Friday, 7 November 2025

Hari Om. May you be blessed my dear

Last week or so chikki had his first ever Chinmaya mission competition on Bhagwad Gita chapter 15. Wow we practiced a lot ! ! This goes back to what my dad always tells ....do whatever you do with full dedication, otherwise dont do it. I keep telling this to my kuttu. I know I can be a nag, because I want this done EVERY single time. and he's a kuttu..so he doesnt !!!

But for Bhagwad Gita...we worked so hard. I taught him first ! (it was my 1st time too learning it). Got Balavihar aunty to rehearse and correct his mistakes..and it was sooo amazing that he made it to the district level from his school. Agree not many participants :) but it was such a boost

For the district level we had to go to another school. Chinmaya Vidyalaya and we were so excited (well ofc I was more!). It seemed to take me back to the days when I was learning. I entered the premises and so many ..so many memories flooded in. I held back my tears- -because every such instance is a reminder of who i was, who I am and who I want to stay being as.....I saw the OM lamp, I saw Swami Chinmaya's paduka /photo and just the program with so many children gathering made me feel..so so nice and just a feel good that Im (hopefully) passing on my culture to my little boy. To confess I sometimes feel that I carry the weight of passing good virtues/ concept of prayer/ the poise of dedication all alone. But then, if I reflect even in my upbringing it was my dad who was more vocal about this, not necessarily mom who is generally more sedate about these things

The program started and the Swami who led the kick off, said such an amazing line about how we should compete NOT with others but getting better than our own selves. Such profound words


The kids went into their respective rooms and I walked around to the nearby temple and just sat. Such bliss....again memories flooded. every time I walk into 'my space' I end up crying. I sometimes, in the daily race of things, in the rudeness of what I face, in the situations I put my ego ahead, tend to forget that Im actually blessed with this upbringing to lean on. I feel I have faced situations I did not deserve..to be treated disrespectfully....I did not deserve it..and then I tell myself...wiping my tears off...that mom did not deserve MS...dad DID NOT deserve to be caged his life caretaking....we ALL have a cross to carry...beauty is in showing to God...we can carry it well...that we are grateful for the SO MANY good things he has given me which I take for granted

I had a lovely lunch prasadam. Kuttus was bored a bit given we spent nearly 4 hrs since 8am. He did not win....a bit of a bummer---BUT this day gave me a lot. every such thing teaches me something...why am I in the race to 'perfect' my own son..let him enjoy failure, let him learn from it. He felt bad too- and im glad he did. Effort when sincere always hurts when we dont get the reward. 

Aside this-- just seeing chikki grow to a beautiful boy..such an amazing heart and receptive mind he has...I am always IMPRESSED.. 

We also had a good outing to visit a magic show ! probably my 1st time too , like it was for chikki. Probably also one of the very few days when there was some kindness overall as a family shown :) Ok I wont drag this 

He had his own learning lession last week in the school picnic when he playfully took someone's chappals and threatened his friend that he would put it out of the window...(looks like 1 fell...)....but he got a life lesson...NEVER TO TELL SELECTIVE truths...its always better to say the full truth and to keep the heart light. 

My chikki got so worked up ...fact that his class teacher Latha mam also shouted at him !! he was scared to go to school and infact got potty twice that morning!!! my chikkiiii- but this is how u will learn  ... and I hope the learning always stays with you...to remind you....KEEP A CLEAN heart....u will shine

Like I always tell you da....BEING KIND is tough....play the tough role !!

Muuuaahhh kuttuuu !!!! love u infinitely !!!

P.S also btw I attempted my 1st rava laddoo for Diwali. The only comment I first got is "Too much neii". Anyways Im used to it- you cant expect appreciation from someone who doesnt have it in them to give it! 😇. I thought it came out quite well !! I dont hate cooking- but having been rubbed off in the wrong side so many times...given im not interested in eating...I feel like giving a damn and not MAKING anything also :)




Saturday, 18 October 2025

I have more than enough

The last few weeks have been very rewarding in so many ways..... I keep reminding myself...I am immensely blessed. Stars aligned and we could visit the children's orphanage that I so wanted to go to and take chikki along. and was I not moved...I came home and cried quite a bit. That whole image of walking in, seeing children welcome me, I walked up to the stairs of the girl's house...and I saw those little girls all scattered around, living out of trunks...such a sign of impermanence...and then the scene of the little one trying to comb her hair and putting those little clips all by herself and then looking up and smiling at me, looking at her....umm...I crumbled mentally. No one to hold her little cheek, jaw and comb her hair and to hug her and remind her that she is wanted.... 😔

Those children were wonderful in every way..so well mannered, so adorable. I saw a writing on their board with some questions.. Maybe some lady/therapist comes it seems 1) What makes you really happy 2) what makes you sad. I really wonder what answers they had for these......

