ONLINE SOCIALISING SPECIAL..........PHONE SCREEN IS THE NEW LIVING ROOM 

SPECIAL PHONE SCREEN IS  THE NEW LIVING ROOM   Food groups to poetry sessions to school reunion groups, online socialising has changed the framework of our conversation There was a time when our social circle included immediate family, relatives, neighbours and a few friends here and there. One mama (uncle) would be a great storyteller, one chachi could quote from any book, there would always be a budding guitarist somewhere  in the family, and good cooks, aspiring cooks, and a good baker, who was  much in demand. Times have changed now though. Our hectic lives have made us less sociable in our real lives. There's no time to meet extended family, or even say `hi' to neighbours; but that doesn't mean we've stopped socialising. The way we interact has changed. These days, we find  likeminded people on the social media, who have similar passions. From food walks to poetry sessions; from creative storytelling groups to school reunion groups...people are still connecting, chatting, having a good time even though they aren't meeting face-to-face on a regular basis. LIKE-MINDED COMPANY The computer and phone screen are the new living rooms of our lives. Whether it's dance classes, a language group, a book-swapping club, where members are reading a thriller together and discussing and guessing the plot; or a food group which has avid eaters reviewing and giving value-for-money tips the idea is to surround yourself with people who have similar interests and carry forward a meaningful conversation that breathes more fire into heir passion. Aryan Khu rana, 22, member of the group, Music Connects, says his life has changed for the better since he found like-minded people who encouraged  his passion, and spoke his language. “The idea is to create various platforms  for live jamming. These sessions are held in the neighbouring cafes of all the members. Our group feeds the soul of any diehard music lover.“ This is what has changed over the years. Earlier, a music lover would stick to his CDs, locked in a room jamming; now, it's easy to jam and listen to other musicians jamming, which artisti cally inspires people, and makes them happy. WE'VE BECOME CHOOSY Suchir Suri, 26, the founder of Foodtalk India, has 2,47,138 members, who have all joined to share their food stories and learn more about food. A chat session may include tips on where to eat, what to order at a particular  restaurant, what to avoid and other useful information. It also talks of good and bad experiences, new places, hidden gems of a city  that even residents of that city may not be aware of etc. They have created a space to connect people and personalise the food and eating experience with concepts like `dinner with strangers', `blind tasting' etc. “It's a new form of socialising, connecting, sharing and building friendships over what you are passionate about,“ says Suri as she explains why such social groups are becoming popular worldwide.  “Socially, we have become choosy. After all the added pressure of a 24x7 active life, one looks for likeminded company where explanations aren't needed. Online groups create smaller communities with specific needs, which suits our life perfectly,“ concludes Suri. Music therapist Stuti Chandok's music group on the internet Madhur Mann connects people who love music. She says, “Social groups have become a way of life ­ whether to have meaningful conversations, meet like-minded people or even create awareness about issues.Singing starts spontaneously across laptops or smartphones in our group.“ There are school reunion groups, where men and women have connected with their long-lost school friends and local friends from hometowns they have moved away from, making for nostalgic evenings, where they all share their stories, even sing to revive old memories. LETTING OFF STEAM Internet psychologist and expert Chetan Deshpande feels that the success of online socialising groups comes from the need to interact at a time when we lead isolated lives, mostly in nuclear families.“Online meeting with like-minded company or long-lost friends is the quickest and easiest way to let off steam, pursue your interest, and have a hearty laugh all at the same time,“ he says. THE COMMERCE Today's men and women use social media groups to earn a living, brand themselves and their product and communicate with the world. Housewives have become high-earning entrepreneurs just by promoting themselves on WhatsApp or YouTube, depending on their product. Namita Vadera, astrologer, does her astrological consultations on WhatsApp for clients sitting in New York, Dubai, Melbourne, sitting in Delhi; Minu Singh, sells her jewellery, bags and clothes on the same platform. UTILITY GROUPS Ask any mother with a nursery school kid, and she'll tell you about her `Mother's WhatsApp group' that has discussions ranging from homework and dress code to teachers to playground activity, with juicy gossip thrown  in here and there about that mom with “too-tight clothes“. The modern living room may fit within the framework of a five-inch phone screen, but the conversations have gotten bigger, pulling people from across the globe.

Nona Walia

TL22NOV15