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Like the discs of carrom, we friends too, are
gathered in a circle here, every day;
at the first strike we too are scattered far,
and some fall, while some remain to play.
Sometimes the game is close and passions swift,
and the player might miss a couple of men,
the queen plays hard to get, or drops a gift,
but the one who wins her loses her again.
It’s all shatter and change at every strike
in carrom as in life, it’s just the same
you’ve got to play it, like it or dislike,
you take the board you get in either game.
A few days back, I saw an image of four men playing carrom, not this image, a different one - one to which I have no rights and can't digitally sneak in here :) But being rubbish at digital sneaking does not stop me from drawing word-images in my head. Incidentally, the discs are technically called 'carrom men' - which is what sparked off the whole thing.
Carrom always reminds me of long afternoons and evenings with my mum, playing various board and card games. By the time this posts, I'll hopefully be on my way to her, but there won't be any carrom played when I get there. No games left in that house. But the parental home is always the parental home, carromful or carromless...right?
Because I'll be travelling off and on next few weeks, it might take me a bit of time to scramble back online, but I'll get here whenever I can.
Because I'll be travelling off and on next few weeks, it might take me a bit of time to scramble back online, but I'll get here whenever I can.
Meanwhile, stay well and keep your game on and lively! :)
I hope your games are pleasant and congenial - like your travels.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI've never played the game.
ReplyDeleteYour poem draws strong connections between the game and real life.
Safe travels!
It's more popular in Asia than elsewhere, probably because it was invented in India...thanks!
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteSafe and happy travels Nilanjana... I too take off for a few weeks as of tomorrow. See ya on da other side! YAM xx
Thank you and wish you the happiest times! See you after.
Deletesafe and happy travels. Life is like a board game a lot of the time.
ReplyDeleteSo agree with you, and an especially splendid board too!
DeleteHi Nila - we used to love playing games - various ... I've never heard of Carrom ... but sounds fun, especially as the whole family can play. Enjoy some lovely days with your mother, family and friends and we'll see you when we see you ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteBoards a major feature of my past life too. Carrom is very common in South Asia - invented in the 19th century I think...and it came to ME with trade and got popular there. Thanks for the wishes! See you soon.
DeleteI knew of "carom" or "carrom" as a noun or verb, but I'm not really familiar with the game called carrom. The fact that I knew the word at all actually helped me understand the poem (of course) and appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThe N Am version is a different sort of game, isn't it? carom is also a herb/seed. Glad you liked the poem.
DeleteHi Nila! A heartwarming poem of a slice of observed life. I've never heard of this game, no surprise, but 'carrom' sounds like a lot of fun. It has always amused me in my travels through Europe, Italy especially, where men are gathered at tables, smoking, and playing congenial games together. Funny, I never see similar groups of women. Are they home cooking or out shopping or caring for children? Ah, customs...
ReplyDeleteI wish you a warm family time in the parental home. Enjoy as much as you can without a game of carrom.
Denise
Probably cooking the evening meal for when the men return? Like they say, a woman's work is never done...
DeleteIn Bahrain, where I've spent the largest slice of of my time in the ME, you will find groups of women out at coffee shops doing their own thing...but I've never seen them playing games the way that men do - carrom, dominoes, backgammon...