My Sunglasses, My Style

Source: Internet

“Amma, what do we gift Appa for his birthday this year?” I shrieked from the upper floor of our compact little row house. My mom, busy in her kitchen, yelled back “why don’t we gift him yet another ‘his-all-time-favorite’ sunglass?” 

That sounded like a good idea. Not a novel one, but definitely a good one, since my dad is known for his love and obsession for eyewear that makes him go ‘Ohh La La’.

I’m like my dad in more than one way. My love for reading and writing, my ability to lose temper at the drop of a pin, my likeness for food etc. are all a boon that I inherited from my dear dad. And one of these boons includes my fetish for sunglasses.

Two pieces of glasses framed accurately for my big, bright eyes, perched on the slender bridge of my nose and the rims supporting the glasses flowing to the back of my ears – the thought of them makes me go crazy and leaves me gasping for more (*pun unintended*).

It can’t be denied that, as an accessory, it’s a must on everyone’s closet.

I’m proud to be the owner of 5 exclusive sunglasses which I use on different occasions. But it was not until I started working four years back, that I could possess my own eyepiece.

Even though dad offered to gift me on several occasions, I denied accepting it since I firmly believed that certain things in life (which are truly dear to you) need to be earned and not simply get it.

(In that case, you may ask as to why I chose to enter this competition where you get to win a sunglass for free. I would again repeat that I am here to earn it and not simply get it J)

Coming back to the subject of this blog, GKB Optical is truly a one-stop shop for sunglasses, since it’s loaded with brands, types, varieties, price range and unique options.

Their website even offers a ‘virtual trial room’ by way of their tool – Try-It-On, which gives you the liberty to try the sunglasses either on one of your pictures or on one of the available ones, sorted according to face types. This is a better bargain, since I believe that sunglasses need to suit your face, for it to bring out the personality in you.

The two most favorite sunglasses which I chose from GKB Optical website and why they take this position can be explained below:

Source: GKB Optical

My first choice is the all-time-favorite Classic Aviators! (Brand: Ray Ban. Model no. RAY-BAN RB 3025) I loved the shades of this piece and I’m sure it will frame my face beautifully with a touch of elegance and chic. This classic eyewear will be accentuated with my choice of another classic combination of white tucked-in shirt over blue jeans.

Just as a wardrobe is incomplete without a pair of blue jeans and crisp white shirt, a sunglass collection will be imperfect if it does have the aviators (again, one of my many beliefs!).

With this combination of apparel and sunglass I’d like to make my fashion statement as classy, stylish, and smart.

Source: GKB Optical

My second choice is the sporty Ray Ban piece (Brand: Ray Ban. Model No. RAY-BAN RB 2132).

Why this choice? Well I’m an outdoor person who loves to explore and travel. Trekking and adventure kicks my adrenaline rush.

Since I go out often for various treks, this sunglass is sure to add that extra zing to my personality and the activity. I would pair it with a simple tee and jeans, the rest will be taken care by the glasses.

Also pairing this sunglass with a saree or a kurti will provide a different dimension to the Indo-Western avatar and will make you look a class-apart.

As to how I would use both the glasses as an accessory – I like the classic way of resting it on my head, which sweeps back my free flowing hair and serves the dual purpose of a hairband as well.

These are my choices and my style! And I have yet again proved that I’m a Ray Ban loyalist!

Over to you Mr. Judge!!

This entry is a part of the contest at BlogAdda.com brought to you by GKB Optical Sunglasses

His eyes said it all…

Picture Credit: Internet

The room was in total silence as Deepa carried a tray of specially brewed filter coffee for the guests who were waiting eagerly to devour the hot beverage as well as Deepa herself.

With trembling hands she delivered the coffee to every guest seated on their freshly prepared sofa (keeping the event in mind).

Clad in a crisp peacock green Kanjeevaram saree with braided hair and jasmine flowers to adorn them, Deepa marched into the room like a goddess. Only that she didn’t feel like a goddess and was nervous to the hilt.

After providing the performance of the day she was made to sit next to the woman who seemed to be the family matriarch.

