THE DOG'S DIWALI

During Diwali, my dog Sando (a hardy Indian dog) has a ritual: he starts living under the bed until the fireworks go away. This includes staying put during mealtimes: He would rather die of starvation than face the fireworks. We feel sorry for him and he gets served under the bed. But even then most of the time his bowl stays untouched.

I don't know why Sando feels safe under the bed because the noise level cannot be any lower there. Or for that matter anywhere else. My other dog, Kalu (another Indian dog), blissfully gets through Diwali without any complaints. On occasions, when the blast-and-burst sounds cross a certain decibel, Kalu may frown, sigh, and change his position. His subtle protest. But running for cover under the bed is just not his style.  And his considerable appetite is not in the least affected.

But one thing is very strange about Sando. For a dog who is so petrified of loud sounds, he never gives up on his walks: come what ear-shattering firecracker. The moment he hears "walk-walk", he sprints form under the bed and posts himself at the gate.
On the road too Sando is a brave soul. While other dogs go cowering under cars and drains, Sando struts the streets. Kalu, of course, is the coolest. I know Sando is scared deep down because when we head back home and near the gate, he runs into the house and dives under the bed!
But call out "walk-walk" and he's ready in a moment to glide the streets and ignore the detonating bombs. Just what is this dog thinking?!

THE FIRST COMMENT

My erratic blog got it's first comment (and a positive one at that) and I' m feeling, well, elated.What surprises me is that you are never jaded or cynical enough to remain untouched by a response to what you have written. Blog post or cover story, as long as someone reads what you write, life is wonderful. 

Every time, since the first time, I have seen my byline in print I have experienced that high. My first job was at a lifestyle magazine and my obsession with bylines did not go unnoticed by my editor. She used to say that after the annual appraisal it would kick me more to get an increment measured in point size of bylines than, perhaps, ordinary money. Very true.

My campaign against modest Indian bylines, in favour of the ones GQ, Vanity Fair, and Esquire crowned their writers with (on the cover! and again inside in huge fonts!) made no impression with the editor.

Of course, TV journalists have their faces plastered on the tube with matching fame matches. And columnists have prominent bylines and professionally-lit photos accompanying their text on printed pages. But the humble byline just by itself never did break the glass-ceiling.

 But I got a more than satisfactory compensation while still at the magazine.

My colleagues at the magazine (under the direction of our editor) gave me a birthday card that I have treasured and treasured till now. The card has the mock-up of a cover story I had done for the magazine. The same celebs were decorating the cover but splashed in huge fonts on the "cover" right across the centre was my byline!!! 

Yes, it has been my best birthday card ever. :-)

THE SWIRLING ANARKALI

I fell in love with the anarkali ensemble when I saw Musafar Ali's Umrao Jaan.

Whatever the movie did, or did not, do in the history of films -- yes, yes, it had great music by Khayyam, an award-winning performance, old-world visuals, honey-coated Urdu poetry, etc., etc., -- is another story. But it did one BIG thing for sure: it resurrected the anarkali.

The anrkali was seen in historical movies and period dramas. And, yes, even in modern films in the odd kotha number. It had it's moment of fame (Pakeezah, Razia Sultan) and notoriety (plunging-neckline-khota-numbers-by-vamps), only to fade away into obscurity.

But Musafar's Umrao Jaan breathed new life into this old robe. Musafar is not only the director of the movie, but is also a gifted couturier. When I met him at a fashion show (years after the movie and years before this blog), the first question I asked him was: what happened to the outfits in the movie! I was assured that all was well with them.

TRAFFIC COPS AND ANIMALS AT SIGNALS

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 Driving on a busy street, I see a traffic policeman waving me to stop. The signal lights are green. I can’t see any pedestrians but, of course, I stop. So do the other cars all around. Oh dear, maybe, some procession or a VIP entourage. Looking around gets no answers: no people, no convoys. 

 So just what we busy souls stopping for?! The answer comes after adjusting my eye level a little lower to see a cool stray strut across the zebra stripes reveling in its safety.

 Close on heels I was involved in another incident of an animal-friendly traffic policeman. I am not complaining. In fact, hurrah to that!

 This time it was a flock of sheep at an intersection. Yes, in the heart of the city. Yes, in Bangalore it still happens. The traffic waited while some 50 odd sheep and lambs tried to cross the road. And we waited…

 The poor little babes out of their first trip could not get the hang of street-crossing. They would follow their experienced seniors but lose courage mid-way and race back. When their herder physically carried them and put them on the other side, they followed him back! The drama continued. 

 I don’t know how long it took for the mission to be accomplished because the policeman let us go a few at a time as the little ones were being initiated into the intricacies of city life.