For Akka

अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् ।
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥

Thursdays and Fridays lead to strange happenings in various gastro-intestinal tracts across the city. There are butterflies fluttering manically, before sinking- leaden- to cause more trouble. Why, you wonder? The answer lies in one word- at once terrifying, at once terrific- Akka.

The stately gates to B-45 house behind themselves a realm of magic and magnetism- and it is that potent combination that draws one to it- week after week, month after month, year after year.

…

Nearing B-45 one can hear the strains of a charismatic voice bringing to life the genius of a civilisation. The rhythms of the thatta kizhi offer faithful accompaniment. A gentle breeze blows, carrying with it the sweet notes of the wind chimes and-

'Shakuntala!'

No. this isn't Kanva's hermitage, nor is it a rehearsal to stage Abhigyana Shakuntalam. It's a summons for coffee, which is answered almost immediately with a davra tumbler.

Listen quietly, and one can hear the gurgle of the water-fountain… is it flowing to tha-ki-ta or does it sound like tha-ka-tha-ki-ta…

And is that… is that Moga barking in what sounds suspiciously like misram?

…

The fragrance of spicy sambar battles with the sweet scent of Shivaranjini agarbatti. Added to this olfactory smorgasbord is the unmistakable smell of camphor.

…

'Swamiye, sharanam ayyappa'

Climb eighteen arduous steps, and the devotee is lead to the God.

Climb twenty odd, and the shishya finds the Guru.

…

The ornate wooden doors are thrown open to offer a glimpse of the Empress herself- the piercing eyes, the glittering nose-pin, the striking bindi, the firm posture and the lustrous black hair are complemented by ready wit, deep insight and the warmth of a thousand suns.

…

Akka isn't a teacher, and NV isn't a dance class- Akka is a passport for an aesthetic journey through life.

…

Author's Note: This is a piece I was 'commissioned' to write by my classmates at my dance class. It's for our Guru's birthday- fourteenth of January.

This also marks my last piece for quite a while- I begin tenth grade tomorrow, at the end of which looms my first public examination. And in India, how well you do really does determine your life to a certain extent.

I might be spotted here, now and again, no promises.

So farewell, fellow wordsmiths. I wish you all the luck on your wordy enterprises. May you never run out of paper, and may your pens never run dry.

I hope to see you again by April, 2014!

For the last time for a bit- reviews, please?