#1 Everyone who knows me also knows that I am a compulsive caffeine addict. I simply more than adore coffee and chocolate. I challenged myself once that I would go without coffee for a month and I did it too. But I willingly came back to it because coffee is the instant ticket to relief!
#2 Sometimes I surprise even myself by being wonderfully able to manage things under pressure. I tend to get creative too.
#3 I love working. That is provided I love the work I do :P
#4 Okay this should have gone with the first too! I am a reader! I read, read, read anything. Even cartons, gift wrappers, and even tiny letters! So the tricky conditions apply tag cannot escape my notice.
#5 I always plan what to buy and only then go out shopping Sometimes even to the colour and pattern of the dress I want to buy. And this rule does not apply if it is for stationaries. I have a whole load of pencils, ball point pens and notebooks that I know I will never use.
#6 I totally swing between moods. I am soooo blue the one moment and then the next I would be all pink! So beware!
#7 I loved college and study and homework and assingments and SEMINARS (my classmates would know why that is in caps). It sounds nerdy but I dont care I love them.
#8 Another thing that people find wierd about me is that everyday night I make a list of things to do the next day. I like being organised and clutter free. I cant handle clutter unless I am the one who made it. (every sunday I arrange the DVD rack in alphabetical order and I edit the songs on my mp3 player too - *believe me! It is so helpful to de-stress*)
#9 I love evening out anyday. I am not the party all the night kind at all. But I would love to have gala time with friends.
#10 My perfect romantic dinner would be something that I did not cook. I simply can not cook. Even boiling water for tea. Either I am very impatient for the water to boil or I would go on with something else and forget totally about it.
#11 I love star gazing. I can spend an entire night watching the stars.
Okay this cannot go as number 12 - I can simply forget whatever is happening around me when I am absorbed in the work I do. Like reading books/star gazing/listening to music/chatting with my friends.
#12 I love the English language though I can talk well in Tamil also. I can talk Madras Tamil really well.
#13 I have this sudden bursts of affection for people around me. At such times I would feel like I have to find a way to express my feelings/emotions for them and I am restless until I have done it.
(Shahi is the latest benefactress)
#14 I hate people who are shameless to piss in public. Once when I was in school I came up with this idea of electrifying all compund walls and fences so people wont piss on them. This was in class VIII when they taught me that electricity passes through water.
#15 On my XII grade farewell party I made all three of my best friends promise that they wont get addicted to drinking and they would never do anything cheap to a girl.
#16 I hate nails. Soundarya is the only person in my life whom I never asked to cut nails.
#17 The reason why I love my job the most is because I know I will be able to influence people around me in a good way.
#18 I love-hate my mom.
#19 My sister is my best friend.
#20 I dream when I cant go to sleep. The one that I frequently bring up is with Aladdin's lamp.
#21 I think TV is a total waste of time except for cartoons. I love watching films though. I can watch films back to back.
#22 I have watched Mani Ratnam's "Bombay" about 50 times. But I still cry everytime I watch it.
#23 I am a sucker for romantic stories too. I can go awww... about any number of them.
#24 I would love to travel only for holiday! Otherwise I want to be home NOW!
#25 Right now I am teetering on the most frustrating and testing point of my life!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sunday, March 9, 2008
The Bird and The Crumb.
"All play and no work
Makes not only Jack
But Jhansi also
A dull girl"-
This was my mother
Complaining about me not studying,
About which I never bother.
To satisfy her
And also because
Her scoldings I fear,
Taking my favourite book
I sat down by the window sill.
The world around was still;
But of course not silent.
From somewhere came a crow
With a crumb in its beak.
Perching on the roof,
Pecking at the crumb,
Checking for some danger.
How surprised I was!
I have always heard,
Crows share their meals.
But today-?!
I complained to my father.
He said-
"Times have changed".
Makes not only Jack
But Jhansi also
A dull girl"-
This was my mother
Complaining about me not studying,
About which I never bother.
To satisfy her
And also because
Her scoldings I fear,
Taking my favourite book
I sat down by the window sill.
The world around was still;
But of course not silent.
From somewhere came a crow
With a crumb in its beak.
Perching on the roof,
Pecking at the crumb,
Checking for some danger.
How surprised I was!
I have always heard,
Crows share their meals.
But today-?!
I complained to my father.
He said-
"Times have changed".
Books
Life's intimate friends,
Who answer me anytime.
They carry me on their wings
All around a whole new world.
The thoughts
ideas
people
in it-
The touch
smell
rustle
of it-
The relief
freedom
liberation
I find-
A music
song
dance
of its own kind-
Life's manifold exquisiteness are unfolded,
As I cuddle into its world.
