Run up to the reunion – part one
Ajith, Bindu, Hari, Jayaram, Krishnakumar, Meena…no, this isn’t the roll call from the attendance register that I am so used to these days nor are they prospective Indian baby names but yes they are evergreen names of a family of nomenclature, that belong to the exclusive and elite club of the class of 1985 and can never become obsolete or archaic!
The hot pursuit to track down the elusive bunch began when Mark Zuckerberg gave to the world fB and while still in its nascent stage, a few of us became the guinea pigs for the social networking site to gain popularity and rake in the moolah. The witch hunt became an obsession and in the process, priceless buddies (along with graduation pictures and group photos) were unearthed, though their transformation matched the years that had gone by, the masquerades were given away by the demeanour, which is timeless and classic. Well, time can take away our youth, hair on the head, or it can be chivalrous by adding more wrinkles or deposit more fat instead of money in the bank account but it cannot snatch the exuberance and monkey business that are the hallmarks of this “Gilded Clique”, ( for more on the adventures of this camarilla read the poem at http://www.sunitasriram.in/2014/07/joy-rubber-trees-testimony-to-etched.html ) it is just appropriate that I express gratitude to the benefactor for this remarkable appellation that best describes us! Thank you Meena for this sobriquet and the chat room idea!
Barring a few bumping into on some sidekicks, mini reunions and reconnections, nothing spectacular happened on the fB front with many avoiding it like plague and couple of the social butterflies getting disillusioned by the like and dislike syndrome and beating a hasty retreat!
However, the inquest continues with technology making the man hunt easy and not ending up in wild goose chases or barking up the wrong trees! Leaving no stone unturned, all platforms and avenues are being explored, searched and many of the classmates smoked out of their hide outs after all we were the treasure hunters of yester years!
The excitement in the Whatsapp air is palpable along with the flattering fifth grade class photo , with the demonstration of bonhomie, love, affection, humming and buzzing of messages pulling each other’s legs to the point of myriad emojis popping up, typical of a chat room! It has been thirty long years since we all parted ways from the class room, in search of higher education, job, career, love, partnership, marriage children, the normal, and the bizarre stuff of life…and the prospect of a reunion post three decades is one of ecstasy, (the sheer joy of nostalgia and a trip down memory lane, free of cost) tossed up with curiosity, (how have all the bucktoothed, ponytailed metamorphosed or ‘transfigured’) trepidation (apprehension and paranoia at conversing face to face with companions and comrades who have eroded away with time, and I realize that chatting on the virtual space with friendly banters is much more easier) and Panic (would I be able to place the face?or will I fumble at the choice of words?)
As we spend the next few months contemplating on the logistics, the makeup, the attire and the hairdo, the distinct sound of glassware clinking, the warmth of the bear hugs and handshakes, unmistakable sound of laughter and banter, is reverberating in my space!
That was emotional. Cheers Suni!
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Thanks Nanu…you made my day..:)
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waiting to meet all in person!
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Reunion with schoolmates is always great. We made these friends when we never had anything else in our mind except friendship.
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A naive mind with camaraderie as the core theme
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Wow Sunita…Even me, a Facebook-phobic, realised just now that this is the one thing I should give it some credit for….That said, it’s so special that you’ve all managed to catch up virtually and I’m eager to hear about all the stories when you do meet up:)
As always, beautifully expressed!:)
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Thanks DD…there will be sequels to this I am sure to create the hype and hoopla of a great event such as this especially when one is nearing 50!
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I adore your writing style Sunita. Truly beautiful! I am sure it will be a meeting to remember. The walk down the memory lane will be nostalgic!!
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I am over whelmed by your appreciation and yes, the mega event is waited with bated breath!
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Looks like you are having great fun hunting down old friends and planning the big event. Enjoy! I am a bit of an introvert, though not averse to discussing passionately online 🙂 But reunions etc are not really my cup of tea!
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Not yet Beloo…still a long way to go, trying to bring it together…yes, many of us are the withdrawn lot and I did get the sobriquet “buffy” for the very same reason but have evolved and changed over years but I feel that the conversation on chat rooms may not bring out the real us…
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nostalgic….. emotional moment….
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Thanks Sudhir…just the beginning..a long way to go..
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Would like to read more…… Waiting….
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Embark on the evwnt management trip with the gilded cluque Sudhir..
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I know the pleasure a reunion gives. Recently I met 4 of my college mates going back to 58 years !
Suni – well begun is half done. Wish you all success in your endeavour and will be looking forward to the sequel
Appa
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That would have been a spectacular reconnect with all of you as senior citizens!! We have just touched the tip of the iceberg..and need all the good wishes to make it happen!
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Meeting school friends is always exhilarating!
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Yes sir..that too after three decades when most of us are nearing 50!!!
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True Sunita! Facebook has made it so easy to reconnect with classmates, who are now based in different places. May your grand reunion be as exciting as the virtual one. I also have a college reunion lined up in Dec…
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Thanks Somali for the greetings well in advance..it is a good one year ahead for the covenience of the citizens of rhe west and Europe and middle east where many are presently domiciled..
Wow..Dec is just round the corner..enjoy the gala event ..it is since how many years?
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Yes that much time is needed to allow people to plan their schedule. Mine is half an year ahead of 25 years of passing out of college. 🙂
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Spectacular…relish and savour every moment!
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Oh yes! Thank you. 🙂
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Really good writing, Sunita.
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Thanks Selva..it us time to catch up with you all..
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best wishes..liked the ‘chivalry of wrinkles’
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Thanks Hari..”transfigured” that is why!!!
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hahaha
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sweet memories.. let it drive you to catch up with all of them..
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Oh yes Akila..thanks for the wishes ..
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Wishing you all the best for the real class mates union soon.wonderful go ahead Suni.with love your ammai
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Thanks Amma, glad that you read the post and appreciated it
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I guess Facebook, Whatsapp and the like have made reconnecting with old friends easier than ever. From what you say, it seems like a reunion is still a bit of an aspiration at this stage rather than a firm plan. I hope it is possible for you all to coordinate your schedules and whatever so that you can all meet again. I’m sure that although possibly a little scary at first, you’ll all have a great time once you get started. 🙂
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We are indeed trying to trace the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle and will subsequently try to put them in place…yes aspirations to be converted into realities, an uphill task for the guys who are veterans and over the hill:)
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We all met after 22 years a few years back and it was nostalgic meeting all old folks! Love this feeling and friendship!
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A walk down memory lane with a torrent of memories..glad that you managed the meet up!
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I’m so happy that you guys had your reunion. This made me miss my classmates as well. This is well written piece of yours and full of emotions.
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Not yet Lai..just the run up..the school version is happening the next year while the graduation reunion is taking place in Dec to celebrate 25 years of passing out!
It is a great feeling and you must meet your classmates Lai after quarter of a century:)
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[…] and similar is my post on reunions! For those who missed out on the first part you can read it here . A chance mail from one of the old batch mates ensured that the school one would have a spin […]
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[…] those who missed out on the run ups, you can still get the background here..https://adsunsri.wordpress.com/2016/09/17/run-up-to-the-reunion/ […]
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