Nostalgia

Today's travel to office was different than usual. No, I am not talking about the weather. It was still the same bright and sunny day here in Bangalore, though we've already hit December. The time I commute these days have been shifted from wee hours (according to this generation - 7 am) to sunny afternoons (12:30 pm), an arrangement made as per my work requirement.

What made this day's commute special by the way?

Good news!! for new work time I get a company transport:). wohoooh!! I am the first one to be picked up which means the last one to be dropped as well :( However my cab driver, "Babu" who is a localite talks about various essence of life and keeps the momentum going (actually from his perspective). I try to provide my opinions and views whenever possible. This way we learn, share ideas and increase our knowledge. Topics range from Current affairs to an affair between two film stars:) ha ha ha!

Today, as we crossed one of the major traffic junctions, Babu turned on the radio. We heard ದಿ regular radio station lady talk about a listener's message. She was giggling all the way " ನಮ್ಮ ಶುಭ ಮೇಡಂ ಒಂದು ಸಂದೇಶ ಕಳ್ಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ - ಅವ್ರಿಗೆ ಈ ಹಾಡು ಕೇಳ್ದಾಗಲೆಲ್ಲ ಸ್ಕೂಲ್ ಡೇಸ್ ನೆನಪಿಗೆ ಬರುತ್ತಂತೆ. ಕುಂಟೆ ಬಿಲ್ಲೆ ಆಡ್ಕೊಂಡು, ಶುಂಟಿ ಪೇಪ್ಪೆರ್ಮಿಂಟ್ ತಿಂದಿದ್ದು .. .. , ಅಯ್ಯೋ, ಈಗ ನಿಮಗೆಲ್ಲ ಹಳೇ ನೆನಪು ಬರ್ತಾ ಇದ್ರೆ ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಮೆಸೇಜ್ ಕಳಿಸಿ" [Our lady Shubha, on listening to the previous song played has gone back in time. Memories of her school days, when she played Hopscotch,ate those tiny circled peppermint. In case somewonderful memories rushing down your brain, please message and send them across...] La la la la went on..

Aaahh! Those few words took me back to those wonderful days of being a carefree kid,
the days of joy. Riminiscing the sweet events of life we had a short conversation.

I - " Babu sir, do you remember those lemon golis we used to get for 5 paise each"
Babu - "Yes Madam, and also those orange slice shaped sweets."
I - "Yeah, shunti peppermint, haalkova[milk cake], huNsehannu lollypop [tamarind masala
sticks]. Today's kids might not even heard of these stuff I guess"
Babu - "Haan Madam, only burger, pizza and french fries is what they know"
I - "I remember those khulfi sticks, ajji kodalu or sonpapdi [the one brought by a vendor in
a gadi ringing a bell]
Babu - "Also games were so much a part of our lives, we used to play everyday on returning
from school"
I - "Yes, ice-spice, hopscotch, lagori, and me the naughty one used to leap from one building to another(No super-man powers dude.. but I was doing this then however I fear of it now), gilli-danda and the like. Today I see most of the kids involved in one hobby class or the other - dance class, swimming class, singing sessions, painting class. After this they attend tutions too. The lucky ones who need not go through this kind of torture are seen hooked to TV or computers." [I am not against those parents who send the kids to classes based on talent and interest, trying to talk of those who push their kids to every possible activity without knowing real interests]
Babu - " Very true madam. They have all the special priviledge today."

As were indulged in enjoyable recollection of past events the Radio jockey played next - an old kannada melody - " ಸದಾ ಕಣ್ಣಲಿ ಪ್ರಣಯದ ಕವಿತೆ ಹಾಡುವೆ .."

Perfect to those nostlagic memories. !!!