For them it felt another .."here you go...visitors have come..now they will smile , act all warmed up...take some photos to go put up somewhere and then leave...and we will be back to our slump"...they even asked me "are you celebrating something".....  no one there to celebrate their little moments. It was a kutty one's birthday too the next day. They ate their plate clean, washed it..put it back. So many children are there like this around... somehow every time I recall these moments, I tell myself and I will tell myself

I may not have somethings..(I know what Im referring to)....but thats ok.  I have MORE THAN enough

I hope these moments have left some impression in my chikki....who I am so confident, will grow up to be an amazing boy







My chikki cleared school round for Bhagwad Gita competition and is into the district level ! Awesome da kanna..you are just amazing. May God Bless you...
Here'a video of what you learnt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCJnYvYnAmY&feature=shared

You also tell me the cutest things da....2-3 days cook did not come......you came into kitchen while I was making frankies for you and you told me..Hope things will settle from tomorrow as cook starts coming...

Love you kanna. I hope I get to be a better version of myself....

I pray God keeps you safe, healthy , a good boy and a happy one!

Mmuuaahhhh
Mummaa loves you!!



Sunday, 14 September 2025

My dear boy...u will be a fine man one day!

There are many things that can rattle you up in a day. I go through this quite often and then end up in tears at times, with everything just accumulating in my head..thinking about things like, who will be there for me when I grow old, what companionship would I have , would I not. I feel scared at times..money definitely cant buy many things right? I of course know that, I dont run behind money ; infact I know how futile it is in moments when I dont get the support I need from people around, when I just look for someone who shares my wavelength to sit and talk, not judge me, not taunt me....lets me be who I am. and I dont find it many a time...I feel awful, but then God reminds me....of soooo many things that I have going fine in my life too while many dont have many things. So its always about- reminding oneself of HOW blessed we are and HOW many people dont have what we take for granted 


My own dad--- who lives in uncertainty every other day/night of what might come upon on the health front with my mom. 

My own mom...who is far from being ok. God knows when that sofa gets stained, when her cough kicks in, when her bladder pains, when her legs will ever stop paining.......

and so many more....why do I even need more ?My issues are petty

I have a lovely adorable son who brightens me up in so many days. He fills the void of the company I look for, of the human around whom Id like to be, of the person who is sensitive and of the person who Im certain and pray ..will grow up to be a FINE man one day



You do soo many cute things my dear one. You surprise me in ways I can never think of. You have a heart, you have a mind and above all ...a trait so missing in many...empathy. May you preserve this Gold treasure of yours.....you are BLESSED my cutie

Look at this!

Last evening, you insisted you'd come out to a brewery- I told u no- but I guess u wanted to come out to eat something. In the auto - u tried to make me feel better , after a small tiff with pappa and you kept saying, "dont worry ..see other people on the road...ur much better"..aww my cutie.. then u told me to come more inside and not get wet. When we were not allowed to come in, you had the courtesy to apologize...my ! it takes a heart chikki, to think this ..do u even know that ?!

Then we come home and I make a dinner for u..potato wrap ( I dont pride myself at all on food ! ) Yet you praised me so much , gave me such a thoughtful kiss and told me a thank you. I have seen that kuttu, every time you do realize these things, you ALWAYS say a thank you.💘 . You just rock

Then this Monday we had a bit of an argument..You did not let me use your room and then I left in a flurry to office. evening I was welcomed by this...... i cannot tell you how much Im proud ..i have so much to learn from you. Your GENEROUS with your apology and keep your little ego aside...its a gift da


And these little tit bit notes that you share asking for the phone


Or the really cutie songs that you say! 
About colleagues in my office.....
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zsC_6Aful6w

Or your insights about thatha :) so on point !!
https://youtube.com/shorts/S1EncFaa1HE

How IMPRESSIVELY you learnt the Bhagwad Gita chapter 15, 15 slokas
and even so beautifully recited it to Balavihar aunty 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFoiC3ROwvk

Or the cute patriotic song u sang :)
https://youtube.com/shorts/rVRRbz9mGWM

and you really tried hard to get this telugu stuff. !! Keep it up da sweety pie
https://youtube.com/shorts/BYfb07SEvPM

And so responsibly you call up and inform your whereabouts 🙏

You brighten me up ! thank you. !!!!!!💛💜💚💙💖





And in imperfection lies beauty- Aug 23rd 2025

There is a beautiful saying in my office as I enter the floor where I work. It reads "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in"

Its a wonderful reminder that nothing need be perfect...nothing is and only then one shines..

