Most of us, or so I'd like to believe, are strangers to our own cities and towns. Having lived and grown up in one place, we know the roads and the bylanes, the markets and the restaurants, but still sometimes remain ignorant of its charms.
My husband Anuj and I have long thought about why we've never visited the big tourist attractions of New Delhi and still could never come up with a suitably satisfying answer. Maybe because we took them for granted...maybe that's why it took me 23 years to see Taj Mahal!
Well having decided to be tourists in our own home, we planned on visiting Qutub Minar, a place we'd both been to as children and therefore wanted to look at it from a fresh perspective. Maybe we'd like to visit it more often?
The last of the beautiful Sundays at hand (summer is HERE!), having woken up sufficiently early, breakfast packed, camera checked, off we went prepared to be wooed.
And were we wooed! One look at the serenely imposing minar and we were bowled over. No childhood memory had prepared us for the eternal magnetism of the monument. The weather was so good at 8 a.m. that even Kabir- our 13 month old- was having a good time.
This time we took a good look around. The Alai Darwaza, the iron pillar, the mosque, the precinct and of course the Qutub Minar itself, took on a new meaning. As a child you miss out the grandeur of things. The construction of such monuments and for that matter forts and palaces leaves you wondering about the technique and art of construction in the times where nothing was easy- no electricity, let alone sophisticated weapons of mass construction!!! Maybe that's why everybody took their job so seriously and maybe that's why these palaces and forts are still standing compared to modern housing which leaks and crumbles at every weather change!
(And yes if the famous iron pillar shows some signs of rust at the bottom, it's taken some hundred years to do that...so please don't complain)
And while you are still wondering about the quality of the stuff, one more question pops into your head- it sure popped into mine- who were these architects who thought of such amazing structures and executed their making? We always read about such and such king who built such and such historic monument, but the architects almost always remain unsung!
Coming back to the subject-that of visiting the Qutub Minar, the grounds are well maintained, they even have ramps for people with babies in strollers and the disabled!
The only thing I miss is the challenge to hug the iron pillar backwards in an attempt to prove you can do it- the claim being that no one can! To prevent insensitive people from scribbling their names and generally dirtying it, a railing has been put around it.
To cut a long story short, it is definately worth one's while to head down there and spend some time getting acquinated or as in our case reacquainted with our own history. It certainly would do some good!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Bhakti Utsav
It's been almost a month since we went for this unique series of concerts organised by the Delhi government and Sehar. In fact we went for the first and the last day and I must say we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
More than us, our year old baby, Kabir, loved being out in the park with excellent music to dance and play to.
Out of all the excellent performances, Sanjeev Abhayankar's rendition of Krishna bhajans was superlative and set the tone for other brilliant performers. Two more set of musicians whose respective performances went straight to the soul were: Ustad Chand Afazal with Gurbani and the sufis of Dargah Yusufain from Hyderabad. The latter were rather unceremoniously asked to step down as the concert was running a bit late- when will Indian comperes learn to be more humble and graceful?
Overall, it was a commendable attempt in a long series of many more, by the Delhi govt to make music accessible to all, and much more importantly, to make Indian classical music maestros take their inimitable art to the general public, thus reviving what could otherwise be a dying interest in a musical tradition as old as our history!
More than us, our year old baby, Kabir, loved being out in the park with excellent music to dance and play to.
Out of all the excellent performances, Sanjeev Abhayankar's rendition of Krishna bhajans was superlative and set the tone for other brilliant performers. Two more set of musicians whose respective performances went straight to the soul were: Ustad Chand Afazal with Gurbani and the sufis of Dargah Yusufain from Hyderabad. The latter were rather unceremoniously asked to step down as the concert was running a bit late- when will Indian comperes learn to be more humble and graceful?
Overall, it was a commendable attempt in a long series of many more, by the Delhi govt to make music accessible to all, and much more importantly, to make Indian classical music maestros take their inimitable art to the general public, thus reviving what could otherwise be a dying interest in a musical tradition as old as our history!
