VIDHARBHA WOES

{This poem is a dedication to the cotton growing farmers of Vidharba, who were inundated by the natures fury that forced them to take loans which in connivance with the droughts further intensified their troubles until they found an arduous way out of this cursed circle of life….}

I did not see the monsoons;
I only saw the drought;
I saw the tree in front;
I found its branches long and twirled;

The cottons on which I cashed all my wealth,
Left me in dire straits gasping for its health;
That sent me in search for those vultures,
Who were willing to lend me for all my overtures;
I found in them the panacea for my misfortunes,
With a hope on the monsoons to deliver me good fortunes;
But as the days and nights came and went,
The debts usurped me leaving no vent;
I knew the rains had cheated me mercilessly;
Letting all the crops die down meticulously;
My hopes were dashed and my longings drained,
As the besotted relation with the vultures strained;
Those who used to come for their votes and funds,
Comforted me by showing the nations sordid trends;
They evinced for me curses on globalization,
But not even the slightest they were bothered of my demarcation;
I stood still as the world revolved around,
As the incessant vultures intensified their hound;

I found the tree in front,
With its branches resembling fingers blunt;
But I saw on it a curled rope,
That only remained my last thread of hope.

Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal

CAMPUS BLUES-1

{Today is karrikadakam 1, the moth of scarcity according to the calendars. Heavy rains pouring in and the scenic landscapes outside left me completely stupefied as my mind pondered on a rollicking journey through the twilight zone of my life. Yes the campus life…..}

It was not the first time I made this mistake. It was quite normal and most customary for me to commit the same over and over again. During my campus life, I found this my trade mark or most ostentatiously, one more episode went unnoticed, the most affirmative aptitude I presume had branched during my resplendent years of college life. When looking all over again, I wondered was not anyone of my professors frustrated at the flamboyancy I redeemed when they ran through that episode again and again. Or were they inured to my exhibitionism as they kept swiveling at times when I really stood on the dead end? How I entrenched a popular belief that professors are divine when it comes in equipping the most notorious students with a meticulous laxative disbursing their innocuous prudence.

Monday, the first day of the week usually was precedent. Sundays usually were entertaining redressing the stilt lifestyle carried out throughout the week. Games, partying remained the facets of the most ordinary Sundays, the imperturbable modulation only when a new movie had released in the nearby theatres. All the days work and sleepless Sunday nights resulted in cussed mornings. But surprisingly I was never late for the early university bell. Its not that I believed in early bird catches the worm but rather it was a hypothesis that only the early bird could occupy the last benches of the class before any incursions. Hiding in remote corners of the class room especially during the foot note long lecture hours remained a serene objective that was propelled from sheer boredom. Thus Once again it was the most usual Monday morning.

The class rooms, post the eight thirty bell, were tumultuous till the concerned professor steps in. Chats, chirps, yawns filled the air that stroke a hard resemblance to a market place especially on the opening day of the week. Romance, gossips, wean others on new subjects, film reviews and issues of peripheral importance found space in our discussions owing to the fact that we were off the college for an entire two days. On the contrary, the professors too had a lot to share as they prefer commencing the opening session only after a 15 minute interval after the university bell.

I was as usual the first to reach the class. Our department was on the topmost floor of the three storey building and there was a long flight of steps ascending to the classes. The ascent was a lethargic activity which really sucked up our entire ardor. Many a times I had pleaded to the college authorities to shift the lecture rooms of the other departments through the floors so that the others also enjoyed the hectic journey upstairs. But it always fell on deaf ears. I opened the door gingerly, so as not to disturb the ones who had been there before me by chance and that I don’t break their peaceful slumbers. The room was empty.

The lecture rooms were all similar. There was the raised dais and a meter long black board attached on the wall facing the benches and the chairs. On to the side of the blackboard was a cemented drawer entwined to it where the lecturers used to keep their dusters and chalks during their hour long lecture sessions. Being a professional college, there was a single bench and chair for each student, the bench and the chair were conjoined that instigated an insignia of peaceful slumber on it thanks to its specific design. I rushed to my most favorite seat, the one that was next to the window from where I could gaze at the trees outside, feel the breeze and bore no exhilarations during the sessions and no discomfiture for the professors.

