Narcissus and Goldmund

... is pure philosophsy, to be more precise - spirituality. It delves into the concept of the union of the mind and the heart. It is a story about two different people who represent the two sides of any individual. Narcissus is a thinker who believes in focussing on discovering the truth by reasoning. Goldmund belives in exploring - exploring all that he comes across, feeling it, and learning from that feeling and experience. They both go their own different ways in spite of their bonding and love for each other. But in the end they do unite.

There seems to be a conflict throughout the book about which path is the better one. But in the end it is disclosed that neither can stand alone and neither is the path to truth indepnedently. The 'other' has to be understood for the truth to be discovered. Goldmund after making his last statue, leaves the cloister, to explore more of his feelings, his youth. But he faces rejection from the one he had loved the most. What he relaizes at that time is his 'reasoning'. He had always appreciated everything that the world had to offer but at this point he understands the flimsiness of the world. He is satisfied and accepts death. However, his last words to Narcissus question him on how would he die? Because Narcissus had rejected the world but had not seen and felt its beauty. This door for him had been openend by Goldmund. He had to now know the world completely before he could be satisfied. The last line reaffirms that the two aspects of a being have to unite and that the story was indeed about the Narcissus and the Goldmund of one being.

My Experiments with Cooking :)

On a cold winter evening, when you come home and are tired of all the stuff that Downtown China, McDs, Taste of India or Papa John's can deliver, you can cook the Macaroni Cheese n Sauce - which has been my discovery on a similar evening.
And here goes the recipe.. (made out of whatever could be found at home then)
Boil 100g of Macaroni and heat for 10 minutes. Drain the water and pour cold water over it. Drain once again and leave the macaroni aside. [this part of the instruction can be found on your macaroni pack :) ]
Heat one and a half spoonfull of refined oil, add garlic paste and finely chopped onions to it (the word 'finely' is added only to give a dramatic effect - my onions were huge pieces yet they tasted good). Also add a pinch of Red chilli powder and salt to taste.
Fry for about 5-6 minutes and then add capscicum chopped in equal pieces (well I say equal because mine were far from equal - dissapointing).
Now add a spoonfull of Cheese and Mushroom Spread (that was the only cheesy thing in my fridge) and an equal amount of tomato sauce (if the expiry date on the bottle hasn't passed yet).
Add the macaroni to this mix and fry for another minute or two.
And your Macaroni Cheese n Sauce is ready!!! :D
This is only the first success and the great cook in making will keep posted (if) anyone reading this post.

Khoya Khoya Chand again!!

Khoya Khoya Chand

A movie close to reality yet not sore. It had its sweet moments and the painful ones too connected to the emotions fabricated in those sweet moments. The narration and quick flow in the depressing parts made the movie watchable. You would probably not cry watching the unhappy scenes but would notice the emotional reactions involved. Very intricately portrayed points of view and sentiments. Every character had the different shades of grey...

Shades..

Life is all about the different shades of grey. And you learn to identify more of these shades with time or rather with experience. Some say this is because you become more corrupt with age/experience, some say you mature. I don't know what it is but I know that I am learning. Learning everyday to adapt to the world. I have two clearly demarcated expectations from myself - one is what I want to do and be and the second is what I have to do and be for it. Adaptation is a requirement. And a way that leads you to a point from where you can take your true wishes forward. The only risk is that your wishes might get lost on the way and so might you.

Little Women

The book review has to wait for until I read the book. Which I am going to, now that I have seen the movie and have loved it soooo much. Little Women... the story of the four sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy - each one with a different set of talents, dreams and flaws. And each of their lives build so well on their charachteristics, leaving you wondering if their lives shaped that way because of what they were or if they were meant to be what they were to be able to take all that life had to offer.
Everything was so apt. Meg's beauty, vanity and then her married life; Beth's generosity and her illness; Amy's art, sophistication and her Europe trip; And of course Jo, the one I relate to the most, her books, her writing and her independent life. I loved Jo's ideas, dreams and conviction. I was so sure in the last scene that Jo would not be able to ask Prof. Bhaer to stay. I was engrossed enough in the movie to have been pessimistic. But am glad she did. She had to.. Alcott had written the story long ago :)
The movie left a pleasant beautiful feeling. And with diwali lights all around and the festive mood having set in, the feeling persists.

