Have you?

Here, guys ad gals, in its full form,is this labour of longing and nostalgia. Written for a dear one who was in a moment of Disillusionment with the routine of daily life. Written at a time when things were a whirlwind of emotions. An attempt to put together memories from Mysore. Here, people:

Have you?

Slurped yum grape juice by the juice shop near rto, on a warm afternoon?

Walked around Kukkarahalli kere, admiring the pelicans?

Decided to watch a movie in sterling, reached on time and got tickets, all in 30 minutes flat?

Prayed feverishly, that Mysore stays the same forever and ever?

Never known a traffic jam, even in the busiest times of the day?

Told yourself that the shops on DD Urs road being closed on Sunday afternoon was was for something good?

Planned sudden getaways out of town, as there are so many places worth going to?

Had ice cream at at midnight at Arvind cool centre?

Climbed betta on steps on a cool saturday morning?

Sipped cool buttermilk atop, while your hair catches the pleasant morning sunshine?

Bumped into someone you know, every time you went to betta?

Said a little prayer with your sneakers on, among the throng of devotees?

Watched the beautiful sunset, from view point, atop betta, with your best pals?

Observed complete silence when you did so, as you were awestruck by the beauty of it all?

Contemplated, as the sun paints impossible colours on the evening sky?

Reminisced those wonderful moments, claiming that those were the days?

Awaited Dussera every year with bated breath?

Been eager to watch the ‘Suswaagata/ Welcome’ sign atop betta?

Felt the illuminated brilliance, the diamond nose ring on the princess that Mysore is?

Have you actually been to the place where they set up the lights that make up the sign?

Felt happy during Dussera, seeing people from all over descending into town?

Planned your day, to make sure that you attend the best of the celebrations?

Smiled from ear to ear, on seeing the Dussera elephants walk the main roads of Mysore, preparing for the procession?

Visited the Dussera exhibition every time like a ritual, even though it is the same every time?

 Driven around town aimlessly during Dussera with your pals?

Been really really ecstatic looking at the whole town lit up?

Told yourself that all these lights are worth the global warming, as they bring pure joy to you?

Seen the twinkle in the child’s eye, as someone saw the twinkle in yours, in another age?

Have you?

Chandan, 2012