Ways To Embrace The Flower Decor For Your Home!

September 14, 2010

There is something magical about flowers. Place them in any setting and they transform the place into a bright spot. Flowers are one of the most pocket-friendly ways to spruce up and jazz up your home’s ambience and make it even lovelier. DIY in its truest form, you can be as creative as you want to! You don’t need capital investment or anybody else’s help to move a planter or bouquet. So, you can be on your own, which is a terrific thing if you want your home to reflect your personality. Home decor with flowers isn’t a new phenomenon albeit a forgotten one.

If you are looking for some inspiration or cues on how to flower up the home decor, dig in to find the best way to accentuate and adorn your lovely abode the way you want to!

Why Flowers?

Ways To Embrace The Flower Decor For Your Home! — Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Because flowers are the universal language of love, emotions and hope – just what you seek in a home. Besides, several studies have established that flowers have mood-lifting capabilities and can enhance your focus. A not so while ago, NASA has also published a list of air-purifying flowers and plants that can make living in cities, amidst pollution and deteriorating lifestyle a lot easier. Flowers make your lovely abode even lovelier and more beautiful while cleansing the ambiance of air-borne indoor pollutants!

Flowers on a Window Sill

Ways-To-Embrace-The-Flower-Decor-For-Your-Home-02 — Photo by Nathan Fertig on Unsplash

Flowers on a window sill can brighten up the decor considerably. If you are living in a high-rise apartment with little sun and ventilation, window sills are the perfect place to brighten up the decor with flowers. Keep kitchen herbs like mint and coriander on kitchen window to keep your dining area fragrant and keep the stock fresh as well as full.

Get Some Hanging Beauties

Ways-To-Embrace-The-Flower-Decor-For-Your-Home-3 — Image – Pixabay

Hanging planters in the balcony can kick up the beauty of your overall decor by a few notches. You can have vines, money plant, peonies and dahlias to accentuate the home decor.

Layer Up

Ways-To-Embrace-The-Flower-Decor-For-Your-Home-04 — Photo by Ryan Yao on Unsplash

Flowers can be a worthy addition to lend some character and depth to your lovely abode. You can put different succulents in room, lavender or roses in balconies and bamboo plants in the living room that don’t require much care and attention to begin with.

Wall Them Up

Ways-To-Embrace-The-Flower-Decor-For-Your-Home-05 — Image – Pixabay

If you have personal or small kids at home, walled planters can be a brilliant idea to keep them intact and out of reach of prying limbs. A smart and beautiful green hack, don’t you agree? You can have roses, peonies, lilies, daisies, dahlias and gerberas and any flowers that you want! Though, these blooms require patience and efforts to blossom. If you can’t, it is better that you rely on fresh flower bouquets to brighten up your home.

Turn the Corners

Ways-To-Embrace-The-Flower-Decor-For-Your-Home-65 — Photo by Andre Gorham II on Unsplash

Don’t ignore those beautiful corners and decorate them with cutesy little clay planters. If you don’t get much sunlight inside, it is better to stick to greens like rubber plant, money plant, lucky bamboos and succulents. You can also arrange some small planters on side tables and a coffee table to give your home a vibrant appeal.

Now, when we have let you in on the not-so-secret of flower decor, go ahead and pep up your beautiful home with these beauties! They don’t cost you a fortune and you don’t need much, to begin within term of flowers as well as money. You can start with even a single stem of flower and see how it goes for you! If you don’t have the time or you are constantly travelling due to professional commitments, you can always order flowers online from CityFlowers and arrange them in beautiful vases and enjoy their pleasant fragrance and positive vibes!

From Analogue kids to HD adults

Caleidoscope

August 30, 2010

Analogue to HD I am aware that even for my generation, I could just be an anomaly, a late comer to a revolution that had everything going for it but a name and someone to label it thus. In all fairness, I am not a child of the digital age where we are in a constant state of technological dependence. By most standards, I entered the age of computer awareness quite late.

How strange it is to talk of processes like internet surfing and mobile telephony, which today seem as if they were almost organic, wired into the human DNA along with basic motor skills and instincts.

It was only in 2000, that my family bought its first desktop PC. I was familiar with it, having discovered the joys of 2D gaming like Prince and Dave earlier. For a long time, my immediate association of a computer was with the function of gaming.

Before that I had dabbled in non-interface based computing: typing out commands on MS-DOS as an exercise for what passed for computer education. I really did not understand what the internet was, except for the buzz from Bangalore – which in popular imagination was always the Indian hub of technological innovation, and that it seemed to engage the phone lines quite a bit and subsequently increase the telephone bills.

Courtesy: beam-iStock—nostalgia-tech

With my first PC, I discovered the internet, where I created my first email id and learnt how to browse the web. Each time, I discovered something new, like Need for Speed or the Encarta series; I was elated, proud in the knowledge that I now had experience with something that a lot of others did not.

I was not born into a childhood of play-stations and computer games. Mario Brothers were still the cutting edge of gaming, when I was growing up. Video games with adapters that got too hot too fast, cartridges that glitched often producing double images were our first forays into the world of an interface that was not TV. Did I mention Prince of Persia? These games were temporary obsessions with us back then, having relinquished the computers to adults who needed to do their adult things with it!

Television itself was so basic. I remember how annoyed I was at Doordarshan for telecasting DD-Metro only in the big cities, while the rest of us had to make do with DD-One. I realize today, it’s not much of a story to tell to my younger cousin watching DTH, that I was there when Cartoon Network changed into TNT at 6 PM, because it was only broadcast for 12 hours. Somehow, that knowledge does make a difference to me, a nostalgia that resonates with the older generation when they talk of the black and white movies or the days of writing letters.

I did not grow up with computers, or cable or internet, but I did grow into them. I can recall watching some of the finer serials that Doordarshan brought out like ‘Kshitij yeh Nahin’ and lurking around to catch the only English programming available: Shekar Kapoor’s ‘A Mouthful of Sky’. Today, I realize that but for the nostalgia; there isn’t anything else that makes my generation different. We have learnt to make technology just as indispensable. My peers are no better equipped to deal with the absence of these technologies that we take for granted than the children who were born into them.

Children today have the advantages of computer literacy, access to information and more entertainment avenues than their older generations. Their social interactions, schoolwork, book reading and leisure activities are all heavily mediated through technology. Does that automatically mean that the illusionary childhood construct is lost forever? Today’s children don’t run through barley fields in the sun anymore, because they are too busy texting, tweeting, and growing up.

If social relations have altered in their form, why then do we cling to a wistful idea of what a childhood should be like? Can we be right in gate-keeping technologies or information on the premise that children cannot make the right choices?

