Letter I wrote to my daughter -- To inspire her, when she was finishing High School

 Dearest Harshu,

 

 

I wanted to start off, by telling you, how much I appreciate your tenacity, hardwork and dedication to your goals.

 

I still remember the day, this little bundle full of black curly hair appeared in the nurse’s arms. Everyone at the hospital was going gaga over the pretty little doll with thick black curly hair which the nurses took turns to decorate and marvel with different stylish bows.

 

I could think of NO OTHER name than Joy, because ur arrival has been the single most joyous moment of my life. I don’t know why god bestowed you to me, but I feel extremely lucky to be your mom and bring you up as a wonderful, hardworking and righteous individual and try to support you in all your endeavors to achieve the American Dream.

 

Your inquisitive nature and a desire to explore the unknown, have been  evident from childhood itself. Some of the incidents of your childhood that, I was a part of, still make me shake my head in amazement and yet fondly ponder over the few moments of your childhood that I was a part of. Just wanted to share some of these with you today:

 

·         When u were two years old, I was in the kitchen, and u dragged a huge chair to the verandah and shut the main door and rang the bell. I have always been scared of strangers and so for a moment, I was like who has come to the house on a Sunday. And when I opened the door, I found u atop the chair laughing that u had successfully fooled me. I was fooled and it was not even April Fool’s day.

 

·         At one time, u took out the silver anklet from your ankle and threw it up towards the moon, trying to explore, if moon’s gravitational pull was better than the earth’s gravitational force. My tiny little Isaac Newton again up to another prank.

 

·         When u first came to US with me, when you were 7 years old, the immigration officer asked u in American English, if I was your mom, and you promptly shook your head saying “NOPE” she isn’t my mom. Well, I guess, your tiger like qualities, often do make me wonder, how a tiger was born to a chicken like me. Thankfully, I was able to convey to u in the Indian language that the officer wanted to know if I am your mom, and u nodded vigorously to say yes. And here we are today taking great pride in your high school graduation , a milestone of your life.

 

·         And the time when Instructor Doug your driving instructor told me, that I need to overcome my fear of letting you drive the car by yourself, and that there was no need for me to book anymore lessons for you. Yet another example of me being the chicken that I am, and the tiger that you are.

 

 

In my humble opinion, the freedom to live your life to the fullest, dream fearlessly, and achieve your desired goals, is an opportunity, which has no equal in life. And I hope to strive to provide you that opportunity.

 

In this world, there are still human goals that the society (even as advanced as a Western civilization like USA) needs to achieve in support of equality (Gender, Race, Abilities etc), but I hope your sojourn at Glendaleprep has prepared you to face the world like the wise and strong leader that you are. Never underestimate or doubt yourself. Never let anybody tell you, that you cannot do this or that. Opportunities are for you to explore.

 

Life is a journey to explore, new adventures to embark upon, and with this, comes the unknown. Be wise in your decisions, separate right from wrong and stand by your decisions. Never lose self-control, because self-control is the tool,, which will cut through the unknown like a single beam of light cutting through the darkness.

 

Until now, I as a protective mother hen, was trying to set boundaries, watch your every moment, and fret and sweat buckets worrying about your safety. Now, u will have to learn to set your own boundaries and yet live your life  and work for your bright future. I had a five pearls of wisdom to share with you, as you embark on the next leg of your amazing journey.

 

1.    Be thankful of whoever you meet in life : And ignore negativity.

 

Whoever was/is/will be  a part of your life during any phase of your life, they surely bring an importance to their role in your life.

 

·         For instance my mother (ammumma) was the pillar of strength, that supported the young infant to grow up to be the strong, focussed and independent child that you grew into.

·         My dad (tataiah), gave you the much needed love, affection and pampering that  every child needs when they are growing up (in my absence when I was busy working jobs, away from you) . He has been the go to guy for you to get u treats, to boss around and try out your leadership skills on, when u as a toddler was ordering him about.

·         Varalakshmi Ammumma has been the rock of support to enable you to finish your high school preparatory education at GlendalePrep, enduring your tantrums, your quirky demands for food and a goodnight blessing and a kiss.

