Hiraeth : The grief for the lost places of past.

I never knew what it meant to be afraid, being numb, being silent like a December night, being lonely like a June afternoon. Fear to me was heights, crowd, report card, incomplete homework and unfinished glass of milk. 

One day you made a way to my heart and showed me what it was to be afraid. I realized fear being profound, terrible, bitter, cold and obnoxious. Like a shiver, that runs down your spine on a frosty night giving horrid goose bumps. Like a dark unpleasant rainy evening that makes you curl and wrap yourself to comfort. Like a hot dry afternoon when shriveled leaves tumble down in despair. You inked your memories to my skin. Deep. Dark. Unfathomable. It was the habit of you that always left me longing for more. I realized fear is knowing that there is no assurance that you will be around. Time is indeed a great healer but the mark of memory endures forever.

Memory : December 30, 2014.

Image : Flowers.

Sniper : My Camera.

Spot : Indore Management Association.

Place : Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Memorabilia : Events or experiences worthy of remembrance.

It’s not just a book. But a classic, a memoir, a souvenir. A fetish object that ideally turns the sophistication level ‘high’ with the plethora of events, stories, anecdotes of 50 glorious years of Indore Management Association. The book draws us way back into the glorious, colossal years, like a story we just want to keep having told to us, again, and again. A collection of IMA’s most profound moments to the most common ones. Surprising and moving. The book is a celebration of glorious years and a tribute to the spirit of teamwork. The sprightly editorial team have undertaken the task of detailing as much of it showing a slice of life in every bit. It’s an adventure journey which conjures up the sights, smells, tastes, sounds and feel of our amazing world at Indore Management Association.

Memory : December 15, 2014
Image : Coffee Table Book (IMA)
Sniper : My Camera
Spot : Indore Management Association
Property : IMA
Place : Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Sillage : The degree to which a perfume's fragrance lingers in the air when worn.

I remember the silver cascade of her hair. The soft touch of her wrinkled hands. The most treasured bed time stories I’ve cuddled with. She was the panacea to my every ache. Today, as my feet touched the floor; that familiar whiff embraced me all over again. The winter morning had brought back the reminiscence of my childhood spent with her. Pristine. Phenomenal. Kaleidoscopic. Softer than a blob of butter. A hug from her was way sweeter than any sweet. 

This new year, why not resolute to be more physically present with our loved ones with the hope to be evoked someday. May be, after long time, on a cold winter morning.

Thought : Granny

Image : Tea

Memory : December 13, 2014

Sniper : My Camera

Spot : Indore Management Association (My office)

Place : Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Mercy : Forgiveness.

Give it, someone needs it the most. Give it, for someone it matters the most. Give it, someone is always waiting for it. Give it, someone longs the most for it. Give it, its only you who can fulfill it. Give it, you never know you might miss it. Give it, it might be the only happiness for someone.  Give it, it can be the light for them in thunder. Give it, it can make their day, their month and the coming years. Give it, because you can bring the magic in their mundane. Give it. Yes. Always. Give it.

Image : Lamp light.

Memory : October 28, 2014

Sniper : My Camera

Spot : Cafe Terazza

Place : Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Fika : A coffee break.

She was addicted to warmth. The steaming magic mug around her fingers. The aroma. The froth. The brew. The first sip that slides down the throat.

She was addicted to conversations. Some through words. Some through glances. Some through smiles. Some brewing in the mind.

She was addicted to 'Cappuccinos' and 'American Lattes' and their bitter sweet blend. The chocolate macaroon. The brownies. The cookies.

She was addicted to the million moods. The menus. The tent cards. The mugs.
She was addicted to cafes. And the last sip always broke her heart.

Image : Cookies
Memory : October 10, 2014
Sniper : My camera
Spot : Bake & Shake
Place : Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Rhapsody : The elation.