Deepa was strictly instructed by the elders in the family to be seated with heads bowed down and not to look up or in the eyes of anybody who might ask her questions.

Until now she was nervously installed in her bedroom as the guests chattered about the ‘boy’, about how well-mannered and well cultured he is, his education, his job, his income and on and on.

Deepa hanged on with baited breath for the house to call upon her and the moment arrived too quickly with Deepa handling the tray of coffee and her aunt carrying the evening snacks.

Now sandwiched between the mother and the sister of the prospective bridegroom she awaited the impending storm.

Amma was waiting in the room nearby, with her ears completely focused on the happenings in the living room. She was advised by the same ‘elders’ to stay put at the adjoining room and to not come out of the room. What else do you expect a widow to be doing on such an auspicious occasion!

Deepa’s uncles and grandparents, who had taken charge of her future on account of her Appa’s absence, occupied a minuscule area of the room, with most space occupied by the boys’ side, who had come out on a rally.

Deepa was yet to look at the boy who was sitting opposite her and who she felt was equally nervous, what with the sound of his feet thumping the marble floor continuously.

There were other activities happening in the room. The women were discussing the saree design and color and the amount of gold the girl had on her, the men were ogling at her perfect figure and beautiful structure, the elders were trying to munch on the snack with difficulty without their dentures and the kids were running around the room.

Everybody seemed to be lost in their own musings, when suddenly an elderly voice awoke them abruptly and brought them back to the room.

“… So child, you completed your graduation and currently working with an accounts firm?”

Deepa nodded to approve their knowledge, with her head still bowed down.

“What will be your height beti?” chirped in another voice who was awaiting a chance to talk.

“Hmm, 5.2”, no I think 5.3”” said Deepa meekly.

“Oh, you don’t know your height” chuckled the voice finding a reason to laugh and be heard of.

“Why don’t you stand, so we can have a better look at you?” volunteered an uncle, anticipating a better view of her sculpted body.

Deepa went red in the face, but that was not to be seen, since she was bowed down and in any case they didn’t care about it.

She stood up tensely, clutching the hem of her saree. All eyes were fixed on her and roved nonchalantly, as if examining an item on sale.

“Just walk around the room in your beautiful saree like a model, won’t you beti?” pat came a voice urging the girl to walk around the room so they are confirmed of her ‘way of walking’ and to scrutinize if there was any problem with her gait.

Deepa did as she was ordered. She came back and stood next to her allotted place in the room, between the mother and sister. She waited to be told to sit down. But the moving eyes had not yet stopped.

Seeing the situation, one of her uncle came to rescue and asked her to sit down in a polite way, not wanting to affect their sentiments.

As soon as she was seated, a string of questions followed soon, some answered by Deepa, some by her relatives. The guests tried to access information about the quantity of gold to be given, wedding preparation expense, property details in name of Deepa, and many other materialistic topics.

In all these chaos, nobody gave a thought to Deepa and her opinion, whether she wants to marry Sudhir, whether she is happy with the alliance etc.

And as if as an answer to all these questions, Sudhir cleared his throat loud enough for people in the room to shut-up and listen. He stood up, walked across the room, came in front of Deepa, went on his knees, took her shivering hands in his own, lifted her chin up, made her look at him and whispered softly – “I’d like to marry you. Do you want to marry me?”

The room had gone dead silent.

Sudhir’s mother opened her mouth to protest, but he simply silenced her with a wave of his hand, without taking off his eyes from Deepa.

Deepa forgot her anxiety and worry when she looked into Sudhir’s eyes. Is this what they call as ‘love at first sight’?

After 15 rejections in the last 2 years, here is someone who not only approved her but also wanted to be approved by her. Nobody in her family ever cared to ask her if she liked a particular boy. It was always the boy’s preference which was considered.

But these were not the only reasons for her decision. The warmth of his touch, the serenity that engulfed her in his presence and the love that she saw in his eyes played a major part in this saga.

Deepa lowered her eyes, this time blushing and not as her elders had commanded, and moaned a soft ‘yes’ to Sudhir, who savored the moment before breaking into a blissful smile.