·         Your daddy has been the in time financier , for you to be able to have the necessary amenities that you needed like the car, the college financial support to enable you to go to Lewis and Clark.

·         Matt – Who you turn to , if u have a car issue and who would without skipping a heartbeat come to your defense if ever a situation cropped up to warrant that.

·         Max Forsey – Whose constant competitive spirit has kept u focused to achieve excellence in your school

·         Julia, Gabrielle – Who from the day you joined Glendaleprep treated you with kindness , love and affection , without prejudice

·         And your so many other friends in your class – who treat you with love and care and as an equal and are the most wonderful support system that you got in your school.

·         Clara’s family , Fatima’s family – In times of need the support they provided for you to stay safely and go to school

·         The wonderful teachers and office folks of GlendalePrep – Who without a sign of frustration, understood and supported your mom’s worries and addressed it kindly.

·         Mr Zane Fraley – Even though he also a teenage driver, gave u the scare of an accident, u got a new car because of it. (So be positive of whoever u meet in life and thank them, either openly or in your heart of their presence in your life).

 

 

2.    Forethought : My dad, taught me chess, which is a game to teach kids forethought. Trying to plan for life ten steps ahead of current environment. Always think of consequences of your action, before you actually go through with your action. Plan ahead in life. People who plan out , are better prepared to handle life as it comes. If you are going on a car drive, then plan out your route , if you are going on a late night party , plan out for your safe return, if you are choosing your subjects, plan out to align with your career choices etc.

 

 

3.    Declutter : Declutter your thoughts, your home. Over time, and over situational changes in life thoughts and things become less and less useful. So one needs to constantly declutter , so that one becomes open and amenable to new ideas , new things etc

 

4.    Change Urself to change others  : Sometimes it is easy to expect people to behave in a certain way, it is easier for you to change your behavior and move away from toxic situations to inculcate a peaceful environment for yourself. In time people who really care for you, will change themselves to align to your perspective. So Honor Urself and take pride in yourself.  And don’t forget to  Treat others with the same kindness and integrity that you expect from others when they treat you.

 

 

5.    Make the most of every moment that you have in life . Enjoy every moment . I have enjoyed the little time I have had with you, watching in amazement at your growth . I used to earlier wallow in the things that didn’t happen, like the missing of the FIRST 7yrs of your life, but I correlated your every step towards independence as those tiny moments of your first step (your first drive in the car), your first spoken words (to your first test at school, and your first group discussion ), your turn to a parent for love and affection when u got hurt (to your turn to me, when u needed something done) . I have loved every moment as your mom. So, you do the same, take pride in your growth and enjoy the fruits of your hardwork. Laugh, Party, and Celebrate your life. And do remember your DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education ) education. Say NO to drugs (any shape, any form).

 

 

Hold on to your vision to make a difference in this world, go make mission to mars a reality, for mankind.

 

 

Love you so much

Mom

What a Woman Wants

Today, when my thoughts delved deeper into what exactly I want from the mate that I seek, my mind started this train of thought.

I have met a lot of guys. Some guys like me because I have a good job and a high salary. Some guys like me because I am a woman and guys of course want a woman to have fun with (No Strings attached mind you!!), some guys think I am a strong minded woman and can support them in their lives, and some guys just think of me as an ATM to cater to their financial needs.

When I think about most women and the concept of feminism, yeah there are woman who cherish their independence and want to prove that they are better than men at any given task. I for one, was always driven by the desire to earn my mom’s appreciation and prove that I was better than my brothers in any endeavors that I took, studies, job , life anything. But inspite of the hard exterior visage of feminism, all woman want a guy who can capture their imagination (be it economic independence, be it romanticism, be it adventurous nature, be it intelligence,  be it looks (well-read woman have at one time or another grown up on a staple of mills and boon, whose heroes were tall , dark, six pack handsome studs)

I was brought up in a society where men are considered to be superior. When growing up, I was the last one to be fed and often I struggled with the confusion as to why I should only get food after everyone had eaten or why I couldn’t get my favorite dish to eat because it was finished by the time I got to eat food. So, I grew up to be unabashedly feministic in my perspective of life. Of course, in my home, everyone needs to sit at the table together, girls, boys, men, women at the same time and have what they like to eat. Everyone’s choices are thought of and given credence too and all activities reflect that.

