Me and Chennai

This can termed as a prologue to the previous blog. I completed my graduation and decided to move to Chennai for my further studies in audio engineering, the field of my passion. But it wasn’t just getting out of Pune and getting into Chennai, this journey had lots to offer.

Goodbye Pune :-
After all the preparations and packing was done, it was finally time for me to say goodbye to my home, Pune. I was being invited for lunch and dinner by my relatives and friends, and saying bye to them all was hard on me. I was to leave on 7th June, so we had a small dinner at my place on the 6th, just 5 of my close friends and my parents. Those were some wonderful memories. I had never seen my parents laugh so much. But through all the laughs and jokes cracked that day, somewhere deep down my heart ached, I didn’t want to leave all these guys, they meant so much to me. Other than that, the night meant more to me in some other way. I did a thing which I wanted to do for a long-time, which was like a burden on me and had to loose it, in order to not regret anything. I did it. And inspite of my fear of loosing a dear friend, it just made our relation stronger.

The next day was family goodbye. My grandparents, my uncles, my cousins had come home. And somehow I felt more closer to them.

The train was at 3.30 in the morning. So there I was at the station, at around 2.30am, with my friends, my parents and my cousin bro. The train was late by hours, so had to kill time on the station. But you don’t have to kill time when you are with your family and friends, it just flies by. Never had imagined, would have such an awesome night at the railway station, especially my friends and family being together.

Finally the train came at 5.30am and the moment of truth had arrived. Trying to stop tears, I hugged my friends, but couldn’t look them in the eyes. And the brother, with whom I spent such great years, who was like my buddy, I couldn’t even hug him, all we got through was a small handshake. As my dad was coming with me, I had to say bye to my mom for now, but couldn’t do that either, I wanted to hug her and tell her how much I loved her, even though I troubled her so much; couldn’t do it.

The train started, and within 5 mins my best friend texts me in his own style; all the best and will miss you a lot. That pushed the tear down my check.

Is it so hard to say goodbye to your loved ones??????

Vanakam Chennai !!!! :-
Honestly when I stepped into Chennai, I hated it. I felt like I was suffocating. Only 10 mins in Chennai, I was missing Pune. That very day, me and my dad, checked out my new college and hostel facilities. That night moved into my new place. A big bunglow, where the top floor was rented out to students of my college. So there I was, starting my hostel life, with 8 guys. My dad stayed for 3 days. And everytime we had lunch or dinner, I tried not looking at him, tried gulping down food, and rolled back those droplets of salty water. The 3rd day my dad had to leave. This really made me disturbed, because, he’s one person I loved the most. But the strength he gave me, made pass through it.

The next 2 weeks were really funny. At one moment I was very home sick and at the next I was laughing, playing music, sharing stuff with my new roommates. During those 2 weeks, my phone bill included a lot of STD calls!!!!

But as time passed, I adjusted to life here. Started liking Chennai. Loved the college, made some good friends there. Back at the hostel, met 2 gems, 2 people who are now very close to me and not less than brothers, have nice and “unique” roommates!!!! Celebrated my birthday, like I had never before. Had 2 cakes, one at the hostel and the other at the college. This was something different , something amazing.

During all this, I learnt a lot. I learnt the value of my parents, my friends, the value of time and money. I learnt to understand and judge people better. I understood what is working towards your goal. Finally I learnt to say NO!!!!! I faced and solved problems on my own. I came to know, some people are just not worth your time and energy and also your friendship. I learnt what LOVE is.

I’m still learning and exploring a lot of things. Exploring life, exploring Chennai. I do miss Pune, home, home food a lot, but have come to terms with it.

This has been my experience with Chennai so far, and eager to have more!!!!!

Life has lots to offer, accept it with open arms and enjoy it. And be grateful to life, for whatever it had given you. That way you have less regrets, trust me. And at the end of it, only thing matters is that you and your loved ones are happy and satisfied.

Cheers!!!!

Apprehensions and Expectations

It’s been a long time since I posted my last blog. And now ‘m writing this one, when I have started a new phase of my life. I have shifted to a new city for my studies in Audio.

