Birth and Death - The circle (almost) decoded - A Mother's Perspective

An elephant in the forest had just lost its baby. The mother elephant wanted to give a hearty send off to its child. She surrounded the baby elephant's body with some wild flowers which was a code in the jungle to not disturb the animal which lied there lifeless. (Animals are better rule followers I believe! They understand a NO better than humans). She went into the forest to collect some fruits, herbs and bamboo for his send off. 

Meanwhile, Goddess Paarvati had just lost her child too, in her own house. She held the child's headless body and cried loudly. She thought to herself that she will never forgive her husband, Lord Shiva for this. Shiva then ordered his people to go into the forest and bring the head of the first animal they encountered. Had Paarvati heard this, she would not have let this worst of ideas happen. She was soaked in her child's blood and weeping. 

Shiva's tribe saw the dead baby elephant lying around those wild flowers. They cut its head without a second thought and got it to Shiva. Paarvati saw them approaching and yelled at everybody. She was burning with anger and called Shiva a senseless man to have done this. She asked them all if they didn't think that there would be another mother like her grieving in the forest? They were tight lipped. Even the mighty Shiva had nothing to say. 

She asked everyone to follow her into the wild from where the baby elephant's head was brought. She lifted her dead son's headless body and placed it on her shoulder. She had his severed head in one hand and walked. They all arrived at the spot and saw the grieving mama elephant. Paarvati ran to her and hugged her. She then placed both the lifeless bodies next to each other. She explained to the mama elephant about what all had happened. The mama elephant was not very comfortable in the company of humans because of her traumatic past and now this! She however felt a wee bit comfortable with Paarvati. She then said, "I wanted to give my baby a memorable send off and all you humans have made it happen in an unforgettable way. We have always had to be in the mercy of you all. So be it this time too. I am extremely exhausted. But this time, let me be the greater soul to the world - Transparently. My perspective needs to be heard and seen (She asks one of them to switch on FB Live!). Let my baby live through yours Paarvati. My baby's head has his heart too in it. He will be a compassionate and extremely intelligent one along with your child's bravery." 

The whole of Shiva's tribe and Shiva stood dumbfounded seeing all of this unfold. The mama elephant then placed her baby's head over the lifeless body of Paarvati's son. We know who was born! 

Mama elephant requested that she name him. He was named "Muddhu". (Readers, feel free to give a name you would like to)

She then placed the boy's head over her child's body. Two little children sprang up who looked so unique! The mothers hugged their children who had taken this new birth. 

Paarvati named the child with an elephant body and human head as "Kannu". (Readers, feel free to give a name you would like to)

The mothers decided to meet often and involve themselves in play dates!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspiration :

Yuki Elias' "Elephant in the room" - I watched this masterpiece in 2018 at Shoonya, Bangalore - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmL9DXe0C0o

This article : https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/opinion-the-deity-the-elephant-and-the-plastic-surgeon-1565890527819.html

Discovering Krishna - Janmaashtami 2021

                          DISCOVERING KRISHNA

This piece has been written by Arun Rajkumar and Myself for a storytelling session for children around 6-8 years of age. It was performed on 27th August on account of Janmaashtami celebrations for a school. We have taken our creative liberty to relook at this popular narrative.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a beautiful forest in the middle of Vrindavan in the great kingdom of Mathura. The forest was filled everywhere with red, violet and yellow flowers, large lush green trees, the beautiful blue river Yamuna flowing through the middle of it, hundreds and thousands of animals including deers, rabbits and cows and thousands of birds including peacocks, sparrows and crows. 

In the middle of the forest, there was a huge hugeeee banyan tree. The topmost branch of the banyan tree was the favourite hiding spot of our little friend Krishna.

Krishna who was 8 years old and his brother Balarama who was 9 years old had just finished grazing their cows in the mountain of Govardhana and had stopped for lunch. Balarama had eaten a heavy lunch and had fallen fast asleep. When he woke up, he could not find Krishna. He got scared and looked everywhere for his brother. Then he understood where Krishna would be hiding. He went straight under the huge banyan tree and looking at the top of the tree shouted “Krishnaaaa…I know you are hiding there…come down… The breeze is cool today… If you come down, we can rest here for a while and you can play your flute”. 

Krishna was a great flute player and Balarama loved listening to Krishna play the flute. Balarama heard the voice of Krishna “Balarama… I will play the flute for you.. But only if you do what I ask you to do”. Balarama asked “What should I do, tell me Krishna”. Krishna replied, “Balarama… you must climb up and reach the topmost branch of this Banyan tree…Then I will play the flute for you for however long you want me to”. Balarama was tired. He said, “No way… I am not climbing this tree...Mother would be very angry if she knows that you climbed the tree again today”. “No she won’t be angry”, immediately came the reply. “What? Why do you say that? Just because it is your birthday today?” asked Balarama. “No, not because it is my birthday today but because I never climbed the tree!!”, said a voice from behind Balarama… Balarama turned back and was shocked to see Krishna! “Were you not hiding at the top of the tree?'' he asked in surprise. Krishna just smiled and said “Do you want me to play the flute or not?”.. “Yes yes, please… I love hearing your flute” pleaded Balarama. 

“In that case, you don’t have to climb the tree.. but…you have to race with me… all the way to the top of the Govardhana mountain” Krishna pointed his finger towards the majestic Govardhana. “If you win the race, I’ll play the flute for you” said Krishna… 

“Oh krishna, are you not tired?… it’ll get too late if we climb Govardhana now” …and before Balarama could finish, Krishna started the countdown  “Five..four…three…two ….one….raceeeeeee” and started running… Poor Balarama had no choice and started racing as well. The brothers were both very quick runners.. They ran as fast as they could and in just fifteen minutes they could already see the peak of Govardhana. Krishna ran, jumping over the rocks carefully and almost reached the top of Govardhana.  He was just 10 steps away from reaching the peak when he turned back. Balarama was missing. He looked to the left. No sight of Balarama. He looked to the right. Not there either. Krishna started running down a bit and found Balarama … Poor Balarama had run over few thorns and was in pain. Krishna rushed near him and pulled the thorns away. After few minutes, Balarama got better. He then looked at Krishna and said “Krishna, can I ask you something?”. Krishna said “Yes Balarama, tell me”. “Why did you not reach the peak even after reaching so close to it? You knew this was a race and you could have easily won the race. Why did you stop and come back looking for me?” Krishna smiled and said “My dear Balarama, it is a race indeed. But it is not always important to win the race…sometimes it is important to first make sure everyone around you is happy… only then you can truly be happy too and I truly know who is stronger among us, you too know that”. Having said this, Krishna started walking towards the peak.. Balarama followed him. 

Balarama knew Krishna had suddenly become sad. But he did not understand why. He asked “Krishna, you were happy and cheerful a while ago.. but now you look sad… what happened?” Krishna repeated whatever he said earlier “Sometimes it is important to first make sure everyone around you is happy… only then you can truly be happy too”.  Balarama did not understand “Krishna, it is your birthday today. You must be happy.. not dull”. Krishna said “Balarama… Yes, today is my birthday… and I remembered my biological mother Devaki … I have never met her… but I have learnt a lot from her…. Our dear mother Yashoda says Devaki made great sacrifices just to save me….. I hope, some birthday I’ll meet her… If I do, I will definitely play the flute for her”.

They had now reached the peak. Krishna sat at the top of the peak and started playing the flute. Balarama was mesmerized by the music that came out of the bamboo.

They were transported to another world and more than an hour passed. It seemed Krishna would never stop playing the flute. At that moment, bangggggg, a huge sound was heard… dama dama dama dama, thunder struck the skies… lighting appeared… and heavy rain started to pour. The winds started blowing at tremendous speeds usshhhh ussshhhhhhh and trees started getting uprooted by the force of the wind. Balarama and Krishna got scared..both of them ran to a cave near the peak and hid inside it.

“What is happening Balarama?” asked Krishna. 

 “Krishna, can’t you see? This is the work of Indra, the rain god.. he is angry with the people of Govardhana. "Oh no, this flood will destroy all humans, animals and birds of vrindavan.. I am so scared now”.

“Indra is responsible for all this?? But why?” asked Krishna.

“Krishna… it’s all because of what you did yesterday”

“What did I do Balarama?”

“Every year, the people of Vrindavan offer sacrifices to the rain god Indra to get rain for the crops to grow. This year, they were about to do the same. Don’t you remember what you told them yesterday?”

