It’s that time of year again. I realised it when I was driving into university this week. Daffodil heads were just beginning to open, and I saw a lonely patch of purple crocuses standing to attention by the roadside. On my way out of the car park, a waft of honeyed breeze surrounded me for [...]
Entries from February 2008
February 26, 2008
Three Themes
My tutor gave us three themes: Home, Time and Identity, and asked us to write a brief poem or piece of prose exploring them in any way.
Home
Home is round, home is complete. The ‘O’ tells me that I am in the right place. Standing in the centre of those four people, our palindromic unit. [...]
February 25, 2008
7th Annual Sri Thyagaraja Utsavam
In my previous post about Thyagaraja, I mentioned the festival held in his honour worldwide, normally during the month of January. Here in London this weekend, (where it still feels like January) this festival will be celebrated through two evenings of concerts. I’ll be playing ‘Brocheva’ in Ragam Sri Ranjani, along with some other fellow [...]
February 20, 2008
Under the bed, amidst the dust…
I found this poem that I wrote during the winter. I’m in the middle of doing a major cleanup of my room – so major, that I had time to sit down and write this, just because I wanted to throw away the piece of paper.
Last night
The chill moved in
with the sureness
of a sealed envelope.
Pin [...]
February 19, 2008
Unpacking a Night-time Prayer
My Mum came back from Canada this afternoon, her suitcase stuffed with small leftovers from Zaida’s apartment. I unzipped the small side pockets and pulled out fat envelopes, bursting with old photos, their scalloped edges giving away their age. It was strange looking through them. My grandad’s entire life could be seen in just a [...]
February 12, 2008
In Loving Memory of My Zaida
My grandfather’s funeral is tomorrow. It will take place thousands of miles from here, in Winnipeg (Canada), where it is almost 40 degrees below zero right now. I wrote this to be read out during the service.
You have known me from the start, from the first time I met you, a little blob with red [...]
February 11, 2008
Yellow!: Vasant Panchami Darshan
Happy Vasant Panchami. Today is one of my favourite festivals – the first day of spring, when the deities are dressed in vibrant yellow and adorned with yellow flowers.
Today started out beautifully – I managed to make it for the morning program and listened to a nice class. But – it’s ended on a bit [...]
February 7, 2008
Bruised Knees, Calloused Thumbs
I’m entering a maelstrom. For the past week I have circled around the edge, lurching over the swelling waves. Now, as I look toward next week, I prepare to enter the heart of the whirlpool. The raised pattern on my steering wheel has practically become printed on my hands as I drive around the edge [...]
February 6, 2008
Photos and Videos of Lila’s Last Vrindavan Parikrama
My friend Kalindi posted these on MySpace and I thought I should give everyone a chance to see them by posting them here.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Last night we had kirtan for Lila in front of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda. Many devotees came, whether [...]
