The other day, I had a surprise reunion of sorts with Kunal, my good old mate from Virar, thanks to his resolute follow-ups and genuine desire to look back on a bygone era of 24-carat innocence and effervescent charm.
As we recounted the dog-eared, yellowing pages of our collective experience, I couldn't but help penning down my stray thoughts, almost on an impulse!
The snaps in this post feature my friends from Virar; you won't find me in a single photograph, but I am an integral part of their camaraderie which is unspoken by default, or shall we say, mute by circumstances!
Ask them about specific episodes like 'Mewalal', 'Mul Padla', 'Atmaram', 'Whatever may be', "Krishna che Wadil", 'Satyavati', 'Tailor's latrine visit', 'Balika', "Ghar Jao Ghar Jao', 'Business India changla hota re', 'Sun's Shadow', 'He pan nai an te pan nay asa nako whayla', 'Janti ho, Johnty Rhodes', 'Without' and the like ... and they will all spring to life without the slightest provocation, narrating the whole sequence all over again as if it happened here and now!
I now mention in brief what each one of them means to me:
KT aka Kailash Thakkar
We both landed in Virar, quite unexpectedly, in the prime of our adolescent years; he came from a plush locality in Ghatkopar while I was plucked out of a happening Vile Parle suburb. For a good two years, we were constantly at the receiving end of volcanic responses whenever we happened to mention our new place of residence to people from South and Central Mumbai, as also prime suburbs like Parle and Andheri - "Whaaaaaaat! Viraaaaaaaaaaaaaaar" was the pet exclamation, as if it were some place from outer space.
Absorbing all shocks of the sudden relocation, we carefully built a cocoon of possibilities, brick by brick, for us to make the most of our 'Agyatvaas' - endlessly cycling around deserted regions of haunting names like Phoolpada, courtesy the ancient bicycles of 'Garib Nawaz' Cycle Wala, complete with non-existent bells and torn seats; visiting roadside libraries scouting for Amar Chitra Katha; eating wada pav at Godforsaken eateries selling "cutles", not cutlet; playing TT with 'hand' racquets on a makeshift table (cement platform); and spending hours on the terrace watching the stars ruling us from up above. Later, both of us built a team of kids several years younger to us, and we finally found a 'home' in Virar.
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Manish Patil
Life without Manya was unthinkable at one point in time - such was the chemistry and physics of our relationship. His endearing nature, exceptional wit, and self-springing enthusiasm saw him become part of our core group in no time. At times, we made fun of him but he never took it to heart, and not many know his sensitive side, which he often hides beneath the facade of pranks and playful quips.
A great lateral thinker, Manya has this peculiar habit of downsizing his talent and settling for low hanging fruits, else I am more than sure he would have become an automobile engineer of great repute. Not that he has not tasted success as a draughtsman, but the latent possibilities were immense. More importantly, he is happy doing what he is, and I am happy for him.
Amol Wavikar
I was heavily into dramatics during the early part of my career, only as a passion pursuit, working with theatre groups and film acting schools in and around Mumbai and Pune. I have conducted several auditions and rehearsals from close quarters but I haven't seen a better actor than Amol, a pro at impressions and mono acting. A self-made, street smart electrician, he looms large in a bagful of fond memories that I hold dear. Had the connect between us not suffered a short circuit, I would have surely tried to rope him in some play or the other, while I was in the thick of things. But that was not to be!
Aditya Karnad
This body builder stud was a perfect stranger to us for many years until one day when the long-held captive dam water was released at one go, and he became an integral part of our frequent escapades and get togethers, more so our legendary 'pick pick' card playing sessions. Even now, I sense a strong pull in his voice and text for the times gone by, in the occasional conversations we have, which is heartening to note.
Dhawal Save
A brilliant mechanical engineer, Dhawal is the obedient, undemanding, good natured guy, the kind who can seamlessly fit into any group. He became part of our core team at the fag end of my Virar sojourn, but that did not come in the way of the deep bond that held us together for as long as it did.
Sagar Churi
I have always noticed a special spark in Sagar, which has, needless to say, kept him in good stead. More importantly, he is equally adept academically as also in social conversations. Given his amazing intellect, he is sure to move from strength to strength on the way forward. I wish him loads of love and luck, as also enduring success in all endeavours.
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With Rohit, I had a special chord given our intrinsic interest in music and theatre. Gifted with a good voice and remarkable stage competence, he has all the ingredients of making it big in films, theatre or music. I lost touch with him long back but I continue to cherish every memory including the time I spent at his place with his parents.
Kunal Raut
Last but not the least, Kunal is the metaphorical glue that keeps folks of all makes and motives together and lends deeper meaning to the fun sessions. A thinking individual, prompt and proactive in taking the initiative to organise get togethers, his maturity belies his age. He has a way with words, ripe with rich possibilities in thought and action. I am sure his gushing passion will soon strike a judicious blend with some galvanising purpose, which will take his prose and verse to towering heights they well and truly deserve.
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आणि सरते शेवटी - काही गोष्टी अस्सल बावनकशी मराठीतून व्यक्त करण्याची गरज भासतेय:
माझ्या साठी विरार मधील माझे वास्तव्य 'पर्व' म्हणावे असेच आहे. आपण सर्वांनी त्याला आगळा वेगळा अर्थ प्राप्त करून दिला यात तिळमात्र शंका नाही. म्हणून मागे वळून पाहताना सारं काही काल परवा घडल्यासारखं वाटतंय. आणि कुठेतरी याच आठवणीं मध्ये मला माझ्या आई वडिलांचे दर्शन होते, आणि गत काळाच्या स्मृतिचित्रांना उजाळा मिळतो.
आमचे एकेमद्वितीय पु ल. म्हणतात तेच खरं - “जुन्यात आपण रंगतो... स्मृतीची पाने उलटायला बोटांना डोळ्यातलं पाणी लागते. मग त्या स्मृती सुखाच्या असोत वा दु:खाच्या!”