Here is something I discovered in an ol folder on an old hard drive -- carefully archived!

My various writings from Rodez : in 2006! Ten years old already and as raw now as they were then!No editing, no beautifying, no cosmetic treatments at all!

So here are my creations describing life in Rodez, in 2006!

WRITINGS FROM RODEZ

de: sunil ganu à: mes amis date d'envoi: 5 octobre 2006 17:15 objet: mon adresse en France

Bonjour. Voici mon adresse pendant mon séjour en France du 9 octobre 06 au 4 janvier 07 : FJT - House of young workers 26 boulevard des Capucines 12850 ONET LE CHATEAU Tél : 05 65 77 51 05 Fax : 05 65 67 37 97 Je ne sais pas si j'aurai accès au Net tous les jours donc il se peut que ma participation à nos jeux soit limitée pendant ces quelques semaines! Soit. Je vous souhaite "bonnes fêtes" pour Diwali et une excellente année 2007. A tous les étudiants de l'Alliance, bonne chance aux examens. Aux collègues, bonne chance tout court! Sunil

de: sunil ganu à: mes amis date d'envoi: 17 octobre 2006 02:03 objet: coucou de Rodez

Eh ben, finalement j'ai pu accéder à l'internet depuis ce petit bled perdu au fin fond de l'Hexagone! Rien de mieux que de retrouver la page Orkut! Le travail est bien démarré depuis une semaine déjà : nous travaillons en équipe aux heures fantaisistes, et donc les bio-rhythmes sont bousillés. N'empêche que être en France au travail, cela fait du bien. Nous sommes logés au foyer de JEUNES travailleurs (ce qui évoque des rires chez certains, je le sais bien) pas trop loin de l'usine. Nous faisons 25 minutes à pied sous la pluie et sous le vent pour aller au travail. Le soir, mes collègues s'occupent de la bonne bouffe maharashtrienne dans la petite cuisine équipée dans le T5 refait à neuf où nous habitons. La classe, quoi! On vient de m'indiquer que ce poste internet est disponible tous les matins jusqu'à 11 heures ET QUE C'EST GRATUIT! Quoi demander de mieux ? Je resterai sans doute donc en contacte, et à très bientôt. Sunil

de: sunil ganu à: mes amis date d'envoi: 19 octobre 2006 00:15 objet: chroniques d'un ruthenois intérimaire

Quelques réactions à ce que je vois ici. Rodez does not have a FNAC ....... books and things not being on the list of priorities of any of the people infesting the place. People at the factory were surprised to hear I read books in French : which gave me a complex because for a moment I wondered if I looked really like a plouc from Devrukh instead of the suave citadin that I think I really am. Psychologically important moment there! Life at the factory is a roll of meetings at which "on ne peut pas dire", "je ne sais pas", "il faut demander à X" are the recurring themes. The machine operators are all friendly and well meaning. We already have a poste de télé loaned to us, so we can watch quivering images from FR3 and TF1. Arté quivers more than the others, no doubt because the channel is suffused with surprise at being brought to Rodez! So my visionnement de la culture française is slightly askew, the colors run one into the other like so many co-operative teachers at AFP! This weekend I shall go to Montpellier .... the villager going to the big city. Kay excitement aahé tithé! Je vous en parlerai prochainement! Bises

de: sunil ganu à: mes amis date d'envoi: 21 octobre 2006 01:58 objet: Bonnes fêtes

Salut à tous et à toutes. Passez de superbes fêtes de Diwali. Je passe ce weekend à Montpellier avec mes amis, nous allons faire la fête en boîte ce soir. Je rentre au travail à 5 heures lundi matin. Sunil

de: sunil ganu à: mes amis date d'envoi: 23 octobre 2006 10:56 objet: news from the French hinterland

Dear all : After a long weekend we attacked work again this morning : at 5 am! Yes, today's shift ran from 5 am to 2 pm, so will tomorrow's! Then we have two days off to recuperate, then we attack again for friday and saturday. The weekend was nice : a long bus ride through the French countryside as the bus stopped every time it saw even three human habitations close together just in case any of the denizens wanted to go to Montpellier! No one did, and the bus finally rolled into M'pellier with 14 people on board! My friends Claude and Mayura drove up just as the bus came in, then we went to Auchan and ate a hearty snack at their café. Home and dinner, then a long chat! Saturday morning was picture perfect : blue skies and sea gulls screaming their stupid heads off! Mayura and I took a long walk on the beach while Claude worked to put euros in the bank! Met Ruchi and Reshma at a noisy mall in the evening : they are doing well with their respective academic pursuits. They have promised to come to Rodez while I am here! Sunday was another bus ride all the way back to Rodez. Then we went to Millau to see the viaduc : the highest bridge in the world which, I must admit, is an impressive sight. It is quite simply magnificent. We drove over it at 5 euros a car : and that was the disappointing bit : like being in a Boeing 777 at 42OOO ft and seeing exactly NOTHING ALL AROUND YOU AND THE GROUND BELOW IS TOO FAR TO ADMIRE. This week brings us to the end of the three week work cycle, so this week we have two days off in the middle of the week and sunday as well. Quiet weekend planned, the météo says it will rain and generally be horrible all week. So far the said météo has been right on the money so there is no reason to doubt their foresight!

