Bandipur Ke Bandi

About a month ago, along with some of my friends, I spent a few days at a National Forest called Bandipur, which is located in the state of Karnataka. This one came to me over there.

Bandipur Ke Bandi

Halki Baarish Mein Bheegti
Jungle Ki Ek Neeli Si Jheel
Haule Haule Jhoom Rahi Aise
Hawa Ke Saath Waltz Kar Rahi Jaise

Hirnon Ki Fauj Jama Hai Paas Mein
Jaise Khubsoorti Ki Hifaazat Karne
Aur Shaayad Is Haseen Waltz Ki
Dheemi Nazaakat Ka Lutf Uthaane

Jungle Ki Khaamoshi Se Hokar
Eucalyptus Khushboo Mein Nahaayi
Ek Meethi Dhun, Four By Four Mein
Aa Rahi Hai Is Raqs Ki Madad Ko

In Sab Ko Kahin Band Karne Ki Chaah Mein
Meri Yeh Thodi Si Koshish Hai
Shaayad Aa Jaayein Nazar Aapko Bhi
Woh Waltz Aur Woh Fauj Hirnon Ki

The Emerald Isle Diaries - 10

While Burma continues to remain in unfortunate and shameful circumstances, I move on to the last page of the Diaries. It’s been 10 days since I flew out of the small, green island to reach the crazy and somehow lovable city of Bombay but every now and then I keep flying back to the Emerald Isle.

I arrived here with many DVDs, new clothes, tea-tins, a coffee-table book on Sri Lanka, a beautiful ‘Thank-you plaque’ of the shape of the island and a strange numbness of leaving behind a world which had almost become home...a good home. In fact, I had the chance of making this world a proper home but I denied it for reasons known to me and perhaps to the unhappiness of my friends at the Isle. The numbness stayed with me till the familiar quarters of my home and meeting the people I missed cured it.

Numbness aside, I have returned a happier man from the Isle. The visit to the country was perhaps like a visit to a counsellor. I talked about myself to new people without any inhibition because they showed genuine interest in knowing me. When they asked, ‘Did you sleep well last night?’ you knew from their expression and the tone of voice that they are really interested in knowing about my comfort levels. And, I had just met them. Today, they have become good friends and will always remain so.

I also saw myself going back to reading fiction despite not being in that ‘Holiday State of Mind’…I was in Sri Lanka on work. Perhaps it’s got to do with the ‘Peaceful State of Mind’, which the country gave me. I finished reading ‘No Exit and Other Plays’ by one of my favorites, Sartre. I hadn’t read any of his plays before and I enjoyed them completely.

I may have to go back to the Isle in a while but till then, as I mentioned in the first paragraph, I shall keep going there every now and then between the sips of Ceylon Tea sieved through Chaga’s thoughtful gift.

The photograph above is of the good friends I made at The Emerald Isle. From left to right: Farhan, Thiyagi and Chaga.