Rise of spectacle

I remembered the times,

when movie halls excites,

hearts of every generation, 

seen with families or alone.

Most were gentle, heartwarming, 

comforting soul, pleasant to eyes,

evoking emotions, putting a smile,

leaving lasting impressions. 

Rise of spectacle...

But now pushed to fringes,

by gritty justice, and violence, 

with actions, scene of passion,

adding spices, grabbing attention.

Now people chase blockbusters, 

visual effects and high dramas,

where clash of good and evil,

entertain with their intensity. 

Rise of spectacle...

Looking back at the golden age,

of romantic comedies & family stories,

which lost place in mainstream theaters,

to action franchise, comic superheroes.

Now migrated to streaming platforms,

finding its niche, among the masses,

buried under the mountains of contents,

waiting to be discovered by algorithm. 

Having no arrogance

"Having no arrogance, is itself an arrogance"

I tried to remain humble,

downplay successes & capabilities, 

when received compliments & praises,

I felt uncomfortable, not deserving.

For, I have been a realist, 

comparing it with contemporaries, 

knowing the extent of investments,

of time & efforts, I am lacking.

Still, there's a voice in my head,

being proud of my selfless acts,

giving me a sense of superiority, 

to have renounced accomplishments. 

Yet, deep down, conscience speaks,

exposing ego, wearing mask of virtue,

seeking social approvals & validations, 

developing this habit of performance. 

For, humility is not a skill to learn,

but an absence of self-interest, 

a quiet state of mind, being content,

in accepting world in every form.

Patience & tolerance

We might have seen it close,

read in papers, seen in news,

of people taking extreme steps,

when pushed into a corner, 

causing irreversible damages.

Patience and tolerance...

Capacities we have lost,

being victim to our environment,

where upbringing & circumstances, 

shrinking psychological margins,

for absorbing pressures.

What were the reasons,

that led to this state of mind,

where have we lost ways,

in our pursuit for fulfillment,

of dreams & aspirations. 

It starts with immediate vicinities, 

of things provided, or been lacking,

in relations, purpose, possessions, 

a life built on strong foundations, 

to weather highs and lows.

Many live in curated bubbles,

silently suffering in isolation,

staring screen, that flaunts wins,

making their failures debilitating, 

without support of community. 

Patience and tolerance...

Are we influenced by narratives, 

amplifying losses through overthinking, 

having seen comfort and conveniences, 

brain demands resolution, instant fixes,

when facing financial losses, or heartbreaks.

If you want, I will sing

If you want, I will sing,

pull at your heartstrings,

checking all the boxes,

that you have dreamt.

Tell me if you desire,

to be put on a pedestal, 

where I would submit,

fulfill every whim & fancy.

To soothe your heart,

ease worries, address concerns,

so you don't carry the burden,

of the aches, & resentments. 

For, I understand your fears,

beneath that arrogant attitude, 

embarrassed to speak up,

your deepest feelings.

If you want, I will sing,

when only you allow me,

not demanding the results,

but gradually dissolving.

With moments, we spend,

with conversations we have,

finding that connections, 

passion that once faded away.

Strength vs roughness

They both feel same,

having similar denotation, 

still of contrasting character, 

of different connotation. 

Strength vs roughness...

The display of power,

can be flashy or subtle,

by emitting your virtuosity, 

through your temperament. 

The distinction had to be made,

how our emotions are surfaced,

presenting an unyielding exterior,

being imposing & resisting pressure.

For, strength is anchored deep,

rooted in purpose & containment, 

while roughness show turbulence,

fuelled by reactions and friction.

True strength is a shield of endurance, 

being dependable, solid foundations, 

the will to absorb distress & sufferings, 

bear the burden, making sacrifices. 

Roughness being volatile, is unrefined,

a perceived need to protect ego fragile, 

aggression creating the sharp edges,

which cuts & bleeds, with their actions.

While strength carry internal stability,

building trust with honesty & sincerity, 

underneath roughness, there's a fear,

of being hurt, controlled or exposed.

So, be mindful, when you project power,

What you display, strength or roughness?

Allure of larger structures

There is an allure, 

of building bigger structures, 

to show power or devotion.

We see it across the continents,

in large sculptures, massive monuments,

from ancient times to modern age,

humanity have never changed,

romanticize ideas of gigantic things,

investing wealth, effort and time.

Be it Asia, Europe or America's,

we had seen pyramid or temples,

and giant colossal structure.

They also carved statues,

of human, animals & deities,

leaving legacies forever. 

It is really awe-inspiring, 

to imagine what they achieved, 

with limited tools & knowledge. 

Still, the same could be seen,

creations of statues or buildings,

as a part of modern designs.

 

Hidden riches

We see statistics, national data,

representative of how much we fare,

in having population of millionaires.

Yet, there seems some mistakes,

of missing the mark, actual figures,

relying on information, from surface.

Hidden riches...

It's something we all realize,

as parallel economy openly thrives,

making people wealthy & affluent.

