I had to take a day off from rambling yesterday because I was dead tired by the time I returned home. Four days of mental stimulation and being out in the sun, not having my food at regular times as I am used to, all had its toll on me. After dinner I sat for a few minutes staring blankly at the iPad screen but realised that it was just not going to happen. I was already sleeping with my eyes open, so I might as well go to bed. and sleep properly.

Now something about the four days.

Not only were the discussions/dialogues interesting, they were also informative. From the reason why bats ‘shed’ virus, to how children’s drawings about the dying birds saved a bird sanctuary from industrial pollution, the way three youngsters from different fields are pioneering in the digitalising of old Malayalam documents and books and making them available for free on the net to the state of the state’s industries, how politicians were voracious readers too to how an author’s book took shape, gender and modernity in Kerala to reimagining India, questions regarding journalists’ safety to the importance of oral story telling… the scope was too vast and varied.

My favourite travel channel host was there. His travel narration is a hit with everyone. It’s like your favourite person sitting across you and telling you of their journey one-to-one. Not only is he good in his chosen field, I also agree with his general philosophy. I hear him ask the same questions I ask. I hear him say the same things I remark after visits abroad. Sometimes it is all I can do to not stand up and clap for him when he expresses his views and/or opinions. But enough of him now, I can’t confine Santhosh Kulangara to a paragraph in my post, he needs one all to himself.

Unexpectedly, I found myself in the Bard Room. It was a friend’s nudge from miles away that sent me there. Believe me, I had no plans of going for poetry readings. They have never been my thing. Like I have repeated often enough, I write poetry and inflict it on others by posting them, but I rarely (or not at all) read poems. The hour between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. of the last day had been earmarked by my friend A and me for sustenance. An early lunch would give us a head start for a one o’clock discussion, was the plan. But the friend from far away had told us not to miss this one.

We decided to give it a try. Half an hour, said friend A, then we go for lunch. I agreed. We seated ourselves even as the man on stage started to speak. He shared some lines on screen and took us through a journey on how poetry should be read. Meanwhile I started feeling drowsy. No, no. Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t boredom, not at all. My sugar level was dropping. I quickly rummaged in my bag and took out the protein bar I carry for such emergencies and munched on it. I started feeling better.

At half past twelve I asked my friend if she wanted to leave. It’s way too interesting she said, let’s sit through till the end. I couldn’t have been happier. I sat back and listened enthralled to the rest of the talk. To think I’d have missed this if the friend from far away hadn’t told me about it! I came away from the Bard Room confident enough to tackle poetry, and also thankful for having such lovely friends!

©️ Shail Mohan 2024