Preethi Nair's 100 Shades of White

I recently finished reading 100 Shades of White, a work of fiction by Preethi Nair. When I read the back cover of the novel, I perceived it to be yet another tale of ‘East Meets West’.

However, it turned out to be much different in that it’s a touching story about a woman who, with her determination and hard-work, upholds her and her children’s pride in a foreign land. She tells a lie to her children to protect them, but that very lie comes back to uproot their lives. The story revolves around this white lie.

Satchin and Maya enjoy a carefree life in India with their mother Nalini and father Raul who is frequently travelling on business trips. Unexpectedly, he sends for his wife and children to join him in London. However, he ruthlessly abandons them and leaves them penniless. Nalini lies to the children that their father died in an accident. Her fight to upkeep the self-respect and survival in an alien culture is the central theme of the novel. I could actually inhale the pungent aroma of the exotic pickles cooked by Nalini.

The novel takes you from the beautiful, plush Kerala to the bustling Mumbai and then to the faraway, alien land London. In the later part of the book, Maya visits Kerala and Mumbai again and finds out the Truth, thereby completing a full circle.

The narration of the story is quite interesting. It starts with Maya’s perspective and alternates with Nalini’s. But there is a natural flow to the story sprinkled with condiments prepared for the pickles.

The final chapters of the novel bring out the best in the author as with these she succeeds in leaving a lasting impression on the readers and brings out her insight into human nature.

Though I know Malayalam, I feel there should have been a glossary for the Malayalam terms so that it could leave more scope for appreciation.

Nevertheless, it is an easy book to read, and should be recommended to others; I am looking forward to reading some of Ms Nair’s other novels.

Tamam-e-umr tera intezaar kiya

I was listening to a ghazal by Ghulam Ali Tamam-e-umr tera intezaar kiya; is intezaar mein kis kis se pyaar humne kiya for the umpteenth time, and everytime I listen to it, it sounds fresh to my ears and my eyes well up. Though I don't know how many people have listened to this, but it has become one of my favourite ghazals, apart from the popular ones like Chupke chupke and Hungama hai kyun. I first heard this when Najeem Arshad sang it in Idea Star Singer 2007. It was an amazing performance and excellent rendering of such a difficult composition.

I think this is set in Hamsanandi raagam; Raag Pooriya Dhanashri in Hindustani Classical Music. I'm not well-versed with Urdu, but the lyrics of this ghazal are so simple that anyone can understand. Whenever I listen to Ghulam Ali, I feel goosebumps; so deep is his involvement in what he is singing; forgetting the whole world yet immersing everyone in to his rendition.

Tamam-e-Umr Intezar humne Kiya
Tamam-e-Umr Intezar humne Kiya
Is intezaar mein kis kis se pyaar humne kiya
Tamamee-Umr Intezar humne Kiya


Talash-e-dosth ko ik umru chaahiye dosth
Talash-e-dosth ko ik umru chaahiye dosth
Ki ek umr tera inthazaar humne kiya
Ki ek umr tera inthazaar humne kiya

Tere khayal mein dil shaadma raha… barson
Tere khayal mein dil shaadma raha barson
Tere huzoor ise so gavaar humne kiya
Tere huzoor ise so gavaar hum…..ne kiya

Ye thishnagi hai ke unse kareeb rahekar bhi
Ye thishnagi hai ke unse kareeb rahekar bhi
Hafees yaad unhe bar bar humne kiya
Hafees yaad unhe bar bar hum…ne kiya

Is intezaar mein kis kis se pyaar humne kiya
Tamam-e-Umr Intezar hum.......ne Kiya

Following is a fabulous jugal bandi between Dr Balamurali Krishna and Srimati Kishori Amonkar in the same raagas.

Puriya Dhanashri -...

Puriya Dhanashri -...

Taare Zameen Par... Memories Revisited!

I finally watched Taare Zameen Par today. I’m not at all a movie buff and it takes very long for me to decide and sit on the couch to watch a movie. I had been planning to watch this particular since its reviews were out; but as they say: ‘Better late than never’. I’m glad I didn’t miss this movie like many other good ones (the list is a long one).

It was awesome with above par performances, and an engrossing plot; but most importantly brilliant direction of Aamir Khan. The movie had the power to move anyone to tears. A professor of mine had told me that her husband never watches Bollywood flicks, but due to her insistence, he accompanied her to the theatre and the movie moved him to tears.

For me, the movie was nostalgic in the sense that I was taken back to my schooldays. I wasn’t dyslexic, but yes, I had major troubles with Math and Science. I identified myself with Ishaan (Darsheel Safari) when he was threatened to be sent to the Boarding school. I remember my parents used to say the same when I did not study well. I used to visualise a boarding school as a jail and certainly not a place for children.

I’ve always been the black sheep of my family. If you tell someone, you hail from an Iyer family, people have high hopes from you, not to forget the huge number who grow up to be techies. Every other Iyer is a software engineer.

I have been always happy with what I am, I don’t expect a lot from me, but I believe whatever I do I should put my best foot forward. I was quite contented doing my post graduation in English Literature.

My parents wanted me to be a doctor, and when I was a kid, I too was used to the idea that I’ll grow up and become a doctor, not knowing that being a doctor was not just about wearing a stethescope around your neck and a Surf-white coat, the quintessential part of a doctor’s accessories. I appeared for all PMTs, AIIMS, AFMC… so on. I didn’t expect to get through any of them, though I only hoped to clear one of them by fluke. It was only for my parents’ and relatives’ satisfaction did I take those tests.

My uncle (my mom’s sister’s husband) is a very down-to-earth person and he knew what I am really good at. One day when I was still in standard XII, he just suggested I must take up English and become a school teacher. At that point of time, his words stung me like a needle, because I really didn’t want to let my parents down and was quite furious with him that how could he even think that I should settle down with such a meagre job when I am seeing dreams of being a doctor.

I realised the significance of his words when I completed my graduation in English literature. Though I didn’t become a school teacher, I taught at the University for some time. But I knew I had a flair for the language and I never missed any classes in my college days (this might sound surprising) as learning literature, discussing books turned out to be exactly what I had always wanted to do.

A Novice

Here I am. Just joined the bandwagon of millions of Bloggers. As I type my first-ever blog I wonder what am I doing here, because I know very well I don't have a way with words like many people do. But this will be a place for sharing my thoughts. I'm not really sure what I'll fill my posts with, but they will definitely be real life incidents and experiences, or about books and music, my favourite subjects.

Random Musings... Yes, it's kind of an oxymoron, and that's how my thoughts really are... carefully contemplated, yet very random and disordered; maybe that's one of the reasons why being a Lit post graduate, I kept myself away from trying my hand at writing.

Well, so here begins my journey of writing and experimenting with this form of art.