Hello and welcome to my second post of the day. A rarity I assure you but the thing is I thought I had posted my entry for Collen’s #TankaTuesday challenge but apparently I had just thought about it. But thankfully, the unexpected rains washed away the pollution daze and I am double posting before it is too late. The rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.
Here’s my tanka for the challenge:
jobless
browsing the internet for
Diwali deals
buying clothes for
the summer
As you may have guessed, the Indian or dare I say the global festival of lights, Diwali is the kigo word here. Wishing everyone a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali. May all the darkness be banished, evil vanquished and peace reign supreme.
Marigolds from my mom’s garden 🙂 Marigold are believed to symbolize purity, divinity, and the connection between life and death. Marigold is the most commonly offered flower in several religious ceremonies. But did you know that it’s Lord Ganesha’s favorite flower? Well I didnt. Apparently this is an edible plant with medicinal properties. I remember once as a child I had cut myself and it was pouring blood (in my memory at least) and mom just crushed some marigold leaves and instantly it stopped bleeding.
That’s it from me, for now. Wishing everyone a Happy Dhanteras!
Hello and welcome to another edition of Friday Fictioneers with Rochelle leading the way, this time with a photo from David Stewart for a story in 100 words. If you want to join in, click here. Thank you Rochelle and David.
FF: The Stuff of Dreams
Words 100
A cheer broke out from the crowd as Parul arrived. She had just won the gold in the 5000m after yesterday’s silver in steeplechase.
“Quite a journey from running in sugarcane fields, training with boys, overcoming societal pressures to the top of the victory stand. Congratulations!”
Still out of breath, Parul smiled. “Thank you.”
“What a thrilling finish! Throughout you were trailing and whoosh – in the last 20 m you overtook the lead. How did that happen?”
“It’s been my dream to join the police. It popped into my head that a DSP post is guaranteed for gold medallists.”
***
Inspired by a true story of Parul Chaudhary, the first Indian woman to win gold at the 5000m race, Asian Games 2023. Click to watch her thrilling win!
Hello and welcome to another edition of Rochelle’s weekly challenge of a story in 100 words – Friday Fictioneers – based on the marvelous photo prompt kindly provided by Dale. I had so many threads running for this one that I just kept vacillating between them. Anyway ultimately settled on the first one. Hope you like 🙂 If you like you may click here to read and add your own story. See you there!
Hello, hello ready for some fun with sticks and stones? The virtual kind are the best and thanks to Cee I never thought I would ever be fearlessly playing this game. This week the topic is either Sticks and Stones. As usual Cee gives wings to sticks and stones as well and we are allowed to be creative and have fun with this challenge. How could I resist eh? 😉
Off we go…
Some serious contemplation of sticks. Perhaps they too have a challenge that they need to participate in 😉
When sticks stick to the ground…
Sticks and stones – big ones. 😉
This one evokes envy – one can only dream of the peace and contentment in his life 😀
No pebbles here but it’s made of stone – a contemplative stone 😀
I used to love reading books in this pose, once upon a time – do you/did you?
Time for a break on a sticky stand 🙂 Love the bilingual message 😀 We all do deserve one break at least!
Here’s the break time complete with stick spoons 🙂 Yes it was delicious
One of my favorite notices that I found at a hotel in Goa and so apt for the times we live in. It was on a stick type frame, just in case you were wondering.
Thank you for dropping by and do leave me a note – they make my day! Cheers
It’s time for Colleens #TankaTuesday the weekly challenge (October 22 – November 6). The rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.
Here’s my tanka for the challenge:
hazy morning
jogging before
Diwali
deciding to wear
a sari
Although Diwali could be the kigo word but since this year it is on 12th of November I thought perhaps it may be too early to use it. Yet it may be noted, everything is geared around Diwali now, particularly shopping. But anyway I have used ‘hazy morning’ as the kigo word as this time of the year is notorious for pollution haze, particularly in Delhi region due to a variety of factors which apparently are beyond correction. I am presuming that most, if not all, will be familiar with Diwali the festival of lights when Lord Rama returned home after spending 14 years in the wilderness and defeating the evil King Ravan. A sari is the traditional unstitched garment that is 6 yards (5.5 meters) long. I am hoping the advantages of opting for such an apparel would be self-evident 😉
Posting this for Bushboy’s photo challenge. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th October or whenever your last photo was taken. No explanations are needed just the photo will do. Despite good intentions I couldnt resist jabbering and attempted a haiku as well. Something to kickstart November. This is also for Cee’s FOTD challenge.
bee sips
from the orange hibiscus
does it sting?
If you are here, do say a word or two – just a hello will do 🙂
PS: For those who may have visited my earlier post – CMMC: Photos with a P please note that this is a different hibiscus 🙂 She is blooming gorgeous blooms. Touch wood!!!!
