Chennai

Chennai is underestimated by rest of the Indians….it is not that bad…..after my ten months stint in the city I feel it’s unfair to be so unsympathetic to the city. In fact infrastructure-wise it’s better than Bangalore. It is not as crammy and cluttered as other Metros. You do not see Multiplexes that actually take away the real charm of a city, in chennai. Yes it’s true that people are still conservative and caste-conscious but then the traditional and original inhabitants of any city do not differ on this matter. It’s the crowd from outside that change the character of a place and people.The cultural milieu in which they live is still untainted and not influenced by outsiders. It is most evident in food. Unlike other cities you won’t find a variety of street-food here excepting their very own south indian fares. People are also compassionate and dedicated…..a bit colourless but generous, nevertheless……Marina beach, Besant Nagar beach are good….can be great with a little more care. The people are opinionated and rigid about their views….be it an autowalla commenting about his dislike for Amma, Stalin or a common man in rags stopping me near to the college and asking in clear English…..journalism student?…….Why don’t you write  something about Manmohan Singh government and bring it down?…..it is only ruining our nation……

Faith and infidelity

Thanks Prasan for the book…….I loved the book you presented to me….Thomas Hardy’s “Return of the Native”…..though I love reading, my lazy and stingy self wouldn’t have taken the trouble to buy this book…. I finally finished reading it yesterday and still it seems that I am also one of the inhabitants of Egdon heath of Wessex countryside which forms the setting of the novel. The novel tells us about the disastrous consequences of irrational and impulsive mindset, how free-spiritedness can sometimes be so self -centric. It is a tragedy that shocks us in the end when Eustacia and Damon Wildeve lose their lives, the inclement weather in the heath and the darkness are the characteristics of an inauspicious hour…..Eustacia Vye’s beauty and spirit seems to be designed to destroy lives. Just as I finished reading the book I looked out  of the window and noticed a bonfire made by our Security guard on the unkempt-wild-land beyond our house. I could almost see there the silhoutte of a tall, slim woman in a gown, rambling around in a restless manner…..Eustacia Vye waiting for Wildeve….