~ WHISPERING GALLERY ~

Yummy Vegetable Soup

2011-05-23T20:38:00.000+05:30

A must read !!

2011-05-13T23:39:00.000+05:30

The web is a wonderful tool, helps you read stuff otherwise you could hardly lay your hands on.

This is a must read poem, if possible do read the book INVITATION ( a prose containing letters from Oriah Mountain ) click here for a link to her WEBSITE.

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”
It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

Happy days - Happy nights

2011-05-06T16:36:00.000+05:30

It's been almost an hour I'm not able to come up with words to express my feelings yet it very important to record this date .. this time .. (6th may 2011 : 3:15 pm) as it is the most precious and the most happiest.

Can't think of more to say... I'm experiencing euphoria presently....

Cross Road Ahead

2011-05-04T20:44:00.000+05:30

Have seen the movie Crossroads ? Yeh, the one that starred Britney Spears ( Awesome songs but pathetic movie, not a single scene to tell you a touchy tale). I can feel being laid on crossroad in my life presently.. now why so( everyone close to me know it very well.. )Let's get to the point .. so what does one do when they find themselves at Crossroads in life ? One can say treat it as any other journey of life, it's easier said than done. Being there holding on until you strike the right opportunity to let go of all that you own to gain all that you dream off can scare anyone. But again, you ought to do what you ought to do in life, regrets can't fill the void created by an opportunity missed.

Who am i fooling here, it's me who needs all this lecturing to keep my mind sane why am i serving it to you? (over the years i guess my mind responds better to the preachings i rather read than those i tell myself personally, this is more for me and less for you) Life will always throw you at crossroads, be wise to decide where you wanna head because where you head to is not where you shall land. Never loose heart, be determined to fight all along. As said by a great man - " Be sure to put your feet in the right place and then stand firm".

What happens ahead is yet unknown . . . . . Will gladly share more of my joys and sob stories soon ...

Alternate Heaven

2011-05-02T08:46:00.002+05:30

dark sensation

2011-04-29T08:36:00.000+05:30

The easiest chocolate fudge recipe i could ever come across, this is not just easy to make but super tasty. I've used pista for the nuts, you could get creative and add peanut butter, caramel, almonds,passion fruit, strawberry or anything that you fancy. Click here for the recipe

Liberated By Rain

2011-04-28T12:05:00.001+05:30

22nd April 2011 took a ride around the city as it poured heavenly. The experience was one of its kind and it had been a long long time since i experienced such a high adrenaline rush. It could have proved to be fatal but like said - What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

The soul doesn't think without a picture. The pictures captured by the eyes are no competition to the ones the camera can capture, the experience shall live within me for long

Question Maze -6

2011-04-13T18:36:00.001+05:30

Have you ever believed in Bad Luck? ( Pardon me, for starting of with a question) My mind doesn't seem to stop thinking regarding luck .. bad luck and how they affect our life and most important our minds.

Today's horoscope prediction mentioned "a day full of hurdles but determination would bring in success".(Now that most part of the day is over and i lay with a headache with random thoughts) Let's See what made this day memorably horrible to begin with - My Attitude ? My Luck ?

I've been preparing endlessly for today( as i had a very important presentation). I was clearly informed and in my mind i had imagined the presentation a zillion times going superbly fine But then as you've already guessed that didn't happen. What could be the possible reasons for it ?

The hard work - I had put in.
Confidence was - in my blood
Preparation was - up to the mark.

Let's look at what happened - My Bike breaks down on the way, I arrive late.
   Copies of my presentation couldn't be made on time as there was a power-cut
   My voice turns sore
   No breakfast makes me drained out by now
   The funnier things happen once i start the presentation, i sound more like a tape recorder gone bad( all thanks to the animation whose timings didn't really match up the tensed me)

I might have managed to stand out their trying hard to look good, but in my heart of hearts i know that wasn't me at my very best.

I'm still confused, what really went wrong? My Attitude or My Luck? or was it both? LOL...

