Its November and its raining

As is obvious, I love rains. This morning when I woke up and heard the rain, I put on some music and realized with a start that it was already November and I have to tell you a story. 

For want of a hobby

Many moons ago, when I was in primary school, it was a big deal to have a cool hobby/interest. Most of my classmates were singing or dancing, the classical kind. They used to religiously go to these classes or have teachers visit them home. The boys were generally let off the hook and a select few learnt to play a musical instrument. I wistfully yearned to be able to learn classical dance or play the violin. I did learn classical music for a while, until my teacher told my grand-mom I wasn't showing interest. As for dancing, I started with a lot of enthusiasm at a summer camp but it all came to an abrupt end when we couldn't find a teacher once camp got over. So to all those people who asked me what my hobby was, I had the same answer - reading! I can't remember a time I didn't read. We had 3 library memberships, bought magazines regularly, exchanged books and I ended up devouring the age-appropriate novels with dedication. When I look back, I do remember I liked drawing too but then, most kids at that age like drawing/painting and generally being creative. Do you know anyone at all who bought greeting cards back then? I bet you are reminiscing about the times when we painstakingly made the most ingenious and creative cards to gift our friends for birthdays, exams, etc.

Many years after, when I was doing my engineering, my friends and I took part in a Personality contest. It was a fun thing and we had to write answers to a bunch of silly questions.From those, five would be selected to go onstage and answer many more silly questions. You are reading the blog of a sooper personality wonly, so let me tell you what happened when I went onstage. After some preliminary rounds, there was a final talent round. So while one guy sang, the 2 other ladies danced I think and another guy did some mimicking, I stood transfixed blinking and feeling every bit like a loser. I mumbled something about  an ancient Chinese story and trivia and literally jumped off the stage. It sure sounds funny and makes for a good story in my blog but when you are in your first year of college, the last thing you want to do is humiliate yourself in front of your classmates and seniors. I admire people who can perform for an audience but its just not my thing. 

Years later, only after I started working, I started formal painting classes. Seeing how much I was still into drawing and painting, my mom suggested I learn Tanjore painting when she saw a notice at the gate of a house in our neighbourhood. It began there and didn't stop. I experimented with so many styles and did not want to stop ever. It is now such a huge chunky part of who I am. My hobby (or what started as one to relieve work-related monotony, stress) has consumed me completely. I definitely am proud that I was able to teach Tanjore painting to many ladies in both Hyderabad and Bangalore, have kids come in for classes now, managed to sell a painting to a very nice fellow-blogger and his wife and even did a few paintings to order and portrait commissions.This is definitely not a post to declare my accomplishments, for they are much more than these but my hobby has helped me find a balance. For many people I know, what was once a hobby has transformed into a fulfilling profession. I can relate for I am sure it doesn't feel like 'work' even for a single moment. I still cannot sing or dance in a talent round and even today, when someone I meet for the first time asks me what I do in my free time, I invariably say 'I read a lot'. For you see, its a lot easier to discuss books and everyone usually reads something - even if its only news or Wikipedia!

My paintings have even eaten into my blog. I hardly post anything other than my art. Well, I intend to do something about that. Starting today, its gonna be raining posts here. I am not sure about everyday , but I shall post 2-3 times a week this month. I think this poor blog deserves some more attention! ;)