Thursday, June 15, 2006

On Stars, Whitman and Turtles…..

Then you learn about Kepler, Copernicus, Newton, Einstien…..of Carl Sagan, Saturn rings, Armstrong, of Stephen Hawkings, of hubble, of black holes, Chandrashekar’s Limit, of probes in Titan, Ganymede, halle bop and halley’s comet, new solar system……and strings theory!!

and then in a quiet moment on a lazy afternoon Walt Whitman sneaks in with…..

When I heard the learn'd astronomer,
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me,
When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them,
When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the
lecture-room,
How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,
Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air,
and from time to time,
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.

And so the Universe shifts a bit !!!

This is not against Astronomer whom I find amazing. And make it a point to visit planetarium if in any city and queue up for watching anything latest happening in the universe. However it need be added, I find astrologers detesting. Astrology sections that come in media should be brought into the purview of laws against superstition and so dealt accordingly. I dare the TV “crime” channels who have started a “muheem” against “dongi sadhus”, ojhas and people into jad phook, to show the same vigor (they show in case of these poor people who trying to make out a living. Agreed that many are fraud but that is no reason for this vicious attack on all. Talking of fraud; do many of these ads. got anything to do with reality?!. Get this : Fraud has no class distinction or barrier. These 'crime channels' even take law in their hand and help mob lynch the ojhas) on mainstream media who come out with astrology and related crap (one need to switch on TV on the eve of new year to see all these scum crawl out with torret card and other predictions with one may add, excellent accent!!). Now their explanation could be that nobody is forcing it on you. Nor is an ojha forcing it on anyone. People go to them. Agreeing that medical attention should be the first option but these people generally deal with cases which are of psychological import. And impacts of ojhas and people into jad phook cannot be undermined if it helps the patient. It's a psychological placebo built on socio-culture context. The possibilities of treating mental illness through faith, cultural-traditional means cannot be negated. This is open to debate. That doesn’t mean one can support irrationality. My submission is that there is a space we need to keep open. A space to sort out things which maintain our sanity; a system to deal with unpredictable and ambiguous. Thankfully for majority of us in this country, we don’t have an organized system of religion and that makes things easy. Just think of what would happen if we were polarized on issues just because it’s mentioned in ‘revealed’ text, mostly interpreted to suit few. See how vicious the “debate” between Intelligent Design and Evolutionist is in west particularly in USA. There seems to be no meeting point. This is the sad level to which religion can be taken wherein it has so much of positive force and need be an assimilating space for larger good and open to new interpretations. Stephen Hawking tells the tale of an elderly lady who came to a talk on the origin of the Universe. Quivering with indignation, she insisted that it rested on the back of a giant turtle. “What” the speaker asked “does giant turtle stand on?” "Young man," she said, "you think you're very smart, but it's turtles all the way down!".

I am very saddened that BBC has ‘encrypted’ its service to south Asia from today. I liked BBC channel very much, particularly the high quality discussion program and interviews they show. Further it was mostly devoid of obnoxious ads. They might be having their own reasons to take this action. It is viewer’s loss though.

So the football matches are heating up. So far Spain, Czech…..have shown credible performances. Brazil was a big disappointment, albeit kaka’s goal was spectacular. Keep your eyes wide open. It’s a goooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!!!. Lets do that Togo dance, I am going to miss them if they don’t make it to round 16.

Plz also keep visiting ‘My Blog’ on the Link – right side of this page, to visit www.sdepalan.blogspot.com for more fun.
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Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Two hours in Hampi

I happen to visit Hampi early this May the erstwhile capital of Vijaynagara kingdom. Visiting hampi in summer is a big no. I was here as part of my job and could take out only two hours, very exciting two hours one may add. But the heat was killing particularly the route from Bellary to Hospet in State bus was nothing short of nightmare, people were pouring water on their head to cool. The temperature inside the bus could have been around 50C and the land outside was arid with not many trees or habitation, laterite red soil blanketed the area. Hampi though in rocky terrain is abundant with greenery thanks to Tungabhadra river. Vijayanagar kingdom in medieval India was highly evolved and aesthetic in art form. The figurines reminded one of Cholas. There is a statue of Krishnadeva Raya- the king and consorts which is exquisite, it is now in some museum. I have seen photo of the statues with Nehru and his comment some years back. A very refined and delicate work of art.

Many foreign travelers had visited Vijayanagara Kingdom at its peak like Nicolo Conti, Nuniz, Paes-a Portuguese who came in 1522 said of Vijayanagara as ‘large as Rome and very beautiful to sight’. I quote from Jawaharlal Nehru’s Discovery of India “…..of the ruler, Krishnadeva Raya, Paes writes ‘he is the most feared and perfect king that could possibly be, cheerful of disposition and very merry, he is one that seeks to honour foreigners, and receives them kindly, asking about all their affairs whatever their condition may be’”. It’s been tradition with many Indian kings to be open and inviting to foreigners, unfortunately many didn’t deserve it- the experience of Zamorins of Malabar is very apt. However Romila Thapar (in A History of India) writes that Vijayanagar’s friendly relation with Portuguese were purely for trade reasons. A poem by the King Krishna Deva in Telugu (Amuktamalyada) has these lines “…make the merchants of distant countries who import elephants and good horses be attached by yourself by providing them with daily audience and presents…..”. Agreeing to the need for foreign goods but its undeniable that prosecuted sects from different part of the world did find refuge in ancient and medieval India whether it’s Jews or Parsis.

It is very saddening that not much care is being taken of the temples and other (archeological) structures in Hampi. Nevertheless it brings out the irony of the place and people like us. It is poignant, nostalgic, funny and shocking all at the same time. These rush of varying emotions can be quite handful.
Enjoy these poems. On the occasion of Environment Day I dedicate these to all the people who are doing their bit to save Environment and wild life. In particular to TV channels like Animal Planet, National Geography and Discovery (few channels I have access to. I also have a liking for David Attenborough’s programs). They make us conscious of Earth so we learn to be careful and sensitive to the needs of environment and wild life. Incredible people. From crocodiles to snakes to birds to fishes to monkeys to dogs to ants to futuristic planet earth...they have done an amazing job, requiring immense patience, talent and ofcourse timing (wild animals don't pose for camera!!). The dying corals are the saddest thing to happen in recent times.



