FIRSTHAND FROM AUCKLAND !

She writes a review in a limerick

about the seam and the snick.

She looked into the window.

On the sill was a tiny sparrow.

She captured it with a smart click.

She refreshed the sports page,

the final result she tried to guage.

Days such as these are hard to come by.

"Could the match end in a tie ?"

The match was gripping at that stage.

It was a thrilling seesaw ride.

Fifty - Fifty for each side.

Duck and Lewis came into play.

Cricket was the winner today.

For the top slot, two teams vied.

Today's match was pretty close.

Day after's outcome no one knows.

The finish was nail biting.

Proteas were again choking. 

They walked back in tiptoes.

The match was evenly placed.

A beat skipped, hearts raced.

The Vettori look is the in thing.

Grant Elliot pulled a hamstring.

A target of 298 the Kiwis chased.

The streets wore a deserted look.

Nobody was on Facebook.

Eyes were glued to the screen.

Curtains were closing in on CWC15

in the backdrop of a ‪#‎bleedblue‬ outlook.....

A TAMBONG WEARS A BLUE DHAKAI FOR GOOD LUCK !

All that one has to do, is to make a cup of filter coffee and start tapping on the keyboard.That is exactly what she is doing right now as a flood of thoughts inundates her mind. How does a Tambong woman who has spent her first twenty three years in the City of Joy feel ? 

What was she upto, the same time that, day, that year ? Was she playing with paper boats during the KaalBoisakhi? No ! Though she did get a sense of being in Venice many times in those 23 years.Was she scared to go out ? Oh ! Yes you bet.! Those were the black out days, days of aggression and she recalls friends across the borders and the sound of war sirens.Was she playing para and gully cricket ? The tomboy did .Will the rains interrupt today's match ? she pauses to think.

As she goes back on a flash back, she remembers the pujas, her school, the ice rink, her friends, her birthday bashes, her vacations, the picnics and the movies. She strains her grey cells a little more and vivid pictures of South India Club, Lake Gardens Ram temple, Hanuman Temple, Kali Bari, KC das and Mouchak appear in front of her eyes.A little more musing and her thoughts are in Dhakeswari, Traders Assembly and Tantuja. Just a little more and the birdie is travelling by a doubledecker bus or a tram all the way from Tollygunge to Lake market via Deshapriya park and Triangular Park upto Gariahat. 

Just in case she forgets, she remembers the huge grey iron gate of the primary school that showed the way to freedom. On the way she stops by Asha Bros, Junior Bros,Gupta Bros, Southend stores, Dr Bolai Mitra's eye clinic and The Jebson's Watch Co. This is all happening on that day, that year on Rash Behari avenue.

Lined with trees on both sides, the arterial road of South Calcutta hold precious memories for her. She remembers fondly the water cleaned streets and the nine o clock siren. She clearly remembers Rani Rashmoni bungalow on RB avenue and wonders if the heritage structure is still in place. From Gariahat, where the tram turned towards Syed Amir Ali avenue, that day, that year, dressed in white and white, she gets down at Birla Temple and walks into another school. From there, a mini bus takes her to ParkStreet, enroute Gurusaday road and another day, another year, she has secured admission in a prestigious college on ParkStreet.

Friends are destined to meet they say and the fortunate are blessed to have childhood buddies as friends for life. She had an awesome childhood and youth in Kolkata. How can she ever forget the cha ghughni, puchka, jhaal muri, luchi, aloo dhom, rosogollas, chumchums, mohunbagan, mohammedans and the vegetable rolls.

Today, she has to meet an acquaintance or a stranger who knows Bengali and she will not stop chatting. The fifty year old becomes a teenager again.When she is down or feeling low she just has to go on a nostalgia trip. She converses in chaste Bengali, that is what she believes, her happy hormones are elevated and she is in a state of Euphoria. She  impresses mute onlookers as she guides the young Bengali who is new to Chennai, Mumbai,Virginia, Jaffna, or Timbuktoo.

Now why is she saying all this? She is travelling on a memory trip. So if you happen to be a person with an oriental connection, you have played outdoor and indoor games every day, you drank water from the gushing spring on the road just outside your home, you had breakfast, lunch and dinner at a friend's house on a bandh or a holiday or because you simply wanted to, you were certainly in Kolkata, that day, that year and you will relate with equal nostalgia whatever she says today.