Amidst the city’s cacophony. Honking & rambling traffic. She stands stunning. All dolled up in a bright blue robe. Epitomizing cleanliness, strength, peace, serenity & infinity inside. Face well lit. Bright. Bold. Graceful. Every bit neatly adorned. The entrance, the walls, the tinted glass, the jaw dropping paintings, the furniture, the fabric, the cutlery, the menu card, the gorgeous colors in pastels, the magnificent & colossal antiques. The amiable nooks. The untimed conversations. Lingering emotions. Strange faces. Words hovering in space. The smiles. The aromatic bean. The secret recipes. The teas. The coffees. The songs. The memories.

Tuck your heart here and you will never return.

One bite at a time.

Image : Menu card 
Memory : October 5, 2014
Sniper : My camera
Spot : Cafe@BLU
Place : Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Ciel : Sky.

This one's to the day dreams, accidental alleys, fairy lights, staying up till late in the night, the love to dream, the dream to love, being found by dawn and getting stars served for dinner. That familiar follower, accompanying us even during strange journeys to strange lands. Spell bound by its ever-changing hues, I sip coffee in the midst of these views. Here is to the master of concealment; who leaves us in dismay everyday, in every way.

An early morning travel proved two things. Yes, its darkest before dawn. And yes, there is always a guiding star.

Image : The sunrise.
Sniper : My camera.
Memory : February 16, 2012.
Place : En route, Bhopal.

l'amour : Love.

That someone, together with whom you walk your feet. You sink deeper into those dreamy eyes. And watch them sleep. You love that someone with all your days. Whenever they disappoint you. You begin again. You love them every minute they failed you. You offer them your faith. Your smiles. Your writings. A warm peck of trust. Your fingers entwine in loyalty. And whenever you look into their eyes; you see your life - this much love. So ardent. So sterling. So ingenuous. You adore them like a star. Like a new bud that has just opened its eyelids. The reverence like no other. Like it was life's eternal quest. Like you are lava in love. A love, as glorious, as timeless & as infinite as it can be.

Exquisite. Delicate. Phenomenal. Ubiquitous.

Image : Roses
Sniper : My camera
Spot : Table top
Place : Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Propensity : An inclination.

She loves cafes, their cozy comfy nooks. The enticing aroma that lingers all over and gives a high like no other. Those heart warming smiles adding cheer by flapping their wings. Quick. Quiet. Quaint moments - Flaring & disappearing. The apogee of a free mind infused by the moist syllables of an old love song. Cups full of warmth entwined around fingers. Stories & memories served fresh out of oven making her pen's mouth water. There was always a new cafe, waiting to feed her.

One sip at a time.
Some places help us meet ourselves whereas some meet us when we are losing ourselves.

Image : Irish Tea
Sniper : My camera.
Spot : Cafe@BLU
Place : Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Fluke : A surprising piece of luck.

Amidst the snow-clad woods, where the dark night sighs. The aura of northern lights add pixies & mysticize. Where the wind whispers quiet hymns of loneliness. And camp fire hugs you tight. Near the warmth of bonfire an old wine at the side. Let's cheer to the moment. Let's cheer to delight.

Image : Hotel
Spot : Hotel Kakslauttanen & Igloo Village
Place : Saariselkä, Finland
Image courtesy : Google

P.S : This picture found me & left behind its sillage.
(The bucket list place)

Resfeber : The restless race of a travelers heart.

A golden ticket & some scattered wanderlust in the city eyes. A whistle blows & the breeze hits the face like pleasure itself. The memory that smells of old friends & damp earth. The incurable wanderlust & the echoes it has left in me. I suspect, I never really returned.

Image : Train journey
Sniper : My camera
Memory : February 18, 2012
Place : Bangalore, Karnataka

Espero : The 'hope'.

She clasps amidst chaos.
Upsurges fervor.
Fixes the curve that longs to cope.
Accords light in the haunted inside.
Kisses the pain that is deep & ignites.
Endows a color palette to paint the sky.
Propels to fly in the limitless sky.


Image : The Sunset
Sniper : My camera
Spot: My balcony
Place: Indore, Madhya Pradesh