A very very dear aunt, you are
For me, deeply do you care
Always providing sound advice
You've made me quite wise!

A very very dear aunt, you are
Seldom, do you bore
Indulgent and strict at the same time
You manage to stay calm
In a variety of situations
Tremendous, is your patience!!

A very very dear aunt, you are
A few losses, you've had to suffer
However, forever have you been strong
Stopping at nothing
To get any sort of work done
With you around, can nobody feel alone!!

A very very dear aunt, you are
Almost like a second mother
Your home too, my second home
My quirks, you give not a ****
Because, you see the good in everyone
For me, a lot you've done
I'll always be grateful
You've helped me keep my cool
Whenever I've been under stress
Extremely useful, are your gifts!!

A very very dear aunt, you are
And will be forever
Soon, may we meet
Take care and stay upbeat!!

(a tribute to richard walters)

under the soft stage light
richard walters performed
a song called awards night
he’d written about elliott smith.
my heart ached quietly
for the ghost his voice carried.

sofar fairy –
as i call her in my head –
said i looked like
i was in the clouds,
living in the memory
of someone else.

his energy followed me
into the next morning at work.
half-stunned, half-joking,
they’d insinuate
my joy must have come
from someone’s warm embrace.

how could i explain to them,
that music and words
can whisper through your ribs,
settle in your chest,
and lift you higher
than any touch permits?

richard’s voice just lingered
like the aftertaste of honey,
like rain caught in leaves.
i carried him home in my pulse,
where elliott still lives,
softly whispering between
the notes of his guitar strings.

You are the best
Acing every single test
Your music, enchanting
Gets us dancing
So versatile, you are
Composing in many a genre
Incomparable, you are
To experiment, you dare
So much, you've achieved
So much, we've learned
Truly the Prince of Indian music
Proud I'm, to be a Harris maniac!

You are the best
Your uniqueness, hard to beat
Almost every melody, a lullaby
You make us feel happy
Whenever we're down in the dumps
Your BGMs give us goosebumps
Your soup songs, pure gold
Your music never gets old!!

You are the best
Those who call you a "copycat"
Are just jealous
Of your incredible success
Your music is here to stay
Come what may
In fact, your best is yet to come
You'll make us all beam
So, keep rocking and keep composing
May you live very very long!!

(a tribute to C.S. Pacat)

on a bed
of white flowers,
etched on my wrist,
i wear it as a vow,
above the place
my pulse
tenderly blooms,
forgetting to lie.

her soft handwriting
is a reminder of a journey
i had once taken
between the lines,
forgiveness forming,
from lashes to petals,
on bruised pages.

i carry her with me,
their story, her essence,
kingdoms folding into skin,
her words marking
not only a change,
but a becoming —
the slow-burn
of identity
i can finally place.

You are my coolest brother
Entertaining to the core
Often, you evoke laughs
An expert in picking unique movies
Hard to imagine having fun
When you are gone
Your presence lights up our day
Very rarely, are you unhappy!

You are my coolest brother
A quirky sense of humour
In Ravenclaw, you belong
Something's always happening
Whenever you're around
You're one of a kind!!

You are my coolest brother
Unlimited fun, have we had together
Especially in recent times
Starting from the pandemic years
The Senji Kottai Fort trek
The tour of Pulicat Lake
Dining at Flower Drum
You and your family are simply awesome!!

You are my coolest brother
Underneath your gung-** exterior
Lies a kind and caring interior
You make everybody feel better
Especially when there's a loss
Your soul, may God bless!!

You are my coolest brother
Be the way you are
Don't change for anyone
Hopefully, see you soon!!

A gem of a sister, you are
Technically though, my aunt you are
But that matters not
Kind to a fault
Sweet as gulab jamun
At times, a strict person
Possessing nerves of steel
Thoroughly trustworthy and dependable
A model wife and mother
On the whole, an extremely lovable character!

A gem of a sister, you are
Anybody and everybody, you care for
Immensely valuable, your counsel
Above all, very cool
Irrespective of the situation
Always thinking "I can!"
A bedrock for the entire family
And finally, rarely unhappy!!

A gem of a sister, you are
So lively, your children are
Of course, mischievous at times
Nevertheless, they bring happiness
Even in times of despair
Hence, bright will be your future!!

A gem of a sister, you are
Dear to me, forever
Well, hope we catch up soon
Do keep that adorable smile on!!

So happy am I, that you came
We had a fantabulous time
Talking for hour after hour
Catching up with each other
Relishing piping hot Vada Pavs
Followed by Tiramisu jars
And last but not the least
The best Hot Chocolate!

So happy am I, that you came
Really made me beam
All sorts of topics, did we discuss
Cricket, tennis, work, politics
Music, food, travel, trains
All in all, had a blast
Half a day free of stress
And full of entertainment!!

So happy am I, that you came
After a long, long time
Well, hope we meet again fast
So I can give the promised treat
Until then, take care, dear brothers
Wish you oodles of love, success, happiness and peace!!

Dear Roshni, many happy returns of the day
Hope you had a fabulous day
So happy to have you as a cousin
On the whole, a beautiful person!

Dear Roshni, many happy returns of the day
By nature, very lively
And blessed with oodles of talent
Your dancing is a sheer delight!!

Dear Roshni, many happy returns of the day
Your smile helps keep anxiety at bay
Playing games with you, loads of fun
Thanks to your sharp brain
You have a lot of potential
Come on, conquer them all!!

Dear Roshni, many happy returns of the day
May everything go your way
May you have a wonderful year ahead
To you, may the Lord always be kind
Hope to see you soon
Be the way you are, you amazing human!!

Dad,

Thank you—for my childhood,

For the safety I never saw, yet always felt.

Thank you for being my teacher through example,

For guiding me not just with words,

But with the quiet strength of your actions.


Thank you for the advice—

Even when I met it with resistance,

Blind to the wisdom time would later reveal.

Thank you for the pain you carried in silence,

For the exhaustion, the tears,

Hidden behind smiles and strength.


Thank you…

For that towel stained with blood from a nose you tried to hide—

A small, unforgettable symbol of all the battles you fought

Without ever letting us feel the weight.

Thank you for being our shield,

Even when your soul was weary.


Now,

Everything is different.

I stumble, I fall, and you’re not here to steady me.

But your voice echoes in my heart,

Your lessons live in my choices,

And your spirit lights my darkest hours.


Now, I face the world alone.

And though I try—each and every day—

This ache, this longing for you,

Is fiercer than any challenge life throws my way.


Sometimes I ask myself…

For how long will this hurt last?

And yet, I hold on—

To your memory,

To your strength,

To the promise I whisper quietly to myself:


Until we meet again.