.... and the tradition continues. An annual saga since 1998, this soccer match has had its own course of atrophy, moving through the serpentine lanes of childhood into the open canyon of youth and now dropping into its middle ages.
The "Schoolies" of mid twenties, accumulated yet again, under the arches of the 132years old institution, Calcutta Boys' School, to celebrate the spirit of ReUnion, with the most enjoyable activity of school days (be it bunking classes, to reaching late at tuition); Soccer has always been an integral part of a CBSeans' life. We behold the tradition laid down for so many years- the numbers might have less, but the spirit was un-putdownable. The veterans that reached the field were: Suvadip (Shyamla), Aniruddha (Ani), Arnab (Mukherjee), Arnab (Chow Chow), Debashis, Aritra (Bhowmick), Avirup (Sarkar/Robin), Sourajit (Mama), Satadru (Hata), Premjit and three more of Shyamla's pal...and me as well.
Courtesy: Arnab Mukherjee
The game started off in a different location, The Famous Philiphs Grounds. Getting into three minutes of the first half, the old and sunken minds of the aging bodies remembered that we have forgotten one tradition - to sing the National Anthem of the Nation "Jana Gana Mana". We stopped the game at the sidelines and started to delve into patriotism with a different mood, the melodious way... A melody, which in other cases made the crows jump the line, some how gathered a small crowd of localites to see what the "Mid - aged Indians" are up to.
Courtesy: Arnab Mukherjee
The game began....
The man of the match was voted out and distributed between Premjit for great Goal Keeping and Shyamla for (ahem) a boasted Hattrick... mmmmmmmmmmm... hey Guys! Did they score 3 goals???
Incidents:
* Brush and Comb: Shyamla showed signs of late onset dyslexia when he forgot the calculation of the ball... he assumed Aniruddha's head as the ball (when the ball was controlled by Ani's right leg), and BAMMM!!! One Incisor of Ani scraped some hairs from Shyamla's temple.... (on Fb, they still curse each other on brushing the teeth and combing the hair!!!)
* Fashion Parade: Shyamla's local mate cursing Shyamla, when he missed to receive the ball on two occassion... Sala gandu...khelte pare na...spikes pore fashion parade korche! (WTF, he cant play and look he is on a fashion parade with his soccer attire!) The delivery to Shyamla came from a guy who was way, way younger than him!
* Mama and his Torn Pants: Ani advanced towards the goal from the left flank.... Cover Up Cover Up!!! Then suddenly there was a splash in the muddy waters.... seemed like a Croc was in a hurry...to our surprise! It was Mama!!! Sliding with his Humongous body, catching his prey with all his might. Then suddenly, the V shaped legs exposed a white line bisecting the Black "V"...well...the middle stitch just bid a farewell from each other.... The Croc and the Muddy Splash subsided, so had Ani...
* Goalie scares Striker: The volley by Debashis was high... Ani was placed underneath, when Hata came from behind and shouted with a 120db Tarzanous Yell...Ani froze and the ball dropped on his head!!!
But the main hero of the whole set up was the rain and the field... where ever you might be...u will not stand on stiff ground!! It was a great water polo...cum ballet!
But what ever it may come, school pals...you were missed!
Alma Mater
Courtesy: Arnab Mukherjee.
. I don't have any intension to talk about the technicalities. This is the place, where I enjoy the freedom to "Key" down my thoughts.