Who answer me anytime.
They carry me on their wings
All around a whole new world.
The thoughts
ideas
people
in it-
The touch
smell
rustle
of it-
The relief
freedom
liberation
I find-
A music
song
dance
of its own kind-
Life's manifold exquisiteness are unfolded,
As I cuddle into its world.
Broken Glass
The past we shared
and the bond we had;
Now is broken.
Scattered in shards.
Jagged.
Not just broken but lost.
Never to be the same again.
The light hurts my eye.
They cut.
Even as I try to clear them.
Blood flows.
But
pain has ceased.
Witht the tears that I shed.
and the bond we had;
Now is broken.
Scattered in shards.
Jagged.
Not just broken but lost.
Never to be the same again.
The light hurts my eye.
They cut.
Even as I try to clear them.
Blood flows.
But
pain has ceased.
Witht the tears that I shed.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Room to Live...
Characters:
Rani
35 year old woman of the lower class, dark and thin. She works as a house maid in a couple of houses. She is the sole bread-winner of the family.
Gaja
Rani's husband. A 40 year old tall man of the lower class, dark and lanky. Believer of the Epicuriean philosophy of life, does not work/worry about his family.
Rani's children:
Vinoth
14 years old, dark, big eyes, looks short for his age, studying 9th class.
Sathish
11 years old, dark, sharp eyes, thin, studies 6th class.
Kamala
9 years old, dark, pretty looking, thin, short, in 4th class.
Kandan & Kumaran
brothers to Rani, both elder.
Setting:
[The setting is the inside of a hut. Dim Sodium monochrome light from a bulb on the left and another on the right. Upstage left is the kitchen corner. A few bare utensils of various sizes, an urn and an earthern pot. A few onions and curry leaves lie on a muram. A small sized shelf with three racks of bottles, may be containing spices.
On the wall, towards stage left are three pictures of Hindu gods and godesses, decorated with turmeric and saffron. Dried up flowers adorn the pictures. To the right is a rusted steel almirah. Below are a few bundles of clothes and a rusted trunk.
To the stage right is a bamboo cot. Gaja is lying on the cot wearing a lungi and a vest. He seems to be asleep. His shirt hangs on one of the cot's legs.
Under the cot are arranged pillows and bedsheets. A few feet from the cot, towards the centre stage is a ragged mat on which Vinoth, Sathish and Kamala are seated. They have their worn-out school bags next to them and are doing their homework.
To the stage right is a fan of an old model, turned on and making a droning sound.
When the screen opens, Gaja gets up, sits still for a couple of moments and goes to the fan, turns it towards him.]
Kamala: Appa... we won't get air now.
Gaja: Concentrate on your work... wants the fan...
[Rani comes in. She is wearing an old cotton saree. She carries with her an yellow cloth bag. Gaja continues in a mocking tone]
Queen?!... Let me tell you, don't get used to these luxuries. You might not get them in the other house you go to.
[Rani leaves her bag near the stove and begins doing her chores- washes face, lights diyas, cuts vegetables... all the while talking]
Rani: Why can't she have it? I'll make sure she gets it. As if I'll marry her to the first fool who comes on way- am I like my parents without eyes?
Gaja: So... you are the sole authority of her life!
Rani: Who else then? Who has taken care of the children so far? You are not bothered one way or the other if we are alive or dead! You do not even care to work for your family...
Gaja: Che'... a man can not rest peacefully in this house... [Takes his shirt and starts putting it on] Problem of sending women to work... they start thinking they are the boss.
Rani: Did I ask you? If you are so worried, why don't you find a job? Then I will stay at home and let you be the boss... [Gaja walks out] and I do not do a boss's job. I have to wash plates outside to be the boss at home.
Kamala: Amma, can I turn the fan now?
Rani: What? Are you worried only about the fan? Not a soul to console me... Here I am, living this cursed life with my brothers right next door living like zamindars.
[Kamala gets back to her books after Vinoth nudges her. As she is talking, Rani continues to chop onions and prepare the meal. After this, she gets up, goes to the yellow cotton bag, takes out a half empty packet of bicuits and gives it to the children. She turns the fan towards them and gets back to the kitchen corner.
Vinoth shares the biscuits among the others. They whisper as they snack on the biscuits.
Rani searches for something inside the spice bottles. She finally pulls out a soiled ten rupee note.]
Rani: Vinoth, can you go to the shop in the street corner and get me some tomatoes?
Vinoth:Okay amma. For how much do I buy?
Rani: For four rupees.
[Vinoth goes out. Rani continues her cooking.]
Kamala: Sathish, today we learnt about different kinds of houses . Look at these pictures da.
Sathish: Hey, this kutcha house is like our house.
