Cycle of Cliches
says Mr Rushdie raising a toast with the glass of champagne served a while ago, and looking into each one of us through his seemingly drowsy bespectacled eyes.
“Thank you Sir. It’s a privilege to share the same table as yours,” responds Tharsan, while the rest of us nod our heads in agreement and smile.
“So, what’s your name, mate?” comes the next one from the master of magic-realism.
“I…me…Sir, my name is Neelim. Neelim Bhattacharya. I’m from Assam, India, Sir,” it isn’t just an ice-breaker, it is a dream-crasher! I am just about happy to be a part of the wonderful congregation. Am I required to talk, while still in my most cherished dream, whizzes past my mind, and now turning a bit restle