Idealizing childhood is in a way a disservice to children since we enforce a nostalgic construct that they are entirely unfamiliar with. When a child is in a culture that is inundated with technology, can it appreciate or even care for this abstract notion of the innocence of yore. To make a nonsensical analogy, it seems like, telling us 10 years ago that we were wrong for not knowing what MS-Windows means!

Text: Deepti Bharthur

Sizzle with Misal Pav

Caleidoscope

August 20, 2010

I have spent a major part of my life in Kolhapur, an inconspicuous city in the southwest region of Maharashtra. Despite that it took me a long while to embark on a short ride to a shack-like, metal sheet roofed restaurant that specialized in a popular local breakfast dish. Although not a gastronomical adventurer, I always found solace in eating anything that was vegetarian. But here was a dish that was a hundred percent vegetarian, had no mention in any of the ‘scary food’ lists and was in fact extremely popular. Yet, it was still unable to find an admirer in me. Reason… the much revered and equally dreaded ‘Kolhapuri Mirchi’.

There are things Kolhapur has always been proud off – handcrafted leather chappals, wrestling, red mutton curry (Tambda Rassa) and white mutton curry (Pandhara Rassa). There is also another thing that the ‘Kolhapuris’ (not to be mistaken for the chappals!) absolutely dig and begin their days with – red hot ‘Misal Pav’.

Prepared using sprouted lentils, potatoes, farsan (akin to Bombay Mix) and plentiful of Kolhapuri Mirchi, it is served with chopped tomatoes, onions, sev and pav or bread. The ingredients in their raw nature all seem incapable of keeping any vegetarian away, but it’s the finished product that can set off a fire alarm. The bright red colour of Misal Pav was so vivid, that for a moment I mistook it to be a rendition of artificial food colour. But having lived here, I knew it was the handiwork of the infamous Mirchi. Now apart from a guaranteed scalded tongue, I was sure to have a blocked artery.

Floating on top of the rassa, or the curry, was a centimetre deep layer of oil, commonly referred to as ‘Kut’ (pronounced as cut). This arterial blockage-inducing oil layer is a must in almost all Kolhapuri and Konkani dishes. It is believed to not only entice the onlooker into eating it, but is also considered to be the deciding factor of its taste. Anything with Kut is regarded to be highly tasty and is considered to be prepared using the traditional cooking methods and spices. No fusion here.

Misal Pav – Source

Nevertheless, it was hard not to dip my pav into the smouldering Misal and to take a large bite of the curry soaked bread. Before I knew it, I had run out of my pavs! The Rassa had definitely blown my mind but in the most deliciously amazing way! My worries of undergoing a bypass surgery before hitting 30 were gone. I had found a delectable quintessential Marathi breakfast that had sent my senses into a tizzy. The rassa, much to my disbelief, was incredibly light and with a great texture owing to the meticulously prepared spice paste with the Mirchi at its heart. The spiced lentil and potato mixture sitting at the bottom of the plate, soaking through the rassa provided a great body to the dish.

After a quiet session of ruing for the lost time and missed opportunities, the reason for the popularity of this lip smacking local delight eventually made sense to me. It was none other than the mirchi I had so vehemently avoided all this time! It brought forth a warmth, comfort and intensity that I had come to experience while living in the city of Kolhapur. After finishing the final spoonful of the missal in my plate, I sat wondering of all the possible ways to better the experience and before long I found my answer sitting in front of me — a second plate of smouldering Misal Pav!

Text – Barkha Ravindranath
Reference –
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xwelhamite/2335390868/
http://khaugiri.blogspot.com/2009/03/tambda-rassa-red-mutton-curry.html

Memorable Mahim

Caleidoscope

August 20, 2010

As I sit down to pen about the most talked about city of the world, it’s completely a different feeling for me. Mumbai just makes me nostalgic. Although India is a country of mixed cultures, Mumbai is the ultimate blend of India itself. Mixed religions and mixed families dominate the city which in a way fosters brotherhood and sometimes strikes a spark for communal riots. But the city is warm and endearing and I love the positive vibe the city gives. I read somewhere, “Mumbai is a metaphor”. How well said? Mumbai epitomizes a continuous struggle amid adjustment and negotiations.

Living in Mumbai’s well known neighbourhood, Mahim was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I have fond memories of waking up everyday to the salty smell and sultry breeze of the Arabian Sea. Mahim is basically a Muslim protectorate, with Sindhis, Gujaratis, Marathas, Christians living together in complete decorum and harmony. Mahim is enclosed by Bandra in the north and the Arabian waters in the west.

To start with the Makdoom Ali Mahimi Dargah is much more than a mere religious place. It is a historic landmark that stands amidst the hustle and bustle of Dargah Lane. The evenings at the Dargah Lane are colourful and delightful. Be it the Sheera- Puri or the Sheekh Kabab served there, it’s a sumptuous delight to visit the Dargah Lane. Situated in the heart of Mahim is the ‘Usman Sulaiman’ sweet shop, which renders the best ‘Aflatoon’ which is a sweet delicacy made with ghee, dry fruits and mawa. Mumbai has a food delicacy in almost every lane. Mahim is well known for its food and eateries. Café Paramount is famous for its Kheema Parantha and tea; Café Mehnaz for its bread pudding and meat menu; pastry shops and cafes are jam-packed on either side of the Mahim roads.

Built somewhere in 1841 to 1846, the Mahim Causeway connects Mumbai with its northern periphery, linking southern Mahim neighbourhoods with Bandra to the north. It links the Swami Vivekananda Road with the L.J. Road and stretches between the Bandra Masjid (where most of my family Nikaahs took place) and the Mahim Church. I very well remember passing through it every day having fun with my cousins and enjoying the candy floss.

From food to shopping, the Linking Road is not far away from Mahim. But Mahim has its own famous ‘Budh Bazar’ which means ‘Wednesday market’, where one can find basic essentials at cheap prices. Nearby is a place named ‘Bhatyarkhana’ where free meals are served to the poor by donations from the privileged.
The Mahim Fort is yet another place where I have lingering memories. We used to go there in the evening, to hear the waves breaking on its walls, and later in the night, the never ending sea seemed merging with the skies and the stars. It felt so serene and calm to be there; we used to play hide and seek and engrave our names on the walls with charcoal.

Mumbai street food

St. Michael’s Church is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Mahim. It is a beautiful and oldest Portuguese architecture. It’s the point of intersection of the L.J. Road and Mahim Causeway. The church is worth a visit on Wednesdays when Novena which is a special mass conducted every Wednesday. Somewhere in 2008, I remember people flocking in the church to see Jesus’ bleeding picture, we were right there in the church that time since we got to know about it from a common Christian friend.