Marasim

"haath chooTen bhi tho rishthe nahin choDa karthe
waqt ki shaak se lamhein nahin toDa karthe
jiski aawaaz meiN silwat ho nigahoN meiN shikan
aisi tasvir ke tukDe nahiN joda karthe"

"do do shakleN dikthi haiN is behke se aayine meiN
mere saath chala aaya hai aapka ik saudayee bhi"

"aankhoN se aansoon ke marasim purane haiN
mehmaan ye ghar meiN aayen tho chubtha nahin dhuaaN"

"aayina dekhkar tasalli huyi
humko is ghar main jaantha hai koi"

- Lines from Marasim.. finally listening to Jagjit Singh singing Gulzar's poetry.

I look at the human mind and then at its creator. And I love His art. I love the complexities. As if they define life, as if life cannot exist without them. At least the beauty of life cannot.

And I wonder how things would shape in the next few years, I wonder what would change and what would remain the same. We are the least informed beings about our own lives. And things more than often seem out of our control. But the fact that there is no control is a relief. A relief that there is someone..

Time sometimes makes certain things seem so far away - as if they never existed or even if they did the familiarity doesn't exist.

Art is also a science. Only, the scientific details of art are hidden.

Gatsby Revisited!!

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.
'Whenever you feel like criticising anyone', he told me, 'just remember that all the people in the world haven't had the advantages that you've had.'

These are the opening lines of The Great Gatsby. I happened to like the narrator Nick more than Gatsby. Probably because I am fond of people who can understand what's happening around them and express it too.
Anyway back to the lines in the book... if you stop, think and apply this, you realize the advice is quiet true. And I'd use the word experiences rather than advantages. Experiences are what shape us and our ideologies, and differentiate us from others. I could have learnt something which you might not be aware of because you haven't gone through a life similar to mine.
Hmmm... now this is what makes me a li'l less cynical.

Was home for a week. It was after a gap of five months this time.. that's a long time according to my standards. And for some reason I noticed a lot of changes this time.. changes that have been there for a while but I never really looked at them. Sometimes we don't look at changes, sometimes we see them and ignore them because they make us uneasy. We are often too drunk 'on the wine of youth' to delve into realities.. realities that remind us of our responsibilities. The fact that it's time to take up reponsibilities had upset me till now. But during this trip I realized that things will be the way they have to be, my direction will remain the way I want it to, but making the journey pleasant requires only a bit of understanding. Everything's just a play of different perspectives. My life will probably be very different from what it was a few years ago, but I can't lose the touch of that which I belong to.
The whole journey is fascinating. If you look at your parents closely.. their lives, their changes, their efforts.. you get a glimpse of it. And at times like this you want to stop and stay where you are forever, but you know that doesn't happen. You see your path and you know you have to move, learn, progress, evolve. You cannot always have every person you care for with you. But the least you can do for them is give your best to life, in every way. Let them be your strength and not your weakness. And be there for them whenever they need you.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

- Robert Frost

Perfume of Promise..

This is my delight, thus to wait and watch at the wayside where shadow chases light and the rain comes in the wake of the summer.
Messengers, with tidings from unkown skies, greet me and speed along the road. My heart is glad within, and the breath of the passing breeze is sweet.
From dawn till dusk I sit here before my door, and I know that of a sudden the happy moment will arrive when I shall see.
In the meanwhile I smile and I sing all alone. In the meanwhile the air is filling with the perfume of promise.
- Rabindra Nath Tagore, Gitanjali

Wear Suncreen!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwVVpwBKUp0

And this they say is the original video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfq_A8nXMsQ

Ladies and gentlemen, of the class of '99.
Wear Sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.
Oh, never mind.
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.
But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future.
Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind.
The kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive.
Forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters.
Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives.
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees.
You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.
Your choices are half chance.
So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body.
Use it every way you can.
Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it.
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines.
They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents.
You never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings.
They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths:
Prices will rise.
Politicians will philander.
You, too, will get old.
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you have a trust fund.
Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse.
But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia.
Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen

Life or Something Like It

Liked this post. Check out the link..

http://peeyush.wordpress.com/2007/06/28/life-or-something-like-it/

How Evil Are You?

You Are 20% Evil

You are good. So good, that you make evil people squirm. Just remember, you may need to turn to the dark side to get what you want!

How Evil Are You?

I was excited about this quiz. Had thought I'd score well but didn't :(

Gatsby.. Not really a review!!