Come I will show another God

Come hurry. Come here.
He clutched my arm
led me to a cavernous room
blocked with cardboards and stickers.
He asked me to look through the perforate.
Dilating in dust filled darkness
I discern mirrors on crumbling walls.
Did you see? Did you see?
He was tapping my shoulder.
He pointed to the Gopuram of main temple
motioned his hand into the hole.

You see God nearer here, he said
and asked for money.

***

Monkeys take the offerings here.

Colonizing in extended families,

they devour coconut and milk

meant for Ganesha the elephant god

and Nandi the Bull

and siesta with Gods and consorts.


***


You want these pebbles
black and white pebbles
from the bed of Tungabhadra river
asked the girl in flaming midi
holding few stones in her fist.
In the hot sun of May she seemed on fire,
her dark skin as if charred.
One rupee for two pebbles, she said
evoked by my keen eyes.
She trailed for a while.
On being ignored she confronted me
and demanded one rupee
for all the stones in her little fist.
Take it all she said, unfurling her fingers.
No said I, all the while feeling sorry for her.
Sensing, she clung to me.
Exasperated I offered a deal:
Pose for me, one rupee is yours.
Thrilled she climbed on to the medieval dwelling
I will model a god, she said
And invoked one hand in blessing.
Ask a wish.
Ask a wish.


***

We come to pray from far
We bath, eat and rest
And also dry our clothes.

(A reply from a villager on being asked why cloths are being dried inside the medieval sanctum)


***


Looking at the map on the wall
inside the temple
an elderly woman among the tourists complained:
There isn’t any way to God.
The pack peeled into laughter.
The kid said grand ma is gone crazy.


***


You see the god in.
You see the beggar out.
Both stoic.
Both demanding.
God: your karma.
Beggar: your money.


***


Is that a god or a king?.
Is it submerged or emerging from water?
Children jump from rock into water
and emerge like a god or a king,
whatever occurs to you.


***



The Swamiji was in no mood to listen.
He had more people to bless.
They queued up to be favoured
and accidental boons, if it helps.
And before he warned: No photos.
I had already framed him.


***

of small wishes in a big world…..


The father prays: a good husband for my daughter
The girl prays: my father live longer
The father prays: less dowry
The girl prays: less dowry.
Nearby a legless boy crawls for money.
A laughter heard from marriage ceremony,
drowned in screams of fighting monkeys.

(based on interactions)

**


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Monday, June 05, 2006

Geez how people get me wrong!!. There are lots of people who read my blog so you really don’t know what gets interpreted as what!!. The other day I had someone asking too many queries on what I write on my blog. As usual I smiled and tried to be courteous. But blogs are different ball game. Let me make one thing clear to the bloggers: I don’t explain what I write, so please caution on that. Take or leave it. I write on my blog to have space to assert myself on the issues which boggle us as also for trivia I find amusing or fancy. In short some fun some work.

I think you agree with me on the celebrity trash on Indian media particularly some “national” channel. Fortunately we have some excellent international channel as well as regional channel with no such space for pretence. They drop in to TV studios and say few lines to be some kind of activists!!. Two decades back Botox Turd went in for two days of fast for slum dwellers. Quite admirable thing to do. But the problem is that since then she been sucking on it. That is the problem when they get old: Just suckers. Some of them even come and say things about themselves in TV studios that may not be true, who will verify….anyway who is the bothered….. but in the process they do package themselves quite effectively. They know how to keep themselves ballooned, even a small thing they do is world saving!!. Its about event management and sales pitch!!. Presto saviors are here. For people like Crude woman seen with legends like Lekshmi Sehgal is enough, next she would be hanging upside down in profitmonger's backyard with utmost ease. Now thats diplomacy. Hey i need some personal space.....surely stinking!!!.

And in places like delhi there is a huge manipulation game going on to get the attention of whichever party is ruling in the centre. Apart from some small time politicians and others there is this huge grant and perks hanging in the name of culture, which is where the stampede is. Being in delhi these are few lick away. So presto suddenly we are national figures!!. Arpana Cour babe, whom I referred to in the earlier blog was just an example I have first hand information on. There is another example I have on this. An arti club that goes by the name of “Sanskriti Kendra” in delhi (on Gurgaon highway, a kind of outhouse but the name 'Sanskriti' does make it exotic!) run with a specific intention of major lick (I wouldn’t be surprised if there is any tax saving involved). There is an interesting incident I have to tell. In Delhi particularly the so called “national” elite circle (once you got the tag of national it is easy to fly over regional nests) they have this strange habit of asking the first question as : where do you stay?!!. They don’t even ask what is your name or what you do or atleast keep shut. In the beginning I was confused as to why where I stay is so important a question as to be asked without even knowing me. I thought it was probably they wanted to make me comfortable. A way to relax the scene or feel home. But when I saw this pattern repeated many times with me I became inquisitive. I had my own doubts. Things began to clear when I read this article in Lonely Planet book (or was it some other foreign book on India?) where they have devoted a complete column on this peculiar behavior of uncouth delhi elite. The article says that the people in delhi even sound the name of the place they stay as to feel foreign like Noida as Nevada!!!.

