One hell of a man

I am writing this blog sitting in a TNSTC bus. I am on my way to Chennai . But this should not stop me from writing about Vidyut sir. I have seen umpteen number of numb posts in various blogs in which people revere their role models. I am afraid that this post on Vidyut sir should not create a 'one-more-blind-praise' kind of a sense. One of the greatest virtues that I learnt from my Vidyut is to disrepect the venerable. Thrash the so-called 'established' ideas.

He had a Lambretta scooter.. a spanish guitar in living room. He reads Mir publication books and normally smokes in the terrace. I had some of the most important lessons in life and science in that little terrace. I dont want to make a statements like 'I owe him a lot' 'He showed me the way'. Certainly, he would not like me to write such things in my blog or diary or whatever. He told that there is a door and that I should apply some force to open the door. I opened it and I saw the world. 

I met him when I was 20. I joined the college and I took a single room avoiding the hostel. Vidyut stayed in the room nearby. He was a lecturer in Physics department. I was doing BSc Zoology by the way. He was 10 years elder to me and  a divorcee. I never have asked him wheather he has kids or some mundane questions like 'How do you kill loneliness?' . I had always thought that his days were worth more than 24 hours .

'Life should go on' He would say lighting a kings cigarette. And as the smoke engulfs his face he would furthur say Richard Bach`s take on Life. The illusions.

I once read his diary. It was a shameful act. But I could not resist myself from getting to know on what goes in backgroundof Vidyut. It is just a breathtaking note of a practical individual. 

I once asked him about relations on earth.. It was those days when I had a crush with someone in my college. He said that if you believe that the relation will work out then there is no point in hesitating. I had not got introduced to that girl before. The next day, I said 'Hi'  to her. She is now in US doing masters. I usually meet her in g-talk and our conversation  normally starts with the usual 'Hi'. In was just of few chats in our college canteen, I got to know that its just a crush and then the wonderful episode of friendship blossomed.

I left my college jobless. It was a cruel phase where reality hit a harsh blow on me. Vidyut never cared about me being jobless. I read Bach and Capra during daytime and in nights I used to go to terrace to see the constellations. We used to go for a late night tea in my motorbike. (I had a IND-Suzuki then).  All he gave me those days were some puffs of cigarette and the freedom to take any books from library.

What is big reason for me to write this long post sitting in a bus,  Where already a thousand eyes have peeped into my laptop screen looking into what I am doing.

This Vidyut is getting remarried. One hell of man he is.

Mr.Mani and Me

We can easily get a cycle for rent if we go with a reco and a SOP (statement of purpose). Mr.Mani is kind enough in that aspect. Despite being a owner of a cycle-rental, he is a part time musician (plays thavil) and a amateur story writer. He has become a part of my daily routine. Palani is too small a town for cycling, but I had to get a rented cycle to go to my office. No distance factor involved here. I should park my cycle infront of my office and walk briskly towards the entrance. Well, that gives me the feel of a employed graduate. 

Next month I am applying for SWF loan and I plan to buy the recently launched TVS50 moped. It will save the rent that I give to my dear Mr.Mani. And I should apply for a LPG connection and then I should get a stove also.

"Sir, Why not you choose writing as a profession? Anyway you are writing well" asks Mr.Mani.

I get him a tea and a gold filter. 

"Well thats fine.. Do you know where can I buy a Television..? I cannot pay it at one shot.. So tell me a place where can a have a good EMI" I ask him.

And then that day when we shared a smoke below the peepal tree... "Sir, I read your short story on Lankan tamils.. Superb sir.. Where do you such wonderful ideas sir..? " He asked.

" I got a TV.. It at 0% interest EMI" I was telling him.

Mr.Mani once wrote a long short-story and gave me. He asked for my opinion. I remember I saw that bunch of papers again when I vacated my house from Palani. I had ruined a tamil literary scholar right at his budding stage. 

" Sir.. I will say you where can you get a good deal for housing loan.. But before that tell me your opinions on short story which came in Vikatan written by Sujatha.. ? Awesome na.." He muttered.

"Well.. I have not read it so far" I said.