As I sat on the chair impetuously, I noticed outside a few friends of mine standing next to the college hostel, the most appalling and contemptible locus in the college. I looked on to my watch that was gifted to me only a few weeks back but had already started showing signs of weariness and slowing down at certain times. I had one full hour before the university bell which made my heart beat in trepidation. Being the opening day of the week, there were a lot of assignments that had to be submitted before the first session. But drowsiness had preoccupied me, and I felt being pulled into a deep sleep. Late night film and ample time for the university bell envisaged my thoughts as I kept my head on the bench and positioned myself for a deep reverie.

I woke up to find a lot of fresh faces with their eyes bulging out, with smiles and howls surrounded on all my side. As I ran my eyes sturdily on them, a familiar face eased my tension that rose to an all time high which was enough to keep a pot boiling. It was my professor and his sturdy look was more than enough for me to grasp the situation I was entangled in. I got up, took a stretched yawn, smiled at my professor and slowly walked out of the room. I was quite happy that the last time I slept in a different room conceiving it to be the one where I had to spend that day; I woke up to find a different professor; But really it was a travesty of my enthusiasm in being the early bird to catch the worm although the worm i dont think is a matter of big concern.

Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal

Kerala Social Center

{The contents of this article are obtained from various PRAVASI magazines issued by Kerala Social Center during the last decade. Any erroneous information is regretted}

The year 1997 is a turning point in history. As India celebrates 50 years of its independence and liberation from foreign intervention, the Malayalee society of Abu Dhabi tantamount to this event is celebrating 25 glorious years of the formation of Kerala Social Center.

Kerala Social Center has been a substantial element not only for the Malayalee society but for the entire Indian Community residing in the U.A.E. The contribution ranges from the impetus for the formation of an Indian School in the Middle East to inspiring the Indian government for the formation of separate foreign affairs cell to look into the conditions of Malayalee citizens residing outside the country. From a mere literary cultural organization, Kerala Social Center has ascended to a status of organization representing the entire malayalee civilization residing in U.A.E during its three decades of its existence.

The exodus of the Malayalee community into the Middle East began in the early 1960’s.
Hardworking, full of confidence and daring, the malayalees arriving in the Middle East were also culturally sophisticated. Working alone was not sufficient for the subsistence of life but entertainment and knowledge had its priority was recognized by a group of civilized individuals thereby nourishing and pampering this organization to move forward in spite of all the difficulties. Thus Kerala Social Center kept high the morals and standards of a magnificent socio-cultural organization becoming a symbol of the cultural evolution due to the dedication and contribution of its members. The proposal for a separate building for the organization to organize and schedule its work was thus born and its initial plans had already started being implemented.
The Center started building its new complex in 1994 during the month of June with an initial sum not even a quarter of the estimated proposal. But the realization of a much awaited dream, a separate complex for the Center, remained the sole motto for its hardcore sincere and dedicated members as a result of which a lot of external aid from various groups poured in thereby the fulfillment of this dream became a reality. Thus on 1995 November 19, a renovated KSC had started functioning days before the announced date. On November 22, 1996 the then Honorable Chief Minister Shri E.K Nayannar inaugurated the complex. Thus a new K.S.C was born.Kerala Social Center had played a pivotal role during the Gulf war in 1991, during the public pardon in 1996 and thereby establishing its diplomacy during the three decades of its establishment. Located in the centre of Abu Dhabi city with an estimated amount over one and a half crore Indian rupees ,with an auditorium that could accommodate more than 1500 people, a newspaper reading room, a library, a mini auditorium housing more than 500 people are some of the characteristics of this organization. Along with the religious festivals, Kerala Social Center has always been active throughout the year through various modes which includes arrival of political and cultural leaders form Kerala, music concerts, dance festivals and so on. Thus, Kerala Social Center has become a backbone for the political and culturally informed Malayalee community residing in Abu Dhabi