It's at times like this, I don't know if i need to believe in prediction? Normally i refuse to believe but the fact that i read it everyday religiously tends to project me as a believer(I'm absolutely confused - I don't know if I'm a believer or not).Astrological predictions are supposed to be based on mathematics and all that's scientific in this world has a mathematical model too, that is where my confusion starts. The reason for non belief is that future is always sealed, what you do today leads you to tomorrow. If you choose otherwise today, your future is changed for sure but then how random is the choice you make? Does it have any probability model to it? Let me just leave you here ...

Thanks for the patience hear..

Floating With You

2011-04-07T15:33:00.000+05:30

Samuel Hoffenstein (click on the link to know more about him) wrote "PENCIL IN THE AIR". I got to read a few of lines from his abundance body of work. Do read, I'm sure you're gonna love them.

The lion roars, the echoes try

to simulate that lordly cry;

But having said their little say,

The echoes quickly fade away.

After the trouble and the tears,

After the wraths and the wraiths depart,

Peace, nurtured by the lonely years,

Blooms like a cactus in the heart

And pierces all - what dreams, what truth,

What hopes and joys yet dare to keep

the vigil of remembered youth,

until they gently bleed to sleep

Beloved, let our love be quite
Intense and splendid, but polite,
That in the hour of parting, we
May end the matter pleasantly.
Since the foredoomed farewell is core
Of all the mortal evermore,
Let is not mar with present fret
The gracious sequel of regret.
Rather, my little love, let me
Your guide for future lovers be,
Whose pleasure now is sometime fraught
with envy of men who taught

Ugadi Wishes

2011-04-04T13:13:00.000+05:30

Love Notes

2011-02-14T12:07:00.001+05:30

A lot has been going on since i last wrote, took a trip out of town (sorry for the no photographs, didn't carry my camera), then there was another of those birthdays where i turned a year older and then the days turned sickening and now we are being visited by st. valentine. (though not a firm believer of this day, i wish it's worth making yourself feel special no matter what the reason be). Couldn't pool in time to write a poem to dedicate to all my beloved. lemme write a last minute note at least ..

I can't think of words to describe, you make life a lot easier for me Dad

You are loved, honored,respected,treasured,adored,cherished and we long for you Mom

Despite the tiff's we have on a daily basis, I love you a lot to take them seriously Rashmi

How do i say? I respect you but i'm still finding reasons to love you Ajji

Hey Ruh n Rum .. I'm not missing on you guys, i wanna say I LOVE U, you're the solid stones who've sunk into my heart

I wanna take this time and chance to say YOU have been wonderful to me,reading all that i write( i would hug you if not for the limitations on internet) Love Ya ...

snacky story

2011-01-09T18:20:00.002+05:30

I never knew Samosa's were such a easy snack to make(not just to eat :P :P ) .. Decided would make them and before i knew they were ready to eat(hot home-made samosa's) Click here for the RECIPE.

Just be careful as you work your way with the hot oil (no splattering or burning yourself, it's too much of pain)

Question Maze - 5

2011-01-06T18:31:00.000+05:30

Questions always sprout in the mind, some grow into lush plants and some don't . . . .

Today i would wanna share a thought for which i have a complete garden dedicated in my mind .. .. ..

What is the significance for Human life? This question would have crossed every body's mind at some point of time for sure ..

We are born, lead a life to finally die one day. So what is the purpose of this life? Life no doubt is a gift, but what are its utilities? Is human life a mere understanding of what nature has imposed on us or do we actually understand life beyond the boundaries of nature's imposition? Everyone of us fill up a short duration in the eternity of this planets existence.How does one notify their existence to be significant?

I feel so insignificant when i think of the little space i fill and i see, engulfed in the infinite immensity of spaces of which I am ignorant, and which know me not.(just got to know there's a country called Andorra sandwiched between Spain and France and there are billions who are not aware of my very existence) There are times that this astonishes me and also frightens me at the same time. Why am i here now and not before or later? Who has decided that my existence has to be now? who decides what directions i take forth in my life?