Kamala: Didn't you know? Our house is a hut.
Sathish: What else did you learn?
Kamala: [Recites like a parrot.] A house has drawing room, kitchen, pooja room, bed room and bath room.
Sathish: But we do not have these many rooms right? We have got only one room; then how do we call it a house?
[Vinoth comes in, gives the tomatoes and change to Rani. Kamala gets up with her book and goes to Rani.]
Kamala: Amma, look at this. We don't have these many rooms...
Rani: First look if you have food for the night! Go back and do your work.
Vinoth: Come here Kamala. Amma is busy cooking food for us. Tell me, what do you want?
[The two go and sit on the mat.]
Kamala: Look here anna. It is given that a house has drawing room, kitchen, pooja room, bed room and bath room.
Sathish: We have only one room. How can we call it a house?
Vinoth: But we have all these parts of the house.
Kamala: Where?
Vinoth: Like you said, in this one room.
Sathish: How? Show us.
Vinoth: There is the bed room... [Points to the cot] there is our pooja room... [Points to the pictures of the gods] we are right now sitting in our drawing room, our mother is cooking in the kitchen and we have a bath room outside, near the well.
Kamala: But we do not sleep in our bedroom.
Vinoth: That is because we have a small house. By the way, what about your Maths homework? Uma miss told me you are not doing your homework properly...
Kamala: That is not me. I finished my homework. It is Sathish who did not do his work.
Sathish: I was actually waiting for you. I did not understant it.
Vinoth: Okay. I am here. Can we do it now?
[Sathish takes out his Maths book and notebooks with a long face. Kamala makes a face at him and starts reciting the different rooms of the house, pointing to the different corners of the house.
Gaja walks in in a drunken stupor. His clothes are askew and are soiled. He slurs as he talks.]
Gaja: Ai-i-i-i.... wher-r-r-e... a-a-are you de? Where a-a-r-r-r-e you, you bitch? Talk to me n-n-o-o-o-w-w-w...
Rani: [Continues doing her work] Come home man! I have got a palanquin ready at your foot and a feast ready for you.
Gaja: O-o-o-o-o... If you on-l-l-l-y did th-a-a-a-t... you would b-e-e-e a p-r-r-oppe-r-r-r woman.
Rani: [Looks up to him] What right have you to talk about it? [Gets back to her cooking] Has not held a job for more than a week... never brought a penny for the family... but wants to be the master of the house!...
Gaja: Aye-e-e-e... Yes de-e-e-e... I am-m-m your-r-r ma-a-a-ster-r-r. You-u-u are my ser-r-r-r-vant-t. You must do-o-o-o wha-a-a-t ever-r-r I ask you to do-o-o-o.
[The children stop studying and look at their parents.]
Rani: [Gets up and walks up to him.] I am not your servant and this house is not where your orders work. Get out!
Gaja: Get-t-t o-u-u-t-t-t?! Get-t-t o-u-u-t-t-t?!!! Who-o-o do you-u-u-u thi-i-i-nk you a-a-a-r-r-r-e spe-e-e-aking to?
Rani: I very well know that I am speaking to a son of a bitch!
Gaja: How-w-w dar-r-r-e you ca-a-a-l-l-l-l me-e-e that?!
Rani: [Turns towards the audience in tears.] You are just that. You are an impotent who cannot take care of his family.
Gaja: Ai-i-i-i... You-u-u-u blood-d-d-d-y bitch. I wil-l-l-l-l show you-u-u-u who-o-o I am!
[Gaja drags Rani down by her hair and starts kicking her.
Kamala starts crying. Sathish runs out. Vinoth runs to his mother and tries to shield her.
The following dialogues of Rani, Gaja and Vinoth are spoken simultaneously.]
Rani: [Sits up and looks at Gaja] Yes hit me... I was resting leisurely all day long on the bed... tired of not getting sleep.... did not do my work... so you are teaching me a lesson...
Gaja: How-w-w dar-r-r-e you cal-l-l-l me that? This-s-s will te-e-e-e-ach you to shut up. If you have four-r-r-r annas-s-s- with you, you think you ar-r-r-re the que-e-e-e-n...
Vinoth: Appa... appa... please pa... stop it pa!... please stop pa... appa...
[Sathish comes in running with Kandan and Kumaran. They are in their lungies and vests. One has a towel around his neck. Their right hands show that they have come in the middle of their dinner.
They hold Gaja back and push him on to the cot. Sathish and Kamala rush to their mother's side crying.
Gaja continues to murmur all through.]
Kandan: Every other day you have a fight and we have to come here saving you.
Kumaran: Aye Rani! Why can't you keep quiet? Why do you start a fight?