With neither television nor the internet to interfere, this day, that year, meant more interaction with friends and family. A visit to the Lily pool, lakes, Anderson club, Kali temple and the vegetable market was a daily routine. A trip to the Victoria memorial, Dolls Museum, Birla Planetarium, New Market, AC Market was a monthly affair. Dhakshineshwar and Belur Math was a must trip when relatives came visiting. The rest of the year, when she was not writing an exam, she was attending birthday parties, bengali weddings or simply admiring nature as she strolled on the banks of the Hooghly. When was she studying ? That is a million dollar question! Anyway! That was an awesome those days, those years indeed..

Well ! why is she saying all this ? The Tambong is just on a memory trip. Ignore and read on. She will tell you that Bengali women have a great sense of dressing up.You have to agree with her that Bengali women are very beautiful. It must be because of the fish and the mustard oil they consume.They have glowing skin and great hair. Now why would she say all this now? Simply because she has seen them this day that year, still seeing them this day this year and no ! she is not biased. Ask her and she will tell you a true story about their dreams and drapes, her love for the cotton and the sheer bliss in wearing the tangail and jamdani sarees. She will convince you that the Bengal cotton is the best and has no competitor.The grace in a Bengal cotton saree is unmatched to any other saree not even to the Kancheepurams and the Silkcottons. That is her strong opinion and you have no option but to agree.

Draped in a white starched Dhakai that day, that year she packed her lunch for the day. Her mother called out to her..."Hey girl come soon.We will miss the toss." Many a cricket crazy family lived in the city of joy who followed every single ball. One could identify a fan from his body language. 

An ambassador was waiting for her and she stepped out in style in a grand Dhakai saree.......She was headed towards the Eden gardens.

Playing outside the subcontinent this day, starting as favourites, India plays her neighbour and listens to Shoiab, Kapil and Ranbir in the studio .We care for our neighbours with whom we share a love hate story. Don't we truly find them to be inspiring also, they the people with whom we share common interests and love for sarees, food,music,movies and sport ? That day, that year and this day, this year why does religion and petty politics always have to play spoilsport ?

Baangla Players ! they are our neighbours, they are good too because they have made it to the quarter finals.They are our friends coz isnt that how we grew up, taught to "Love Thy Neighbours". They play against a formidable India today and I have mixed feelings,strong emotions of patriotism with a sincere prayer for peace to return in the subcontinent on this day The 19th march of 2015....

The Bangladesh National Anthem brings a lump in my throat and tears to my eyes. Leave the chokers for now. I am choking listening to AAmmmaar shonar Banglaaa!Aamee thomai Bhalobhasheee....Heavens ! Still ! I will bleed blue !

Pick IT up. Pin IT up. All day,you Will Have Good Luck !

Please read "IT" as " it "

Much though I would I would like to be independent of IT , I cannot. Much though I would like to lead a simple life without IT, I cannot.We are all physically attached to IT ,at sometime or the other and little wonder that, IT has always been as integral part of our daily life.

I was born a little more than four and a half decades back and my association with IT started the day I was born.Nearly half a century and the thousands accumulated over the years,if available with me today, could, when joined, one with the other, also be a few miles long.

Whenever and wherever I set my eyes on IT ,I am tempted to pick IT up and also ensure that IT is kept in safe custody. Yet ,when in dire need, I am searching for IT.

Mayawati is my trusted servant.Anything of value,other than IT, lying on the floor is promptly handed over to me...I noticed this just a few days back.No wonder they went missing.

I keep IT in my handbag and my little purse.I know IT will be of use and I take pride in donating IT generously.That's an act of plain kindness ,where everybody is free to borrow without any qualms and nobody minds lending either, without any regrets.

Whenever I go shopping,it's on my TO BUY list.When I am done with my shopping ,IT is still on my TO BUY list.When I need IT, I go crazy searching for it.I make franctic efforts to locate atleast a couple of them,and that's maybe just a couple of days after I had filled my cart.The older women,like my mom and mom-in-law have a ready stock.So when the search options are exhausted,help is always near ,as the last alternative.

Coming to the efficiency part of IT, ofcourse,none of us could ever do without IT. Over the years, we would have accumulated a few thousands and lost them too. I had decided one fine day,many many years back,that I would keep one in all the vantage sighting spots. Yet ! they dissappear. I have also tried to take stock of the situation,why they dissappear repeatedly, periodically and why I continue with the same probe always.

When I am no longer able to change a situation,I am also challenged to change myself and after a thorough examination of my routine activities ,I have come to a conclusion that I can not change.....all for the sake of a SAFETY PIN......

s

SIX CHICKENS HATCHED ! THREE TO GO FOR THE GOLDEN EGG !

