KSS Get-together!
Published by Mysorean on Monday, April 24, 2006 at 5:34:00 am.
1997-2001 was the period when this hostel was our hang-out. Mornings would dawn at 10AM because the mess would close for breakfast by then! Then if college forced something important enough into our time-table then we would vaguely stroll in there and be back by lunch time so that our afternoon siesta didn't get affected.
Then started the actual day with a long two to three hour session of cricket. Technical, non-technical, sankethi, non-sankethi, etc what not! We had our own political boundaries! And lived religiously played fanatically by them! Then after the cricket and the sledging and a wash, the TT table would be the next place to attack!
After the sports-time would be a walk down to Anusha Bakery in pursuit of our indigenously designed snacks. Bun-Samosa by Sammu was a stunning recipe I tell you! Though largely inspired by Vada-pav, this item had its own fan following! Recommended combination: Bun-Samosa with Limejuice.
Generally, there would be some evening outing on the agenda. If nothing, then definitely a walk till Ballal circle for the sumptuous chat items on the roadside! Well, we didn't have as many bikes as there might be now! The walk in the serene roads of Jayanagar and Krishnamurthypuram is worth a million dollars. I am sure all of you in Bangalore will give me an unconditional vote on this topic! Trees on both sides of the road, topics varying from philosophy to pornography and sports to spirituality and technical to take-anything, we grew from graduates to professionals ready to take on the corporate world.
Dinner at the mess. We always had a sad word for the "Bhatru". But still had nowhere to go! After dinner started the movie shows. Each computer worth its salt would run a movie and depending on your ability to stay up throughout the night, you could watch as many as you wanted. But the movie shows wouldn't begin before the customary visit to "Corner" for the night-coffee! Anyways before you knew you would be asleep in some room or the other watching some movie or the other. So, the first thing that you do in the morning at the hostel is: Get-up and go to your room!
On April 23rd 2006, Sunday, at Ramee Guestline Hotel, Bangalore, those days were relived. 2001, 2003, 2004 & 2005 were the batches represented. 2001 batch won the High Enthusiasm Award by turning up in large numbers. As anyone would expect, the day went of in sports, food and sports!
Shastri, KP and I accorded Narendra’s red-colour well-formatted mail more seriousness than it deserved. We added the usual KSS Hostel FoS of 1hr to every timeline mentioned and arrived in front of the resort at 11AM. Here are a few excerpts of the conversation we had with the organizers.
At 10.00AM (We were at Koramangala)
Adi: Hello
Nari: Hello
Adi: Ello idya?
Nari: Lo Sheshadripuram serakke innondu 5 mins agatte. Vishnu manege hogta iddivi.
At 11.00AM (Outside the resort)
Adi: Hello
Vishnu’s phone (His sister/mother I guess): Hello
Adi: Vishnu iddana?
V: Snana madta iddane (!!)
Adi: Idu resort bagge confirmation bekittu
V: Neevu Narendra na? Vishnu helidda Narendra phone madtane antha. Adakke phone ettakke helidda.
[Please note: It’s 1 hr since my conversation with Nari, and he hasn’t reached Vishnu’s house which was apparently 5 mins away. Yarappa Manager ivaga?!]
Adi: Illa nanna hesaru Aditya antha. Vishnu snana aadmele phone madakke heli.
V: Sari helthini.
Adi: Thanks.
V: Ok. Bye.
Adi: Bye.
Finally Lodde and his little cousin Amit arrived. Amit studying in his 9th standard resembled Lodde a bit. So, we thought Lodde has got his najayaaz aulaad along!
Energized by the fact that somebody finally came, we went into the tennis court and started with the first sport for the day: Tennis. KP developed special styles of serves where in you hit the ball out of the resort by imitating Roger Federer. Federer would have been amazed by the shots Lodde was playing. Lodde was hitting the ball into the stands directly. You know like the ones they play after winning the match?! I was the only one serving properly!
