Who is the last person I’d want to be stuck in an elevator with?

Luckily for me, I have hardly had unruly relationship with someone. I can’t think of anyone be it a schoolmate, college mate, teacher, boss, co-worker or anyone I have known to have shared extremely bitter relationship. I did have difficulties and disagreements with many however, not to an extent that I would go for their throat or end up in a deadlock scenario if we were to be stuck on an elevator. Maybe I might feature in others I-don’t-want-to-see-him-again list but there’s no one in my list.

So who is that I fear the most to be stuck on an elevator with? It’s my DAD. Yes! my father.  It’s not that we hate each other or have an unhealthy relationship, it’s just that our relationship is extremely ” Indian” in nature, here’s why.

Like most Indian families, there’s a huge power distance between my father and me. We’re not friends, he’s my father and I’m his son and that mismatch will stay forever. As a kid, out of the three siblings, I happened to have spent the most time alone with him, just we two. Right from visits to market [ which I always found enthralling ] to attending outstation marriage ceremonies, most of the times it was me and dad. And, whenever I used to go out with him, we hardly spoke to each other. I remember the countless minutes we have spent waiting at hospitals, It’s something which remains deeply etched in my memories simply because of my helplessness in that scenario. We both would sit there all day and hardly utter a word to one another. On a particular day, we waited for over 8 hours and yet we hardly had a conversation. Those were days when he was highly temperamental and aggressive so, to avoid any adverse situation I would remain quiet and seldom talk to him, only answer his queries, that’s all . With time and age he did mellow down drastically however, the equation between us still remains the same. As of now, we do have chats occasionally however, it’s still not the way I would want it to be.

I’m a person who likes to talk a lot but if I were to be stuck with him, I will just stare at the elevator’s door and desperately hope for the lift to move ASAP. Moreover, when I’m with him I feel a tinge of nervousness, and that is something I so like to hate. I pray that I would never get into that scenario. Just to imagine myself trapped with him in itself makes me go cold.

How about you? who is that you don’t want to be stuck in an elevator with?

 

Mahesh ki Shaadi

Today was my best friend Mahesh Janakiraman’s wedding. I known him since 1992 and so much so that I can write an entire book about him but, that’s for another day. Today was his day. He was the star.

He is a kind of guy, every girl dreams of …hmmm ok, not exactly..he’s not good with numbers, GK is poor and has disastrous sense of direction however, he has the most important qualities any girl would look for in an ideal husband – Love and Loyalty. In a generation where loyalty is thing of the past, Mahesh stands out as a shining for the younger lot. I must say, Archana is one lucky girl. If she can manage his need for attention neatly, she will never have to worry about her man’s dedication and commitment. So, Archana if you ever read this, you know what to do.

Right, enough of papa preaching. My FB updates say the story.

 

- Ok,all set for the big wedding
Mahesh Janakiraman bas beta..teri aazadi khatam.. long live marriages..long live freedom

- I’m wearing a pristine white shirt..n blue jeans ( lil embarrassed…didn’t realize it’s slightly torn in the front…call it  fashion..duh )

- this place is flooded with oldies

- mahesh is in a white dhoti…bride in light purple saree…looks extremely elegant

- by the way…mahesh’s mom bags the ‘best dressed’ tag…shez in a humble purple madi saree..wins hands down

- the fire comes on…lot of action out here..love these oldies…what energy…brilliant

- 10:00:12am feb 7,2011

mahesh and archana are married..bless them..

Exceedingly happy..i lived to see this moment.

 

Here are few videos I shot, quality is poor, so please excuse on that front. Also, I have zero understanding about the rituals, naturally, I cannot comment on them. right, here we go

Kashi Yatra – Check out the toys and rangoli

 

Couple swinging in a jhoola

 

Refreshment before the real action

 

Bride’s dad cleansing groom’s feet

 

Groom gifts a saree to his soon-to-be wife

 

Final build up before the climax, check out the crowd. By the way I was sitting in the first row.

 

The shaadi moment. Groom ties the sacred thread around brides neck, now they are husband and wife.

 

One last ritual, final moments of the ceremony

 

Bonus Video – I’m sure you would love this

 

This has been an extremely emotional day for me though my face or body language may not suggest that ( downside of being a Reddy, we aren’t expected to be emotional ). I still can’t beleive my chaddi yaar is a married man now ( yyaaayyyyyyyy yaaaayyyyyyy,,whistle whistle whistle )

I wholeheartedly wish and bless my dearest friend and his lovely wife a happy and joyful life together.

Mahesh – talking about his marriage

A candid chat with my best friend on marriage and life after that. Mahesh being himself, does his best. None of the questions were shared before the shoot, it was done live, no cuts, no re-takes. It’s simply Mahesh.

 

 

By the way, Mahesh weds Archana on 7th February 2011 and I’m exceedingly happy.

 

More on the wedding tomorrow.