Hello hope this week has been treating you well. It’s time for Eugi’s Moonwashed Weekly Prompt challenge. The prompt is Either Or. It can be any variation of the prompt or the image (below).
Once Upon a Time
A world of trees Green, brown and orange Reaching up to wave at blue Skies smudged with white Tall grasses twinkle With drops of dew Shielding centipedes, mites, Leeches, frogs to name a few
Already dark and time for The football match Up on the roof The rats and squirrels Having a field day While in the kitchen Mom plays hockey with a rat or is it a shrew?
Dad practiced duelling snakes while Mom had her dessert under the Watchful eye of a King cobra Bees and wasps swirled bestowing the gift of a plump arm or a misshapen face just like rashes from insects and cacti
Exams denounced Packed off to picnics Streams swirled around our legs All through the night Those dratted parrots pecked at mangoes and summer vacations with afternoon shifts to shoo parrots
Swinging high and higher Climbing guava trees taking home Red bites that turned yellow and black Bleeding gashes wrapped in Crushed marigold leaves For a stye in the eye Seven strokes of mango leaf stem Did the trick
The nearest town of one shop A couple of miles away Never did we ever cross a street Nor venture to shop or crave to eat No TV, no phone no internet All I missed were books Other than those I had Read a gazillion times
Would I go back? Why when the path is ahead Cocooned in the warm clasp of Unfearful memories Bouncing through Life’s myriad adventures Much like the fools that rush in But that is another story…
The photo reminded me of my childhood home (except it wasnt that orange!) and couldn’t help penning a few lines – not quite sure if you can call it a poem. But if you managed to come this far thank you for sticking it out till the end of what is quite a faithful account of my idyllic childhood.
PS: I was unable to format the poem into paragraphs and hence I took the help of colors. Apologies if it is looking weird.
PPS: It was looking even more weird with the alternating colors so used this format (Pullquote). At least the paragraphs are clearly demarcated. Do let me know if you have any suggestions for formats to use. Thank you.
Hello I am back after a week of prayers, celebrations, socializing and gorging 😀 And it’s already time for Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge where the rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.
She leaves
a quietude behind
Vijayadashami
praying for the guns
to fall silent
I have used ‘Vijayadashami’ (literally victory tenth day) as the kigo word here. Vijayadashami (which was on 24th October this year) is celebrated after Navratri and is the 10th day that marks the end of Durga Puja and the celebration of Her victory over Mahishasura (the buffalo demon) and the triumph of good over evil. After the celebrations, there is a hush and lull in the neighborhood.
Vijayadashami is also celebrated as Dussehra, the day when Lord Rama defeated the evil king Raavan, whose effigies are burnt to symbolize the burning of the evils within us as well as the triumph of good over evil.
Thank you for reading, would love to know your comments and suggestion. Have a great weekend.
Hello and welcome to Friday Fictioneer’s party hosted by Rochelle where we all are invited to post a story in 100 words or less based on the photo prompt (with due credit to the contributor). Click here to join or read the other stories on this prompt.
Hello everyone! After a hectic and enjoyable Durga Puja I am excited to participate in Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge (CMMC), the topic is October Alphabet with “P” anywhere in the word.
Let me see what I can find 🙂
Hibiscus in a flower Pot. Isn’t she gorgeous? The festival honoring and celebrating Goddess Durga known as Durga Puja just got over on Tuesday and of course that is the theme for my post this week but I couldnt resist sharing this beauty which a favorite of Goddess Kali (another form of Goddess Durga) as well. I have discussed about Durga Puja in a couple of my earlier posts but in case you missed it and want to know more, click here
This is the making of the Puja Pandal (a temporary home for Goddess Durga and her children). It is fascinating to see how an empty field is turned into a re-creation of a famous temple (in this case) using nothing but piles of poles, canvas and glue. And all this for just 5 days after which it is dismantaled and put away for until the next occasion with a fresh design. One of the workers was going about with the ‘hyphen’ of the “co-operative”. Possibly there was divided opinion about its inclusion! Incidentally, this is the same pandal that the US ambassador Eric Garcetti visited. You can see the video here. Just a heads up, that though the video is about 3 minutes long, you can get away with watching about half of it as it is repetitive.
This is another Puja Pandal complete with the Goddess Durga’s idol installed and is another piece of art that will be immersed in water after 5 days of worship. We were lucky to be able to get a glimpse before the madness began.
Just a glimpse of the crowd at the Puja Pandal before the festival had begun!
While most Durga Puja are a community event, She is also worshipped individually by people at their home. This year, I was lucky enough to be able to visit one such Puja. I am sharing a small translation of the Sanskrit mantra which I hope and pray Mother Goddess is kind enough to bless us all with. If you are interested, you can read about the full chant here.