The reason they ask this question to an acquaintance is to asses his worth, from the location of house thus making it easy to classify and making the decision as to the need for any interaction!!. I visited Sanskriti Kendra since I knew some Australian artists who had come to India and were staying there ( I am not able to recall the name of couple whom I became friendly with, Michael? Paul??. But they were nice and mannered people, a refreshing change in delhi!!). I told them about this behavior of elite in here particularly of culture types. This artist from Australia, a gentleman to core couldn’t believe it. I took the Photostat of the column I read and send it across to him. He still didn’t believe…well decent people not aware of the tricks of dilli arti-culture circle will never get it. It is so sophisticated and subtle!!!. I told him I will prove it. So I went to a party at Sanskriti Kendra with this couple. The artist from Australia was standing next to me with an amused smile when Jain Boy (who runs the arti show) asked the first question on shaking my hand “where do you stay?”. I said “madangir”. And felt my hand dropped like huge stone and his eyes turned permanently away from me!!. I don’t blame him; Jainboy’s expectations were quite high since I was with an Australian!!.

So a seat in Rajya Sabha or a Padma Award or some government money (for event essentially to promote themselves as also PR) or some position of power is where the craving is. So heres is we fun always so is we- bad grammar again!!!.

PS. No seat for ZK in Rajya Sabha......Tch Tch...efforts gone waste. How will we justify living now??.
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Saturday, June 03, 2006

No against discussions…

It is not that I am against discussions happening in TV studios, clarifying somebody who was asking me the other day. My grouse is firstly on the types of topic they chose to discuss or report as “national’ and secondly the category of people involved in the discussion. Some channels make it a point to invite peddlers or market boys for any discussion (just to take an example), not at all amusing. We live in age of hyperbole, every movie is superhit, every song golden, every event mega, every line a quote. A nation of more than a billion will throw up “celebrities” by uttering profound lines like “thande ka thadka” or “ye pyaas hai badi”, they make huge money- so influence, through this nonsense. Imagine if we were a nation of a size of say Maldives or ivory coast do you think these people (read celebrities) will ever have a chance?. They earn millions of easy money because of us.


 Sometime back I came across these lines by John M Alexander, reviewing Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen (its bit too costly and bulky book…nowadays they keep new books in sealed plastic cover in book stalls !!!. Thankfully the pirated versions are out. And I manage to bargain it for 100 Rs.!!. Mr. Sen has enough money to survive he shouldn’t mind and as for publishers??…well nothing much just: up yours!!)
…. looking at India’s past and present there are a number of reasons to be less enthusiastic and even skeptic about Sen’s proposal: Does argumentation not run the danger of being co-opted by the rich and powerful?. Do the well educated and those who can better articulate and persuade not have an edge over others to maneuver the course of public discussion?. For many years now, social inequalities based on caste, gender and community have been legitimized and perpetuated by different religions, anthropological and even theories biased in favor of elite. Owing to democratic politics and the rule of law, these inequalities can today be contested. Yet, making use of these democratic possibilities in order to create a less unequal society still remains a far distant dream, particularly because of prevailing economic and educational inequalities.

Argumentative Indian is a good book and very readable, I suggest bloggers to read it. Not like some P3 Elite masquerading as intellectual and be seen on “book release” or other readings. Or some in-hurry-to-catch-up intellectuals and read some reviews here and there and be informed. I know many in JNU who read only reviews of books!!. The other day I was listening to Nobel Prize acceptance speech by Isaac Bashevis Singer (literature 1978) at Nobel Prize Exhibition at Vishweshwaraya Museum in Bangalore (if you don’t watch this exhibit you really missed it….i suggest youngsters from all over south india need make this trip to Bangalore. It’s worth it. They have done it extremely well. I also liked the documentaries they showed particularly since they included the views of common people like courier service man- his views on scientists!!. It was a refreshing shed on intellectualism. Did you know that in Oxford they don’t allow you to walk on grass unless accompanied by a senior professor!!. They have parodied it rightly). Mr. Singer gives the reasons of why he writes for children…because he says children read books not reviews. So true.


 I certainly don’t have anything against discussions if done to get to the truth of the matter as they do in some programs of BBC or even CNN. Nor do I have anything against likes of ZK or anyone per se. I don’t even know him nor do i intend to, God save (there are 6 billion more interesting people in this world !!). It is public posturing or packaging themselves for the media, for their narrow reason which is the concern (not that all famous people are like him take for instance Medha Patkar who is dedicated to the people in thought and action). Some people who are famous and influential (influence is very tacky word in here means access to media) get away with their hypocrisies with media manipulations. They are habituated to people supplicating before them. There is an audience to savor their nonsense and they start assuming themselves as some kind of demi-god!!. Media want wind bags like them because they are famous and therefore saleable while in return they use them for their own insecurities. It is a game where there are no losers except maybe the audience or more importantly issues affecting us which gets trivialized. Again I am not against discussions, exchange of ideas is what defines and help grow society, but the kind of people involved in the discussions are shocking. The other day I saw a chaddi dancer- who I am told gyrates in remix trash (which offcourse thrive since we don’t have proper copyright laws), articulating her views. Yes it’s a free country every body can say what they want but the point is there are more sensible people in this country with views reflecting the opinions shared by millions people in this vast nation and impoverished nation. The trend is on presentability than on quality, offcourse in fabricated world presentability is the defining factor. Next they will demand that victims of natural disasters or riots should cry properly (they might even have crying contest!!) or maybe not since the other extreme of presentabilty is gruesome. The more brutal, more the sensation. Many a times if more people have not died there is genuine sadness in the face of anchor!!. They even have such funny heading for report that you don’t know whether to laugh or cringe. Thadka I guess.
Indian trains can be the best or worst of place to be in depending on the approaching station. And nothing like traveling from Kanyakumari to Jammu through Chennai, it took four days. When one has such experience of meeting different types of people who are so very different it is shocking to see Media- which has access to millions of people, behaving stupid, idiotic is a better word. They need to realize that there is a world outside metros. Few people that too denizens of market world do NOT reflect the realities of this nation. Wardrobe malfunction is an absolute non issue. Sorry if I shocked you by this revelation!!. ( a presenter in TV justified this frenzy since it is now in Maharashtra assembly!!. Does she know that there are hundreds of other issues in assembly’s agenda??)
So decide whether News is entertainment or News is ….well News what else. A discussion on communalism, education ….which these channels conducts surely is not about entertainment. It may not be a serious issue in certain circles but for us millions of people it is sometimes the most deciding factor. Ofcourse one has to accept that rarely do any channel (there are definitely exceptions) take “non popular” issues. Indian TV channels have done some excellent job like say covering the human side of tragedies like earthquake in Kashmir or tsunami or through kufiya camera on corrupt. It is the discussion based program which is what I am really cynical about.