THE MEMOIRS OF THE SKY: A Short Story

PART I

I am an orphan. The Almighty might had just a feasible intention when he created me, a house to the stars, the moon and the sun. But later he had given me a responsibility or a conscientiousness that gave me the privilege of being a domicile to his creations. Now I decide even their destiny. When I feel its enough with the sun’s ordeal, I shoo him away. I move the clouds to him, I ask them to rain. I sketch the path of the moon. I give the wind the command to bluster .I like to see the creatures down on the earth, another of the almighty’s pernickety creations that always look up on to me at times with folded hands too. Thus the entire circle is dictated by me. I always felt proud of my splendor when I notice my reflection in the sea below. I viewed the joy and excitation of the creatures as they welcome the rains with penury of emotions and sometimes I wonder why they never are happy when I bestow them with even bigger showers. But I always felt lonely. In fact loneliness had crippled me or rather deprived me of the senses to cheer up even being an impediment in my relation with the Moon, my lonesome companion. He was the only one who used to be merriment for me unlike the rest who had more interest in counseling me on my significance and on my writhing practices especially when I amuse others with the clouds. I linger heedlessly to his advice which really falls on my deaf ears. I am really a spoiled braggart. All these stars, who gossip and giggle throughout until they wear out, the sun, who was the most conceited affiliate of the almighty’s creations, and of course my dearest friend, the moon , the only one who took regular intervals to inquire me of my well being , remained my world, my countenance until the most auspicious moment I fell in love.

It was as usual. The sun had just left after his pompous performance and the moon was in his most jovial mood, exemplifying his entire smile. He was singing some old folk songs too exasperating for me. Human beings, birds animals, plants were all enjoying a sound sleep. I perceived them all on the planet. A tree that stood on a remote field had caught my attention. There was a nest on the tree. I saw the female feed its chicks. All of a sudden, the female bird had started to shriek and was alerting about something to its male counterpart .A snake had crawled on to the tree. The he-bird was now swiveling around the tree and had tried to attack the snake on its head but in vain. The she-bird had moved closer to her chicks and covered them all beneath her feather. The snake was ascending up. The He bird made some taunting attempts to shield its dear ones. The snake had kept its jaws wide open and was countering the he-bird’s trivial assault. But when the He bird found that the nest now remained in close proximity to the prowler it had made a cavernous aggression. But it met with little success. The prowler grasped the bird on its neck and had gulped it instantaneously. The he bird was dead. By then, the she bird had recognized the colossal task to protect her dear ones from the intruder lied solely on her; she made a scurrying attack on the reptile. But the reptile was too good for her. The reptile had then moved its head into the nest while the she bird was screaming and attacking on its rear. One by one it had begun regaling the chicks while the female bird moved around, vulnerably. This was nature’s law. The fittest of the fittest survives. The reptile who had been feasting on the chicks, now turned towards the she bird. One last attempt to impair the reptile had landed her into its jaws. The she bird’s endeavor to protect her dear ones had failed. She too became a prey for the giant reptile. After a hearty meal and the most triumphant sensation, the snake slowly and steadily descended the tree. It then went to its hole. I did not notice the snake’s alleyway because my mind had suddenly raised certain serious concerns to the almighty on his creations. Why were the stronger ones always victorious? If so would not that bring an end to the weaker ones? There would be a time when the brawny duels the brawnier ones. What would be the aftermath of that? The nature had a set governing aspects that distributes and formulates into various forms of life, the most important being the food chain; a definition to the subsistence of the living beings on Earth. The technique of production of the living beings on Earth is based on a pyramid that was devised from the food chain concept. Will this existing mechanism ever spin out of control? I looked at the tree. I had noticed something moving beneath the tree among the bushes. Another snake might be prowling around in the night desperate to quench its hunger. But it was something diminutive. It was a small chick. Oh my god, yes it was the very one among the set devoured by the reptile. But how did it manage to escape this healthy? I did not know what the almighty had in store for him.

It might have been aroused from self respect or a pity on that creatures destiny to survive when all of its siblings and its parents had met such an ill fated end or a mutual affiliation, a synonymous feeling towards ones own kind (the bird too is an orphan), a specific interest grew in me for him. I asked the moon to leave and was waiting for the sun, seeing the helpless situation he had to endure; I made arrangements in accordance with his stipulation. I made sure not a single leaf moved. I calmed the winds down and had ensured warmth for him to survive until the arrival of the sun. That remained the only ray of hope for his survival. I decided to recite one of my all time favorite that would add a gratification to the tenderness.