Today, things are changing and the best view that Mahim is that of the Bandra-Worli sea link which can be seen from my balcony. When I see the Bandra-Worli sea link receding into the Arabian Sea, it makes me think about the incredible engineering involved. It is not just the engineering that fascinates me, but also the beauty and charisma of the link which shimmers at night with golden lights.

Text – Zeeba Baig

ಕಣ್ಸಂಗಾತಿಯನ್ನು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳು…

Nagaraj

July 30, 2010

ಮುಂಬಯಿಯ ಲೋಕಲ್ ರೈಲೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಮಾಟುಂಗ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಾ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದ ನನಗೆ, ಅಣ್ಣ ಕಲೀಮ್ ಹೇಳಿದ ಮಾತುಗಳು ಚಿಂತೆಗೀಡು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದವು. ಮುಂಬಯಿಯ ರೈಲುಗಳು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 30 ಸೆಕೆಂಡ್‌ಗಳು ಮಾತ್ರ ನಿಲ್ಲುತ್ತವೆ. ಈ ಮೂವತ್ತು ಸೆಕೆಂಡ್‌ಗಳ ಅಂದಾಜು ಒಂದು ಟೀವೀ ಜಾಹೀರಾತಿನ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಳಿಯುವವರು ಉದುರಿಕೊಂಡು ಹತ್ತುವವರು ಸ್ಥಳ ಸಿಕ್ಕಲ್ಲಿ ನೇತು ಹಾಕಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ ಎಂದು ಅಚ್ಚರಿಯಿಂದ ನುಡಿದಿದ್ದರು. ಮೈಸೂರಿಗಳ ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಗುಣಗಳಲ್ಲೊಂದಾದ ಆರಾಮತನವನ್ನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಜಾಸ್ತಿಯೇ ಮೈಗೂಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದ ನನಗೆ ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ಅವಸರದ ಕೆಲಸಗಳು ಭಯ ಮೂಡಿಸುತ್ತವೆಯಾದರೂ ಬೇರೆ ವಿಧಿಯಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ…

ರೈಲು ನಿಂತ ಕ್ಷಣ, ಒಳಗೆ ನುಗ್ಗುತಿದ್ದ ಯಾತ್ರಿಕ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಾಳುಗಳನ್ನು ಭೇದಿಸಿ ಮುನ್ನುಗ್ಗುತ್ತಾ ಹೊರಬಿದ್ದೆ. ಎರಡು ಕ್ಷಣಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ, ಹೇಗೆ ಇಳಿಯುವುದು ಎಂಬ ಭೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ನನಗೆ ಒಂದು ಸಮರವನ್ನು ಗೆದ್ದು ಬಂದ ವೀರನಂತೆ ಭಾಸವಾಯಿತು. ನನ್ನ ವೀರವೇಶವನ್ನು ನಾನೇ ಪ್ರಸಂಶಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಮುನ್ನೆಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ನನ್ನ ಹೆಗಲಿನಿಂದ ಸೊಂಟಕ್ಕೆ ಬಿಗಿದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದ ಕ್ಯಾಮರಾ ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೋ ಬದಲಾವಣೆ ಆದಂತೆ ಭಾಸವಾಯಿತು. ವೀರವೇಶವೆಲ್ಲ ಮಾಯವಾಗಿ ಅಂಡು ಸುಟ್ಟ ಬೆಕ್ಕಿನಂತೆ ಕ್ಯಾಮರಾ ಬ್ಯಾಗನ್ನು ಬಗ್ಗಿ ನೋಡಿದೆ. ಬ್ಯಾಗಿನ ಜಿಪ್ಪು ತೆರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಕ್ಯಾಮರಾ, ಗಡಿಯಾರಗಳ ಪೆಂಡಲಂನಂತೆ ಜೋತಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಇನ್ನೇನು ಬೀಳುವುದರಲ್ಲಿತ್ತು. ಇಂತಹ ಅವಾಂತರಗಳನ್ನು ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿಸದ ನಾನು ಗಾಬರಿಯಿಂದ ಕ್ಯಾಮಾರವನ್ನು ಮೇಲೆಳೆದು ವಾಪಸ್ ಬ್ಯಾಗಿಗೆ ತುರುಕುತ್ತಾ ಅದೇ ಬ್ಯಾಗಿನ ಮೇಲ್ಬಾಗದಲ್ಲಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದ ನನ್ನ ರೇ-ಬ್ಯಾನ್ ಕನ್ನಡಕಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ತಡಕ ತೊಡಗಿದೆ. ಮೂಲತಹ ವಾಟಾಳ್ ನಾಗರಾಜರ ತರಹ ನಿತ್ಯ ಕನ್ನಡಕದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೂ, ಅಪರೂಪಕ್ಕೊಮ್ಮೆ ಶೋಕಿಗೆಂದು ಕನ್ನಡಕಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ತಿಳಿದಿದ್ದ ಗೆಳಯ ಭಾನುವನ್ನು ಕಾಡೀ ಬೇಡಿ ಅವನ ಕೆಲಸದ ವೇಳೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಎಳೆದೊಯ್ದು ಎಂ. ಜಿ. ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದೆ.

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಿಂದ ಕಣ್ಣಂಚಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದ ತಂದಿದ್ದ ಕರಿಯ ಸಂಗಾತಿಯನ್ನು ಮುಂಬೈನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಮೂರ್ಖನಂತೆ ನಿರಾಸೆಯಿಂದ ರೈಲಿನಿಂದಿಳಿದು ಬಂದ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಕಣ್ಣು ಹಾಯಿಸಿದೆ. ಅಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ ಅಣ್ಣ ಕಲೀಮ್ ಇನ್ನು ರೈಲಿನ ಬಾಗಿಲ ಬಳಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದು ಬಗ್ಗಿ ಏನನ್ನೋ ತೆಗೆದು ತನ್ನ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಆಸಾಮಿಗೆ ಕೊಡುತಿದ್ದರು, ಆ ಆಸಾಮಿಯ ಕೈ ಆ ವಸ್ತುವನ್ನು ತಲುಪುವದರೊಳಗೆ,, ಅದಾವ ವೇಗದಲ್ಲೋಗಿ ಅದನ್ನು ಕಿತ್ತುಕೊಂಡೆನೋ ತಿಳಿಯದು, ಆದರೆ ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಕರಿಯ ಕಣ್ ಸಂಗಾತಿ ಮರಳಿ ನನ್ನ ಕೈಗೆ ಬಂದಿತ್ತು. ಇಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಹಿಂಡಿನವರೆಲ್ಲ ರೈಲಿನಿಂದಿಳಿದು ಬಂದರು. ನಾವು ಮಾಟುಂಗಾದ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಘಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಲ್ನೆಡಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊರಟೆವು. ಹೀಗೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಕಾಲುಗಳು ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರತವಾಗಲು ನಮ್ಮ ಬಾಯಿಗಳು ಸುಮ್ಮನಿರಬೇಕೆ? “ಏನಾದರಾಗಲಿ ಒಟ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿನ್ ಕನ್ನಡ್ಕ ಸಿಕ್ತಲ್ಲ ಬಿಡು” ಎಂದು ಅಣ್ಣ ಸಮದಾನದ ಮಾತುಗಳನ್ನಾಡಿದರು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯಾಗಿ ನನಗು ಈ ಕನ್ನಡಕಕ್ಕು ಇರುವ ಬಿಡಿಸಲಾಗದ ನಂಟನ್ನು ತೋರುವ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಸಂಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೇಳಲಾರಂಬಿಸಿದೆ…

