Sundown and Hyderabadi Nights - and the Liebster Award

On the evening of my visit from Golconda Fort, I decided to watch a movie at the Ramakrishna Theatre. The cinema was massive, with sophisticated old-world drapes opening and closing the silver screen between screenings. It was really a time to let my guard down, kick off my shoes and chill.

After the movie, which didn't carry subtitles, and attended by a very enthusiastic crowd who voiced their volatile emotions rather openly, I took a walk around the area where my hotel was. There were bright and colorful neon lights adorning sari, jewellery and textile shops, it felt like I was in a minor Bollywood set. At an adjacent corner, a pre-nuptial Bharat ceremony was ongoing, with a crowd presenting the groom on a stage. It was fascinating; the pomp and pageantry of the ritual, but the bride looked morose. It felt like her off-day. She probably perked up sometime later, but I didn't stay on to find out.

There were bag peddlers, motorbikes, and autorickshaws plying the streets. I saw some fruit vendors selling apples, oranges and pineapples. This didn't seem like a mall-crazy community. Hyderabad wasn't as busy as Delhi or Mumbai, that's for sure. I preferred it that way. 

I eventually decided to purchase take-out food and had my meal inside my room at the Atithi Residency Hotel. Not long after, I was in lala-land dreaming of sultans, elephants carrying howrahs, and a hundred dancing ladies in red and yellow saris. I don’t remember much of the narrative; just the technicolor images whirling like a blur. Who can say they've had a Technicolor Bollywood dream?

This is the Eye in the Sky!   

Nuptial ceremonies

Late night meal in bed.

LIEBSTER AWARD

Eye in the Sky has been handed a Liebster Award. I am honored for this award. Thanks, NRIGirl. Liebster means “dearest” in German. Along with this is a set of interesting questions I had to answer. And pass on the award to the other blogs.

Q: How have you been?

A: It’s been a busy couple of weeks. I feel like having my downtime soon, but everything’s coming into place.

Q: What is one word that describes you?

A: Please allow me three. Adventurous. Diligent. Compulsive.

Q: Are you in love with life?

Absolutely. And I am in love with the world.

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Since I was a child, it had always been blue.

Q: Are you famous?

A: I wouldn’t want to be famous. I am not too fond of the attention. I’d rather give the spotlight to others.

Q: Do you dream?

A: Literally? I always dream. Last night, it was action-packed. LOL

Q: Tell me a joke.

     JQ: Why was the Egyptian boy confused?

     JA: His daddy was really a mummy.

Q: What are you up to these days?

A: Work, work, and work. But I am starting to prepare for a long haul trip in three months’ time.

Q: What is one book you would suggest I read?

A: I can’t suggest a book to others because people seem to have different taste where reading materials are concerned, but I am starting a book called “Thirst for Love” by Yukio Mishima.

Q: If we were to run into each other, would you smile and wave?

A: Like a long lost friend, I’d smile and shake hands and do some small talk. It’d be a pleasure.

Q: Any questions for me?

A: I have three. What’s one thing you are proudest about your country of origin? What’s one thing you would change if you have the power to do so? If you were to turn your life into a Bollywood movie, which Bollywood star would you choose to play yourself?

Liebster Award is passed on to:

Freedom: http://yearsoffreedom.blogspot.com/

The Wanderer - http://www.sid-thewanderer.com/

Daleka Droga - http://daleka-droga.blogspot.com/

I’d include Mom with a Dot  http://momwithadot.blogspot.com/ here, but she’s already part of a prior list.

I truly love reading these blogs so I’d gladly pass on the same questions to them. These are awards-worthy reading sites, IMHO. :)