GLASSMATES

Often, for a person residing outside Goa, Goa is a place of 3 B’s; beer, beach and babes. The third option is a bit elusive, the second one requires a lot of efforts in traveling but the first one doesn’t require anything. In Goa, getting drinking water might be a problem but not the ubiquitous beer.
Drinking alone is a pain; especially if you have had some great glass mates in the past. So this post is a toast to some of my favorite glass mates with whom I have had some of the best times along with beer.

The first name is always a bit difficult to choose; hence I would go the alphabetical way.

Anuj - I cannot stop laughing when I think about this incident. I think we were in a bar in Chennai when this happened. The bearer came to our table to ask for the last orders as it was time for the bar to close. As usual Anuj, though he had guzzled down a good 5-6 pegs, was still normal and wasn’t quite amused by the fact that the bar was about to close. In his quintessential manner, he replied, “ oru 15 peg rum poratte..”. I still remember the bewildered look on the bearer’s face. There was a roar of laughter when the bearer left and the banter continued…
Enjoyable moments – When he laughs at the silliest jokes you feel like laughing when you see him….

Bijoy – You never know what will happen when you are with him. At times he would be the only person who would be perfectly alright even after downing 7-8 pegs. At times, he can be the only person who really gets knocked out and then god knows what will happen.
Whenever I get back home, he would be the first person whom I call. In his usual manner, he would say, “Namukonnu koodende….vaikunneram vaa Indrapuriyilekku..”
Don’t know whether he has changed his hang out place now.
Memorable moments – Most of the times…(though I have landed in trouble at times also).

Motta – Sporting a cap, this bearded man has always been fun to be with during such sessions.
Most memorable moment – When he sings Andhikadappurathu…..

Murali – From school days, I knew that he had interest in music but never knew he sings really well. Murali has been a revelation in that aspect. The last few drinking sessions that I have had with him have been memorable. His rendition of Venugopal songs is fantastic. I am sure, even now, he would be learning some song for his next session which would definitely elicit an encore from his audience.
Most memorable moment – When he sings Mayamanjalil….

Musthafa – There was a time, when we used to have daily quota of beers. Tired of this, one day we decided that we would stop. He suggested that we should kick this habit by having a can of beer. So both of us went to Amrapali to have a can of beer together but ended up having 4 beers each. With that, we put an end to our dream of quitting drinking.
Most memorable moment – When we had Red Label in Helen Villa at 3 am in the morning while it was raining outside. The yellow lights that stood tall in the streets, against which the rain drops felt gently lighted the room that was otherwise dark. It was beautiful….

Rahul – Discussions of all sorts happen with this guy. Music, movies, work, girls..the list is endless. He has this unique thing. He will obliterate all our thought processes in a single moment with his ideas and make us think over it again. Creates a sense of positive dissatisfaction by asking, “dey, ingane irunna mathiya…rekshapedednde….cinema edukkende.. Days spent in Sai Vihar bar will always be memorable primarily because of the above mentioned reasons and also because of Fish Pulimoonji..
Most memorable moment – When he scripts a story on the spot, especially murder mysteries…

Reghu – He drank with me for the first time at our house in Bombay. He started off by saying that he has drunk only once before. The way, he guzzled down the pegs didn’t quite seem to tell the same tale. Instead it appeared that he was more of a seasoned drinker.
Most memorable moment - When he said after drinking, “Dey, fan karangana pole thonnunnu….”

Drinking is a vice. I don’t really believe it. If you have such glass mates, then I think we need to meet them to create memories and part to preserve them.

Cheers……….