Peregrination

 

Peregrination

 

 In these Modern times There are two.thoughts  that frequently prey on our mind :

·         What is the purpose of our Existence ?

·         Where is "Ulundu” Appalam Stored in a Super bazaar?

It is common Knowledge that great thinkers, intellectuals, spiritual gurus and at  times even politicians have expressed opinions  on the first Question   in the past and will most certainly do so  in the future too . so this post will attempt to address the second issue

No one, not even the sales persons on duty at the Super Bazaar or  shoppers milling around  can give an accurate reply. Neither can you find that packet of Ulundu Appalam by reading  a Blog Post or by  reading  every available post ,booklet, instruction manual  Article on the subject till your patience crumbles like the Ulundu Appalam  .

 

Patience is the mantra. To lay your hands on a packet of Ulundu Appalam you need a stout resolve, determination and……luck.

So I  urge you, the connoisseurs  ; switch off your hand sets ,get off the Arm Chair, Jump on your Bikes or into your Cars   and head for  the nearest superstore . Because that is the most promising zone  where the  chances of  attaining  enlightenment on  the meaning of worldly Existence and may be about tracking down the elusive Ulundu Appalam  Is bright  

And while you are on this epic expedition of Discovery you will realize that Life unfolds  when you are searching for a pack of Ulundu Appalam .Incidentally,  the cursed Potato wafer Chips  is the instigator of this merry  chase..

 Honestly, it is this realization that helped me find the Answer   to the conundrum - where do they store  Ulundu Appalam   in the super Bazaar .  Those  who possess a  spiritually awakened mind   will realize that life actually blossoms  when you are searching specifically for your favourite snack. By the same logic, the packet of Appalam could  land  on your palms  when you are actually searching for ..... eeks!.. Asofoetida.                                                                                                         

But where to spot  A.. S.. A.. F.. O.. E.. T.. I.. D.. A    in the SuperStore ?

Even as I am Scratching my head I .I hear voices  at the Door  . Surely, Family is back .. While they love   shopping in the super Bazaar   I prefer to seek answers to profound Questions like how to discover Ulundu Appalam’s  Hideout from the comfort of my arm Chair 

As the shopping bags are being emptied & Grocery  sorted out  my eyes try to seek out the humble savoury. Instead,I find two large,Bloated packets of Wafer Chips being pulled out of the bag. Yes the same ones that foment the  torment

Signing off wishing prospective explorers a very enriching, successful “Safari” experience at the Super Bazaar.Never Blink (it), if you love adventure

 

 

 

On "Top".........of lasting memories

 

On “Top”

      ………….of Lasting memories

 

    In a world engulfed in  touchscreens and digital gadgets of all kinds , the simple joy provided by  a traditional wooden spinning top from the  bygone era.might seem silly Yet, for those of us like me  who grew up in the mid-20th century, the “BUGURI” was a mandatory toy  of our childhood playgrounds. Sixty  years later, the thrill of getting that accurate  spin remains as strong  as ever, a testament to the timeless appeal of the simple, hand-crafted toy.

 

My encounter with this memory from the past happened quite unexpectedly a couple of days back at  the Barachukki falls in shivasamudram. I stumbled upon a few wooden tops in a small, plastic sheet covered toy shack selling cheap toys. Impulsively I picked one.

   The moment I held it in my hand a flood of memories returned: the dusty school grounds  where we'd compete, the rough texture of the cotton string, calloused hand trying to master the art of winding the string .  The real skill, however, lay in winding the string tightly around the body of the top , securing the knotted end between wrapped little finger & palm , and  the final, flicked  release—it required a specific kind of  coordination that the modern world would rarely notice.

 

    The spinning top was more than just a toy; In those days  it was a lesson in patience, and a source of intense  competition. We would gather with friends, each armed with a  different type of ,top. The aim  was ,to spin the top for the longest time or, sometimes engage in "battles" where the objective was to knock over.the  opponent's top .

 

   Picking up the  top , I found my fingers,now sixty  years older and stiffer, still remembered the basic movements. I wound the string, a little awkwardly at first, and aimed at   a clear spot on the tarred road . All set to throw, I felt myself trembling in excitement. Will The Top Spin? Or will it slide away on its side towards the valley and into the waterfalls? All the same I threw it with a nervous but  firm flourish,. The top hit the ground, wobbled for a split second, and then found its bearing, spinning with a, satisfying whir . Yes! I succeeded. A rush of pleasant satisfaction swept over me.

 

   In the present  age of instant gratification, a wooden top reminds us of the value of focused play and the simple pleasures of natural physical activity..

 

  Rediscovering the spinning top was more than just a passing distraction. It was a reminder that some thrills never age, and that often, the simplest toys provide most fascinating experiences. My new  wooden top now sits in  my cupboard  a small, yet tactile object  of nostalgia, waiting for  the next perfect throw down .

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Personal Note:  I was  so engrossed  with the toy that I didn’t notice what was going on around  till I stopped Top Spinning. Three of my Co- Passengers were already waiting in the car .I noticed  one in  the back seat banging the palm of the hand against the forehead, while the other sported a sarcastic smirk on the lips and yet another gave a royal Ignore.The silence in the car lasted till we stopped over at a café.Over refreshments I was advised that this whimsical Ecstasy could become my new blog.entry……  Blogaaa?  So here it is! The Bloguu