Love Happens! And his eyes said it all!

And yes, They Lived Happily Ever After!

Picture Credit: Internet

Ek Shaam Doston ke Naam

Source: Internet

I sit at my usual place at our regular ‘adda’ but see no familiar face.

I remember a long forgotten joke and laugh but hear no sound other than the birds chirping and vehicles honking.

I remember with pain, the days when we fought and cried, hugged and forgot.

I remember days spent in college canteen for food and time pass. 

I remember the college library which we visited for things other than studying. 

I remember the college verandahs and compounds, where the chatter and the laughs, the fights and the tears still reverberate.

I remember the days spent inside classroom walls, chatting behind the books and awaiting the lecture to end.

I remember college term exams and our anxieties to pass them. 

I remember our last minute notes and trips to the photocopy centers. 

I remember teaching accounts and learning economics. 

I remember early morning calls on exam day to wake up each other for studying. 

I remember the first question we asked before the exam “Kitna padha?” and the first question after exams “Kitna likha?”

I remember college projects and presentations done collectively at your house, where snacks and coffee breaks occupied an upper hand.

I remember our gatherings, lunches and dinners. I remember our picnics and vacations, movies and outings. I remember our night-outs and parties.

I remember trying our first booze together and the taste of the first smoke still lingers in my mind.

I remember our link-ups and break-ups and how we blushed and cried for each occasion.

I remember sharing our first job news and the impending party which we are yet to give each other.

I remember losing track after we got busy with our career and jobs.

I remember everything, but forgot how we drifted apart, forgot how other things occupied our time and space, forgot the beginning of separation, of long lost relationship!

I sit at my usual place at our regular ‘adda’ but see no familiar face.

I feel like a loner in a strangers land. I’m lost in this alien world. 

And my heart yearns for the people I used to know and call ‘Friends’!

This is what Blogadda had to say about my post, on selecting it as one of the 'Spicy Saturday Picks' on Feb 25th, 2012:

Who: Vasumathi Rajamani

What: Ek Shaam Dosti Ke Naam

Spicy: I sit at my usual place at our regular ‘adda’ but see no familiar face. Vasumathi writes a poem, remembering the college days, which most of us can identify with. We loved this line: I remember the first question we asked before the exam “Kitna padha?” and the first question after exams “Kitna likha?” Read on.

It’s Valentine’s Day! So what?

(*This is purely for fun. It does not resemble any entity--living or dead.

All statements and incidents are purely coincidental and not aimed to hurt anybody)

“So, what you doing today?” begins the trademark question on every special occasion. Be it a birthday, anniversary or a festival. And today is no different. 

Today is Valentine’s Day! And here is the evident question:

“So, what you doing today?”

Mr. single-desperately-wanting-to-mingle-but-never-got-a-chance looks on angrily.

Adjusting his spectacles on his rather crooked nose he rattles on – If you are in a relationship, people don’t agree when you say you are doing nothing on this day, and if you are single they don’t believe if you say you are doing something.

So my question is, why ask a question, when you are about to refute whatever I’m going to say!

To me Valentine Day is nothing but an overly commercialized event. Valentine Day is featured with roses, chocolates, teddies, gifts and nonsense.

And even before the D-day arrives, the week preceding it is celebrated as ‘Rose Day’, ‘Propose Day’, ‘Chocolate Day’, ‘Hug Day’, ‘Kiss Day’ and so on.

Can we ever have a ‘Regular Day’?

And what’s with the name fetish that couples refer to each other on this day? ‘Sweetheart, darling, chickoo, jaanu, bachchoo, shona, mona and on and on…’ I’m pretty sure you don’t even know the real name of the person you are with.

I’d rather die, than fall in love and do such crazy stuff!

One year later….

“So, what you doing today?”

Mr. last-year-single-now-newly-in-love blushes and grins.

Going gooey and utterly mushy flashes a set of freshly brushed teeth and opines – I have loads of surprises planned for my sweetheart, my darling, the love of my life.

Firstly, I’ll wish my babboo valentine’s day with a beautiful red rose.