His first ton in this world cup helped India to win against Zimbabwe. Raina came good on a day when the middle order was under pressure playing against a determined Zimbabwean team. Inspite of Raina's stellar performance that won the match for India, the player of the day was certainly Taylor and the way he went on to build a strong total for his team, considering the circumstances under which he came in to bat, is commendable indeed.

Starting out as clear favourites, the balance tilted in favour of the Zimbabweans when Rehane was run out and Kohli walked back to the pavilion with a grim look on his face and a sense of despair as if to say "Well ! I could never get out like this."  When it seemed that Indians were on a slippery wicket, the dropped catch gave a fresh lease of life to Raina and altered the fortunes in favour of India once again.

Due credit must be given to the Indian bowlers who have been able to contain the batsmen in all the matches they have played so far. In that sense, India is doing pretty well, inspite of opinions that each time India has won in the last six encounters, the opponent team was certainly not performing at their best. How a winning spree changes the outlook towards the victorious team in general, is clearly evident from the early reports which stated that the bowling was weak in contrast to the most recent reporting which speaks highly about India's bowling strength. Personally, I do feel that the bowling has improved considerably from the tri-series where our bowlers were hammered left, right and centre.

His strategy in bringing about the correct bowling changes as and when he deems right, has been effective so far and due credit goes to Dhoni who is as always very proactive on the field. He is cool, thinks differently and his natural instincts augur well for the team. Getting wickets in the middle overs is crucial and Dhoni has managed to motivate his bowlers to do just that.

Where teams like India seem to have an edge above the other teams, is that Dame Luck has a place in this incredible playing eleven. Fortune favours the brave, a valiant Dhoni is winning the tosses and has been able to motivate his bowlers to restrict the opponents to a score within 300 .

Our batting line up has talent and the depth. Six consecutive wins in a row has lifted the morale of the team in general.There is no reason why they do not stand a good chance to lift the cup again. They look to be favourites to progress to the semifinals. Indians are certainly playing like champions. Storming away to possible glory, winning has become a habit and, ofcourse not ! we the Bleeding Blue Fans do not want them to give it away...

For the moment though, not yet in a mood to celebrate, as a patriotic fan, calm and composed, I will wait. I count the six chickens that have already hatched and I keep my fingers crossed.....

WON'T GIVE IT BACK !

ऑकलॅंड मे है उत्सव का माहौल ! 

बडिया होता अगर, वर्ल्ड कप आयोजित होता हर साल ! 

आज, फिर से, बल्ले को होने लगा है गेंद से प्यार !

बल्लेबाज़ ने खींच के मारा गेंद को सीमा के पार !

बड़ा ज़बरदस्त है, ज़िंबाब्वे गेंदबाज़ों की चाल,

शमी और यादव का भी बुरा नहीं है हाल !

आज चटारे की तेज़ की रफ़्तार है कुछ धीमी,

आखिर मुक़ाबले मे दलों ने अपनाई है कैसी रणनीति ?

ज़िंबाब्वे की फीलडिंग तो है बेहतेरीन ! 

स्टेडियम है नीलभरा और हराभरा है ज़मीन !

रोक नहीं सकता कोई फ़ॉर्म मे जब हो कोहली !

शायद वो सोचे कब लाऊँगा अनुष्का की डोली !

जब वापस नहीं है करना तो फिर कैसे बहाने ? 

नज़र मेरी लग गयी, रन आउट हो गये अजिंकय रहाने !

कौन खेलेगा आज भारत के तरफ से एक बड़ी बारी ?

कौन दिखायेगा अदा अपना ? तो फिर जीतना रहे जारी ! 

बैठी हूँ, निपटा के, घर का सारा काज काम,

धोनी, रैना या टेलर, दिन होगा आज किसके नाम ?

AN ODE TO A WOMAN !

Resilient in strength and character,

resolute and steadfast in thought,

brimming with confidence, she announces,

"None is equal to me."

Committed to the creator's order,

at peace with herself and her God,

Selflessly she serves and proclaims,

"None is equal to me."

To live a life of purpose,

is her cherished dream.

"I am the light that shows the way," she says,

"None is equal to me."

Endowed with multitude of skills,

logic and decisiveness is her forte,

thinking rationally she declares,

"None is equal to me."

I have the power to create,

to nurture, transform and embolden,

Endowed with intuitive skills, solemnly she speaks,

"None is equal to me."

Undeterred by disappointments,

she is too strong to be broken,

"I will keep inspiring," she says,

"None is equal to me."

Stare at her in awe !

Wonder where she got all that grit from !