Thursday, March 1, 2007
The Tenant
Just saw this 1976 Polanski film. Must say as far as psycho-thrillers go, it was pretty good. It even had me watching it without the sound (without the soud, most horror movies appear quite harmless or should I say 'horrorless'!)
It reminded me of a spanish film I'd seen as part of a spanish film fest at the Habitat Centre quite some years ago.
A new tenant, a dead by suicide previous owner, oppressive and apparently maniachal neighbours, the new tenant little by little losing his grip on reality- all make for a decently thrilling couple of hours. But contrary to my expectations, and maybe others' as well; I'd guessed the end of the film at the end of the first fifteen minutes. Still not a bad movie to watch if its thrills and suspense one is after. Isabelle Adjani, also one of the actors in the movie is a delight to watch, not just for her acting skills- which don't really get displayed but also for her really young pretty presence.
It reminded me of a spanish film I'd seen as part of a spanish film fest at the Habitat Centre quite some years ago.
A new tenant, a dead by suicide previous owner, oppressive and apparently maniachal neighbours, the new tenant little by little losing his grip on reality- all make for a decently thrilling couple of hours. But contrary to my expectations, and maybe others' as well; I'd guessed the end of the film at the end of the first fifteen minutes. Still not a bad movie to watch if its thrills and suspense one is after. Isabelle Adjani, also one of the actors in the movie is a delight to watch, not just for her acting skills- which don't really get displayed but also for her really young pretty presence.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Passion India
I just finished reading this book, and I found it pretty unputdownable. Javier Moro, seems to have done full justice to the real life story of Anita Delgado- the Spanish dancer who became one of the queens of Kapurthala.
I liked the ease with which the author weaves in the story- part of which indeed does sound like a fairytale- with facts about the Indian politics of that time. It is not an attempt to outline the latter so don't pick it up hoping to get an in depth inside into the preindependence India. But you do get to know various interesting facts about a myriad of things- the lifestyles and eccentricities of the Rajahs, the state of Kapurthala- i would like to visit it one day or even the origin of the legendary Rolls Royce logo!
It is a simple yet captivating narrative rendered all the more interesting as it is about real life people. This is the first time I read Moro and I will definitely head for other books of his in the future.
I liked the ease with which the author weaves in the story- part of which indeed does sound like a fairytale- with facts about the Indian politics of that time. It is not an attempt to outline the latter so don't pick it up hoping to get an in depth inside into the preindependence India. But you do get to know various interesting facts about a myriad of things- the lifestyles and eccentricities of the Rajahs, the state of Kapurthala- i would like to visit it one day or even the origin of the legendary Rolls Royce logo!
It is a simple yet captivating narrative rendered all the more interesting as it is about real life people. This is the first time I read Moro and I will definitely head for other books of his in the future.
The only downer- the printing quality! That and the book cover itself could have been swankier and more in keeping with the quality of writing. When are Indian publishers going to wake up to the fact that good writing requires good printing.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Oh Baby!
Yes it's true...having a baby changes your life. Completely. Irrevocably. Maddeningly. Deliciously.
Nothing prepares you for the suddenly overwhelming onslaught on your senses- or whatever's left of them after the long and often uncomfortable pregnancy. In fact, I do remember my own daydreams kind of stopped at the point where I look down smilingly at the tiny bundle handed over to me by a smiling nurse!
As I had a c- section, and was not even allowed to get up; holding my precious little newborn was one thing- not even able to look at him was quite another. And a sad one at that!
Anyway, fast forward to a year later- corroboration of opening statement:
Number of nights with uninterrupted sleep- Zero
Number of old friends who want to hang out with a baby toting you- Three
Number of old friends who give you up- Almost everyone
Number of night outs- Zero
Number of peaceful meals in restos- One
Number of given up things- Have lost count (and breastfeeding moms do include coffee in this list)
Number of movies at the theatre- Zero
Number of lazy days- Zero
BUT and this is a pretty big but...the biggest upside to all these obvious downsides is the unparalleled joy of having your baby reward you with the biggest of smiles or even the hint of one.