Finished reading 'The Great Gatsby'. It's an interesting story about misplaced priorities of some lives; about a genuine man and the world around him; I can understand why Holden Caulfield must have liked this book. People like Gatsby must have come as a relief for him in the world. Gatsby was not only genuine, he was also careful and focussed. Careful people make sure they don't mess up things too much. Sometimes it's good to be careless at least as long as it doesn't harm anyone around.

Fury!!

Erinnyes, 'the angry ones', are the three goddesses of fury, according to the Greek and Roman mythology.
"..who were born from the falling drops of blood of Uranus (Sky) when he was mutilated by his son, the Titan Cronus. The drops fell on Mother Earth (Gaea) and impregnated her."
Depicted as dog-headed, or bat winged, dressed in black robes. However, they were given a softer appearance in all works of art and stage, to avoid invoking their anger. It is belived that they are mainly aggravated by disrespect shown by children towards parents. However, originally they are meant to represent the psychological torments associated with a guilty conscience and that's how they come into picture in Salman Rushdie's 'Fury'.
The introduction to the book had intrigued me, when it spoke about Malik Solanka's inexplicable fury and his fear of harming his loved ones. More than half the book kept me curious that way. I wouldn't say I was pleased with the story - firstly, because it was depressing, secondly, because it was not what I had imagined :) - but then the way the story is told remained intriguing and interesting throughout. Every idea expressed is commendable. I have happened to like the author much more than the book. Would recommend the book for the author's innovation and his in-depth scrutiny of the complexities of human behaviour and relationships.

My latest theory on life!!!

Life can either be made into a third class hindi movie or into an Art. It all depends on the smallest choices you make. The story remains the same - the dialogues and the scenes can vary.

Proud to be an Aquarian :)

You are 87% Aquarius

How Aquarius Are You?