"That is courage running in my blood," she reveals,

"None is equal to me."

"I revere my acts and my expressions,

I accept love and I stand for modesty,

Challenges make me stronger," she says,

“None is equal to me.”

"I am remarkable," so they say,

"I am witty, smart and charming too,"

"My smile conceals my tears," she says,

"None is equal to me."

STYLE - HAVE PLAYERS BECOME MORE FASHION CONSCIOUS ?

Owing it's popularity to patronage by the great cricketing nations of the world, indebted to a sub continent where the game since inception, has been considered as religion and cricketers looked upon as Gods, it is but natural that inspite of controversies that keeping rearing their ugly heads now and then, the Gentleman’s game continues to evince keen interest amongst people of all ages even today. 

Awarded celebrity status for not only being outstanding sportsmen, who play for the honour and prestige of their respective countries, but also for being influential brand ambassadors, cricketers have come a long way and have evolved from being just sporting idols to style icons. Games that gentleman play today is all about big bashes, big entertainments, big values and the latest fashion trends.

He steps out in style waving to the crowds. The flamboyant opener walks with confidence, with one hand  on  the handle of the willow, with a firm grip on the lower end of the bat, he stretches out his arms, takes a few warm up steps,  jumps a little, bends his body sideways, first left, then right, looks up towards the skies and prays for divine intervention. This is just one such act on the field that is enough to send crazy fans into a frenzy or one could cite the presence of the dashing cricketer on the boundary line, the tall six footer who leaps upwards with an arm stretched out to hold on to a priceless catch or who falls flat to save the fours even as female fans swoon in the stands.These acts have been there for long now and as long as cricket continues to be played, such acts will be replayed again and again much to the delight of the fans. 

So what's new ? The handlebar moustache is in with the likes of openers like Shikar Dhawan and bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja sporting it for sometime now. So now we can expect the opener to walk into the ground twirling his moustache and twirling it again when he scores a ton.The bowler will get his chance too. All he needs is a couple of wickets and a few maiden overs. Swirling the ball, twirling his moustache, on completing his quota of overs he will walk to the deep with a smile on his face.

Does being an all rounder help in gaining an entry into the national team today? Oh! Yes, it does. Today's fashion savvy cricketer dons different roles on the field as and when the situations demand and off field takes on the bigwigs of the modelling world. He plays under pressure, looks good always and when he is not at the nets or playing for his country you could spot him either at a school for acting taking a few tips on how to walk the ramp and look suave on the silver screen. 

Many years back, when there were no endorsements, fashion was not in the minds of the players though we know of cricketers of yester years who are still talked about today for their dashing image, good looks and charisma. In the absence of commercialisation, the onus was only on performance and not on fashion. There were neither investors nor sponsors seeking to derive mileage from the game or from the cricketers. Hence the players were not fashion driven.

As I write this blog, funny thoughts crop up in my mind.What if we had a pot bellied Prasanna around today ? He would be rejected outright despite being capable of bowling vicious offbreaks whereas the less talented but fashion conscious Jadeja would make it to the team and in the process also bag a few modelling assignments. How about the specially abled B.S.Chandrasekar, a leg spinner par excellence, a genius who could confound the best batsmen. In his heydays when Chandra bowled with his polio stricken arm he was faster than a pace bowler.With almost no batting skills and a possibility of achieving the dubious distinction of taking more wickets than scoring runs in his entire career, would he be in the reckoning to make it to the national squad today ? Would he be sought after by the glitzy fashion world if he were around today ? Seems highly improbable. As opposed to the olden days when looks and appearance hardly mattered, this is just an example to show that today it is undoubtedly the survival of the fashion fittest. I imagine a Prasanna in cool denims and T.Shirts. I imagine a tall lanky Chandra or a Venkataraghavan with gel styled spiky hair and I chuckle.

The batsman, bowler and the fielder today are all rounders of the game and pin up boys of the modelling world. They are the twenty first century cricketing heroes who sign up for the 1000 CC Motorbike commercial, endorse the efficient performing gear oil and the family sedan, dance a salsa while shooting the shampoo commercial and show off a set of sparkling teeth for the toothpaste ad. As companies make a bee line for them, they are compelled to look smart. Being fashion conscious, they experiment with different kinds of hairstyles and sport them with elan.

A Vettori in glasses looks cool today. Is it possible to be bespectacled and make hearts flutter? It is possible  if the cricketer is a Vettori . What comes to my mind immediately is the wounded warrior from Gaekwad, who stood ground on that fateful day patiently even as he bled profusely. A plain looking Anshuman was often seen sporting black goggles though it never became a style statement. It's as simple as players today cashing on their fashion style to gain more popularity and make their presence felt both on and off field. Of course the opportunities available today are tremendous as compared to the good old days.

