Partly Yours, Partly Lost

Image
Some places stay with you long after life has moved elsewhere. There is something strange about destiny. You just cannot overcome it, but at the same time, you cannot simply do nothing because something is destined to happen. In India, it is not uncommon to have your horoscope charted about a year after birth. Grandparents wait with bated breath to hear how well the stars were aligned, and what remedies might be needed to appease the Gods. So when I was a year old, my grandmother took my birth date and time to Dharmaraja Ghanapadigal, one of the most revered astrologers in Pudukkottai. He apparently told her that I would do reasonably well in studies, travel to multiple countries, and eventually live abroad. Here was an old lady asking about her grandson from a small town. My parents were then living in Gobichettipalayam. This was the eighties, long before economic reforms had changed the country. My grandmother thanked him politely, but quietly wondere...
Post a Comment

Diwali wishes!

My last year's India trip definitely does not feel like a year ago. I had planned my trip in such a way that it coincided with Diwali, and it was well and truly worth it. Here goes some pictures from Diwali 2008 (all pictures taken in Malleswaram, Bangalore) and of course, wishing everyone a very happy Diwali 2009.






Diwali is the festival of lights. No wonder, you see the "Akashdeep" hanging out in abundance!












Flowers are overpriced during festivals, but who cares!












The little fella won't have a tough time selling his earthen ware. Earthen lamps, a common sight during any Indian festival, and during Diwali, you just have to see it to believe it












A neat line of bikes; all are sure shopping in Malleswaram 8th cross











Not very surprising to see the crowded 8th cross street!














The shopping spree continues indefinitely for the next few days










Almost anything and everything available in this little shop













The night is buzzing with activity with the firecrackers lighting up the city in style












A watchful little boy trying his luck with the "Bijli"

Comments

  1. ShubhikaOctober 10, 2009 at 6:18 AM

    So what are your plans for this Diwali?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praveen KrishnanOctober 10, 2009 at 9:43 AM

    Nothing as of yet, Diwali is landing on a weekday as such!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ShubhikaOctober 11, 2009 at 8:45 AM

    nope its on saturday

    ReplyDelete
  4. KaminiOctober 14, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    These pictures made me feel so homesick!
    Happy Deepavali to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Praveen KrishnanOctober 14, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    Thanks a lot Kamini and happy Diwali to you too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Prashant PrabhuMarch 27, 2016 at 6:25 AM

    All that remains now is Nostalgia of world gone back...I miss the old Bangalore...

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment