A migrant rants.
It has been more than a decade, since i put my home city of Madurai on my rear view mirror. Firm in the belief that my future lay beyond the semi urban hinterland of the deep South. And trudged North of the deep south. Armed with whatever a small town living and a simple middle class upbringing could provide. To the wallet and to the mind !
With wide, dreamy awestruck eyes i stepped foot in Bangalore. Bangalore had already taken off. As a wide eyed young man, it seemed to be a no-brainer that i was beyond the influences of the people and culture of my past ! I thought i had arrived. And my future was in the promise of the new found land ! North of the deep south !
Only to realise, within a very short time, that whatever went into my wonder years : the small town upbringing, steady rhythms of life, an emphasis on simple values and shared love, would never be beyond me. But more importantly, it would be the essence of me, in the hustle and bustle of burgeoning metropolises !
And from then on, I have made it a point to return. Just like i have done now. For renewal. For faith. And just to soak in the air, the love and hoping that the spirit gets auto renewed. Like it always has.
Here. There are houses where there were paddy fields. There are malls where there were houses. There are huge apartments where simple stores once stood. There are new stores with neon signs. The old stores continue becoming new. The temple towers stand. They share the skyline with numerous Telecom towers. There are new names to old streets. There are new street corners. There are new streets.
I stand. Just as another tourist. Camera in hand. In my own land. Clicking pictures of what i think has changed. And of what remains, for i know, what remains will also change.
What goes into the camera goes in. What cant get into the camera’s many GB hard disk goes into my memory. I relive moments from the past. Moments when i smiled. Cringed. Loved. Smiled. Won. Lost. Ran. Walked. Jumped. Fought wars. And made peace. And grew up. Indelible moments.
The settings may have changed. The script is still relevant. It will always be. For it made me.
Tonight we catch Train No : 6731. And head back. North of the deep south ! I will carry with me a million pictures and a zillion stories. And as the deep south recedes in my rear view mirror, i am pretty much sure that a fresh spirit will course my veins.
Sincere wishes for good tidings from the people and land that made you, they say, stays with you. So they say. I have no reason to doubt that. For, my life is blessed. In the north of the deep south.
Too.
When I see such building where there were once fields etc etc …it makes me sad.
Either God is not intelligent who provide us such a big earth to live or either we are not intelligent.
Time the decision-maker. But I love old subjects, Old people, Old values etc. etc. and God ofcourse.
looks like your small town is getting bigger and bigger. It indeed is very upsetting when a familiar place in your hometown undergoes a drastic change.
I come from Thane, not really a small town. Ever since I remember it has been a bustling city. But the malls, the four star hotels, the beautified lakes.. all of these somehow seems to take away its charm.
When you travel in train # 6731, occupy a seat that faces the south. Then travel backwards into the north of the deep south……so when it tugs again deep within you, it will be easier to get up and go…..
Welcome back to SlumDog country…..
Hey hey!! where ARE the pictures???
Hope the move was fine kavi. It was interesting and very true about stories! The change is always pretty.
There’s a youthful nostalgia to this post, Kavi….beautiful… you’re certainly a masterful weaver of words…
A mindful post, Kavi. Looking forward to the pics and more stories.
I’ve been to Madurai once, when I was about 8 or 10. I’m not a person easily given to sweating, but let’s just say that the crowds and the heat at the Meenakshi temple took care of that! For that the town will always be memorable. 🙂
Lovely! North of the Deep South. The nostalgic air just hit me wham! And loved the part where you said something like, the little country still lives within me:)
Hi. That was beautiful. But it makes me want to see the photos all the more..When are they coming?
If you can recreate the sights of the changing paddy fields so well in words, pictures become superfluous. I like your sunny optimism, too, it lit up the post which was shadowed by nostalgia.
When I read “Deep South” – I felt a stirring in my soul – that is what my home is called – New Orleans ~ Deep South. I don’t think I could ever move and if I had to, it would remain a part of me. I enjoyed your post and your words were refreshing to the spirit. Keep it with you, be it in pictures, memories or visits…
Very well written and captured. Simple but Superb.
Hobo : God provides us with everything. And all is his !
G : I cant help agree with you more. But, sometimes i feel, i dont have much of a right to talk about whats with what happens there…!
Ugich Konitari : LOL ! Thanks. am back here..
roshini : Ah ! They are coming !!
Jeevan : Yes..it was a short but good trip
Braja : Thank you ! I was in the flow..when i wrote this piece..
Sujatha : Well, somethings stay. One of that is the sweat and the arid heat ! Adn ofcourse the splendour of the temple ! 🙂
Naperville Mom : Thanks…I was really in the flow when i wrote this post..one of my most satisfying posts..glad you liked it.
Rajk : They are coming..its just that i need to put them together..!!
🙂
Thanks…
Sucharita : Thank you ! That comment made my heart swell !! Thanks indeed !
Aleta : So, we share a common direction..! In the deep south !!
🙂 hmm !!
Ns Iyer : Thank you sir !! Thank you !
Nostalgia of homecoming, a sense of belonging yet detachment, newness of old settings….all blended beautifully..
Oh boy you could write!! That was neat!!