To that Goddess Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Peace, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Hello, hope you are having a grand week. I am busy as the Durga Puja celebrations are on. Yet I am pleased that I could manage to post an entry to this week’s Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle. I will be along to read your stories in a bit. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo prompt provided by Liz Young. Thanks Liz.
Photo Prompt Liz Young
FF: The Visitors
Words 100
“This is terrible!”
“The innocent are suffering the consequences of hate and greed.”
“We must stop this endless cycle of senseless killing!”
“What can we do?”
“Let’s go away!”
“But where?”
“I know the perfect place.” Their leader said.
“Are we at the right place?”
“I think so,” whispered one. “What do you think?”
“Let’s go and find out.” Their leader ventured a bit further, only to stop short.
“Abort mission! Withdraw!” The leader ordered.
“What’s happening?” Powering their spaceship they surveyed the scene of carnage and mass destruction.
“Déjà vu. The Blue Planet is no longer perfect for life.”
***
Happy Durga Puja to all of you and may the Mother shower peace, prosperity and oneness on us.
Hello! It is time for Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge where the rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.
But before I begin, I am very chuffed that Colleen was kind enough to choose my previous entry as the poem of the week and couldnt resist sharing. Yayy and thank you again Colleen 🙂
Now off to the tanka of this week. First the tanka and then the explanatory note. Perhaps, some of you may not need the note 🙂
Navratri
going to office on
an empty stomach
they join the
bhandara queue
I have used Navratri (literally nine-nights) as the ‘kigo’ word for this tanka. In India, we are currently celebrating Navratri and today is day 3 of the festival. Navaratri is a bi-annual Hindu festival observed in honour of the Mother Goddess Durga and many devotees keep a fast during this period. A bhandara is a mass feast given to the needy by the Hindus, particularly in North India on auspicious occasions such as the Navratri.
Here’s wishing you all a very auspicious and happy Navratras to you and yours. 🙏
Here’s my entry to this week’s Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle, a story in 100 words based on the photo prompt. Click here to read other stories for this challenge and add your own story.
“That day,” Granny began, “we were all so excited to be meeting up at our beach house. It was a clear day, blue skies with wispy clouds, an inky blue…”
“Who all were coming?”
“Everyone! Your Aunt from India, Uncle from Canada, their children…”
“Why were they coming?”
“There were several reasons. It was my 75th and your 10th birthday, your parents anniversary. Your Uncle’s promotion, your Aunt wanted to introduce her fiancé. Oh, that was such a joyous time with so many things to celebrate!”
Hello! Here’s another tanka for Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge where the rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.
First the tanka and then the explanatory note. Perhaps, some of you may not need the note 🙂
freshly showered
leaves wave to the blue skies
-Durga Puja celebrations
jeans don’t button up
even upon lying down
I have used Durga Puja as the kigo word. Like I mentioned in my earlier post, Navratri (or nine nights) festival in honor of Goddess Durga is being celebrated this year from 15th to 24 October. During this period, Hindu devotees worship Goddess Durga but the manner of celebration is diverse and unique in different parts of the country. This includes, but is not restricted, to dandiya, kanyapujan (little girls are worshipped as the Goddess) and Durga Puja. Durga Puja is a socio-religious celebrations that is mostly undertaken as a community but may also be done individually. It is associated with not only religious activities but also a platform for showcasing art, culture, and new clothes, cars, TVs and what have you while gorging on a variety of mouth-watering delicacies, including those served free. You may read more about Durga Puja here.
Perhaps, even ‘freshly showered’ could be considered the kigo word. Unlike the West, here in India, this is not the fall season. In fact, this is a time that is right after the monsoons which is a boon to the trees wilting in the scorching summer heat. They are now at their cleanest, greenest and happiest. With the monsoons withdrawing, the skies are blue (for once – Touch wood!!!) the breeze cool, and a palpable sense of excitement in the air. Even Mother Nature is celebrating the imminent arrival of the Mother Goddess (Durga Puja) in her inimitable way.
Did this work? Did you need the explanatory note? Looking forward to reading your reactions. Have a super day.
Hello and welcome to Dawn’s Festival of Leaves challenge. Anything to do with trees, as you perhaps may know by now, I simply cannot resist 🙂
Let’s see what I can find, this week:
This was in the cacti section. I had never seen leaves of this color before. Have you?
“They tell you to turn into a new leaf and then complain about your faded colour.” – Nitya Prakash
I would have never thought a combination of pink and green would look good but they gel well don’t they?
“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf.” – Rabindranath Tagore
There are even brown leaves – who would have thought!
“Art is the flower. Life the green leaf.”- Charles Rennie MacKintosh
with red stems! These are really eye-catching aren’t they. Not quite sure what they are called. Do you know?
