Truly Comforting Words

We received a lovely greetings from one of our friends whom we have never met in person. But we do exchange mail very often. It was Diwali Greetings and the Greetings were really very sincere, spreading light, love and affection.

Immedietly, these ex-tempo words came to my mind!

Diwali Greetings!

The lights did lit our home!

The words did brighten our hopes!

The very rememberance did make us feel supported!

What else one needs at the moments of little discomfort!

Little discomfort I said and it is really a little one,

For no one escapes from it!

Vasantha had her cataract few weeks ago!

Vasantha had a minor surgery unexpectedly, few days ago!

We both managed these moments of despair and hope ably!

Means we had plenty of good wishes from you particularly!

During the last festive Diwali day of 2008! yes it was 2008!

So sincere they were and abundantly laden with love and concern!

That we tredded along the difficult days with ease and comfort!

Now, all that is over and comfortable,

With the lovely greetings arriviing from you , now in 2009

What else can assure me and Vasantha

That the future days are gonna be wonderful and comfortable!

For the kind act of rememberance at your end,

Pity! We don't have anything matching to send along, except

Our heartfelt greeting to one and all in your family!

RK Murthy

Oh! Calcutta!

The taxi at Howrah takes you to Bhowanipur for Rs 5 and paise 75!
If you have Sardar at the wheel, it would for sure the fair I said!

The tram rumbles along and other traffice respect them!
You in the tram are sure to reach Esplanade, to make it to the Booking Office!

The pest of a middle man makes you think twice, and yet you dare to engage him!
While you wait impatiently, two hours gone, and there, he is, with the tickets!

KC Das invites you for a perfect treat of Rossagollah!
Sip it, Chew it, drink the syrup and celebrate the ticketing!

Back home by the rattling and dancing tram, but it is there for sure!
Jaggu Bazaar is bubbling with activities and then get home with bag full of vegs!

Maidan Market caters to all and but then you have a page full of orders from home!
Little bargaining here and there, you are with all the bag full and packed!

Get a pat on the back and she treats with big sized Samosas from the corner shop!
Mrs. beams with joy and plans for the next shopping, I don't mind!

Comes a down pour! Hoogly comes to city for a visit and look around!
Was it tea that was flowing along the place where the street once was?

But the shower gets back home to skys and pat the flood too gets back to great river under that beautiful bridge on the river!

Make to the Lake area, and line up for paani puri!leaning forward to sip the tamarind water for it is genuinine!
Don't care the dozens of Old Men tredding along with some one by side !
But they are totally safe to get back home after their nice walk!

Lake Market, full of veggies which were never colored and GM-ed!
Many get into your bag for couple of tenners!

Come home, switch on the TV, real big sized one, B & W!
Pat comes dots and dashes, 'cause the DC fans at the are at work!

Drop the idea, go out and only to find men at carrom boards under a dim light!
Couple of experts and novices standing and watching!

If you will get to Park Street! Nice and neat, beautiful and live!
Get into Oxfords and get a novel of your choice!
Or else, get to Hobby Center and then a solid Plane Model for your son, for just Rs.5!
Or get to Firpos (or was it Flurys?), and get a wonderful cake and eat it too!

Don't like any, get to the corner and find the colour ful bottles and pyramids of fruits,
Order a jar of juice, the man dramatically swings into action!
You stand wondering whether he is Sarkar, the great magician or the juice seller
For, in seconds he hands over a wet but a big jar of Juice!

My memories are plenty of Calcutta of Sixties and Seventies,
But it is time for the football match to Start and
Mohan Bagan cannnot be missed!

So see you later!

RK Murthy
That kind of Calcutta has gone for ever, it is now Kolkatta! A city with total changes!