Priya Sakhi: March 2014

Sunday 30 March 2014

LAST WEEK....

Priya Sakhi

It has been a while since I addressed you. The past week has been crazy-- the best part of it being spent at Anusha's wedding celebrations.

Anusha is Sudha Aunty's student-- she came when she was little. She was the cutest little chubby girl, who has now blossomed into a tall, slim pretty young woman. The striking feature of Anusha is her wonderful heart... She is passionate about dance, music. Here was a bride who took time to talk to everybody, make them comfortable....

Here is wishing Anusha and Varun a wonderful life.

Talking of Anusha is how she shed extra kilograms with great determination and focus. Hats off.

Of course I have to talk of weighty issues-- and natya.

I have found many say emphatically that a dancer `HAS' to be slim. `She has no business to be on stage'.
(So what if she is immensly talented). People snigger at artistes who are on the heavier side. Laugh behind their backs. Only slim dancers have star statuses. They can prance on stage, combine lithe martial movements, strike passionate poses at the most sombre moment. Use stage craft like dull lighting at an intense Abhinaya moment. Touche.

To them, what are adavu-s ? Tat tei ta ha? tei ha tei hi?

(Ah !Priya Sakhi I must tell you about the Kuditha Mettu Adavu-- it is most abused in and outside the world of Bharatanatyam. Have you seen them in Bollywood numbers? There is that lift of the shoulders, whether the heel lifts or not)!

Then we talk of the soul of a dancer that is absent now. Of the varying preferences in the spectators. Poet Kalidasa says, `Loke binna ruchihi'-- there are people who have different tastes. So that is why I wonder how does one review a work of art? Personal preferences will definitely creep in? How does the critic review the art-- what appeals to him/her or is there a common benchmark?

Sakhi, so it was interesting to read about two reviews of two choreographic pieces in The Hindu, last Friday. One work I did not relate to. The other I thought was brilliant. But while the former got a rave review, for the latter, the credit that the work deserved was glaring in it's absence.

I am an outspoken person. But bear with my mystery Sakhi. One day, I will have the guts to come out and say the names openly. Till then let me be a coward, with spurts of `hot air' moments.

The first impression that a dancer makes , the entry, is very important. That is what Sudha Aunty told us.That is when physical attributes, costume, make up matter. But after that the art takes over.

But then different things work for different people. For me a wonderful margam works well. A good thematic presentation interests me. A visit into past absorbs me for I feel history is very important . But at the same time, I love experimentations, the honest ones.

Love a jathi with all the sharkal-s, tat tei taha and kudhitha mettu-s without shoulder lifts.

Love the `thol thalli' momnets in jati-s. Love that `usi' in a small intricate jati. Love the saachi glance in the padam. Love the rhythmic tillana and the quiet slokam, that puts me in a reflective mood. I do see the physical attributes of a dancer/s for a short while, yeah she is wearing a lovely necklace... the `zebra lines' in the costume irritates me... but very often it is the work itself that excites me. Music, the singing, the musicality of the dancer is what I look for.

But hey who am I? Am I the not so slim dancer trying to shed her extra pounds. I am the outspoken one, they say. But, hey, do my opinions matter?

Yes! to Me and You, in MY space. Sakhi Praana....

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Sunner, Freezer, Fall and Flowery

Priya Sakhi,

It has been quite a week-- lots of things whirling in my head! Then I read this post on Facebook of little Kavya, who lives in Houston and who sent this letter to President Obama to change the word `Summer' to `Sunner' as summer IS all about the Sun!

In this there is so much to learn. First, of little Kavya's brain which is so active for a 4 year old! It is logical and creative--` Sunner' does seem more picturesque! Sunner, Freezer, Fall (it is picturesque), Flowery?? That is towards `more picturesque speech'? ( I allude to that coloumn in Readers Digest).
So what happens when the President of United States gets this letter? He replies to the little one with little gifts and a wonderful letter.

So is this about Kavya? Yes, It is inspired by her...

First of all, I wondered what will happen if the same thought and action was done by a little one here! The letter would have been tossed aside? or would they have been a reply?
The question is genuine here. Do I have hope in the `netas'? Would they have taken time to answer the query of a little one? Given her a minute to answer or commend her thought process?