"The sky would give you the due
That you always held for cue
The sky would be there for you
In your heart always for no rue"

The sun had come .I looked at my bird. He was safe and sound. He was in his slumber .I glanced around his vicinity. To my dismay, I saw a cat that was heading towards him. On the other side I saw a human being. He was carrying a big black sort of stick with feathers directed towards the sun, as a sort of shield for protection. Human beings or as such man, according to me was the Almighty’s most vivacious creations. The concept of free will symbolizing radicalism and the ambiguity in the thoughts contemporizing the endowment, God had bestowed man with. Compassion and brutality both are the perpendicular aspects of man which was in connivance to the hypothesis that materializes the survival of God’s creations. I wondered what feeling would stimulate in the man once I was able to dictate him to the bird. On the other end, the cat was approaching closer. I decided to make my move. I blew. The stick lost control from the man’s hand. It fell near my bird. The man ran back of it. The cat which was drawing nearer to my bird stood still at the sight of man .It then diverted its path. The man regained his stick. All of a sudden he stood still. Now there was the prevaricating situation engulfed by the virtue of human notion. Will he be kind enough to take my bird? He did not keep me guessing. Rather after a brief pause, went closer to my bird. He had picked it up in his hand and walked by. He kept the black stick like thing over his head. I moved the clouds around the sun.

PART II

He looked sullen and gloomy in the cage; the only moments of contentment was when the man used to feed him. When the sun was up he used to remain morose. Moon always brought him siesta sort of attitude. Sometimes he used to stare at his look-alikes who were having a wonderful time outside. He might also have the longing and interest to fly around, sing aloud like them and rummage around for his near and dear ones. Loneliness according to me was not a feeling but a curse, or a blatant numbness sort of attitude that recklessly slaughters your personality and attitude. It always would play with your inner sense succumbed to malevolence. Probably, Loneliness remained the most ferocious of all the abhorrent emotions that had been cultivated in the Almighty’s creations. I really could grasp the mentality of him, the horrendous situation he was engulfed in. I watched him as the sun and the moon came and went. He was growing big. He was learning fast the modes of survival too. He now knew the songs like his mates. He was all set to scavenge the wilderness. I decided to give him his freedom, his prerogative for existence.

The sun was going down. The moon was already on his way. I moved the clouds and I moved the wind. The cage which was adjoined to the man’s house started shaking. The cage busted away. It was caught in between two trees that stood in front of the house. Now I had to tear apart the trees. With all my might I blew the wind. The trees swept away; the force that was developed by the trees broke the cage and had split it apart. The bird was free. The trees went and hit the house sturdily and had demolished a part of it. I never cared; neither did I care about its dwellers for I saw my bird had already started flying in the direction of the wind. I slowed the winds .This made his flight more comfortable. The scent of fresh air and the spirit of freedom had preoccupied him and he scurried into the wilderness.

The sun and moon came and went, I never bothered. I forgot to shoo the winds at times, for my mind was transfixed on him. He was lovely and flew with paramount confidence. His songs enlightened all and sundry around him and at certain times I had felt myself being carried away by his songs.

"It’s a beautiful world, the sun and the moon
The presence of them makes me goon
I like to fly around with all the might
So that I don’t want to be like him to miss the sight

These are my dreams, these are my hope
For I find this wonderland at the top
This is the world I wanna shower my love
As I wish to keep my hum always on the move"

His songs had gripped me. It reverberated in my heart. His songs breathed a new life in me. They were not just songs for me, but my dreams, my aspirations. His songs occupied the cornerstone of my heart and had started to juggle my emotions. I made the winds lighter for him, covered the sun unnecessarily. I made the sun stay longer for him to fly around. I followed him as he flew from one tree to another. By that time I had realized that I loved him more than any other Almighty’s creations.

I wished to be the tree on which he used to sit and sing verses with the intention of brightening others and dusting off the prevailing tedium. I wished to be the flower from which he used to quench his hunger incessantly. I wished to be the wind so that I could feel and experience the warmth of his wings. I wished to be a bird for accompanying him throughout his life. I loved him very much. But there was the much conceited seed of doubt in me. Did he reciprocate that feeling? He had the answer for me.

Once when the sun was up, I saw him sitting on a tree top singing quite emotionally. After a few nodes, suddenly there was another humming. A bird of his same statuette came and sat alongside him. She had started singing too but with a romantic comportment.