Rani: Me? Am I the one? This sick fellow does not go to a job... Even if I manage by washing dishes, he does not let me be in peace. He waits to drink my blood...
Kandan: You know about him... Why make a fuss?
Rani: What is it for you? You have your own life of luxury. Why worry about me?
Kumaran: Now, don't start fighting with us. [Turns to Sathish, Vinoth & Kamala] Dai ! Did you eat?
Sathish: No maama.
Vinoth: Amma was cooking. I just now got tomatoes for her.
Kumaran: Okay... okay! Come home and eat.
Kamala: What about amma?
Rani: Food is the only thing that I lack right now!
Kandan: What do the children know about it? Let me go and get them food. [Goes out.]
Rani: I am a cursed being and these are also cursed because they are born to me.
Kumaran: Enough of all the talk Rani. Go to bed. Let us talk about it tomorrow morning.
[Kumaran and Vinoth help Rani to bed.]
Rani: What will happen tomorrow? It is an everyday battle that I fight. He does not work and neither lets me be in peace. I wish he were dead. It would be better if we were all...
Kumaran: Chee! What is this you are saying in front of the children? Go to sleep silently now.
Rani: Sleep...? How will I sleep? Sleep does not come to me. I only die temporarily every night.
Kumaran: Okay... okay. Now just lie down.
[Kandan comes in with food. Kamala and Sathish get plates. The three children sit and eat the food.
Kandan and Kumaran go out.
After a few moments...]
Kamala: Sathish, this rice is so good da.
Sathish: Yes de. It is not like what we eat in our house.
Vinoth: It is more costly than what we buy from the ration. Maama buys it from the provision shop.
Kamala: Can we also buy there?
Vinoth: When father also starts earning we will also buy there.
Sathish: I wish till then we eat at maama's house.
Kamala: Then everyday our amma has to get beaten up by appa.
[Rani whimpers.]
Vinoth: Both of you stop talking and eat your food.
[Curtain falls.]
Rani
35 year old woman of the lower class, dark and thin. She works as a house maid in a couple of houses. She is the sole bread-winner of the family.
Gaja
Rani's husband. A 40 year old tall man of the lower class, dark and lanky. Believer of the Epicuriean philosophy of life, does not work/worry about his family.
Rani's children:
Vinoth
14 years old, dark, big eyes, looks short for his age, studying 9th class.
Sathish
11 years old, dark, sharp eyes, thin, studies 6th class.
Kamala
9 years old, dark, pretty looking, thin, short, in 4th class.
Kandan & Kumaran
brothers to Rani, both elder.
Setting:
[The setting is the inside of a hut. Dim Sodium monochrome light from a bulb on the left and another on the right. Upstage left is the kitchen corner. A few bare utensils of various sizes, an urn and an earthern pot. A few onions and curry leaves lie on a muram. A small sized shelf with three racks of bottles, may be containing spices.
On the wall, towards stage left are three pictures of Hindu gods and godesses, decorated with turmeric and saffron. Dried up flowers adorn the pictures. To the right is a rusted steel almirah. Below are a few bundles of clothes and a rusted trunk.
To the stage right is a bamboo cot. Gaja is lying on the cot wearing a lungi and a vest. He seems to be asleep. His shirt hangs on one of the cot's legs.
Under the cot are arranged pillows and bedsheets. A few feet from the cot, towards the centre stage is a ragged mat on which Vinoth, Sathish and Kamala are seated. They have their worn-out school bags next to them and are doing their homework.
To the stage right is a fan of an old model, turned on and making a droning sound.
When the screen opens, Gaja gets up, sits still for a couple of moments and goes to the fan, turns it towards him.]
Kamala: Appa... we won't get air now.
Gaja: Concentrate on your work... wants the fan...
[Rani comes in. She is wearing an old cotton saree. She carries with her an yellow cloth bag. Gaja continues in a mocking tone]
Queen?!... Let me tell you, don't get used to these luxuries. You might not get them in the other house you go to.
[Rani leaves her bag near the stove and begins doing her chores- washes face, lights diyas, cuts vegetables... all the while talking]
Rani: Why can't she have it? I'll make sure she gets it. As if I'll marry her to the first fool who comes on way- am I like my parents without eyes?
Gaja: So... you are the sole authority of her life!
Rani: Who else then? Who has taken care of the children so far? You are not bothered one way or the other if we are alive or dead! You do not even care to work for your family...
Gaja: Che'... a man can not rest peacefully in this house... [Takes his shirt and starts putting it on] Problem of sending women to work... they start thinking they are the boss.
Rani: Did I ask you? If you are so worried, why don't you find a job? Then I will stay at home and let you be the boss... [Gaja walks out] and I do not do a boss's job. I have to wash plates outside to be the boss at home.