“Of course, I remember. I told them not to do sacrifices and rituals to get rains”

“But why did you say that Krishna”?

“I said that because it is not their duty”

“I don’t understand”, said Balarama

“Balarama… we both go to school. And our dear teachers teach us so many subjects so well. But if we don’t study well and don't work hard, do you think only praying to God and offering sacrifices will help us magically understand  the subjects?”

“No, that is not possible”

“It is the same thing with the farmers.. The duty of the farmers of Vrindavan is to work hard and grow crops… till the soil and feed the cows....which they already do so well. So I told them just to do their duty well and not to do any sacrifices and rituals to get rain. In fact, if they have to worship anyone for rain, it must be this Govardhana mountain”

“Govardhana mountain? What has the mountain got to do with the rain?”

“The mountain provides the soil for crops to grow… More importantly it cools the air, creates clouds and helps in bringing more rain”

At that point another thunder struck. Balarama got agitated.

“Enough of your lecture about Govardhana, Krishna.. The whole of Vrindavan is going to drown because of you… I am so scared… the lightning is so powerful…. What can we do now?”

Krishna smiled and said “I have an idea. Govardhana not only helps us give rain.. it can also save us from the anger of Indra”

Balarama was surprised “How can this mountain save us? Are you out of your mind?”

Krishna said “Follow me and I’ll show you”

The brothers carefully came down Govardhana. Krishna looked at Balarama and said “Now do as I say..go to the elders of Vrindavan and tell them I asked them to come to Govardhana.”

Balarama was angry “Krishna, don’t start playing pranks again… the floods affect people’s lives… I am leaving now…you do whatever you want to do” and turned back and started leaving.

Krishna after a few moments said “Balarama, turn back for a second”

Balarama did not turn back. Krishan shouted, “Balarama, you must turn back.. you will see the solution to all the problems of Vrindavan”

Balarama was curious now. 'Solution to all of Vrindhavan’s problems?’. What has Krishna done now?’ he thought to himself and slightly turned.

What Balarama saw was unimaginable. He was shocked beyond words. His eyes opened wide and jaw dropped in shock and surprise. Little Krishna was holding the Govardhana above his head in one hand, on his little finger.

The mountain looked like a hugeee umbrella… Balarama ran to inform everyone. Soon, the whole city of Vrindavan including the humans, animals and birds took shelter below Govardhana. Krishna with a smiling face stood unmoved at the same place balancing Govardhana mountain with his little finger. The mountain acted as a protection and saved the villagers from rain, thunderstorm and floods…

After 7 days of heavy downpour, thunder and lightning, Indra gave up. He came down from the skies to Govardhana. Indra accepted his defeat and said he had realized his mistake. Krishna pardoned him and after Indra left, he kept the Govardhana mountain back in it’s position. The whole village started celebrating Krishna’s great feat. Krishna then said, “I could not have done this if I did not have a strong and supportive sibling like Balarama and my group of cowherd friends. If you want to celebrate me, celebrate them first and then me” and from that day Krishna and his friends were seen as the saviours of the people of Vrindhavan.

copyright © artwork 2018 www.crafttatva.com

IRON MAN - 1

This element finds its importance in diverse fields. But let us first acknowledge Robert Downey Jr. for taking it on a world tour. Although I do not know anything beyond Tony Stark, it being the 26th element in the periodic table and it also being an integral part of my diet (Oh I just finished making dosas from a freshly seasoned Cast Iron Tawa), I want to take this opportunity to thank some Iron MEN and WOMEN in my life.

Any Guesses?

Wiping out the obvious answers, here I am, unfolding the fresh and crisp shirt straight out of the coal filled oven for all of you. No name board, no waiting area, no water dispensers for clients, a one of a kind memory. Presenting to you all, The Real Iron MEN and WOMEN.               

                       'The Isthriwallahs' 

Image Source : https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-indian-using-iron-filled-with-hot-charcoal-to-press-clothes-hand-coloured-57313996.html

I want to admit that I do not enjoy pressing clothes. It being an emergency, I would succumb to a bedsheet base and an Iron Box or even better, place the kurta under the bed overnight. This is my tolerance towards pressing clothes. This, coming from a performer having to iron costumes regularly might be an eyebrow raise.