"Love is all that I can feel
When you come beside me and kneel.
Deep in my heart I give you a place
From where you can set it in pace

Never say my love is for hire
For that will pull me into the fire
Wherever you go I will follow
Even if u grip my hand into the jungles of hollow"

This was not foreordained. It was indeed the most customary episode of life. I knew that they were in love. Their eyes refused to take leave even for a moment. Their songs were divine and their frequencies matched gorgeously. They began to roam around and bore a big resemblance to the birds that had attained their much awaited sovereignty. Their intimacy grew on a meticulous scale and when it had reached a point of no return they decided to get married. Although I had a thumping in my heart, I felt very happy. At least he was not lonely anymore.

The tree stood tall in the scorching sun and had inscribed the insignia of love and bliss on it. All the birds nearby, far and away had gathered there. Everyone was chirping, singing and laughing with such contentment and glee that it had spread an aroma of peace and happiness throughout the premises. I took a quick look at all of them and had spotted him amidst thousands who had assembled on the tree to be a part of the most significant event of his life. He along with his fiancé had garnered accolades as the most perfect host for the guests as they sang throughout with a few occasional breaks to accommodate everyone’s’ laughter. I was happy too for I had acquaintance with loneliness much more than anyone could even imagine about.

I looked at the tree. Suddenly, in the most casual manner, I caught hold of a lightning I flashed it into the tree. It did set ablaze the tree instantly. With all my might I blew the winds. I did not look at the sun. I had caught hold of another lightning and then one by one by I hurled it at the tree. The chirping had stopped and the shrieks filled the air that sounded more musical to me. The fire extended to the surrounding regions vigorously. I covered the sun with the clouds. I did not want to see him for I was waiting for the moon .I had a lot to tell him this time.



Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal

Indian Budget 2007

1. INDIAN BUDGET 2007
   
   Some points suggested by our finance minister during the budget presentation in February
   
   Tax rate of foreign companies may be lower in order to bring them on par with India Inc. (15.02.07)
   
   The import duty on cut and polished diamonds (CPDs) and gemstones may be abolished. (13.02.07)
   
   Corporate tax may come down in this budget by 3% either through abolition of 10% surcharge or by reduction of corporate tax from the existing level of 30%.
   
   Finance Minister may scrap 120 central sector schemes in the 11th Five Year Plan
   
   Some Valuable suggestions in the budget
   
   Custom duty on machinery imports for the sectors such as leather, footwear, textiles & clothing and sports goods will be reduced
   
   • Short-term capital gains tax on stocks may go up to 15%.Finance Minister has also put additional burden on taxpayers investing in stock markets by raising dividend distribution tax from 12.5 per cent to 15 per cent( he ought to have introduced the securities tax so as to avoid the sudden ups and downs of the stock market)
   
   Chidambaram added that additional irrigation potential of 24 lakh hectares to be implemented, including nine lakh hectares under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme
   
   • There is a possibility of the minimum alternate tax (MAT) to come in for some structural change in the Budget. This is to expand the scope of tax that is currently applicable on certain zero-tax companies( mainly IT). It will cover units taking benefits of the STPI( special tax exemption scheme) scheme in order to bring big IT companies into the tax net. Although NASCOMM has recommended chidambaram to give another 10 yrs for the IT comps (not in SEZ) to move around without tax concerns as they pointed out the rising power of China in this industry, FM was adamant that there should be a halt to this.
   
   
   
   Features
   
   No proposal for strengthening the public distribution system. As the price rises continue to go up, chidambaram says all these recent developments indirectly leads to price rise which is running away from the basic facets of economics.
   
   In spite of the petrol and diesel price coming down on the world market, but India market is unable to absorb the global scenario as there are no provisions for steadying the price of petrol and diesel. The government should also take steps to control these sudden fluctuations in the world market by proposing a price system that would last for these fuels throughout the year.
   
   There is no mention about the food corporation of India (FCI) which should be strengthened to meet the demands of the population. The food grains are being imported at cheaper prices, leaving the farmers in penury and the produced food grains are accumulating in the hands of corporates leading t high prices of these essential commodities.
   