“Open the bloom of your heart and become a gift of beauty to the world.”– Bryant McGill
Monstrous leaves, aren’t they? Dont miss the bright yellow stems, almost as if they are mocking the traditional plants 😀
“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank
Don’t they look like flowers? The purple leaves were actually bluish in color, when seen with the naked eye. Their shape is also so unique.
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”– Frances Hodgson Burnett
Brown pink and green! I can’t help but wonder how they manage photosynthesis and why the need for such colorful leaves. I did a little bit of research, and as I remembered (ahem) only the green part can do photosynthesis. The tiny green porton is enough for its sustenance. But what about the other leaves and the bare trees? Apparently sunlight penetrates the thin outer bark it can be enough for photosynthesis. You can read more here. I am not very convinced, but perhaps you can tell me more 🙂
“Life is a party; dress like it, dance like it, and make every moment count.” Audrey Hepburn
I found these leaves to be very interesting. It wasnt very clear if it was a creeper or part of the tree
“Why not show off if you’ve got something to show?” J Jones
Well, what do you think? Can you make out?
“It is better to aim high and miss than to aim low and hit.” Les Brown
And this is the showstopper. I couldn’t take a pic initially, then I waited to click it on the return journey. Isn’t it precious? Just like life.
Hello, here’s my attempt at XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge. This challenge is about a seat, a place to perch. This might be a chair, a bench, a wall, a pew…maybe even a log or a rock. These spots can be artfully designed, quirky or very plain, sometimes they have a view, sometimes you meet someone else who needs a rest.
So, without any further ado, if you are comfortably seated, off we go:
The chairs, I presume were once upon a time a bright orange to match the flowers but under the scorching sun faded to a pale pink. Or perhaps, they turned pale with envy…
The envious man grows lean at the success of his neighbor. Horace
Recently I had the opportunity to watch a live Kathakali performance. This is a traditional dance form originating probably in Kerala in Southern India. It is a “story game” genre of art, usually drawn from folk stories, religious texts and Hindu epics. It is characterised by the elaborately colourful make-up and costumes and performed traditionally only by males. You can read more about it here.
I was seated in the front row and the ‘lady’ on the left performed a sequence (while seated on the stool) wherein ‘she’ put a baby to sleep. Once, the imaginary baby was asleep, ‘she’ tiptoed away only to stop and request me, with only ‘her’ eyes expressions, and gestures to keep an eye on the baby. I played along and raised a hand to ‘assure’ her but ‘she’ instantly stopped and ‘asked’ 4 kids! I shook my head, and raised one finger. She then proceed to ask if they were married, or studying or working. It was amazing!
At the Kochi harbor, while on a morning walk, we spotted these birds, perched at a vantage point waiting for breakfast to be delivered.
This one is in a hurry, probably late for work 😀 This was taken while on a boat ride on the river Periyaar.
This picture was taken by the kind boatman as we weren’t allowed to move about on the boat. They don’t seem to be in any hurry. In fact, they seem ready for bed after a satisfying meal 😀
We were waiting for the boat, I wonder what they were waiting for – breakfast in someone’s pocket perhaps?
That’s it from me. I hope I didnt break any rules. Which one did you like the best?
Hello and good day to you. Today I am participating in Eugi’s Moonwashed Weekly Prompt. The prompt is Magical Village. It can be any variation of the prompt or the image (below).
The photo is rather magical and made me throw caution to the wind and attempt a free verse. Actually, I am not even sure, if that’s what it is – anyway, here goes.
The World of Trees
Fireflies line the path
Magical village
Hiding in plain sight
A lush rustling village
No wants and little needs
Strife there was none.
Oblivious of taunts, curses
and betrayals
Partners for life with
ample space for young’uns
Once they grew roots
they too stayed put.
Some were short, some tall
some colorful, some shy
The naked and the bedecked
together, no bite in their bark
Phoenix rising from the ashes,
They were that magical.
Passing travellers stop by
Catch a break,
have a stretch, grab a bite,
Scratch an itch or build a home
They leave without even
A hug, a pat or a backward glance
Once in a while
When the weather is fine,
a light wind blowing
they nod and
wave to each other
going about their daily chores
Day in and day out, these
voiceless master chefs concoct
magic out of thin air
Some make tea, some coffee
Offering children of their heart
an arm, a leg, their whole being
With no expectations
the tireless village plods on
in pursuit of its
Endless thankless task
-- Feed and sustain
20 quintillion lives and counting
***
Thanks for visiting and your kind comments and suggestions. Have a super weekend.
Note (8/10/23): I changed the title of the poem as I felt that otherwise the poem was very obscure for most readers. Do let me know your thoughts. Thanks
Hello! Hope you are having a super day. Here’s my attempt to participate in the weekly flash fiction party hosted by Rochelle where everyone is welcome to join. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo prompt below.