Today's cricketer works out, he has a well toned body and he likes to flaunt it. He  could be the shrewd middle order or tail end batsman with a clean shaven look, the dreaded bowler with the funky hairstyle or the discerning wicketkeeper with the long hair. Each one is an icon worth emulating for the Whatsapping and the Liking generation. He is the one who flaunts trendy goggles, classy shoes off field and is a picture of cool, calm and poise on field.Contrarily when he blows his top,as other team members rush upto him to appease and calm matters down,the scenario is any photographer's delight. The photograph of the angry young man is liked, commented upon and shared.

Billion hearts skip a beat each when he hits a ball high up in the air or spins an off break, drives a ball straight through the covers  or bowls a googly. Each and every action of his is a style statement which is as important as contributing for the team. The crowds go gaga over him when he hits the ball over the boundary for a four or a sixer. They sigh in unision when the style icon is dismissed.

The fashion savvy cricketer has to  perform and also look good on the field.With multiple sophisticated cameras installed in the stadiums, he is aware of being watched 24X7 around the globe and to be fashion conscious is indeed the need of the hour. The fans are also responsible for the metamorphosis and this explains the evolution of the cricketer from being a plain sportsperson to a fashion symbol.

Hearts flutter and fans now bleed blue, maroon, green and yellow.Traditionally he was viewed as a hero on the field. The modern day willow wielder is a superstar off field.The 21st cricketers are the most sought after icons. Over the years he has evolved from being a plain looking guy to the exuberant handsome man who has an image and a personality to maintain. He is fashion sensitive and rather than he endorsing a brand, the brand becomes synonymous with him.When he is not at the crease or running between wickets, when  he is not giving a shine to the ball on his trousers or counting his steps for the bowling run up, when he is not talking to the media, he is walking the ramp somewhere.

Ideally suited for mainstream cinema, but tied down to cricketing tournaments throughout the year, he is spotted as the face that can launch a thousands products and once in, there is no looking back. He has to look good and endorse the products he believes in. Cricketers are changing the way the world views fashion today. If  Kapil Dev's Palmolive “Da Jawab Nahin” and  Sachin's Boost “Is The Secret Of His Energy,” Kohli's The Flying Machine’s collection which has unveiled  denims, casuals, T.Shirts, cargoes, shorts and sneakers is “The New Cool.” He looks damn good today. That also explains the pressure on him to maintain his public image, how to dress dapper is always upmost in his mind and hence he has no other option but to stay updated with the latest fashion trends.

While he was wearing whites with no endorsement pressure, it was the game alone and his performance on the field that mattered. The copy book style, the perfect bowling action, the keen eye fixed on the ball in the air or the ground, the safe pair of gloves behind the wickets, the arms that hurled the ball from the covers or the deep made headlines. Not that these actions no longer assume significance but what has changed drastically is the increased reporting of the off field presence of the cricket superstars who are constantly under public glare that keeps making Fashion news.

On field, the guy with the coloured hair flexes his muscles and immediately he is on the spotlight, on the radar of commercial establishments waiting to sign him to give their products a big boost. His tattoos, mohawks and hairstyle make for important discussion topics on the social media as well as on news hours.Well ! The fans like them the way they are,different every season. Now you can't blame the players, can you ?

Conscious of being watched by National & International Fashion Houses, either during the course of the game during the day, under flood lights or off field while facing the arc lights, he knows fully well that he has created a fashion statement for  himself and a new gen of younger fans.

When teams started playing in coloured kits, that was when fashion first got added to the gentleman’s game. This innovation changed the appearance of the game, the lifestyles of the cricketers and as finances started pouring in, the commercial viability was exploited to the maximum advantage of the businesses and the players. Big businesses, sponsors, designers and fashion houses were quick to jump into the colourful format of the game. The players now sport designer wear off field and their on field jersey with logos are also specially designed by top designers or fashion houses. Now the world wants to see Greek Gods on and off field. Necessarily the players have to be fashion conscious to stay in the race.

The game has come a long way from being a five day long drawn out monotonous game to a single day faster version and recently to the shortest entertaining glamorous version which in turn has opened up the gates for a new generation of fashion crazy young fans to enter the stands, cheer and emulate their fashion conscious super cricketing heroes...and I now wonder, if, to be well groomed is a prerequisite to make it into the playing eleven......

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