My mother loves pressing clothes and does it diligently to date. We have never had an ironing board at home and never felt the need to. It was always bedspreads or some of mom's sarees that she anyway wanted to press later which became the base for our school uniforms to be pressed. I never went into the skeletal study of laundering until I attained puberty at 11. 

Every middle-class household had an emergency 'Isthriwallah' to go to. I would like to first introduce you all to Mr. Maruthi in this list of Iron Heroes and Heroines I want to bring to all of you. My essential need for pressing clothes was for my Dance Costumes which just could not find its presence on stage without being softened and stiffened with utmost care. I ran to Mr.Maruthi to press my frilly dance costume and forgot to mention some key pointers only to find my broad fan(one of the parts of the costume) ironed flat. I then sat and explained the way to do it because I really wanted to pass this on to someone who is better at it! I also thought I'll make life easier for my other dancer friends by introducing Mr.Maruthi to them. Thus began our friendship. He has always been there. Be it an hour before my train or my performance. Mutual FAN-Club!

 MR.MARUTHI AT WORK

Of course, our friendship didn't stick to only Dance Costumes and other garments, Amma and I invited him to my wedding and he was so happy. 

The world's really made up of such people, relationships and moments I reckon. He couldn't make it to the wedding and I went to meet him few weeks later when I had come to Bangalore. I had already moved to Chennai by then. I handed him my wedding thaamboolam. It really wasn't a bye. It never can be. I was 'pressed' for words.

P.S: His quaint and efficient shop is opposite Canara Bank, Yediyur Branch(Near Avrekalu Circle)

LOST AND FOUND SERIES

PART 1

Lost and Found went to the same school. They were from a small town near Kottayam, Kerala. Lost found love in Found. Found found her presence in his life very enriching. Lost kept wondering as to why she fell in love with Found as they walked every day to school. It was a good 10km walk every morning and evening. They never lost track of time and found themselves being punctual children amidst their other friends. They sipped tea on their way back home and found Thomas Chaettan’s chaaya to be the best throat quencher even in the sweltering summer of Kerala. Their childhood love had a strong foothold in their lives. They had their paths and dreams sketched out very clearly. All of 10 and they found themselves not amidst the school toppers but as highly articulative and bold individuals.

Image Source: https://m.fellowes.com/us/en/resources/creativity/ideacenter/printables/school/organization/signs/lost-and-found-poster

Lost wanted to pursue forensics as her major subject when she grew up. She found the subject so empowering that she sneaked into the school’s library to catch hold of a copy of a book that was mentioned in the radio when Inspector Mandaakini addressed the state about a recent mishap at the Trivandrum railway station. The case was solved because of how forensics had its nail fixed intact. She asked found if he found the book he was looking for. Yes, he had sneaked in with her! He said he was lost in her thoughts and forgot the book’s name. She read from the book to found every evening on their way back home. Lost and Found’s parents knew about their love and let them be, as they believed in them. Sounds beautiful right? That’s a real-world anyway. Lost and Found were very routine driven and had their daily schedules sorted. Like I said earlier, they weren’t school toppers but absolutely unabashed in their quest in knowing everything they involved themselves in.

Found wanted to go study in Delhi and got through IIT’s entrance exam. Lost found her way to Delhi too eventually to be studying at LNF National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences. They met during the weekends and made love. They were hopeless romantics who were waiting to make love in a place far away from home. Delhi made them look at life in a wholesome manner. They found themselves lost in the city’s beauty but Kottayam always had a part of them, however far they intended to move.

Lost and Found sent a letter to their parents who were both single right now. Lost lost her father and found, his mother. They wrote about their wish to have a registered marriage in Delhi and didn’t want their parents to spend a fortune on it which they would have if they had gotten married back home. 

Lost and Found took a bus to Manali for their honeymoon. They didn’t look at this as their first trip together. But it had its special place in their lives. The bus stopped for lunch at a Dhabha and Lost went a few steps away to find a place to answer nature’s call. She didn’t return for long. Found was lost and went in search of her. The bus wanted to leave. He didn’t pay heed. He ran to find Lost. He tripped over a gadget in a hurry and it didn’t stop beeping. He picked it in his hand and ran. He finally spotted Lost in between some trees in a forest. The gadget didn’t stop beeping. Lost held a similar gadget in her hand. They looked at each other and had no clue about what was in their hands that just wouldn’t stop beeping. They were frustrated and put the gadgets on the ground to ask them to shut up and it said its last words. “GPS POWERING OFF”. Lost and Found found what was lost in the case they were handling as interns under Inspector Mandaakini. They finally saw something that they had only heard of. They picked up the gadgets and tried switching them on. To their good fortune, they did. Their honeymoon was after all an official one!

