A Man Who Would Be A Magician

ojaantrik · Apr 17, 2017

satchitananda said: ↑

Looking forward to that, OJ-da!
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Let's see. I recall one dramatic tram ride. I had quarreled with my wife and walked away to the compounds of the Victoria Memorial. As I was cooling down on a bench there, I suddenly heard a voice, clearing itself sort of. I looked around and saw that a woman was sitting right next to me and there was little doubt what she wanted. I panicked, got up and started running literally in the direction of the thickly tree lined Red Road. I didn't even look back to find out if she was following me. When I reached Red Road, I saw an approaching tram car. Without even stopping to inquire where it was headed, I jumped into it and remained seated there till it reached the other end of the town. By this time I was missing my wife pretty miserably and boarded a bus back home. I didn't tell her what had happened to me for a few days, but later on I did. She had the last laugh!!

oj-da

satchitananda · Apr 17, 2017

That was a good one! Didn't know men also face issues with the opposite gender in public. In Tamil people say women need 'purusha tonai' meaning they need to be escorted by men but looks like the opposite also holds true!

ojaantrik · Apr 17, 2017

jayasala42 said: ↑

An interesting narration Ojaantrik Sir, about an unsuccessful meeting with Sarkar, not a much popular magician.The way you have taken us through the streets of Calcutta, the meeting with watchman, the dress of the magician and the help rendered by Moni Kaka have a special stamp of Ojaantrik.
The meeting was unsuccessful. A blessing in disguise to everyone in IL. Otherwise we would have missed a great writer.Had the meeting been successful, and had you continued as the disciple of Sarkar, perhaps you might be be rightly addressed as Ojaan TRICK
and as we open the pages of the long narration the snippet would have disappeared from the screen.
Enjoyed the snippet, more enjoyable than the magic of SORCAR.
Jayasala42
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Sorry jayasala42, I had an unfinished sentence in my response to your comment. I said (This is ... and didn't finish the sentence. What I was about to write was that the changed title "The Man Who Would Be Magician" is influenced by Rudyard Kipling's short story "The Man Who Would Be King".

oj

ojaantrik · Apr 17, 2017

satchitananda said: ↑

That was a good one! Didn't know men also face issues with the opposite gender in public. In Tamil people say women need 'purusha tonai' meaning they need to be escorted by men but looks like the opposite also holds true!
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There is no doubt about it at all!!

Agatha83 · Apr 17, 2017

Dear oja sir,

I remember those times when you created ripples, no not ripples, but a hurricane in IL community by posting your eagerly awaited haiku stories, which had a huge fan following.But then as it happens with many of us here, you vanished suddenly and now, through sheer magic, have surfaced again with your delightful writing.

Even though my brush with Rasbehari avenue was for just a few hours, on my way to Farakka, with my DH, I simply loved the old world charm of those sprawling pavement shops, where in I picked some ready made blouses. The ramshackle tram rides and the miliiing crowds was extraordinary. On our way to Sealdah station we made it to our train just by a whisker, due to the heavy traffic jam that we were caught in between. Memorable experiences which are decades old. More than Sorcar's magis, it is those intelligent play of words you have used here,deserves an applause for bringing out the Charm of the 'City Of Joy' !

Agatha83

ojaantrik · Apr 18, 2017

Agatha83 said: ↑

Dear oja sir,

I remember those times when you created ripples, no not ripples, but a hurricane in IL community by posting your eagerly awaited haiku stories, which had a huge fan following.But then as it happens with many of us here, you vanished suddenly and now, through sheer magic, have surfaced again with your delightful writing.

Even though my brush with Rasbehari avenue was for just a few hours, on my way to Farakka, with my DH, I simply loved the old world charm of those sprawling pavement shops, where in I picked some ready made blouses. The ramshackle tram rides and the miliiing crowds was extraordinary. On our way to Sealdah station we made it to our train just by a whisker, due to the heavy traffic jam that we were caught in between. Memorable experiences which are decades old. More than Sorcar's magis, it is those intelligent play of words you have used here,deserves an applause for bringing out the Charm of the 'City Of Joy' !

Agatha83
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Dear Agatha83,

Thank you for your kind words. I did disappear as you say. There were several reasons. First, of course, was Cheeniya's illness. As you know, we have been close friends for a while now. Cheeniya turning silent was hard to digest. Thank God, he speaks now and even writes. I don't write comments on his posts because he has warned me about the length of my comments. His eyes are still not cooperating. He cannot read my lengthy responses. But we speak every other day over the phone. Second, I was called away to Haryana to teach for a semester at Ashoka University. I couldn't keep up with my hobby as a consequence. Third, ... and so on.

I am delighted to learn that you are familiar with Rashbehari Avenue. The first 24 years of my life were spent in its neighbourhood. Whenever I travel down that street, streams of memories drown me. I am amazed that such inconsequential events turn out to be so moving years later. I appreciate the fact that a few of you are with me as I turn on my memory tap. I hope I can keep on reviving them for friends like you. I am pretty much close to the end of the journey I guess. I need to unload myself as much as possible to travel light during my final journey.

Thanks once again.

oj

PushpavalliSrinivasan · Apr 19, 2017

Dear Mr Ojaantrik,
A surprise visit with an exciting snippet after a l.....o...o....ng l....o. o.......ng
time.

Turning the clock back and going down the memory lane, remembering and reliving the childhood days gives us great pleasure.

I have addressed you as Mr Ojanntrick when I first posted my fb to your first snippet in IL even before Jayasala madam and Satchi has adorned you with that title .

When we read your snippet we visualize everything and have a feeling as if we are strolling along with you.
Though blue moon appears once in a while people wait excitedly to see it. The same way IL members are waiting to read your snippet.
PS

ojaantrik · Apr 20, 2017

PushpavalliSrinivasan said: ↑

Dear Mr Ojaantrik,
A surprise visit with an exciting snippet after a l.....o...o....ng l....o. o.......ng
time.

Turning the clock back and going down the memory lane, remembering and reliving the childhood days gives us great pleasure.

I have addressed you as Mr Ojanntrick when I first posted my fb to your first snippet in IL even before Jayasala madam and Satchi has adorned you with that title .

When we read your snippet we visualize everything and have a feeling as if we are strolling along with you.
Though blue moon appears once in a while people wait excitedly to see it. The same way IL members are waiting to read your snippet.
PS
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Dear PS,

My apologies for the delay in responding.

Yes, I remember your trick. I am wondering now if ojan can also be given a similar twist.

When you mention traveling back in time, I ask myself if there is any other way for my mind to travel. The body will keep moving forward for sure and I don't think I have too long a journey forwards to look forward to. At my stage of life, past life is invariably longer than the residual future. I have little to do but to chew the cud. It is a pleasant activity though. Just allow the mind to stroll about aimlessly like roaming cattle. I doubt that it involves any trick. Unless it is nature that is performing.

Let's hope that I stop showing up only once in a blue moon. At least some of you make it worth my while to write here. You make me feel immensely grateful.

Best regards.

oj