Often we've seen kids trying to catch the waves by the seashore. Clutching their parents' hands, with eyes filled with happiness, their joy knows no bounds… This scene is quite well captured by most films and our hearts too. But doesn't this explain the evening time crowded beach?

The beach is just the same but the people who visit it during the day have vastly different reasons than those families who plan an outing to the beach in the evenings. Crazy this might sound, yet a trip to the marina beach during mid afternoons definitely is a place for solitude. People visiting the sea during the time when sun works hard have varied reasons but for sheer enjoyment!

A few scenes captured by my mind: A group of small boys, visibly kids from those families living alongside the beach, whose major income comes from fishing. What do they do? They would give sun a complex by ignoring the heat to play in the sea. They are also kids, and beach is not those places visited once in a month or so… sea is like their family member with whom they share their happiness and sorrow.

If the small boys have lost themselves to happiness in the company of their kin: the sea, then there are couples who have lost themselves to seduction by their partner in the beach. Behind every catamaran hides a couple, spending private moments. Now, Isn't the reason for moral policing quite apparent?

How can one forget those colleges going gang? Bunked college to escape a boring lecture, pocket empty but hearts wanting to spend time with friends! Beach the savior again. Playing with waves and enjoying the Sundal… Supreme satisfaction it renders.

There are also those people who made visiting seaside their full time job for reasons. "I enjoy spending my afternoons in beach as I feel this is the right place that gives me peace of mind." says Mariappan, a vagabond. Beach aptly proves to be a soul mate, counselor and a hide out for many apart from being a picnic spot.

SOWJANYA.S