ಅಂದೊಮ್ಮೆ ಗೆಳೆಯ ಮಂಜುಪ್ರಸಾದ್ ಇಂದಿರಾನಗರದ ನಮ್ಮ ರೂಂಗೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದ. ರೈಲು ಬೋಗಿಯ ಕಾಲು ಭಾಗದಷ್ಟು ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾಗಿದ್ದು ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಗೆಳಯ ಶಿವು ಇಬ್ಬರು ಕೈಕಾಲು ಜಾಡಿಸದೇ ಮಲಗಬಹುದಾಗಿದ್ದ ಪುಟ್ಟ ಬೆಂಕಿ ಪೊಟ್ಟಣದಂತ್ತಿತ್ತು, ಈ ರೂಂ. ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿಥಿಗಳು ಬಂದರೆ ನಮ್ಮ ತಿಥಿಯೇ ಆಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಹೇಗೋ ನಮ್ಮ ಈ ಕಿರಿಯ ಕೋಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಗಬಹುದಾದ ಆಥಿತ್ತ್ಯವೆಲ್ಲ ಬಿಚ್ಚು ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿ ಬೆಳಗೆದ್ದು ಆಫೀಸಿಗೆ ಹೊರಡುತಿದ್ದ ಗೆಳೆಯ ಮಂಜು, “ಬಾರೋ ನಾಗ್ಜಿ, ಹೋಗ್ತಾ ನಿನ್ನು ಆಫೀಸಿಗೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟೊಗ್ತೀನಿ” ಅಂತ ಉತ್ಸಾಹದಿಂದ ಕರೆದ. ಅವನ ಆಹ್ವಾನವನ್ನು ಮನಸಾರೆ ಒಪ್ಪಿ ಅವನ ಗಾಡಿಯ ಹಿಂಬದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತೆ. ಮಂಜು ನಾನು ಒಂದೇ ಕಾಲೇಜಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಿದವರಾದ್ದರಿಂದ ದಾರಿಯುದ್ದಕ್ಕೂ ಹರಟೆ ಕೊಚ್ಚಲು ನಮಗೆ ವಿಷಯಗಳ ಕೊರತೆ ಇರಲ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ. ನಾವು ಹೊರಡುವಾಗ ಮಾಘಿಕಾಲದ ಮಂಜನ್ನು ಮುಂಜಾನೆಯೇ ಎದ್ದು ತಿಳಿಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದ ಸೂರ್ಯನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಆರಾಮ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತ್ತಿತ್ತು.

ಇಂದಿರಾನಗರದಿಂದ ಬನಶಂಕರಿಯನ್ನು ತಲುಪುವ ಆತುರದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ನಮಗೆ ಪದೇ ಪದೇ ಸಿಗುತಿದ್ದ ಕೆಂಪು ಸಿಗ್ನಲ್ಗಳು ರೇಜಿಗೆಯನ್ನುಂಟುಮಾಡ್ದಿದ್ದವು. ಪ್ರತಿ ಸಿಗ್ನಲ್ಲನ್ನು ಚಕ್ರವ್ಯೂಹ ಬೇಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಸೆಣೆಸುತ್ತಾ ಮುನ್ನುಗ್ಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಮಿತ್ರನಿಗೆ ಡೈರಿ ವೃತ್ತದ ಬಳಿ ಕೆಂಪು ಸಿಗ್ನಲ್ ಸಿಕ್ಕು ನಿಲ್ಲಲೇಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಪ್ರಭೆಯಿಂದ ಆಗಲೇ ಬೇಸತ್ತು ಹೋಗಿದ್ದ ನಾವು ಗ್ರೀನ್ ಸಿಗ್ನಲ್ ಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯುತ್ತ ನಿಂತ್ತಿದ್ದೆವು. “ಎ ರಾಜ” ಎಂಬ ಶಬ್ದ ನಮ್ಮ ಕಿವಿಗೆ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ತೂರಿರಲ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ ಅಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲೇ ಹಿಂಬದಿಯಿಂದ ಬಂದ ಚಪ್ಪಾಳೆಯ ಸದ್ದು ಕಿವಿಗೆ ಗುದ್ದಿದಹಾಗಾಯಿತು. ತನ್ನ ಅಂಗೈಯನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಚಾಚಿ “ಕೊಡು” ಎಂಬಂತೆ ಒಬ್ಬ ಕೊಜಾ ನನ್ನ ಎಡಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದು ನಿಂತಿದ್ದ.
ಈಗಲೇ ನಿಮಗಿದು ಹೇಳಿಬಿಡುವುದು ಉತ್ತಮ ಅನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ, ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಮುಂದೆ ನನ್ನ ನಿಲುವು ಹೇಗಿರುತ್ತದೋ ಯಾರಿಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತು. ನನಗೆ ಕೊಜಾಗಳನ್ನು ಕಂಡರೆ ಒಂದು ರೀತಿಯ ಅಕ್ಕರೆ. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ‘ಡಿಸ್ಕವರಿ ಚಾನಲ್’ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇವರ ಸಂಘ, ಜೀವನ ಶೈಲಿ ಹಾಗು ಉತ್ತರ ಭಾರತದ ವಿವಾಹಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇವರನ್ನು ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಕರೆಸಿ ವಧು ವರರಿಗೆ ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದ ಕೊಡಿಸುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡಿದ್ದೆ. ಈ ಎಲ್ಲ ಸಂಗತಿಗಳ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಕುಟುಂಬ, ಸಮಾಜ ಮತ್ತು ಸರ್ಕಾರಗಳಿಂದ ದೂರವಿಡಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಈ ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕಂಡರೆ ಒಂದು ರೀತಿಯ ಅಕ್ಕರೆ.