de: sunil ganu à: mes amis date d'envoi: 16 novembre 2006 08:56 objet: explication de mon silence

Salut! Le poste où je peux accéder au net étant en panne continue pendant plus de 12 jours vous avez été tous privés de mes petits écrits si intéressants et pétillants! J'en suis désolé de tout mon coeur. Sachez que je suis en forme à fin fond d'Aveyron, que le trabail va bien et que j'espère pouvoir recommencer ma communication d'ici très peu! Amitiés etc etc sunil

de: sunil ganu à: mes amis date d'envoi: 23 novembre 2006 09:36 objet: eh oui je suis toujours en vie!

A mon silence si inattendu depuis quelques jours sans doute il y en a certains qui se demandent ce que je fabrique ici en Aveyron. Voici donc une réponse tonitruante et claire : il n'y a pas grande chose à faire ici. Ceci à part le travail quotidien, le linge (dans ma machine à laver dans la cuisine), les courses (Leader Price au coin), et la télévision dont je vous ai parlé dans une communication récente. Cette semaine j'ai acheté quelques CDs, beaucoup de livres (j'en dévore quatre par semaine) et donc les kilos de bagage qui me sont accordés sont déjà épuisés! Bonjour au excédent de bagages! Depuis quelques jours nous comptons les jours qui nous restent ici en France. Finalement Pune (ainsi que mon entourage) me manque, et il est à espérer vivement que ces sentiments soient réciproques! A très bientôt donc, et un petit mél ne sera pas mauvais (Sudnya, rien de toi depuis des lustres!) Sunil

de: sunil ganu à: mes amis date d'envoi: 3 décembre 2006 03:30 objet: ahhhhh ! l'automne se pointe

Salut : Le vent qui souffle, les journées qui se retraicient, et les humeurs qui se noircient : voilà à quoi ressemble l'automne aveyronnais! Il nous restent quelques jours de travail, un premier bilan de formation s'est bien terminé avec l'arrivée d'une grosse tête de Nashik, et donc notre travail a été validé! Nous comptons partir de Rodez le 21 décembre au soir, et l'avion normalement décolle de Paris le 22. Je vous tiendrai au courant, ok ? A très bientôt. Sunil

A little catching up, bringing up to speed!

Recent weeks have been fertile!  Here is a collection of what I have written for various fora.

I  For the #55fiction page on Facebook:

103. Close to the fence where he stood, the race-track traced its oblong trajectory. The man moved away, satisfied. He would be unseen when he took photographs of the newest stallion as the animal was put through its practice sessions before the Annual derby his boss wanted to win before Parliament met for the monsoon session.

104. One day each week, the old lion suffered hunger pangs. He really missed his ambulatory buffet of delicacies that started to stream all over the vast space, on 6 days, gazing at the inmates, reading information on habitats, and since the past few years, taking photos of themselves with all the inmates as uncomprehending fellow-subjects.

105.  It had become a family quandary, much discussed. They were so different. She was clearly older, worn out. He was younger. With so much potential!

Desperately, every night, he clutched at her, held on tight; she comforted him, he said! And no-one really understood this strange bond between the young man and his grandmother’s shawl.

II For the #VeryShortStories page on Facebook:

32.       Finally, the day dawned bright and perfect! The ceremonies were to start at daybreak, the final blessing being given just a few minutes after the sun crossed the meridian. In the vast hall, guests and family milled around in complete disorder, which was to be expected at the large, society wedding. Conspicuous displays of wealth were everywhere as two prominent business dynasties were to be joined together in holy matrimony.  

            Taking advantage of the general hubbub, the bridegroom managed to steal away to the rear of the building. Dressed in fine silks, he stood huddled with his cronies, their tight circle could not, however, contain the lazy wreath of smoke that arose from the six cigarettes burning simultaneously. From above fell a folded sheet of paper, hitting the groom on the forehead.

