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Thursday 3 October 2013

The lonely crowd


Have you ever observed the moving crowd in the city? People are moving about continuously without a glance in each other's direction. For all you know, you might be passing around the same set of people everyday without knowing anyone. The feel of the day, the sunshine, the mixed scent of the crowd, the streets, everything is so familiar yet so unfamiliar.



Actually, if you have time to observe, you might find that there is a certain rhythm to all these activities. The hustle – bustle is almost as fascinating as the standstill nature. It's like a mini world in itself. The movement of automobiles and people is like a silent documentary with no co-related voices just sound effects. Everyone is in their own world, which is certainly not the part of the crowd. Most of the people are on their cell phones following up on work related stuff. Those lucky ones, who consider walking spare time are busy listening to music. The luckier ones gossip with friends or family who can spare time too.


The crowd reminds me of an old hindi ghazal, 'milta jise bhi dekhiye wo apne aap main gum hai, juban mili hai magar humjuban nahi milta'. It means, people are so engrossed in themselves that though we all have got a voice, it's difficult to find someone to share your thoughts.


What do you think of the crowd? Do you have any memories associated with it. I would love to hear about it.

23 comments:

  1. The title of the post is very apt. To me too, crowd of the city is a very unique entity. Every one carries and preserves a small personal world around himself, yet looses himself in the vastness of the crowd. The massive flow of people; the small and brief interaction between people - known yet unknown...

    In a very true sense... probably crowd is the life of the city...

    Very vividly written post! :)

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  2. Thanks a lot. It's so difficult to imagine the city without its crowd. :) Keep visiting

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  3. Well put, Kiran. If seen from a higher vantage point, the distinctness of the identities seem to fade and everyone merge to move as one. Life's and its ways are indeed a wonderful mystery.

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  4. Yup, it depends on the view point like most other things.
    Thanks. Keep visiting.

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  5. The crowd that lingers everyday shares a smile and a signal without knowing the names. This is much more peaceful then having share the outer voice.

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    Replies
    1. You are right. Communication doesn't always have to be oral. Thanks. Keep visiting.

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  6. Nice observations, Kiran!
    Am not particularly fond of crowds that are unruly! Love peaceful crowds! :)

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    1. Thanks, Anita. :) Unruly crowds are a menace but thankfully most crowds in the city are peaceful.

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  7. My worst memory of the crowd is my engagement, I felt so claustrophobic when everyone wanted to give their blessings to me all at once. But yes all other cases bring back good memories, some funny too :)

    Richa

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    Replies
    1. :) In engagements and weddings people are overenthusiastic to give blessings. Thanks for sharing your memory.

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  8. Pretty Nice Post Kiran.. :)
    The Crowd like made up of people like us,so emerged in their own self,everyone defining a unique aspect of the Crowd...
    The Crowd makes this world lively,Don't they?

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    1. Thanks Harsha. The crowd indeed makes this world lively.

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  9. I hardly do this... always busy in my own world. Next time I will pause to watch.

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  10. Nice post kiran :) :) I always wonder from where so many people come??? and every one having his own different story..... I really wonder about it many times especially after seeing local trains and platforms in evening.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Deepa. Yup, so many stories untold. It fires my imagination. :)

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  11. Good observation. But I do prefer to get far from the madding crowds whenever I can :-)

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    1. Thanks. It's difficult to get away from people in Mumbai, they are everywhere. :)

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  12. Your writing reminds me of Sarojni nagar market, Munirka, Priya, Janpath, Connaught Place in New Delhi. Also, the huge gathering of sec. 14 market in Gurgaon on Saturdays and Sundays. And many more places in India.

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  13. They have an order of themselves! an order in chaos. the order of life :)

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