VijVen

Exploring the Wonderful Journey of LIFE

  • Hyderabad Diaries: Hyderabadi Haleem

    Continued from Part 4 The holy month of Ramzan is something that Hyderabadis await eagerly every year. While Ramzan is observed as the month of fasting by the followers of Islam, Hyderabadis look forward to it as that part of the year when the hugely popular Hyderabadi Haleem would be available to feast on. Haleem Continue reading

  • Patriotism, My Son

    Dear Son, Today is August 15. Indian Independence Day. This year, being 4 years old, you started participating in the Independence Day celebrations for the first time in your life. Naturally, you were very excited. You went to your school with a flag stapled to your shirt, and waiving the Tricolour. You wished a ‘Happy Continue reading

  • Movies: Citizen Kane

    To many, ‘Citizen Kane’ would be the ‘Mother of all Movies’. It invariably features in every list of the greatest movies ever made. And most likely, at the very top in a significant number of them. I first saw this movie many years ago, at a film festival at Hyderabad. My admiration for the movie keeps Continue reading

  • Deceptive Dialogues: Getting Started

    Continued from Part 3 “But for a common man, his interests and duties seldom overlap”, the young man interjected. “I, for one, am sure that what I like to do is quite different from what I have to do.” “And I am not sure how to organize myself or how to handle this?” It would be hard Continue reading

  • Life Journal: Korattur Days – 3

    Continued from Part 3 Accidents 10. Childhood is rarely complete without a dog-bite. I had my share while at Korattur. Clearly remember going to the Kilpauk periodically, to get the anti-rabies injunction. During one such visit I came across an accident victim. I did not see him, could not see him. He was inside a Continue reading

  • Hyderabad Diaries: Bonalu

    Continued from Part 3 Every year, during July-August, Hyderabad wears a festive look, celebrating Bonalu. Bonalu festivities are spread over 4 weeks, with major celebrations being on the Sundays and Mondays. While the celebrations on the first Sunday is special in the Golconda area, the second Sunday is celebrated very grandly at Secunderabad, the most Continue reading

  • Journey of a River

    He found the wait agonizing. The river sitting beside, however, hardly seemed to care.  “So, what brings you here?” he attempted to strike a conversation.  “Same as you”, the river replied. “My journey is over, and I am before Him to be adjudged.”  “I never knew that even rivers have this ordeal”, he chuckled. “So, Continue reading

  • A New Journey

    Witnessed by holy fire, And smiling ladies, who never seem to tire, A new journey began. Few years ago, in the month of June, I became We, and We became one, Resolving to explore parts of each other, that remained unknown. As children played around excited, As holy sentences were being recited, Barriers broke and Continue reading

  • Apologies, My Son

    Dear Son, You are now 4 years old, old enough to know what a holiday means. Your experience in life so far, makes you believe that a ‘Bandh’ means a holiday. You don’t think that the two could be different. Don’t worry. At 35, even I mostly fail to distinguish between them. “So, what is Continue reading

  • Books: Parables – The Genie and The Brahmin

    Here is my recollection of an unforgettable fable ‘The Genie and The Brahmin’, of Swami Chinmayananda: During difficult times, a poor brahmin with a large family sought the help of sage and begged for his blessings. The sage enlightened the poor brahmin with a mantra, upon reciting which, a powerful genie would appear to carry Continue reading