 I am writing this to have a space for discussion with bloggers. Nothing else. We all need to create our own space to assert ourselves in this increasingly crass world. We thank the Technology for providing us this space and so giving equal opportunity to all. We don’t need any power brokers nor any charity from anyone particularly those constipated with ego. These space provided through Blogs is important for people like me. I also understand fully well the responsibilities and possibilities it presents. This is one place i intend to hold on to for next fifty years if possible.

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Thursday, June 01, 2006

Saying No to Bottled water may not be feasible……

The issue of multinational companies (CocaPepsi) using water resource, a public property, to make huge profit leading to depletion of groundwater has reached a serious proportion. The bottled water is something, which till recently I was ambiguous about. If the government fails in providing safe drinking to its citizens then what can common people do? We have to take our own precaution. Almost a decade back in delhi I suffered from serious bouts of stomach ailment which was traced to drinking contaminated water. Probably it had to do with adjusting to highly polluted and unhygienic surroundings. So I had to depend on bottled water or in most cases carry a bottle and fill it from some place which had purified water. Later with more disposable income I started creating a kitchen space and boiled water for drinking purpose, now this could be done only in winter since in summer it added to room temperature and took lots of time to cool. Further in summer one drinks more water so heating water was not at all feasible option. This is when one is forced to look for the option of bottled water, evaluating that it is much better option than spending money on doctors and medicines!!. And believe me there are hundreds of people in hospitals in places like delhi because of water related diseases. I must have spent a fortune on bottled drinking water. In the beginning I used to feel seriously guilty (not for depleting water table, at that point it was more about spending unnecessarily!!) like the first day you get into a cycle rickshaw having avoided it for months considering it inhuman then later we get so used to it that even forget that its being run by a human!!(But the one they have in Kolkata, the hand pulled cart, is definitely degrading).The first time I bought a “mineral water” bottle I was actually looking for minerals!!!. I am still not very clear as to why it is referred to as mineral water!!.
At the end of the day it is on the State to provide safe drinking water to people. Also the hygiene standards of the society are also a deciding factor. In places like Kerala (or even Bangalore) where hygiene standards are relatively high, one needn’t buy bottled water, even the smallest of shop is safe. But in many parts of India the hygiene standards is unfortunately appallingly low, it may have to do with the fact that I generally frequent the lower end eateries for monetary reasons. Also I travel a lot to odd and out of the world places where things can go seriously wrong if not careful. So again one is forced to buy bottled water. There are therefore lots of practical problems in refusing bottled water but surely the government can take action to protect water resources being vandalized by this profit making mafia before its too late. I read somewhere that the bottle they sell (“they” here is CocaPepsi plunderers) for 10 Rs a litre, the raw material cost is as low as 0.03 paise and it takes two or three litres of water to make one litre of bottled water. There is also the issue of environmental degradation from plastic bottle garbage. Earth Policy Institute (EPI) says global consumption of bottled water doubled between 1999 and 2004, reaching 41 billion gallons (154 billion liters) annually. The major amount is spent by these plunderers is on packaging and marketing. No wonder the ads. they make are so very funny. It is reduced to a joke. Wherein majority of people are struggling for water some are into open loot (the photos i took from places that never had water problem) . This I am told helps in investment which leads to increase in GDP and this makes some people in certain circle very happy. They also say that the nation is developing very fast in recent times. The competition now is between India and China.
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Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Stanley Kunitz one of the greatest American poets died few weeks back at the ripe age of 100. Poets unlike writers have their best contribution before midlife but Kunitz was of different breed he became poet laureate of US at the age of 95. His highly acclaimed “Collected Poems” was published in the same year. There is an interesting incident that is almost prophetic. A student in the 1960s once asked W.H. Auden why Stanley Kunitz did not have the following he deserved. Auden replied in jest, “It’s strange, but give him time. A hundred years or so. He’s a patient man”. These lines of Kunitz I came across recently and thought was exquisite.

Who whispered, souls have shapes?
So has the wind, I say.
But I don’t know,
I only feel things blow.

**** **** **** ****

The other day I wrote these lines (actually its been worked on something I wrote many years back when I was staying on a beach during monsoon). My small dedication to kids who kill themselves trapped in the brutal and atrocious examination system. Few days back a girl killed herself in the lake very near to where I stay. I love rains but monsoon is also the season that brings more accidents and deaths. Many people and college mates whom I know (and also liked) have died during rainy season and in accidents. Fishermen are gulped by the sea so are others who go out for good time in the beach. Rain makes ocean very angry it seems. It thrashes the shore with such viciousness.


Shadows

Silhouettes of whimpering shadows
whorl under my window
bereft of the bodies, they dearly search.
Telling me of deaths,
of dying and tumultuous times
of love lost.
Freighted in the grief untold
drenching in darkness
they sink further and further….
till I see a small dot rising in the sky
exploding into brightness never knew.

An intact thought
comes feasting in the monsoon rain.
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Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Metropolitan Miracles


The government should deal with striking doctors severely if they continue striking even after the Supreme Court verdict. This is definitely crossing the line of propriety; thousands of patients, mostly poor are suffering for want of medical attention. The striking students in Metros have made their point. Now is the time to back down.