This weekend was mine...for my art..for my interest ..in the perfect place I find peace and happiness in...Mumbai Music Mridangam and Me. wow. 4Ms....seems like I have found my zen of life.

I posted about this on LinkedIn and bringing the same goodness here....after all its my experience right :) 


This week has been a magical one. It had 3 of the 4Ms that define my passion :) Mumbai, Music, Mridangam [the 4th M -Marghazhi season in Chennai!]. In a day filled with demands of work and home responsibilities, these passion areas add the much needed zing to keep the rest going. Music has always been my go to and more so Carnatic Classical, which I always fallback on for energy.

One of the more important accompaniments to a Carnatic vocal concert, the mridangam has been my favourite given my love for beats and rhythm. Aside from being my birthplace, Mumbai holds a special place in my heart with Mridangam. To channel my interest I (re)started learning this art form online from my Guru Rohit Prasad, based in Mumbai, during Covid in 2020. Learning a percussion instrument online isn't easy and more so maybe not the recommended way too. But then we can't always seek an ideal route to make things happen.
Its been close to 5 years now and this August marked 25 years of my Guru’s and his peer’s journey in this art form and we celebrated it with
hashtag
mridangarpanam. I had the honor of playing along with 23 other students in the famed halls of Shanmukhananda Sabha in Mumbai. While it was a 20 min collective rendering, it was a moment that filled my heart and is here to stay.

Why do I post this here? Well no good reason, but maybe gratitude? Maybe because there are many reasons behind why ‘we show up’ daily and to pay it back with a huge thanks to my Guru Rohit Prasad for enabling this one.
For, giving me an opportunity to play live on stage right in the front row, very well knowing it was my 1st time, having played online the last 5 yrs
For, that word of encouragement every other weekend when I attend classes without practice after a long exhausting week, telling me “ Don't worry- the fact that you turn up for class is good enough” or “Your finger placements have improved” or “Ho jayega, tension math lo”
Thank you sir 🙏 and to my family Mala Raj CLMP Raj Raman @Jaya who were part of my moment. And to Harish Krishnan, for encouraging Mumbai rain updates and tips to conquer imperfections while playing :)
The icing on the cake was a photograph with Carnatic stalwarts Malladi Brothers and a compliment on how I played.These memories make it all worthwhile!

A snippet https://lnkd.in/gwdjV-MX

Coverage in Mumbai’s Local news channel https://lnkd.in/gDxKiQwP

Wednesday, 1 January 2025

To a GRATEFUL and GREAT-FUL start 2025

It feels like this year went by really fast ! 2024..... but most often we say this ..and then the next year comes and then the next..... life goes by and eventually we realise there is no different LIFE..that we need /are waiting for..THIS IS it.....

2024 has been good to me... I have had my job intact, infact got an elevated role at work...my son has grown more emotionally mature, my parents are with me, touch wood and they are doing fine...we bought a new car ...I was able to go and spend time with Namitha in the US, had a good vacation in Tahoe...but above all a very fulfilling end to the year- November ..we raised close to 11.5 lacs from Google's donation drive for kutty Shreeram's trust 💗...and in December I had a fantastic time in Chennai listening to Marghazi concerts uninterrupted for 3 days !! So so so good !! 



                                                   @Vani Mahal. Ramakrishna Murthy
@Music Academy for Kruthi Bhatt
                                                        @Charsur w/ Ashwath Narayanan
And now to 2025

Instead of always "looking for" life to be good to me let me think of what I can do "better". Last year's post actually at the same time was good itself to serve relevant for this year- but no harm in repeating no?

a) Less time on Facebook and social media- maybe every Friday sounds ok?

b) I dont want to work myself up with office work...please God. I dont want to stress myself up and land up with a poor eyesight

c) I dont need to be "GOOD"...I need to get better. Every time let me not operate with "I will be in danger" mode at work. 

d) Your are a WHOLE- beyond work....there is so much to you as a person- So let me not try to be a version of someone else.....I AM ME...GOD MADE ME...let me be grateful for who I am

e) Let me not procrastinate....and put out tougher work for later...there is no point..what has to get done, has to.

f) Let me prioritize sleep over anything else non value adding- especially mobile phone browsing.....this is such a waste of time seriously

g) What is not in my control.....(not too tough to discern if i think a little)..let me not break my head over it. 

h) I DONT NEED to look good for someone...LET ME BE ME

i) Spiritual health over anything else .... keep time for a quiet prayer for 2 min atleast every day

j) 20 Surya Namaskarams every day to start 

Om sri Chinmaya sadguru ve Namah