The political scenario, here, is charged with the election fervour. Most of the time we have to wait in a long queue for some campaigner to pass us by, for he is seeking our votes... Loud microphones, autorickshaws, `katshi kodis', flyers, are all passed on.
There was one incident that left me quite baffled. So one `Katshi Thondar' was handing out these flyers to all of us in autos and in cars. This auto driver in front of us dropped the flyer down on the road (whether by mistake is a debatable question)! What ensued.... fisticuffs, colourful language.... as the Thalaivar's photo was on the flyer. It was a sign of disrespect.
This is democracy? Freedom? What if the flyer really slipped as the driver claimed?!

Do we HAVE to take the flyers? (Not a green campaign at all).

What is personal freedom? Societal one?
We live life in our terms or others' expectations of us.
Was just asked by a student a very relevant one about personal choice vis-a-vis conforming to societies expectations...

Sakhi ... makes me think a lot.

Meanwhile is little Kavya happy with the letter from her President? Nope... She is miffed still ,for Summer ain't `Sunner' yet!
Sakhiye....

Thursday 20 March 2014

Day of Love, Spring, of Hope, of Gratitude...

Priya Sakhi,

It was in 1986, at the Sovietskaya Hotel in Moscow. I was sleeping in my room when I got this call, `Priya darling, look out through the window, look at the snowflakes falling, it is SNOWING!', she said.

I jumped and shouted out... the excitement was because it was my maiden view of those light snowflakes falling! I had finally seen SNOW!!
The experience was special, because Sudha Aunty pointed that out to me. She knew I was waiting for snow for almost a week. We were leaving Moscow the next day and I was desperate to see snow, to see the flakes falling from up above! Moscow was freezing but snow, till then, had eluded me!

It was another day in the early eighties when Sudha Aunty called for me from class and said I would have to do the announcing for a function. That day my voice training started. Keep it low but clear. It is Photo graphy, Choreo graphy... Now people tell me I speak well on the microphone! Commend me about what and how I speak.

Earlier Sakhi, I was distraught! My dearest Appa was snatched away from me! I was barely in my 10th.... `Priya we are here for you', they said. They cried with me, they made me laugh, they gave me words of wisdom... Sudha Aunty and Vaadhyar ( Madurai N. Krishnan).

For Aunty, education was very important. Her students had to do well in school and college. While I did my M Phil, many of our students were studying to be doctors, chartered accountants, masters in natya, engineering, special education....

She had an enviable collection of books. Our interest in academia was kindled there.
We had a master to tell us stories from Mythology. A Sanskrit master to teach us theory and sloka-s.
A Music Master, Peria Anna (Sri. Srinivasan), to teach us music.
We went to Kalanidhi mami's classes at Asthika Samaja at Sudha Aunty's behest.
We had Master classes of other guru-s at Bharatalaya.
We had appreciation classes. We learnt about the fugue in western music We knew about the Graham technique, the Lemone technique...

It was another day in the early 90's, when Aunty called me and asked me to sit as a 3rd person on stage to wield the talam for performances. I would not open my mouth but very often keep time, beating the universal beat on my talam. Was criticised like hell! But Sudha Aunty stood firm! Then when Padmavalli teacher went away, I sat on stage and started quite confidently doing the nattuvangam.

It was in January 1994, they were waiting for me for a rehearsal. Priya is on time, she wondered. She called me to find out if all is well... I said I am engaged-- she immediately sent` Bhai' with the car. The excitement was more as my fiance's (then) family was close to Sudha Aunty. So is it my daughter's or son's wedding she wondered?! She planned a romantic, candle night dinner with my husband.

SHE is a GURU. SHE is my friend. SHE is my philosopher. SHE is my mentor... SHE is the one who shares her Art selflessly....

You think Aunty was like this with me alone? Everybody in Bharatalaya will have stories to tell... I have so many more anecdotes to share and the others will have too. She makes time for each one of us.

Why am I sharing this with you today Priya Sakhi?
Today is the first day of Spring.
A day of Love. Of Hope.
Today is March 21st.
Today is Sudha Aunty's Birthday....

Happy Birthday Dearest Sudha Aunty.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Life is .....

Priya Sakhi...

So many thoughts whirl round my head. Words, thoughts, music, concepts, feelings....

Amazing this thing called the brain and mind ...soul and LIFE!

As a child I was quite curious about how words were formed. How did the Aadhi Purushas know what to eat?.. who discovered the salt, the process of sugar?-- the smelly molasses to sugar to all the mouth watering sweets..? This mind, soul.. how did they realise its existence? Life now... Life after death. What happens after-life???

