Colorful flier is Indian roller

Otherwise dull looking lumpy bird Indian roller unfurls its color in flight; it is quite a spectacular sight as it streaks across the sky in glorious shades of blue. I have seen this bird many times but could photograph only recently. Previously referred to as blue jay (wonder why they change its name?!) it prefers open field and avoid heavy jungle. A very common bird on the plains they could be seen perched on a branch or pole concealing its bright color and blending to the surrounding but watching all direction with its keen eyes. The acrobatic displays have given them the name rollers. A sturdy bird it has relatively large head and a hooked tip to the bill. They nest in holes of trees or buildings.

In Hindi they are referred to as neelkant-blue throated, also a reference to lord Shiva thus associated with some sacred rituals. At least four Indian states have named Indian roller as its state bird, an indication to its popularity.

Sugathakumari teacher: grandmother to all keralites

She is a writer, poet, venerable elder and a reference to collective conscience of our society. She is someone every keralite has read, when she speaks we listen. Her contribution to saving silent valley has been significant and she is also the founder of care center for destitute and mentally ill women in Thiruvanthapuram (Trivandrum) that brought in revolutionary changes in dealing with these issues. I guess there is no one who wouldn’t have read her poems, in particular the evocative Rathrimazha (night rains).

What a wonderful poem!!

Talking of rains instead of going to college I would many times catch a bus to beach to experience rains!!. There is something about the monsoons that is inexplicable. When I was studying in kerala I have kept awake watching rain all night (instead of studying!!), the more you watch more enticing the rains are. Home was on top of a hill and I could see most of Thiruvanthapuram (Trivandrum) from my room. Watching rains has been best part of my life, and something I put high on priority. In fact I stayed on a beach almost a decade back for about two months during monsoons just to watch rain!. This my dedication to Sugathakumari teacher

Denying the dead

We deny the dead their existence
in the absences, we deny them
in our hopes too.
Negating them into vague memories
or thoughts that suit us.

Couldn’t be that
they wait for us in the corner
just as we saw them
in moments of joy, in their best dress
thinking what we are thinking
dreaming our own dreams…

This a haiku by Basho on Rain

Spring rain
leaking through the roof
dripping from the wasps' nest.