After the final exams of my last year in college, things started to move pretty fast, towards my new goal, Audio Engineering. Things went on well, I cleared the entrance test, got admission into the college which I wanted, at the same time I became a Commerce graduate. And finally it all came down to the preparations leading to my adieu to my hometown, to leave for a new city, a new life. It was pretty hard for me to leave my parents, my friends, my city in which I was born, brought up n lived for 20 years. Everyone was proud of me, at the same time had expectations that, I do well in the new course and have a good career ahead. I realised that and a sense of responsibility came to me.

During the preparations, I went through a phase of apprehensions and expectations. It’s a time when a person has some expectations and anxiety towards his new life. I had lots!!!!!
When the thought of moving to a strange city, and living there for 18 months, struck me, I was shocked to the core. Felt like the earth below me had started shaking. Those few days were the worst. I was nervous, scared, anxious and every possible emotion a man can go through!!!!!
Thanks to my parent’s hostel stories, I was long away from being comforted. They told me what all had happened in their times, how hostel guys behave, what pranks are played, how ragging was done and what not. But then I found out a logic, that come on, so many young guys leave their homes and go out for studies and they turn out fine, so why shouldn’t I. And one more thing, all these stories were really old; my dad graduated atleast 20 years back.

But still I had some apprehensions about my new roommates. I expected them to be nice people, whose wavelength matched mine, but it’s not a perfect world after all. So I left that to fate.
One more fear I had, was that, I had dreamt about doing this for a long time and now it was turning into a reality, so will I really be able to do this. But then I thought, music is my passion, and this is what I’m here to do. So screw everyone ‘m doing this and ‘m going to prove myself.
Another anxiety was about the course and the college. Of course I had done my research and heard a lot about the college, but still was curious that, how my new college will be, how’s the faculty there, finally I hadn’t seen the college, so this thought was but obvious.

The most dreaded fear I had was, leaving my buddies and my parents. How will I survive without them? With whom will I hang out? Who will bunk classes and watch movies with me? With whom will I dream about the future? Who will do awesome things with me? Who will talk with me for hours on the phone? Who will be my bro n take me out to movies and give me valuable pieces of advice? A lot of questions remained unanswered.

I was going to miss home food. I hoped I got good food in the new place, as per my tastes.

So basically I had lot of apprehensions. But at the end of it I decided that, not to expect much, or your expectations do get broken. Instead go with an open mind, accept what you can, adjust a bit, and things which you can’t adjust, just ignore or find an alternative. Coz finally it’s life, it moves on, even if you don’t. Life always offers you something new, accept it with a smiling face, and you can enjoy life.

So after a hard and long game of “emotional ping pong”, I left my hometown, towards a new city, a new life, a new me. And it has turned out to be just fine. Got good friends, roommates, college turned out to be good, the faculty nice. So not expecting much, paid off!!!!!

But going through all this made me realise values of certain people and certain things. I wish everyone goes though this once in their lifetime, it’s a wonderful experience!!!!!
Cheers. :)

WILL YOU COME TONIGHT................????

DISCLOSER : Name of this blog has been inspired from a fellow blogger. I express my gratitude and regards towards him.

The day passes by, in running after time to complete deadlines, mundane chores & working towards the achievement of our goals. Our mind is so engaged in these things, that it totally forgets about someone completely.

It’s in the evening, that it starts to think about other things. Then her thought comes to my mind. Then everything takes a back seat. I start to think only about her & only her. How she looks, talks, how she plays with her hair, how she gets angry, how she teases etc.,. My mind wanders , what is she doing at this very moment?

After this comes a long argument between my heart & my mind, on why I like her so much!!!!!! Why do I care for her so much? , why do I get upset when she doesn’t call? What do I see in her? Does she see me in the same way? What if yes & what if no? when will I meet her again?

My body is doing different things, but my mind is diving into the ocean of her thoughts!! Every time her thought comes to mind, my heart goes bunjee jumping!!