It is so very true that situations in one’s life shape up their desires and goals. I have had a ton of responsibilities which I strive to fulfill to the best of my abilities, but lost in all this hard work, is the young girl whose desires went unfulfilled. People tell me I have achieved a lot in life, but it seems like a hollow statement. Probably the culprit is the movies that I watch and the ideas about the ideal man in a woman’s life.

I have had an interrupted sex life, and I think my growth in my career would have been so much more, if I had the loving, intelligent caring partner in my life and if I didn’t have to worry about money issues every moment of my life. So when I think about what I as a woman want in my man, I think like a 16 year old girl. I want a healthy, outdoorsy guy who is tall, thin, has a six pack and a great appetite for sex. A guy who is financially stable to cater to my whims and fancies of going hand in hand to movies, vacations, concerts, restaurants. A guy, who opens the doors for me, who pulls out a chair for me to sit. A guy who cooks, when I am tired, and cuddles me to sleep in his bear hug.  A guy who is funny, religious and intellectual (nerdy would be just fine).  I want to have the happy family to build a place called home with and live happily ever after.

What made me think like dat, for one thing, my dad was an officer gentleman in the Indian army, so I was greatly influenced by his uprightness, kindness and gentleness towards women of the family and society. His smartness and tall stature, his love for spiritualism, and taste for good movies, good music.

A friend once told me I was blind to let go of a possible mate because he was not tall, or handsome or financially independent, but who could make me laugh and safe till the very end of my life. Idealistic thoughts like , make me laugh and keep me safe etc. doesn’t seem to satisfy my thinking, because when I look at a person, I see the future of how life would be with them. And if, that life is not the ideal life I imagined, then, my mind just stops thinking about that person.

 

Am I the prettiest or the daintiest woman in the whole world, I don’t profess to be. I am hardworking, truthful, simple, and responsible, and, I would like to think an intelligent person. And a feminist at that. I have been often told that I run away from conflicts. I would rather shut myself up, instead of going back and forth arguing about inane stuff in life. And yes, I think I deserve what I want, to be happy in life. So, to all those people who say, since u r not Miss World, or Miss Universe, don’t aspire for the best man in your life, sorry people, u all can take a hike. This is my life, my choice and nobody has a say in it.

 

 

 

 

 

Dil Mera Tere liye hee to Dhadakta hai!!!!

 

 

Family or Work - RNarayana Murthy - Wisdom, Pure Gold

 

 

Mail sent by Narayan Murthy to all Infosys staff:

1-If you are working more than 9 hr then dont need to join Infosys.

2-If you are working on saturday and sunday dont join infosys (for IT).

3-Whatever time define in your task complete within time.

Fire all people who fall in criteria 1,2,3.

It’s half past 8 in the office but the lights are still on… PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing… And who’s at work? Most of them ??? Take a closer look…

All or most specimens are ?? Something male species of the human race…

Look closer… again all or most of them are bachelors…

And why are they sitting late? Working hard? No way!!! Any guesses??? Let’s ask one of them… Here’s what he says… ‘What’s there 2 do after going home…Here we get to surf, AC, phone, food, coffee that is why I am working late…Importantly no bossssssss!!!!!!!!!!!’

This is the scene in most research centers and software companies and other off-shore offices.

Bachelors ‘Passing-Time’ during late hours in the office just bcoz they say they’ve nothing else to do… Now what r the consequences…

‘Working’ (for the record only) late hours soon becomes part of the institute or company culture.

With bosses more than eager to provide support to those ‘working’ late in the form of taxi vouchers, food vouchers and of course good feedback, (oh, he’s a hard worker….. goes home only to change..!!). They aren’t helping things too…

To hell with bosses who don’t understand the difference between ‘sitting’ late and ‘working’ late!!!

Very soon, the boss start expecting all employees to put in extra working hours.

So, My dear Bachelors let me tell you, life changes when u get married and start having a family… office is no longer a priority, family is… and That’s when the problem starts… b’coz u start having commitments at home too.

For your boss, the earlier ‘hardworking’ guy suddenly seems to become a ‘early leaver’ even if u leave an hour after regular time… after doing the same amount of work.