 It’s very sad how some happening in metro come to define nation. The media never showed such frenzy when thousands of farmers suicide in rural india. It is never was a “Breaking News”. It is not about striking students even small accidents in Delhi it seems is worthy of national attention. People die in hundreds and thousands in this country everyday. What need make the news is the intensity and severity of the tragedy or the issues some deaths bring out for the societies attention. Some months back three people died drinking spurious liquor very near to where I stay (20metres to be precise). Mob burned the shop. We were concerned that they might target our houses, you never know a mob. Thankfully they stopped with burning of the shop and looting it. An English daily did deal with the issue of spurious liquor in its editorial, ofcourse getting the name of the place wrong (aint worried about the detail…they too need a proof reader masquerading as ombudsman, I guess). Why would small happenings in little places make into national headlines? This has to do with the proximity to the places the honchos of the news channel stay. Most news channel don’t even have foreign correspondent to places where events of international significance happen. Globalization anyone? This is not to deny some incredible people in media.

 Sometime back I happen to read a columnist complaining that western media not too concerned about “third world”….and wondered how many deaths in poorer countries will make to the news in these countries. Ditto here too. Mostly delhi based “national” media it seems are too local and have failed in their responsibilities as national channel. They are not competent enough or maybe we had high expectations from people who are essentially try to make a living. Even electricity problems of delhites are something a nation of more than a billion people should be concerned about. Yes Delhi is capital of the country, the reason why Parliament is located here. The elected representatives shouldn’t face any problem, and it is the concern of the people, and of the country. That doesn’t include the people of Delhi. It might shock them but the fact is their concerns should be treated with same importance by the Union Government (and the so called national media) as they give for people in telangana or kohima. Further, the money the Government of India spents on cultural activity in Delhi need be seriously rethought. With my experience I can say delhi is culturally very backward. Most good programs whether music or dance or play goes unattended, except if there is a 'celebrity'. Even some who attend lack basic decency, like not speaking loudly or switching off the phones. It is a shame. It did help me though I had quality time at the expense of the government. The height was when I attended the screening of national award wining documentary at Siri Fort with only two people in the audience few years back!!!...fully air-conditioned. They should provide free lunch too, i say!! Why the screening of national importance confined to Delhi? Either they should stop this nonsense or rotate these events all over India. The central government money is to be spend on the nation which is more than delhi, surely. There are cultural centers all over the country which need government's help to sustain. Rather than spending on “events” in delhi the government has to take care of the entire nation and encourage talent.

Not to ignore, many small time politicians, social activists, culture lickers, opportunists so on have parked themselves permanently here. So much fun we haves heres always- bad grammar!! They have squatted to the positions of maximum lick for the falling crumbs. Once clerk, not at all corrupt RK. Dhawan at one point was a strongest man in Indian politics!! Who said miracles don’t happen? Or maybe I am wrong unnecessarily pointing to some very hardworking humble coincidently based in Delhi, at licking position to power. Incidentally the progenies are now wriggling out of the nest…with enviable licking skills. At this rate the Delhi elites (necessarily national elite) of next generation will mutate with longer tongues. Thou shall define merit !!. Geez am i rocking the applecart??

 PS. Some one need to start elite express service from homes of elite to TV studios. For the society saving screams!! We need ZK's advice on this.!!!. Our boy need to scream a bit more….presto.. Rajya Sabha seat is at a licking distance…..shiv sena helping. Yes na. No na. Banjao MP na. Desh ko bachao na.


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Saturday, May 27, 2006

Condolence to Oduvil....

Please condole the sad demise of Mr. Oduvil Unnikrishnan. A natural “character” actor and one of the best. I as an audience was always magnetized by his performance and looked forward to his movies. Understanding fully that good Malayalam movies are not based on “star” factor but on the story and presentation, Oduvil was a significant presence. I liked him very much. Being an audience I haven’t met him nor do I know much about him as a person but when today morning I heard about his demise I was very sad. Some people are like that when they die it jolts our life a bit, it lingers around. Such was his hold on the audience, very endearing person. Infact you never thought he was an actor. I am also saddened to know that he had some problems in claiming medi-insurance (read that in his interview in a Malayalam newspaper). I know few other people who had such problems with insurance companies. This is fraud. Sixty to not the right age to die....and he could have contributed much more. May his soul rest in peace.
In recent times Malayalam movies are taken over, sadly by “superstar” phenomenon. It’s bewildering since these things never happened before….the Fan club nonsense. I haven’t been watching movies for some years now except maybe some DVD of must watch classics or some movies at film fests (that also I have decided to stop). Or an odd movie in TV (Like Rainman recently). I did try to sit through few movies in theaters (both Malayalam and Hindi) but just couldn’t for more than half an hour. I am not here to comment on contemporary movies maybe I am out of place or it pinches my purse too much-multiplex, anyway it seems that I have saturated myself as an audience. In this short journey as an audience I am grateful to people like Oduvil for providing quality entertainment. The space for such actors is fast reducing in todays “only for superstars” movies, reduced to caricatures. Latest “techno sound” and other “effects” are adding to the nuisance value, some movies are also peddling products. Unlike most Hindi or English movies, Malayalam movies had very strong “character actors” and are a pleasure to watch. Like Nedumudi venu, Thilakan, Jagadhy (my favourite), KPSC (lalitha who else!!), Sukumari, Kaviyur ponnamma, Philomina, Innocent, Mamu koya….and many more. They are much smarter than any of these "award winners" but sadly in the national level these brilliant people are hardly known. The space being manipulated by likes of Crude woman...they are also into saving us now!!.
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Please strongly protest the extension of house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, there is need for sanction against the military junta ruling Myanmar(Burma). The international community should immediatly stop its “engagement” with Myanmar unless democracy restored.
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Thursday, May 25, 2006

Leave the kids alone ….

So the quota is to be implemented. The arithmetic is getting its chance in Indian politics. I am writing this from the perspective of the striking students. It’s admirable the camaraderie and passion exhibited by the students for a just society. I also strongly condemn brutal police action against the protesting students. Such small movements are important part of student’s life, a learning which no text can teach. This has nothing to do with high moral grounds the Media is taking. We know what they are all about. More than rural urban divide or caste divide I reckon this is generational divide.