I start thinking my future with her. How we guys would look as a couple, what will I do when I propose & she says “YES”!! what will it be like ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… snap, there comes the “Temporary Coma” time!!!! I wish I could stay up all night & just think about her, but y brain tells me I have to sleep, just to wake up next day & go through a thought less day!!
So I ask her, “WILL YOU COME TONIGHT” ………………………...
………………………………..... IN MY DREAMS????????

THESE ARE THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE...........

Whenever I listen to the Bryan Adams’ song “Summer of 69”, and when he comes to the line “those were the best days of my life”…….. I start to think, how ‘these are the best days of my life’!!

Really, school & college years are the best days of one’s life. But only if you know how to enjoy them.

School days are the best. Where you have no tensions, no added responsibilities. Where you don’t have to face the real world. Your parents are there to protect you at every step.
It is in these years, you make friends & some so close, that you remain friends for life!!!!

Now as I’m in college, I miss those innocent years. I miss those innocent years. I miss playing hide & seek in the lunch break, I miss troubling our teachers. I miss playing pranks on my friends, that teasing & leg pulling. I miss that sudden rush of feelings, at the sight of someone; especially in the later years of school. I miss those long summer breaks, that hanging out with friends, joining summer camps together.

While school years made my character, college years are teaching me to face the real world.

When you enter into college, you step into a world with freedom to do as your heart wishes. But freedom with a little responsibility. College years decide which career you are going to pursue for the rest of your life.
While pursuing you ambitions, dreams, you also have fun along the way.

While in college you meet different people, get to know them, their attitudes, their way of thinking. You are able to distinguish the good from the bad, the right from the wrong. You have the power to take your own decisions. You mature during college. Your way of looking at life changes.

You start appreciating life’s small surprises. You notice the beauty of the nature around you. You long for that 1st rain, that sweet smell of soil & getting with friends.
You enjoy bunking boring lectures of the boring professors, who by the way have a sole objective in their boring lives: to torture students!!!! You enjoy chatting on the “college katta”, the cup of tea with friends. You always seek an opportunity to bunk classes & catch the latest flick.
It’s in college, that you (most of the times) fall in love for the 1st time. It’s your college years that give you your 1st love!!!!!

It’s in college, you can enjoy long drives on your bikes, the wind in your hair & letting your hair loose.

Make most of these years, because, after your start running after bread n butter, YOU DON’T GET TIME. If these years are gone, they are gone forever!!!!!

I’m making the most of my college years. But it’s not just about the fun, you have to make a career for yourself, so that you can live with ease & happiness for the rest of your life……………

kuch to log kahenge, logonka kaam hain kehna

Society - what does it mean? It is supposed to be a group of people, large or small, living in communal harmony, & following a particular set of ideologies, cultures, religion & beliefs. Society is to bring different people closer, make the earth a better place to live. Society is to maintain equality, be it between people of different religions, caste or creed, or be it between man & woman.

Then why does our society frown upon a boy & a girl having a healthy relation of friendship? Why is it that people frown & whisper, when hey see a boy & a girl talking, or walking together, or on a two-wheeler? Is it only the right of married couples to do all this?

When a boy & a girl are seen together, people always assume that, they are having an affair, which is considered bad or taboo!! And what if they are in a wonderful relationship called ‘love’ – what goes of their (the people’s) father’s?

People try to be modern & try to be 21st century people. You have to change your attitude, to be modern. You don’t become citizens of the 21st century just by wearing fancy clothes, by shopping at malls, going to multiplexes or by eating at Mc D’s or Pizza Hut!!

People should accept that, opposite sexes attract each other. And that a guy & a gal can just be friends. In fact, no matter how close you are to your male friends, you are always closest to your female friend. – That’s a fact, accept it or not.

And even if two people are more then friends & are in love with each other, what’s the big deal? More than half the marriages in society have love as their foundation. And love starts with friendship!!!!

Then comes the question of “Social Morality”. Who says there shouldn’t be any social morality, but it should be there where it is most needed. Yes, social morality should be implied if a guy is eve teasing a girl, troubling her, harassing her mentally as well as physically & vice – versa.

