A Holi to Remember: Celebrating with Family

Holi has always been special to me — a festival bursting with colors, laughter, and moments that turn into lifelong memories. But this year, it held a deeper meaning. For the first time since my marriage, my parents came over to my home in Hyderabad to celebrate Holi with us. It wasn't just about the colors this time; it was about togetherness, love, and gratitude.

As my husband and I eagerly prepared for their arrival, our home buzzed with excitement. We wanted everything to feel perfect, warm, and welcoming. Our balcony, which usually wore a calm, minimal look, transformed into a vibrant space adorned with fresh flower garlands. Marigolds cascaded from the railing, their rich yellow and orange hues glowing in the afternoon sun. Organic Gulals added a sweet fragrance to the air, making the space feel festive and full of life.

In the kitchen, the aroma of homemade thandaai filled the air. My mother, of course, couldn’t resist stepping in to help. We prepared a feast — crispy gujiyas, Bedmi and aloo ki sabzi — each dish carrying a piece of our family tradition. Cooking alongside her felt like home, a heartwarming reminder of the countless Holis spent in my childhood home.

When we finally gathered on the balcony, Gulals in hand, the celebration truly began. The familiar joy of smearing gulal on each other's faces returned, but this time, it felt even more special. We clicked countless pictures to seal the memory forever. Seeing my parents relaxed and happy in my home is a moment I’ll cherish forever.

My husband and I are incredibly grateful for this Holi — one that wasn't just about colors, but about family, warmth, and love. As we sat together at the end of the day, sipping thandaai and sharing stories, I realized this was the kind of memory I’d treasure forever. Holi may be known as the festival of colors, but for me, this year, it was painted with the hues of gratitude and joy.

Here's to family, to traditions, and to the beauty of moments spent with the ones we love. 

Wishing you all a Holi as heartwarming as ours!

The Joy of Finding Old Sheet Music

There's something magical about getting hands on something that's been tucked away in an almirah or basement for decades. Last night, when my parents visited me, they handed over to me all my old music notes which I didn't even know existed! I came across my own school book labeled simply "Music Theory" Inside was a treasure I had almost forgotten about – my collection of music books from childhood and early adulthood.

As I lifted the first book from the box, a wave of emotion washed over me. The familiar weight in my hands, the slight mustiness of pages that hadn't been turned in years, the dog-eared corners marking favorite pieces – all of it transported me instantly back through time. There's something uniquely personal about sheet music. Unlike digital files or even recordings, these pages bear the marks of our relationship with them. Penciled fingerings, circles around difficult passages, coffee stains from late-night practice sessions – each mark tells a story of struggle, triumph, or simple daily existence.

Each book in the collection marked a different chapter of my life. The beginner books with their Hindi scripts and simple Raagas reminded me of sitting with my guru as a child, voice barely able to sing SaReGaMa. What struck me most was how these books held more than just music – they contained memories of who I was at different points in my life.

Finding My Way Back

I started with something simple, a Raaga I used to sing to warm up. My voice was heavy, certainly, but the joy of reconnecting with the music was immediate and profound. It wasn't just about remembering how to play; it was about remembering a part of myself I had set aside. I didn't know that I still remembered some of the bandish! I started singing them without even reading their notations... Uff !! I feel like I am found again. These priceless books aren't just repositories of notes; they're keepers of my personal history, waiting patiently all these years to continue my riaaz

Thank you mummy-papa for reconnecting me with my first ever love. I promise I will respect it and again start practicing with the same excitement.

Love in COVID

The world slowed down, but we sped up,

Two hearts in sync, no need to catch up.

From coffee breaks to workday calls,

Now side by side through it all.

Laptops hummed, life revolved around Wi-Fi

Meetings were many, but we would try,

stealing glances, mid-Zoom smirks,

lunch breaks turned to stolen perks.

The city slept, the roads were bare,

But we found magic everywhere.

Driving slow through empty streets,

Windows down, just you and me.

We danced in socks, we burned the toast,

We found what matters, we held it close.

The world paused, but love played on,

A story made when hope seemed gone.

FOREVER THINE, FOREVER MINE

FOREVER THINE, FOREVER MINE

A nervous smile when first we met.

Not a love story at first glance,

But destiny gave us a chance.

Together we traveled, mountains and seas,

Hand in hand, wild and free.

From bustling streets to silent skies,

With every mile, love grew in size.

Through family warmth and festive cheer,

A home was built, year by year.

Not just a match, but a perfect blend,

A partner, a lover, my best friend.

An arranged tale, yet love so true,

A life of magic—me and you. 💖✨

Amidst the Deep Ocean; I found my SAHIL

Amidst the Deep Ocean; I found my SAHIL

apart from family, games, and padhaai.

A heart that longed for lifelong love,

a guy who would be my other dove

My teens were a difficult age,

a fleeting dance, a romantic stage.

Not a love story, not that deep,

Just a silly crush I wished to keep.

A flutter here, a blush there,

This crush, so new, beyond compare.

In lectures, stolen glances we exchange,

These feelings, so intense and strange.

As I grew older, a different story unfold,

back at home, my bridal biodata was told.

Relatives buzzing, shaadi profiles in hand,

A life partner? Wait—I just began!

“A good match,” they bring his bio to the table

But how do they know if we are compatible?

They said his name is SAHIL

my heart skipped a beat, mind unstable.

As we started talking, our chats grew bigger

he was so subtle, so thoughtful, and full of vigor.

Somewhere between a guy so sweet,

And life’s biggest plans—I found my beat. 😜💕

Management - A new skill I loved

Management - A new skill I loved

starting a life, I dreamt about.

Stepping into a brand-new stride,

From home’s embrace to the hostel side.

Balance sheets and market trends,

Strategies that twist and bend.

Case studies we had to solve,

our minds were put to test, and time dissolve.

Professors push, mentors guide,

Through every subject, we must stride.

Risk and logic, side by side,

Numbers dance, and decisions glide.

Deadlines chase, pressure is tight,

but every work had a unique solution right.

Leadership, teamwork, lessons grand,

A future shaped by mind and hand.

A journey tough, yet full of grace,

A stepping stone to find my place.

Management taught more than trade—

It built my skills, and a new Me was made.

Delhi University - A big jump to my personality

Delhi University - A big jump to my personality

Into a world so bold and bright.

No more uniforms, no rigid bells,

A brand-new story, time now tells.

Delhi city vast, a sky so wide,

New stride, exciting Delhi Metro ride.

New professors, lessons deep,

Dreams to chase, and nights with less sleep.

Morning sun on buildings new,

Friends who share this fresh world view,

Learning things I never knew,

Finding out what’s really true.

City streets become my guide,

As wisdom opens doors so wide,

With every step I take with pride,

Discovering who I am inside.

In this place of growth and change,

Where everything feels new and strange,

My world has grown beyond its range,

And piece by piece, I rearrange.