U-turn in dressing: Back to the 90's Govindas

Spoiler Alert: This post is strictly for those who grew up in the 90s.

Back in 1993-94 life was much simpler. I was in class five and life was just about books, friends, movies, vacations and stuff happening at home. We had a VCR - which was like the coolest thing to own - in that age. During vacations, dad got us video cassettes which were on rental basis and hence every minute with the movie cassette seemed precious. Occasionally we invited our cousins for these "movie shows" but rest of the time me and bro would fight about which movie to watch.

We saw 'Aankhen' (1993) and were dazed with the histrionics of Govinda and Chunky Pandey but one thing that struck us was the awkward clothing sense. Like these very bright coloured shirts in gaudy colours, Govinda in white shoes and pants and dancing away to glory. And it wasn't just Govinda, it was the popular trend. I clearly remember most friends discussing these absurd colour & dressing combinations, belittling this sense of dressing and codenaming "Govinda" to all people who followed this dressing.

Belonging to salaried-class family in a sleepy town, it was too much for our imagination to bear as to how could someone wear this awkward 'florescent' pant/shirt.

This went on for quite some years and whenever me and gang of college friends saw somebody with purple pants, bright yellow shirt, red/green cap or anything that would be bizarre by average sensibilities was called 'Govinda'; or 'Govindi' (if it was a girl). PS: This wasn't to belittle the great actor but his popularity was such that almost everyone wanted to copy his mannerisms and at times went really far aping his dressing style.  

Now cut to 2012, the bizarre coloured pants, striking combinations are in vogue (suddenly). This year the most popular clothing is chinos (now available in feminine version as well) - informal, comfortable cotton pants in as many bright colours as you can imagine - purple, bright green, yellow, red, orange - whatever you dare to wear.

Team this with a contrasting top/t-shit and loafers (both again in bright colours). You'll find many (read hundreds) of college kids, yonng professionals aping this dressing. And you'll find them everywhere - malls, eateries, so called "handing out" zones et al. 

Makes me think if I was wrong about the "Govinda" remark in the first place. And while I write this, I am reminded of bright red loafers that hubby dearest gifted me a month ago. He thought it was cool and would be quite a style statement for my Singapore trip and he boasted "try wearing something classy". "Classy?????????? bright red shoes???  Well so after so many ages I have joined the "Govinda" clan after all.

Just another reason why “Life Just Couldn’t Be Better"

Writing after a long time, but this incident is so compelling that I could not stop myself from sharing it with others.

It's a regular Sunday morning when I wake up only to let the maid in to do the basic chores. Other days, I don’t have that luxury and I'm already up and ready to leave for work when the maid turns up for cleaning. And maybe she was waiting for this day, she quietly mopped the floor besides me while I read the movie reviews. Then she politely asked me, "yeh jo aapka compooter hai woh dusre se alag kayon hai" (why is your computer different from others). I looked around and found that both my Ipad and laptop were kept on the dining table (somehow dining table becomes the gadget desk on weekend when I just use stuff and leave them for charging)

As I gaped at her, she pointed at the laptop "yeh wala" (this one). I understood she was talking about the laptop. I told her that this was a computer and was light and mobile and was called laptop. Then I probed into her query and realized she wants to know the difference between desktop and laptop.

I thought the conversation would end here, but it went on to an interesting point. She disclosed that her youngest daughter is studying computers (probably doing a basic course) and wanted to practice it further and hence wanted to buy the cheapest options available!

I have met her daughter at two instances, then I simply gave her some eatables and nodded happily. Now my respect for my maid has gone up by many notches. She works all day to ensure that at least one of her daughters has a better life. Two of her elder daughter are already married and they work along with the mother to earn their bread and butter. This is the third and the youngest daughter and is in Class 10th. Anyhow, I told the maid about assembled systems and how she could get a cheap deal at Nehru Place, especially if she gets a used desktop. 

My this bit of information seems to have worked like magic on her and she has been asking me for more information and probably a reference to buy on old, used desktop. She's trying to save up her money and she has made me a mentor for this assignment. Two things that struck me -

- Your parents will slog their asses off to give to the best in life. They are not God, but just next to God.

- If you want to make it big in life, then no body (not even God) will come in your way

I don’t know what further turn this story takes, but incidents like this make my blog title more endearing and apt - "Life Just Couldn’t Be Better" And how many of you agree with me?