But the truth is that, no one cares a damn, when a girl is molested in front of their eyes!!

Don’t restrict two friends or two lovers. Make this place an open sky for them to fly. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!

And for all you friends & people in love, if people frown at you, pity them. Because they are missing something wonderful that you have.

And if they get on your nerves, just ignore them, ‘coz they are people, they are going to say something –

Kuch to log kahenge, logonka kaam hain kehna !!
Chodo bekar ki baton ko, kahi beetna jaen raina !!

this heart - a mystery unsolved!!!!!!!

I always wonder, why our heart behaves in a mysterious, unpredictable, weird manner? Our brain says one thing, but our heat many times says the exact opposite!!

Why does the heart ache when, you see a poor kid begging at the signal, even though the kid is not related to you. Your brain says ‘ why should I care, the rest of the world doesn’t ‘. But the heart aches; poor thing, why does the kid have to face such a hard life at such a tender age?
Why the heart doesn’t care when, you end a relation with an undeserving person? Why doesn’t it ache when that person suffers?

Why does the heart go bungee jumping, even at the slightest touch of her soft skin? Why does it try to beat Michael Schumacher’s record, when she’s around? Why does it skip a beat, when your nose registers the sweet smell of her hair 8 the tantalizing fragrance of her body?

Why does it get excited like a little kid, at the slightest happiness & the smallest joy?

Why does it beat louder than the sound of drums, before any exam or result?

Why does it keep alive bitter & harsh memories & feelings, the brain wants to forget & bury them in the past?
Why does it keep alive your 1st love, your 1st meeting with her?

Why does it dance with joy, when a dog licks your face, a cat brushes against your feet?

Why does it long for that sweet smell of soil after the 1st rains? Why does it sing with joy when in the lap of nature?

Why does it become hard like a rock or melt like butter?

WHY? Why does it disobey our brain? WHY?

Sometimes I Think..............

Sometimes I think why I’m like this?
Why I’m different from others? Why only few people understand me? Why can’t I be like the other normal guys of my age – lead a normal life?

Sometimes I think why is life so hard on me? Why the guys who don’t deserve, get the best & I don’t get anything?

Why does it always happen that, I start something of my own, something positive, ambitious & something has to go wrong?
Why is it that lady luck doesn’t visit me?

But, then sometimes I think, I have a spark in me!!!!

Why is it that, I have so many friends, who respect me & accept me for who I am?
Why is it that friends turn to me in their difficult times?

Why is it that I have the gift of appreciating & playing good music?

Why is it that I like to meet new people?

Why is it that, my close friends always help me out, when I’m trouble?

Sometimes I think……………………
WHY I’M ME ????????

THE OTHER SEX

Has anyone understood the opposite sex of a guy – A GIRL? It’s a big question mark for me.
Girls – they can make you feel, you are at the top of the world & at the same time can make your life hell !!!!

It all starts when our parents put us together in the ‘ Life Shaping’ institution called ‘ School ‘.
At that age girls are our biggest & worst enemies. For no reason at all we are ready to pick a fight & show who’s the boss.

But this scene changes when we hit puberty!! The same girls start looking prettier. Both the sexes give each other awkward looks, never experienced before. We go to any extent to be near a girl. At this stage, both the sexes are confused & curious about each other.

Next comes - the late Teens. This is when we really start to think about girls & what they mean to us. We constantly try to figure out their behaviour. We decide, whom we want as friends & whom we want to get close with & understand better. And oh yes whom we want to ignore!!
Girls are really weird. At one pt., they flirt with you & the next thing you know they are doing the same thing, someone else, & you are left hurt. They send out mixed signals. Some times they get close & some times they act as if you don’t know each other.

Girls find the stupidest things cute & the wildest, coolest thing boring.

If you don’t say ‘HI’ for one day, you are considered rude.

Girls have some really weird dreams & crazy wishes.

They can make even the geekiest guy on the planet go wild!!

Girls always think they are the centre of attraction. They demand instant attention & if you don’t attend to their needs, you are DEAD MEAT – ready to chopped, fried & eaten.