As we progressed into the game, we were joined by Siddartha (2005), Sireesha (2005), Ananda (2005), Ashwatha (2001), Ravishankar (2004), Vishnudatta (2001) & Narendra (2003). Tennis was getting very western for us. One ball, two rackets was not enough for all of us.
While people strolled onto the life-size chess board, Ashwatha used his intelligence and got stumps, bat and ball for a game of KSS’s favourite sport: Cricket.
We settled into two teams of 6 each and started a 10-over 2-innings test match. Lodde and I captaining the two sides. Lodde won the toss and elected to bat. His decision was supported by some good display by his team. At the end of the 8th over they were 39-4.
Ragundandan and Ramaprasad (2001) came in at this time. So, as is the hostel’s custom – none should miss a game – Raghu joined the batting team and Rama joined us strengthening the bowling. Finally Lodde’s team ended the innings at 42 of the allotted 10 overs. (Special mention must be made of Raghu here. As he came into bat, he asked for an explanation of the rules. A detailed speech was given to him by both: his side players and the opposition side. This held up play for approximately 5 mins in the hot sun at 12.30PM. The very next ball Raghu launched it into an area which was designated as “OUT” area. But he managed to stand his ground and said “Trials kanrappa”!)
My team fell like ninepins with me scoring a royal duck. We managed to get to double figures because of a couple of welcome boundaries by Siddartha. We folded up at 17. Lodde’s team had the option of enforcing a follow-on. But they didn’t. After a hectic session of fielding they went back to bat. We restricted them to a paltry 21 runs with some ferocious bowling by KP and team.
Set a target of 46 runs, it was a foregone conclusion that unless we produced a miracle we were never in contention for the title. Our openers – Ashwatha and Rama set a superb platform by scoring 12-1 off 2 overs. A mini collapse meant that we reached 19-3 (3 overs) with Siddartha and I batting. We held fort with some sensible batting. And steadied the boat to an extent.
We came to a stage where we needed 10 runs off 4 overs. It was 2 runs required off 2 overs. Vishnudatta came on to bowl. He bowled a slow full toss which Siddartha did a “Well-left” only to find the ball land on his leg stump from around his legs! We had only one wicket in hand, 2 runs to go and ten balls to go. KP was not in the best of forms. Psychologically he had attained the “Navella uncle galu aagbittiddivamma state”. So he was like the Mohd. Kaif of our side. Retained so that he can hit form at the right time!
KP takes strike. Vishnu with the ball. Instantly the memories of our cricket tournament at the hostel came running back to me. Anyways, concentration was the key to winning this title. So, back to Resort grounds. Vishnu bowls one down the leg side to reduce the burden on KP’s woeful form! The next ball KP plays it down the leg side and that was it we had won! Yay!
It was 1.45PM and all of us were damn hungry. So, immediately made a dash to the Dining room. During the course of the lunch it was announced that Vishnu was getting married in November and Mine was in June! Raghunandan announced referral bonus to anyone who referred an Iyengari girl to him. (Overheard: Bonus is subject to the girl staying with him for more than 6 months!)
We also saw famous playback singers Srinivas, Sujatha and Karthik. They were having dinner with us in the same resort. But we were more interested in the starters, rumali rotis and the chat items! After quite an elaborate lunch, we were all ready for the next course. That was Swimming pool for some, Badminton for some and TT for the rest.
After a really exhausting day but nevertheless exciting and exhilarating, Shastri, KP and I had to leave as I had a bus to catch the same day back to Hyderabad. So, at 4.00PM reluctantly as ever we pulled our exhausted limbs to the parking lot but not before exchanging our contact numbers.
Throughout the drive back home, it was the same feeling as having played an evening of cricket at KSS Hostel Jayanagar and going to Anand Bakery. I sincerely hope that such meets are conducted often. Kudos to Narendra for having thought of this. Heartfelt thanks to Vishnu for getting the right resort at the right price. Really wonderful time I had and am sure everyone vouches for it! And thanks to all those 15 people who made it! Next time, let’s make it bigger and better! Jai Hind!