They realised the power of being LOST and FOUND. 

'You don’t find the need to be FOUND unless LOST'

Illustration: Rohit Bhasi 

TIME SET FOR A HEADSET

As Bharatanatyam dancers, owning this piece of jewellery is a dream for some, an achievement for some, a far fetched reality for some and a prized possession for some. Across age, experience and fetish lies this piece of jewellery's travel itinerary. 

My first association with this beauty was when my teacher called me and gave a set of extra jewellery that she had. As a 10-year-old it was undoubtedly me in a candy store. I would prefer a sports shop though :D

My second encounter was when my teacher, who is a total empath and a giver, sensed that I couldn't buy one and gifted me, what is called an 'original temple headset. A senior student of hers had an extra set of the Headset, Suryan and Chandran-The sun and The moon (other parts that come with the headset)and gave it to her to be given to me. I used to be amused that Days and Nights and their representatives are on my head. Oh, Lord! A big responsibility at this age!

Foraying into full-time dancing, I realised that most of my savings went into procuring jewellery and make-up for dance. No regrets back then! I finally bought a headset that I still own which I will eventually pass on just like how my teacher did. I Spent 16,000 rupees in doing that and paid it in instalments to a kind seller from a small town in Tamizh Naadu.

We all have stories that we cling to just like we do to memories associated with them. Some share, some bury.  

As I sat down one afternoon, a few days ago, I wondered what is a headset's philosophical presence in this colourful world it exists in?

The image above that I illustrated came as a thought to me. On the one hand, the self-luminous sun is the ray of hope and joy to the young and energetic. When young, our actions, reactions, sensitivities, goals matter so much and we record everything, perhaps mindlessly even. But that's just us. No complaints.  However, we never stare straight into the sun. We never look inside for we are subconsciously afraid that we may be blinded. 

Contrast this with the moon which is so beautiful on the other side. The greys are almost leaving way for the clarity of white to take over. Our eyes instinctively open wide to look inside and we are left with awe and wonder.

As they say, experience in any field is like a bottle of wine. It takes time to enjoy it but it is worth the wait. The headset to me is a time-check between two worlds that each of us will eventually be a part of. Worlds that are connected by a strong learning curve.  Just like the curve of the headset itself. Firmly tied yet bends as it sits just right on the head. 

A division of sorts. Division of ideas, thoughts and actions.

Well, yeah.  The headset is indeed more than what meets the eye (and perhaps the head too!)

Image Source : Pinterest

Krishna and Woh Saat Din

KRISHNA AND WOH SAAT DIN

My first role on stage in a Dance-Drama was that of a Cow. And I thoroughly enjoyed being one. As a 9-year-old, I was only asked to frantically run around the stage shaking my head. I felt I had those horns every time I ran and was scared that I would hit someone in the rush. So I had this clever plan of having my own little gala time amidst the chaos. Come on, we were lots of cows, children, Gopas, Gopis running around anyway. I never thought that my teacher would notice me amidst this mayhem. But she did! She went on to tell the whole class that I was the best cow she had seen till date. *covers face*

Two decades later, after many versions of the same story, through different songs, I found myself back in the same episode. This time as Krishna. Not dancing at a rehearsal or on stage, but at a friend's portico taking shelter when Bangalore had it's heavy monsoon showers. I wondered the plight of this young boy. Getting wet in the heavy splashes of rain for 7 days and nights. I remembered the pose we were taught to depict this episode(lifting of the Govardhana Hill) and it instantly hit me.

KRISHNA IN TIMES OF HIS NEED

Poor thing, getting wet in the rain and not being able to pee. The idea for the image came to me when I went back to the mudra we used to hold for the pose, the humble pinky finger :D

All's well that ends well. In my monsoon clad evening, I could not help but imagine Krishna, post 7 days and nights, running to a nearby bush.