LION ASHOK KUMBHAR.

LION ASHOK KUMBHAR.

Lion Ashok Kumbhar passes away in Egypt on 26th September 2010. Any death is sad. A ruling Governor dying while in office is more sad and shocking for all Lions of District 323-A-2 of lions clubs International. A trip that will not be forgot for long time. True International character of the movement was underlined by the fact that A Governor died in foreign country. Not so foreign for Lions because it is a country on the map of Lions. Lion fraternity rose to the occasion to make arrangements for transferring the body to India in quickest possible ways.

A ruling Governor has died first time in our District. Many constitutional provisions which were of only academical nature to study are going to become operative. Even in death Lion Ashok is giving lessons

The crowd gathered to pay homage and the procession for Lions Ashok has very large which included Minister, Mayer and many others. It speaks a lot about his popularity. It was not only the Lions but people from many walks of life came together. Apart from politicians his colleagues form navy, Literature and art lovers from Martahi Sahitya Mandal of Nvai Mumbai, Kumbhar Samaj not to mention family members and many many Lions as extended family.

I did not support him in his election campaign to become Governor. This never came in way of our friendship. He was truly great to understand my compulsions. Very few persons can be so magnanimous. I was equally moved by the shock of his death like others who supported him in campaign. I never believe in any camp. I believe that elections in service voluntary organizations are between friends and should be fought as such. To be forgot as soon as results are out. Lion Ashok born out this belief by his personality.

Lion Ashok has came quite a long way in his life. They say “what you are” is God’s gift to you and “what you become” is your gift to God. A very big gift is given to the God by Lion Ashok.

May his soul rest in peace. May god give courage to Lion lady Ashwini and children to bear the loss.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

DAUGHTER'S DAY

Yesterday was the daughter’s day. Singular for me plural for some. I have only one daughter SURUCHI. Single but worthy of dozen. She is younger of my two kids. Like almost all younger kid, she was more dear. My both kids were so pretty as small children that they would draw attention where ever they went. Suruchi received more as girl. Ours is almost a joint family. My elder brother has only son “Jagdish” elder to her. Coming after two boys she was bound to be more favored in the house. At least till Reema & Mana arrived.

Salil was good six years old than her. We always thought of her as small kid till he was alive. She grew by several years on the night of his death. We were in USA at the time. My friend and then MP Prakash Paranjpe was trying to talk us out of waiting for our arrived for funeral. He thought we will have tough time to gather enough people for his funeral. It was our Lions friend and Suruchi who proved him wrong. When we boarded off the plain and got into waiting car, she hold our hands as nobody else could have. She was no more a small kid.

Being charismatic herself, she brought us out of gloom. She was involved in romantic way to Amit by now. She confided into me and soon a love marriage was converted into arranged marriage. No regrets for that I think. She had best of the both. Only thing I asked Amit when he came to ask her hand was promise to care for four parents instead of two. A promise so well kept by them both. Now she is perfect elder sister to cousins from my side and perfect younger sister to cousins from her mother’s side. In fact now she is indispensable not only to us but to all her cousins either here or in USA.

Very beautiful, fierce fully intelligent, she is our pride. I wont praise her on face being conservative myself. I have hunch that she will not read this blog and therefore I ma taking this liberty to praise her.

We share a rare relationship where she is loved respected and yes also feared by at least me if not by us. After all now she is the only one to carry our legacy to what ever kind of world we will leave behind. I don’t know who will care less, the world, herself or myself.

We wanted to spend evening with Amit, she and Rohan. Could not be materialise. No problem We hope there will be another year granted to us by God for another daughter’s day.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

SANDRA SAMUEL, A GLOBAL CITIZEN

Sandra Samuel was born as an Indian and is now conferred with Israel citizenship. It is not ear whether she surrendered Indian Citizenship. If not it is a case of dual citizenship. Many Indian would love to have such dual citizenship. USA would of course top the list of most desirable country for dual citizenship. I Israel would not be far behind. Normally such wish would be impossible to gain and scorned by any patriotic person. Exception is Sandra Samuel.