ಸದ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ನನ್ನ ಪಕ್ಕ ಬಂದು ಹಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ನಿಂತಿರುವ ಈ ಜೀವಿಗೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯಿಸುವುದು? ಸರಿ… ಕಿಸಗೆ ಕೈಹಾಕಿ ಚಿಲ್ಲರೆಗಾಗಿ ತಡಕಿದೆ, ಚಿಲ್ಲರೆ ಇರುವಹಾಗೆ ಕಾಣಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಬೇಸರದ ಮುಖಮಾಡಿ ಚಿಲ್ಲರೆ ಇಲ್ಲ ಎಂದೆ…. “ಚಿಲ್ಲ್ರೆ ಯಾಕೋ ಮಾಮ… ನೋಟೇ ಕೊಡ” ಅನ್ನಬೇಕೆ… ಸರಿ! ನೋಟು ಇಲ್ಲ ಅಂದೆ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಆಕೆ (ವಸ್ತ್ರಾಲಂಕಾರನದಿಂದಾ ಹೆಂಗಸಂತೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿದ್ದರಿಂದ “ಆಕೆ” ಎನ್ನಬೇಕಷ್ಟೇ) “ಕನ್ನಡ್ಕ ಕೊಡ ಒಂದ್ ಸರಿ ಹಾಕಿ ನೋಡ್ತಿನಿ” ಎಂದಳು. ಮೊದಲೇ ಹೇಳಿದ ಹಾಗೆ ಗೌರವ ಅಕ್ಕರೆಗಳು ನನ್ನಾವರಿಸಿ ನನ್ನ ಕರಿಯ ಸಂಗಾತಿಯನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದು ಆಕೆಯ ಕೈಗಿಟ್ಟೆ. ಅಲ್ಪನಿಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಮಹದೈಶ್ವರ್ಯದಂತೆ ನನ್ನ ಕನ್ನಡಕವನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೀರಿಸಿ ಕುರುಡನಿಗೆ ಕಣ್ಣು ಬಂದಂತೆ ತನ್ನ ಸುತ್ತಲಿದ್ದ ಜಗತ್ತನ್ನು ದಿಟ್ಟಿಸುತ್ತ ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ “ತೆಗಿಯೋ ಮಾಮ ದುಡ್ನಾ…” ಎಂದಳು.

ಮುಂದೆ ಬರಲಿರುವ ಕೆಲವು ಕ್ಷಣಗಳು ನನ್ನ ಜೀವನದ ಅತಿ ಮುಖ್ಯವಾದ ಹಾಗು ಈ ಲೇಖನವನ್ನು ಬರೆಯುವಂತೆ ಪ್ರೇರೇಪಿಸಬಹುದಾದ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳೆಂದು ನನಗೆ ಆಗ ಅನಿಸಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಹೀಗೆ ಕಂಡವರ ಕಣ್ಣೇರಿದ ನನ್ನ ಕನ್ನಡಕವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗಿಡಿಸದೇ ಹಿಂತಿರುಗಿ ಕೊಡುವಂತೆ ಕೇಳಿದೆ. ಆಕೆ ನನ್ನ ಮಾತನ್ನೂ ಲಕ್ಕಿಸದೆ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆಗಾಗಿ ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗಿದಳು. ನಾನು ಗಾಡಿಯಿಂದ ಜಿಗಿದು ಆಕೆಯನ್ನು ಹಿಂಬಾಲಿಸುತ್ತಾ “ಅಕ್ಕ ನನ್ನ ಕನ್ನಡಕ ಕೋಡಿ” ಎಂದು ಆಕೆಯ ಹಿಂದೆ ಕನ್ನಡಕ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಡುತ್ತಾ ಹೊರಟೆ!

ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಡುತ್ತಾ ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಆಕೆಯನ್ನು ಹಿಂಬಾಲಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ನನ್ನನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ನಗಲಾರಬಿಸ್ಸಿದ್ದ ಜನರನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಬೇಸರವಾಗಿದ್ದ ನಾನು ” ಅದು ತುಂಬಾ ಕಾಸ್ಟ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡಕ ವಾಪಸ್ ಕೊಡಕ್ಕಾ” ಎಂದು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಿಟ್ಟಿನಿಂದ ಕೇಳಿದೆ. “ಜೇಬ್ನಾಗೆ ಮೂರ್ಕಾಸಿಲ್ಲ ಮೂಗ್ಮ್ಯಲೇ ಮೂರ್ಸಾವ್ರುಪಾಯಿ ಕನ್ನಡ್ಕ ಹಾಕ ಮೂತಿ ನೋಡು” ಅಂತ ಚುಡಾಯಿಸಿ ಬಿಟ್ಟಳು. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಯೋಚಿಸಿ ನೋಡಿದರೆ, ಕನ್ನಡಕ ಆಕೆಗೇ ಉಪಯುಕ್ತವಾಗುವಂತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ದಿನವಿಡೀ ಬಿಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತು ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಅವಳ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಕರಿಯ ಸಂಗಾತಿಯಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪವಾದರೂ ತಂಪು ಸಿಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತಲ್ಲವೇ.

ಆದರೂ ಶ್ರೀಸಾಮಾನ್ಯನಾದ (ನಾನು ನನ್ನದು ತುಂಬಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವ) ನಾನು, ನನ್ನ ಕನ್ನಡಕವನ್ನು ಬಿಡಲು ತಯಾರಿರಲ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಬ್ಯುಸಿ ಟ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ಕೀನ ಮದ್ಯೆ “ನನ್ ಕನ್ನಡ್ಕ ಕೊಡ್ತಾಳೋ, ಕೊಡಲ್ವೋ ಎಂಬ ದ್ವಂದ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಒದ್ದಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ನನಗೆ ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ “ಏ ಮಾಮ” ಎಂಬ ದ್ವನಿ ಕೇಳಿಸಿತು. ತಿರುಗಿ ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಕನ್ನಡ್ಕ ಹಿಡಿದ ಕೈ ತೊಗೋ ಎಂಬಂತೆ ಮುಂದೆ ಚಾಚಿತ್ತು. ಕನ್ನಡಕವನ್ನು ಮರಳಿ ಪಡೆದು ಸಮಾದಾನದ ನಿಟ್ಟುಸಿರು ಬಿಡುತ್ತಾ ಮಂಜುವನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕತೊಡಗಿದೆ…..ಗ್ರೀನ್ ಸಿಗ್ನಲ್ ಸಿಕ್ಕು ಮಂಜು ಗಾಡಿಯನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಹೊಯ್ದು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸ್ಸಿದ್ದರು. ಕೈಗೆ ಮರಳಿಬಂದ ಕರಿಯ ಸಂಗಾತಿಯನ್ನು ಮತ್ತೆ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೇರಿಸಿ ನನಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಾ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದ ಮಂಜೂ ಗಾಡಿಗೆ ಜಿಗಿದೆ! ಮೊದಲೇ ಹೇಳಿದ ಹಾಗೆ ಹರಟಲು ಬಹಳ ವಿಷಯವಿದ್ದರೂ ಈ ಘಟನೆಯೊಂದೆ ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಸವೆಸುವಸ್ಟಿತ್ತು.

