The GOAT herder Syndrome

The GOAT herder Syndrome

I am not trying to answer who is GOAT or who isn`t. (Last time I checked the four legged creature identified me and vice-versa, and to be honest beats me this moniker of GOAT, couldn`t we could have had a more cool BOA (best of all), at least the snake kills the goat and doesn`t eat  grass!)Neither I`ll be predicting the rise of the monster or the fall of the rooster from the birch top. No soothsayings,no swansongs or tale of a rising not-so-red phoenix(read Murray!!).No!No,not at all.

What these points to ponder do when they play tennis between your logic and fantasy while you’re already addled brain playing the immovable and all absorbing net in between? They play with your balls!!Well they lob your thoughts, slice your feelings and moon ball your patience. So no nothings of this sort for me. No praise for federer,no hatemails for djoker,no apparel etiquette tips for nadal(I won`t butt in, I promise!),no fairytale promises to the British tennis fans either.(they also sense they need someone else!)

So what we are talking about here? The thing is-I have just started to learn tennis. Lawn tennis to be precise in vocabulary and cement-backyard-uneven bounce- tennis to be accurate in description. Don`t be fooled though, I am not one of those who doesn`t know who lleyton hewitt was {is? was? does it matter?}or one of those who believe there are only four tournaments in a year,because thats what their cable operator tells them. Serious as I am about tennis, I happen to have a keen eye for the sport and of course women`s tennis. As I was saying about me learning to put the ball in the right place rather than hit out of the ground, I suddenly have grew wary of critics and naysayers. Even to the extent this fear of opinionated men (women included, I am not a sexist!) has grown inside me recently that I watch the matches in mute.(My apologies to sharapova,nadal,and djokovic for not heeding to their calls or yells or grunts..!)

Expert or no expert, I believe I have a flair for the game. My flair list includes an expensive pair of shoes, officious looking wristwatch & athletic wristbands and headbands. Well racquets and balls are provided for by the academy where I go to play, so yes I am in gear.

To me the trivial matter of landing the ball in the other court isn`t as big as being able to say “the ball is in my court now”. So mostly you see I am at a receiving end. And I am loving it.Federer it seems can wait for his 17th, I can`t wait for even the morning. (afternoon`s too arduous to play, no?)Of course seeing my dedication you might have guesses my bright future. I keep telling my hitting partners (no double entrendes here!!) to avoid gloating about my obvious talents but puff!! you know how these hero-worshippers are. A topic of excited gossip and a style to copy, now that`s what I am being reduced to in the tennis circles.

                   Without sounding overtly narcissistic or resisting the urge to showcase the ever so mild shenanigan, I must confess that I could no longer keep the secret forever-Roger Federer copied and continues to copy me(Sorry roger!! check your inbox, might have an apology mail there for disclosing this.).Couldn`t hide it any longer you see, the kids had started asking nasty questions, those little buggers.I mean let`s confess this once in for all, how come someone just burst on the scene with all the shots in the book ( I forgot to teach him the high backhand of a spinning ball, took him years!).I roamed in the wilderness while he bossed the game as if the righteous owner of the prairie has arrived.Well,bah! I don`t even want the adulation, I am contend enough knowing that the protégé is doing well, not perched at top exactly but hey I mean does it really matter, now look at me, I might condescend to accept my greatness, but beneath me that, beneath me! As they say" We didn`t start the fire, I did."

                         Hmmm,sorry I didn`t get the joke,oh uh djok is it? that’s the new spelling. So what would you call yourself then? Oh Djoker is it? Did you had your supper?Oh Glutton free, my my, I am impressed. Original idea perhaps? Let me see, you aren`t from Serbia? No? You are not in the business of impressionism? No? Good good!! No let me see...Nolet me see....No-le tme see...No-le...Oh...Nole!!!

A 70-6 record? 3 grand slams? 5 masters? 12 mn$ prize money? No 1? Not impressed???

Look at my record...

A perfect record of 200-0, 4 grand slams, 9 masters, 3 local tourneys...no prize money...I don`t need a number with me....

Of course broadcasters haven`t really started paying those who watch. But I am hopeful to be the forerunner. And 12  mn$ a year and glutton free?? Are you kidding me? (Sheepishly sniggering!!), give me a million and I can donate the entire glutton the world needs.

