Sunday, May 4, 2008

OH ..MY

The day was fixed as my PATTABHISHEGAM ( Coronation ) day. Sunday is the day I go to my faithful barber,oops.Hair dresser, of 25 years.Forgot if I ( we )celebrated that.Must remember it next time since he maintains the diary,right from the day the charges used to be Rs 5.(do you get a cuppa tea for that now)

Dot at 550 am, I leave home to be his first customer,and I do have that proud look on my face when I see others waiting,after me.Only thing he has not initiated a token system.Appointments are as good as in doctors place,they seldom work.Over the years his shop ( can I call it Shop )has moved from under the greenwood tree to a modern place with couple of assistants moving around with all kind of gizmos,miniature versions of a perfect lawn mowers.

But for me,my faithful Natarajan will use only a comb,a scissor and a barbers antique knife for my nut..nothing much ,its always an army cut and a massage of the head,a routine which has remained over the years.Only that the charges have not been !! His clients include all kinds,politicians to actors. Natarajan and me belong to same village,(pure coincidence )from Thanjavur.He keeps going there every month ,and keeps me updated of the going ons there,andI see the happenings thru his narration , a la MahaBharatha Dhirudhuraashtra.All these in the 15 minutes of the choppings.

And this morning of all the days I woke up ,pretty late at 630 am,and the worries were explicit on my forehead.And in the shop, I was 7th in the Q.That meant it was going to be a long wait.Unlike me ,with sparse hairs on my nut,others were fluffy in thier head ranging from jet black to partly grey to fully silver..hmm so I sat in the corner,with a handful of magzines and was sleepy,since I had slept fairly late yesterday.Through the corner of the eyes I could see Natarajan having genuine sympathy for me since he knew I was a stickler to timings and today was just a wrong day.

When my turn finally came,happiness lit on my face I sat off on the throne and the Pattabhisheham started.The routine was always that the initial process, for example tying the apron etc, would be done by his assistants and he would be there to do the actual ritual of snipping and then the final clean up again by his assistants. One had to realise ,his time had become very very valuable.

Apron tied,head moist with water, boss came and started doing his job.I was tired and he was slightly tensed with many VIP customers (of course including me )I dozed off.A little later,when one of his assistants gently woke me up ,I saw a different face on the mirror in the front.

Yes they had nicely dyed my hair and to add to the misery ( !! )two streaks on either side !!!. they looked like painted on horns of a well fed bull ready for the JALLIKATTU.(Bull fight,famous in Tamil Nadu )

Ennappa idhu (whats all this ) I screamed.Natarajan came rushing by.He didnt know what to say I guess.I asked him if anything could be done,and from his expression I ralised it was negative .Some hyperactivity around, as if they were going to save a patient from his death bed,I knew the case was lost.Oh My crowning glory !!

Profusely apologising ,he said it will be back to my normal ,in maximum of three weeks.

Three weeks, how am I going to survive.

The most conservative AGRAHARAM area I live,is definitely going to have many eyebrows raised for the next three weeks!!

When I enter home ,the look of my family ,is going to be one of surprise,and I wont be surprised if they are startled too !!

My kids are going to be back from hostel, after their semester exams ,in two days and their reactions !!

My office and factory people are going to just wonder,what has come over me !!

and many more and many more..these are the just few which cross my mind !!

As I got up slowly from the chair,after the imagined social onslaughts,one last glimpse at the mirror to see the reflections of this moron,gave me a little confidence. After all I may not be looking so bad as I imagined.May be I am looking a lot younger.but the streaks ..so what.May be I have to behave younger.May be I am young too..As they say,age is between the ears.Hmm..

Through the corner of the eyes I surveyed the room.Was anyone watching ?None,Natrajan was busy scolding the boy. So dont have to really bother ,I guess.

Came out of the shop (!),felt some boys in the nearby tea shop were watching me.Hmm may be they have mistaken me for a famous film star .Got into the car and drove back home.

At the signal,a young & slender traffic cop who was making use of most of the shadow of a thinner lamp post ( you see its 38 c already )bent down and had a good look at my face.I was beaming.A young girl looking at me.I realised later ,being on Bandhobast duty on the Chief ministers route,she must have been wanting to make sure I was not a thug or terrorist and hence the inquisitive look !!Well these things happen,I thought to myself.

As I approached my house,I was preparing myself to act natural and as if nothing happened..Will it be possible ?