Now here.. I am sitting as a 60 year old.. The literary 'me' has already died and was cremated with honours. My literary boundaries ends with dailies. 

Why I am mentioning all these.. ? Last sunday I got a letter from Mr.Mani..

It was in 15paise yellow post card.. He tried to compress the wishes of his family members in one side of card and in the other side of the card he asks "Have you read Tolstoy..? You should read to appreciate the beauty!"

A Filmy Friend

The more I see movies, the more encouraging I feel. Yes, I feel that I could make a better movie  than most of them. I agree to the fact that it is an 'industry' but I cant digest all these craps made in the name of commercialisation. I should be able to enjoy the movie in any part of the world. It should not portray local emotions and people. It should kindle the inner artistic spirits of every human being on earth, no matter where he is from.

I have a friend who wants to overturn the way in which Tamil films are made. He lives in a mansion in Triplicane, Chennai. Fortunate enough to be an assistant director if a movie which was dropped, He now works as an Assistant of an assistant director who shares his room in the mansion. Both have atleast 20 stories in their repertoire. Action, Comedy, Sentiment, .. and one item number kind of stories. Phir bhi Pass ho gaya! kinda themes. I was not able to discuss with them about Kurosowas or Goddards. Their gruelling poverty strikes me. I asked them to take stories from their own lives. A good director should always maintain a diary or a blog and capture his emotions then and there. 

"DP! In this fouth story na.. I have a scene before the intermission. The Hero stands on top of a mound.. The heroine runs towards him.. And there was a gun-shot" 

"I pray that the story ends there itself" I said.

Some fallacies: (also applicable to movies in the past)

• I think a girl`s father would never decide to kill his daughter just because she refused to marry a guy who was chosen by him. 
  
• You wont be reconnected on phone when you bang the button (where receiver is placed), These shots normally come when the villain threatens and cuts the phone.
• No boys hostel is so shabby & No girls hostel is so sauber as shown in the movies.
• There wont be a case where there is no exchange of words between parties in a fight.
• Not all the beautiful people are intelligent.
• There is nothing called 'Love at first sight'.. 

(Readers can post more in the comments (in films between 1990-2008).. The best of them will be awarded a book on 'How to write a screenplay?' written by Sujatha)

I asked him to correct some of the common fallacies in his story. He greeted me that I am going to be the next-sujatha in larger context. I paid the bill for the dinner. He argued that he can make 'Nylon kayiru' novel into a movie. God save the king!

As he came to Central station in Chennai to see me off, I asked him a realistic question.

"Do you have some scripts in your mind already?"

"Thats least important! Now its time to make contacts with big people" He said.

It is a more realistic answer.

Cadence of soul

 Hold on! I could hear light. How often this had happened to me before..? It an eerie whizz that has got emanated from the crust of the lamp and its audible to me now. 

Call it 'Chevlovsky effect' or whatever..I will now have the third shot of today. The mystical chemical reaction had already begun and it has started cleansing the tawdry marks in my soul. Reality is something that has to be quarantined. It is the sickest thing on earth. It kills the fantasies and walks over the cadaver of the illusions. I push reality to the corner with this chemical elixir.. but it pounces back at me with vengence. Reality is the greatest nemesis of mankind.

The light have now changed their note. It is a shriller now. I hate this.. It kills the ambience. Who on earth invented the sodium vapour lamp.? 

I am an antagonist to my own beliefs. Its a pleasing thing to oppose someone and its more pleasing to oppose your own reality. Try it out folks! 

Let me have the fourth shot of the day.

Directors cut: This is supposed to be the first scene in my film. It is jus one frame where a fetid young man with beard gawks at a sodium vapour lamp on the roadside. He is doped as mentioned. Just a lesson in writing screenplay. I should convey the thoughts of that person through some camera angles. Let me try.

Nandi Hills (a short story)

Vijay decided to kill Bhaskar. It was not an immediate decision. He had thought about it a few months back but had to postpone because Bhaskar had taken a leave. 

Vijay felt betrayed. Why english was so hard to him..? Is it his fault that he wears thick glasses and finds difficult to speak with girls.? Some people are groomed like that.. They are failures of a ill-mannered society and a shabby culture. Vijay had never felt so low.