ಮಾತು ಮಾತಲ್ಲೇ, ಮಾಟುಂಗ ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಿಂದ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಘಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದು ಸೇರಿದ್ದೆವು. ನನಗು ನನ್ನ ಕರಿಯ ಕಣ್ಣುಸಂಗಾತಿಗು ಇರುವ ನಂಟನ್ನು ಹಾಗು ಅದನ್ನ ಕಳಕೊಂಡು ಪಡಕೊಂಡ ಸಂಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿ ಹಿಂಡಿನವರೆಲ್ಲ ಮನಸಾರೆ ನಕ್ಕರು. ಈಗಲೂ ಒಮ್ಮೊಮ್ಮೆ ನನ್ನ ಗೆಳೆಯರು “ಏ ರಾಜಾ” ಎಂದು ಕಾಲೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಾ ಆ ಘಟನೆಯನ್ನು ಮೆಲುಕುಹಾಕುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ಲೇಖನ-ಚಿತ್ರ: ನಾಗ್ಜ್

A walk in the clouds – Mahabaleshwar

Caleidoscope

July 29, 2010

Mahabaleshwar Maharashtra — Photograph by Sri hari

Rain has always been synonymous with fertility and life, washing away the dirt and grime collected over time. The ability of rain to invigorate life is one of the major reasons for its universal appeal. It has often teased the psyche of people with its haunting melancholy, a leading a reason for it to be romanticized for generations. It not only shrouds the world in a blanket of mystery, but with its elusiveness, it gently stokes the deep inner passions and indulgences in many. One of the many indulgences worth mentioning – piping hot, light fluffy pakora! And where does the thought of a hot fluffy pakora take me? No it isn’t the warm welcoming house of my grandmother or any relative for that matter, but to the chilling hills of Mahabaleshwar.

Nestled deep in the belly of surrounding valleys, Mahabaleshwar is undoubtedly the most green, chilling and mysterious places to visit during the monsoon. With a setting straight out of the books of Ruskin Bond, Mahabaleshwar encapsulates a cryptic force that draws you to it and makes sure that you don’t leave without an everlasting mental imprint in your brain. Any person who has been there, swears by the endearing chill they feel that permeates straight to the soul. No amount of hot beverages or fried food can take that chill away, but then a plate full of golden, deep fried, “crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside” cottage cheese pakoras, doesn’t hurt either. A cuppa of warm syrupy tea to wash it all down with a panoramic view of the gray slippery roads snaking their way into the heart of the “cloud capped” mountain is a reason for delight.

Mahabaleshwar Photo — Photograph by Nishanth Jois

Once up there, it is like a whole different world. One of the many reasons for this place’s popularity is the dream that mankind has always desired for – a walk in the clouds. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that you are literally walking into the clouds once you’ve reached the heights! The feeling of the cold, fluffy light clouds caressing your body isn’t just surreal, but it did give me the heebie jeebies as well! Also it would be a crime to go up to such a spot without a partner or a friend! If you are alone, the loneliness can get to you, making the place more haunting than it really is. Never a believer in traveling with the entire family to get the maximum joy, this place undoubtedly opened my eyes to the “ phenomenon” of traveling with a loved one to reach the crux of nature’s beauty.

Being a lover of berries, but with all the strawberry gardens shut down during the monsoon, I was disappointed when I couldn’t get my hands on the melting sweet, crimson red, speckled fruit in all its freshness and glory. There were indeed many other options in the form of jams and jellies, but nothing beats the joy of popping a fresh fruit in your mouth and experience a flood of tart and ridiculously sweet syrup ravaging your taste buds. It certainly beats the banality of the products that come straight out of a factory. But I could feel despair settling in my heart as we decided to pull out empty handed! Aware that we were burdened by regret and with better senses taking over, we headed back home with a carton full of locally grown fruit jellies, large bottles of strawberry jams and many varieties of fruit squashes sitting neatly in long slim plastic bottles.

As the cold monsoon winds swept across my face, the thought of returning to the humdrum of daily life brought forth a gloom mostly experienced at the beginning of another daunting year at college. But then as the tall trees and the mountains started to distance themselves from me, I moved forward with a feeling of hope incited by the beauty and the suspense of a place that I am longing to return to.

Text – Barkha Ravindranath

– Factfile –
Nearest Town – Pune – 120 km (3 hours)
Elevation – 1,353 metres (4,439 ft)
Transport – By taxi or local bus from Pune city
Place to stay – Regular hotels available
Other attractions – Venna lake, Wilson/Sunrise Point, Lodwick Point, Panchgani
Food – strawberries and mulberries.
Reference – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabaleshwar
http://www.mshwar.com/june99/guide.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/weeklysnaps/510496842/in/pool-mahabaleshwar

Travelling to Wayanad? Here is Our Tip to Make it a Hit!

Caleidoscope

July 25, 2010

Wayanad is emerging as a famous tourist hotspot of Kerala. A State that was once visited mainly for incredible coastal beauty and beaches is now being visited for its hill stations. A significant part of the Western Ghats lies in Kerala, and Wayanad is a gem of that part. It is teeming with exotic flora and fauna and mighty waterfalls. It has caves dating back to the early civilizations. You can roam in the pristine jungles and witness the tigers on the prowl. Camping, forest walks, plantation tours, organic farming, tree houses, and riding on the waves – the list of adventures and activities to do at Wayanad is really long!

Well, if you are also intrigued by this place, then we have got an impressive list of the best places to stay. Read the list and choose the site that aligns with your wishes and preferences. Wayanad cottages are famous for being a perfect mix of rustic and modern elements. Also, you can find an ample number of Resorts in Wayanad with activities and Wellness Centres.

So, find out the best places to stay in Wayanad and make your trip a hit!

