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The Dark Lord, elephants and other things !

The early morning drive to Guruvayur is always a catharsis for me ! The long road that traverses across the countryside , often reminds me of Goa. The dawn breaking through the misty morning and reflecting on the tranquil backwaters , the charming churches co-existing with  the temples and mosques ....the morning calm and the anticipation to meet the Dark Lord again. ... !
The temple always humbles me , ensures that I am patient and in many ways it reins  in the myriad thoughts and wishes that flash across  as I sing "Achyutam Keshavan " silently in my head ! My many wish fulfilments and pacts (I always ask the Lord about wishing in Bangla....and then I am sure by now he understands :).......and finally the culmination at the sanctum sanctorum that never fails to invoke awe and amazement at the 
same time !

My visit to the elephant park always has a story ! This time I met Nandini a 40 years old who is actually a lady and "an experienced elephant" according to the trainer !
However Madhavan turned a little angry and decided to throw a bit of sugarcane at my direction when he found me taking picture of a sign board that talked about the unpredictable behavior !  Absolutely my fault again !




Of course my fascination continues as I watched them bathing like humans , being scrubbed cleaned and pampered with the pedicure and looking as pleased as punch ! However , my favorite Padmanabhan has grown old and senile , and needs treatment worth 40,000 a day ! His fall from grace is sad as he has been  banished to a remote corner after "killing" 5 people !

My batch of students this time is an interesting bunch! There is an actor's wife , who is humble and down to earth....and really sweet! Another, who absolutely adores me, in fact at times I have to remind him to take the notes down and not be lost  :) ( the adoration boosts my ego though ) ! A writer ,  teachers and a  fun bunch of young trainers I usually hang out with and end up having lovely time at Fort Kochi ! Having dinner and seeing  the ships sail by ! And then there is a handsome Scott who finds my "being waited upon" hilarious ....and calls me "Elizabeth" ( must say I love the name) !!

A far cry from home really ! But in the end I am missing Kolkata....as in my heart I worry about "Baba" (father in law) who is bed ridden for a while now...and another pact with the Dark Lord and I come back again.... soon !

Comments

  1. Abhishikta20 April 2013 at 11:01

    Ma'am Elizabeth!
    Kolkata calling :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. amrita20 April 2013 at 11:17

    I know ! Missing home and hearth and all that's connected !

    ReplyDelete

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