They don't live lavish lifestyles,

silently acquiring away from sights,

managing to live under the radars.

The first are the real estates,

absorbing unaccounted cash,

artificially inflating property market.

Then we're the informal sectors,

like private businesses, and traders,

cash based, outside the tax net.

Then there are agricultural exemptions, 

misused by large farmers & office holders, 

to mask massive earnings into zero returns.

Finally, large strata involve the corrupts,

bribes and embezzlement, as their modes,

stashed up in plots, investments & gold.

Hidden riches...

We may never arrive,

calculate the real size,

of millionaires around us.

Still, there are always signs,

development doesn't deceive eyes,

and official numbers...

Are pack of lies!

 

I used to collect

I used to collect, 

storing them in places,

finding corners of house,

in the loft, under the bed.

Colorful pebbles, seashells,

marbles I won in games,

playing cards, sports characters,

commemorative or older coins.

And I wondered why I continued,

taking efforts to gather and queue,

changing subject of fascination,

from objects to series and books.

Some would speak of hoarder mentality,

others find it way to preserve identities, 

when deep down we experience thrill,

of anticipations, hunts, rush of dopamine.

May be, it's like an anchor,

keeping us connected to bygone eras,

when we were genuinely invested,

unbound by worldly obligations. 

 

Symbiosis

Our world is interconnected, 

inorganic systems to organic life,

sustaining diverse ecosystems,

through invisible teamwork.

Symbiosis...

We might have learned, 

in various educative forums,

how they play their part,

in interspecies relationships. 

And we see them everywhere,

mutualism in plant & pollinators,

commensals living in body surfaces,

parasites benefits on other's expenses. 

Still, they survived a million years,

evolving into something durable,

till the cycles broken by invasions, 

interference by us humans.

There sacrifices often overlooked, 

paying the price of development, 

we find newer ways to destructions,

of lands, rivers, oceans & mountains. 

Symbiosis...

And I wonder, how much have we lost,

the delicate balance, between lifeforms,

when we have started civilization journey,

with the help of plants and animals.

Still, there's flicker of hope,

as we revert to nature's abode,

creating green infrastructures, 

and techniques utilizing microbiomes.

True intent

 If we really want to know,

What is the true intent of person,

We need to check their actions,

Over the years, 

Ideologies they follow,

When they don't pretend,

Nor trying to impress,

That inner drive,

Which forces them to act,

Not to play games,

But truly act,

Without caring about outcomes.

And then see,

Do they align,

With your views...

For, sooner or later,

The mask will fell,

When they are relaxed,

You could tell,

If they truly care,

About your vision.

To make the business flourish

There are startups and ventures,

emerging from different corners,

bringing something new & unique,

in the market for consumers.  

Yet, many couldn't sustain,

losing deposits & patience, 

when not rewarded with profits,

enough to keep them afloat. 

So, I wondered many times,

watching businesses closing down,

what helps survive changing times,

loyal customer base, or higher traffics.

For, qualities alone don't pull crowds,

visibility plays a significant role,

while affordability & desirability, 

creating openings, achieving the goals.

Still, I understand the value they bring,

helping in retentions and repeatability, 

when they capture people's imagination, 

through distinct features & brand values.

It helps in increasing the margins,

being resilient to economic dips,

but need years of investment, 

with dedication & discipline. 

So, what is the right way...

To make the business flourish?

 

Not on the same page

We fail to connect,

understanding on the subject,

making own assumptions,

before we communicate, 

leaving discussions stranded.

What influences interpretations, 

existing prejudices, or ignorance, 

a heart that reluctant to discover, 

of sailing uncharted waters,

never to leave the shores.

There's difference in perspectives, 

we only hear things that we believe,

missing out on important clues,

which were embedded in conversations, 

showing way of solving the puzzle.

Then again, we can be stubborn,

committed to move in single direction,

searching for the point of convergence, 

without abandoning our principles,

to enjoy fruit of our labor.

Not on the same page...

These moments don't wait,

as we spend our days,

in reinforcing positions,

when in reality, we want clarity, 

where thoughts find resonance. 

The divine procession

An auspicious day,

it's the start of divine celebrations, 

as we witness Lord Jagannath, 

step out of their sacred abode,

to meet with us devotees, 

on the Bada Danda. (Grand avenue)

Ratha Yatra...

This symbolic journey of deities, 

are not just mere ritual,

millions of devotees gather,

facing no prevalent barriers,

of caste, creed, nationality,

for, anyone can hold the ropes,

being part of the grandeur. 

The atmosphere is charged, 

with collective devotion & surrender, 

enduring the heat and suffocation,

of flood of enthusiastic crowds,

engrossed in pulling the ropes,

having their divine darshans,

in the sacred chariots.

Ratha Yatra, the divine procession...

Where divinity takes human form,

visiting Gundicha temple for a retreat,

a tradition where bhakt & bhagwan,

come closer for common goal, 

there's no distance that separates,

in this connection of souls.