   The rules and regulations related to special economic zones are to be modified. The occupants of the region set aside for the special economic zones should be either guaranteed an employment in that zone or they should be a share holder of the particular zone along with the government suggestion of an alternative habitat. Moreover the companies will come under the tax rules in 5 years and not 10 years as suggested by the government for being tax free.
   
   The prevaricating minds of the investors as sudden withdrawal and investment of the national bonds can be dealt seriously by the government by issuing a specific security tax for these stock market bonds.
   
   Corporate tax should be raised and this should be converted to grama and panchayat developmental projects.
   
   The government should give room to alternate loan facilitators especially certain banks associated with countries like Canada or latin American oil rich countries willing to invest in India. ADB, Japan bank and others should not be the only solution for infrastructure or sewage projects.
   
   The price stabilisation of certain basic crops should be a matter of concern for the government as subsidies should not only be awarded to cash crops and the farmers belong to crash crop cultivation community should not alone be promoted.
   
   The finance minister should have firmly taken a stance against the NASCOMM proposal for the IT companies remain zero tax companies for another 10 yrs rather than the introduction of a minimum alternate tax proposal suggested by him.
   
   The proposal and the drawbacks of the employment guarantee scheme is to be submitted so as to include modifications for a full scale effective launching of the scheme.

Surfing Love

Jen: Hi it’s me…How r u?
Sam: I am fine….Where were u all this HOURS?
Jen: Had something to do…
Sam: I wish to say u something..
Jen: What!!
Sam: I wish to be with u throughout.. would like to always be with uuuuuu..
Jen: Why???
Sam: Bcoz I lov u..
Jen: me too..when do we meet??

The romance behind the screen, the proposal through the pixels. The 21st century is ravishing with a hallucination of vivacious ideas the most prominent among it is the pixel romance. A few love notes( shakespeares or Austen’s) a few nodes is more than enough to eclipse one’s heart with this emotion that has an origin even before the very concept of civilization had its subsistence..Love.
Philosophers have often quoted love as the subject that pursues the highest capacity of mans thinking. Rationalism, idealism all had its derivation in love. Love is above all the gift of oneself. Love has it patience and kindness, simplicity and authenticity but never pride and prejudice. The words that pour out from your heart when you express your love carries with it a subjugation and later a liberation of the very soul that has pampered this emotion right when the cry for your recognition is delivered from the cradle. This era has rewritten the entire concept of love or are we becoming blind with a string of illusions to lead the way through the darkness makes us feel is more than sufficient??
Words do convey, smiles do perpetuate, Talks do resonate but the credibility of that emotion its sanctity and divinity lies solely in ones eyes. Scientifically we see a lightning before the sound of the thunder. Well as philosophy puts it lets take it the other way round. Before our ears or our mouth reacts to the thunder our eyes would have already responded. The concept of vision or predominance of eyes can be quiet useful even to detect the last moments of your life. The conformity of ones death would be announced only after ones eyes comes to rest. Thus naturally a doubt arises ; Without reading ones eyes , without acknowledging ones gaze how does our brain instigate or open the doors of Love.
With cams revolutionizing internet, the pixel romance has also transfigured from mere words through pixels to expressing advertently with actions. But does it really inspires or immunizes your inner self to tally love without catching his/her sparkling gaze that really sends you tingles as one said might be love or might be confined to chicken pox for you cannot hide your eyes in search of the truth that you wish to decipher. Eyes definitely lies but only after presenting the certainty. Your eyes will point out your devotion, your anger, your admiration, your friendliness, your happiness and most conspicuously your Love for love stands completely odd and should not be compared in par with the rest of emotions.
The next time you are in a party or a crowd, keep moving your eyes when definitely you will strike a gaze which will have an impact you might have dreamed of, or which might have a force to pull you or which might have a feeling in that all these years you were waiting for this moment of your life …Believe me then you are love at first sight……..



Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal

Dear Diary

Dear Diary,
It was evening 4:30 pm. As usual my mother had begun her garden hobnobbing and my sis her routine law embalming (being a law student, she had the practice of reading out Indian penal codes and revising it all over again). I decided to go to the temple, a little bit of prayers i believe would yield good result.........I was there .Temple resembled an archaeological monument with it’s astute workmanship, dazzling in the setting sun .The Temple had its virtue embedded in political History. Kerala’s cultural Historians enlighten the tale of a lady who in spite years of her marriage was unable to conceive. On a saints advice she had come to oorakkam (the place where this particular temple stands) from her remote habitation and went fasting here for months, solemnizing Lord Shiva. On due course, karkiddaka masam (a month associated with the monsoons in Kerala) a karim pooyam naal (the 8th star according to the astrological calendars) she gave birth to a baby boy who later was a very predominant king in Kerala’s political anecdote. The awesome, fiery Shaktan Thampuran was thus born (taking a lenient look in Kerala’s History, this particular king was acknowledged as the Father of Thrissur Pooram, a festival marked by the display of 30 elephants in their most resplendent attire and a gala of events preceding it symbolizing a cultural feud between the deities).
I parked my vehicle outside.
Well i checked out the premises to spot out any familiar faces. Well i did find thirumeni (the temple priest) moving around quite fast with a small pot of water, carrying it inside. Prayers and religious rites definitely need a real definition at least a precision on the format they are undergone, according to me. I moved closer to the temple .I stood with my hands folded in devotion my eyes drooping but transfixed on to the roof of the temple and uttered a few religious doggerels .This sacrosanct performance was not propelled out from sheer devotion but it was an obligatory call to the Lord to acknowledge him my presence there ,a practice which i had followed since childhood.
i decided to get inside when a familiar face slowed my pace Being my dads good friend ,i enjoyed a good rapport with Valsan uncle. Either he had completed his religious rituals and came from the temple or i was unaware of his presence there .My consciousness brightened at my concentrating aptitude .Usually my prayers used to be carried away by trivial matters especially about my exams or the people present around but this time a fief of devotion did grip me .i gave him a warm smile. He reciprocated; inquired about my dad and told me to proceed on .I went inside.
I had the usual procedure of a chitchat conversation with thirumeni before i had begun with my normal customary prayers. But he was not inside the inviolable room where the idol depicting lord was kept. I did feel a little uneasy as this had been my usual practice.
Thirumeni was an incomparable, vivacious personality .Not just succumbed to ordinary religious doctrines like the common temple priests,
Thirumeni had his miscellaneous outlook on every day to day (polemical or non) events .A short man with a shrewd smile, his chest bending over every time a smile pops out , camouflaging a sundry and perceptive knowledge base promulgated often to certain signified worshippers, me being one among them . i personally adored him .We used to talk on vivid range of matters which included even politics. Just imagine politics being a bone of contention in the temple premises. It was he enjoyed that conversation too .A uneasiness did grip me, a sort of anomaly.

I looked around for him. Not in sight. Some where inside.. i was looking around when two amiable smiles greeted me..Anju, Valsan uncle’s daughter and her sister Ammu .i knew them from childhood.
I used to come across Ammu often either cuddled up back on her fathers' kinetic or at the bus stop with her school bag which weighs almost as her. I had always remained bewildered by the quantity of books children used to carry which almost resembled hard earning potters...but its been years since i have seen Anju ,the last time during one of my semester vacation ...Time had changed her too .She now
possessed a full fledged smile unlike the past and kept to herself an aroma of the eldest in the family. Her spectacle enveloped eyes refused to sideline itself from her perpetual smile. The way she guided her sister
a clearly personified the leverage and pragmatism proliferated in her during the times . Well i did gracefully acknowledge their smile.

I stood in front of the Lord. I kept my eyes closed but my mind was wandering. Clouds, isn’t the one we see today the one we see tomorrow? or is it different ...that’s why we use the synonym passing clouds....Not a
single cloud would emancipate itself from its allotted natural duration to emboss, relieve the world once its done with it's chore .periodic action .if I am the world and then the clouds are the faces that move in
and out intermittently then the wind of course would be the scales of fate ardent enough to orchestrate the clouds to new a destination thereby tantalizing the world ,a mere spectator to these sequence of events. ......
all these thoughts ran in my mind ..

.i looked at Anju ...she gave me a warm smile again. .i reciprocated.. i prayed .. bowed came outside the temple...i looked up into the sky...
it was a clear sky getting dark...the sun had just set. Far in the dim light, i spotted a solitary cloud ...it had just greeted the world and was waiting for the winds to guide it never to turn back.... ......

Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal