I think it all started when I flew off my bike in a very action-movie-slow-motion-explosions-in-the-background-type setting. Well nobody was really around to see the flying... and the after-moment was like one of those extended "I banged my knee... ssssss aaaahhhh" scenes from Family Guy. Little did I know that that little adrenalin-injected moment would be the perfect kick-off to what would be a weekend filled with thrilling highs and anxious lows.
My first glimpse of what was to become MMM was a storage room filled with boxes. Boxes that seemed ordinary enough but were extraordinary in effect. The colors and pictures that had collected in those boxes, held memories that I suddenly longed to be in. If I could fill one of those boxes with these words, I will know that I mean something too. Those boxes gave us the river of color that the weekend sailed on, bobbing happily at the delight those colors brought to our eyes.
And then there were those oars, that sweated tirelessly to keep us all from drowning. Angels in 'MMM 10th Aniversary shirt' disguises, keeping a watch over everything and everyone. Some were rockstar angels too. Bald lawyering rockstar angels. Some were young and bored. But they all held their own, and together they held each other, arm in arm, like brothers and sisters. Their walkie-talkie crazed leader was like a knight in shining armor, leading his troops into a flower-flier war, all the while providing them with food coupons to keep their tummys' from grumbling. He had his generals, who were no less capable of being brave commanders, armed with comforting direction and good looks. I salute you all.
My Main Man always seemed to be around. He was 'Bob The Builder', disguised as long luscious Goldie Locks. And like all great men, he was making dreams a reality. He amplified a single voice to be heard by thousands, and he spot-lighted a single pair of feet to make waves under the feet of thousands more. He was the voice of words whispered. He had a team of men who spoke in code, making sure that they made everyone else around them seem idiotic at the least. And together, they gave the weekend its solid trusses.
The food was royal. The henna, the saris, the churis... the paintings, and the really cheap DVDs. They all ran under the watch of one Dada of Dadas. Like an architect, creating a civilization, he molded space and time into life. What a magician. Musicians in this kingdom,were provided so fitly, by the coolest man on set. A smile that never really faded, and a tranquility that matched his very sexy black Mercedes, this man always looked like he knew the answer to something.
There were a bunch of girls, I think I saw them frolicking around in the grass. They ran circles around egos and tended to the weekend like one would put together a million piece puzzle in two minutes. Armed with sticky notes, and Blackberrys, they put each piece in its proper place in space and time. They crushed crises and disorder with their twinkly heels, and managed to do it while looking sexy. Now there's some multitasking I could learn from.
There was no doubt though, that the hottest couple on site, were also the mum and dad of MMM. They were to be seen everywhere, especially at Maro, where they single-handedly got the party started. Dad walked around coolly with a camera in his hand at all times. He made sure that his baby was being seen by everyone, and that he had another album he could add to the collection. Mum was a statue of serenity and understanding. She was always there, asking people if they needed help, or giving out hugs if they didn't. She was so selfless, it was daunting, and somehow she gave me enough faith to believe that we are all good souls. I hope I can one day be a fraction of the person she is.
I have one tiny confession to make. I think I might have a puppy crush on you. I don't know why, but I feel kiddish and immature when you're around. Stumbling with words and not knowing where to look. Every time I saw you, you met me with that automatic grin, those wide bubbly eyes and a lingering thought written on the grooves on your forehead. I will always wonder what that thought could be. I owe you a parking pass. I'm sorry I didn't get it back....
To Abhishek and Jyoti, the only names that ring in anyone's ear at MMM. They didn't eat until everyone had eaten. They didn't sleep until everyone was tucked away. They broke clouds with their sunshine, and they brought a bottomless well of hope, faith, belief and whatever else you needed to steady yourself at that moment.
Abhishek has a heart so much bigger than his head, that it's starting to make his accountants a tad bit nervous. And just when you think that he will stop giving, he will have room for one more smile, or one more thought, or one more hug. He might not have time for two back to back sentences for you, but he will have time to drop you across town on the dawn of his biggest production ever. What a guy....
The only scene I can remember from the entire weekend of Jyoti is when she was trying to make those kids dance on stage. I don't think I've seen anyone smile like that before. If I could live off of your kisses and hugs, I would do MMM every weekend, every month, every year, all the time...
So as they say in the business.... WRAP UP!!!