People leaving on time after doing their tasks for the day are labelled as work-shirkers…

Girls who thankfully always (its changing nowadays… though) leave on time are labelled as ‘not up to it’. All the while, the bachelors pat their own backs and carry on ‘working’ not realizing that they r spoiling the work culture at their own place and never realize that they would have to regret at one point of time.

So what’s the moral of the story??
* Very clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!!
* Never put in extra time ‘ unless really needed ‘
* Don’t stay back unnecessarily and spoil your company work culture which will in turn cause inconvenience to you and your colleagues.

There are hundred other things to do in the evening..

Learn music…..

Learn a foreign language…

Try a sport… TT, cricket………..

Importantly,get a girl friend or boy friend, take him/her around town…

* And for heaven’s sake, net cafe rates have dropped to an all-time low (plus, no fire-walls) and try cooking for a change.

Take a tip from the Smirnoff ad: *’Life’s calling, where are you??’*

Please pass on this message to all those colleagues and please do it before leaving time, don’t stay back till midnight to forward this!!!

IT’S A TYPICAL INDIAN MENTALITY THAT WORKING FOR LONG HOURS MEANS VERY HARD WORKING & 100% COMMITMENT ETC.

PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY SIT LATE IN THE OFFICE DON’T KNOW TO MANAGE THEIR TIME. SIMPLE !

Regards, NARAYAN MURTHY.

Lovelorn - Poems

 

Sadiyon se akeli hoon, Par tum ho, ki samajhte hee nahin ho

Jaan kar bhi Anjaan bante ho, kis jurm ki saza dete ho

Apni aankhon mein jhaank kar dekho, meri tasveer nazar aayegi

Apne saanson se poocho, to meri mehak tumhe chu jaayegi

Kahte ho, ki ab main tumhe nahee daantoonga, par jab daantt te the, to pyaar bhi jataate the

Aur ab,, jab  muskurate ho, to bhi , lagta hai ki tumharee ankhon mein aasoon hai

Chahe jo bhi ho, itna jaroor yaad rakhna, ki ek nanhi si jaan, ab bhi tumhare liye hee dhadak tee hai

 

 

 

 

Teri yaadein mere jeevan ka bahar hain

Teri baatein, zindagee ka mithas

Tu jo nahin to dil ko hai kitni ajab see ye pyaas aur dil bhi hai kitna udaas

Aagosh mein agar tum lelo mujhe to samajhoge mera har ehsaas

Mujhe na aasman ki chahat hai, naa mahalon ki

Aas hain to bus itni, ki , kahdo ki tumhe mujhe se pyaar hai mere humraaz

My Paintings

Ek Pal

Ek Pal hai rishte ke toot jaane ka
sadiyan hai rishton ko banane ka

Ek Pal hai palkon se aasoon ke girne ka
sadiyan hai dil ke bojhal hone ka

Ek Pal hai Phhoolon par Os ke rahne ka
Sadiyan hai Os ke boond banne ka

Ek Pal hai muskurane ka,
Sadiyan hain aei dost zindagee bitane ka

Telugu Padyalu

Kiranaaniki cheekati ledu...sirimuvvaki maunam ledu.....
chirunavvuki maranam ledu

dooke nadiki kattadi ledu

nee manasuki hadde  ledu

chupulaki idi andam ane paribhashe ledu

Sagipo veeche gaali laa, telipo o mabbu keratam laa
jeevitana nee gamyam pai valani nee krushini viri jallulaa

Pasipapa chirunavvu
Tellani mallepuvvu
Godhuli lo legaduda ni akkuna cherchukune go maata
varshinche megham
chirugaliki ooge gulabi
ennennani andalo ee madhuramaina lokam lo

Fusion Music - Bridge from Past to the Future

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Being an immigrant from a South Indian traditional Brahmin family,  I have always had a thing for Carnatic music , and Vedic Chants.  When I landed in USA,  wherever I went, in the cab, in the neighbour’s apartment , in the car radio, all I heard was foot stomping, catchy RnB music.

Soon  Shakira, Beyonce,  Christina , Brittany, MJ  were ingrained within me.  But this too was short lived. Soon my restless soul caught up with me, and urged me to explore newer horizons of music.