In hindsight 2011 was indeed a bad year for me. Not that I am fed-up fan of Nadal and almost cried with him at the flushing meadows, (6 in a row in a year? ouch!!)But just because my racquet caught rust and fungus too often.Ah! the perils of over exerting your talents and apparatus.Ofcourse I never lost my passion for the game. I got my bagels, my sticks, I turn on the TV set or youtube.Being on the same page as your coach surely helps. I was on page 24 and so was he. Sports section!!And talking of reading and understanding, I now seriously wish I knew more of Spanish.

Vamos!! I first thought was an expression for exaltation. But anxiety, defeat and fear now need not go elsewhere for expression. But of course it means “come on”. Let’s have a look...

Exaltation--Comme onnn...!!!! Vaamos!!!

Fear--Oh no! Come on now.. vamos?

Anxiety--come on! its over!!...vammos....

But that was last year. When nadal won some matches. This year, he chatted more,vamosed less,and won even lesser. Notwithstanding the greatest clay court player tag, he jumped too high in aus & was ferreted in, brought a depleted garrison yet won over Roland garros,ate too many berries in london,and grimaced in new york.The world tour finals in London a burden on his tired frame,Nadal better be joking, or Djoking or choking?

On a tangential note, (I just remembered it!!)Since the time I`ve started writing this Nadal would have served twice,federer 12 times,and novak would still be counting his ball bounces(Oh no! I missed it!! All the way to the lucky no again!)& Murray would have developed another niggle. Watching Federer play not only reminds me of a certain myself but also someone who has found a new set of teeth.(Where are they?Oh they are there! Now I can chew!! (honey, bring the bacon now, please,will you..)

Federer has long since transformed himself from a potent tiger(glutton free anyone?) to a burly elephant with huge tusks(16 inches and not growing!) but eats with wizened molars inside.Wins,wins,wins and then gets bored of it,(let’s play with them for sometime) oh no! I Lost!!!

Someone is too relaxed(Federer),someone is too glutton free to keep losing(djoker),someone is too lost to control passion(Nadal),and someone is too out of contention to talk about(Murray).All others(Tsonga,Berdych) are too forgotten to not to mention.Atleast the future of tennis is in safe hands.

Me!!

(it’s too late, not going today to play...)

A Worm Inside....

A Worm Inside....

Stomach squirms at the sight,
Smell splits sides all tight,
I crave for that foody ride,
Afterall,there`s a worm inside!

The itch of reading now not bearable,
Thought patience is there in every parable,
I chose to turn the page side,
definitely,a worm inside!!

Wasting time joyfully always,
Not heeding to what the wise`o`old says,
I loiter the seconds far and wide,
Not my mistake,look!a worm inside.

Teasing,cajoling those around,
'Fun & me',doesn`t that makes a healthy sound,
I cry alone though,my guilt by my side,
Cribbing nigh and night,blame the worm inside.

Praying,keeping faith in lord,
My principles don`t die by the sword,
Rules of the heaven I keep & abide,
In this to hell with the worm inside.

Aao,Ek Diya Jalayein....

                                                      


       



आओ,एक दिया जलाएं ....

अपने मन के अंधकार में आओ हम आज सेंध  लगाएं ,
प्रफुल्लित हो जाए जग सारा ,आओ ,एक दिया जलाएं .

रोशनी का वो पुंज जो बाट जोह रहा तेरे प्रण की ,
तमस की वो निशा जो राह देखती सवेरे की,जीवन की ,
आज आओ हम कर्म की वो दियासलाई लाएं ,
छोटा ही सही,पर आओ आज पुण्य का एक नया दिया जलाएं .

बहुतेरे थके है,बहुतेरे रुके है,पर तू न थमना ,
कुछ दिए जल चुके,कुछ बुझ गए,पर तू न मचलना,
उस जीवन की लौ के लिए आओ थोड़ा और तेल लाएं,
जो न जला सके,उनकी ही खातिर आओ आज एक और दिया जलाएं.

