A Small Thought...

After a gap, am back with a few lines for my blog… there’s a lot of course work being done and I was wondering what I wanted to become long time back and what I’ve become now (or rather I will become)!!! In another 7 months, I will be a software professional. And I still laugh to myself thinking what I wanted to become long time back!! Back in school, I used to be too much interested in social sciences. And my favorite subjects were History and Geography. I used to fear Mathematics – and the exam would be the ultimate daring exercise for me. I can say an adventure and also a nightmare … But, then in the high school, I was introduced to a very good teacher who helped me get rid of my fear of mathematics. However, geography attracted me the most! I knew I wanted to be a geologist. Yes, a GEOLOGIST!! Time came to select a stream – science, commerce, arts. I mentioned ARTS. Dad and Mom were startled and so were many of my friends.. I got the comments saying – Geologists have to just dig the mud and nothing else! And hence I pursued science (Though dad thought I would become a commerce student). Then came the degree and now masters – that too computer science! Wow, what a journey. Am not complaining about becoming a Science student – but am just happy the way things have turned out for me and the course life has taken amidst these past few years, the times I’ve struggled hard to get past a subject, learning new skills… am enjoying and there is still lot and lots of things to be achieved!! More in the next blog…. :-)

Musings...

It’s been around 10 days since I updated my blog. Life has been hectic with loads of work and its consuming much of the time. But, this is the case past five years. I was just musing about these last 5 years – these years have changed my life drastically. Staying in a town which is nearer to Mysore – good education facilities are available upto Pre-university level. But then there is a need to go to Mysore for the degree courses. To go to Mysore, one needs to travel from here – say a distance of 25 kms. Again if the college nearby then its comfortable to walk! Otherwise again catch a bus! Well, for me both in my UG and now PG I need to commute in city busses to reach my destination. I must say, the days which I’ve spent commuting to the university are more than the UG days! But, it’s enjoyable and fun! The initial days of traveling to Mysore for studies used to be a Herculean task! Getting to know the bus routes, again getting back home – but as time went by all was fine! I started enjoying the travel! Living in a small town has its own advantages – you know more people. And most of them are companions while traveling! Otherwise I would read a book, enjoy the scenery outside or just take a short nap J Nap is refreshing especially if the day was too hectic and u r almost dead! But, traveling has its own plus points. I do see and observe lots of people from all walks of life. All have their own perception, way of speaking (difficult to understand the village slang of Kannada – no offence!), living etc., more than these, different age groups. And now-a-days I have a new mate with me. My MP3 player. Music has been a passion for me and what can be more fulfilling and soulful then music? I listen to my favorite songs and also AIR occasionally! Sometimes, I bump over some old friends and we have a good old chat where I get to know about other old classmates of mine – all this in half an hour J Yes, traveling makes me tired, cos after I return home, am back to studies after some relaxation. Day is over at 11.30 and again I need to chalk out my plans for the next day! But, all that am going through is really enjoyable and fun. And I’ve also realized that changes are part and parcel of life and they take life forward and make us ever ready to face new challenges! I think I’ve written enough now! More in the next blog…

Yuva Dasara

http://www.starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=news&item=14616

Yuva Dasara is a mega cultural event that is organized during the Dasara festival in Mysore. The 9 day event showcases various cultural programs from far off places – from India and abroad. The university of mysore has seen a tremendous growth in students coming here to seek entry to various courses. It is not surprising if we say mysore is a multi nation colony. Yuva Dasara exhibits the vibrancy that is present in different cultures across the globe. For ex : we may have dancers from Africa presenting their traditional forms, or dancers from remote parts of India. Not only dance, its also a musical extravaganza for music lovers. Popular artistes are called in for live concerts. This time, we’d artists like Sunidhi chauhan, Usha Uthup and Sonu nigam among others.