            He looked up – in time to catch sight of his intended move swiftly away from the open window. Smiling, but touched to his core, he moved away from the group of friends and opened the paper. Swiftly, he scanned the few lines scrawled on the paper, and his face flushed uncontrollably!

“You left it too long, my darling, and soon it will be too late for us. I shall be the wife of another, and you will never be able to fulfil your promises to me.”

            Puzzled, the bridegroom turned back to stare at his friends. They stared back, puzzled. All, that is, except his best friend. That gentleman alone looked fiercely at his own feet. He too, had seen the bride dart away from the window above after throwing down the missive that hit the wrong forehead! (273 words)

33 (sequel to 32)

            There was a hush – the embarrassed best friend slowly turned to leave, others stared in complete incomprehension. Moving swiftly, the bridegroom found his cousin, requested her to take a message to the bride as she prepared herself for the ceremony. The unusual request might have raised eyebrows older than the cousin’s, but she was a modern girl with an independent mind!

            Three more co-conspirators were pressed into service as look-outs and guards and the confabulations began in a room on the second floor.

            The bride had no defence whatsoever, other than that she was too scared of her father to state her own preference. The best friend, scion of another respected business dynasty, admitted he did not dare bring up the topic of any matrimonial alliances until he “settled” into his role of CEO in the family firm.

            The bridegroom, armed with a degree in Finance from a top-drawer Business School, was perhaps the best qualified of his group of friends. He was, in all senses of the word, “a catch!” But this latest crease in his perfect wedding day had messed up his carefully coiffed hair in more ways than one!

            The bride sobbed, the best friend was petulant, the groom looked sombre.

            The Summit gathered momentum and gravity as three foolish humans faced their first truly adult decision!

            In the end, appearances won hands down!

            The wedding went on as planned.

            The best friend continued his affair with the bride, her lawfully wedded husband was their cover!

            The best friend was the perfect cover for his best friend’s affair with his gym instructor.

            The MBA textbooks had described this as a “win-win situation!” (275 words)

34        --“I have something to tell you,” she started timidly.

            --A grunt, in response.  It meant she had his permission. And his attention.

            --“You know, she started gingerly, we have not exactly been happy with each other for the past few months …” she could feel his jaw clench, his eyes narrow.

            --“ . . . and so I was wondering if . . . we could perhaps talk about it …calmly!”

            --She said the last words in a rush, flinching as if to stave off a blow she anticipated across her cheek from his strong palm.

            Today, however, no blow came!

            She drew strength from this, and continued.

            Tersely, dryly, she outlined the numerous complaints she had collected over the past six years, day in, day out.

            She expressed her anguish, her torment, her low points and her fears! Each with the corresponding action (or lack thereof) from his part.

            It turned out to be a long speech – almost 40 minutes altogether. Six years of practice had, after all, made her word perfect!

            Sighing at the end of her tirade, she sat still for a moment. Then she turned off the recording equipment she had borrowed from a cousin.

            She waited for the DVD to slide out of its sleeve on the computer, then wrote his name on it with a red marker.

            Leaving the DVD on the desk, she turned, picked up her purse and walked to her loaded car, slamming the door shut behind her with a sharp, satisfied bang.

And this morning, I was especially inspired to write free verse!

6 August 2016

There it stood.

Plainly in sight,

Coming closer with every passing minute.

Looming larger as I moved along

My destined trajectory.

Steadily I stared at it

Willing myself to dare

Telling myself I must

Reminding myself of the past!

A shudder went through my being

Resolve steeled itself

I found untold strength

And I pushed firmly!

The door opened so very easily

To my better tomorrows.

A brand new beginning ... on an auspicious day!

GURU PAURNIMA DAY  19 JULY 2016

This is a new beginning, a restart, a renewal, a reset to zero, a recommencement !

For today I return to Kathak dance, as an active dancer! 

It was time … for too long I had been on the periphery of the Kathak world, attending performances whenever I could, talking endlessly about them when I did, and wishing I were on the other side of the footlights!

I knew, of course, from experience, that the “other side of the footlights” is hallowed space where one may not enter unless a lot of blood, sweat and tears have been expended on riyaaz!

Career obligations and increasing responsibilities meant I could no longer devote time to the practice of Kathak, much less to the performance of this art.

So, now, after triple bypass surgery in February this year, I decided to return to Kathak and hopefully bring myself to performance level before November 2017.

Yes, ambitious, but then I am an extremist in all things, as my friends well know!

So this afternoon, I stood with my eyes closed as the first notes of a nagma came from my speakers. The table throbbed Teental, and I started with the basic tatkaar in Teental – thaay, dugun, chaugun, and athgun in slow, easy progression.

