learnings

In books and print we have it all! The so-called freedom of expression Yet it varies from person to person, religion to religion Divide Andhra, Assam and every state scream the power-mongers Kill, kill, kill the creativity cry out education boards Drink the farmer's blood, sap the common man Snuff out baby girls, burn the brides Poets, artistes beware of what you express Politics in sports, politics everywhere But I, the common person, am not featured anywhere Whither goes my motherland.... I fear when I speak Am I not the common person???

In a small village on Trichy -Tanjore route Stands an ancient temple So proud and divine Dedicated to Shiva and Alankari Amman. Flows beside it the quiet Kaveri While the fields are ripe for harvest Nandi sits deep in the womb Nonchalantly waiting for whispers 'Abhishekams' flowed from milk to honey The gods were appeased So was I For I haven't had such a peaceful dialogue with god In years that have passed!! I had been on a road trip to this little village called, 'Nemam' on the Trichy-Tanjore route. It was so wonderful to see the river Kaveri flow tho' she was quite sluggish. The grand anaicut built thousands of years ago by Karikala Cholan is FASCINATING. I also stayed in an agraharam, in a house built in 1865. Somehow I had a restless sleep. The agraharam transported me to years yonder when the caste system would have been barbaric!!!

are easy to break but very difficult to maintain. Communication is extremely important!

Sanguine palms and fronds Christian festivities and festoons Narrow and winding roads Searing sun and hot tea In glass tumblers Fish fry and Kappa Payasam and chakka Relatives galore Green fields and golden grains Whispering streams and lusty moonlight Mansions and Korean grass Rickety buses and Mercedes Papada vadas and halwa Appams and puttu Belching cows and sniggering crickets Cooing cuckoos and chirpy parrots Supine slumber and lazy reading Such wondrous days In God's own land!!! An ode to my trip to Kerala, my native land.. I must say that it was wonderful to rebond with my kith and kin. I also enjoyed the most luxurios food and sleep.