Tumhari Amrita

'Tumhari Amrita' - one of the most celebrated plays of the 'Old World Indian Theatre'. Saw it yesterday at Epicentre, Gurgaon. Shabana Azmi and Farooq Shiekh play two friends-lovers-pen friends with a 35 year long relationship - all explored through letters.

To keep it simple, I liked it. I liked Shabana's emoting, and the playwright's senstiveness. But what I really liked is that it got me thinking. What is a modern woman? Is rule-breaking and following your heart really a 'modern' thing? We are so dependent on relationships for happiness. Is it right? Is it needed? Is it a must, to have that special someone in your life to make it complete? Can not be a person be complete all by him/herself, just defined by his work/character, and not by the relations he keeps.

Are women more emtionally dependent on men ? Do I, as a woman, feel the same need of support and love that ladies of centuries ago felt? And if this need and this feeling is so basic - so natural , than what has the modernization given us?

Society dictates the role of people even today. Norms are set for men and women to follow. NO amount of education or financial freedom changes that. And when someone does rebel against these set norms, what does that person really get - Heartbreak? Like Amrita?

Haryana Elections and Kids

It is election time in Haryana, and festival time all over. I can not forget this, because sound waves scream and shout and remind me of this. As I sit in my cosy, calm, Gurgaon home, these rude airwaves barge into my private space. They don’t have the decency to ring the bell or knock the door- they just scatter all over like cats, and immediately own the place!

I am trying to get Medha, my daughter, to do her Homework. But my ears defy me – and force my attention to the Congress candidates’ CV. As I ask her to ponder over her spellings, I find myself pondering over another ‘pratyashi’, who is supposedly the favourite of 15 sub-castes.

Why must I endure all this ruthless canvassing and loud music when I don’t want to? True, the airwaves belong to one and all, but can there not be a way to selectively tune only to the ones that matter. Can science provide me with earplugs that lets in the guest airwaves, and keeps out the intruders? Can I get a sound-filter installed- preferably in my earrings – to avoid being woken up by Diwali dhamakas year after year? Can Meditation give me such control over my senses?

As I wonder about such life-changing questions, I realize that Medha took advantage of the opportunity and has run away. She has given me – and her Homework a slip – and has switched on the T.V. , I call out for her, I shout, but it’s no use. She is now engrossed in the cartoons; she simply doesn’t hear me.

May be she knows something that I don’t ?

Class Apart

It is now 2 months since I started 'Class Apart' , a general knowledge and Awareness increasing programme for children aged 5-10. I look back at my decision to start this class, and feel satisfied, and hungry for more! That I have a way wit the kids was never a secret, but the success and enthusiasm of my students surprised me... They welcome each topic, every week, with such insatiable curiousity, that it becomes a pleasure to serve them more and more of knowledge...
Such wonderful time childhood is..
I now plan to start a summer camp in my apartments during the summer break.. Insha Allah, this time my attempts will fruitify to their full potential.