It is amazing that we take so many things for granted.. the sunrise, the sunset, the trees, the birds, the breeze. Then there are those situations where only words just fail to convey the right feeling. The intensity of our feelings is best conveyed sometimes by the arts. Be it music, dance, painting, poetry... LIFE

It is amazing how diverse tastes are too-- from food to tastes in fashion... to tastes in a work of art.. LIFE

Priya Sakhi I know I am ambling with no particular one thought process. But this amazing thing called `thoughts ' seem to meander into different alleys today....

Thoughts about natya, about sangeetham, about audiences-- then I see this parrot-- so green against the green tree. Look out your window-- see the different shades of green sometimes within the same tree...interspersed by the colours of the flowers and fruits.... Lovely Life.

So LIFE is varied right? so tastes will differ too? will they not? LIFE!

So what appeals to me does not to another... what I find soul-less might be the greatest inspiration to another! What I felt was a super solid work, bores another....
Then I see the differences ... in the trees, in the flowers... in my fingers... nothing is constant..except change.
Kshanikavaada of the Buddhists makes a lot of sense... Sometimes, something that I hated a long time ago, appeals to me now ..... The everchanging Mind, LIFE!
Why should we all like the same things? We are like that tree, we are like our fingers, we are different-- tastes differ..

In this how do we find that which appeals to all?

Life is difficult. Life is confusing. Life is colourful. Life is boring. Life is busy.Life is varied. Life is beautiful. Life is love. Life sucks. Life is wonderful. Life is never constant.

Life is amazing. Life is......

Saturday 15 March 2014

KBCP

March 27, 2011 at 9:48am

Born a Kerala Brahmin, married to one who quickly confirms I am tamizh, I am a true Madrasi-- who can switch to the different dailects of tamizh-- including` ayye inna nee! bejar party' and of course sing along the oooo and eeee s of the Palakkad lingo.The Palakkad cuisine is unique, what with its different varieties of Molakkutals, erisheris, molagushiyams, as its vocabulary. Many of my friends loved the food at my moms home, but now as I run a house on my own now-- I safely start only with the good old sambar for visting relatives! No kutaans, no vesharkardhu....
We are neither here nor there--- by that I mean we are not affectionately embraced by the tamizhians or the malayalees!
Ok having reconciled to a mid path as far as mundane living is concerned--- as an artiste-- Who am I?
A professional?
OK as a PRO I dedicate all my energies to dance.... but as a Pro do I bring in the `moolah'??? Do I accept everything that comes my way? non, ille, no.
Hey but I pride myself to be one hell of a positive person-- against all odds--- but just look at these negatives!
Ok just like the Abcds I am a KBCP-- keralite born confused pro?!!!

paatis and dance

May 1, 2013 at 12:34pm

Yesterday, we that is Srikanth, Roja et moi danced at Vishranthi Old age home-- as part of the Jana Bharatham -- the outreach programme of Natya Rangam, Narada gana sabha.

We entered the home and were greeted with a a loud applause by dear dear paatis-- of various ages.
They were younger active paatis-- who had dressed in saris and powdered their faces and wore binds with their neatly oiled hair.
There were older paatis who were in housecoats, wheelchairs and towel (normally hate this combo but the paatis carried it with elan). There were a few thathas with twinkling eyes-- who clapped loudly.

As for me, My eyes teared up as I entered-- what were the thoughts of these lovely citizens? they are blessed when compared to others on the streets or those in homes uncared for. Vishranthi , Savithri Vaithi and her team-- are doing great service indeed. But in the inner recess of my heart I wondered why these sweetie pies are there-- is it because they have no one? or is it because the children have no time/space for them?

Well the reason I'm writing this not is not this. It was the reception that we got after the concert-- One of them said we looked like `oru thaiyn pillaigal'-- all three of us--- thats how we are. Another lovely woman said that Roja and me looked like twins. Another of the active paatis said that she wanted Roja and me to do the potti dance from vanjikotai valiban movie!!

A thatha (yes the one who clapped loudly), told me that they will be talking about our performance for days to come and that can we go there more often and perform?

So dancers--- Does it not make more sense to reach out to people who appreciate us? The joy that we get in these performances is incomparable. Yes we need to be noticed, perform at sabhas, do our shows abroad etc etc. But.....

Thank you Natya Rangam for this! thank you dear dear paatis and thathas for making my dance more meaningful.

