An omen

There are storms every day these days. They come at night usually. Almost always at night. And it comes suddenly, with a gust of wind carrying dust, as if to cover everything that crosses its path with it. Trees, even large ones that are supposed to be strong, sway unsteadily from side to side as if losing control. Windows and doors begin doing a dangerous dance, opening and closing shut with a crash. The ones that have already been closed by the wise ones who anticipated the forthcoming storm and thought of securing themselves from it, are made more aware of the presence they tried to keep out, by the gentle but firm beating of the wind against the glass. The latter trembles and it's vibrations sound like they are saying "How long will you hide? I will keep coming for you, again and again. And some day I will get you."

It is unnerving to be caught in moments like this. This city has not seen storms of this nature at this time of year, and with such frequency in as long as the mind can remember. It is new. It is a sign of things changing. The world is changing.

It is unnerving. But it is not unpleasant.

It feels like an indication of some kind. A communication coming our way.

Perhaps the end of the human race is near.

Khushiyan rang de, gham bhi rang de!

I have said before, my ipod and I share a very close relationship. We're like that couple that has been together for so long (though it hasn't really been that long, but what the heck. Sense of time is highly subjective isn't it?) that they know what the other is thinking etc.

I always play my ipod on shuffle while driving. Always. I feel it should have a chance to be free and do what it pleases and basically enjoy itself.

And it never ceases to surprise me and make me smile by playing a song that I was already thinking of.

For instance, few days ago, someone emailed me to comment on some Sufi-esque post. It was towards the end of my day at work, so it left me in a Sufi mood while driving back home. The ipod (I should probably give it a name) started playing some old Hindi songs as it had that morning, but then it switched gears and played 4 Sufi songs one after the other. It left me quite wide eyed with wonder, and I may have actually shaken my head in disbelief-mixed-with-joy while singing along and grinning.

Then, this morning, while waking up and doing chores etc. I was singing/ humming "Rang De Basanti" (The new, energetic one). When I got into the car with the ipod making itself comfortable on my lap, what song did it decide to play?

The same one!

I love this song. I was driving and movement was a bit curtailed, but the shoulders started to move automatically and fingers started tapping the steering wheel. Of course, I was singing along merrily. In my head, I travelled to all sorts of places across India, ran with abandonment and danced like I was a leaf in the wind.

I am, at this moment, filled with life and happiness.

Dheemi aanch pe tu, zara ishq chadha
Thoda chhidak chhidak, thoda hila hila

:-)

Passing through

Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

Melancholia