The Age Of Innocence

After reading Ramesh’s post here, I too was taken back to the sweet old days when innocence was a given. Looking at the information overdose these days, I just want to leave this age and go back to the age of innocence, charm and grace. Most people are horrified at the thought of life without cellphones, the cable, internet. But these are the very things that caused all the hurry burry in the world isn’t it? And people were pretty happy back in those days too. This sweet video should bring  back some good memories and how little it took us to bring joy to our hearts.

Got you, didn’t I? The innocent voices, the wise didi, the simple lessons and a heartwarming video. Who will not love it?

One of our beloved past times was the Chitrahar in the evenings and Chitrageet on the weekend mornings. Remember how a lady would announce all the details of a song in a pleasant tone – what is going to play next, who is the Music Director, who wrote the songs and other snippets? No matter how much fun they are, but I feel all the VJs and DJs are trying too hard to make us like them. ( I make a few exceptions for people like Lola Kutty, who has her charm and wits around her! )

I miss the style of the older editions of Reader’s Digest. I have a couple of those oldies which my mom guards with her life! My mom also had these magazines called the Four Seasons. I love it so much and I have gone through them over and over. They too give a little information about the writer of the article. And it was in Black and White, so very charming to me. Tinkle, Chandamama are also old favourites. Each of them have changed their look, but I hold the older editions close to my heart. And as LEM pointed out, the charm of sepia photos taken in those days, gives a warm feeling.

The experience of traveling by train has also changed over the years. I remember how I used to tell my amma to make coffee like they make in the train and she would get a really horrified look on her face! (Thank God I outgrew that phase!)  I remember the long train journeys we made to Baroda, Udaipur, Jaisalmer etc where each way it would be atleast 2 days. And it was fun, all the kids would make friends with each other and play together. And the adults did what they did best – ruining our fun! 😉

As for friends, we knew every single child in our neighbourhood because we were either playmates or schoolmates, Some of our closest friends are the parents of kids whom my dad offered to take to school along with us. Friends for life – that was a given then. People were really nice and sincere. Friendship doesn’t mean the same anymore. There are strings attached. We no longer forgive and forget.

Schooling was sane back in my days. Yes, homework, exams were there. Students helped each other out. I think our classes were like how my 1std social studies textbook describe the responsibilities of a mother, father, sister, brother, friends, students and so on. I have studied in the same school all my life. So I know most of my classmates all my life. Isn’t that a lovely feeling. Its like whole of Cochin was one big family.

Parents were parents. You don’t behave, you are grounded. Among the two of us, P is the one who got the most number of punishments from our parents (teachers too :-D) My parents were parents then  but now they are my dearest friends.

I loved taking this trip down memory lane. And before you all pass me off for a old lady, I am in my late twenties. I love the serenity of my early years and would love to experience them again even at the cost of cell phones, cable, ATM … eh, the internet a little grudingly because that would mean no blogs 😉 I proudly display my love of the ’80’s here.

Whoever said old is gold, knew what he/she was talking about. Do write in with your thoughts. 🙂 I am waiting …