Photos taken by Narendra and Shastri (On Narendra's Nikon D70) have been uploaded on flickr. You can click on the "badge" hosted on the right side of this blog below "My Profile" to take you through a visual tour of the event described in words above! Thanks Nari!
Then started the actual day with a long two to three hour session of cricket. Technical, non-technical, sankethi, non-sankethi, etc what not! We had our own political boundaries! And lived religiously played fanatically by them! Then after the cricket and the sledging and a wash, the TT table would be the next place to attack!
After the sports-time would be a walk down to Anusha Bakery in pursuit of our indigenously designed snacks. Bun-Samosa by Sammu was a stunning recipe I tell you! Though largely inspired by Vada-pav, this item had its own fan following! Recommended combination: Bun-Samosa with Limejuice.
Generally, there would be some evening outing on the agenda. If nothing, then definitely a walk till Ballal circle for the sumptuous chat items on the roadside! Well, we didn't have as many bikes as there might be now! The walk in the serene roads of Jayanagar and Krishnamurthypuram is worth a million dollars. I am sure all of you in Bangalore will give me an unconditional vote on this topic! Trees on both sides of the road, topics varying from philosophy to pornography and sports to spirituality and technical to take-anything, we grew from graduates to professionals ready to take on the corporate world.
Dinner at the mess. We always had a sad word for the "Bhatru". But still had nowhere to go! After dinner started the movie shows. Each computer worth its salt would run a movie and depending on your ability to stay up throughout the night, you could watch as many as you wanted. But the movie shows wouldn't begin before the customary visit to "Corner" for the night-coffee! Anyways before you knew you would be asleep in some room or the other watching some movie or the other. So, the first thing that you do in the morning at the hostel is: Get-up and go to your room!
On April 23rd 2006, Sunday, at Ramee Guestline Hotel, Bangalore, those days were relived. 2001, 2003, 2004 & 2005 were the batches represented. 2001 batch won the High Enthusiasm Award by turning up in large numbers. As anyone would expect, the day went of in sports, food and sports!
Shastri, KP and I accorded Narendra’s red-colour well-formatted mail more seriousness than it deserved. We added the usual KSS Hostel FoS of 1hr to every timeline mentioned and arrived in front of the resort at 11AM. Here are a few excerpts of the conversation we had with the organizers.
At 10.00AM (We were at Koramangala)
Adi: Hello
Nari: Hello
Adi: Ello idya?
Nari: Lo Sheshadripuram serakke innondu 5 mins agatte. Vishnu manege hogta iddivi.
At 11.00AM (Outside the resort)
Adi: Hello
Vishnu’s phone (His sister/mother I guess): Hello
Adi: Vishnu iddana?
V: Snana madta iddane (!!)
Adi: Idu resort bagge confirmation bekittu
V: Neevu Narendra na? Vishnu helidda Narendra phone madtane antha. Adakke phone ettakke helidda.
[Please note: It’s 1 hr since my conversation with Nari, and he hasn’t reached Vishnu’s house which was apparently 5 mins away. Yarappa Manager ivaga?!]
Adi: Illa nanna hesaru Aditya antha. Vishnu snana aadmele phone madakke heli.
V: Sari helthini.
Adi: Thanks.
V: Ok. Bye.
Adi: Bye.
Finally Lodde and his little cousin Amit arrived. Amit studying in his 9th standard resembled Lodde a bit. So, we thought Lodde has got his najayaaz aulaad along!
Energized by the fact that somebody finally came, we went into the tennis court and started with the first sport for the day: Tennis. KP developed special styles of serves where in you hit the ball out of the resort by imitating Roger Federer. Federer would have been amazed by the shots Lodde was playing. Lodde was hitting the ball into the stands directly. You know like the ones they play after winning the match?! I was the only one serving properly!
As we progressed into the game, we were joined by Siddartha (2005), Sireesha (2005), Ananda (2005), Ashwatha (2001), Ravishankar (2004), Vishnudatta (2001) & Narendra (2003). Tennis was getting very western for us. One ball, two rackets was not enough for all of us.
