Before I bid adieu to 2018...

Sitting at the threshold of this passing year, most things seem strangely different but contrastingly the same. There are no foggy nights and dewy mornings to herald 2019 but the perpetual moody weather that defines Bangalore. As I miss the shivering days of north, I only wonder when ‘Winter is coming’ at this point in life.

Looking back at the previous 12 months, this year has been an adventure rounding up some of the most life-changing events of life. While Google Maps are testimony to my visit to 14 cities this year, Facebook friend list added some comrades that made this journey worthwhile to lend Instagram its share of stories.

I think it’s imperative to document my thoughts before the hustle and bustle of new year takes over and it all gets lost in the noise of monotony.

Letting my words do the work, here are my top 10 takeaways from 2018:

1. Some Beautiful Places Checked Off From Bucket List

From the holy land of Amritsar to the city of Nizams in Hyderabad and from the salty air of Goa to familiar vibes of Delhi, this year brought oodles of income to MakeMyTrip.

Starting off the year on a holy note in Amritsar 

From the dazzling Dussehra of Mysore                     

To glorious ruins of Golcanda Fort in Hyderabad

And then a literal high watching the waves crash in the ocean at Chapora Fort in Goa 

2. Some Amazing People Who Made Bangalore Easier

Still wonder if I hadn’t met these weirdos in Bangalore, how quickly I would have booked a one way ticket back home! But as they say, when you least expect then only things surprise you.

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3. Writing Came Back From Hibernation

Don’t know if its too soon to say, but I guess my love for words has got back some of its flickers wishing to reignite again in the ring of fire!

The mind wanders and muses!

4. Kept Discovering Great Food and Coffee

A gastronome’s guide to life.

5. Music Found Its Company

Music had always been a constant. But this year, I am glad to find some awesome ones to make it a little easier when I randomly blurt out song lyrics that run in my head.

6. Few Fantastic Road Trips

There’s just something about road trips that makes me wish I never had to come back!

Rains and this voice 

Capturing Goa Vibes 

7. Seeing Ayushmann Khurrana Perform

A boyfriend would be nice but I have already got him.

Chan Kitthan Guzari Oye??? 

8. Clicking Pictures To Stop My Brain From Forgetting

For my always zoning out brain, the camera is a handy object to express the articles of reality.

9. A Job That Offers Mixed Blessings

It’s not perfect. It’s miles away from my passion. But just good enough to pay the bills and let me enjoy all of the above.

One of the good perks is seeing such impressive buildings up close!

10. A Wishlist For The Future

It would be futile to chronicle this year without considering some goals for the future. Writing down a few of them here so that people who love me keep me in line:

-A solo trip

-Completing the unread section of my bookshelf

-Shedding a few kilos to live a little extra

-Honing my hobbies to convert them into skills

It’s my first new year away from the comforts of home but oddly satisfying in the company of new loved ones. Like time fleets away, this year was just like a long haul of a migratory bird flying from home to a distant land. Gathering new experiences, making new friends and looking to find my next destination.


Harbouring all the hope for future, I look forward to embrace the new year spreading joy and happiness.

The Discord of If and But

If there was an escape to all this,
Gladly will I choose,
But what will it beckon?

If I could make it all go away,
I would leave the reins,
But what will it bring in my hands?

If there was a world,
Where I hold you till forever,
But how will I make it stay?

If I knew how forlorn it would be,
After my fruitless quest,
But can I change what I asked for?

If I had stayed where I was,
While the world moved it's pace,
But then how would I have known you?

If you had come earlier,
I would have lived more,
But how would I have so easily let you go?

If I still continue to persist,
I may reach somewhere,
But will it be the same?

If I again stumble and rise,
A trajectory may present itself,
But what will I do when all I am is lost?

If I knew these answers,
My misery would end,
But aren't new questions always ready?

Arushi Srivastava

3 Years of Tamasha

Often some things are meant to overcome the anathema of transience and attain a sublime status of immortality. Such things are hard to find in our sojourn on earth and make us wander in the realms of abstract identities. I believe it was one of my fortunes to have come across one certain piece of art that has spoken to me in myriad ways. And, I wouldn’t deny that it still continues to tug my heartstrings and help me drive inspiration in moments of both ecstasy and grief.  

It was three years back when I got to walk past the corridors of this cinematic expression created so beautifully by Imtiaz Ali. The movie Tamasha has since then found its relevance at different stages of my life. Whether it’s the incessant longing to travel the unexplored hinterlands of the world like Corsica or the quest to find yourself in the midst of all the chaos. Sometimes through the poignant words of Tara and often through the bewildered actions of Ved, Tamasha goes down my memory lane not only as a fascinating memoir but also a happy respite in times of distress.

Maybe, I am a hopeless sentimentalist who connects deeply with movies like Tamasha. And without any qualms about it, I continue to be captivated by the movie time and again. Often while being transported to another world during the five minutes when ‘Agar Tum Sath Ho’ plays on my playlist and often when I see Ved and Tara playfully dance their hearts out in the multihued streets of Corsica. And sometimes, moving to tears when Ved finds his true self only after his proposal was declined by Tara and finally convincing his authoritarian father about his true passion.

Underrated it may be, in its innocent portrayal of characters, the movie has sent out a number of messages. Ranging from career to love, travel to theatre and from family to finally finding one’s individual identity, it is a gamut of emotions that one goes through life.  I am still journeying through them as I watch the movie with a fresh lens every time. And maybe, I will reflect and write about it on some other day.

Hustling from random gaiety to conscious heartbreaks, Tamasha is a movie not to be forgotten. I have seen Tamasha an umpteen number of times, learning from it and collecting my share of inspirations through Imtiaz Ali’s enchanting writing. And probably, going to live my life watching it again and again until I have lived through an abyss of feelings. 

An Illusion or Reality?

A glance or an interlude
What the heart craves for
A beginning to something bitter
Or an end to a sweet respite?

The world stands as an illusion
While the footsteps trace an unknown
Is it just a mirage,
Or a virtual truth that leaves you in awe?

Why the heart conjures these intricacies
As the eyes stare at a distance void
A kaleidoscope of myriad colors
Or a conflict between black and white
So why do I look for hues of grey?

You get what you deserve
Or what you honestly wish for?
Do I wait or seek this trail
A trail of oblivion
Or march down the troddy path of discovery?

While hiding and escaping,
The heart absconds
Longing for a soul to revoke,
The transient refuge lasts,
Till the respite appears again,
Letting the loop continues,
Mingling with the struggles of letting go.