जिनके माथे पर बल है अनेक,जिनके चेहरे पर चिंताओं का है सदा बसेरा,
जिन्होंने न जाना मतलब ख़ुशी का,न जाने वो क्या होता है सवेरा,
उनके जीवन की तपन को आओ आज निर्मल बन पी जाएँ,
अपनी खुशियों की फुलझड़ियों से आज उनके भी जीवन में आनंद का वो पहला द्वीप जलाएं .

डालो नकेल उस दुर्भाग्य में जो निर्भीक विचरण कर रहा तेरे मन अभ्यारण में,
खोलो द्वार आज तुम सब सारे,स्वप्न और प्रज्वलित करो अपने और दूज नयन में ,
खुशियों के घोड़े दौडाओं,अपनी कल्पनाओं को नवीन पंख लगाओ,
आज आओ दुर्बलता के अंधड़ से न घबराएं,फिर उम्मीद का वो नव -द्वीप जलाएं.

मिटटी का ही है वो दिया जो रोशनी देता जग भर,
कर्म का ही है वो सिला जो उत्सव बने जीवन भर,
महत्व इनका समझे आज,बोध ज्ञानी हो जाएँ,
छोड़ पुराने द्वेष और रंज,आओ मानवता का दिया जलाएं.

कठिनाईयों को बल न दे,दुर्जन को दे ललकार,
समय की चाल को समझ,न कर पराजय को स्वीकार,
अपने बालहठ को आओ जीवन रोपण में लगाएं,
जान सेवा और मन सेवा करें,आओ मन में दया का वो एक तो चिराग लगाएं.

सम्बल कर आज उन्हें  जो है तेरे साथ,
उज्जवल कर उन सभी को जो सुन रहे तुझ को आज,
अपने चहुँ ओर दीपों की मालाओं का एक तेज लगाएं,
आओ हम तुम हाथ बढाकर इस जग का अंधकार मिटायें ...

आओ,एक दिया जलाएं....

Shraddhanjali...

Aajoba tumchi aathvan yete,

Aani utsfurtapane maza shabd suchate.

1.

Parat aathavate ti sfoorti,to turu turu chalna,

To haath pathimage bandhun evening walk var dhawna.

Ek goshti naye,barach goshti aahe,aathvani parat yete sagri,

Tumhala samarpit karto hi olya,lihto-vichar karto ji sagri.

2.

Ti jilbi ani maggi chi aawad,

ti sakal chya paper vachaychi aawad,

Patra pasoon disaychi ti lihatana tumchi chasma ghatleli chhavi,

Ti god smile,ti aashirwadachi nehat amala parat haavi.

Ek goshti.....ji sagri

3.

Pandhri swachh shirt ghaloon yayeche tumhi ghari,

Gaadi khali thevayeche vastu apli sagri.

Pandhra hota rang aavdicha,shwet hoti chhavi niradi,

Mahti sagre jaga chi thevaycha,paanch vasta hoti ravi barobar tumchi sakadi.

Ek goshti...ji sagri.

4.

Paanch ratna tumhi dile amala,shiksha uttam dili tenna,

hech aashirwad amala pan meyala.

Tumcha raag tumchya prema cha poorak hota,te pan kshanik hota jevha pan nighala.

Aayushyat sangharsh tumhi khub kela,

Pan aple mana cha tez nahi ghalola,

Aplya kutumbala tumhi aple sanskara chya dori ni vinla,

Deva chi nishwarth bhakti karaichi,koumarya pasoon asa tumhala patla.

Ek goshti....ji sagri.

5.

Visrat nahi unhat basoon chaha ghetana tumcha te roop,

Mana var ankit aahe chasma ghaloon kaahi lyhacha tumcha te hoorop.

Tikhat bhaaji kevha varan chalaycha nahi zarapan,

Bhaat kaalvaychi ti paddhat diste samor mala attapan.

Ek goshti...ji sagri.

6.

Sagre nati-natu hote tumche laadke,

Tumche hech prema saathi sagre bhopal yayla saathi dhawayeche.

Vyavasthita hota tumche kam,shaant hota tumcha aacharan,

Tumchi goshti ani lihleli prasanga,shikavate ani shikvel amala jeevanachi vyakaran.

Ek goshti ...ji sagri.

7.

