9 June
2012
8 June
2012
That eraser!!!
“Neighbor’s envy, owner’s pride”
Another indelible memory dug up from the yesteryears from my old schoolbag. This used to be the premium eraser or as we called it in India – “rubber”. (I know, I know what you are thinking 🙂 Life was much simpler for us in school). This eraser commanded superior street cred compared to other erasers since it had a nice smell, was costlier and reputedly could erase pen marks (green part) as well pencil marks ( white part). It took me a lot of academic performance in 5th grade to convince my dad to give me one. I was so proud of it, as you see, I never used it in fear of losing its perfect rectangular shape 🙂
— at Open Market, Durgapur.
Another indelible memory dug up from the yesteryears from my old schoolbag. This used to be the premium eraser or as we called it in India – “rubber”. (I know, I know what you are thinking 🙂 Life was much simpler for us in school). This eraser commanded superior street cred compared to other erasers since it had a nice smell, was costlier and reputedly could erase pen marks (green part) as well pencil marks ( white part). It took me a lot of academic performance in 5th grade to convince my dad to give me one. I was so proud of it, as you see, I never used it in fear of losing its perfect rectangular shape 🙂
— at Open Market, Durgapur.
8 June
2012
An old song…
Treasures from rummaging:
Found my sister’s “gaaner khaata”. (notebook of songs) from 1976. She started learning how to sing. Me, how to play the tabla. The very first song we did together was “Sara Jibon Dilo Alo”. I remember because our dad made us perform during a Durga Puja programme in Debipur. (remember Debipur from my previous posts?) That was the first song she learnt.
Found my sister’s “gaaner khaata”. (notebook of songs) from 1976. She started learning how to sing. Me, how to play the tabla. The very first song we did together was “Sara Jibon Dilo Alo”. I remember because our dad made us perform during a Durga Puja programme in Debipur. (remember Debipur from my previous posts?) That was the first song she learnt.
I found the notebook where her teacher had written the lyrics. I am carrying this with me and digitizing in Atlanta.
She eventually sang in TV programmes and now teaches her daughter. I just play tabla by myself on Friday evenings in Atlanta.
For the Bengalis of my age group, this was written on a notebook branded ” Bongo Lipi” if you remember!!! — atThe Peerless Inn – Durgapur.
She eventually sang in TV programmes and now teaches her daughter. I just play tabla by myself on Friday evenings in Atlanta.
For the Bengalis of my age group, this was written on a notebook branded ” Bongo Lipi” if you remember!!! — atThe Peerless Inn – Durgapur.
8 June
2012
Scooter with nine lives…
In an apt display of how the previous generations valued things (when money was tight), my dad has stuck with his first and only vehicle he ever bought. In 1977!!! The manufacturer does not exist any more!!! There is only one mechanic in town who is even willing to fix it. The value of the scooter literally doubles every time he fills in petrol 🙂 The ignition key, which comes out loose in all that rattle and ruckus during a ride is permanently chained to the scooter (see the photo carefully). Still, he refuses to give it up!!! I actually took it out for a ride today. Before that, I asked him “Eta ekhono choley?” (does it still work?). He thought for a few moments and then reluctantly admitted “Choley. Kintu ektu maardhor korey chalatey hoy”. [i need some help from Bengali FB friends for the transliteration to do justice to his sense of humor] — at Open Market, Durgapur.
7 June
2012
Watering plants…
7 June
2012
“Where the buffaloes roam”
7 June
2012
Second 10K run
10k run in Durgapur. Found something more dangerous than street dogs– all those people learning how to drive early in the morning in empty roads. When a dog approaches you, it is an easy “friend or foe” decision. You take evasive action by picking a stick or throwing a stone (both of which are in abundant supply by the roadside). But when you see the newbie driver clutching onto the steering wheel helplessly for dear life as the car slowly but steadily makes a beeline for you after deviating from its original straight line by an angle “theta”, I have no idea what the right reaction is. Clearly throwing the same stone that I had saved for the dog would set in motion a sequence of events that should be tried only after I have increased my speed by a few more miles per hour 🙂 — at Durgapur, Ashish Market.
7 June
2012
Raichak trip – 2012
6 June
2012
Our trips to Big Bazar
Second evening in Durgapur. Second trip to Big Bazar with Sharmila in the evening. If you are not aware of Big Bazar, think of it as a large departmental store. However, if you are aware of Big Bazar, it is really a code word Sharmila and I use to go to a local restaurant to drink some red wine. (my alcohol-disapproving parents have not quite figured out yet what do we buy everyday 🙂 )
5 June
2012
