From the Archives
This reflection was originally published on 10 April 2010 as a Facebook Note and was last edited on 14 March 2021. It has been lightly refined and republished here for clarity and readability, while preserving the original thought, feeling, humour, and intent.
We used to attend workshops as part of our training at DMET. This happened during the second and third years of our training period.
Each cadet was assigned to a shore workshop. In Kolkata, some of us were assigned to places like CPT, GRSE, and others. I do not remember much about the other workshops, but since I was assigned to CPT, a few memories still remain.
This was probably sometime in the middle of 1989, when I was in the third year.
I cannot recollect all the facts clearly, but somehow one day it was me, Tutu, and Balda at my place. Of course, we used to land up there when Dad was at office. Otherwise, I would have had to do a bit of explaining.
Mom was cool about it. She was happy to have her son around — almost a “to hell with whatever he is doing” kind of affection. She knew most of the bunch from the first year itself, when friends like Sharat would come home on Sundays and crash on the swimming chairs lying around the house.
It was one of those days when there was a guitar at home, thanks to my sister. That is another story for another day.
Tutu knew how to pluck some notes, and so did Balda. In fact, Balda had my guitar with him for some time — the maroon one. He had made it look quite jazzy by pasting stickers all over it.
I remember he used to play the tune of Neele Neele Ambar Par very nicely.
My early inspiration towards the guitar was generated by these two friends.
One day, we were sitting at my house, and Tutu and Balda were struggling with the notes of Baby Elephant Walk.
What a wonderful tune it is. I cherish it to this day.
I am sure many of us have heard it several times, especially if we have ever visited a circus. It is the kind of tune that would be played by the circus band when the elephants walked in.
I watched them trying to play the notes, moving across the top three strings of the guitar.
Both of them taught me the notes.
Somewhere inside, I made a quiet vow to myself: one day, I would surprise them by playing the tune in the dark during load-shedding at the hostel.
So I practised.
I practised with closed eyes. I hurt my fingers. I struggled. But I persisted.
Finally, I managed to get the tune flowing through my fingers.
Even while refurbishing this note, I paused for a moment and played the tune again. Yes — the same practised flow still works.
It is amazing how some things we learn in our younger years get imprinted so deeply into our system.
When I had first started learning it, I was somehow very sure that I would be able to play the tune. I do not know why I had that confidence. Looking back now, I feel that perhaps the positive thought itself was the reason I could play what felt like a difficult tune at that stage — especially when I had only touched the guitar a few times in my life.
Positive thoughts reinforce an energy inside us. It may be invisible, but it can make us attempt things that otherwise seem impossible.
If you want to learn to play the guitar — or any other instrument — just buy one and explore.
I am having my share of fun.
I sincerely hope you do too.
With my first electric guitar, gifted by Sandhya, performing at a company annual dinner.
Cheers,
Patti
Srini, for some