It is expected in an ideal situation
that as people get old they gather experience and with knowledge and insight through
exposure to wide range of ideas and thoughts acquire holistic understanding,
compassionate and mindful presence. Through scrutiny and critical thinking an examined
life is deemed to possess wisdom (if not in the entire gamut of life atleast in
some aspects that adds to collective wisdom). We are so much fortunate that
wise thoughts over the centuries have been preserved through printing and now disseminated
by internet and available at one click. Whether it’s simmering thoughts of Walt
Whitman or talks and searing writings of Toni Morrison or an astounding expression
of deep connection of remote tribe…all are available. Despite deluge of
insights it has become increasingly rare to come across wise elders or perceptive
views that gives deeper analysis into the quandary these days. Not that the
elders hold the key nor becoming old makes anyone wise. The numerous, and kinds of perceptive thoughts available, can save lots of time so even younger minds can
acquire insights previously impossible. Younger minds bring newer ideas but
older minds are tempered with experience and emotions hence high probability of
wisdom. However if society itself is evolved then possibilities of young minds achieving
amazing insights becomes quite likely. There is a reason why breakthrough ideas
and exalted subtlety emerge from very few diminishing spaces of the world.
As it is the contemporary world
has become much crude and louder with market crassness that has kept the crowd mesmerized
over large public space. While anachronistic religions with juvenile compelling
narrations have created herds out of insecure and pitiable humans who have
become more than nuisance in recent times. Politics is a convenient intersection
of market and religion for charlatans to ensnare herds as voters. Older these politicians
get worse they propose. Hence these contexts can be negated to produce wisdom
and perceptiveness to evaluate cascading existential problems that humanity
faces. It was therefore such a pleasant surprise to come across fresh whiff of
wisdom through octogenarian Sugatha Kumari in her talks and prose, without any characteristic
arrogance or entitlements or positioning that this society relishes and traps people in. In the
severe stampede for the loot in the name art and activism, the pecking order established
through nepotism, blackmailing and fervent haggling in and around power center, decency
is the first causality. She passed away the other day from covid infection without
much ado. It is quite rare to have insightful people that too in primitive society
reeling in overwhelming mediocrity. A region
of fragile ecosystem and biodiversity placed in crass consumerism of crudest of
people self-assured in varying idiocity of religions.
It is a significant loss to
humanity when wise people pass away. And when one is middle aged it tends to
expose oneself to uncertainties that are left behind. As a generation of
amazing people is passing away suddenly a protective shade of assurance is
being snatched. Insights to comprehensively understand and deal the challenges
are being lost. They now live in their writings and talks. But then who has the
time as the society without any ethical anchor or compassion bearing swirls in the
entertainments of glittering golden shitpot waiting to be flushed out into
gutter of puerile entitlements.
Post Script:
Once, and no more
The dirty
brown splotched caterpillar munch the last of the leaves
yawns and indicates
that it’s to roll up into dried leaf pupa
The wonder that
emerges as brush footed commander
Surprises itself
by flying to the top of golden shower tree to share its colors
That’s too
many things in a life, I yell to the butterfly
So what’s
the trick?
How do I know
how to live, be alive?
He surely
did hear me.
I could tell
from the way he unfurled and furled his proboscis
My life is
too short for your queries.
Once, and
only once to be here
And no more.
He spreads
his wings as bed spread
And stitch
dreams from one end to another
For a long long
sleep
And connect
the constellations to exchange his life
For the atoms and all
