I have paused for a siesta on the promenade, Faakir,
Hush up the gathering commotion, that I live still..
~Sudarshan Faakir
I guess it is a pale shadow of the original. I have always had this problem with translations. But sometimes, no other words convey the mood, or if they are there, I fail to grab them in the right sequence.
As some of you know, I’ve been bobbing in and out of a rabbit hole, a parallel universe of late. This other world is none other than my own muse I’ve been striving to sculpt with syllables and syntax. My lot varies from day to day, and night to night. At times I grope in an endless mine; at times I squint in scintillating light. There are moments it gets dark, very dark, in the world out here. And then the sun rises with the promise of a workday to be slogged away at a grumpy desk at my office that keeps me fed. All I’ve been trying though in this big, tangled world, is to be a wisp of ripple in the river of dew. Or a blade of grass, stirring in a lisp of breeze.
It has been quite around this corner of the web for the past two months, like a puny wharf, a mute witness to ships passing by to dreamy destinations. Like hopeful passengers, many provocations, many joys and many pains have lingered on to board boats of expressions. But, as to a fasting naga, I have refused to lend them a crumb or a morsel, leave alone a vessel.
If you are reading this, I am grateful to you for that confidence in my pen, which alone has earned me a sliver of Platinum from Indian Top Blogs. Do read about it here, with the knowledge that it is but a reflection of love of my readers. Many thanks to you all!
One Grain Amongst the Storm 
Congrats Umashankar for one more validation of your writing prowess. I would love to see you crowned by Indiblogger and BlogAdda as well as the prince among Indian bloggers.
Thank you, TF, for that heartwarming blessing. I am just a pebble at the foothills of mountains.
This is my pleasure to come to this blog, so well written. I will spend time to read all over.
Your pleasure is my honour, Coolingstar9. Make yourself home.
Congrats US ! Always knew your capability, this is just reaffirming the same ! Keep writing !
Thanks for the endorsement, Moonstone. Write I will!
It is always great to see Diamond on Platinum and in deserving hand..for me .. as your fan,its a day to rejoice. Congratulations US ji !!! You are an inspiration as always 🙂
Those are kind words, My Say. I am a fan of your sketches too!
Congratulations! This time quite a few deserving ones made the list. I must say they have done a good job 🙂
Thank you for the acknowledgement, Richa.
If anyone deserves that.. it’s You
Congratulations Sir !!
Thank you for you belief in me, Jyoti. But I am just a rock by the wayside.
Congratulations, Uma! You deserve this! 🙂
I stand reassured, Corinne. Many thanks!
Hearty congratulations to you, my friend!! Well done!
Many thanks to you, Kris!
Wish you more laurels and much more love.
Congratulations !!!
Thank you, so much, Anupam! It’s great to see you here.
Congratulations 🙂 and your writing prowess needs no introduction. Hope you achieve much more.
Thank you, Jas. And I am yet another drop in the ocean.
Congratulations… and you deserve it!
Bless you, Ranjana!
I guess we are more thankful to you .. for writing those write ups and allowing us to read your creative stories and scribbles … Many congratulations you deserve every bit !!
Aziz, I wouldn’t have written all that but for your love. Thanks for those kind words!
Congratulations! Hope work on your book is going well!
Something is happening, Chaitanya -you may call it a book! Thanks.
Uma, a prize well deserved. A fine incentive to spur you on as you spin your tales of gold..
As always the golden compliment, NP! Thank you for your love.
Congratulations
Thanks.
Congratulations!!! You have deserved every bit of it!
A million thnaks, Ilakshee!
Congratulations! Very well deserved recognition.
Thanks, for the compliment, Remo!
Congratulations, USP!!! You totally deserve it.
Two months? I’ve also been MIA for 2 months. So I didn’t miss much, eh? 🙂
Nah! You didn’t miss my inaction at all. Thanks, Divya! 🙂
Congratulations Umashankar ji —-I am a novice and too immature to comment on your writings but have always enjoyed reading your works and admired your style —congratulations once again
regards
rajni
‘We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.’ -Ernest Hemingway
Thank you, Rajni.
Congratulation! Truly deserved.
Thank you, dear Young Bigmouth!
Well deserved ! Congratulations!
Thanks, doc! You are the one who broke the news to me; am grateful for that.
You are awesome, amazing and … and … your power of writting is worth recognition. I don’t have enough words to praise your writing. You are like a strong stone near a river which is getting shaped and developing brightness with each and every wave of the rushing waters of the life. Keep it up buddy. This is not the first jewel in your pocket……. there are many more to come.
That is an evocative metaphor, Samir. Love of friends like you reaffirms my belief in me. May God bless you!
Awards validate some and some validate the awards when they are chosen recipients and you are of the latter. Congrats! And I am sure that the muse that drags you through dark tunnels and scintillating light will end up showing the readers the mother lode of gems.
Trust me, Suresh, that is the mother of all compliments! I feel overwhelmed and short of syllables to thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear friend!
For most of us our Blog is a passion we nurture despite our crazy schedules and commitment. And appreciation like this gives impetus to write better!
Congratulations, US! Enjoy your place under the sun.
How true! These little songs that we sing in wilderness are rendered worthwhile by the occasional applaud. Thank you, for the sunshine, Purba!
congrats Umashankar ji —you’ve done it again—-INDIAN BLOGGER AWARDS —–congrats once again
Many thanks, Rajni -it’s the trust of my friends and readers that has earned me those laurels.
Congratulations Umashanker. Such joy to see a deserving winner.
I am grateful for your affection, Shiju.
Congrats US ! Great to see your name on the Indian Blogger Awards ! Richly deserved !!
Many thanks, Ash.
A massive congratulations Umashankar. What an achievement to get on that list, you must feel so proud and you deserve it plus much more. You’ve worked very hard on this blog and now is pay-day. Well done mate 🙂
Many, many thanks, RPD! Those fruits are sweet but the hard work may have just begun. 🙂
Umashankar, your Platinum Ranking is well deserved! Congratulations to you, my friend!
I love the way you use words. “…to be a wisp of breeze on a river of grass. Or a blade of grass, stirring in a lisp of breeze.” Love the image that conveys. Keep writing! 🙂
Many thanks to you, Madilyn, for bolstering my confidence again and again. 🙂
Congratulations. It’s well deserved and probably beyond Platinum too. I do wonder where my mud award is?
Subroto, Internet is surely the place where what you get is mostly mud. But we all know the gem when we see it. You are more of a gem when we see it. Many thanks for that.