The first time they make a sound that is not a cry of hunger; the first time they move their head; the very first time they hold their necks steady or the first time they sit up- these are just some points in your baby's life that make YOU feel so proud; almost as if these are important milestones achieved not by a small-doesn't-even-have-teeth-human being but by your own self.
I have spent the last two years of my life completely devoted to my son- the first waiting for him and preparing for his arrival and the second looking after him.
There were days I went without any adult conversation, simply because my husband was away on work and none of my friends wanted anything to do with a baby!
Even at my worst moments, exhausted both emotionally and physically by the continuous demands of my five month old baby, I never once wished for a different situation.
At this point I have to break my train of thought and say a big "WELL DONE" to all the single mothers out there. Those who have a baby know what I'm talking about and those who don't; well you can't even imagine what a herculean task it is to raise a child all by yourself. And in this I include all those mothers who have absolutely non cooperating husbands or partners.
Going back to the delicious thought of sharing a laugh with my one year old- as I just said - it's simply delicious.
When I think of what my life was before my son- I think it was fun, lots of fun.
My life now- even more so, with the thought of introducing him to the joys that we know of already!
Nothing prepares you for the suddenly overwhelming onslaught on your senses- or whatever's left of them after the long and often uncomfortable pregnancy. In fact, I do remember my own daydreams kind of stopped at the point where I look down smilingly at the tiny bundle handed over to me by a smiling nurse!
As I had a c- section, and was not even allowed to get up; holding my precious little newborn was one thing- not even able to look at him was quite another. And a sad one at that!
Anyway, fast forward to a year later- corroboration of opening statement:
Number of nights with uninterrupted sleep- Zero
Number of old friends who want to hang out with a baby toting you- Three
Number of old friends who give you up- Almost everyone
Number of night outs- Zero
Number of peaceful meals in restos- One
Number of given up things- Have lost count (and breastfeeding moms do include coffee in this list)
Number of movies at the theatre- Zero
Number of lazy days- Zero
BUT and this is a pretty big but...the biggest upside to all these obvious downsides is the unparalleled joy of having your baby reward you with the biggest of smiles or even the hint of one.
The first time they make a sound that is not a cry of hunger; the first time they move their head; the very first time they hold their necks steady or the first time they sit up- these are just some points in your baby's life that make YOU feel so proud; almost as if these are important milestones achieved not by a small-doesn't-even-have-teeth-human being but by your own self.
I have spent the last two years of my life completely devoted to my son- the first waiting for him and preparing for his arrival and the second looking after him.
There were days I went without any adult conversation, simply because my husband was away on work and none of my friends wanted anything to do with a baby!
Even at my worst moments, exhausted both emotionally and physically by the continuous demands of my five month old baby, I never once wished for a different situation.
At this point I have to break my train of thought and say a big "WELL DONE" to all the single mothers out there. Those who have a baby know what I'm talking about and those who don't; well you can't even imagine what a herculean task it is to raise a child all by yourself. And in this I include all those mothers who have absolutely non cooperating husbands or partners.
Going back to the delicious thought of sharing a laugh with my one year old- as I just said - it's simply delicious.
When I think of what my life was before my son- I think it was fun, lots of fun.
My life now- even more so, with the thought of introducing him to the joys that we know of already!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
New Pampers: Need a change
I have an eleven month old baby and I have been using pampers ever since he was born. Till very recently, pampers manufactured in various places like some middle eastern countries were being imported into India. And now an effort by the parent company P&G itself has resulted in their being manufactured solely for India.
I want to lodge a strong protest against this.
The pampers being supplied now to the indian market are very SUB-STANDARD and NOT like the pampers availbale internationally or even locally till now. My son who's never had a rash- both with the help of extreme care on my part and good quality diapers on their's, complains whenever it's been more than a couple of hours. The reason is very easy to see.
The material being used is not like the breathable material used earlier, so it feels heavy and plasticky: FOR TENDER BABY SKIN IT"S A DISASTER.