Kamala: Amma, can I turn the fan now?
Rani: What? Are you worried only about the fan? Not a soul to console me... Here I am, living this cursed life with my brothers right next door living like zamindars.
[Kamala gets back to her books after Vinoth nudges her. As she is talking, Rani continues to chop onions and prepare the meal. After this, she gets up, goes to the yellow cotton bag, takes out a half empty packet of bicuits and gives it to the children. She turns the fan towards them and gets back to the kitchen corner.
Vinoth shares the biscuits among the others. They whisper as they snack on the biscuits.
Rani searches for something inside the spice bottles. She finally pulls out a soiled ten rupee note.]
Rani: Vinoth, can you go to the shop in the street corner and get me some tomatoes?
Vinoth:Okay amma. For how much do I buy?
Rani: For four rupees.
[Vinoth goes out. Rani continues her cooking.]
Kamala: Sathish, today we learnt about different kinds of houses . Look at these pictures da.
Sathish: Hey, this kutcha house is like our house.
Kamala: Didn't you know? Our house is a hut.
Sathish: What else did you learn?
Kamala: [Recites like a parrot.] A house has drawing room, kitchen, pooja room, bed room and bath room.
Sathish: But we do not have these many rooms right? We have got only one room; then how do we call it a house?
[Vinoth comes in, gives the tomatoes and change to Rani. Kamala gets up with her book and goes to Rani.]
Kamala: Amma, look at this. We don't have these many rooms...
Rani: First look if you have food for the night! Go back and do your work.
Vinoth: Come here Kamala. Amma is busy cooking food for us. Tell me, what do you want?
[The two go and sit on the mat.]
Kamala: Look here anna. It is given that a house has drawing room, kitchen, pooja room, bed room and bath room.
Sathish: We have only one room. How can we call it a house?
Vinoth: But we have all these parts of the house.
Kamala: Where?
Vinoth: Like you said, in this one room.
Sathish: How? Show us.
Vinoth: There is the bed room... [Points to the cot] there is our pooja room... [Points to the pictures of the gods] we are right now sitting in our drawing room, our mother is cooking in the kitchen and we have a bath room outside, near the well.
Kamala: But we do not sleep in our bedroom.
Vinoth: That is because we have a small house. By the way, what about your Maths homework? Uma miss told me you are not doing your homework properly...
Kamala: That is not me. I finished my homework. It is Sathish who did not do his work.
Sathish: I was actually waiting for you. I did not understant it.
Vinoth: Okay. I am here. Can we do it now?
[Sathish takes out his Maths book and notebooks with a long face. Kamala makes a face at him and starts reciting the different rooms of the house, pointing to the different corners of the house.
Gaja walks in in a drunken stupor. His clothes are askew and are soiled. He slurs as he talks.]
Gaja: Ai-i-i-i.... wher-r-r-e... a-a-are you de? Where a-a-r-r-r-e you, you bitch? Talk to me n-n-o-o-o-w-w-w...
Rani: [Continues doing her work] Come home man! I have got a palanquin ready at your foot and a feast ready for you.
Gaja: O-o-o-o-o... If you on-l-l-l-y did th-a-a-a-t... you would b-e-e-e a p-r-r-oppe-r-r-r woman.
Rani: [Looks up to him] What right have you to talk about it? [Gets back to her cooking] Has not held a job for more than a week... never brought a penny for the family... but wants to be the master of the house!...
Gaja: Aye-e-e-e... Yes de-e-e-e... I am-m-m your-r-r ma-a-a-ster-r-r. You-u-u are my ser-r-r-r-vant-t. You must do-o-o-o wha-a-a-t ever-r-r I ask you to do-o-o-o.
[The children stop studying and look at their parents.]
Rani: [Gets up and walks up to him.] I am not your servant and this house is not where your orders work. Get out!
Gaja: Get-t-t o-u-u-t-t-t?! Get-t-t o-u-u-t-t-t?!!! Who-o-o do you-u-u-u thi-i-i-nk you a-a-a-r-r-r-e spe-e-e-aking to?
Rani: I very well know that I am speaking to a son of a bitch!
Gaja: How-w-w dar-r-r-e you ca-a-a-l-l-l-l me-e-e that?!
Rani: [Turns towards the audience in tears.] You are just that. You are an impotent who cannot take care of his family.
Gaja: Ai-i-i-i... You-u-u-u blood-d-d-d-y bitch. I wil-l-l-l-l show you-u-u-u who-o-o I am!
[Gaja drags Rani down by her hair and starts kicking her.
Kamala starts crying. Sathish runs out. Vinoth runs to his mother and tries to shield her.