The so called elders have failed us whether in media or politics, or whatever, they have been disappointing. We have a very selfish and incompetent elder generation -who just happen to be born few decades earlier and basking on platform provided by primitive society. They just want to fill their pocket and yes that stomach (Ofcourse they do have younger faces in media and politics but we know who is pulling the strings). Then there are some “traditionally concerned” who moonwalk as secularists and gandhians into big time charity show. Only criteria is that the applecart shouldn’t be disturbed. Push them a bit and you know what is under that sophistication veneer. Social concern is such a great fun with high ROI. One need to study why most 'SC' have such dislike for gandhians and refused to be referred to as harijans (children of god -depraved attempt that one).

How am I, as a protesting student, responsible for the inactions in providing affirmative actions other than Reservations? Like, for instance, not giving importance to quality of primary education in rural India or community schools in urban India. How am I responsible as a kid trying to get into better colleges for career if these people (elder generation -depraved bunch marinated in deviant society) are not able to create an effective selection process? What do I do if rich people get into medical colleges wherein I can't get in? Is it my fault? Why should I suffer if they believe in degraded systems like caste and try to pass on to me wherein I find it disgusting? Whether through matrimonial columns or election analysis or through reservations, just to take oft repeated examples. Let’s be very clear these guys in the media are no different and the sham of free media limited in most cases to making easy money is not gone unnoticed. The media is just playing to its client as are the politicians. They should not be given any extra rights under the guise of democracy and must face the law as ordinary citizens. The same is case for the marketers -trying to ensnare people under the garb of liberal values and choices. My target group, my vote bank, my money, my car! In fabricated society people are insecure and so cling to mymy. In this mymy world what I can use, gain…is the defining factor of behavior. So people, nature, earth-environment, become secondary.

We live in a closed system wherein each actions do influence the entire fragility. So utmost care is needed in decisions that influence many, has significant impact. The other day I was watching Satyajit Ray movie Seemabadha (I picked this up from kolkata few months back….i do have a good collection now, but I am biased to animation film. It’s awesome…..bugz, antz, dinosaurs, fishes…) there is an interesting character (Ramalingam) who quotes Joseph Conrad “all ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries and tribulations of mankind”.

If I put myself in the shoes of protesting students I do feel victimized for no fault of mine. The same, one will if one put oneself in the place of rural underprivileged kid. Being insecure that is, reduced chance of gainful employment or livelihood, at young age can really be devastating that too in a society that is essentially materialistic despite other wooly claims. It does put lots of negative pressure too early, leaving some permanent scars and can easily turn a person pessimist. And if things slip further can be destructive to society, just a recipe needed for people who recruit them for their own gain like fundamentalist group or underworld or marketeers for dehumanizing jobs. It is quite a sensitive period in life wherein things can seriously go wrong. Add to this Reservation and a reduced chance of better employment this really is frustrating. Similarly, the frustration from essentially biased system of entry (where merit is more of a lifestyle…things that need be confined to some finishing school or wonders of ‘beauty contest’ or grammar) can be demotivating.

We are dividing young people and forcing them on each other wherein they face the same predicament and aspiration. It is the incompetence of the older generation - essentially an appalling statement on these wastrels who are cannibalizing on young, that we are in this impasse. They are too insecure a people and passing it onto the next generation. Some 6-7 years back I recollect attending a talk by MN Srinivas at IIC Delhi wherein he did delve upon the issue of Reservation in Corporate sector briefly, speaking against. During those days I was mostly a passive listener just absorbing things and nodding-like some intellectuals! But I had decided to listen to top guys in their field and delhi was the right place, undeservingly so. It was after the talk that I was startled out of my stupor when three youngsters rush to Mr. Srinivas and spat some abuse words. I was so stunned that I do recollect trying to look into the issue of Reservation after that in JNU library (excellent library that one).

On the issue of 'OBC' quota it need be noted that they may not be as needy as 'SC' or in particular 'ST'. Infact the “historical atrocities” committed on 'SC' and lower castes can also be traced to 'OBCs' ((one need to read some sociology-MN Srinivas or Yoginder Singh (he is brilliant) or Desai for this….albeit I have a strict dislike for sociologists)). In recent times the examples of TN state is a pointer to how 'SC' atrocities are also done by 'OBCs' and that 'OBCs' may not be always be deserving for reservation. Bottom line is 'OBCs' are herded as big vote bank. There is also a race going on to be included as 'OBCs' by many “upper caste”. It really does get murkier, a hallmark of cannibalistic society which is perpetuated by few at the expense of common people. Thanks elders thanks for the legacy. And thanks for spreading it through matrimonial columns. We are so grateful to you. If only these elderly morons spent their life on something productive, life would been comfortable for younger generation. It is they who teach about caste and religion to us and encourage retrograde mindset, fuel divisive forces in society. It is they who promote crass materialism at the expense of sustainability. It is they who corrupt us…..telling us what is “practical”. A boy once stole a pencil from school. His father chastise him “you fool why you have to steal pencil from school I could have brought it from office!”. They are old enough to realize their mistakes but are more concerned in gaining vote bank or TRP ratings or copy circulation, everything adding on to counting profit. A manageable identity to divide society and entitled role is what these people crave to hide their depravities. This makes things easily classifiable. Thus helps in number game. This is the tragic times we live in and poor kids whether in cities or rural areas have to face this unfortunate backlashes. I empathize with them. 

Post Script: Talking of oppression and atrocities I cannot stop wondering why there are no considerations for women candidates, like 'SCs', 'STs', particularly from rural India?. There is also a need to reserve the seats within 'SC', 'ST' to female candidates. Let’s not assume oppressed class to be gender sensitive. This may not occur to anyone in an overwhelmingly patriarchal primitive society that despite girls doing exceedingly well in school and college exams, their number is not commiserating to this reality in professional colleges or higher management- decision making areas. So why no reservations for girls in professional colleges?

