Wednesday, March 14, 2007

WorldCupClassics: Gilli Walks

Written on Tue Mar 18, 2003:

There comes a time when you have a choice between two things ...
There is glory; personal as well as for your team and people;accolades; a chance to resurrect whole of your people;regain lost pride; reach new peaks ; conquer terrotories nobody has even dreamt of even trading on. The world is looking unto you to be won.

On the other side is truth, honesty.

There lies a small catch:you've to do just one thing wrong.Nobody'll know, it has been done before and being honoured forbeing practical heros and wily foxes and cunning winners.

But there are men who :
"Can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose,
and start again at the beginnings
And never breathe a word about the loss;" -- If

These are the angels of the new age;
they walk because they know it is right thing to do; that is the right choice, baby if you would.

Take Gilli today: He is just yesterday demoted from the vice-captaincy of the test side; has not been playing upto his potential; once he was touted as the captain of this best side in the world, basically his fortunes are in slow but steady spiral downwards; his walking might open the now brittle aussie middle order(with Martyn gone and Waugh absent and only symonds and Harvys and Bichels; who have won matches but not very much well known for the consistency) to the guiles of Murali; might end up losing the semis for his team.

OR Lara in a earlier match: his team desperately needs to win this match to stay in contention for super six.He's on a dream run; playing the best cricket of his life perhaps. He is matching his rival for the best-batsman-of-the-world title stroke by stroke if not score by score.He is the one who can make the difference.Who can show the gloomy West Indian cricket light on the lost path to the glory of the past.

Both could have probably done all that provided they ignored one small pang of self conscience. The umpire any way has not given you out. so you are not out, technically.

Still they walked, only because staying ain't "cricket". These are angels among some mere mortals.

These mortals may be demi gods; but only with feet of Clay. The lightening does not last more than a fraction of a second; but till it is there; it lights the whole earth with blinding light. The dew is always evaporated with the first cruel rays of sun but till it exists it reflects and holds a beautiful image of the whole world unto itself though momentarily.That's where divinity is displayed between the mere transaction of life.

Well done Gilly; well done mate !!

Friday, March 02, 2007

dream home: sunrise

He puts the alarm at 6.15. 6.36 is the sunrise noted in the newpaper for the earlier day. but then this place is high, it may be earlierhere, he reasons.

He wakes up five minutes before the alarm, switches it off. As if on cue, the son is already up,staring at some unknown spot on the wall,holding both feet in both hands, patiently waiting for something. He decides to go to the balcony, but it is still pretty chilly. He dresses him in warm clothes. The son also knows there is something cooking, he gets dressed up willingly.

The dawn is getting lighter by minutes and the son watches his father's face intently, waiting for the next step. Picks him up, he opens the door to the balcony. The east side is aglow, red-yellow. A freshening breeze welcomes both. He tries to show the son the colors in the sky. but the son is staring at his face intently. He tries to move him away, facing the open sky. The son does not budge, watches his father's face with curious eyes.

The play of colours continue. He is mesmerised. Wants his son to be part. but he is completely immobile now. Watching his father's face with a stunned and awed silence. The father ignores him now that he is not responding and enjoyes the sunrise all by himself.

He says to his son "you need to grow up a bit to understand all this and enjoy it".

The son does not respond. He is busy trying to search all the colours of the morning that danced on his father's face, scratching behind the golden rays of early morning.

control of life

Aru, get up now. You wanted to get up by 5.30 to finish your homework" -- one of the parents.

I try to hide in the Rajaai, curl up pulling my knees near my chin. Then the aforementioned parent pats on my shoulder, first slowly and then shakes me firmly. I, with the sleep from my eyes, get up obediently. run the required errand. And my day starts.


Years pass and now this!! I am snoring softly, enjoying my early-morning sleep. A tiny hand exlpores my mouth and nose. Fingers somehow trying to find the source of the snores. Half awake, I try to see, behing the prying hands, a very inquisitive face peeps. He is lying on his side, unbalanced. both arms extended, uncontrollably trying to scratch my nose and mouth with them. His own mouth half open,forgetful. I smile at him and that stops him. He smiles first and then pulls his arms back. His smile suddenly turns shy and he pulls to the other side.

I go back to sleep. After some time, I see him again, on his side, aiming his left kick on my tummy. He takes his own time, lands the blow, moves a bit to gain balance and again pull the leg back to take aim once again. This has a very beautiful slow rythm. But it keeps on increasing. I,with sleep in my eyes, get up obediently. Pick him up, he is happy with the achievement OR almost to tears (depending on the time it takes for me to get up). And we both are now up and running :)