Some reason the almighty to be the source for every happening, not a weed could move without his consent. But then his existence is a matter of debate around the world, so i guess that leaves us even the more confused as to what to believe and what not to. Why we exist? What's the very purpose?Why live when we eventually have to leave everything behind and embrace death? The why's shall never stop,but i need to stop these thoughts and get back to living my life(unfolding life with all its twists and surprises makes it even more desirable).

Christmas Culinary

2010-12-25T16:35:00.001+05:30

My parents are back in Bangalore, and it's family time again after Deepavali (so what if i'm Hindu and it's Christmas today the celebrations are back into action). A brief delicious lunch (food always makes any occasion special !!) and loved ones to share it with makes a great combination.

Mint Rice (click here recipe)

Kheer

My New Hookup

2010-12-14T18:25:00.000+05:30

Yes, this is my new hookup since i got the microwave oven about 2 months ago. Experiment is the order of the day for me. Here i'm putting up pics of one such interesting experiment today. The recipe has not yet been uploaded in simple cooking(my cooking blog), i will as soon as clean my hands ( :P)

Honey and Oatmeal Perfectly baked cookies (crisp n crunchy) (for the holiday season, i can't believe i'm turning west.. all credits to my sis and NT)

Motivational Verse - I

2010-12-08T21:14:00.001+05:30

I first heard these verse on DID(dance India dance, a reality show on zee tv). It was recited by Mithun Chakraborthy, since then I've been looking for them all over. The lines are so motivational, hope it lights a fire in you too.

I'm not very sure, but something in me tells this is a poem written during the struggle for Independence, please provide me of any information you have regarding this poem.

आग जलनी चाहिए

हो गई है पीर पर्वत-सी पिघलनी चाहिए

इस हिमालय से कोई गंगा निकलनी चाहिए

आज यह दीवार, परदों की तरह हिलने लगी,

शर्त लेकिन थी कि ये बुनियाद हिलनी चाहिए

हर सड़क पर, हर गली में, हर नगर, हर गाँव में

हाथ लहराते हुए हर लाश चलनी चाहिए

सिर्फ हंगामा खड़ा करना मेरा मकसद नहीं,

सारी कोशिश है कि ये सूरत बदलनी चाहिए

मेरे सीने में नहीं तो तेरे सीने में सही

हो कहीं भी आग, लेकिन आग जलनी चाहिए।

- दुष्यन्त कुमार

Happie bir dai

2010-11-22T19:50:00.000+05:30

Today my kid sister turns 21, there's no one more happier than me(that's what i like to believe). She's always the cutest and the most playful toy i could have asked for. We have had some wonderful times laughing, arguing, fighting and saying sorry. We have stood as witness to each other's life along all roads. Today i want to dedicate this beautiful poem to her, just to let her know how much i love her..

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Hai GUZAARISH

2010-11-20T13:52:00.000+05:30

Sanjay Leela Bhansali does it again !!

Guzaarish , a story that tugs at your heart couldn't be told better than this. Ethan Mascarenhas who has spent the last 14 years with Quadriplegia , decides it's time to die with dignity and appeals for Euthanasia (mercy killing). A man who has lived his glory days as a Merlin Magician( a honorary ) and now a radio jockey at "hello zindagi".

His small world includes Sofia D'souza (his nurse, played by Aishwarya Rai Bachan), Devyani Dutta ( his lawyer friend) ,Dr. Nayak (his doc) , Isabel Mascarenhas (his mom), Rosy and Maria (the caretakers of the house) .His only contact with the outside world is through his radio show where he plays soulful songs and talks to his listener's and then there's Omar Siddique (who's an aspiring magician, in his own words he's the greatest fan of Ethan)

As ironic as it may sound, a man who tells other's to embrace life wants death. The story never deviates.The lavish melodramatic approach of Mr.Bhansali only adds to the story telling.Every frame looks more like a painting ( you will definitely get to see more blue lighting in this movie too but it's sublime). The music is good (again by Mr.Bhansali himself ) and the locals of goa and the musty walls of the villa are well captured.

