Here it is...the last day of 2009!

The start of a new year always excites me - a fresh start, a new beginning. Looking back, 2009 has been a year in which I had the privilege of time and the opportunity to do the things I wanted to do - for myself, as well as a family. Journeyed twice to India to spend time with family there, got to spend more time with my little one, learned to travel as a threesome family - exciting trips to Paris and Alaska, did few things I had been wanting to do - started writing a blog and started learning Bharatanatyam after pondering over the thought for many days, initiated a new tradition of getting away with my cousin for couple of days - just us ladies.

As we venture on another trip around the Sun, I wish everyone a very happy ride!

Book - 'The Ramayana' by R.K.Narayan

My earliest memory of this epic story is the television series that was playing in Doordarshan during my school days. I vaguely remember the episodes and the story somehow did not stick with me. I had grown to think of 'Ramayana' as a religious book, one that never appealed to me.

During my recent trip to India, I read 'The Ramayana' by R.K. Narayan. It is a small, crisp version of the epic as written by Kambar. For the first time I enjoyed the story and was awed and inspired by the whole plot.

The language that Narayan uses is very simple but it captures the imposing grandiose of the saga. I am astounded that Valmiki wrote his version almost 2400 years ago, which is believed to be the earliest version. The idealized image of Rama described by Valmiki was later presented as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu by the later versions. 'Ramayana' is made up to be a very sacred and religious story, but it appeals to me as a great fantasy adventure, romantic thriller that encompasses melodrama and the civics of monarchy.