OK, so I didn't keep my promise to blog regularly. Apologies. Honestly, I've not really wanted to blog. Partly, it has something to do with the (miserable) internet facilities in my neighbourhoods and I've also just not had much time to sit down and compose coherent pieces of writing (because all my blog posts are SO easily decipherable, right? :P). But, I have a moleskine full of notes and I promise to go back home and produce atleast one decent post!
The trip has been a mixed bag. Family tells me, grinning broadly, that I've grown up/changed a lot since I was last here. I certainly hope so. Also, it is a different Kolkata that I came to, this year. It ceases to be the warm, dusty city that I loved...it's more of a fat, overbearing, loud, pushy and ovesmart entity. Sadly. The city made me grumpy and disgruntled within a few days...and, those are two things - those of you who know me well will know - that I hate to be. A part of me is happy that I'm leaving day after tomorrow. And a part of me is devastated at having to (once again) leave behind precious family and my parents' beautiful new house.
Watched "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" today. It is the SRK flick, once again, that will provide the soundtrack for all my memories of this trip. It really is a lovely film - don't believe the reviews. You can't expect to walk into a Yash Raj Films production and expect Satyajit Ray's realism. Just like you can't take the masala out of desi chai, don't try and take the cheese out of a commercial Hindi flick. But, really - it is a wonderful watch -- full-blown entertainment, one of SRK's best performances as a romantic hero, amazing music...and a beautiful message. Those of you who know me well will know that I cry buckets of tears during Hindi films, especially when SRK is the man on screen (Natasha will confirm that I cry everytime Shah Rukh has tears in his eyes). This film was no exception and an emergency trip had to be made to the multiplex bathroom to wipe away the streams of mascara that had run down my cheeks during the 3hours. And, yes the drama of the film itself (paired with my compounded frustration during this Kolkata trip) would be enough to melt my soft-serve ice-cream heart...but the film really did feel very personal. I have never felt a song fully embody the way I've loved more than "Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai". And, the idea that we love that one person in whom we see god (however amorphously we choose to define this). I finally received an answer to why it's so hard to end the pain of being in love - "insaan ko hum aasaani se chod sakte hai, lekin Rab ko kaise chode?" ...
An abrupt end to the post is necessary. Internet Explorer, at this net cafe, shuts down every 20 minutes - and I've been on for 18. I'm bidding Kolkata a semi-sad farewell. And looking forward to Zambia, Brown and all the people that I've chosen to build life-long relationships with.
"Hum hain raahi pyaar ke, phir milenge chalte chalte"...
