What goes around .... comes around.. :-)

I finished my last dance class today! Well, the last of this batch. I had missed quite a few in the middle due to my ill health and felt the loss today. The hours that I devoted to this were all stolen away from work.. therefore meaning a lot more. :-D I once in my life bargained time for myself with my boss and felt good about it. Moreover, its fair to take the organization up on their offer - of WORK LIFE BALANCE. The classes seemed a bit tiring initially as I got into an advanced batch after a gap of 6 good months. As the pack unfolded, I felt rejuvenated with every beat I danced to, the new steps learnt, blaring music, the soothing Surya-Namaskar to 'Jashne Bahara' and much more. The class had chosen Hip-Hop as the genre and I kind of disliked it. Being in the minority, could not even effect change. However, by the end of it it, it was just a song and I was moving to it. The instructor was one of the stars of Shiamak's troupe and his delivery in class testified that. I also appreciate the initiative where each of the batches had to prepare a short skit on ''global warming'' and present it on the final day before they break into a dance. We did too and a cute one that using some congruent humour and exaggeration. One of the best take-aways from this class is - The original steps to Dhoom Machale!! There was a sad moment too when I learnt that a young boy in my class lost his father. But I admire him for springing back to life and attending the remainder classes. Wish him the best in life. Had a cake cutting, smearing and of course eating session today! Look forward to joining it again. My presentation is on Sunday morning at Ravindra Bharati. The next batch starts on 21st April, 08. Dont know if i'd be in Hyd long enough to finish it. But would love an outlet such as this, every single day!!

From the Streets....

SASTA aur TIKAOO.... Cheap and effective way for this new 'Meetha Meetha' flavour of Rajnigandha Pan Masala. Men dressed in pink on double peddal bicycles- a fleet of those rode from A-Z of a street, and could not be missed by any... carrying sachets of the 'chewy' they successfully 'induced trials' with as much ease as was planned. 'Food Bazaar' too has taken to a temporary way of passing the message. For opening of new outlets and to communicate promotions etc, they made 'banners' wrapped on two bars, hired daily labour and made them stand at various check-points in the city!! NOT BAD.. so no need to pay any rentails, meagre printing charges and movement round the clock. Wonder if other cities have seen this too.

THE BUSY STREET.... 2) The busy Char Minar Area, where u may not like to pick up something you have dropped for in that moment you might just end up losing the rest in your pocket. An unscrupolous crowd of retailers, where the FMCGs complain of missing assets and broken promises!! The only thing that would be attract me to that place again is an independent mandate to correct share if not the long standing, bewildering 'chudi bazaar'. The best way to go is by cab as parking is limited and a big hassle at that.

WHATEVER WORKS.... 3 & 4) Was at a retailer explaining the Pepsi's and 7 Ups in price ranges Rs. 7/- upwards, when I was compeled to look at this kid you see in the picture. She places a 1 Re. coin in the rusted lid of this small kirana store and asks for Pepsi... ''Is the new EMI scheme for Pepsi??'' I ask myself. Just when 'Maalik (if a Marwadi)/ Anna (if a hyderabadi/telegu)'..pulls out a frozen sachet of a drink which could be anything, who knows- but is branded, Frooti, Pepsi, Thums-Up! Does this testify the resonance of a brand....albeit customised to pockets and clientele? OR is it a failed attempt to permeade to the inner most layer of society where 'their' ignorance, is the 'manufacturer's' bliss, and OUR loss!?!?

Kurr-Kurr... Kurkure

One of the myriad local spurious versions- I keep spotting on my market visits, this one deserves a special place as it affects a family organization!!

Jodha Akbar

Hope I remember half of my take on this movie as I write this post about 2 weeks since. Took all this pics in the theatre itself, wishing I'd taken more. I enjoyed the movie quite a bit. It was tight in its script. However, now I feel it was more ostentatious- because I don't know the reality! The wide canvass only amplifies my apprehension.

The ornaments seemed more of a display and burden on the fragile Jodha than go with the story...I wish I was a queen not for the ornaments but for the time I would have to myself and for the dedicated friends who would sit around me (come along with me to my wedded house leaving their parents too)...feed my pets and also bring back the birds I would set free 100 times within 10 mins. ;-) Cool trivia that Akbar was illiterate!..so it runs in History...we still have illiterates ruling us.. The pedigree of the movie takes me back to the brilliance of Lagaan which this one does not match by miles.

Feel-ing the blanks....

Hey! I am now at my new residence. A paying guest with an ISB official and her mother. Srinagar Colony- a nice quiet and very well located place. A breezy fully furnished room with loads of audio/video CDs, books and enough things to keep my eyeballs busy. The residents are fond of art and aesthetics: I just seem to be THE perfect guest. Living with Tam- Brahms. Have already eaten about 10 varieties of yummy sambhar, puttu, seviyan, dosas and dishes. All very healthy!! Pati (tamil for grandma) keeps me busy with her anecdotes, and some preaching- the implicit caveat being ‘u don’t have to follow’. I wake up to the senseless shrills of the school kids from the school right behind and sleep to the loud music of the PMPO stamped speakers in some rogues’ cars! All in all – its lively!

Approaching season and people are getting ready for the action packed three months! Hoping to make Hyd swim in the Blue Ocean instead of the Red Sea, I too am filling in some ‘boonds’…remember..boond boond se ghara bharta hai ;-). Just hope the brilliance of the ad campaign adds to it!! ( :-P )

Took off from work and went home. I have to tell you, listening to my heart in this case never hurts! Delhi was super pleasant J Enjoyed every bit of it. Went on the winding National Highway 8…I have to say it is very I impressive & handsome...broad shouldered and fast and you ride high when you ride on it! And what makes it more attractive – its pricey to get-to …Rs. 16/- per Toll. Here is also a picture of how it looks.

But I miss home, I truly do.. and thats the crux of the matter....