Dance

December 2, 2011 at 3:40pm

Its December-- Another season-- I love this time of year. Honestly, the madness just motivates me!
this year is special coz-- we are doing the Bharatiyar for the 50th time! and also performing two more of our productions-- `our'-- means the Parashah group!
These 10 years of collaborating with Roja, Srikanth and Ashwathi!! wow what an experience. Every one of our programmes has been eventful! I hope and pray that we grow from strength to strength!
this season is special coz-- let me see, Sudha aunty announced the last ever arangetram of Shree Bharatalaya on 20th december! Then after this season we take a different route! what is it i don't know-- I am one of those who takes each day and hope for the best! But a part of me is going to miss that routine of going to class everyday at 4 in the evening!!
Hey but maybe I will be ssoooo busy that ......
I am reading this book titled Divine Romance-- this is a series of lectures by Paramahmsa Yogananda... great if you like books on spirituality.
this year we are doing our mammudha again-- which means that I take on the role of Indra! cant wait!
But I am eager to do Bharatiyar, Shakuni, Deivamohini, Meera, dance the margam, the swathi tirunal compositions, entaroma....
Just waiting to dance!
as i wait for the Natya Darshan seminar and The KGS lec dems too!!
Come on dancers/musicians/rasikas-- let's all meet -- lets' all love each other's work/let's sing and above all let's all DANCE!

BLISS AND BLESSED

March 4, 2014 at 7:09am

Just back from another tour of Natyanjali-- hectic as always. Physically tired but mentally charged with all the positive vibrations of the temples, the towns that we visited and the hospitality of the people.

This time, disciples of Roja Kannan and we, disciples of Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy , took the road trip together. It was a primarily a cost-effective measure but on another level we were all students of natya performing together- separately with Ananda, helping each other, laughing together and existing together. This must be a small beginning but as dancers we have made baby steps in the larger canvas of coexistence-- happily and peacefully.

Our first stop was at Kumbakonam where we soaked in the hospitality of Deepak Venkatesh and his mother-- who served us a fantastic lunch. Athithi Devo Bhavah-- is their motto. In Deepak, one can find that innocence, the passion for his art. Here is a male dancer, as Roja and me were discussing, who is content with his life. He made a comment that he has made his life with his Natya (dance)-- heartening indeed! Deepak, I learnt a lot from your passion for natya- and sangeetham and artistes- god bless.

After our lunch and a visit to Vipanchee school of Deepak's, we checked-in to our hotels and after a brief rest started to adorn ourselves for our 20 minute offering to the Lord. This time we had worked on Madurai N. Krishnan's (Vadhyar) Kalyani Varnam-- Amba Akhilandeeswari-- This bhakthi oriented piece had intricate jathi-s of K S R Anirudha and was racy and at the same time we could showcase our bani with all its ground sharkal-s and mandi-s. While Roja and her students had Thevaram oriented pieces intricately woven with jati-s and swaram-s.
At this juncture I must commend my students-- who are also `sound' editors-- Deepthi and gang brought a 35 minute recording of a varnam to 25-- in talam-- seamlessly-- I wish my cousin the late H. Sridhar were here. I would have definitely showed off their work! Also kudos to the girls for the wonderful songs that were played in the bus! Khwaja ji is still a favourite-- that appealed to both youngsters and us Roja and me (and we are definitely not old).

Coming back to Natyanjali, our slots were late ones but there were so many people who sat and watched so many groups --so late in the night. It was truly a Shivaratri for us, as we had to come back and change, wipe off our makeup, put the jewellery back in the appropriate pouches-- dry out the costumes-- pack -- that is the tough part of being a dancer!

So after a brief sojourn we got up the next morning and set off to the temple town of Thirunallar. We visited Vaitheeswaran temple, a brief detour. We reached the Thirunallar temple at 12.50, a photo finish to see DHarbaaranyaeshwarar and of course Ambal and Shaneeswarar. At the temple guest house we ate and got ready to go to Nagapattinam. At the Neelayadakshi Amman temple, the ever capable Kannan, prodigy vainika and Padhukka's nephew, was there to take us around the beautiful temple. (Must mention about Kannan here. It is amazing that year after year he arranges this circuit for us dancers-- his meticulous planning, attention to detail, makes this possible for us. A BIG THANKS to you Kannan). The alankaram for Neelayadakshi Amman was so beautiful-- could have gone on seeing her...
Binesh Mahadevan and his students started the show at the Nagapattinam Natyanjali that day. Within minutes of his performance, the place was full.. appreciation genuine. This is the 14th year of the festival. They served us such delicious panakalkandu milk, sundal was served to the audiences too. Here we added our piece from the Hanuman Chalisa-- and many uninitiated members of the audience were moved when Rama embraced Hanuman. Just goes to show that as artistes we need to reach out to these audiences. For me Natyanjali is just not a spiritual rejuvenation-- but it is also an outreach `programme'. It is important for us to do this.