What has always fascinated me, is the Jagadeka Kutumbam concept, where the ideology of bringing together all cultures, all religions is encouraged. Music is no exception.  Fusion music, has been  tried and experimented with ,to a varying degree of success.  Bollywood, Tollywood, Mollywood  movies  have tried various combinations  of the fusion music conundrum.  Full length  movies like  the Hindi movie , Morning Raaga, or a staple of fusion or remix songs of the popular  genres  of songs are common placed nowadays.

So, I decided to explore, if there was any such effort of fusion music for the Vedic chants, and or Carnatic music. Youtube,  incidentally, is a boon for all music lovers , a treasure house of  music videos  available free of cost , in this new age of commercialization. Of course,  having a computer and an internet connection is not a luxury anymore for most of us who have migrated to the western countries.

And believe me!!  I came across a mind blowing collection of fusion music. Sacred Chants series (Vol 1 – 6 , and growing), Meditative Vibes , Carnatic fusion music, both vocal and instrumental. When listening to these, a whole new world of music opens up before you, you can explore the unending mysteries of music.  Even though my Dad always used to say there is music in every sound that can be heard,  it is now , through my foray into fusion music,  that I realize that sound of rain,  sound of the forests provide a mystic platter of peace, for the mind.

Whenever, I am tired at work, or when driving,  fusion music relaxes me , while still providing the wonderful confluence of my  traditional home (in India) and my new home (in the USA). Also, I have made a lot of friends, through opening up their and my horizons with sharing of music.

As the saying in Sanskrit goes “Sisuvu Vedti, Pasuvu Vedti, Vedti Gana Rasam Phaniti”, Children, Animals and Snakes also enjoy music. So too, we humans!! Music is indeed ,the food for the Soul!!!!

 

Aaj Bhi - Poem from My Heart

Aaj bhi Tumse pyaar kartee hoon main
Na tumse ab koyi ummeed hai zindagi ki
Na tumse ab khwahish hai kisi khushi ki
Par jab tumhare aankhon mein aansoon ho , to unhe pee lene ka man karta hai
Tumhare sare dukh lekar tumhe duniya ki saari khushi dene ka man karta hai
Kya hai humara rishta, ki aaj bhi tumse pyaar kartee hoon main

Ek woh din tha, jab tumhare pyaar bhare khat padhkar aasman mein udtee thi main
Tumhare awaaz ko sunkar saawan ke baharon mein phool ki tarah khiltee thi main
Ek woh din tha, jab tumhare berukhepan par,   apne aap se hi rooth gayee thi main

Aur aaj ka yeh din hai, ki duniya ki har ranjish se ladsaktee hoon main
Par tumharee udaasi se muh nahee mod saktee hoon main
Naa jaane kyon aaj bhi , tumse pyar kartee hoon main

My Lord - My Soul - Lord Shiva

Namo Neelakantha,
Namo Bhakta Varada
Namo ArtaJanaRakshaka
Namo MarkandeyaPriyaDevesha
Namo ParvatiVallabha
Name ManoHridayeshwara
Name Trinetra
Namo Kalabhairava
Namo Achintyeshwara
Namo Vasuroopaya
Namo Vishantakeswara
Namo Unmeelyanetreswara
Namo Chandradhara
Namo Tusharanayana
Namo Rudranetra
Namo Divyarupa
Namo Arunachaleswara
Namo Pranamayakosheswara
Namo Pratibandhaka nasanayana
Namo pratyagatmana
Namo Pratyaksheswara
Namo PriyaRoopaya
Namo PunyaMurthaya
Namo Nirvedayeshwara
Namo Nirvikalpa
Namo NityaDeva
Namo Nivritta
Namo Paramatmika
Namo ParvathiVallabha
Namo Gangadhara
Namo ChandraSekhara
Namo Sarpabhushana
Namo Trilokeshwara
Namo AchintyaRoopa
Namo Advaiteshwara
Namo Halahaladhara
Namo JivanmuktiPradayaka
Namo Jnaneshwara
Namo Avyakta
Namo Bhumeshwara
Namo Brahmanishtha
Namo PanchaBhuteswara
Namo ManoNetraPalaka