Madras, A way of Life

Madras is – women in 18 yards in the streets of Mylapore; ever crowded Ranganathan Street with its relentless shoppers; the ruffians of Royapettah and the sadhus of the south; the brave foot boarders of EMU trains and MTC buses; the tranquility of the Marina on a full moon night.

Madras is – divine harmony of “Arupathi Moovar” and chorus of the devotees; the chanting of Vedas in the dawn of Karthikai; the ragas of Markazhi and rhythm of “Salangai” (ankle bells); squeaking horns and the buzzing traffic; whistle for the “Super star” and the never ending scream for the rest of the movie; the sound of waves and the silence of the night.

Madras is – aroma of grounded filter coffee at the turn of every street;  ; the fragrance of jasmine on the hair of women; the tang of bajjis and the hot dosas in the “Kaiyendi Bhavans”; the odor of sweat after satisfied shopping in Pothys during “Aadi Thalupadi”; the smell of hard work at the sunset.

It is the epitome of tradition and the personification of the west. It is the reflection of the past and the hope of the future.

Madras is a way of life!

Whimsical routine

It wasn't a fine morning. The haphazard movement of the wind, cloudy yet warm weather conjured by the capricious climate princess. I could say she was in some mood today.

Human can’t afford to be erratic nor can they adjust to routine. But there are few things that will catch us unaware.

I always notice this well build man adorning a charming smile sitting alone in the middle of the food court in my office. He is always there in the exact same place at 2 PM in the afternoon having lunch, alone, for the past four months. In that short few months I had developed the habit of looking at him and what they say about habits – they are hard to break.

The afternoon was warmer than usual. My friend’s 3-year-old daughter was frizzled. I volunteered to take her around to give my friend some break. The 3-year-old was fond of chocolates, so holding her hands we proceeded to the shop in a food court within our premises to buy chocolates. The crowd had thinned down by the time we reached, which was around 3 p.m.

The kid slipped when she stepped on the wet floor and fell with her face down near the door. At the same time a man in open necked crisp white shirt and blue jeans opened the door exactly and stamped on her fingers. I’m by mistake.

No sooner his foot pressed on her little fingers she started wailing. I all but bundled her and was about to rush to the nearest exit when I bumped on the same man. He gave me an anxious smile that brought out his dimples. It made me uneasy and clouded my thoughts. It was the same person who I always notice. Apparently he was late today and may be not so good for me since I was unable to move. 

I couldn't think anything else but to wave him off and rushed to wash her hands in cold water. I kissed on the hypothetical wounds on her fingers which brought her to giggles when he came in. I carried her looking at him and made her sit on the massive shelf. He gave me an apologetic smile and turned to the giggling bundle. He could even make a 3-year-old blush. He entertained her with such an ease and quite competence that made me wonder if he grew up entertaining them. I enjoyed looking at them for they made quite a picture – Muscled hero with a 3-year-old and at the mirror. I found the reflection was even more appealing to the eye. It was a picture of handsome guy making a little girl smile and looking at the flushed woman beside with an intense eyes and a knowing smile.

Probably the day will not be so bad after all.