Uriel was a multifaceted personality. He could stab with words, sting like Mike Tyson, and distort reality charmingly with the precision of a gifted cartoonist. He was sedate now and passionate the next moment. He could don the mantle of a carpenter, a plumber, or a mechanic, as situation demanded. He ran a school in Shillong in those days when I was there. That’s how I landed in the magic circle of his friendship. He made me a gargoyle. Gradually. When the refined side of human civilisation shaped magnificent castles and cathedrals, the darker side of the same homo sapiens gave birth to gargoyles. These grotesque shapes were erected on those beautiful works of architecture as if to prove that there is no human genius without a dash of perversion. In many parts of India, some such repulsive shape is placed in a prominent place of great edifices with the intention of warding off evil or, more commonly, the evil eye. I was Uriel’s gargoyle for warding off the evil eye from his sc
Sir, Clicking Chillies is easier/better than eating them :)
ReplyDeleteHad you visited during Christmas? I was there at Kerala this Christmas & enjoyed my visit :)
I was there just for a couple of days this week, Anita. An emergency.
DeletePoet Thomas Gray wrote about the destiny of certain flowers to be born in deserts where their fragrance is wasted. I found these chillies too in a similar place where their spiciness is wasted.
from the place known for spices !
ReplyDeleteYeah, so spices grow just anywhere without any need for human attention.
DeleteEven the 'red' chillies stand out in Kerala!
ReplyDeleteTrue. But red is loosing its sheen in Kerala. A friend of mine said, "Pinarayi Vijayan and Umman Chandi are partners in the capitalist business policies."
DeleteNice Click
ReplyDeleteThanks, gowtham.
DeleteThe variety of chillies seeds that are from Kerala is amazing. Most of the Kerala gardeners who are on our network post such pretty pictures making us "burn" :-)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Pattu, the particular variety that is peculiar to Kerala and burns down to one's bottom seems to be the only species that is surviving in God's own country.
DeleteAh! Chillies... my favourite ingredient .. and the vibrant red one stands out as if asking for attention :D
ReplyDeleteChillies always demand attention, Namrota. And red is the best colour for that.
DeleteYes :)
DeleteSo sweet - hmm photo not chillies.
ReplyDeleteThe chillies are bombs, dear.
DeleteNice click..and I love red chillies :-P..Bengalis like hot and spicy food you know..
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've noticed quite a common features between Bongs and Mallus :) Fish, for example.
DeleteNice one. :) Love chili. Have to contact Pattu and find out more about Kerala seed varieties.
ReplyDeleteKantari is the variety unique to Kerala, Subhorup. A very small chilly which acts like an atom bomb in your mouth.
Deletewhat a beautiful red of chillies.....
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it beautiful.
DeleteHow did it grow on unexpected place?
ReplyDeleteIt was thriving in a place where no one bothered about it. Like a wild plant.
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