“But Madam,” Rekha pleaded, “30th was the agreed date. Chikankari* is handmade, it’s time-consuming and back-breaking ….”
“I can pay extra.”
“They’re award winning artisans, one can’t just order…”
“How about 30% extra?”
“I‘ll request them.”
“So darn hot!” Rekha moaned at her artisan’s makeshift shop, a mat, under the banyan tree.
The wizened woman looked up from her embroidery.
“When will my order be ready?”
“Another 10 days.”
“5 days.”
“Sorry Madamji. My son isn’t well and my…”
“Not my business. For each day’s delay, I will deduct 10%.
***
A/N * Chikankari is the technique of creation of a chikan work, which is a delicate hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics. Traditional chikankari is white floral embroidery on soft pastel shades of light muslin and cotton. You may visit this link for more information
Thanks for visiting. Would love to know your thoughts. Have a great day 🙂
Good day! Another attempt to write tanka while participating in Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge where the rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.
I am trying out a tanka and have used ‘Dandiya’ as the kigo word here. Dandiya Raas is a folk dance of western India mostly in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. This popular socio-religious dance is performed during the Navaratri (literally – Nine Nights) festival in honor of Goddess Durga who is believed to visit her home on Earth along with her children and their unique animal companions, (but that’s another story for another day, perhaps). This festival usually occurs in the period of late September to late October with the actual dates varying from year to year. Dandiya is performed in memory of Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura (literally – buffalo demon) and the colorful sticks (called dandia) used in the dance represent her sword.
I took this image from this site just to give you a better idea. I hope the kigo word is acceptable?
And the tanka is
trees
swaying in the breeze
dandiya practice
he joins up unaware
of her fracture
Initially I thought of going for just the haiku (the first 3 lines) then felt it could be a tanka as well. Also the explanation seemed a bit disproportionate to the kigo description. Still is actually 😀
That’s it folks. Do let me know your thoughts, comments and tips. Have a great day and thank you Colleen for the challenge.
Hello to you 🙂 Venturing into the domain of photography I am participating in XingfuMama’s photo challenge. The challenge is simple: take one photo and get creative with it by processing it three different ways.
Here goes:
This is the original. This was taken last month at Kochi harbor in Kerala, India. It was a cloudy cool morning and it was such a treat to watch her grow bigger and bigger as she floated back home. I took it on my Samsung Z fold 2 phone camera. No particular setting.
Err, I can’t help but also post a haiku, or attempt at one, inspired by this image. Haiku, as you may know, captures one or two moments by using clear and vivid images. A haiku, consisting of a phrase and a fragment, is an unfinished poem – the readers interpret what it means by putting the images together. Do share your thoughts and interpretations 🙂
she returns
after a long journey
sigh
This is the Pen and Wash style availabe in the phone itself.
This is the Watercolor style. Earlier we used to attempt watercolors (not that I ever could!) based on photos and now its the reverse. Fascinating stuff.
For this one, instead of the Styles function, I tried to play around with contrast, exposure, shadow, sharpness etc.
On second thoughts, the version one and two look quite similar, don’t they?
This my submission to Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge on fences of any kind. Initially I thought I wouldn’t be able to participate but now I think I have too many.
Entry for humans beyond the fence is offensive to the law of the land and jungle 😀
“There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” Will Rogers
You can of course see the fence but it is the gnarly tree that captures one’s attention, isn’t it? Doesn’t she look as if she is involved in some long standing feud with her own self?
“I am a woman in process. I’m just trying like everybody else. I try to take every conflict, every experience, and learn from it. Life is never dull.” Oprah Winfrey
This is another shot another side from the same spot. No sign of conflict here, just peaceful coexistence.
“Coexistence reminds us that together we are stronger.” From the internet
A makeshift fence to demarcate private land cultivating precious spices. Can you guess what the long leafed shrub provides?
“A green pearl on the banks of the river Periyar in the South-west mountains”. Chanakya wrote in his ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, political science, economic policy and military strategy, Arthashashtra. It was written in Sanskrit in the 1st millennium BCE.
The photo is also taken around the same place as mentioned by Chanakya and is considered the Queen of Spices. I presume you must have guessed it by now – yes, it’s the green cardamom.
Here the audience is fenced out as experts demonstrate the ancient martial art, Kalaripayattu. Originating in Kerala, India, it is one of the oldest surviving martial arts in world. Kalaripayattu differs from many other martial arts systems in the world in that weapon based techniques are taught first, and barehanded techniques are taught last. Elements from the yoga tradition as well as finger movements in the nata dances, were incorporated into Kalaripayattu.
It was truly a treat to watch the masters fight with swords with sparks flying. They were so swift in their actions, from the shot it appears as if they are bare-handed when actually they are using swords.
