mr Bachchan, the charismatic icon who prefer to rebel against their original surname and to set aside the issue of caste-ism,they adopt a separate surname. But then, they are icons and can get away with almost anything. How does the common man rebel? Who would care if he does, and who would support him, if he did? To reiterate, this is life, life is unjust but you have to live it. To rebel would be to initiate change, and change is not acceptable to many. Let things go on, just the way they are progressing. This is the attitude of Gen Y....until & unless, we are brave enough to accept the tumult which accompanies change, this is the attitude we are forced to adopt as well. Till then, we have to accept injustice, tolerate nonsense, view the position which is rightfully ours being claimed by others who are not fit even to be in their present position. What can we do? Who would hear us, if we dare to complain? How far can a solitary voice protest? All we can do is stare silently, watch the unfairness of it all, and wonder......when would our day ultimately come?

Spirited Away........a spirited endeavor

Spirited Away

We were planning to watch a Japanese animated film named Spirited Away. My initial reaction was, this is surely something which is watched by kids. Surely we, were a little too old for watching this kind of stuff? Well, persistence did pay off, in this regard.

Spirited away is simply beautiful. It literally takes your breath away. the film centers around the adventures of a little girl, Chihiro and her foray into a strange land, with her parents. By an amazing twist, her parents are turned into pigs, and she sets out on an amazing adventure to bring them back to normalcy and to ensure that she can realize her true potential, and additionally seek true love in the bargain.

The film is mysterious, sinister and compelling all at once. There is an amazing smorgasbord of emotions........love, life laughter, cynicism, trust and faith which are interwoven into the very fiber of the film. This is all about trust between Chihiro and her friend Haku, who rescues her, predictably from all the evil forces which surround her, and it is truly mesmerizing how Chihiro repays this debt.

This film is a must-watch. This has been highly recommended by rotten tomatoes( all the film fanatics must be aware of the tomato meter) Moreover, this film is a sheer delight to watch....highly recommended.

My Passion,my Obsession,my Latest Addiction..........Farmville:

My Passion,my Obsession,my Latest Addiction..........Farmville:

My life is devoted to a single cause as of now & that is,Farmville.Yes i am referring to that addictive game on Facebook that has changed the face of the gaming world.

I am no longer considered to be an ordinary mortal...no sirree...everything has changed, I am now a dedicated farmer. My life has undergone a radical change after farmville....i eat,sleep,drink & think farmville.

Whenever people see me thinking & contemplating something,it is all about farmville.I wonder if my crops are alright,if i should harvest them and if that is done,when should i plant the next lot?You can call me a dedicated farmer.My farm is all that matters to me.I can renounce my daily soaps,my meals and even the gossip with my friends,but no....i can never leave farmville.

My emotions change everyday with farmville,i laugh with it,i cry with it....especially when it takes a long time to load....i am the proud owner of 2 dairy farms & a chicken coop.....whoop!!!I look after my crops with TLC(tender loving care),harvest my crops and yes all my animals are well fed and well looked after.I have even received the pretty garden ribbon.

Farmville is a necessary evil.I love it and even though it gets a little monotonous at times,i can never leave it.After books and diamonds,Farmville is a girl`s best friend

The Unpredictable Aspect of Life

There are many things in life that we take for granted,maybe we do not even realize it,it is an involuntary action but then that`s the way it usually happens....we take all our loved ones for granted....knowing,believing that they will be there for us through thick & thin.We smile with them,cry with them, fight interminably with them and interact with them on a daily basis that knowingly or unknowingly they become an integral part of our life... We cannot even envisage life without these people...let`s call them our relatives....our kith and kin..or a bit distant... friends......those people that thank god,we can choose!!! We are dependent on these people..mentally,emotionally ....they are an outlet for our feelings,our nascent emotions and our pain and frustration...but what do we expect from them? We expect unconditional love and support though we are at our selfish best when we are with these people. can we even think of a life without these people?Death is a reality is it not? You must be wondering as to why i am talking about death in the context of life...well,they are two sides of the same coin,are they not? When a near & dear relative departs forever,we grieve for him,but do we ever consider for a moment that these people are also on the same path?That they will also leave us forever and depart one day....that it might be a sudden occurrence or a painful & slow journey. This reminds me of the story that i`d read ...that of the yaksha & Yudhisthira & the Enchanted Pool.When the yaksha asks Yudhisthira what is the ultimate wonder in this life & Yudhisthira replies in his usual inimitable manner that everyday we see men departing for Yama`s abode,yet those who live,seek to live forever......these thoughts are to be pondered are they not and yet such is the beauty of life...we cling onto everything that we have and do not even think that we might lose it all someday.....sounds a bit morbid but then this is life....unpredictable but beautiful nevertheless.

Freedom.....a Quintessential desire of life

Freedom.....a Quintessential desire of life

Have you ever noticed an eagle`s flight?The way it is poised before its flight and then graciously and magnificently with a final swoop is poised and ready to fly.Don`t we all wish,at some point or the other that we could spread our wings like that and just fly without a single care in this world.The eagle,to me is the embodiment of freedom.It is statuesque,possesses an innate grace and fluidity and is sharp and clearly focused on its goal.Its gaze is unwavering and focused and when it sights its prey and pounces on it,you cannot help but admire the bird.....if such a mundane term may be used to describe such a princely creature.

Freedom is but an innate desire that all creatures desire.Birds are the true embodiments of freedom wherein they can spread their wings and take off whenever they wish to,without any restrictions whereas we wish in our heart of hearts that we were free but whenever we want to fly or to experience even an iota of freedom,we realize that our wings are clipped. We are weighed down by the burden of responsibilities.Before accepting any major change in our life,we are forced to consider its repercussions.What does the eagle think,when it swoops to capture its prey?There`s only one thought that is foremost in its mind,capturing and mercilessly devouring its prey.....If only our lives were also like that.....no not capturing and eating others,but focusing on our goal with single minded precision and when it is achieved,then enjoying life...Is it too much to ask for....not uninhibited freedom but freedom from the whimsicality of life to pursue our secret desires?Freedom..........ah!! what a wonderful word!!

Content writing...my new profession

My foray into a new field....Content writing:

After a successful stint at various renowned BPO`s,i`d voluntarily relinquished my job to concentrate on a much more difficult task ahead......marriage!!!After an interval(Not The Movie Theater Kinds) i have ventured into a new field...that of content writing.

This job is much more satisfying.For one,it offers me the freedom of flexible hours...i can work when i wish and it is so much more creatively satisfying.I feel as if i am doing something worthwhile and not just idling away my time.Moreover i am learning a lot of novel things.There are times when i cannot write with as much ebullience as i wish but then that too offers its own rewards.I like the travel sites the most as it gives me the freedom to express myself and my varied fantasies to the utmost...

I am just a fresher(the word perhaps even freshers detest the most)in this field but i am amazed by the scope that this field offers.Freedom of creativity,freedom of expression are but an onus.I am slowly learning a lot of new things and i hope that in the days and eventually months to come i will be a good content writer...writing content that i am satisfied with.