CHANTINGS OF THE HEART

It's not unusual for Robin to work at eight in the evening. Yes, he has no shifts, no weekends, no holidays absolutely nothing; for Robin work is not worship, it's a necessity.  Robin looked around him, shops were decorated with curtain lights, masked people around him were dressed in their fineries, little children still argued with their parents for the pistols, guns, car's or dolls of their choice. A few children dragged their parents to the carts selling pizzas, momo's, chicken rolls or icecream. Robin looked at them with dismay. He had a pain in his heart and that reflected in his dark brown eyes.  Today is Maha Navami of Durga Puja, Robin was walking wanderlessly near the pandals, hoping to get something good to eat, but Puja this year was not good. There were hardly any doners distributing food and clothes.  Robin kept his plastic rucksack in a dark corner at the far end of the Puja Pandal. He sat nearby in the dark for a long time, trying to shoo mosquitoes and

Autumn has arrived, the cool gentle evening breeze blowing from the mighty Brahmaputra, the dew in the grass, the mild fragnance of the Xewali/ Shiuli flower as we embark on late evening walks, the wavering of the Kash flowers, the beats of the dhak from some far flung land is here to flutter your heart once again.  The week long celebrations which all Bengalis wait with bated breath for over a year is back.  Yes, it's Durga Puja; the time for shopping, rituals, bonding, merriment is back. But, this year 2020 is a stark different from the ones we celebrated over the years. The decor is missing, the idols have shrinked in size, dance of the dhakis and the dhunuchi dance is nowhere to be found, no competition for winning the best lighting, pandal or idol. Pockets are empty, clothes and jewellery limited, relatives and friends missing, fun and excitement to pandal hop is gone. Oh! how cruel it is to see some of the best themed pandals ordinarily done. The other day when I was moving a

Tonight is 31st October, 2020. As I opened one of my social media pages I was flooded by some unusual pictures. Well you must be wondering about the content of the photographs. Photographs which are uncommon in this part of the world. Yes, pictures of young Indian kids, dressed as devil's, vampires and ghosts happily posing for the camera. It was a shocker of sorts for me as Halloween which is celebrated in the Western countries has invaded Indian homes. Shockingly, parents who are active in social  media ( though they would find it difficult to write a proper sentence in English) have  dressed up their kids just for some added advantage in the form of likes and comments in their several social page handles. They just want to be active on social media by hook or by crook and these innocent children are being made scapegoats of their parents desires. These Indian parents would shamelessly and blindly follow anything celebrated in the west. Even though we consider ourselves Independe

As my alarm ring each morning I jump out of my bed Only to realise I am still sleepy eyed  And still yawning I shut the alarm And sleep back again  It's the new normal  Everyday is a Sunday.  I like this new normal I have the privilege To wake up late And walk to the gate I don't have to embark on a journey Of sixty miles from one end the other. I wake up late, to have a relaxed morning With a cup of coffee, I open my lappie I check my mail, play with my doggie Then relax and relax Water my plants, prepare a breakfast Sit in my cozy, comfortable corner Meetings are via Zoom or Cisco I log in and snore off  Or forage the refrigerator for delicacies My doggie comes and licks my face I get him his collar and leash We take the lift and go for a feast Me and my doggie in the lawn Oh, I never knew life could be so fun So, what if it's COVID time We can still have our share of fun Life was not so easy in the past Morning seven I always had a blast Cleaning, eating, rushing  Oh, li

Hiya was busy flapping the pages of the travel magazine which she picked up sometime back. The magazine finding it's place in the beautifully decorated corner table, amidst statues and flower pots was something she didn't expect- atleast in the living room.  Hiya carefully turned one page after another lest she mishandled and tore the glossy pages. She remained glued to pictures of the majestic mountains, the clear blue seas, the bountiful isles, laughing children and wild flowers, indeed nature's beauty was captured so perfectly that her thoughts moved to the pristine surroundings. How she missed her long vacations and trips to those mystified places.  The living room which was always entertaining some guest or the other was literally empty for the last couple of months. The room which was always abuzz with activities was also having its share of the lockdown. Riya sat on the recliner and glanced at the artefacts and pictures adorning the racks, shelves or corner tables of

One evening sitting on my balcony My mind was in cacophony I sat reclining on my chair Remembering all that I saw at a fair Of all the things that I saw Almost all had a flaw I still kept recollecting  What could be interesting  Oh, yes I remembered! It was a piece treasured..   Several succulents grew  Which I never knew I stood staring  Wondering if it was worth caring Suddenly, I saw a butterfly flutter Which made me mutter Yes, I need the piece unique So, I made the decision quick  I brought a terrarium  And placed it near the aquarium My table had a piece Which was without a crease  It was a beauty  Without much duty I was carefree As my little tree It was my dream But now we are a team As I cared My tree fared! I stood looking down  At my terrarium brown Oh, I killed you dear Without being near I am sorry  For the lost glory My terrarium dear Please don't fear I know it is strange But I promise to change!

Thou art so mystic So dignified; yet so sober I look at your endearing beauty Months after months, Years after years I look at you... Untiring, pragmatic... So full of life.. I yearn for company On nights when your beauty Incomparable, untouched, pure Shine on the silent waters I can just admire you  Now and forever. You bring forth happiness, You bring forth dreams Of better tomorrows How I can spend a million years Just admiring your beauty.. The unfathomable beauty You my namesake is mystic!!