We cannot blame the Aam aadmi if he chooses filmi dance over classical. It is instantly appealing, of course, but hey that is all he is exposed to. So for me the Natyanjali circuit works in many levels.

After Nagapattinam we drove back to Thirunallar and performed. We met so many artistes. So many pursue this art-form. So this is an industry too-- so many dancers, musicians, costumers, makeup men/women, jewellers, poo makers, light technicians.... its high time we organised ourselves and made a higher impact in the society.

We came back yesterday-- after many Khwaja ji fun moments. Thank you Roja and gang, dear girls, organisers and Almighty -- It was Bliss and I feel Blessed.

Supermoon

June 23, 2013 at 10:32pm

Did you see the moon so resplendent-- so close that I could touch it.

Imagine this moon today-- near the expanse of water-- sitting near the water-- looking at the moon. A favourite javali playing -- the expectation of a loved one-- or memories of a loved one.

The happy times-- the smiles-- the sharing and the caring. Gives hope to the living-- in the midst of devastation-- it's His way of saying that hope is there-- beautiful things exist around us-- He is there- the water is still-- can this play havoc on our lives-- it is silent except for the sound of water, the breeze, the hair flying all over....

The events of the past years , months, weeks, days play in front of you.

The negativity that was there around you is comlpetely removed by that gentle breeze... I know this, the beautiful feeling, the rising of the moon , the supermoon... does not matter what people wanted to keep from you... they are talking about me-- I hear the faint strains that the breeze brings... its getting fainter as I stare at this huge expanse of water.... instead I hear the beautiful strains of music, the strumming of guitar, the bhajans early morning, the mridangam, the bells, that varnam, the javali that tillana, earl klugh, dire straits, whitney houston, shakthi,jagjith singh... i embrace that feeling tight-- in the coolness....

I wanted to leave dance/natya? I wonder? For what they said/say.... no no... this moon, the breeze, the strains of music... hope.. love ...

I dust the sand off my back---
Now to face that world--- should I? can't I just..... sshhhhhhhhhh don't tell anyone!

Parashah, Alchemists of Art celebrate their 10 years ...

November 4, 2013 at 7:23am

As we prepare for our concert on Nov. 9th at the Academy-- I can only think about how Parashah our group traversed the path of natya. 10 years of hard work, fun and creativity.

What is Parashah? oh you guys have formed a company? how come you are all dancers trained under different guru-s....

Constant questions from people in and outside the natya fraternity.

In 2002 , Natya Rangam, the dance wing of Narada Gana Sabha (bless them) brought us together.

We that is Roja, Srikanth, Lavanya Ananth(she was part of our group then) did not know each other personally. Knew about each other of course.
I still remember that small meeting room at NGS, where we first met-- where Sujatha mami briefed us about the concert at Bharatiyar Illam, she suggested some songs, we all exchanged numbers, decided on a date to practice and dispersed. Personally at that time I was grieving my dear brother, Mahesh's passing away and never thought that is group will be such an integral part of my natya journey.

We were a quartet with Lavanya, then we were 5 when Aswathy joined us. Now we are back again being a foursome.
Roja is our captain, she steers the ship, she tirelessly works for the group-- kudos to you Rose. It's her positivity and perseverance that's brought us this far together.
Hats off to you Srikanth for your creativity, your detailing in costumes, Aswathy for your quiet support.....

It is this synergy that keeps our group together, we learn to laugh off our differences, really appreciate each others prowess... egos are kept aside...

A decade later, here we are doing our production at the Academy. While many can say that it is a venue, that too chosen by us, and that Music Academy didn't invite us... For us it is the excitement of dancing TOGETHER in that venue, all 4 of us-- Roja, Srikanth, Ashwathi and I-- have anyway danced there solos/duet. I am sure there will be a time when the Academy will invite us (hey I am a positive person)!

When I think of Parashah I am always reminded about that quote

We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams.”― Albert Einstein

That sums up our group philosophy so well. ..

So as we celebrate our ten years of coming together, come and celebrate along with us
See ya on the 9th.

I ME MYSELF

December 9, 2013 at 7:12am

Most of us were glued to the television sets-- endorsing the `sweeping' changes in our poll results...

Most of us artistes are busy rehearsing, working on our productions, photo shoots, vying with each other in posting photographs, getting our sari-s out, our jewellery ready...

Most of us are glued to the television sets watching the dismal performance by the cricket team, watching football, Karan Johar with Kareena (without a T) and Ranbir....

But do we know that for people like Kasthuri-- my maid-- none of these matters. There was her husband drunk in front of a water lorry. She pulled him by his shirt away from the way---- and what a price she paid!
He beat her, hit her on her eyes, pulled clumps of hair from her recently tonsured head, kicked her.... her body aches she said

What did I do? just applied some bengay. I shouted said that we should put him in jail... but she pleaded saying that she cannot do that to him, the beast. She is the earning member, she is the cook, she cleans, she washes... she is a homemaker, she is the career woman, she is the punching bag....

She still manages to smile...

I am angry, I am crying inside .. I am helpless... oh I have to go for my exercise.. I have my dance... I ... I.....
Kasthuri smiles....Muniyamma smiles... Valli smiles.....

I have to practise my smile for my character....My laugh... I talk of humbling moments-- Ego, id and Super Id

The world is still about ME right as Kasthuri smiles.... with pain in her eyes.

Soul in Natya

Priya Sakhi, the Soul in Natya.... what is this soul. where is it? Philosophically, where is this soul? then what is mind? Soul pervades the physical body.. it is indestructible.... is it the inner voice? Aatma-- jeevaatma, the Paramaatma...

So many thoughts about the Soul.

But in Natya (here I refer to Indian classical dance), we find skilled dancers lack something in Abhinaya (expression). In a music concert sometimes it is rendition of a song that stops at being just skillful, it does not move me... In that Painting , the use of colours speaks to me, the eyes convey... There is something in this bhangi of the sculpture... Even in non artistic activity they say, `he has put his heart and soul in the project.

This is the same Soul? or do we refer to the feeling. At some level, we souls are one.. but how is it that we are not able to connect?

That feeling, the connection, is it not what we want as we dance? Then how do we work at it? teach it?

As an aacharya (teacher-- prefer this to Guru) of natya, it is here that I struggle.

The technique can be taught, the music, the meaning, the dhvani, the nuances, the `knotting' of the eyebrow, the `saachi drishti', the glance of the eye-- yes all this can be taught at a reasonable level. But to get to the soul?

As a dancer we can practise, we can read, prepare and practise endlessly... but how do we get to the Soul?
Years ago in a Bhutto dance workshop conducted by the Arangham trust, we learnt how to connect to the music, to feel. So to a particular music, we were asked to do a set of sequences, react to the music. Now, I thought it was the easiest for me, as I love music, I love to emote... confident of this exercise, I presented a series of movements of sringara (love). But I was dismissed saying I was acting-- not emoting, not feeling.. No Soul.

That really set me thinking. So abhinaya is learning the song, understanding the meaning (here for me personally, over-analysing the kind of heroine, sthaayi simply kills my experience), dhvani, nuances of the ghamaka of music and a host of other things. But what is most important is that it relies on the ability to feel. To convert this feeling without acting but actually FEELING. Hence it relies on our experiences, our soul's ability ... There again we need our SOUL-- so we need to connect to our own Souls. Is that why we say Natya is divine?

Priya Sakhi... How beautifully Adi Sankara explained to us about our levels of existence-- the prathibhasika, the vyaavahaarika and paaramaarthika... But I still live in the illusory one? When am I going to transcend the rope- snake illusion, come to understand the mundane and transcend? When am I going to connect to the soul.... Or wait.....
Priya Sakhi .... are you my Soul?

Sakhi Praana....

My First Step

Yes I have done it. Finally. Have joined the community of Bloggers.

Needed this prodding from Vincent D'Souza of Kutcheribuzz-- thank you Sir.

So Priya Sakhi will be My First Step towards this fascinating world of writing, of sharing, reading and perhaps at some level reflecting too.

Why Priya Sakhi? I have realised that friendships and relationships are often complex. Close friends today, gone from my world tomorrow. `Do not feel that much, brush it aside!' People have told me. Do not feel so much--- easier said than done. But I have learnt a lot, become stronger. Realised that expectations from anything or anyone is pointless. But the exception is here, in my own space, my Sakhi, My friend, I have you all to myself..full of expectations and no disappointments! You are a girl, you are a guy-- love ya.

You are like Krishna to my Kuchela, you are the dhoothi, conveying my love to him- I can lean on you/rely on you. Have taken the First Step my Priya sakhi..... Sakhi Prana,......