Bhaskar met Vijay a year back. That was the time when Bhaskar was new to office. Some people are flamboyant by default. They make friends easily. They do things with a panache. Bhaskar is one of them. 

"You seem to be quiet always.. Why not you speak out..?" Bhaskar asked Vijay as both lit cigarettes.

"No! I am always like that" Vijay was taken aback by the blatant question.

In conversations after that Vijay opened up and told his complexes to Bhaskar. To list down a few -Vijay is short (his height is 5 feet 2 inches ). Vijay cannot speak English fluently (he studied in Kannada medium). He believes he is impotent (smokes 15 cigarettes per day). He has curly hair inside his ears and wears cylindrical power glasses (attributed to genes). And in top of all that he wants to speak to a girl so badly in the past few days.

"Just go ahead and start the conversation" Bhaskar advised Vijay.

"How can I..? Ananthi is so beautiful.. How can a person like me.. A dumb squib like me talking to her.."

"Hmmm.. Can I help you..? I can introduce her to you" Bhaskar had a faint smile.

"No! for gods sake.. Leave me alone.. I am more than happy with my Byron and shelly" 

"Then marry them.. Dont ever think of Ananthi" Bhaskar left.

Vijay stood in front of mirror that night. He does this so often. 

"I know these people. So mean and so trite. I cannot reduce my self esteem and go and talk to someone.. Why should I..? Is she so important.. Let her come and talk to me.."

The following day was Ananthi`s birthday.. People were wishing her all the way from morning. She looked more beautiful that day. 

"Come on Vijay! It is a good oppurtunity. Go and wish her" yelled Bhaskar.

"Shut your mouth! Why on earth should I wish a stranger for their birthday.. Everyday on earth thousands of people were born" 

"Hey! You are nuts.. Its better you consult a psychiatrist"

"Mind your words Bhaskar! Please try to argue within your limits" Vijay left as he shouted this words.

That night when Vijay stood infront of mirror he decided to kill Bhaskar. He was waiting for an oppurtunity from then on. It came yesterday. Everyone in the office decided to go to Nandi hills for a excursion.

"Hey Vijay!  You are gonna come for this excursion" Bhaskar commanded vijay.

This is what they call 'digging ones own grave' ... Vijay had to make exquisite plans to kill Bhaskar. It should look like a accidental fall from the mountain.. He should also take Bhaskar alone detaching him from the friends circle to accomplish the ordeal. Lets see what happens..

It was a jeering journey in the bus. People were singing and dancing. Ananthi was in white dress looked like an angel. Vijay and Bhaskar were sitting in the same seat. Vijay was not involved in the activities. 

"I should atleast kill one useless person on earth.. Being stupid is not his fault.. But how can he mock at me.. I am destined for something big.. How can he mock at me for not talking to Ananthi.." Thoughts went like a flocking feather after a bird hunt.

People started talking the same old office stories once they reached Nandi hills. Everyone tried their best to show that they were child-like by their heart. Vijay wanted to act quickly.

"Can you come with me for a walk? I want to talk something personally" Vijay asked Bhaskar.

"Ya.. Why not" 

Nandi Hills has a fort built by Tipu sultan. There is a special place called Tipu`s drop from where the prisoners where dropped from the hill. In the current topography if someone falls from Tipu`s bend they will directly come to the second hairpin bend.

"It had been a terrible year for me Bhaskar" Vijay started.

"Hey.. Cool down.. May be you are thinking so much.. Have you been to NIHMANS..? I told you to do so."

"No Bhaskar! I may not need it"

"Hmmm.. you keep turning down my suggestions"

Vijay laughed. The valley infront seemed to echo. 

It happened in a split second. "You dont need to live anymore" shouted Vijay and kicked Bhaskar into Tipu`s drop.

Venkatappa received a urgent call. He called two of constables and reached the 2nd hairpin bend of Nandi hills. As the police jeep reached the spot, people moved and made way for Venkatappa. 

It was a gory scene. Venkatappa had to bend backwards to see the Tipu`s drop on top . It was like a faint dot. 

