The window
10 September 2004
When I was a child I’d stand at the window that the adults looked out of with so much ease. Sometimes an indulgent adult would pick me up to look out and then with an “ooof” put me back since I was ‘too old’ to be carried. Up on tiptoes, my chin would barely reach the window base and I’d wonder if I would ever be able to look out onto the world with ease and not even think about it.
At 14 my eyeline crossed the top of mom’s head, at 16 I could look into the eyes of every guy I knew and look down to most of them. I don’t look out of the window much anymore…there doesn’t seem to be anything worth looking at. Its like the world in a photo frame and that’s so…mundane.
I prefer standing on the balcony at night and looking at the blackness above the buildings towering above me and imagining stars that I can’t see through the pollution. But I guess I’m just looking up to a bigger window that I can’t reach just yet.
Poonam on 
Sid on 
Urban Indian on 
My Domain on 
anand jeyahar on 
Achala on 
ns on 
bedazzled on 
sai prasad on 
1Vi
wrote on 22 October 2007 at 20:15
1) When I see myself looking out of windows, towering buildings would be the last thing I hope to see. Wide open fields, please.
2) “But I guess I’m just looking up to a bigger window that I can’t reach just yet.” Very aptly put.
3) Feel like giving me a bit of those inches? At barely 5′3, I’m forever looking up at people.
2Rambler
wrote on 22 October 2007 at 20:21
“At 14 my eyeline crossed the top of mom’s head, at 16 I could look into the eyes of every guy I knew and look down to most of them. I”
how about now?, more importantly how do you want it to be?
3Apoorva
wrote on 23 October 2007 at 7:11
Can I have the complete feeds back?
4Sumant
wrote on 23 October 2007 at 11:49
I love windows. They’re like a snapshot-view of the world, rather than the panorama of a balcony. Panoramic views give you a spread, but the window is where you find the details that make life truly interesting – the peeping-dog sticker on a hatchback car, the garish colours on the beggar’s shirt, how the rich woman’s top has a pattern that must have come from her poodle’s behind…
5ideasmith
wrote on 23 October 2007 at 12:18
@ Vi: I can only imagine what those look like. But my favorite painting is ‘The Blue Cart’ by Van Gogh. Have you seen it? And…the extra inches come in very handy so no…!
@ Rambler: I guess I’m looking for a taller person too just as I’m looking for a bigger window.
@ Apoorva: Nooo…then I have no way of knowing how many people are reading my blog!
@ Sumanth: That’s an interesting thought. Smaller frames give you an eye for detail. I imagine you love Mughal miniatures?
6Salvador Dali
wrote on 23 October 2007 at 18:10
I was thinking of making indecent joke about where boys would be looking when 16 but then thought it better to complement you on choice of painting
7infinity
wrote on 23 October 2007 at 20:11
hmmm…interesting…but i’d like to say that no window or balcony will show you anything that is not already inside you…that’s where each of us needs to look more than anywhere else…
8infinity
wrote on 23 October 2007 at 20:11
@salvador dali: hehehe…
9greekalphabet
wrote on 23 October 2007 at 20:45
Smithy smithy ..you always pull these strings in the heart
10Chrissy
wrote on 23 October 2007 at 21:54
Nice
11Sumant
wrote on 24 October 2007 at 9:55
I do, indeed. There are some great artists in Udaipur who do miniatures in the Rajasthani style. I found a couple who use old manuscript paper for their paintings. It’s an incredible effect, the yellow paper, greying old ink, bright blues and yellows and maharajas on elephants and horses…
12ideasmith
wrote on 24 October 2007 at 13:42
@ Salvador Dali: Tsk, tsk…you boys!
@ infinity: That’s profound. And a good comment-thought to this post. Thenk yew!
@ greekalphabet: As do you, my dear….
@ Chrissy: Thank you!
@ Sumanth: I am not familiar with Rajasthani minatures but I imagine it must have been a wonderful experience to actually watch the artist at work?
13Sumant
wrote on 25 October 2007 at 9:20
They’re quick, much faster than you’d imagine. And they’ll do demonstrations on demand, then put a hefty price tag on the little doodle before you can blink!
But such beautiful pictures!
14ideasmith
wrote on 25 October 2007 at 10:40
@ Sumanth: Well-deserved I’d think, considering a lot of local artisans don’t get compensated enough for their talent, while the middle-men make all the moolah in their air-conditioned gift shops!
15Sumant
wrote on 27 October 2007 at 12:39
True, but I tell you, it gives the term ‘art appreciation’ a whole new meaning!
16ideasmith
wrote on 27 October 2007 at 18:36
@ Sumanth:
17Anil
wrote on 28 October 2007 at 13:31
Unless of course you decide to become the window people can look out of!
18ideasmith
wrote on 28 October 2007 at 18:55
@ Anil: A smoke-screen I’d be, then.