The following dialogues of Rani, Gaja and Vinoth are spoken simultaneously.]
Rani: [Sits up and looks at Gaja] Yes hit me... I was resting leisurely all day long on the bed... tired of not getting sleep.... did not do my work... so you are teaching me a lesson...
Gaja: How-w-w dar-r-r-e you cal-l-l-l me that? This-s-s will te-e-e-e-ach you to shut up. If you have four-r-r-r annas-s-s- with you, you think you ar-r-r-re the que-e-e-e-n...
Vinoth: Appa... appa... please pa... stop it pa!... please stop pa... appa...
[Sathish comes in running with Kandan and Kumaran. They are in their lungies and vests. One has a towel around his neck. Their right hands show that they have come in the middle of their dinner.
They hold Gaja back and push him on to the cot. Sathish and Kamala rush to their mother's side crying.
Gaja continues to murmur all through.]
Kandan: Every other day you have a fight and we have to come here saving you.
Kumaran: Aye Rani! Why can't you keep quiet? Why do you start a fight?
Rani: Me? Am I the one? This sick fellow does not go to a job... Even if I manage by washing dishes, he does not let me be in peace. He waits to drink my blood...
Kandan: You know about him... Why make a fuss?
Rani: What is it for you? You have your own life of luxury. Why worry about me?
Kumaran: Now, don't start fighting with us. [Turns to Sathish, Vinoth & Kamala] Dai ! Did you eat?
Sathish: No maama.
Vinoth: Amma was cooking. I just now got tomatoes for her.
Kumaran: Okay... okay! Come home and eat.
Kamala: What about amma?
Rani: Food is the only thing that I lack right now!
Kandan: What do the children know about it? Let me go and get them food. [Goes out.]
Rani: I am a cursed being and these are also cursed because they are born to me.
Kumaran: Enough of all the talk Rani. Go to bed. Let us talk about it tomorrow morning.
[Kumaran and Vinoth help Rani to bed.]
Rani: What will happen tomorrow? It is an everyday battle that I fight. He does not work and neither lets me be in peace. I wish he were dead. It would be better if we were all...
Kumaran: Chee! What is this you are saying in front of the children? Go to sleep silently now.
Rani: Sleep...? How will I sleep? Sleep does not come to me. I only die temporarily every night.
Kumaran: Okay... okay. Now just lie down.
[Kandan comes in with food. Kamala and Sathish get plates. The three children sit and eat the food.
Kandan and Kumaran go out.
After a few moments...]
Kamala: Sathish, this rice is so good da.
Sathish: Yes de. It is not like what we eat in our house.
Vinoth: It is more costly than what we buy from the ration. Maama buys it from the provision shop.
Kamala: Can we also buy there?
Vinoth: When father also starts earning we will also buy there.
Sathish: I wish till then we eat at maama's house.
Kamala: Then everyday our amma has to get beaten up by appa.
[Rani whimpers.]
Vinoth: Both of you stop talking and eat your food.
[Curtain falls.]
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
"Coffee Break"- a 2 minute play.
Principal Actors.
Sudheep: A 25 year old software architect, working with an efficient company.
Janavi: A 23 year old research student of sociology.
[Chennai. A 11 to 11 coffee shop. Five teak wood tables with three chairs around each. One at the centre front and the others around them. Spot light on the centre front table. Sitting on the chair looking towards the entrance of the stage is Sudheep, in murky green cargoes and a green & white striped T-shirt. His elbows are resting on the table with his finger tips touching. His i-pod lies askew on the day's newspaper beside his N-73 gadget.
Two other tables are filled with the after college students. In one other table is a young couple newly in love. A soft western classic instrumental track plays on. The clinking of ceramic cups and the clanking of spoons blend in harmony with the conversation. Sudden bursts of laughter from the tables with the college-goers.
Janavi walks in in her blue jeans and red kurti. She is smiling wide. She winks at him and sits in the opposite chair. The waiter enters to leave two iced granitas- blue for Sudheep and orange for Janavi.]
Sudheep: Looks like you've had a bright day?!
Janavi: Yup! I have all reasons to count it a memorable day. Let us mark it by ordering something special.
(looks around for the waiter)
Sudheep: Wah... Wah... Wah... But what is it?
Janavi: I got the Google job! (winks) Remember? I had applied a couple of months ago? The same. I am all excited. So, it's my treat!
Sudheep: Oh! (looks as if he has lost his grip)
Janavi: I am supposed to be joining next week. (Picks up the ear phones of the i-pod. About to put it in her ear...)
Sudheep: Next week? Don't you think it's too soon?
