Bhandardara and other things ...

Been to Bhandardara over last weekend. Relaxed. But there were more questions than answers to be found. I guess that has something to do with the nature of me rather than the nature of the thing. Why we do as we do? Why are some things so goddamn important that, inspite of knowing the futility of them, we still vie for them?

I dreamt a bad dream today early morning. The thing I dread most. My weakness laid bare in front of my minds' eye. It was so real that I woke up with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and my heart wrenched. I wish to get above and over this. For, for the things not in our hands, fret we should not. So help me Gawd.

Public Transport, India

This seen somewhere in the Karnataka hinterland between Saundatti and Belgaon at the fag end of May'05.

kabhi youn bhi to ho

kabhi youn bhi to ho
kabhi youn bhi to ho
...
sooni har maihfil ho
koi na mere saath ho
aaur tum aao
kabhi youn bhi to ho
kabhi youn bhi to ho
...
tanhai ho, dil ho
boonde ho, barsaat ho
aaur tum aao
kabhi youn bhi to ho
kabhi youn bhi to ho
...

- Jagjit Singh

the high plateau

That evening on the high plateau.
the playground of those myriad tiny yellow white flowers
I lay myself on the undulating grass, amidst a buzz of happy life
the white white clouds floating across the blue blue sky.
they are just travellers. like me.
the stiff breeze coming up the kada hums a serene tune
bidding adieu to the golden orb of fire
as it slowly sinks into the void
lighting up with a magic light all who salute him.
the silence speaks to me, speaks about her ...


I must have lost myself.
For this must be the abode of the Gods.

Daaaarknessss 

Rain Clouds over Mumbai City

pano3, originally uploaded by _quasi.

The Monsoooooons !!! The beautiful clouds, the amazing light ...

Another rainy day in Mumbai city

Folks here seem to have taken a scare to the rain. I dont remember ever seeing the people of this city scared of the rain before in all my life. Or scared of anything. There used to be a "life as usual" attitude 24x7 come what may. July 26 rains were a shock. People could not believe this could happen here. The rampant land filling and blocking of natural channels is one of the prime culprits. But people, instead of being scared of those, are scared of the rain. The wonderful rain. The life giving rain.

Monsoon is my favourite times of the year. The low dark clouds excite me like nothing else. Yesterday night I was up on the terrace at about 0100hrs watching the midnight rain. It was good...

The Fall

quasiLog 2005 05 18 - day one, Konkan Trip


the fall


At Murud, we had no idea where we would sleep. It was our first night of stay and our idea of sleeping on the veranda of some mandir had not worked. There were no large mandirs in Murud which we found. And the spaces where there was empty space was not allowed to be slept on. Generally all tourists found hotels for themselves. We talked to a local for space in his courtyard. He was very helpful till he asked for Rs.200 for the four of us - to sleep outside his house. He would also provide a bucket of water he said with grace. The beach front hotel where we were resting and eating charged Rs.450 for a room for the night. We did not want to start the trip with such expenditure, so me and Mama decided to check out the ST stand, to see if it was clean enough.

On Mama's bike, like two intrepid adventurers we travelled the darkened street's of Murud. The ST stand was nice and clean and desolate. We were happy about our saved money and headed back. The narrow road was arrow straight, dark and empty. At the far end a minor hotel, on the left, threw light on a few stray dogs sitting in the middle. We were travelling slowly, talking over our night plans as we neared the hotel. It came about that, as we were passing, one of the dogs took it in his head to suddenly get up and run straight into the engine of our motorcycle. What prompted him to do so is not very clear. But what was very clear from my sudden situation on the tar top, was the pain in my right knee. I had landed on it.

Kihim Beach

Kihim Beach, originally uploaded by _quasi.

A serene beach near Mumbai City. We spent a few quite hours here.

Daknet-Bhoomi for Media Lab Asia

Daknet-Bhoomi for Media Lab Asia, originally uploaded by _quasi.

Jan-Feb 2003 : That is the bus we outfitted with the mobile computer for the Daknet project. We implemented a pilot in collaboration with the Bhoomi Project. This photo is at the Doddaballapur State Transport Depot.

L->R me, Amir Hasson, Ankur Jain.

The Knee

Seems like the knee is damaged enough to warrant a keyhole surgery. Which means expenses. Lots of them. Suddenly I have developed pangs for not having saved any moolah and for not being in a position to earn any right now. Oouch.

But on the brighter side, there is no ligament damage.