Mahit nahi ki kuthe aahe atta tumcha to divya swaroop,

Aathvani tumchi ani tumchya dilele shirt aahe majhya kade khoob.

Ek devmanoos roopi navra,aaji visrat nahi,

Aaj athvani ani doyancha paani,dogha thambat nahi,

Kirti,Kiran,Kavita,Varsha ani santosh kekre,

Detat aahe shradhanjali aple papan na,Long live shri K D Kekre.

Ek Goshti nay,barach goshti aahe ,aathvani parat yetat smaruni,

Tumhala samarpit karto ya olya,hich maajhi tumhala khari shradhanjali.

Poetry...

1.

Tasveer teri gustaakh hai,kaha na manti hai,

Na dil me utarti hai,na tera pata janti hai.

2.

Imaan aisa de jo ibadat ki zaroorat ko door kar de,

Pyaar aisa na de jo rishton ki bandishon se bande ko majboor kar de,

Zindagi ki fitrat nahi palna kaaydon ke darmiyan,

Insaaniyar aisi de jo khuda aur mere fark ko door kar de.

3.

Teri nazar ke paimane bhare hai humari muhabbat se,

Kisi aur ko pila bhi doge to wo khumar kaha se laaoge,

Teri palko ke sapne jawaan hai hamare wadon se,

Kisi ko dikha bhi doge to wo wafa kaha se laaoge.

4.

Shouk hamne bhi khoye hai tujhse dil laga ke,

Ashq humne bhi duboye hai teri ashiqui me gote laga ke,

Keh na dena kisi aur se is pyaar ki dastan,

Ki marz hamne bhi boye hai tere pyaar ki dawa khake.

5.

Humne ki muhabbat bepanah,par tumhe parakhna bhool gaye,

Hidayatein to badi di duniya ne hame,par unhe aazmana hum bhool gaye,

Gire hai! thokar lagi hai yakeenan,

Par fir bhi shikayat ke panno par tera naam likhna hum bhool gaye.

6.

Umr ki baat aashiq kaha kiya karte hai,

Hum to paimana jaante hai,jitna chhalak jaaye,utna hi aur bharte hai.

7.

Nagawar thi hamein wo manzilon ki tanhaiyan,

ki bas ummeed ke saath safar karte rahe,

Humnafas thi hamari wo dilon ki ruswaiyan,

Ki unhi ko lekar apna ghar bharte rahe.

8.

Jitni is shamiyane me hai roshni,utni ab is dil me nahi,

Jitna shor is dil me hai gaalib,utna ab teri kalam ke tod me nahi.

9.

Koft hai ye ki tum na aaye mehfil me,

 Rashq ye hai ki ishq bhi hai hamare mustaqbil me,

Na jaane koun si ruh panahgaar banegi,

Ki jashn ye hai ki aawargi nazar aaye saahil me.

10.

Shaoor nahi tha itna ki tumhare jaane ka istekbaal kar lete,

Par aanson bhi kahan is jahan ki rawayaton se khoufzada hai.

11.

Kaabil tha wo sher jo aapki nazar ki dad le gaya,

Varna ek hum hai jo aapki berukhi se hi tasallii kar lete hai.

12.

Nazar nazar ki baat hai tera hamse milna yun sareaam,

Sab samjhe kuch aur hai waqya,hum samjhe sab de rahe hamein ilzaam.

13.

Zikr unka na kiya karo mehfil me,

Ki badi mushquil se hosh gawaya hai,

Khali botal se na pilaya karo mehfil me,

Ki nigahon me ab dil ka khoon utar aaya hai.

14.

Chalka le jaam,ki aanson hai ab kam,

Mehka de ab gulshan,ki dilon me ab gul kahan aye sanam,

Ibadat kar le us nadaani ki,ki khudarah par ab hai tam,

Na keh apna gam tu is jahan se,ke nahi hai ab wo aankhein jo ho jaaye tere liye nam.

15.

Jab nikalta hoon sarfaroshi me,lagta hai koi besabab aarzoo hai,

Jab jalta hoon is khamoshi me,lagta hai koi najaani justajoo hai,

Kya khabar hai hamein kaun hai qo jo hai pardanashin,

Jab dekhta hoon zalzale ki dhool me,lagta hai koi veerane ki guftagoo hai.