What's in a name?

Shakespeare has once said,” What’s in a name? “. But with all due respect, I will beg to differ on this. Since birth some phonetic sounds called name are attached with the person, it becomes his identity for the rest of his life. However common, however weird, however difficult to spell it may be, but everyone loves it!!

When I was born, my mom gave a list of names to my father and asked him to select one. My dad gave it a glance and said, “Third from the top”!!! I tried to register my vote and cried a lot, but nobody could understand which one chose! So, now I had a name. I had 2 other names also. ’Suchitra’ as suggested by my grandfather. He suggested this name because all my aunt's names start with ‘Su’ (Sushama-Suvarna-Sujata) and my mother’s name was ‘Chitrarekha’ before she got married. Another ‘Maitreyee’ as given by my youngest aunt. Oh come on, I had 2 better options. But my birth certificate laughed at me and displayed the name –‘Dhanashree’!!

Frankly speaking, as a child I never liked it. I felt that people didn’t even hear of this before. So when I used to play with my grandma, I would daily change my name and insist that she called me with that new name. But an opportunity was on my way to change my own name. In 3rd standard, I realized that I have to change school after 4th and register again in high-school. I decided to change my name that time, and till then I had a lot of time to search new one !( which never happened actually, because I forgot this thing in the enthusiasm to join highschool :P). Another one came when I got married, but till then my name was an instant hit in ‘Indore’ .everybody liked it very much since it was new name for them and nobody from my family allowed me to even think of changing it!!!

Even though my name wasn’t changed, it has too many derivatives. There are very few people who call me with my full name ‘Dhanashree’. When I was in 2nd class, my class teacher (Patwardhan mam )called me ‘Dhantya’! My school friends call me ‘Dhanu /Dhani/Dhane’!! When I came to Pune, it was a different story. My college friends call me ‘Dhana’( one fine day sonali called me ‘Dhanukali’ :P). And then, there was Punit who introduced to his friends as ‘Dhan’!!! If you are wondering if there could be any form which is shorter than this then let me tell you, one of my cousin aunt calls me ‘Dha’!

But in 24 years I have changed a lot. And I didn’t even realised when I started loving my name so much. It’s different. It’s unusual. It really makes me proud when I see my certificates, when I see it written on the board in my school. It makes me very happy whenever a chat window pops up and I find my name written in it. People don’t spell it correctly , people don’t know how to pronounce it correctly. But still, I love my name and that is who I am!!!

PS: one of my friends reminded me of the worst form of my name- Dhanno!!!!*(^*)(&%*

Music is Magic!!!

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I was surfing channels on TV. This is my favourite timepass (which Puneet hates the most :P!!). Among the chaos of different voices on every channel, I heard the melodious Flute tune in the movie Hero . I paused and as I listened the song, I was lost in memories.

It was a usual night as hostel. I was trying to sleep. Tried everything to fall asleep but all my efforts were in vain. It was the time when I suffered from insomnia. Every night I tried to sleep but only kept tossing in bed. Something was hurting me. Some unsaid thoughts were rusting my heart. It was some awkward feeling which was depressing me. I wasn’t happy even if my friends thought so. Finally I was tired of it all and decided to take a walk in the hostel corridor. It looked like runway with dim lighting. As soon as I reached the stairs, I heard a singing voice. I followed and reached the hall and what I saw was amazing!! The hall was full of shawls and sweaters..Many gals including our madam were sitting. A girl was standing in a corner. A soft candlelight had enlightened her face, and sang in her enchanting voice—

Chaar Dinon Ka Pyaar Ho Rabba
Badi Lambi Judai, Lambi Judai
Baag Ujad Gaye, Baag Ujad Gaye Khilne Se Pehle
Panchhi Bichhad Gaye Milne Se Pehle
Koyal Ki Kook, Koyal Ki Kook Ne Hook Uthaayi
Hay Lambi Judai
Chaar Dinon Ka Pyaar Ho Rabba
Badi Lambi Judai, Lambi Judai
Honthon Pe Aaye Meri Jaan, Duhai
Hay Lambi Judai

Chaar Dinon Ka Pyaar Ho Rabba
Badi Lambi Judai, Lambi Judai

There was a pin-drop silence even after the song was finished. And then came a roaring applause which broke my concentration. I was thrilled by this live rocking performance. Her voice was so pure and sharp, that it touched our souls. It didn’t need any music or rhythm to create the magic. That song totally changed my mood. I went ahead, hugged her and said,” It was magical. Thanks a lot!!!”. She looked startled. But there was no time to explain her.

I was overwhelmed. That song got all the itchy and sad emotions out of my mind. And I felt as fresh as a daisy. I went to bed humming that flute tune. I had read in news that music has healing power, but had never experienced before.

That night, I felt like I was sleeping after a long time!!! 

Crush, Infatuation and Love!!

As I have grown up, i have understood the difference among crush,infatuation, and love.

On 16th march 2000, just after my last SSC paper was over, we went to watch the movie 'Kaho naa pyar hai'. And then it all started..I kept on thinking about him him and only him..I dreamed to meet him..tried to gather all possible information about him ( that too without letting anyone doubt on me ;))..I collected as many photos as possible..I read all the news in the papers in which he was praised or criticized by almost every critics..He was threat to my another idol ( none other than SRK) , but still I was loyal to my hero..he got married later,but it didn't change my liking for him :P!!! it was nice feeling which I experienced in my life..I was head over heels in love(??) with ---Hritik Roshan :)!! Hang on--this was just a 'Crush'!!![ I learn this word after all this crazy thing which I called love had evaporated , and I was studying(??) for my HSC exams :P].

In June 2005,after chilling out in first three yrs of engineering, suddenly everyone was serious about career, campus placements, and further studies. I was as confused as Karan (played by Hritik Roshan...uff!!) in Lakshya. One day I visited D'Oks academy,and I came out with this strange affection for GRE and MS.. suddenly I realised that every one studying for GRE..everyone was discussing strategies to tackle maximum score.. I studied the US map with enormous interest :D..info about universities. SOP's,acads, hobbies spiced up my life..I made timetables to study,bought Barron's :D...after first 20 words in the word-list,my enthu was diluted.. and it took me hardly some time what 'Infatuation' was !!!!

Now in last week, when I reached Pune on a sunny morning, my heart was filled with a joy..I remembered every corner and signal of the roads..I remembered the best time of my life which I spent here..I was soooooo much happy to see the old friends, and my family..I felt how much this city means to me..My dreams, my plans everything was attached this place..I felt the same energy with which I lived my LIFE..and no thoughts about pollution,traffic,ruthless autowalas(:D) could change this my mind...I chatted with the air as I was riding on a bike..I prayed that I could come back and stay here forever..This is what I call as LOVE :)!!!

welcome

Welcome to my first blog..
I hope this affair will last till long :)!!!