 A box of chocolates and teddies will follow soon after.

I have already celebrated ‘Rose Day’, ‘Hug Day’, ‘Kiss Day’ and all other days with her and the finale will also be a grand affair.

My darling girlfriend will be adorned with gifts and wishes. Valentine’s Day is the most sacred day for lovers and it should be treated with reverence and respect. It’s a day to make your girl feel special.

I’d rather die, than live without love!

Two years later….

“So, what you doing today?”

Mr. last-year- newly-in-love-now-frustrated-in-love looks on frustrated yet tired – It’s the middle of the month and I’m completely broke. I have no money to spend on my food, yet had to borrow money to buy the good-for-nothing (his girlfriend) a gift.

I couldn’t take leave from office last week when I was ill because I had to take holidays this week for all the crazy days that she expects me to celebrate. What’s with the ‘Rose Day’, ‘Chocolate Day’, ‘Hug Day’ craze? Can’t I have a Holiday for self?

It’s just another wasted day in my life. I would have preferred to sleep the whole day and enjoy a late night beer party with my room-mates, than go out mall hopping with this manic shopaholic. I really wonder what enjoyment you get by looking at hundreds of items and choose nothing at all in the end.

Such days should be completely banned and I support political parties who wish to do the same.

I will definitely die if I continue to be in love!

“So, what are you doing this Valentine?”

A Promise to Keep

She stared into her deep blue eyes, mesmerized. It held innocence and purity and exhibited an ocean full of happiness and eagerness to live life.

She held the tiny fingers in her hands counting them and smoothening out the lines as she did. The bright pink nails stood out against her pale skin. She kissed them one by one.

Lovingly she caressed her forehead, pulling back strands of hair which came in-between her beautiful face.

Yes, beautiful is the precise word. She was outstandingly beautiful.

It was a spiritual and peaceful experience watching her sleep on her lap. She held pride in her existence.

She felt the world melt away at the slightest smile her lips created or became devastative at the slightest hint of tear her eyes formed.

She was her world. Her body, mind and soul.

She was her daughter.

A moment of pride and honor that only a child like her could give.

She heard her mother-in-law grumble in the background about not delivering a boy child, about what will happen to the family legacy, about family reputation and respect and on and on.

She ignored her ramblings and put the little bundle of joy to her chest and hugged it affectionately. She cared about nothing in the world right now.

She relished the moment alone with her daughter when the nurse ushered the visitors outside the room and particularly her grumpy mother-in-law who was creating a nuisance.

With the noise dying down, she put her lips to the tiny ears and whispered a vow to her daughter, that come what may, undeterred by the current situation, she will bring her up with utmost love and care. And that the world will look up to her with respect and dignity.

With glistening tears of satisfaction, she carefully put the baby into a cradle between her folded arms. She sang a lullaby and set her baby to sleep, silently preparing her for the world outside.

The Genius That He Is

He was nine, when an accidentally played tune on a piano, during his father's recording, was later developed into a complete song for a film.

His debut composition led him to receive the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) award for Best Music Director at the National Film Awards, a record win for a first-time film composer.

He has since been awarded the Silver Lotus three more times, the most ever by any composer.

He started Panchathan Record Inn, a music recording and mixing studio, which is the most advanced recording studio in India and possibly one of Asia’s most sophisticated and high-tech studios.

He is a four-time National Film Award winner and recipient of six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, fourteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South for his music and scores.

He is none other than the musical maestro – AR Rahman.

Allah Rakha Rahman – the man who redefined contemporary Indian music and is the pride of the entire nation, a man who gave music a new meaning and class and is unarguably the world’s most outstanding and prolific music icon alive, celebrates his birthday today, i.e. 6^th January.

And what better way to wish the genius on this day but by posting about his too-humble-to-believe simple life and the grandiose status that he has achieved.

I’ve been an ardent Rahman fan since his first known film rendition for ‘Roja’ in Tamil. I never knew he would grow up to be someone he is today, but I’ve always maintained that his kind of music is something which will never die or go out of fashion.