When you are around, they always find some other guy cute, handsome & sexy.

They are best friends of retailers & worst enemies of your wallet. You are left broke in a jiffy!!

But when it comes to understanding a guy & sweep him off his feet - no one can do it better than a girl. She can understand & know you better than you yourself can. She senses the slightest change in your behaviour & mood. She can make you look at things differently. She sticks by you, when the whole world is against you. She knows you pro’s & con’s & accepts you for what you are. A girl can fight the world just to be with you. She does things for you, without you telling her to, just to see a smile on your face.

Well, this is how I’ve known girls. You can’t live with them, you can’t live without them.
This is not a piece of advice but a suggestion – if a girl trusts you, has faith in you & loves you, never ever betray or disappoint her ; because if she’s gone, she’s never going to come back. And life without a girl SUCKS !!!!!

WHEN I FELT LIKE A ROCK STAR!!!!

It all started on a December Saturday afternoon, when I received a call, offering me a chance to join my college Music Band. The feeling was something different; my 1st year in senior college & I was directly asked to join my college music band – no auditions, no nothing!!!!
My friend Prasanna & I, went to the college the next day, for the meeting. It was there that, we were told that, we are going to participate in the biggest college festival in Pune – VERVE.
Our team was formed & we started practicing. It was a new altogether, with only 3 seniors with us. Prasanna was playing the Tabla & rhythms & I was in charge of percussions.
Everything was so new to us. Spending the whole day together, surrounded by nothing else but music!! Sharing lunch, cracking jokes & also practicing a little bit!!!! Some ego & other problems did come in our way, but we managed to keep it going.

ROUND -1: ELIMINATIONS

It was the 1st round of the competition. Out of many colleges, the best would go to the semis. The tension was getting on our nerves. There were those last minute huddles , those last minute revisions of notes, who played which piece, at what point was there a cut, etc.
Our turn came. Our 30-minute time started. We started our performance, with our sequence of songs decided earlier. But as we started – HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM!! – the monitors (speakers) on the stage were not working. We couldn’t hear what we were playing!!
But everyone kept their cool & we performed all the songs only on our timing of beats. At the end of the show we got a huge applause. Our performance was a hit.
But we came all nervous & anxious into the green room. We thought, this was the end of the road.
Then came the wait for the result. This is the hardest & longest wait ever. All other teams had gone, only their representatives were present. But our whole team was waiting there.
At last the results came out. We came in the 1st position. There were hugs & handshakes all over. Our confidence got boosted to do even better in the semis, because, now the competition had got tougher.
We practiced hard. Our real test was to play the song ‘ Aa Dekhen Zara’ from the film ‘Rocky’ – a R.D.Burman score/track.
Being a R.D. track, the song had different & difficult rhythm patterns, various notes, an out-of-the world composition. But we managed to get a little close to the original.

ROUND 2 – SEMI-FINALS:

Now, this was the real stuff!! A huge stage, a huge audience of young collegians in front & all lights on you. You have to get your act right!!
We were the last to perform. So in our huddle we told each other, lets give them a show, that will rock them. & we decided to perform ‘Aa Dekhen Zara’ as our finale.
The show went as per the plan & it went well. The crowd was swinging to our beats. The finale came. Just the announcement of which song we were going to perform next, received huge cheers.
We started the song on cue from our keyboard player. The song had different & difficult rhythm patterns. It was upto Prasanna & me to make the song a success.
Our practice paid off. The song was performed par excellence.
At the end of the song, the cheers from the crowd were deafening. The song was a big hit!! The crowd started chanting our college’s name.
While playing the Congo, my right hand had started to bleed, but due to such high adrenaline & the crowd going haywire, kept me going.
For the 1st time in my life I felt like a ‘ROCKSTAR’, as the crowd’s applause grew & grew.
After securing the 1st position in the semis, we went into the finals.
But due to some nasty behavior of couple of our team members, we ended up 3rd in the competition.
But in all it was a hell of an experience & has surely changed my attitude towards people & life!!!!