What does Wayanad Offer?

#1 – Edakkal Caves:

The Edakkal Caves have been home to the Neolithic Civilization and attract thousands of tourists every year. The caves have etchings and drawings of humans and animals. These markings are yet to be deciphered. The surrounding scenery is mesmerizing. You have to take a mountain route to reach the caves. This is why it forms a crucial part of many trekking trips.

#2 – Soochipara Waterfalls:

Located in the Velarimala Hills, Soochipara Waterfalls is one of the most prominent tourist hotspots in Wayanad. The site is famous for rock climbing as well. Hence, it is loved by the nature-lovers and adventurers alike.

#3 – Meenmutty Falls:

This waterfall is accessible after a hike from the Wayanad-Ooty Road. There are three tiers in it. You can enjoy fun-filled time with your friends and family. However, we suggest avoiding it during the rainy season.

#4 – Phantom Rock:

Roughly resembling the shape of a human skull, this is a naturally-formed metamorphic rock structure. It is precisely located in Ambalavayal. You can enjoy rock-climbing, hiking and camping in the region. During the spring season, the valley becomes a carpet of wildflowers and vegetation.

#5 – Chembra Peak:

It is the highest hill in the region with a small hear-shaped lake and plenty of greenery. It forms an exciting place for camping, hiking, and sightseeing. There is a waterfall in the vicinity that adds to the charm of this place.

#6 – Kuruva Island:

Kuruvadweep or Kuruva Island is a 950-acre protected river delta. It comprises three densely wooded uninhabited islands and a few submergible satellite islands, which lies on the banks of the tributaries of Kabini River in the Wayanad district, Kerala, India. These are the mangrove islands that are famous for boating tours. You can witness the exotic flora, orchids, and evergreen forests here.

#7 – Pookode Lake:

Here you can enjoy boating and sightseeing. The beautiful freshwater lake in Wayanad, Pookode Lake lays 15 kilometres away from Kalpetta. Nestled between evergreen forest and the Western Ghats, the lake is spread over 13 acres and is 40 m deep. This is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in Wayanad.

#8 – Muthanga and Tholpetty:

These places are famous for witnessing the incredible wildlife of Wayanad. From safaris that bring you inside the habitats of tigers and elephants, to the forest walks – you can enjoy many things.

How to reach Wayanad?

You can reach Wayanad via the following means of transport:

By Air – Karipur International Airport at Kozhikode
By Rail – Kozhikode Railway Station (110 KM)
By Bus – KSRTC buses provide an efficient and fast transport in and around Wayanad. There are many super fast buses as well.

Rest, you can find all kinds of transportation in Wayanad.

Best places to stay in Wayanad:

Now, let us read about the best places to stay in Wayanad. These places offer lots of resorts in Wayanad with activities. You can also find Premium and Luxury Wayanad Cottages that are hidden in the green cover of the region. So, you must plan your stay at one of these places to witness and experience the real beauty of Wayanad.

#1 – Kalpetta:

Kalpetta is the main town of Wayanad that offers all kinds of accommodations and restaurants. The 3 major tourist attractions are Soochipara Waterfalls, Kanthapara Waterfalls and Meenmutty Waterfalls.

Chembra Peak is located just 10 KM away from Kalpetta. Boating in Pookode Lake and shopping in the local market are the other enjoyable activities you can do in Kalpetta.

If you have time, you can also visit a lovely manmade marvel – Banasura Dam. It is just 24 KM away from the city and is loaded with beauty. Banasura Waterfall is a mandatory visit in the region. The scenic splendour there is the stuff dreams are made of!

#2 – Sulthan Bathery:

It is a hub of the finest and the best Resorts in Wayanad with activities and Wayanad Cottages. You can explore the ruins of Jain Temple, Edakkal Caves, Muniyara and Muthanga Wildlife Reserves. There are lots of resorts with wellness centres that have everything – natural beauty, facilities and luxury. You can also be a part of various adventurous activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, camping and Tribal area visit etc.

#3 – Mananthavady:

This is where the Kuruva Islands are located. This is an eco-island that spreads over more than 900 acres. The islands are located 17 KM away from the mainland and are accessible via rafts. One major thing about raft travelling is that rowing is done with the help of ropes. There are no oars and ropes are fastened to the trees to row the rafts. Pakshipathalam, the tomb of Pazhazzi Raja and ‘Boys’ town are the other major attractions here.

So, these are the best places and attractions of Wayanad. When are you planning to explore them?

Can you handle the Nafrat… Taksha, a Hindi Rock Band

Manasi

July 23, 2010

Taksha, a Hindi Rock Band Nafrat… angst… can it be better expressed than through the raw power of rock music… Rock music has an ability to capture the underlying anxiety and anguish within a person. “Khatron mein jeena hain, har lamha sehna hai, ruk nahi jaana hai, rehna hai tujhko bekhauf!” The lyrics and the music from “Bekhauf”, one of the songs in the album ‘Nafrat’, create a blend of melody and aggression leaving you deeply moved by its uniqueness.

Rock music and Hindi… yes, Hyderabad is the city of origin for ‘Taksha’, a unique Hindi power rock band that emerges from a group of seasoned musicians. Their music makes you wonder whether, angst and aggression can be better portrayed in a four minute song. “We believe that a language barrier prevents a wider audience from enjoying rock music”, says Shadrach Prabhu, the lead guitarist. The name of the band also has a story behind it, “The name was a simple choice”, says Anjani, another member, “we wanted to bring out the Hindi quotient that is imbibed in our lyrics and our music; so, naming it after the oldest university in India made complete sense.” The band has a female vocalist, another unique feature in Indian rock music scene.

Shweta – Vocals
Shadrach – Lead Guitar
Maruth – Guitar
Anjani – Bass
Suman – Drums
Kiran – Keyboards

The six piece Hindi rock band came together in August 2009 and it debuted live just in two months with an original set. The members bring in nearly 10 years of experience in rock music with Shadrach, Maruth and Anjani being were a part of ‘Sledge’, another leading rock band from the city. They work in a regular 9-to-5 job but still make it a point to work on their music with passion. Shadrach, the lead guitarist, was awarded the Best Guitarist at the Castrol Garage Rock National, 2003 for his out of the world speed on the guitar. He is a trained western classical guitarist and has been teaching music as well. Maruth, the rhythm guitarist, has compiled background scores for movies like, Annukojunda oka roju (Telugu) and Angrez. Anjani on the bass runs ‘fullvolumerecords.com’ which takes care of the band’s music. Suman on the drums is a sales manager in an insurance firm. Kiran on the keyboard is an engineer. Shweta, the vocalist is a pass out from Hindu College, Delhi and was selected after rigorous rounds of auditions.