The Rishikesh Travelogue

My ears felt a gushing breeze, some ten feet above the river that flowed serenely, without the slightest disruption in its innate conversant drift – a portrayal of peace, depth, profoundness and mysticism coming to life. As it coursed ahead to my left, it surged around the piece of land that stood in its path, as if an obstruction was present to merely let the river reveal its supremacy. And the huge amused mountains watched forming a circle where they stood engulfing us all.
I was in a place near Rishikesh, on a trip with my team at office and a client, who was visiting India. We were to camp here for a day and then go river rafting to Rishikesh the next day. We had traveled by bus from Delhi – it was an overnight journey – and then trekked down around two kilometers to reach this magnificently beautiful place, where there was no Airtel network unlike the advertisements aired on TV.
After a fulfilling breakfast our adventures commenced with a trek to a nearby waterfall. Walking on rocks with water flowing on them seemed to be a tricky job and even more so because of the 'spirited', fearless company I was in. I remembered how as a child I knew no fear and would run up the hills in Ranchi without thinking twice. I longed to be a child again... but then again it's only a matter of practise or rather the lack of it.
We were to cross two main obstacles to reach the waterfall and that meant getting into the water and all drenched. People were enthusiastic – all of them splashing water all around, posing for snaps. They so completely seemed to belong to the place. We had to climb up a set of rocks that were around five feet above the water with the support of a rope even as the water kept gushing on us from above. And as if nature hadn’t created enough commotion, every being around added to it with their instructions on how to go about ascending the rocks. It was scary but lovely – the commotion. We did manage crossing this obstacle - triumph for the team ;)
The second obstacle was simpler and crossing it we reached the main waterfall, where water fell mindlessly from as high as we could see, collected in the shape of a little pond and then flowed out forming a small brook from the side. People took turns to stand below that huge jet of water that was never tired of drenching them. And of course, this was where Sameer posed for his 'Hritik Roshan' snap, flaunting the result of his workouts at the gym. The water’s craziness was intoxicating and the fun all these guys seemed to have fascinating. They danced, wallowed, floated, splashed water on one another and posed for snaps; the enthusiasm was elating. I was glad as long as I stayed away from the water – I did make an effort to go in and get crazy like the others but it was creepy when I was almost drowned. Though I realized later that it wasn’t really close to a near death experience :)
Well all that fun was not the end of the waterfall. The return, apparently, was more dangerous – we had to jump down the five feet high rocks into the water without hitting any of the rocks that bulged into our way from the sides. By now Kinshuk and Varun knew they had to keep Preeti and me in the front not giving us the option of running back. The guys went on jumping in one by one but Preeti and I stood there for pretty long, having a tough time fighting our fears. After I had jumped - almost imagining I was going to suicide - the guys found an easier way for Preeti. That was so unfair!! She finally used the rope to get down and the rescue team that consisted of Kinshuk, Manish, Varun, Jatin and the two guides we had, helped her with it.
Next we were at the beach on the riverside – some swimming, some kayaking, some cliff jumping. The cliff’s height here was almost 20 feet and it was a tough job first climbing up and then jumping into the water. Manish, Arun, David, Jatin and Kinshuk did this - kudos!! At the end of all these activities, David was buried in the sand and his ‘The Mummy Returns’ snap clicked. Some of us played volleyball for a while, then lunch and we then got some sleep.
Evening was another round of volleyball, which was followed by a bon fire party at the beach. The moonlit riverside made as such a splendid sight but we still lit the bon fire for some more light. The party was primarily a drinks party with very little for the non-drinkers to do. There were a few interesting conversations once in a while. I liked listening to David’s talks about his lady :)
Both before and after dinner, Preeti, Jatin and I spent most of the time sitting right beside the river, playing with the sand and chatting. We even managed a bit of philosophical talk. After a while Varun joined us too. The three of them kept trying to figure out the different constellations in the sky. I simply can't do without mentioning that the three of them are all crazy beings - each one in his/her own way. Anyway, we finally decided to get into our sleeping bags on the beach after the moon was out of our sight. Sleeping there would have been more mesmeric than frightening had there been fewer reasons to be scared of :)
The next morning, after breakfast, we trekked up to reach our bus and then drove to the point where we were to start rafting. With life jackets and helmets on and paddles in our hands we were quite an enthusiastic team posing for snaps. We were briefed about all the instructions we needed to follow when in the river and then before starting our real expedition, as instructed we went in sync shouting “Ganga Mayia ki Jay!!”
On our way to the rapids we had fun water fighting with other rafts and body floating. I tried getting into the water twice but as always I was scared. Once again the fearless people around happened to scare me more than usual. It was a cool sight though, all of them floating in the river and I the only one on the raft. They would be back in the raft when we approached the rapid. There were quick rowing instructions during the rapids and those parts of the river were the best. The raft would thrust into the massive flow of water and we’d get wet all over again and again. Every time we successfully crossed a rapid, we screamed together “Yo baby, Yo baby, Yo baby, Yo!!” – once again instructions from our guide. That was funny!!
Then it was again time for cliff jumping and almost all went for it. Preeti rather than jumping was pulled once and pushed the other time into the water.
Lunch, and then we started our drive back. The return was quite unexpectedly lively, with most of us playing Dumb Charades and then Anatakshari throughout the journey. It was pleasantly surprising to see so many guys play Anatakshari that seriously and for that long. By the end of the journey we were all almost dead and when I went to bed that night I could feel myself floating in a raft :)

What happens when you decode intuitions? Does destiny create a new algorithm?

Even the man of knowledge acts in conformity with his own nature ; beings follow nature ; what shall coercion avail ?

- The Bhagwad Gita

Life feels like a play that I am a part of. At any point of time I perform my role with all sincerity and then I wait for further directions. Sometimes I have this nasty habit of guessing about what more is there in the script and interfering with the direction.

Above Average

Finished reading Above Average.
It is a much better read than Five Point Someone. In Five Point Someone one could only relate to the events that are described. Above Average captures descriptions to a certain depth, which lets one relate to the experience of the mentioned event, even though one's not seen something exactly similar. A vivid description of Delhi and the life around 'Arindam' - the narrator, carries the entertainment value but subtle references to the narrator's reflection of the incidents mentioned is what makes the book special. These reflections are left open-ended and
create space for the reader's thoughts to flow.
The elaborate prose-style reveals the author's passion for writing; the open portayal of the college student's life makes the book bold; however, the periodic musings of the narrator are what bring out the thinker in the author.
Overall the book is good, I feel the author is more than what he brings out in this book, at leats I think so.

Added later:
On second thoughts... naah. It was a time pass read. But what I thought about the author still stands.

Added much later:
And on third thoughts.. don't know if what I thought about the author also stands or not.. ????... so confused!!

Created this new blog, which, I hope, will be a little less crazy!! :)