Janavi: (One ear phone plugged into her right ear) No! I have been waiting for it all along. Actually, the wait has been long... I was nervous you know? But just when I thought I had missed it...
(Sudheep looks lost in his own thoughts)
Sudheep?.... Sudheep!!!
Sudheep: Er... yes?
Janavi: What's up man? Anything wrong?
Sudheep: No... but... Janavi?... Do you really think you need this job?
(Removes the ear phone, looking at him incredulously)
Janavi: What do you mean do I need it?
Sudheep: I mean you can work right here right? In Chennai?
Janavi: (laughs scornfully) But Sudheep! There is no Google office in Chennai.
Sudheep: I know. But may be some other concern?...
Janavi: Ouf! Sudheep! Common man! You knew I had applied for the job, didn't you?
Sudheep: Yes... yes..., I knew. But... but...
Janavi: But what? You thought I would'nt get it? Is that what your 'but' means?
Sudheep: Janavi! Don't get too hyped. We are just talking about it. I am not asking you to quit.
Janavi: Quit? Huh! How did that freaky idea get into your mind? Do you know how many rounds of tests and interviews I had gone through for this?
Sudheep: Janavi relax!.. Listen to me atleast?!
(silence)
I just... I just want us to be... to be close together.
Janavi: I think we are. What more?
Sudheep: But then, if you move to Hyderabad... if you move out of Chennai... then... then... don't you think we will lose our intimacy?
Janavi: What? What on earth...?
(silence)
Sudheep! Do you realise how silly you sound?
Sudheep: It is not silly Janavi! Why don't you...
Janavi: Oh please! Cut it out! Just tell me what is going on in your mind?
Sudheep: I am not okay with it.
Janavi: What is not okay with you?
Sudheep: Your moving out of Chennai?
Janavi: Since when have you been taking my decisions in life?
Sudheep: Janavi but... don't you realise we have a future together?
Janavi: Furure together, yes! But it is my life I am thinking about and I don't see how it affects our future together. (pause)
(Sudheep stares blankly.)
C'mon Sudheep! You are talking as if the marriage is tomorrow and I am cancelling it...
Sudheep: (calm but anger is shown in his voice.) What are you going to do?
Janavi: (puts both her hands, palms open, on the table) I've told you. I have decided to go for it. I am not waiting for your permission. I was just informing you of my plans.
[Janavi packs her bag and walks out plcing some money on the table. Sudheep stares at it.]
Sudheep: A 25 year old software architect, working with an efficient company.
Janavi: A 23 year old research student of sociology.
[Chennai. A 11 to 11 coffee shop. Five teak wood tables with three chairs around each. One at the centre front and the others around them. Spot light on the centre front table. Sitting on the chair looking towards the entrance of the stage is Sudheep, in murky green cargoes and a green & white striped T-shirt. His elbows are resting on the table with his finger tips touching. His i-pod lies askew on the day's newspaper beside his N-73 gadget.
Two other tables are filled with the after college students. In one other table is a young couple newly in love. A soft western classic instrumental track plays on. The clinking of ceramic cups and the clanking of spoons blend in harmony with the conversation. Sudden bursts of laughter from the tables with the college-goers.
Janavi walks in in her blue jeans and red kurti. She is smiling wide. She winks at him and sits in the opposite chair. The waiter enters to leave two iced granitas- blue for Sudheep and orange for Janavi.]
Sudheep: Looks like you've had a bright day?!
Janavi: Yup! I have all reasons to count it a memorable day. Let us mark it by ordering something special.
(looks around for the waiter)
Sudheep: Wah... Wah... Wah... But what is it?
Janavi: I got the Google job! (winks) Remember? I had applied a couple of months ago? The same. I am all excited. So, it's my treat!
Sudheep: Oh! (looks as if he has lost his grip)
Janavi: I am supposed to be joining next week. (Picks up the ear phones of the i-pod. About to put it in her ear...)
Sudheep: Next week? Don't you think it's too soon?
Janavi: (One ear phone plugged into her right ear) No! I have been waiting for it all along. Actually, the wait has been long... I was nervous you know? But just when I thought I had missed it...
(Sudheep looks lost in his own thoughts)
Sudheep?.... Sudheep!!!
Sudheep: Er... yes?
Janavi: What's up man? Anything wrong?
Sudheep: No... but... Janavi?... Do you really think you need this job?
(Removes the ear phone, looking at him incredulously)
Janavi: What do you mean do I need it?
Sudheep: I mean you can work right here right? In Chennai?
Janavi: (laughs scornfully) But Sudheep! There is no Google office in Chennai.
Sudheep: I know. But may be some other concern?...
Janavi: Ouf! Sudheep! Common man! You knew I had applied for the job, didn't you?