Taksha, a Hindi Rock Band

The band has recently launched its debut album, ‘Nafrat’ along with the video release of ‘Bekhauf’, one of the songs. The music brings along with it a unique sense of originality and holds various influences from Western Classical, Progressive Rock, and Symphonic rock. The band did not believe in bringing in influence from Indian folk or classical notes as they wanted to keep the ‘rock’ alive in their music.

Talking about the special feel in the songs, Shadrach says, “The lyrics were contributed by friends after we briefed them about the essence of our music. You would come across numerous oxymoronic emotions in our songs. Nafrat itself has a different edge to it; the main emotion is that of hatred out of love.” The album also contains songs which bring out the feeling of anger, depression, loneliness, intensity, love-hate and also god. The instrumental of ‘Talaash’ is extremely fascinating and so is the song,

‘Masoomiyat’.

Usually, in a rock performance, the audience loves it when cover versions are sung because they can take pleasure of singing along. But Taksha makes it a point to perform only original compositions and it still has been successful in drawing a great response. The band has just returned from a successful tour from Bangalore. “The most important thing to keep the magic going amongst the audience is performing live regularly”, says Anjani with 10 years of experience performing live. Unfortunately, he says there is not much of a music festival culture in India, although rock is mainly promoted through big college events like Strawberry Fields in NLS, Bangalore or Deepwoods Fest of Madras Christian College. These fests provide the much needed platform for upcoming bands to present their talents.

Discussing about music as a fulltime career, Anjani says, “Rock as a genre has not been a part of mainstream music for a long time, although with movies like ‘Rock On’, rock is gradually entering and making it big in the mainstream. We have been playing music for 10 years now, and I can’t recollect a better time for our kind of music than now in the country”. Talented musicians today are finding their way to the top without being patronized. Although, sales through cassettes and CDs is disappearing overtaken by new media like the internet and mobile ringtones, and the members of the band feel that this is going to take them higher for sure. The band is presently in the process of composing their second album and promises its release at the earliest. My advice is, watch out for Taksha, the next big thing from our city of Hyderabad.

Factfile:
Masoomaiyat live – http://www.youtube.com/watch
Bekhauf music video – http://www.youtube.com/watch
Fan pages – facebook.com/Takshamusic
myspace.com/takshamusic

Expanding Your Family? Plan Ahead by Taking These 7 Financial Steps

Caleidoscope

July 7, 2010

Expanding an individual’s family can be a joyous time; however, it can also cause them to worry substantially about how they are going to cover the additional expense. In India, many families are expanding due to the improvement in economic conditions and the rise of the middle class. From this boom, families are considering ways to finance additional children while still achieving their investment goals. If you are considering expanding your family in India, review the information below:

7 Important Financial Steps to Take If You Are Expanding Your Family

Consider these seven important financial steps to ensure you can afford to have another child in India with ease:

Commence a Savings Plan

If you are considering expanding your family, then it is important to find the right savings plan for you. A child savings plan is a great way to allocate resources aside to anticipate for the additional expense that a new child will give you in INR. Some examples of this are for hospital bills, educational, or general living expenses that you will be responsible for in the short, medium, and long-term.

Know Your Employer’s Health Insurance

Depending on where you work, it is possible that you will have some health insurance benefits. Read these benefits carefully to see what amount of capital you will need to cover on your own and which amount will be covered by your insurance.

Pre-Delivery Planning

Having a baby is expensive regardless of where you are in the world. Make sure you budget money to pay for any doctor visits and the actual day you are giving birth so that you have enough capital to have the best care possible.

Allocate Your Projected Post-Birth Expenses

It is important to figure out what your additional costs will be. Once you do so, you will be able to establish target goals for your investments and achieve them.

Consider 5-Year Investment Plans

Given that not all of the expenses that children cause occur right away, establishing a 5-year investment plan is a wonderful idea in India.

Consider Investing in Real Estate

If you are able to afford real estate, it is wise to buy your apartment so that you know that your rent will be covered. Later on, as you become more successful, you will then have a secondary source of income that will be beneficial to your expenses.

Set Aside an Emergency Fund

Regardless of what you will be budgeting to cover the cost of having a baby, it is important to have an emergency fund that is separate to be sure you are never without funds.

Final Remarks

Having a child is an exciting time in a family’s life. It is important to be sure that your family is ready for the additional expenses so that your child has the best possible upbringing possible. By planning well, you will be able to have success raising your child in the coming years with ease.

Assessing Your Needs: 7 Tips for Choosing the Best Credit Card

Caleidoscope

June 23, 2010

Choosing the Best Credit Card — Image – Pixabay

If you are in the market for a new credit card, you have plenty to choose from and they all have slightly different features. As you shop around, it’s a good idea to evaluate your needs and pick a credit card that fits your budget and offers some rewards.

The best credit cards do not just have bonuses and rewards that you get when you open an account. They have features that provide rewards long after you’ve made your first purchase. Some Indian credit cards, like Buzz Credit Card, offer rewards for money you spend and for milestones you reach along the way.

These are some tips for choosing the best credit card to meet your needs:

1. Changeable payment date

This might not seem like the most important feature of a credit card, but if the date the credit card company chooses for you doesn’t work, then changing the date can save you money. If you cannot make a payment by the date that the company chose, you could end up with late payment charges. But, if you can change it, you will not have to pay late fees.

2. Annual fees

Annual fees can be excessive for some credit cards. As you are already paying interest, you don’t want to pay extra rupees each year just to keep the card. It is difficult to find a card without an annual fee, so find one with a small one.

3. Signup bonus

When you sign up with some cards, you get an immediate bonus. In some cases, you have to spend a certain amount of rupees before the award is given, but some cards give you an immediately welcome gift, like a gift card, a voucher, or a discount. When looking for a card with a signup bonus, find one that will fit your shopping needs.

4. Co-branded cards

Co-branded cards can be helpful if you shop in the same place regularly. If you use a co-branded card, you can get bonus points that you can use at the shop. Usually, you get extra points if you shop at the co-branded store, but if you shop elsewhere, you do not get the same number of points.

5. Easy payment options

Being able to make a payment is important for keeping your credit card under control. If you cannot make a payment at a convenient spot or through an ATM, then it might not be the right card for you.

6. Conversions to EMIs

Another helpful tool in Indian credit cards are conversions to EMI, especially when you buy something expensive, like electronics. Making equal monthly installments lets you pay off your balances quickly.

7. Simple fee chart

The last feature to check is the fee chart. Hopefully, it is easy to read and there aren’t many fees, especially for things like mobile alerts and replacement cards.

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