Rosy Rendezvous By The Chilika #StoryTellersBlogHop

Kali Jai Prasad. 

No, not three different names.

It's my name. 

Bapa and Maa had lovingly named me as the offering or gift of Goddess Kalijai.

Kalijai island is located in the Chilika Lake in Odisha. It has a temple dedicated to Goddess Kalijai. 

Not wanting to name me as "Kalijai Prasad", they gave a space between Kali & Jai! 

Isn't it amazing what a little bit of space can do!

However, if you find my name too long or old-fashioned, you can just call me by my nickname- "Jai".

We stay near Lake Chilika. 

Bapa often says that they had nothing before I came into their life.

I brought them luck. His seafood business started flourishing. 

Veeru- Veerendra Prasad- was born five years later. 

Veerendra means 'brave and noble man.'

Lockdown Doll

She had made several rounds of the departmental stores during the lockdown.

Her frequent visits did not ensure availability of what she wanted.

The products were always out of stock.

Along with other pandemic essentials, everyone seemed to be obsessed with toilet-paper rolls & tissue-paper!

PHOTO PROMPT - Trish Nankivell

Some people wanted to buy cart-loads of these!

She decided to highlight this issue.

Accident At Cuttack - Justice For Victim

It is terrible to learn that my friend's father, Shri Sribatsa Acharya, has met with an accident at Cuttack.

Having suffered a head injury and fracture, his condition is serious.

He is admitted to Omm Suvam Hospital, Ranihat, Cuttack, and is undergoing treatment there.

Yesterday when I called up to enquire how Shri Acharya was recovering, my friend said that his head had been stitched up and leg had been plastered. 

There has been a substantial memory-loss with Shri Acharya presently being unable to identify people.

It is sad to see him suffering so badly while the person responsible for his plight is moving scot-free... 

Bajasal Dance Of Kalahandi At Republic Day Parade 2021

Republic Day parade showcases India's heritage, diversity and military might. This is a glorious chance to learn more about our incredible India. Lakhs of Indians tune in to watch this event live.

Earning a chance to perform in this august event is a matter of great pride and emotional moment for the artists and the states. 

This year 2021, Odisha was the only state from Eastern India to showcase one of its tribal folk dance. 

In 2020, Odisha had won the second prize for its Tableaux.

However, unlike last year, this year Odisha did not have a Tableaux. 

The selection of Odisha's 'Bajasal' dance performance by Kalahandi folk artists made everyone happy. 

Bajasal is a graceful folk dance of Kalahandi, Odisha, that is usually performed during weddings. 

'Baja' refers to the instrument- a drum played in the dance and 'Sal' means the place where those instruments are played. 

Before the marriage function, many ceremonies are held as per their traditional rites and rituals. Young boys and girls sing songs alternatively, dance to music and tease each other as part of the performance. 

Did you know that this folk dance is also called 'Bihasal'?

The Smart Assistant

A business tycoon was found dead in his office-room.

The CCTV had been tampered.

“Do you notice anything unusual here?” the police asked his personal assistant when she arrived at the crime scene.

One look at his room and she pointed at the packaged water-bottle.

Photo- Marie Gail Stratford

Faction Distraction Reflection

I was struggling with my To-Do List.

I heard an inner-voice- "Your New Year resolution was to write at least one story a week!" 

"I'm dealing with the factions", I replied. 

Image Courtesy: Pexels.com

"Real or imaginary?"

“You know that, dear conscience!”

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39 words fiction for- Weekend Writing Prompt # 193- FACTION

Do you have a conversation with with yourself? What was your last self-talk about?

The Sands Of Time

As the sands of time pass,

The other side of the hour-glass

Becomes weightier than it was last 

Having more volume than in the past! 

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The seconds, minutes, hours & days,

Continue to be added whether we work/laze! 

Humanity In Full Flow

When there is humanity in full flow,

You'll feel safe & secure & you'll glow! 

Walking Nirbhaya* down the street, you know- 

Those you meet won't violate or stoop low. 

No unruly elements will bother you anywhere.

Untoward cases with girls won't occur or scare.

Experiencing freedom & peace won't be rare.

Humanity will triumph with love & care.

No Strings Attached

It looked like a case of theft. 

The thief seemed to be an expert. 

And a connoisseur too- else why would she/he steal that particular product only?

There were no clues.

The young detective Rima shook her head.  

 

She had to investigate all the angles of the case. 

The ribbon on the floor surely had a story. 

Photo Prompt - CEAyr

Rima knew it belonged to Nila, their neighbour.

Heart, Reflection And More

"The world is selfish, take care my delicate one!

There are sudden thunderstorms & sometimes no sun! 

People enter & exit from our lives without fail.

Things don't stay fresh; enjoy them before they're stale."

I always thought of them first & let them have their way.

They milked my meekness; I overheard them say-

"She is so meek! She has a lot to learn & unearth!"

I told my brain- "The meek shall inherit the earth".