While people strolled onto the life-size chess board, Ashwatha used his intelligence and got stumps, bat and ball for a game of KSS’s favourite sport: Cricket.
We settled into two teams of 6 each and started a 10-over 2-innings test match. Lodde and I captaining the two sides. Lodde won the toss and elected to bat. His decision was supported by some good display by his team. At the end of the 8th over they were 39-4.
Ragundandan and Ramaprasad (2001) came in at this time. So, as is the hostel’s custom – none should miss a game – Raghu joined the batting team and Rama joined us strengthening the bowling. Finally Lodde’s team ended the innings at 42 of the allotted 10 overs. (Special mention must be made of Raghu here. As he came into bat, he asked for an explanation of the rules. A detailed speech was given to him by both: his side players and the opposition side. This held up play for approximately 5 mins in the hot sun at 12.30PM. The very next ball Raghu launched it into an area which was designated as “OUT” area. But he managed to stand his ground and said “Trials kanrappa”!)
My team fell like ninepins with me scoring a royal duck. We managed to get to double figures because of a couple of welcome boundaries by Siddartha. We folded up at 17. Lodde’s team had the option of enforcing a follow-on. But they didn’t. After a hectic session of fielding they went back to bat. We restricted them to a paltry 21 runs with some ferocious bowling by KP and team.
Set a target of 46 runs, it was a foregone conclusion that unless we produced a miracle we were never in contention for the title. Our openers – Ashwatha and Rama set a superb platform by scoring 12-1 off 2 overs. A mini collapse meant that we reached 19-3 (3 overs) with Siddartha and I batting. We held fort with some sensible batting. And steadied the boat to an extent.
We came to a stage where we needed 10 runs off 4 overs. It was 2 runs required off 2 overs. Vishnudatta came on to bowl. He bowled a slow full toss which Siddartha did a “Well-left” only to find the ball land on his leg stump from around his legs! We had only one wicket in hand, 2 runs to go and ten balls to go. KP was not in the best of forms. Psychologically he had attained the “Navella uncle galu aagbittiddivamma state”. So he was like the Mohd. Kaif of our side. Retained so that he can hit form at the right time!
KP takes strike. Vishnu with the ball. Instantly the memories of our cricket tournament at the hostel came running back to me. Anyways, concentration was the key to winning this title. So, back to Resort grounds. Vishnu bowls one down the leg side to reduce the burden on KP’s woeful form! The next ball KP plays it down the leg side and that was it we had won! Yay!
It was 1.45PM and all of us were damn hungry. So, immediately made a dash to the Dining room. During the course of the lunch it was announced that Vishnu was getting married in November and Mine was in June! Raghunandan announced referral bonus to anyone who referred an Iyengari girl to him. (Overheard: Bonus is subject to the girl staying with him for more than 6 months!)
We also saw famous playback singers Srinivas, Sujatha and Karthik. They were having dinner with us in the same resort. But we were more interested in the starters, rumali rotis and the chat items! After quite an elaborate lunch, we were all ready for the next course. That was Swimming pool for some, Badminton for some and TT for the rest.
After a really exhausting day but nevertheless exciting and exhilarating, Shastri, KP and I had to leave as I had a bus to catch the same day back to Hyderabad. So, at 4.00PM reluctantly as ever we pulled our exhausted limbs to the parking lot but not before exchanging our contact numbers.
Throughout the drive back home, it was the same feeling as having played an evening of cricket at KSS Hostel Jayanagar and going to Anand Bakery. I sincerely hope that such meets are conducted often. Kudos to Narendra for having thought of this. Heartfelt thanks to Vishnu for getting the right resort at the right price. Really wonderful time I had and am sure everyone vouches for it! And thanks to all those 15 people who made it! Next time, let’s make it bigger and better! Jai Hind!
Photos taken by Narendra and Shastri (On Narendra's Nikon D70) have been uploaded on flickr. You can click on the "badge" hosted on the right side of this blog below "My Profile" to take you through a visual tour of the event described in words above! Thanks Nari!
