Aliens

I hate computer drawing, but I just cannot get round to scanning my 'real' sketches and paintings -- those that I can find.

I found this, and was surprised. I had bought my PC for the first ever time in March of 2000. Within a month I was doing this...I guess this is all I was doing that was new.

The concept of strangers has always fascinated me, and I wanted to understand how displaced people can get while they extricate themselves from each other.

When I look at the expressions closely, I see that both of them are not really quite with themselves. Yet, there is an attempt to 'see' each other -- watch the eyes.

Strangers have touched my life; they do it all the time.

And if you are reading this, looking at this page, chances are that you do not know me. I will not even know who you are. Then, how can you have touched my life?

Because, somewhere in the ether I know you are there, I know you are connecting -- through love, hate, anger, curiosity, even boredom.

Looking back, going by the date, it could be conjectured that I drew this at a particular point in time for a certain reason.

All I can say is that I was disconnected with myself then. Perhaps the man and the woman are both aspects of an internal turmoil within me.

I find it amusing as I now notice that the man's eyes are downcast (shame? regret?) and the woman is looking straight ahead with fury (denial? acceptance?)...

(Voice in background: For such a bad drawing you sure are putting in a lot of explanations!)

The white space between his shoulders and her hair is a small gap that would in fact fit snugly...

Reaching out is never difficult. Staying there is.
- - -
Ruke ruke se kadam ruk ke baar baar chale
qaraar leke tere dar se beqaraar chale

subah na aayee kaee baar neend se jaage
ki ek raat ki ye zindagI guzaar chale

uthaye phir de ke ehasan dil ka seene par
le tere kadamoun pe ye karz bhi utaar chale

qaraar leke tere dar se beqaraar chale
ruke ruke se kadam ruk ke baar baar chale

(Gulzar, 'Mausam')