A Short Introduction

Text by Krishnendu KES

As I walked into the building I was aware of certain things. Certain changes that have slowly crept in. Changes that have not been perceptible. But now they are beginning to be flagrant. The unchaging green of the front door with 22 embossed on it has not changed though the freshness has faded over time, more so in the past decade in a rapid decline. The plaster outside was peeling off. The place was sadly beginning to look neglected. But this was bound to happen. There is not too many people left here to take care and ensure the unfailing rock stability that I had come to see, but not always believe, in this place. It was beginning to look decrepit, the first signs of decay were certainly on display, again on the outside.

As I reached and stood in the central courtyard on tiptoe, I looked up at the grills. Almost no one lives here anymore. But the number of grills and separations and partitions have increased everytime someone departed. There was still Manu and Moni living there. And of course, Mama, eternally 440 volts... My gaze came down to the right and saw the meek glimmer of a 25 watt bulb still trying in vain to light up that chamber of Mama. I did not want to look in to see if he was there. I just wanted to test something. I proceeded tiptoe to the stairs. And the familiar voice boomed out, "Ké rey! Who is there?" Some things never change. And probably never will. I was almost laughing as I turned round and walked into Mama's practising chamber.