TC
CU

105 comments:

Sudha said...

Hi ,
I am creating a blog having a post from each of the other blogs with links to other blogs.Here is the blog name
www.paperandapen.blogspot.com
This is just like blogrolling with an additional element of a direct post from the blogs.Hope you will participate.
The blog is about articles on different fields.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Sudhakar
Sure will do Sudhakar
TC
CU

Sudha said...

To begin with which post could i choose.Give me one of you best

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Sudhakar

URAINDHU PONA MALLIGAL......................... FROZEN JASMINES


TC
CU

Fantasies of a Lifetime said...

hey..i was deprived of internet connection in my home. . .Its one thing after another , blogspot was mysteriously blocked even without a firewall...And ippo internet connection e pochu..boo hoo.

hey streaks is the most in thing now :D . . .cool . .i am waiting for something like that to happen whne i get my hair cut ...and i am hoping it would be rainbow colours ..wudnt have the guts to do that without an accident :D

lol my comments are getting as big as my blog :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Vishnupriya Janardhanan
Was wondering what happened to you..such a long time..blog and comments becoming longer..never mind, enjoying it here...hope now everything is under control and looking forward to your visits here..thanks a tonne
tc
cu

Keshi said...

ur getting streaks CU? WOW!

Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Keshi
Welcome keshi..its downright funny to look at a different you on the mirror..hmm..how long I wonder
TC
CU

Gayatri Bhadran said...

hahaha.. I'm sure you look great sir =)

confidence and the way you carry yourself around is all that matters and I'm sure you have both those qualities in you. =)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Gayatri
aahhaaa..idhu veraya..my kashtam (problem )is looking at my own face in the mirror..lol
TC
CU

aMus said...

heh..heh...come now..u got streaks and now u blame the poor Natrajan...

as for kids..they may be very happy to see a trendy appa..what say?

next post on reactions of those who came, saw and expressed...:D

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Suma
Sumaaaaaa...You donno my plight !!
The hush hush whispers around and corner of the eye looks of the people..I am stuck in my cabin till now ..
TC
CU

m.flowerr said...

So, a modern and trendy CU, appa, sir.....
Don't you feel good to get a new look??

Sandhya said...

Aha, new Look......

U know some change is always better n dont u get bore to see urself in a same haircut......

n streaks r totally in these days.

Anonymous said...

mottaaai???

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@m.flowerr
feel good !!heart of heart yes
tc
cu

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Sandhya
Thats nice..As Bhagvat Gita says..change is eternal..hmm
tc
cu

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Chriz
Wonderful flash of an idea..looks that could be a great solution !!
TC
CU

anits said...

hi CU great post..anyway r u getting streak?? :)
hv a nice day

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits
Welcome anits ..Andha sogha kadhaya en kekkareenga..enna seyyanu puriyaliye
TC
CU

m.flowerr said...

ah! atlast there you are! :)

btw, you are tagged! plz check out my blog for details:)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@m.flowerr
oops..caught me off gaurd !!lol
Tags,i am one of those laziest guy ever to do that !!
tc
cu

m.flowerr said...

take your sweet time....

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@m.flowerr
LOL, thanks for the consideration,but when I read your post,i thought your expectation that I would react fast unnerved me..lol
TC
CU

plush said...

:)...punk style eh! rock on comps!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@plush
hmm..You too plush ..pulling my leg
TC
CU

Keshi said...

haha enjoy it!

Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Keshi
welcome..any other choice I have !!
TC
CU

ceedy said...

heheh :)

the only choice you have is to go BALD and the beautiful :P

Compassion Unlimitted said...

so friend, back from a lovely holiday and making me go bald !!..lol
any how was your long deserved holiday
tc
cu

aMus said...

update on reactions unlimited?!!!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Suma
Great idea.Will do.When is India visit & hows de prepartion going on ?
TC
CU

m.flowerr said...

next post please...been long..

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@m.flowerr
The gears in the head are not properly meshing yet..lol
TC
CU

aMus said...

india visit? next week...

preparation? more in the mind and less in action...i like to stress myself out unnecessarily...:)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Suma
Lol..relax & keep in touch
TC
CU

Cяystal said...

Hi bro.
I tagged you.!!..
Ahem..go to my blog and copy the ques..:)

\Cheers/


Aayushi

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@AaYuShI
oops..a lazy bones like me has always skipped doing it,with due apologies,of course
tc
cu

Keshi said...

haha!

Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Keshi
Grrrrr
TC
CU

Lakshmi said...

a new look is always scary..sometimes it could be a different identity
Lakshmi

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Agreed..It was scary to me so it must be terrible to others..Identity !! an identity crisis for me now !!
TC
CU

Sairekha said...

heheheheh... tsk tsk:) I think your barber has something against you... else, he'd have coloured the streaks:) so.. how did the wife react???:)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Ziah
Hmm..Reactions of the people will be like a seperate post itself..and wife..hmm miss her
Welcome to south of of vindhyas
tc
cu

Compassion Unlimitted said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
மங்கை said...

Woow...

So u had a colourful Pattabhishegam

தங்கமணி ரியேக்ஷன் எல்லாம் ஒன்னு விடாம தனிப்பதிவா போடுங்க..;-)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@மங்கை
Vaanga..varughai thandadirku nandri..enga romba naalaa kaanom ?
meendum varugha
tc
cu

Aarthi said...

He he...I know how tragic it is. When they cut my hair really short (esp when I was plump, which makes me look more heavy)I would almost be in tears and for the next few days I'll try my level best not to look into anyone's reactions on my new look..

Now it still happens but with my new hair colour...lets c how it is this weekend after I colour my hair...mum n dad might chase me out for sure...:(

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Aarthi
Welcome Aarthi..thats going to be interesting right..so looking forward to your comments on your parents reaction !!.lol
tc
cu

Solitaire said...

Hahah!! So funny!
Poor you!
Please tell us what happened when you went home?

Vidya said...

:D
Can I request you to post a picture?

I was reminded of the days my dad used to go to this faithful barber and drag my brothers along too. 30 INR for 3 people even in the year 2000 was dirt cheap. He raised the price for everyone else but my Dad!

God bless old faithful customers!
Vidya

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Solitaire
It was all fun, I mean for others.Ver briefly
1 My cousin from mumbai,who is meeting me after a long time,looked past me
2 My moms face fell,u see she is well past75,clear eyesight,&more traditional
3 Office,chukles,chuckles &more chuckles
4 customers Disbelief
5 kids after their return from hostel after Semester exams,&after their quota of laughter,simply dyed my streaks black

THE END
tc
cu
5

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Vidya
Wish I could,Plz read above,already dyed black !!
May be your dad is my gen !!How true,I too refused initially to increase rates,and then Natarajan being a smart guy,put on several sob stories and emotional armtwisters,finally managed his way in getting de money he wanted.But to safegaurd my ego,So rates remained unchanged only TIPS increased ..lol
TC
CU

Cяystal said...

hiee
back to yr blog after a long time!!

great works


tc!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@AaYuShI
Welcome and thanks for your comments..keep passing by
TC
CU

rantravereflect/ jane said...

haaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaa:)
mannnnn ya shud have posted a pic. i'm sure ya'd 've looked quite the rocksta!!!

the humor in ya writing is 'oh-so-adowable'-
" they looked like painted on horns of a well fed bull ready for the JALLIKATTU."

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa:)

n teh girl at the signal- give yarself cridit- she cud've checked ya out!!
:)

keep tehm cumin in:)

rantravereflect/ jane said...

ps:

ya're blogrolled!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@rantravereflect
welcome..first time I guess..
thanks for the words..photo ? all of you will get scared
tc
cu

Keshi said...

Hope ur doin well CU :)

Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Keshi
Thanks Keshi .Doing fine with Gods grace..how hv u been
tc
cu

Preethi said...

Pattabishekam indeed... missed reading your tales.. and now I am back!!!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preethi
Welcome Preethi..real looooong time..how have you been..keep passing by
tc
cu

Sandhya said...

So, how are your Looking with your streaks ? Seems to be enjoying....:-)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Sandhya

It was all fun, I mean for others.Very briefly
1 My cousin from mumbai,who is meeting me after a long time,looked past me
2 My moms face fell,u see she is well past75,clear eyesight,&more traditional
3 Office,chukles,chuckles &more chuckles
4 customers Disbelief
5 kids after their return from hostel after Semester exams,&after their quota of laughter,simply dyed my streaks black

Akshay said...

very interesting!! lol.... This one time a barber gave me a cut which looked ok when the hair were wet.... but as soon as they were dry, I kindda had a fluff on my head....it was fu%#$^ weird....