I hope it was worth your time to visit. Do let me know your favorite photo – if any. Bye.
Hello, hope you are having a great day. Today, I am participating in the challenge hosted by XingfuMama which is about Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge – It could be anything: a picture or you can go into detail and tell it as a reflection, story or poem.
So it’s a picture with some detail, processing and a poem 🙂
Recently while on an early morning flight, I was surprised and delighted to see a rainbow that was a circle. Frankly, I had never really thought about it before and always considered the rainbow to be a semi-circle (with a pot of gold at the end) 😀
Apparently, a circular rainbow is a very rare sight, requiring sky conditions to be “just right.” Without any further ado, ta da….
Amazing isn’t it? While this is the original photo, I couldn’t help playing around with the brightness, contrast etc.
Which one do you like better?
Also posting a tanka inspired by this – hope you like
flying high –
the rainbow has no
pot of gold
traveling far and wide I find it
on my couch
Do let me know your thoughts – thanks for visiting and have a super week.
Hello and a very good day to you. I am attempting to participate in Eugi’s Moonwashed Musings Weekly Prompt – Velvety. It can be any variation of the prompt or the image (below).
Today I am attempting a haiku inspired by this image.
About haiku
Haiku, a Japanese form of poetry, in English, is of three lines with a total of 17 syllables (preferably less). Composed of a phrase and a fragment, it captures one or two moments by using clear and vivid images. A haiku is an unfinished poem – the readers interpret what it means by putting the images together.
A reader should be able to read the haiku and “see” the images from the words. Haiku usually have an “Aha” moment, which portray a spontaneous moment through the juxtaposition of two sharp images, with a reveal or insight or contrast or leap or pun.
Here’s my attempt:
yellow moon
knocks on the balcony window
I bring in the laundry
Well, did it work? Did it create images and a sudden switch? Comments and suggestions welcome.
Hello everyone! It’s Friday Fictioneer’s time and we have yet another party which you are welcome to join. Thank you Rochelle for hosting it and Jennifer Pendergast for the photo prompt. Click here to join and the Rules are here.
Good day to everyone. Another attempt to write tanka while participating in Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge where the rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.
I hope I have understood the rules 🙂
I belong to India and the monsoon season is still lingering around, although I believe it has begun its, albeit belated, withdrawal.
a monsoon shower –
hanging on the long clothesline
sparkling diamonds
thieves break-in to find my cache
of dripping garments
So monsoon is my kigo. While the tanka is not exactly 5/7/5/7/7 syllables, I believe a total of 31 syllables or less is also acceptable. Am I right? Did this work? I also wasnt sure if I was supposed to include the image. Would love to know your thoughts, comments and suggestions.
Thanks for visiting and reading. Have a super day.
Hello, hope you are having a grand day. Today I am attempting to participate in a new challenge hosted by XingfuMama which is about Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge – It could be anything: a picture or you can go into detail and tell it as a reflection, story or poem.
I would like to present a true story. It happened on my recent travels to Gavi near Thekkady, Kerala, India, where I found myself guilty of being biased and judgemental.
Here we were at a viewpoint deep in the midst of the rolling gorgeous greenery of the Gavi inside the Ranni reserve forest. The sky was overcast and breeze was cool and I was in seventh heaven of delight. I gobbled up the sights – the short tree, the light green, the stocky one, the balding one, while the driver-cum-guide attempted to spot wildlife for our perusal.
To be honest, there were none. Just a couple of dogs, mom and child, gambolling about. What do they eat in this wilderness I wondered. I was distracted by another jeep load of chattering tourists that drove up to ‘our’ point and disembarked. There goes our peace and silence.
One of the tourists went straight to the parked truck. Can you imagine? At this scenic sight, all he could think of was food? Or perhaps a try at the balloons? Sheesh. I rolled my eyes.
I flushed and cringed at my petty thinking. He had rushed to buy biscuits for the dogs. Hats off to the kind gentleman with his heart in the right place.
“Individuality should be celebrated, not judged.” From the internet
I am attempting to present a Tanka inspired by the image. For the uninitiated (and also for myself as I struggle to grasp the finer nuances) Tanka is a popular Japanese form of poetry that is a total of 31 syllables or less separated into 5 lines. Tanka are not (necessarily rhyming) poems about seasons, nature, desires, mood or emotions, using literary devices, such as personification, metaphors etc. Tanka is characterized by a turn, known as the pivot (third line), which marks a sudden shift from one image to that of another such as a personal reference.
The haiku on the other hand is a Japanese poem with three lines of not more than 17 syllables usually referencing a season with a twist or an ‘aha’ moment in the final like.
