Feeling a little nostalgic since morning. Kind of kept going back three years to Brisbane which was the toughest phase of my life. And also the most beautiful.
The most enigmatic thing about memories is not the dream-like mental images that flicker on and off, but a kind of fragrance that emanates from them. It's funny but when I think of Kriftel 1993- I can somehow smell Kartoffelchips with hot butter rice. I think of Frankfurt and I can smell waves of hot cheese on the best Margherita pizza I've ever tasted. Venice however brings back the stench of moss and pigeon droppings. Heh!
I think of Mumbai, and the smell of the cold early morning rains fill my mind. Chennai- tulsi water and jasmine. Australia brings back the fragrance of Nishi Di's lovely home where we spent so many hours in laughter and love. I think of Mummy, and I smell something very typically clean. I think of Bapi and invariably smell the air conditioning from the car. I think of Ashram and the scent of pure unadulterated fresh air fills my lungs.
None of it is here in this moment as I write this. But when I close my eyes and flip back to the past (all said and done, it is worth visiting sometimes, especially when the memories are warm and happy) it all comes alive. Not in images, but in fragrance.
Funny, isn't it? But most cherish-able.
Well said osh. I always think of mumbai and remember the smell of the wet earth after a fresh bout of rains. :D Miss it so much. Some day.. someday will get to see the rains in mumbai again! :D Nothing like it in the whole wide world. nothing!!
ReplyDeleteNicely put. I too link certain odours to specific events, places, things :)
ReplyDeleteVery well put. Yes just when monsoon is getting over & autiumn is at teh door, during Navratri, there is a certain scent in the air. Also the musty, smell of room with all doors & windows shut reminds me of Kriftel house, when I used to come down to the kitchen & then open all the windows letting the chill fresh air in. & the smell of the cowshed reminded me of the falooda & masala milk at Arey milk colony :D.
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