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Akshay
welcome,first time I guess..I tried changing my barber couple of times in life..but it never worked..Why is it so ?is it same with everybody
tc
cu

anits said...

enne CU puthu post kanum? busy yo?

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits
Vaanga..aamaanga konjam busy aagitten..aanaal pottuviduvom koodiya seekiram..nalam thane ?
TC
CU

Beauty and the BEast said...

Now I sooooooooooo need to know what everybody's reactions were!!

I lobe the way you describe the event, right from the build-up to the character detailing...

Keshi said...

good to know that :)

I've been well...but too stressed out at work. Anyways, hope ur wknd's going great.

TC
Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Beauty and the BEast
welcome,first time here I guess
Happy u liked it !!
keep passing by
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Keshi
I know u were looking at a break from blogs too..but can you !! lol
tc
cu

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Light up your blog and your weekend…..
Cheers,
Ashu

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Ashu
oooooops !!!!
TC
CU

Anonymous said...

Hey CU, Ceedy left a dedication for you at my blog. Come check it and if possible respond. Thanks!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Ashu
Thats something nice of him..lemme see
tc
cu

Prats said...

So are the streaks still streaked?? How's things ? You haven't updated for quite a while?

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Prats
kids after their return from hostel after Semester exams,&after their quota of laughter,simply dyed my streaks black

aamaanga konjam busy aagitten

TC
CU

Prats said...

che...aiyoo....pictures you didn't put up and before that you streaked it back...waaah....

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Prats
Dont worry equally comical picture was taken by my kids with me sitting on a YAK somwhere near rohtang pass.i will put it up as a consolation..sariya !!
TC
CU

Ponnarasi Kothandaraman said...

Cud have put a pic for us 2 envision things ;)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Ponnarasi Kothandaraman
Aahhaa...its going to rain cats & dogs..vaanga Princess sowkyama..where are you now..hydrabad,Bangaluru or chennai..well i will soon put up an equally funny pictire of mine on Yak
TC
CU

Gayatri Bhadran said...

waiting for your next post sir! =)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Gayatri

The gears in the head are not properly meshing yet..lol
TC
CU

Sudha said...

http://directoryforsites.blogspot.com/

I have listed your blog in my new blog

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Sudhakar
Thanks Sudhakar
TC
CU

ceedy said...

Are you out of ink in your keyboard?

Prats said...

yenna achi?

Its been quite a while since you've written anything out here???? yenna andha colors and streaks got your goat is it????
C'mon....

Did you sit on the Yak at the HIdimba temple, manali???? That'll make a great picture

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ceedy
Hi friend.lots of Blog Drafts in the head just no time to sit on PC.looks can do it only on return in mid july from my Japanese trip y
As of now working hard (lol )for the presentations !!
tc
cu

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@பதிவுSpot
thanks a lot for adding me.Will do
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Prats
Vaango Prats.
Yes the Yak picture needs to be uploaded.Thanks for reminding..Wow it was a fantastic trip.
Yes will have to post sometime.Though not leaving comments on my all my friends post,managing to read most of them and keep myself pepped up !
TC
CU

rantravereflect/ jane said...

we wudn't get scared! n plzzz put up new posts :(

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@rantravereflect/ jane
LOL..first timer here ?
Tc
CU

Anonymous said...

Enna aachu??? Ivalo long haitus...

Next story pls! :D

Deekshanya said...

WOW...Sir, streaks ellam konjam overaa therila :) but then, lets say its good. A change is good at times! Enjoy the experiences and pen more posts on this.. I'm coming back to ur blogspace after a long time !!

Take care
deeksh

Lakshmi said...

hello !

Preethi said...

I just read your comments.. In Japan?? that should bring us some interesting stories.. waiting for you to be back soon!! :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Curious
Varugiren koodiya seekkiram
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Deekshanya
Long time ?its been ages ma.Thought you drifted away to some other blog spaces !!
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Lakshmi
Hi hi Hi..
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preethi
Japan..Going there itself became a story..Welcome here
TC
CU

Aarti said...

Hey

Coming here after ages..coool post.... how were the reactions???? :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Aaarti

Welcome !!
kids after their return from hostel after Semester exams,&after their quota of laughter,simply dyed my streaks black..
TC
CU

Priyamvada_K said...

CU,
Time at the hairdressers is the most relaxing. I'm sure you were happy with the results and Mami got a nice surprise too :)

Priya.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Priyamvada_K
welcome..long time..everyone at home had a shocker looking at me
LOL
TC
CU