A humble beginning as a keyboard player in Illaiyaraja's (another musical ace) troupe at the age of 11, Rahman defied all norms of traditional Indian music.

Yet his music is completely deep rooted in age old traditions. Testimony to this, are his skills and usage of Carnatic music, Western classical, Hindustani music, Sufi music and the Qawwali style of music.

Contradicting his present occupation as a music composer, Rahman actually wanted to grow up to be an electronic or computer engineer. He has mentioned in one of his interviews-“I was not crazy after music. I was more interested in technology".

This may be the reason for his love for electronic sounds and technology.

With a perfect blend of Indian conventional instruments with Western electronic sounds and technology, Rahman dishes out a unique platter of music which transcends all barriers and is appealing to all genres.

He not only broke barriers between South India and North India, but also between India and the World at large.

The awards and recognition, conferred upon this genius, speaks volumes of his immense talent and sheer hard work. Even as honors and awards keep flowing in from every corner of the world, his humble, modest, and down-to-earth personality remains unchanged all through the years.

Time and again, he proves himself as the ace of music, without taking any effort in doing so, through his meaningful and distinctive musical performances.

As a summation all I want to say about this musical legend is that, his soulful music bridged several gaps and brings a divine experience to those who listen to his melody. I take pride in his Indian origin and as he salutes mother India, I salute this larger-than-life personality with a ‘Jai Ho’ and ‘Rahman Tujhe Salaam’.

Long live the Maestro and Long live his Music and Melody!

PS: Below is a sneak peak into the star’s world-class studio in Chennai and his life in pictures. Hope you enjoy it!

New Year - New Resolutions

2012 gazed at me, as the morning sun filtered through my bedside windowpane, embracing me into the New Year.

It’s simply not sinking in yet that 2011 is now an affair of the past.

But as they say, we must always look forward to the future and not get stuck in the past. So here I am, looking forward to a liberating and refreshing year ahead.

However, just before walking into a promising future, let’s bask in the glory of the year that just passed. Like every year, 2011 too had its share of highs and lows.

There were moments of ecstasy like India winning the World Cup for cricket (Sachin hoisted on Team India’s shoulders as they took a round of the ground was a treat to watch) and Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement which brought together millions of Indians in a never-before-seen attitude (happy to have witnessed and be a part of the Anna-era).

There were moments of gloom with the demise of several beloved personalities like Dev Anand, Steve Jobs, Shammi Kapoor, Amy Whinehouse, Jagjit Singh, Sathya Sai Baba to name a few. Some heart-breaking incidents like the devastating tsunami that rocked Japan and many other natural disasters that shook the world apart.

And then there were moments which I fail to classify into a category like the deaths of Osama Bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi, the unwanted and over-hyped media coverage for Beti-B, the media-born daughter of Aishwarya & Abhishek Bachchan, the Kolaveri-rage and its effects on social media etc.

That was 2011 in a nutshell. It was a rollercoaster ride, indeed.

Now 2012 is here!

With a New Year comes New Resolutions.

Many are against this funda of resolutions. They either don’t make a resolution or make a resolution just to break it in a couple of days.

I am no different in this manner.

However, bringing a ‘Change’ in my outlook this year, I just wondered if I should make a ‘Resolution’ and stick to it! And pop came the answer – Yes you should!

And the very first idea which came to my mind was to begin posting on my blog ‘Thought Studio’.

This blog was created almost 3 years ago, however I never found the time and occasion to start filling it. The desire was always there, but the motivation was zilch.

NOW is the time, I felt – New Year and its very New Resolution.

I promised myself to write one post at least every month, this New Year.

So here I am, rolling out my first post J

‘Thought Studio’ was born out of my brains to simply paint the canvas of this blog with my thoughts and views.

Hope I accomplish my newly made resolution and my year long aspiration to fill this ‘Studio’ with my ‘Thoughts’ and yet make it relevant to people out there.

I would like to keep my first post short and crisp, and so am ending it here with a promise to self to come back again with yet another post.

Till then wishing everyone a beautiful and a bountiful New Year!

Keep reading and keep writing!!