#MEANDMYMIND      RACISM

I have always thought that I would be able to handle kind of criticism, racism, or discrimination and even though I am an Indian and as the taboo goes that Indians have a lot of such discrimination going on in the country, it is only when you go out of your country that you understand the real value of what you have. No matter how well developed and clean foreign countries might seem, and no matter how high they preach about being temperamental in accepting people from any background, there is always a sense of contempt towards Indians from the majority. It is only when you talk to the common man and have your own spoon of this soup that you really get to know all that. Yes, I agree that these kind of problems exist in our country too and they should be stopped. But majority of such issues exist among the citizens of our country and not towards the tourists or foreigners. Many take pride in defining themselves the upper class and privileged ones. 

There are various excuses they give to reason out their deeds. Any country in the world will have a mixture of kind, jealous, angry, selfish, happy, empathetic, crazy, and strong people. But just because they might have encountered one class of this whole mixture, that does not mean the entire country should reflect the same attitude and behavior. It is as crazy as eating a medium spice curry and just because you bit the chili, you name the entire dish as too spicy. Even though many have come out stating these problems and even though majority of the people do not admit that they are racist, when a situation occurs, most of them turn out to be so. This is not something that can be changed. At least not in the near future. Come to think of it, each and everyone of us are racist in some form or the other and the change should come from within us. I too admit that I might have unknowingly offended someone and I do deeply feel sorry for all that. Even the very small statements that are made everyday can have a big impact on people. Statements like " I don't know about you, maybe they do so in your country...But we are xxxxxxxx and we are very punctual" . This might have been said in casual conversation but come to think of it, won't you feel offended if someone says so to you? Yes! 

I don't know how many might see this post or whether anyone might see this post, but speaking out has made me quite relieved and I promise I will never again, not even unknowingly offend anyone so. 

                                      MY ART....!

Any person would be surprised when he finds out one find day about one of their talents all of a sudden. I am greatful to god for helping me realize this. Well, in here, i guess my mother is the major source of my inspiration.........she is the first artist that i have met ;) It was one of those special days when 3 of your friends have their birthdays all on the same day!! I wanted to surprise them.......and i began with drawing their portraits....;-) ......(pardon me i can't find those sketches at the moment, and will soon publish then when i get it in hand :D).....well, then came another birthday!! and.............here is that beautiful buddy of mine!! 

Yes...she is one pretty woman i know :) Amrutha.......i never thought it would come out so well that she found it good enough to grace the wall of her brand new home!! And the best part is......when you see the smile that graces the face of the person you draw!! That , than, inspired me to sketch one more of my buddy.....RIMPO!! ;)(he's a brick!!)

Well, now he's grown up a bit more :P......this was from one of our iv photos!!This guy here bought about a great opportunity in my life that i just cannot forget!! He happens to be a pillar of our union and awarded me with the oppotunity of sketching out the chief guest!! With god's grace, that personality was impressed.......and my hearty thanks and a lot more to this great guy in the above sketch!! well, here's the celebrity......(guess for urself ;P)

A DAY WELL SPENT!

                                                           

                                              

                          Everyday I wake up to a lazy morning,followed by a delicious cup of tea by my mother, served with the daily news....Then the day goes by as usual,watching TV,talking,eating...and finally, sleeping. But few days back, 

                                           

I woke up to the bright and energetic chirping of the small birds on the trees surrounding my house.It was indeed a very happy and nice way to begin a day. That is when i began to notice many of those sights....It was evident that the trees and flowers had woken up long before and had been purified by the early morning shower of dew drops.Everything seemed so fresh; be it the sun kissed flowers which beamed with their colorful glory, or be it the tall and magnificent trees which stood strong with their crown of leaves spread about in grandeur.

The sunlight crept through the gaps of leaves and branches and gave everything a peculiar shine and enhanced beauty.The gentle breeze gave the plants a subtle movement and the whole place seemed to move as in a graceful dance form. The birds seemed too busy flying from one branch to another,chirping away to their heart's content.It was indeed a pleasure to watch the small squirrel jump about playing seek among the coconut and banana trees which take up most of the space in our courtyard( just like in any typical south Indian house!!) 

                                         As the day drew by, the sights became more interesting. The wild cat found it a pleasure to walk about the house, through the small lawn,between the trees, and sometimes between the clothes left to dry on the aisle and finally, go on top of the well and bask in the sun.But recently, after a row of scolding from my mother, she has contented herself to bask beside the well, and not on top of it.Finally,she completes her afternoon nap lying on the cold granite in the backyard.Every now and then, a pair of mongoose appears here and there from among the bushes, one running behind the other,and a few days back, they were found playing with the small white pebbles in the courtyard.

I was surprised as i never actually gave much attention to these small things and now, once i began to observe them, my day suddenly felt engaged and exciting! I was surprised at how patient a crow can be,as it kept plucking at the worn out and dried up branches ,some being bigger than it's own size!!, until it finally succeeded and flew away with the twigs. This activity continued for a good period of 30 minutes.Even during this session, it did not leave the poori that my mother had kept outside , unnoticed, and with a swift movement, grabbed it in it's beak and flew away. The butteflies and dragonflies  too were doing their daily rounds, fluttering about,through the whole place.

                                       As the sun began to set,the birds again grew busy with their good bye chirps and in their process to get back home.The flowers too seemed tired and many had already gone to sleep,drawing in their curtain of petals.The wind frizzled past the leaves and it seemed like they were applauding and withdrawing for the day.

                                     

  As the night crept in, it was now time for the bats and crickets, and, with no doubt, the bright fireflies.As it was monsoon, i could hear Mr. frog now and then. The moon lit the whole place with a silvery light and the sight of the beautiful moonlit night was indeed breathtaking!! Now and then i could see small bats fly about and during late nights,the comforting hoot of the owl.After taking all these in, I was contented with myself, and it seemed like a day well spent.

                                       

I just just narrated the incidents which actually take place around anyone. But come to think of it,most of us have lost the patience, or rather, we keep ourselves too busy to give ear to these acts of nature. Indeed, the world we live in is a beautiful place, and we are, in fact a very small fraction of it!!!!