Mortifying Moments

Today Ram Shankar Shukla (right) committed a gaffe, taking everyone by surprise. “Shekhwat na pet se hai!” he remarked. True, Shekhawat has of late developed a prominent tummy, but for a normally quiet and reticent Shukla to suggest pregnancy was a tad out of character.
Shukla was of course, trying to be funny. Call it easy familiarity, cheekiness, or a foot-in-the-mouth affliction, he was only going by the flow of things in the Club where taking liberties with one another has become the norm. Even six months back, when the atmosphere was still formal, he would probably have been more on guard.
The free-spirited, casual ambiance these days is not only self-liberating and fun, but strengthens bonding between members -- though not without moments of mortification as it happened today. Bapu Rane (above left) is a veteran at this (especially in name calling) and invariably ends up biting his tongue. Nahid Khan is another. She may not bite her tongue, but she too had been caught on the wrong foot at calling an elderly gent “not sher, but sher ka bachcha”! And Monthi Serrao? The other day, for no apparent reason, she directed Srichand Arora to change into full-pants if he wanted to be photographed!
The best part is that no offence is taken on all this. These incidents become talking points for us and when reported in the blog, readers enjoy it all the more -- as in the case of Rizwan Khan (rizwankhan3212@gmail.com) who cannot get over the way some of us were made to do murga (see post of November 29, 2011). Extracts from an ongoing correspondence:
“I just read your blog post ‘Punishment’. Just tell me was that comedy story a fantasy or fiction or was it true? Did anyone become proper murga? Kindly reply.” (27/10/2012)
“Yes, it is true. Every post in the blog is based on real, day-to-day happenings. Why don't you come over and see for yourself?” (29/10/2012)
“I am from Pakistan. I have just started reading your blog and am enjoying it. Can you tell me has anyone become murga for fun?” (30/10/2012)
“Harish Wadhwa, for one. The others also do so, off and on.” (30/10/2012)
“How do they become murga? By just holding ears, or properly? Why don’t you post another murga story with a picture? It will be fun." (31/10/2012)
Clearly, what can be mortifying to us, brings abundant cheer to others!
Harish Wadhwa:
Somebody remembering a murga after so many days, months? I openly confess to have been a murga in my school days and once at the Garden -- to bring a smile on faces because I had come late. Becoming a murga is a tough exercise posture. Try it yourself and send us a picture. We will publish it.
Renu Babani:
The weather certainly has a positive effect on everyone. The mere appearance of so many members these mornings proves it.
Rizwan Khan:
Hi friends! Yes, it was I who mailed. Although I can't join you people physically, I do read this blog. Good going. The most exciting part for me was the murga punishment post. I really enjoyed reading that post. It was full of fun and mischief. Have a nice time, friends. And keep becoming murga. It is a form of yoga and exercise... LOL
Srichand Arora:
Dear Rizwan, we are really happy to read your comments on our blog and especially on MURGA. We are planning to make murgi and not murga some time soon so that we can at least watch the murgi laying an egg!