Tuesday 14 August 2012

Marine Drive

Lately, there has been a lot happening at my end. In the course of a week's time, my life has changed gears drastically. Whenever I find myself in the midst of a lot of turmoil, I rush off to Marine Drive to seek refuge. Last night was no different except for the fact that there were hardly any people in sight...

I walked down the road and sat down at my usual spot. As I sat there, I observed the waves lashing against the rocks. The sea is always in a state of disarray, all the time creating bubbles and ripples...I stared at the sea and found that it was talking to me. It pronounced something, over and over, in a hoarse whisper; and no matter how hard I tried, I could not make out what it was that the sea was trying to say.

I have always been in love with the sea. I love the smell of the salt-water. I love the fact that the sea has the potent power to make me thing things I like to think about...I love the fact that the sea makes me believe that I can achieve all the things that I want to achieve...The sea is my friend - whenever I feel restless and disturbed, I find the sea to be as disturbed and as restless as I am.

After some time, it started to drizzle. I allowed the little droplets of rain-water to fall on me - I made no attempt to wipe them off. I looked at the sea again. This time, the sea reminded me of a wild beast roaring and raging in its den. It reminded me of my everlasting efforts to be free and how some of the struggles had been in vain. There were times when no matter how hard I tried, I always ended up being just where everything began. This time, I hoped, things would be different...

I tried thinking of the times when the sea is peaceful. On some sunny afternoons, one finds the sun rays brightly reflected in the water while the waves create gentle ripples. At Marine Drive, the land is always well in sight even if you sit with your back turned to the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced city behind you. I never realize the immensity and awfulness of the sea when I am there - the vastness of the sea never appears to be a threat to me. The buildings, the lights, the people sitting and walking around - all of them are different, integral parts of a glorious, joyous, glittering scene.   

Marine Drive is one of the places where I always feel alone even if I go there with a good friend of mine. It is, however, one place where I never feel lonely. Whenever I am feeling agitated or distressed, I am most likely to be found sitting at Marine Drive - sometimes with a book in my hand and headphones plugged to my ear...Marine Drive gives me a sense of belonging...It is my cure for all the ill happenings in my life...It is the one place where I always am at peace... 

21 comments:

  1. Hahaha pretty much distilled my thoughts there. Yeah i think a water-body - a sea or a river even, really does have a profound effect on you. That is one reason why i just cannot last long in a place that has neither. I guess one can spend hours just watching the waves lash against the tetrapods, watching tiny crabs scampering all around. I just love the contrast at Marine Drive - on the one hand you have the sometimes calm, sometimes roaring sea and on the other hand you have the din of the traffic. Ofcourse Marine Drive is best experienced either early morning or late in the night.
    If it starts raining while you are sitting there, then its just a superb add-on!
    Lovely words to describe one of my favourite Mumbai spots:)

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    1. Thank You :) Marine Drive is the reason why I love Bombay...It is THE perfect getaway for me when the city and its pace gets too much to bear - at the same time, because it is right in front of the busy road, the reality of the city life is never forgotten. It is always behind you serving as a constant reminder. When you finally decide to leave, the city does not suddenly surprise you - the busyness was always present; you just left it behind for some time :)

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  2. Super. You wrote it is the one place I never feel lonely. While I was reading that, I suddenly remembered a quote from Anne Lindberg, aviation pioneer. She said: The loneliness you get by the sea is personal and alive. It does not subdue you and make you feel abject. It’s stimulating loneliness.

    Hope your last week’s turmoil has come a happy ending.

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    1. :) :) Well, I have set off on a new journey now :) :) Left some comforts behind - there is a lot lying ahead...let's see how it goes :) :)

      Thanks for the quote - I had not come across it but it is indeed something I can very much relate to :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. The chaos of the sea makes you find the calm in yourself. It is something like detaching yourself from your chaotic mind and seeing things objectively, right? I personally like the mountains to the sea. I find the serene hills like soothing balm..:-)
    Hope the turbulent mind finds the peace soon :-)

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    1. Correct!
      I have never really been a fan of the mountains - the cold mountain air sets off my asthma...And yes, I am at peace now - just a little scared of what lies ahead :)

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  4. Oh yeah! I love them too- Seas..

    Never been to Mumbai so didn't have a chance to visit Marine drive.
    But I have visited lot of beaches. Just love them. The sea water, the horizon, the waves.. every thing.. I love the atmosphere near any sea shore.. Nice work!

    :)

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    1. Thanks :) I love the sea too! Most of the beaches I have gone too in India are really dirty - Marine Drive is not really a beach - but it is a good place to just sit and watch the sea :) :)

      Sea-shores are fun, I agree :) :)

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  5. I loovve Mumbai because of the sea. I always tell people it breathes and says a lot many things. Most of them laughed but after reading your post I feel I was not wrong... it does really breathe and talk :)

    Spending some quiet moments with your own self is a beautiful exercise of self introspection and we all need to do that to listen to what our heart says...<3

    Loved this post it inspires me to go and listen to my heart now !

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    1. Aww :) That is such a sweet thing to say :) :) I am happy that my little post could inspire you to such a great extent :) :) Don't just listen to your heart though - follow what it says and let me know how that went :)

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  6. Have not been to Mumbai much except for a day en route to Gujarat...But Chennai has its beach and Boy! I love it! Nice post Divya :)

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    1. Thanks Jaish :) I have been to Chennai quite a long time ago...I remember Marina Beach (I think that's the name!)...It was a lot cleaner back then :)

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  7. Nice post. As it is always said nature has solutions to all the problems. It gives u inner peace. I suggest u to remove the head phones too. I love mumbai. I was there for 2 years. All the best for your future.

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    1. Yeah, the headphones aren't always plugged in :) :) Nature does have a soothing effect on me :) :) Best wishes to you too!

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  8. nice post!!
    Silence your thoughts by making a long “shhhhhhhhh” sound as you exhale, replicating the sound of gentle ocean waves. Imagine the waves gently washing onto the beach and retreating back into the ocean, carrying your worries out to sea.
    That all sounds so great!!but i have never been on a sea for all alone for so much time!!Shall surely try it next whenever get a chance.....
    Keep posting!!

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    1. It's ok to be all alone and absorbed in thought when you grow a little older ;) Right now have fun whenever you get a chance to be at the beach :D

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  9. Good post Divya .. I could totally relate to it ..
    Even I get lost in thought looking at the sea :)
    But to me, the waves that are in a perpetual state of entropy bring about an absolute calmness in my mind ..
    I have always noticed that an impenetrable calm descends inside me whenever there is chaos outside .. Wonder why ..



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    1. Now that is indeed food for thought...I guess when you see the world outside in a whirlwind, you feel that the inner turmoil has been suddenly transported to the world outside and you are relieved...Plausible?

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    2. Hmm maybe .. Its probably even a way to ensure I dont get affected by the chaos outside ..
      That was an interesting reply .. Thanks :)

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  10. Would you believe I spent 5 years watching the sea play games at Marine Drive in Mumbai in morning and evening so can well relate to what you wrote Divya:)

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  11. 5 Years? Wow! Glad that we both have something to relate to :) :)

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