Here is what you may or may not know about me…
I was been tagged by Ummon ages ago to write about myself. I have already revealed several boring details of my life on this blog over the years, those who are cringing at receiving some more detail may turn away now.
-I will start a PhD in October. I am scared, excited and worried. I am really grateful to A for having pushed me this far, and I will probably rely on him to push me further. I have very little self-belief and the fact that I finally plucked up the courage to apply late last year is all down to him. The fact that I will be able to do it at all is also all down to his support.
-I like being alone. So does A. It’s nice that we both understand this about each other.
-I get really, really irritated with the way Sushma Swaraj dresses, with only one side of her coat showing, though it is none of my business (just saw her on TV. Not too hot about her politics either).
-I watch rubbish films at night when I need to unwind. The latest phase has involved Rekha and Jeetendra movies on youtube and Telugu movies with subtitles. Some of these have been REALLY BAD, but my Hindi has improved as a result and I have learned a few Telugu words, which is useful for my Carnatic music.
-I have changed my mind about arranged marriages. I was opposed to them many years ago, but over time have accepted that it is one way of finding companionship in a society that still places such a high value on the institution of marriage. I love being married and if someone finds happiness though the arranged route, then good for them. I still do oppose some forms of arranged marriage, however, and get really cross when people who appear not to place any value on caste in all other areas of their life and are seemingly cosmopolitan, insist on finding someone from their own caste.
We recently came across a guy who claimed caste did not matter to him, but that for his parents’ sake, he would only marry a girl of his caste, though he had found someone compatible of another caste on one of those matrimonial websites. This was a guy who had advertised that “caste” was “no bar” to him. It may be easier to marry someone from the same caste, but what about the richness different backgrounds add to a relationship? I am so glad that my future children will have traditions and heritages from all over India mixed up in them. I keep reading/hearing young people claiming that caste doesn’t matter so much in today’s India. If you claim it doesn’t matter then you should reflect that in your personal life and be open to marrying someone of a different caste. Maybe a few battles with parents will ensue, but surely this is a battle worth having?
-Have become a lot fonder of my own body, but still occasionally feel very unsexy and want to be curvy and voluptuous.
-I would like to study Sanskrit, but have to put it off for a few years.
-I started liking Carnatic music because it sounded so sensuous and sexy. It replaced the place of rock music in my life. Probably be flamed by the Bhakti warriors if I say this elesewhere…but I don’t see that bhakti and sensuality are mutually discordant as it were.
-I HATE getting my hair done. It HURTS. I feel hair stylists are unnecessarily aggressive.
-I love twitter
Nice list
Am glad you changed your mind on the arranged marriage system. I am a product of the arranged marriage and it has worked well for me. I believe either works for different sets of people and it makes me sad when people say bad things about both a love or an arranged marriage 
I tell Meg all the time that she has my blessing to marry a guy from any background as long as he is a nice human being!!
Good luck with the Ph.D. I am sure you will rock. Am totally with you on watching dumb television & movies to unwind
oh BTW I also tell Meg that I will be happy to scout for a guy for her if that is what she wants
My parents told me that they were really relieved I had found someone, because if I had asked them to look for somebody for me they wouldn’t have known how to!
congratulations on being a to-be PhD:-)
Thanks Mim!
Nice list.
Ever listened to Chitti Babu playing Sara Sara Samare – that sounds like rock
No, I should listen to it! I think even the slow Carnatic stuff is rocking!
Good luck with the Ph.D!
thanks!
Firstly, what is the place in your header photo? I love it!
All the best with your PhD. I am sure you will do great!
Jeetendra movies??? Really? Please say you are kidding :p
Whenever you feel unsexy, remember that most ‘curvy’ women think they are fat and would probably love to be in your shoes. The pic up on the header looks pretty sexy to me
Ro-an island in the Philippines.
Thanks for the wishes for the PhD. Also for the compliment re the header. A’s camera and photography skills ka jadu!
Jeetendra movies-I think I am coming out of that phase
I think in the pic above you look quite curvy.
Great that you are going to be a PhD! All the best. I know you’ll ace it.
I like the list, it helps your readers knowyou better. but I wish i could know you in person
it’s the angle
Nice list. Can give you my curves, come on over. Anytime, don’t mention it!
Good luck on your PhD. As someone who has put it off and off and now almost the only one who believes it will happen some day in life, I know what it takes to even get to the stage. You’re going to go great guns. What area will you be studying?
Get what you mean on putting your choice where your mouth is – we’re famous for this kind of hypocrisy in India.
Sangi, I am sure you WILL do it someday. I will be doing it an area of partition history-changing fields a bit.
Hey U! Please write something. I miss reading you.
Hey, thanks! I am suffering from a combination of business and laziness!
I agree completely about getting beyond castes – differences in marriage can be enriching, the more the better, as long as the desire to be together is there!
Liked your candid list – I would never confess to watching a Jeetendra movie (unless it was for Gulzar)!
Sunil, ha, I am a great fan of pulp fiction as well!
And I waited for you to play this ghazal for us , to listen to , as we read
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOO5H8fBAM0
Been following your blogs for the past 4 years, albeit a silent spectator. Felt liking conveying best wishes for your Ph.D. Felt nice about the change of opinion on arranged marriages. Though not all arranged marriages work to the T, still they Rock. (not the Rock from rocking of the boat).
Listening to Telugu movies is helping you in your Carnatic music; I hope it is old movies and not the run-of-the mill trash that is being released every Friday.
All the Best for your Ph.D and forgot to mention…. pick up the tempo on Sanskrit as well. That surely rocks!!!!
Thanks very much Rajeswarudu. I would love to spend more time on Sanskrit, but at the moment, due to the PhD, I have to concentrate on Sindhi