For the love of Chase!

Others might look on this legendary writer as another author, but when it boils down to spinning first -rate crime stories, he simply is a prodigy par excellence. Allow me to introduce James Hadley Chase. I know some might shriek and jump out of sight at the very mention of his name; others might feign ignorance and a few others might actually be fascinated by him, which is quite an astonishing act considering that most intelligentsia looks down on him.  Not that he isn’t a prolific writer but because he writes sleazy stuff. Well, I stand for what I believe; therefore I stand with my elementary belief; he is an awesome writer who holds many aces up his sleeve and would outsmart anyone in the game of storytelling. 

I became an official aficionado of his works, when I passed out my secondary education and became a pre-university student. How did it all began? Actually, my friends surprised me on my birthday by presenting a Chase. The cover as usual was a seedy one with a half-naked woman holding on to whatever remained of an unbuttoned shirt. Initially, I got scared to receive such a book and decided not to touch it with a barge pole. However, an avid book reader among the gang guaranteed that the cover was always a grossly misleading picture of the actually story within. “Most stories are clean with adventurous twists and turns,” he affirmed. 

Taking him on his word, I ventured out to reading one. One was enough to get me hooked. It was opium. I became an addict.

God! I was surprised why I haven’t read him before.  The sleuth in me surfaced and went hunting for his books in every nook and corner of the city. Soon, within a span of six-months I must have read almost all his titles. There were times when I read three books in a day flat. That was the time, my elder brother and sister, who had graduated to reading more serious stuff like the Kafkas, gave me irate looks which explicitly stated: time you grew up kiddo! 

Thanks to the soul of steel I possessed then, I didn’t easily give up. So, I stuck to ‘Chases’ while they chased other writers who never were within my immediate intellectual parametres. Thus began my love for Chase.

Although I have traversed many miles with other authors as guides, philosophers, magicians, storytellers, friends, intellectuals, navigators, problem-solvers, extremists, lovers… I haven’t come across anyone that was as fast-paced and as mercurial as Chase.Even today, when there’s a holiday or a long journey on the cards I ensure a Chase is tucked in along with my other books and necessities.  In fact, Chase will always remain a favourite no matter what.  For those who give me those shady looks for reading him, I can only say ‘Go, have a life’ while I have mine on my own terms. 

The Marathon that Wasn't - For Me!

Last month, Airtel organised a marathon run in Hyderabad. I desperately wanted to participate in the full marathon; unfortunately, there was tremendous workload at the office. Working for not one but for almost four different organisations, I always find myself in a tight spot. To wiggle out of work is nothing short of a miracle. Yet, there is no complaining. Anyway, before I sound the bugle a little too loud for comfort, I would like to express that I am terribly distraught at not participating in the marathon. 

The pain transforms itself into unbearable, when friends on facebook repeatedly keep posting their beaming faces at the finish line. This is enough to make me punch a hole in the computer. Since computers or laptops don’t come easy, I let my pumped up adrenaline cool off by taking a walk in the park. Even in the park you see joggers running and you see nothing but red. Anyway, the disappointment is something that I am going to have to live with for a long time. 

As if the agony of not participating is not enough, my family members’ rubbing it in with constant quibbling that ‘I couldn’t a run mile and I am planning to run a marathon’ makes me fume through  my ears. The sentence keeps ringing in my head like the haunting dialogue “Beta soja ..soja nahi to gabbar singh aa jaayega.”. Of course, my problem is tad serious in nature than the village of Ramgarh. In this matter, neither Amitabh nor Dharmendra can lend a hand. Basanti, undoubtedly, is a long shot. Of course, I do recollect that Sanjay Kapoor had no hands but legs. What he accomplished with them at the end of the movie, made me flinch. Ouch! 

Actually, with the run in mind, I had bought an armband and downloaded an interesting app which could measure footsteps, heartbeats and the works. I was fully geared until I realized the bosses of my organizations had different plans for my future. To make me run after money instead of a marathon run. Of course, 10k, half-a-marathon or marathons never paid me anything; ironically, I paid money to run, which I could do anytime any day, nonetheless I wanted it that way. When you think back, ‘ Wasn’t that sheer madness?’ is the first thing that jumps to mind and runs around in circles in head.

Anyway, I stand decided: the next time; I’ll do the whole marathon, come rain or hailstorm. 

Talking of hailstorm, someone I know had run a Boston marathon. While he decided to run the toughest marathon on earth, the gods played foul and a heavy downpour descended on participants. Anyway, unlike me, he ignored gods and the rain and completed the full race. I am delighted he didn’t yield. Because now I look up to him as the god of Marathon. 

Well, thinking within the box, since the next marathon is a good year away… what do I do?! Train? Or Gain? 

The Hub of Festivity

This was published sometime before Ramzan in The Hans India - A reputed daily in Telangana

The allure of Hyderabad, which is known for its magnificent and opulent Nizami legacy of 400 years, is that it flawlessly merges the ancient and the modern. The monolithic structures blend in fabulously against the thriving city skyline. 

The spectacle at charminar is all the more palpitating with the heavy bustle of business during nights. Lit up with numerous incandescent lights, the region is decked up like a bride. The shops are at their thriving best. 

Whether its roadside hawkers selling fruits or mouthwatering delicacies, or shops displaying embroidery of intricate patterns or vendors offering you shimmering shades of bangles or shops decked up with jodhpuri or Kolapuri sandals, a royalty that goes well with your embroidered kurtas…there’s an old world charm that wraps you up in an embrace of coziness and exquisiteness.

The area woos the avid shopper with an array of stimulating home décor. The décor to deck up the house in style here is unmatched. You can bring home a colourful carpet that resembles the exquisite carpets of Turkey, or a traditional diwan set akin to the patterns of the Moghul Empire or gorgeous curtains that hold the appeal of the Nizami era in their folds…the richness of this place couldn’t be compared with places anywhere else. 

The entire stretch leading to the four minarets is greeted by jutting balconies and shops on either side of the ancient road. With canopies protruding onto either side of road, the area is no less than a mini-Baghdad.  Clads in typical Kurthas offering you scents filled in coloured bottles. The vials of multihued, crystal contours are as engrossing as the perfume they hold within their confines. What’s more, the most gripping aspect of shopping here is that the prices are decent and products, often, remarkable.

After the hectic shopping you may feel like titillating your palates with Hyderabadi delicacies? No problem, there are countless Biryani joints around the region. Shadab Hotel, which is a stone’s throw from Charminar, is a good spot for visitors whose appetite is driven to tickle their taste buds with the rich Hyderabadi biryani. The season’s apt to send one’s taste buds on a delicious tour with the world-renowned Hyderabadi Haleem. 

Haleem, a hot favourite of every Hyderabadi, is not merely restricted to the vicinity of Charminar but spread across the state. Its rich flavour and tantalizing aroma is enough to make one’s mouth water. But some of the joints at Charminar area offer special Haleems that come with a boiled egg, cinnamons, cashews, almonds and the works. Pista House and Shah Ghouse, which are close by, are an excellent choice to refresh oneself with a hot bowl of Haleem.

Unfortunately, it’s only during this Ramzan season, that you find Haleem at every nook and corner. Frankly, Charminar area is one place that retains its age-old rustic charm while lending flavour to a new-age living. That's why it holds a special spot in the hearts Hyderabadis during Ramzan.