The fastener strips are HORRIBLE- BITING into baby thighs.
There are ONLY three sizes now available. WHY? Do they at pampers feel that indian babies come in three sizes only?
I would like to ask the intelligent brains who actually made this switch between good quality diapers and sub standard thailand made rubbish-
Did you take this decision after trying out your own product on your babies?
Do you or your near ones even have babies who use this?
Because I am sure if you had tested this prduct out before thrusting it down our throats, you WOULD NOT have made this decision.
Do you think that Indians cannot apreciate quality or is what is being supplied now, considered good enough for our children; when clearly your international product range is phenominally different and CHEAPER.
On your international website you make tall claims:
"New Pampers has been uniquely developed for Indian babies with three distinct features: (i) Absorbent Gel Material (AGM) technology
for superior urine absorption, transformation into gel and no leakage ensuring a good night's sleep (ii) Special
low coverage Bikini Shape for freedom of movement and comfort in hot and/or humid weather condition and
(iii) Re-fastenable tape allowing mothers to open and re-fasten diapers as many times as they need to adjust
the fit or check for soiling, without losing its grip (unlike regular glue tapes). This provides babies utmost
comfort, protection from wetness versus cloth, skin remains dry even with multiple wettings, thus leading to
longer hours of uninterrupted sleep."
But has anyone tested these out on real babies- because if they had- all their claims would fall flat.
The real reason is price war- and like all other companies they want a piece of it. If their NEW pampers are so good- why don't they TRY to get the world to bite into their spiel, why use India as a dumping ground?
I bought pampers from Paris- even Paris was cheaper AND PERFUMED!
We had looked forward to the product being made for the Indian market but now can only feel bad at such a shabby attempt.
IS ANYONE LISTENING?
MALA
a really angry mother
I want to lodge a strong protest against this.
The pampers being supplied now to the indian market are very SUB-STANDARD and NOT like the pampers availbale internationally or even locally till now. My son who's never had a rash- both with the help of extreme care on my part and good quality diapers on their's, complains whenever it's been more than a couple of hours. The reason is very easy to see.
The material being used is not like the breathable material used earlier, so it feels heavy and plasticky: FOR TENDER BABY SKIN IT"S A DISASTER.
The fastener strips are HORRIBLE- BITING into baby thighs.
There are ONLY three sizes now available. WHY? Do they at pampers feel that indian babies come in three sizes only?
I would like to ask the intelligent brains who actually made this switch between good quality diapers and sub standard thailand made rubbish-
Did you take this decision after trying out your own product on your babies?
Do you or your near ones even have babies who use this?
Because I am sure if you had tested this prduct out before thrusting it down our throats, you WOULD NOT have made this decision.
Do you think that Indians cannot apreciate quality or is what is being supplied now, considered good enough for our children; when clearly your international product range is phenominally different and CHEAPER.
On your international website you make tall claims:
"New Pampers has been uniquely developed for Indian babies with three distinct features: (i) Absorbent Gel Material (AGM) technology
for superior urine absorption, transformation into gel and no leakage ensuring a good night's sleep (ii) Special
low coverage Bikini Shape for freedom of movement and comfort in hot and/or humid weather condition and
(iii) Re-fastenable tape allowing mothers to open and re-fasten diapers as many times as they need to adjust
the fit or check for soiling, without losing its grip (unlike regular glue tapes). This provides babies utmost
comfort, protection from wetness versus cloth, skin remains dry even with multiple wettings, thus leading to
longer hours of uninterrupted sleep."
But has anyone tested these out on real babies- because if they had- all their claims would fall flat.
The real reason is price war- and like all other companies they want a piece of it. If their NEW pampers are so good- why don't they TRY to get the world to bite into their spiel, why use India as a dumping ground?
I bought pampers from Paris- even Paris was cheaper AND PERFUMED!
We had looked forward to the product being made for the Indian market but now can only feel bad at such a shabby attempt.
IS ANYONE LISTENING?
MALA
a really angry mother
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