"Hmmm.. What is name of the victim?" asked Venkatappa.

"Vijay Bhaskar! sir" told one of his constables.

I read my 2015 diary

Daylight was pouring through the windows of the wagon. The smooth tweeters gave a shrill and the air conditioner soothed the eyelids. I preffered Pink Floyd.
I have yearned for cars. Those days, our neighbours used to have a Premier Padmini.. I used to wonder why people call it Fiat. It used to be mode of travel for our imaginary journeys to the destinations of which always used to change.

Bangalore is a nice to place to start your career with if you dont consider the 'harsh reality' part of it. All you need is to do is to adopt yourself to 'swalpa adjust maadi' ing with the people.
Those days, I used to walk everyday to office in the morning. Bangalore wakes up late and all you get is some half sleeping magas serving masala dosa.
I used to meet those people who sleep in the roadside.. Those children.. Who used to sleep tasting the taste of tar. And that small boy who always sits near traffic signal and wishes me as I pass.
I never used to wish him back. Those were days when I started building my bourgeois basements. I didnt know then that happiness is inversly proportional to bank balance.

Then I started to go by autorickshaw to office. I saw less of the road side people. I used to take a book to read on the way. Kipling, Dickens, Byron,.. Now I saw a different set of people. Life changes right.?
I was sent onsite to the city of angels. Ya, You are right. I got a bike after I returned from there. I used to like those long distance trips with my sweetheart. Hmmm.. Motorbikes.. Its one of crazy inventions of mankind. I was a part of 4 minor accidents in bangalore from 2009 till 2012.

I was sent onsite to the land of rising sun. Needless to say I came back. I bought a Audi Q7 Quattro.. I married my sweetheart. I started delivering lectures on the 'six sigma' and have written a few books about them also.. Next time if you go to landmark, see them in 'Non-fiction' section in the first floor.
Here I am.. I have shifted to the fourth gear and its now its 'The great gig in the sky' in the stereos. Pink Floyd is immortal and so is audi Q7.

Nowadays I realised that I am not at all noticing the roadside children. Those people have never changed. Still someone sits near the signal. Still those homeless children on Tar road.
Its cold in Bangalore nowadays.. I feel like burning all the literature I have read to warm them up. Who is joining with me.?

JarHead

That day passed without any significant activity. That was a Friday and people are expected to leave for the day very early, only to swipe their credit in the money thirsty malls in Bangalore. There was an apparent urge in the faces of people as they returned from the afternoon round of coffee-break.
"Hey dude! You didnt come for the coffee?".
"Ya! I know" I replied.

I saw the monitor. It stared back at me in return. It was when the telephone tringed. It was a long trrrrrring. Must be a call from the customer... May be he will be asking some questions which will be a fodder for my technical hunger.. May be he is appreciating the piece of code written by me some six months back (my last attempt of glory).. I picked up the call..

"Hello Sir, Am I speaking to Mr.@@@@..? This is Reena calling on behalf of XYZ bank..Would you like to..?"

"I would like to ask you one thing ..How much are you paid Ms.Reena..?"

It was not new for me. I had seen periods of no-work. But this time it was for a longer period of time. It began with a recession in US. It still has its roots on the declaration of war on Iraq by Mr.Bush. Its root is on what is called as sep.11. It again has its roots on guys like Osama and so on.

Seems strange. But this is how I analyse things nowadays. I am not here to do this 'news-channel' style analysis. But reality is this. I go home from office at 6PM everyday and I am forced to watch news channels as I totally disagree with the shows which claim to hunt for talent.

I went for an Onsite. It was last year when I was sent to the city of angels. Well..thats when I saw the faces of people whom I yearn to converse with. They hold a doctorate in their area of interest and still keep their head cool and straight. My 'knowledge' is like a David infront of their Goliathness. Well.. David slays Goliath only in the books.

I never complain for the sorry state of being software engineer. But just give me some work which will help me to prove my mettle.

These are extract from the diary of my friend who used to work in a leading software firm in Bangalore. He had quit his job recently to start a business. He recently shared on how his knowledge on 'Supply-Chain management' helps in his idly-dosa business.