I went to the Sonu nigam live concert(Oct 17 - 2007). Believe me, it was an awesome experience. All were waiting to catch a glimpse of the most popular and versatile singer of this decade. The singer made an appearance with the lines “Palkon ke leke saaye, pass koi jo aaye. Lakh sambhalo paagal dil ko, dil dhadke hi jaaye. Par soch lo is pal hai jo. Wo dastan, KAL HO NA HO”. We all just shouted and went mad!!!! And then Sonu came on to the stage. The whole venue echoed “Sonu Sonu …” . Then the next song sung was Suraj hua maddham, a patriotic Rang De Basanti chola from Legend of bhagat singh and then Yeh des hai veer javano ka… wow, the crowd was awed and getting crazy and sonu was overwhelmed. Then came the peppy Dil mangta hai…aaja soniye, Just chill, aaja nachle ve and Ghumshuda… and the crowd got crazy and we all started dancing in our places. The singer included his own creativity in these songs and it was mind blasting. Then came the slow number Mere haath mein. Then came the foot tapping number Bijuria. And then a medley of 3 songs – Main hoon na and oldies Maine tere liye I saath rang ke sapne chune and tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai. It was just scintillating!! Sonu also has a couple of stints with kannada songs. And he became a sensation in the south after 2 songs in a kannada movie called Mungaru Male. So he sang both the songs and requested the audience to forgive him incase he made mistakes while singing. Bt tht was ok I guess!! The concert wound up with the Kal Ho Na Ho title song which he sung fully. As I went to bed tht nite, it was just Sonu, Sonu and Sonu. More than tht Sonu’s songs!!!! A great experience sensed live and unforgettable!!! :-)

Mysore Dasara

Well, I was in search for a subject to be posted in my blog, and then did I think of writing about Dasara. It is a season of great celebration especially in Mysore. Mysore is famous as a heritage and traditional city. A land that has been famous for its palaces, Brindavan gardens, sandalwood and not to forget Mysore Mallige. (Mallige is a Kannada word for jasmine). But, Mysore Dasara is world famous. The festival is conducted for 10 days. It is the time when whole of Mysore is totally awake as never before. The city is decorated with lights to make it look as a city of gold. Repair works are undertaken in every part of the city to give the city a fresh new look. There is a sudden raise in the inflow of tourists in the city. One can say that the city is overcrowded. But, I guess its only time Mysore is filled up so much. Ok, coming back o celebrations, there are various trips organized by the state transport corporation to various destinations in and around Mysore. This gives people a chance to see the popular places around Mysore which are probably unknown.

The major focus during Dasara, is the Mysore Palace and the happenings there. The royal darbar (court of the king) sits for the royal session. The king ascends the royal throne and conducts the other mandatory customs that are being carried out from times immemorial. This ceremony is witnessed only by special invitees and members of the royal family. But, it is a very grand affair. The king enters the darbar hall with traditional welcome, guards by his side, and other (so-called) ministers behind him. He ascends the royal throne and conducts the state matters. I’d an opportunity to witness this event long back and it seemed like a scene which I’d seen in some mythological or historical film, where a king enters with a band of people. Many praiseful phrases are showered upon him and the king’s royal attire is a true feast to anyone’s eyes. The silk robe, the jewels etc., just transport us back to the times immemorial!!! On the 10^th day, a grand procession is taken out which usually falls on Vijayadashami. The idol of goddess chamundeshwari is mounted on a 750 kg golden howdah (kind of chariot) which is mounted atop a trained elephant. The elephants are brought to Mysore a month before the festivities. The elephant which carries the idol of the goddess is called “Pattada Aane”. Actually, the king used to sit atop the elephant and appear before his subjects. It’s only recently that the goddess has replaced the king and is taken on a procession. The procession commences at the palace gates and terminates at a place called Bannimantap (a distance of 7-9 kms). A great ocean of humanity witnesses this live others live on TV. During the procession, one can se various folk artistes presenting various folk dances from remote corners of Karnataka. District administrations present tableau representing the special features of various historical monuments and places of Karnataka. School children also present cultural programs. The drama is wound up and the city returns back to normalcy after the 10^th day of Dasara. Next blog, I will write one more important event that is of immense importance and is popular among the youth of Mysore…. “Yuva Dasara”

My First Post...

Well, i've started this blog. So, writing my first post. I've been inspired by many friends to write this blog. I've been reading many blogs recently and got motivated to write one. cos, this is one opportunity to reach out yourself to people. I will try to share my experiences through out and improve my writing skills as time progresses and make this blog worth reading... Others in the next blog...