I had of course prayed fervently before I stood up to dance. I recalled the hush before rehearsals began, and the satisfied sighs at their end. I could hear my late Guru, Pandita  Rohini Bhate lead the entire group of dance class students in our Tuesday evening prayer. And I knew I was ready.

I put myself through a series of exercises I had planned – for the wrists, the elbows, the basics that every debutant has to rehearse over many months! All the while, I kept up the tatkaar – thaay, dugun, chaugun –  in successive stages, repeating the pattern randomly.

Then I got more ambitious. I tried a vandana and tried to remember another! And then I stopped to review where I stood at the end of this first, momentous day of my rehearsals!

The positives – my memory is sharp. I remember quite a bit! The basic stances seem not too shabby, the bends etc will be streamlined soon.

The negatives – Diabetes has turned the soles of my feet to mush! Time was when the crack of my feet off the floor was loud and sudden! Now – nothing! Not a sound to be heard!  I lose my balance even at low speeds, and the chakkar were a nightmare! Not pretty to look at, no!

The takeaways – of course there is so much work to be done! A lot of repair, a lot of reconstruction, a lot of review, a lot of recalibration!  But it can and will be done! A bit every day, a chunk each week!

Because, I have some time (till November next year), some leisure (till the end of August before I start my semester), and lots of determination!

Astu!  Ainsi soit-il!

(Yet another) new beginning

In my last entry, I concluded : "I can only resolve yet again to be more regular at blogging, at eating on time, at eating healthy food, at finishing work on time, !"

Now, so many months later, here I am renewing that pledge!

I have made a lifetsyle change decision for today, and I want to make regular blogging part of that "new improved" lifestyle I wish to embrace! 

May I find the strength to do so!

I have faith, I have the will-power, I have confidence!

The rest remains to be seen!

How time flies when you are living your life !

How Time flies when you are living your life !

Recently, a casual conversation with some youngsters interested in languages brought up the topic of blogging.  I was asked if I have set up a blog, and that’s when I remembered : I did set one up!  I set up this blog in June last year and wrote on it sporadically while it was a novelty.

Those who know me well are likely to shake their heads knowingly and mutter « how typical of Sunil !  He never follows through . »

Those who work with me will not be at all surprised, and those who have stood by me for years will feel righteously indignant all over again !

I, for one, am shaking my head in amazement at how time has flown by !  The last entry on this blog is from November 2010, a long time ago ! 

What have I been doing for all these months ?  Has nothing really inspired me to turn to my trusty keyboard and hammer out a « piece » ? 

Well, I was busy living, you see, and did not have the leisure to sit and ruminate on Life.  I did not find anything so earth shaking that I wanted to write about it.

Momentous events have taken place around me.  I admit they have.  But the nitty-gritty of living just saps all your energy sometimes and you neglect activities you started with élan and enthusiasm !

I can only resolve yet again to be more regular at blogging, at eating on time, at eating healthy food, at finishing work on time,  …………………………………………………………………………………..

I wonder why …………….. V

Perplexing questions I have sometimes wondered about……on Sundays and holidays only, of course!  In a series to appear on these pages as and when I give them voice!!  Or keys on the keyboard!!!!

Why, o why was staying at home on the weekend a sure sign of nerdiness ?

Why, o why was it cool …………… to insist on going out every Friday night because it was the done thing to do ?

Why, o why was it cool …………… to be “seen” on the town as often as possible ?

Why, o why did people co-ordinate outfits when they were out “partying” ?

Why, o why was it cool …………… to get disgustingly drunk every weekend without fail ?

Why, o why was it chic not to understand “difficult” words in Marathi and insist on an explanation in English ?

Why, o why was it “cool” to be more familiar with cities outside India than with major cities in the country ?

Why, o why was it more “hep” to have cousins visiting from “phoren” than from places far nearer ?

How we have changed as years have gone by !  This is what my grand-mother called “growing up”, I think !

In the name of decorum ………….. part 2

Just a few of the things we are all forced to do in our lives ……………… in the name of decorum!

Festivities

1.  Wade through masses of “sms” messages received from unknown numbers showering the Season’s best wishes on your person!

2.  Listen attentively as neighbours elaborate their plans for consipicuous spending.

3.  Wince repeatedly as the brats infesting your neighborhood burn up more money than you earn bursting crackers as their parents wax eloquent about the damaged environment !

4.  Munch your way through masses of bought out Diwali “pharal” as you remember the chaklis various “maushis” spoilt you with down the years!

5.  Endure hordes of hungry, starved people at Roopali at 7 a m just because the “Diwali Pahat” shindig finished at 6.50 a m somewhere in the Deccan area.