When I mentioned about “translating to local language”…local languages here are major languages spoken by millions, more than many of these international languages. Languages that have strong socio-cultural foundations…..Hindi (spoken by 490 million people), Bengali(215m), Punjabi(103m), Tamil(78m), Telugu(74m), Marathi(71m), Gujarati(47m), Kannada(44m) ….to name few languages spoken exclusively in India, some in Indian sub continent. Compare this with “international languages” like French (130m). Even English is in minority and in India spoken by a very miniscule percentage of people. Competence incidentally is also about relating to people and their surrounding. The language, tradition and culture seem to be dictated and dependent “on political power in the world” ( taking words from VS Naipaul's recent interview http://www.literaryreview.co.uk/naipaul_04_06.html). Things are changing in the globalized world.

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Monday, May 22, 2006

On the question of Reservation. Dude where is my Brain??....

Agreeing that there is something sinister in the whole issue of Reservation, the way politicians have been trying to capitalize it. Also how the benefits reaching to needy is very limited. But the way the protests are being orchestrated in mainstream media is ridiculous. The doctors displaying placards of “Merits or Death” adds to the fun. The mainstream media will have their own reasons not to ‘investigate’ the truth on Merit, which is where significance of Blogs increases (photo taken from Net). Before we analyse this issue lets make one thing very clear and that is: any profession will not succeed if merit and competence are undermined........

To read more about this plz visit www.sdepalan.blogspot.com
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Sunday, May 21, 2006

Enchanting Coorg.....

“I am beginning to feel vaguely guilty about having fallen so deeply in love with Coorg. I set out, after all, to tour South India, and my lingering here seems suspiciously like escapism. Undeniably Coorg is a place apart- clean, quiet, uncrowded, unmodernised, not impoverished at any level of society, never too hot or too cold at any time of the day or night and populated by exceptionally congenial people. Add a truly magnificent landscape to all of this and you have a paradise. No wonder the Coorgs are so proud of their country, with something more than the normal regional pride of Indians” Dervla Murphy wrote this almost three decades back when she famously hiked through Coorg with her five year old daughter. Agreeing to her experience of the place, unmodernised is the word I don’t associate with Coorg (or kodugu) . If we understand modern with broad outlook- innovative and sensibilities associated with western, now global, then Coorgs are as much as Parsis in early twentieth century india. Their alliance with the British to defeat Tipu Sultan and later their own local Rajah worked in favour of Coorgs. Recognizing their proficiency with guns the britishers gave them rights to own guns without license. After independence of India the Coorgs were exempted from Arms Act so that they can carry light rifles without license within the Coorg district limits. A feat equated in recent times by certain parts of Bihar where no rule ever worked! Coorg's affection to guns has added an element of primitive bravado in celebrations, where gunfire is essential part- I read that childbirth is greeted with gun shots!. My experience though was amicable. I happen to witness (glimpse) a marriage ceremony and guns were not out, clamorous nevertheless. There is an interesting piece I read from a book I picked up on my way to coorg: Tale of a Tiger’s Tail & other yarns from coorg by C.P.Belliappa regarding guns “….coorgs believe- believe it or not!-that their souls reside in the guns they leave behind!. During the most important Kodava festival-kailpodu- which is celebrated on third September every year, all the guns are cleaned, oiled and decorated with flowers, especially with beautiful seasonal flower aptly known as the ‘gun flower’. The guns are then worshipped, and offerings of special food prepared is placed in front of them. The guns represent our ancestors…….One of precocious nephews from Mumbai was with us during Kailpodu last year. He was full of questions about the guns I was cleaning prior to the pooja. He was absolutely thrilled with the thought of being a gun in the next life!....The kid , in true tradition of the community, has already made up his mind to join the Army. For his tender age he is quite knowledgeable about powerful modern guns. He avidly watches and identifies all the weapons displayed during republic day parade. After a while he became quiet and pensive. I quizzed him…he said in all seriousness ‘uncle in my next life I would like to be a bofors gun and defend our countries borders!!!’. I gave him a mock punch and said ‘bravo, you Son of a Gun!’… .” Coorgs contribution to Armed Forces of the country is substantial includes one Field Marshal and an Army Chief (Gen. Thimaiah’s statue finds a proud presence in Medikeri). Two things if it defines Coorgs are pride in kinsmenship and active involvement in sports. And if one may add a taste for refined. The filial pride is strengthened through annual hockey match. This is a must see event. It’s a kind of a huge family get together. Each team consists of members of single family, so we can see 15 year old girl and a fifty year old man in the same team. That is what is unique about this event and a feast to watch. Many of the players were part of National team. The saying goes; Indian hockey team is not complete without a Coorg. Many from this tiny place have captained Indian hockey team in national and international events. Despite the bonhomie of families the matches are fiercely fought.
In the audience women dressed in traditional attire -the sari takes a different route here, and elderly men catch the latest in family gossip (I wouldn’t be surprised if this event also double up as meeting ground for “girl boy family”). The youngsters definitely have a ball, being summer vacation of schools and colleges. They come in full strength. It is delightful to watch 4 year old kids in full sports gear having their own little games on the sidelines. The food for lunch includes pork in tangy spicy sauce and steamed rice balls, and off course liquor. Back in the hotel at Gonicoppal the owner, a tall man with a content-in-life smile and characteristic long nose, was more concerned about the deteriorating surroundings of Coorg. “This place shouldn’t be tourist a spot”. The way he said spot was almost a spat. Clearly this was an emotional issue for him; rightly so having traveled to “tourist spots” and seen the degradations I shared his sentiments. Though it was a surprise coming from a hotel owner, who always stand to gain from tourist rush. More than a hotel or inn this was a cottage with small self-sustaining rooms, apportioned from his house and few away from the main building. For 100 Rs a day it was a steal, definitely within my budget. The rooms however were cramped with no windows. I asked the reason for this appalling design- a building not able to include the beautiful nature and cozy climate of the place is off course appalling if not vulgar. He didn’t give an impression of a person in dire need of money, to make such cramped rooms like they do in lower end hotels in “famous tourist spots”. “I have plantations to take care and this was not meant to be a Hotel” he explained. By plantation I gathered of tea, hundreds of acres I saw on the way. “My cousin wanted to start a hospital here. She is a doctor. She had designed it as hospital….but later changed the plan” he explained. Even for a hospital it was strange setting, for wards. A room without ventilation is never healthy. It was while explaining about his doctor cousin that he mentioned her having written some books. My antennas were up. Kavery Nambisan is a quite well known writer. Her recent book The Hills of Angheri I gather is about a village girl who studies medicine in city and want to return to village to set up a hospital. Touché. Albeit Vijay Nambisan is better known. I recollect reading the collection of poems (also including Jeet Thayil) almost a decade back at Sahithya Akademi library. He has also written a book on Bihar. But our genteel man in the Hotel had the lines drawn clearly in his life “I am allergic to books” and as an afterthought, an apologetic “my wife and mother do read but I never could….and if you would excuse I want to go somewhere”. Next half an hour or so I played cricket with kids in the courtyard, convinced that I am not getting young!!. This was my second visit to coorg, from kerala some years back. I had come with a kalari ashan (a man in early 30s insisted that I call him Gurukal not ashan “even a carpenter can be an ashan but never a gurukal” was his argument. I told him I will think about it!!). We had come to collect medicinal plants. He also wanted to show me the ayurvedic “modern massage” centre he wanted to start in the “prime spot” he had purchased. This time though I carried a book Feathered Jewel of Coorg, on birds (by Dr. S.V.Narasimhan) a book dedicated to late Brig. Cariappa founder of Coorg Wildlife Society. I do keep an eye open for birds while traveling and was not disappointed this time too. I located multicolor barbet doing kuntroo kuntroo (just as mentioned in the book), minivets, shrikes, quails, ….it is matter of extreme pleasure to let know that early this year I happen to see Paradise Flycatcher in Periyar (thekkadi, I was here before the tourist season….well I aint a tourist season guy). This really is an exotic bird, absolutely enchanting to watch. It’s a kind of once in a life time chance. Just awesome. Coorg is also paradise for birds. That remind: hey what happened to birds in metros? No pigeons not even in that tiny winy sparrow whirring around. You think it’s a bird and turns out to be calls of squirrels or most disappointingly lizard!!. This aint development dude.