It also may be noted that the Japanese form of poetry avoids the use of titles and capitalization of any word. If I may add, that since this is a very short poem, each word is important and may hold different connotations and perhaps best read slowly, absorbing while picturizing what each word is trying to paint/convey. Otherwise, one tends to miss the ‘aha’ moment. At least, that has been my learning.
More than a decade ago, when I first developed an interest in writing, I had dabbled in haiku and tanka forms before switching to fiction writing. Once again, I am going where the muse leads me. Thank you for your company on this journey.
twilight –
the sun sets on another day
reflections
of all that which could
have been
***
I struggled with these five lines for over five hours. Seriously. I gave up and posted this. What do you think? Does it work as a tanka? Any suggestions? I am open to constructive criticism. Do let me know. Thanks. Have a great day 🙂
Hello! Hope you are having a super day. I am attempted to participate in Cee’s challenge of Any type of Bridge, where all you need have is a bridge or part of bridge in view. Cee’s photos are super cool (do visit the above link) and I was afraid I wouldnt have any photos to fit the bill. But guess what – I found quite a few and had loads of fun.
Hope you like 🙂
View from the bridge over the mighty and holy Ganga at Haridwar, northern India, with a sculpture of Mahadev in the distance.
From the north we go straight down south of India, Munnar, Kerala. Can you spot the bridge in the distance? That is if you can take your eyes off from the breathtaking greenery? 😀
Stopped the car on the way to Thekkady, Kerala, also in southern India and walked back half a mile to capture this scenic view from a bridge of another bridge and a quintessential village 🙂
This is another view of a bridge from a bridge but taken this time from the car. This is the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh, central India. Isn’t she a gorgeous color?
Next we go to western India. This is the Doodhsagar falls near Goa. We were lucky to catch a goods train on the bridge.
This is on the way to see the above waterfall. And that’s a natural bridge. Perhaps for the monkeys 😀
This is an edited photo of the beach at Goa taken from a bridge. I had fun playing around with this one 🙂
This is the orginal photo, just in case you were wondering.
And the final photo is from the Andaman Islands in eastern India to complete the circle with a proper photo of a bridge 😀
What do you think? Which one is your favorite? Have you visited any of these places? Any place that is on your bucket list? Do let me know if you could spare the time.
Hello! Hope you are having a great day. I am trying my hand at a photo processing challenge hosted by XingfuMama. The challenge is simple: take one photo and get creative with it by processing it three different ways.
However, I don’t know anything about photography, except that I love to photograph, especially trees. So here’s my attempt. Comments and suggestions welcome.
The Original PhotoColor PencilPen and WashComic
I didnt do anything except choose ‘styles’ and the above two options randomly. Fascinating stuff. Didnt even know I could do such a thing. 🙂
Did I understand the challenge correctly? Which one did you like best?
“Must you always win?” The chair overturned as Rohan stormed out.
Dave held Sheila back. “Let him be. He’s had a bad day.”
“That’s no excuse for bad manners.” Sheila fumed.
“Maybe he’s hungry.” Binna said.
“Who isn’t?” Sheila was in no mood to be pacified. “Always bulldozing…”
“When did I ever?” Rohan was back.
“Last Sunday, when we…” Sheila began counting.
“It was my birthday…”
“Today’s mine.” Binna raised a hand.
“Right!” Rohan clicked his fingers. “And you’d naturally prefer chole bhature over tacos.” He smirked.
“Nope.” Binna countered with a smug smile. “I ordered tteokbokki.”
***
Hello everyone! I sneaked in last week and hope to stick around for a long(er) period this time. Looking forward to catching up with all of you. Happy weekend 🙂
This week, Cee’s black and white challenge topic is Long Items. Let’s see what I can come up with 😀
I shall start, but of course, with a tree – a really tall one. On the streets of Delhi, caught through a car while stuck in a jam. Some things are good about a traffic jam too!
The long way home – err not mine though!
A sneak preview of a bit of ancient sculptures that dot the country
A glimpse into one of the many dances of India. There was one with a bicycle wheel on his head as well. No mean feat eh!
This is the holy Bhagirathi, the tempestuous, feisty Himalayan river who, according to legend, was brought to earth by King Bhagiratha and hence also called Bhagirathi or Bhagiratha’s daughter. If you are interested in the legend, watch this (very short) video.
This is the mighty Ganga, one of the longest rivers in India and worshipped as goddess Ganga. She is formed by the confluence of Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda at Devprayag. The view of the confluence is mesmerising but that is another picture for another post 🙂
I will wrap up this post with this really ‘long’ tree standing tall in the midst of a moonlight night.
When I started this challenge, I thought I wouldn’t have any photos and now I have too many!
Hope you enjoyed these photos, do let me know your favourite. If any.
Hello everyone and welcome to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge where the theme is to have fun with pink!
Here’s some what I gathered from my archives and went down memory lane – thankfully all good one and have great fun. Thank you Cee!
