Thursday 8 January 2009

Endana indeed.

I was youtubing (as usual) and I came across a song by The Fray called Vienna (didn’t care much for it). I scrolled down to the comments and read a particular one that made me think. “My future funeral song.” it said jovially. Morbid much? Well, I didn’t think so. And you probably don't think so either. Its common-place for us. (The only reason I have not chosen one for myself is that I have decision making problems when it comes to choosing one out of a trillion possibilities.)

My grandmother on the other hand, happened to read it over my shoulder and said (after a shocked exclamation) in Malayalam “But why would someone say something like that?” She was very concerned about the person’s well-being and also went so far as to delicately ask if they already knew that they were dying.(!)

Needless to say it took a while for me to get it through to her that the person was probably all right and that often people listen to songs and say such things to express the magnitude of the emotion they attach to it.( I did not mention I was one of them. Whatami crazy?) All my explanations were interspersed with the occasional “Endana?”(But, why?) that my grandmother said in wonderment to herself. She finally trundled off, unsatisfied by my explanations, while saying something that roughly translates as “This youth is so morbid”

We're morbid apparently. The youth of today.

Caution: All too long a postscript to follow.

PS

And after this entire sploosh (don’t ask and I won’t have to make something up) of a blog it just struck me: Am I still in the youth category at all? I mean, ever since I was fifteen I was shooed into this 'youth' and it’s a comforting yet uncomfortable place to be in.

At this point when people said things like 'the future is theirs' or 'change is up to them' I knew they meant us; my generation, as a collective. And obviously I gloated at our good fortune of being in the limelight for that millisecond. And I gloated; every time some kid in a vague corner of the world created a working model of the universe, or became the first 'youth' to take part in a world greenpeace seminar; or became a graduate summa cumme laude in business and management or even managed to become a star at 16 (for widely unknown reasons). I watched them all and gloated with a shared sense of victory. (“Any victory of theirs is surely a victory of mine?”)

And so obviously I've gotten comfortable with the category. There are throw rugs and comfy cushions of 'ambiguity' and 'confusion' and 'silly decisions' all over the place (don't forget the humongous mattress of 'lazyarse-ness' in the corner) and I'm not sure I want to leave. But then again I don't want to be the old maid who wandered in, refused to leave and started taking over the place with her vaguely formed ideas of responsibility and maturity. (and millions of cats to add to the confusion) And so....

it’s officially over for me. Prematurely, some might say but hey, when you feel it honey, you gotta deal with it. (Too forties film dialogue like? Eh, whatever. I’m all growed up. I’ll do whatever I wants to!)

5 comments:

Parnika said...

*Heeds caution*
One of the reasons I adore your Grandmom is her amazing need to know...to understand 'the youth'...It's so marvellous to see this questioning attitude even at her age! And It makes her grandauther think and write nice posts like this!
And yeah, I do have a funeral song! (Open your eyes-Snow Patrol)
Personally, I don’t think it’s attachment to the song/band as much as the need to feel comfortable bout this whole leaving-loved-ones-behind business.
*Goes Back to read PS*

Wickedcookie said...

*nods head in agreement at grnadmother praising* She is a gem.
No i still think its the need to express the attachment. The most strange and out of the world expression of love isn't enough nowadays. Cases in point- diving into piranha pool to prove love. Tattoos and piercings dedicated to people. Taking part in crazy embarrassing love challenge reality show things.

Anonymous said...

I have never met you're gran.. but I am taking full liberty and assuming she makes yummy hot mallu meen curry.. and i adore her for my that...

Wickedcookie said...

you're right she does! and surprise surprise i'm gonna have me some TONIGHT! its like the universe is against you naik! :D

Parnika said...

'Endana' is my new favourite mallu word after 'unnaganattum', of course ;)
@Naik, I had Fried Meen :D
Mmmwah! Ammamma!
*after reading PS*
Ah! Youth, my boot! I think it's pretty stupid to be defined by our age...
And I join lazyarse community...ah the slothiness of it all..
*snoozes on keyboard*