Reliving Agumbe

Last week, we were off on a impromptu trip to shrinigeri.
We set out in the morning around 8 and went thru the chikamagalur route.
We reached Shringeri by around 5 pm. There was time for Sunset.
This is when we decided to quickly drive down to Agumbe which is around 26 kms only from Shringeri.
Off we went zooming as fast as we can on the ghaty roads. We reached in about 45 minutes.
It was exactly 10 long years since I visited Agumbe.
the place had become crowdy as man vehicles were parked to catch the glimpse of the sunset. Also it was the holiday season.
Just after the checkpost, there stood a man who had a small little cart shop, where he was preparing Coffee, tea and channa dal vadas.
The same man stood 10 years ago too , in the same place unchanged.
He had the same welcoming conversation, except that he had lost all his teeth in the front row. the vadas were amazing and so was the nice hot cup of coffee.
He has been there in that same spot for the last 17 years is what he proudly claims.
We then walked down to the sunset spot. The weather was playing spoilt sport with clouds covering the sky, but then, they can't hide the sun for long. We did catch a glimpse of it.
10 years ago, when we visited during the rainy season, we had see a cobra crossing the road. less traffic, less crowd.

Hrudaya Raaga - Notes from the Heart.

One of my senior colleagues is part of Rotary international and they were organizing a charity show by felicitating Yesudas on his 71st Birthday. The funds of which would go for surgeries of various deserving people.
The program was called Hrudaya Raaga
As a kid for me , there are two people who have had an everlasting impact on my mind and soul in the music world. The great KJ Yesudas and melody king Illaiyaraja. And yesterday I had a lifetime opportunity to see Illaiyaraja felicitating Yesudas just about 50 meters away from me , live.....
It was an all together Trans that I had shifted to. Just mystifying
To felicitate him there were great singers like PB Srinivas, P Susheela, LR Eeshwari, Hamsalekha.
The songs that KJ Sang... including Harivarasanam .... Live...
The experiences each one shared ......
Both Illai and KJ were dressed in White . The few words they spoke. The simplicity and auro they carried.
I suddenly felt.... being shifted to an almost forgotten world of peace ,sanctity
I hope by the Grace of God, I do get another opportunity to see these legends perform.
Its my lifetime dream come true. Infact few years ago , I had blogged on these great people too,,,but that was minuscule.... not even that.

Great Break,

Its now around a month since i went to Manali, Rotang pass, Amritsar, Wagah border and off course Chandigarh,
And i am able to put it on blog only today.
the new year has been really really hectic.
was giving the snaps for print today and that is when i thought i should share.

it was a great experience at the Wagah Border.
All the places were amazing. I saw frozen water falls live for the first time. I just broke a piece of ice and ate it....
below is the link. hope you are able to view.

http://picasaweb.google.com/krupavinayak/RecentSnaps#

Else below are a few moments

Crazy Wonders

Well you may think I have gone suddenly psyched with NICE road. But you know its just matter of Monday I put those snaps.. check these which I took on Tuesday.
Nature’s crazy wonders.
The sky was just painted by the Sun and the Clouds.

Also I suddenly saw a hi-tech Shepherd … cowboy what ever you may call.
He is on his Hero Honda and chasing his cattle and sheep . I tried taking a snap … not sure if that is clear. ( the first snap )
But I guess on these HiTech Roads you also need to get Hitech.

Drive on NICE Road

If you are a Bangalorean then NICE road is not uncommon.
NICE ( Nandi infrastructure Corridor enterprises) if I m right !!!!
This is the outer most ring road that connects up tumkur road to Hosur Road. A solid 51 kms drive.And I happen to be one of the lucky ones who often take this road just to reach my office at a reasonable time and ofcourse at a solid toll cost every day.
As I told you yesterday , its been pouring and today morning also was the same. It kept on drizzling and I as usual got on to NICE road to get to office after a good week long break.
What a sight I saw. Amazing!!!!

There was thick fog, mist all over. Infact the road clearance was visible only for a few feet in front of us. It was just like a hill station and the air was just too chill.
The sight really really delighted me. I took some snaps as you see….
That 45 min of drive was really memorable today. :-)

Dull Day

No Sunshine, no Rays
Just the clouds and rainy days
Pouring and pouring there seems no stop
Making it a dull day
I remembered the good old rhyme
Rain rain go away
Come again some other day.

Its been pouring for the last 3 days. Diwali has been quiet dampy this time. It actually feels like evening 6, but its just 2.45 in the afternoon. Not even getting sleep. I guess we all in Bangalore desperately need some sunshine.


Hope tomorrow is bright day

In Search of Laai & Batasha.

Ok does it sound like a story to you , well actually it can be narrated that way.
Today morning was that very special morning which comes every year in everyone’s life. The day of Diwali. Time to shop, eat, pray , love ( sounds like that new movie) but yes that is what we all do.
So just like each year, this year also me and vinayak set out to do our shopping for the very basics such as flowers, fruits, Laai& batasha( the prasad that is usually given during the festival after Lakshmi Pooja).( puffed rice and Sugar candy in circular shape)
We went to our good old Yeshwantpur market.. and lo do you have the space to even walk. The place was just bustling with business , the dampness every where with the rain. The bidding prices of the flowers , the heavy bargaining going on. It actually was great fun. Just in the middle of that place I stood to think, why do I love this old city so much.
Simple….. you don’t get to see this in the other side of the concrete jungle.
Your flamboyant cars have no value here, infact they just can’t enter this place.
You need to be on Nataraja service ( I mean walking) , your cycle or max your bike …:-)
Your platinum and Titanium cards are worthy to be put in the dustbin. Cash and Carry :-)
The whole market is so colourful. Ok coming back to Lai and Batasha…. This time for some reason Lai was not to be found in a few common places where we used to go, they ran out of stock. Each guy started to show us the next shop, next lane, next road to go and check if they would have. In this bargain I actually took a full view of the market. Right from the road that sold only fish , to the street that just sold flowers and fruits…. I have never seen this place fully in my life….
Finally there was just one shop who just had a handful of Lai … and I guess I need to thank my stars for that.
I was so thrilled with the happenings around, I just took a few snaps… thanks to technology. :-) as always.

By the way I saw blue, green and purple roses… have you seen it before… amazing,.