The few things that didn't appeal to me were the not so realistic court scenes and the climax of the movie. The best part of the movie is the right blend of the strong will of Ethan and his helplessness..

Sunday Retreat

2010-11-14T19:40:00.002+05:30

Morning Breakfast ( channa masala with puri)

Click here for the recipe

Evening Snacks Channa Alu masala puri

Click here for the recipe

young Woman

2010-11-14T11:28:00.001+05:30

There comes a time in a young girls life,
When she begins to start growing up.
It's a time when you need to let her go,
And trust that she'll take the right path.
Now is when she needs you most.
She needs your trust,
And she needs your love.
The closer you try to pull her in,
The further away she'll go.
She's growing up..
So let her go.

Life is sweet, colorful, challenging, a channel for discovery and innovation, it's a gateway to where one wishes to be. Being young only adds to the enthusiasm. The support one gets could make a difference in what they conceive life to be. A strong support is one which is very flexible - as the support is always there but never stiff on your back.

As colorful the life can get, the right balance is very important to keep it beautiful !!

Mystiq Butterfly

2010-11-07T13:50:00.000+05:30

Links to songs to cheer myself up !! Yeh i needed some cheering as i was feeling quite low and what better than music to fuel this soul back to action. I have quite a mix of taste for music, hope you like them too .. (click on the song to see them on youtube)

1. owl city - Fireflies --This song is magical, sends down a thousand thoughts ..

2. HannaMontana - Butterfly fly away -- It's simple, it's beautiful ..

3. Eminem - Love the way you lie -feat Rihana -- a nice song ..( for broken hearts i suppose .. but the music just gets ur frustration out...)

4.Avril Lavigne - Complicated -- cos that's exactly what i am -- COMPLICATED.

5.owl city - Vanilla Twilight -- cos it takes two to whisper quietly ..

6. Plain white T's - Hey there Delilah -- cos it's someone's fav song ...

Nuru Janmaku - America America -- need i say ??

8. Ee Pari ya sobagu - - my mom's fav dasara pada ...

9. Binakada Singari -- for the liveliness it brings along ..

10. Nanu Kolike Ranga -- T.P.Kailasam -- this song captures TPK @ his best ..

Dark Deepavali

2010-11-05T11:13:00.000+05:30

This is my first post where i'm not gonna use any kind of generalization, it's purely a personal experience and i like to leave the rest of the world out of this. Today is supposedly deepavali, a day filled with happiness and craziness . I expected to have spent it with my family but turns out except for me no one else is excited.

To begin with - the clothes i had shopped for everyone weren't liked much. (good each has their own taste when it comes to dressing probably i tried to get them into something they weren't comfortable). Then comes the cleaning and decoration - I'm the only one doing it, like i live alone in this duplex house. The kitchen is a mess, the rooms are at their worst despite having them cleaned yesterday.The chocolates i made for gifting purposes are only half wrapped, why ? cos i have only wrapped the one's i will be handing over.not the one's my sis will handing off.I forgot to take the divas out from where they are stacked all year through and they aren't out yet, forget about washing and cleaning them to be used in the evening. The puja room is not cleaned, the god's haven't taken a bath.There is a war going on to decide what needs to be cooked for lunch (sure there's not gonna be a sweet cooked), not to forget the breakfast was bought from the nearest restaurant!! I have more on my list of NOT COMPLETED PROJECTS but i guess i'll leave them. ( they aren't that important).