sunset point or Rajah's seat at Medikari

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Friday, May 12, 2006

banning CokePepsi in American universities.....

There is a cartoon on banning of cokepepsi in US campus (by Drew Sheneman of New jersey. Visit http://www.cagle.com/news/SodaBanned/4.asp). A move that needs appreciation and support. The school (and college authorities) in India too need to be concerned and be more responsible to its students. The State should pass laws on making campus healthier. Also concern need be raised on the socio-environmental cost of these exploitative products and youngsters need be made aware of the huge cost involved. Many campuses in US like Michigan have already banned these products. There is growing awareness on this issue (please visit http://www.indiaresource.org/news/2005/1028.html for more). The youth of India needs a movement for chasing these products from campuses, particularly from schools. There is also an ethical concern too, as to why these exploitative and harmful products are being projected as associated with health and energy by using sportspeople or scenes suggesting youthful energy. Wherein we all know it has nothing to with any of these. The lawn tennis sensation says in an ad “bas pyas bujaye yaar”. This kid need be told that people prefer water and that too is taken away from them. It is turning out to be some kind of a harsh joke. Despite the fact that these people are sucking up water for this exploitative product and causing untold misery the Government does nothing and a bottled carbonated drink still cost a pittance. Ideally this product should be classified as luxury product and heavily taxed. Socio-environmental cost is too high for a product which is mainly a style statement for some irresponsible.

As far as I know an ad. is meant to make us aware about the product they want to sell. Agreeing that it would be a “boring” way to “attract” the customers they need some innovative means to influence the viewers. But that doesn’t mean they fabricate a lie. There is a matter of ethics here. What they are suggesting is not what the product affects. CokePepsi is no health drink, on the contrary it causes disease. But the lifestyle these ads suggest is that of “action”- directing it to youth. Its no wonder that “action heroes” and sports people are preferred. There is fabrication of lie happening here. Affirming things not true. This culture of fabrication is what gave them incentive to invade Iraq for non existent WMDs. This culture of fabricating lies is the reason why thousands of people died and millions are suffering. This culture blinded the “audience” in US to see the wrong. What we see everyday in our TV in the name of selling products (and entertainment) is seeping in a dangerous space for accepting and tolerating lies. We know it is untrue- the images they show, suggesting the product represents, but we tolerate it. This is where the senses are assaulted and subsequently blunted into accepting unreal, the fake. Next it is replaced by blatant lies regarding the "other". And when you are in richer societies it is about changing channels or more importantly “what can I gain out of this” (also seen as “competence”). There seems to be race going on for maximum lick.

This culture of fabrication is not confined to CokePepsi sellers; they share these with fundamentalists who are into making people’s life miserable in the name of religion. Take the recent case of Hindu bigots in US and their attempt to present a sanitized view of India’s (hindu) past. Wherein the truth is that some heinous crime were committed in the name of religion. Sometime back I was reading an essay by V.S.Naipaul (Our Universal Civilization) these lines I thought were very significant (in context to Islamic fundamentalism)…the faith abolished the past. And when past was abolished more than idea of history suffered. Human behavior and ideals of good behavior could suffer. He further writes…..to posses the faith was to posses the only truth; and possession of this truth set many things on its head. The time before coming of the faith was to be judged in one way; what came after the faith was to be judged in another. The faith altered values, ideas of good behavior, human judgments….

So let’s be very clear: when ideas of good behavior and values are altered it is not just indecency it is an assault on civilization, on humanity. There is an urgent need to stop this serious encroachment into civilised norms.

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