Down the Alleys of Memory Lane

Whatever stage of life we may be in today, we all cherish our past, don't we? Childhood, the teenage years, the single young adult life, newly wed state - each phase has its own special memories and souvenirs that we associate with it. A few days back, I stood in my balcony, looking out at the distant city lights with the chilly wind whipping my face, listening to to this song.



As I listened, I got lost in the memories of my teenage years when I was a huge fan of indipop. Chitra's melliflous voice transported me to Madras and into my home in the apartment where we lived for nearly 10 years. I could see my sister and Archu(my best childhood buddy) sitting with me, enjoying the song and discussing the ambiguous ending.

To me, music is the most powerful connector to my happy past and the greatest reinforcement of my joyous present! I then listened to the songs that the just recruited college grads in my Bangalore workplace used to play in office. Instantly,I could feel the freedom of my just married life flow through my veins once again. The hour long bus journeys when I would read, listen to music or simply stare out of the window to drink in the sights of the new city that I had just began calling home, the team outings and our boisterous discussions about every other topic - I smiled as all this came rushing back in my mind. I treasure these experiences all the more now, when I cannot imagine leaving my baby to go out anywhere by myself.

And when this 15 minute long reverie ended, I was feeling content and refreshed. I had found a great de-stresser to unwind after a long day! My next visits would be to the carefree couple life and the numerous trips that the husband and I went on, whenever we felt like it. A few years down the line, I guess I would fondly recollect my little one's infant and toddler days. And yes, I am banking on music to play the apt background whenever I go down memory lane!

Book Review - Mom In the City - By Kausalya Saptharishi

Mom in the City is the story of how a single mother manages to re-establish her life when the world suddenly starts to crumble under her feet. Ira is flummoxed when she finds herself all alone with her little son Abhi in the US after her cowardly husband leaves them both one fine day, without preamble. The book traces Ira's personal journey where we see an initially devastated woman pick up her courage, make clear cut decisions and re build her life.

The author has very beautifully brought out the challenges faced by Ira in all aspects of life - career, finances, society, support system and parenting. But if you ask me for the winning point, I would give it to her for capturing all the emotional turmoil that the single mom goes through. Be it the anxiety pangs that grip Ira when she thinks about being solely responsible for her child, the loneliness that sweeps over when she sees other women being duly supported by the men in their lives or the heart vs mind clash when her college crush suddenly re-enters her life, Kausalya captures them in such a genuine manner.

The story is fast paced and written in impeccable English. It does have some bollywood style twists in it but that serves to add traction to the story.This book is also hailed as a first in the Mommy Lit genre in India. Though it is classified as a 'chick-lit', I found it quite profound for the realistic issues it deals with. I am a reader who detests reading heart rending reality of any kind but Kausalya has packaged it so well that it made me empathize with what she has written without getting depressed about it. This book was certainly time well spent for me. Do pick it up if you are searching for the next good read. This one will most probably not disappoint you.

PS: I had initially planned to post a couple of book reviews together as one post. But given the little time that I have to grab to write by sacrificing precious sleep at 11 PM while the little one sleeps(knowing fully well that he will be up in a while to be fresh and active until until 3 AM. Sigh .. Another post for that), I have decided to publish as and when I manage to write at least one review. 2015 may turn out to be a year of short posts but I do hope to keep up the frequency and ensure that I do not go into a blogging hiatus. Wish me luck and determination. May my love for writing prevail over the time challenges!!