Now i'm confused am i doing right by pulling myself out of the situation but then i have no kids at home (everyone is older than me, the only one younger to me is my sis, who's soon to be 21) they gotta act like adults, just because i shoulder the responsibility doesn't mean it becomes my duty !! I feel like - everyone's gotta a life except for me henceforth like a looser i do all the house chores like a maid. (a maid who doesn't get paid). A little help is all i ask, is that too much to ask? I don't stay at home all day, i got my own responsibilities away from home too. I don't wanna be tied down at home with all the chores. I wanna live like everyone else. If only i knew whom i could blame all this on, i would feel a lot better - is it my mom's deteriorating health ? my dad's being away all the time ? my granny who feels it's her time to rest and relax now? or my sis who lives in a world of her own and have no time to spare ? Am i the only looser who's got the time, strength and willingness to be the LOOSER i am !!

Be it right or be it wrong , I've made this decision no more chores for me. No more I'm gonna spend my time for someone else, my time is for me and for the benefit of me only.

Reasons For Deepavali

2010-11-02T19:47:00.002+05:30

Deepavali being just 2 days away, sure all of you have finalized on your gifts, sweets, decoration, lights(diyas).
My preparations are speeding up, this is a very special deepavali mostly because i'll be spending it with my family and more so ever as i'll be with family after about 2 months.

Deepavali to me is simply "An Array of Lamps".

Let me give you guys 6 Reasons as to why we celebrate Deepavali -

1.According to Ramyana, this very day Rama returned to Ayodhya along with Sita , Lakshman and Hanuman after the victory over Ravana and lights were lit to welcome them.

2.It is also believed that during the SamudraMathanam, goddess Lakshmi emerged out of the ocean on this very day (hence probably lakshmi pooja is performed by most buisness class).

3.In the Bhagavad, it is mentioned that Lord Krishna killed a demon named Narakasura, on account of which NarakaChaturdashi is observed.

4.BaliChakravarthi is believed to visit his subjects on this auspicious day after being pushed to the PatalaLoka by Vamana. Lights are lit to welcome him.

5. Mahabharatha denotes this day to the return of Pandavas from their Agnathavasa (12 years of banishment). It is believed, Pandavas celebrated this day by lighting a lamp.

6. This very day King vikramadithya (of the vikram Bethal fame ) was crowned / coroneted.

This Deepavali let's light lamps pledging to spread the light of knowledge and to move away from the darkness called ignorance.

P.S. - In case you know any other story, please feel free to share it with me and everyone else.

My oven

2010-11-01T16:53:00.000+05:30

It's been a week since i got home a microwave oven. I have purchased an LG convection microwave (30 l). So i get to cook, grill and bake with it. With a new equipment at home, i'm all excited to cook more than ever. I'm putting up a few pics of my microwave oven and my endeavor with it. You can find the recipes i try out with my lovable oven at MY BLOG as and when i put them up.

The Portion - I

2010-11-01T16:18:00.000+05:30

...Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or Bends with the remover to remove.
O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken.
It is the star to every wandering bark,
whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

~ William Shakespeare.

As promised i'm here to tell you the story that is very close to my heart. The above great lines by Shakespeare seems were written for Raksha. She's one who believes that love that changes is not love at all. This story is an evidence for love and it's ways.

November 1st 2010 - Today being Kannada Rajyotsava ( a declared state holiday ), like most techs in Bangalore, Raksha wakes up at 11 am, she tries to reach out for her mobile as her eyelids are firmly closed. After a brisk exploring, she finds her mobile under the pillow.She unlocks the keypad and finds 5 messages and 2 missed calls. She avoids the message and looks through the calls. Pranav had been trying to reach her. She tries to reach him but an operator says his number is switched off. She tries again, hoping for a miraculous connectivity but is faced with the same operator message. How could he be so careless, she mutters.She slips back to sleep hugging her pillow tight.

At about 12:30 pm hunger forces her out of bed. She brushes her teeth as thoughts of the call brew in her mind but the striking hunger deviates her mind. She feeds herself and tries reaching Pranav again but in vain. The day passes with the same feeling. She sits on the terrace watching the sunset across the ocean of thoughts. She clinges onto her wrist as tears fill her eyes.