Love

Love is a strange feeling. It manifests itself in many forms. Many definitions float around which try to describe love but in my opinion words fail to completely capture the depth and the myriad emotions that entail love.
What then is love? In the limited world view that I have , I have seen people from completely different backgrounds, religions, physical attributes, castes come together and get entwined by the power of love. Love strikes at the most unexpected moment and all you know is getting swept off your feet. The feeling is flattering to be offered roses, chocolates and the likes. I am fortunate to have experienced love in its most romantic form and still remember feeling completely oblivious to hunger, thirst, day and night just thinking about him.
But after five years of marriage do I still love him the way I did back then?
The answer is no. Five years into marriage anybody will have a list of flaws in the other person... Nah.. just kidding. I still love him but the attributes of this love are different. In the sense that I care for him in a much different way. I respect his long term goals and ambitions in life, I know that we have different interests and still appreciate it, I choose to downplay the petty arguments that we have, I ignore the random fit that he throws. I love him unconditionally and accept him with all his vices. I now know fully well when I need to leave him alone and when I should shower him with my attention. The romance is there but in the silent glance that he gives me even when we are in a crowd. I support him in every endeavour of his, knowing fully well that whatever he does is for our collective wellbeing.
Love is a choice that we conciously make even when we could do otherwise.
And blessed I am to get back whatever love that I give, only multiplied and I sincerely hope the Gods above bless him with boundless energy to chase all his dreams.

Music

I turn to music whenever I fell lonely and a little bit down. It instantly lifts up my mood and helps me regain my focus. I listen to all kinds of music depending on the mood I'm in but my all time favourite genres are Soft Rock, Blues and Carnatic Classical.
This song by Bryan Adams is my all time favourite. The inherent romance in this song sways me. I can listen to it anytime and no matter how many times I listen, it doesnt seem to lose its charm
the lyrics:
Everything I Do..

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there
you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

Look into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you..

Our experience with Taj Mahal was exotic to say the least. I always wanted to visit the Taj after hearing so many stories about the monument of love and we had a chance to do so on our way to Delhi to visit our in-laws. It is indeed a marvel in white, pristine marble and we were so excited.

Words cannot describe this engineering excellence that immortalised Shahjahan's undying love to Mumtaz. So I leave you at that, enjoy the pics.

Splendour of Hampi

In our travels, we were fortunate to have visited the Hampi, the capital of Vijayanagara empire, in Karnataka. The ruins of the once glorius city stretch across a vast 14 sq km with lot of temples, forts, pavilions and stone sculpture. One needs to stay in Hospet, the nearest town to this monumental splendour in order to catch its charisma at a leisurely pace.

The city of Hampi enjoyed it peak roughly between 1510-and 1530 ad under the rule of Sri Krishnadevaraya of the Tuluva dynasty, and it is said that it was a major trade centre with anything between horses, food grains to gemstones being traded there. The king was a patron of art and poetry and the period saw many a poet deliver their best literary works. Every stone over there has a story to tell and one cant miss the romance that reverberates the whole place. The must see places in Hampi are the Stone Basavanna, the Virupaksha Temple, The Vittala Temple, the Stone Chariot and the musical pillars. It is a backpacker's paradise, and it is a delight exploring the inside story of each place in Hampi. Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I was totally transported to a different world when I went there. I even imagined the whole place as teeming with people and myself selling bangles in one corner to a handsome young bloke(obviously they were meant to be gifted... well... probably....to me [;)] ) in some bygone era.....ohh.. well it could have happened in some previous birth or I would prefer to believe so. What a pleasant dream...

Like all dreams, it had to end, but then I'm glad I had the memory to hold onto.. it was exquisite, marvellous and ecstatic. Now coming back to reality, its just 350 odd kms away from Hyderabad and makes an ideal weekend getaway. If you are planning a honeymoon (no matter whether its first or second or nth) I recommend this place. Go ...

My true friend

We all have a lot of people around us- parents, siblings, spouse, friends, relatives and the number of them put together might run into hundreds or maybe more. Now when you have a situation or a problem in your life whom do you turn to?Suddenly the population in this group shrinks to single digits. Some turn to parents, many turn to friends, some to relatives, but among them, is there at least ONE person who listens to you patiently, does not judge you no matter how ridiculous your views are, lets you speak your mind, understand your words and also your silence and accept you as you are?
If your answer is yes, you are lucky, and if its more than one , you are tremendously lucky. And if that one person happens to be your spouse, its like Icing on the Cake. You don't have to explain yourself to such a person or people since they know you inside out and understand your predicament. Sometimes when you are in despair, just listening to your anguish relieves you and reduces your burden and once you are out of it, it might be surprising to note that even you might not subscribe to your own earlier views. A true friend knows this, only too well and is always ready to offer his/her shoulder and might differ from you but will never desert you. Sure you need one true friend like that and the best way to have one, is to be one....

Here's to my BEST FRIEND in life. Thanks for being my friend in the truest possible sense.