Sudheep: Yes... yes..., I knew. But... but...
Janavi: But what? You thought I would'nt get it? Is that what your 'but' means?
Sudheep: Janavi! Don't get too hyped. We are just talking about it. I am not asking you to quit.
Janavi: Quit? Huh! How did that freaky idea get into your mind? Do you know how many rounds of tests and interviews I had gone through for this?
Sudheep: Janavi relax!.. Listen to me atleast?!
(silence)
I just... I just want us to be... to be close together.
Janavi: I think we are. What more?
Sudheep: But then, if you move to Hyderabad... if you move out of Chennai... then... then... don't you think we will lose our intimacy?
Janavi: What? What on earth...?
(silence)
Sudheep! Do you realise how silly you sound?
Sudheep: It is not silly Janavi! Why don't you...
Janavi: Oh please! Cut it out! Just tell me what is going on in your mind?
Sudheep: I am not okay with it.
Janavi: What is not okay with you?
Sudheep: Your moving out of Chennai?
Janavi: Since when have you been taking my decisions in life?
Sudheep: Janavi but... don't you realise we have a future together?
Janavi: Furure together, yes! But it is my life I am thinking about and I don't see how it affects our future together. (pause)
(Sudheep stares blankly.)
C'mon Sudheep! You are talking as if the marriage is tomorrow and I am cancelling it...
Sudheep: (calm but anger is shown in his voice.) What are you going to do?
Janavi: (puts both her hands, palms open, on the table) I've told you. I have decided to go for it. I am not waiting for your permission. I was just informing you of my plans.
[Janavi packs her bag and walks out plcing some money on the table. Sudheep stares at it.]
Friday, June 29, 2007
ME
Walking through the canyons of trees and plants, I wet my feet. The dew drops left behind by night that had passes soothe the pain caused by thorns among the bushes. I walk ahead.
I had a dream.
I had a dream.
I don't have one. I don't know why. I walk ahead. Walking as just the muscular & mechanical action. I do not get any pleasure or joy in walking. The greean around has been toned down like numbed by pain. I know that something from within me is seeping out. But I like the feeling. It does not drain my energy. It neither does give me hope. I just walk on - without energy to even take one step ahead, without having the hope of living the next moment.
I walk on...
As the road strtches forward, I dont look ahead but I look back! Back into my life...
Did I forget how to look forward? I don't know. I don't care to know.
I am in a crowd. I am alone. I am laughing. I am crying. I simply smile. I am hurt. I am happy. I am sad. I am inert. I am simply scared. Which one of this is the real 'I'? Where do I find the real 'I'? Or is there a real 'I' at all? I don't know. I don't want to know.
There has been just a single person in my life. There has been a family in my life. There have been a hundred people in my life... no, even a thousand that I know of. A whole country. A whole planet that I lived in. But I very rarel crossed my city limits. How is the life beyond? What is the life beyond?
I don't know. I don't care to know.
I am not alone. I am jostling in a crowd. A crowd which is many me. I am several people. People pf different kind, different attitudes. People who feel free for different reasons. People who are bound for different reasons. People who are happy like me. People who are sad like me. People most unlike me. People most like me. They are all me. They all atleast have my face.
I am many people bacause I am woman.
"I define myself: I am a woman."
I had a dream.
I had a dream.
I don't have one. I don't know why. I walk ahead. Walking as just the muscular & mechanical action. I do not get any pleasure or joy in walking. The greean around has been toned down like numbed by pain. I know that something from within me is seeping out. But I like the feeling. It does not drain my energy. It neither does give me hope. I just walk on - without energy to even take one step ahead, without having the hope of living the next moment.
I walk on...
As the road strtches forward, I dont look ahead but I look back! Back into my life...
Did I forget how to look forward? I don't know. I don't care to know.
I am in a crowd. I am alone. I am laughing. I am crying. I simply smile. I am hurt. I am happy. I am sad. I am inert. I am simply scared. Which one of this is the real 'I'? Where do I find the real 'I'? Or is there a real 'I' at all? I don't know. I don't want to know.
There has been just a single person in my life. There has been a family in my life. There have been a hundred people in my life... no, even a thousand that I know of. A whole country. A whole planet that I lived in. But I very rarel crossed my city limits. How is the life beyond? What is the life beyond?
I don't know. I don't care to know.
I am not alone. I am jostling in a crowd. A crowd which is many me. I am several people. People pf different kind, different attitudes. People who feel free for different reasons. People who are bound for different reasons. People who are happy like me. People who are sad like me. People most unlike me. People most like me. They are all me. They all atleast have my face.
I am many people bacause I am woman.
"I define myself: I am a woman."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)