“A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect.”– Terri Guillemets
I never thought I would find pink in a leaf! And look more pink leaves, just before they turn green.
“Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.” – Lilly Pulitzer
A pink building that once upon a time used to be my school – believe it or not!
“Love is flower like; Friendship is like a sheltering tree.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge
And I got both in this photo and life – touch wood 😀
Which one did you like? Did you notice that I mixed and matched with quotes? Did it work?
Cheers and hope you have a fun and rejuvenating weekend
Hello everyone, hope you all are having a good weekend, not like me down with a headache, since yesterday and an awful night. Decided to cheer myself with some virtual fun – anything to get my mind off my headache 😀
I am attempting two challenges together – Shweta’s Saturday Six Word Story Prompt (the prompt this week is Goodbye) and Debbie’s Saturday six-word musings (my first time) where the “key rule is to have a title of six words – and then create around that the post that you desire! Perhaps in bunches of 6 words if you’re feeling inspired.”
A few 6 word stories which I think work alone and perhaps as a bunch too.
Hello everyone. It’s been a while since I played any photo challenge and even though it’s not exactly mid week, here are some photos for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge. I know Cee won’t mind, besides she’s the one who instigated me to have some fun and what else could I come up with but trees and more trees for the challenge. 😀
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John Muir
“How do you spell ‘love’?” – Piglet. “You don’t spell it. You feel it.” – Pooh
“Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken.” Albert Camus
“We cannot see our reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.” – Zen Proverb
There were a couple of more trees but I desisted from biting off more from your precious time. 😀 Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend.
“Resting? At your age, you should be running.” A middle-aged man chastised Raghu beside him on the park bench. “I do 20 laps and you gave up after just 10,” he snorted.
“I am trying.”
“Yeah right. All you youngsters are lazy lumps. Only good for junk food and video games.” He cast him a scathing look. “No wonder you are overweight. Look at me, so fit. If I were younger,” he broke off staring at the ground, “what’s that? Did you injure your leg? You’re bleeding!”
Raghu looked down. “Ah. Just a bit. I’m still adjusting to my new foot.”
***
Inspired by the Jaipur foot and Sudha Chandran who reclaimed her place on the stage of dance after losing her leg in an accident with the help of the Jaipur foot.
Here’s my submission for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt and the challenge is to is to write a piece is exactly 50 words – the word is “thalassic”.
The Search Continues
Words 50
“The prompt this week is ‘thalassic’.”
“What’s that?
“Something to do with the sea, seagoing, seashore…”
“We haven’t visited the sea in a while, have we?”
“Almost a decade.”
“Everyone, shall we go? Andamans?”
“Too expensive!”
“I’ve no leaves left.”
“The weather’s not good for traveling.”
“Abyssal is another option…”
***
I learnt a new word this week, actually many – thank you Sammi 🙂 Did you know? Care to join the challenge? Thank you for reading – have a super week ahead.
Hello! I am back with a slightly longer piece this time. I just hope I am not too late for the JSW challenge – my first time participating in it.
The challenge is to write a story in 300 words or less on the prompt (in blue below). Here goes my attempt:
What Goes Around
Words 298
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“It’s the only chance we’ve got.”
With that, I grabbed his hand and we jumped into the darkness.
I woke with a gasp.
Fumbling for the bed switch, I sat up, still trembling.
That dream again.
Was I becoming suicidal?
When would this nightmare end?
A shiver shook me as I recalled that day.
No. I wouldn’t think about that.
I flung away the bed covers and jumped into action.
Work was the only way.
“Sandwiches! For all of us? You are the best Ma’am!” My colleagues gushed as they gobbled.
I couldn’t help but smile, “It’s been so long since I did anything for you all. Everyone has been so kind.” I choked.
“Cheer up, Ma’am. We are rooting for you!” They chorused.
“Thank you dears. I wonder what I would do without you.”
“You are our inspiration Ma’am. How you have faced all the adversities alone…”
There was a knock at the door.
“The insurance agent,” the receptionist informed.
I drooped.
Not again.
Hadn’t they rubbed enough salt on my wounds?
“Hello Ma’am.”
I swallowed, but seeing his guilty expression, I mustered up a smile, “It’s ok. Any progress with the paperwork?”
“Yes Ma’am. I just need your signatures on a couple of more documents. The police are also through with the investigations and are likely to close the case as an accident sometime soon. Once we have that the money will be released right away.” He beamed.
I dabbed at my eyes and nodded my thanks.
After he left, I permitted myself a tiny smile.
I had covered my steps well.
No one knew that I had pushed him over the bridge.
Now, if only I could get rid of his petty clingy ghost just as easily.
***
Well, would do you think? Did it work? No? Do let me know in the comment section. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend.
Stories and more 