We all are aware of her courage and presence of mind. We are also aware of the exemplary deed she performed. Perhaps she might have got life full of honoring and felicitations from Lions and Rotaries and their cousin clubs. However the call of the crying child was perhaps greater than national pride.It is not case of only Moshe and Sandra but it is a bond between a child and his Aya or Dai. The concept of Aya is rather difficult to explain. It is a very complex relationship. It is a role of servant, care taker, foster mother all rolled into one. One does not know how little Moshe would have faced her staying back in India. She happened to be only person known to him in whole world. It is a bond going much beyond the boundaries of nations. It is a case of humanity being greater than nationality. Such people deserve to be conferred the world citizenship. No country ought to be foreign to such person because humanity can not be foreign to any nation. It is a notion not align to Indian Philosophy.

We are proud of you Sandra. It is person and deed like her that go to prove the quotes of Jnaeshwar “ Viswachi maze Ghar “ or Subhashit like “Vasudhaive Kutumbakam”.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

SHRINKING FAMILIES

My grand father had eight siblings. I had dozen of grand mothers named as Khare. To have siblings in dozens was nothing unusual in that generation. Usually the gentlemen would have more than one wife. Ramayana and one wife Ram was not taken as serious role model even by religious minded men. To have a step mother was quite common. The family consisted during that age the man, his many wives and many many children. Throw in widowed sisters, daughters, nieces, orphan kids of brothers and sisters and you will have a comprehensive picture of a typical joint family. Really it should have been called as age of multi joint families. A dying person would have dozen of attendants around his death bed from family itself.

During time of my parents the number had come near but more than half dozen. My parents had four siblings (not counting who died as babies). My aunts numbered same as my uncles. Ramayana appears to have effect or it may be simply effect of an enactment. If somebody rarely married twice after death of first wife, some widows still returned to the joint family. Occasional accommodation of unmarried brother or sister was not looked as burden. A dying person died in family and rarely unattended.

I have four siblings. We live in joint family house. Still parents of our generation by and large live with one of the child, usually elder son. Other sons and daughters some times share the care of parents willingly or grudgingly. The thought of sending parents to old age home is gaining frowning acceptability. We understand that sending of our uncles and aunts to old age home is better as unavoidable reality than bringing them to our home. We have rarely more than couple of kids. We of course want to die in our house and in attendance by our kids and grand kids. Our kids perhaps have different view. They look upon this wish as foolish sentimental burden.

Our kids are more and more opting for a single child family. The arrivals are planned with care. The care is of their convenience rather than the convenience of the baby, The care to bring baby after settling down and after having enjoyed life. It takes more than half life to come to that stage. We also read in paper business of surrogate mothers flourishing. Even the Indian couples not having time for pregnancy are increasingly turning to surrogacy.

We unnecessarily worry that babies will have to support their parents early in their life. It is a wrong worry perhaps. The babies will be smarter than their parents and our kids. The question and fight would be whose parents to take care of ? Husband’s or wife’s ? Better none of them. The care of parents would be something unheard of. The parents should live either on their own or go to old age home or sanatorium. No place would be left for parents in next generation nucleus family. Add to that case of single parent families which are rare in India but common in western countries we are so eager to ape. The single kid is much less likely to bother about single parent when it will grow up.

The logical sequence of surrogate mothers is foster care of kids. It won’t be surprising to find future society where the husband, the wife and the kid live their entire life in separate homes. Not home but only names will join them. That would be ultimate shrinkage of family concept. Don’t worry or cry about it. There is marriage concept waiting in the wings to disappear.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

WISHFULL LAST RITES

The son was denied to perform the last rites of business tycoon and performed by one actor recently as foster son. I don’t want to go into emotions and drama of a particular case. The question keeps ringing in my head is why people want to be particular and fussy about care of their dead body. Is it a wish to continue your presence even after the death?
It may be so.
I don’t know whose wish was behind building the TajMahal, Emperor Shajahan or queen Noorjahan. Generally credit is given to the immortal love of Emperor. Other monuments are not so dedicated. Golkonda has so many tombs that many dead bodies buried in many tombs is known only to historians. Some tombs are left incomplete because their dead occupant died early. Come to the modern history and we have Rajghat dedicated to samadhis of Gandhis. From Mahatma to Rajiv with sole exception of Nehru. If the buz is to be believed, the minute details of funeral procession, and sketches of samadhis etc. are prepared during the life time of the ruler (yes ruler even if ruling in democratic way!).
Others also follow the suit. Many chatris, water fountains are littering Old Dehli as ruins. Dehli is capital but other small and big towns also have their share. Take Alibag for example which has a Chatri for Kanhoji Angre. Nobody seems to care about it any more.
Why rulers and generals ? Even saints of all religions continue to live from their tombs, graves, samadhis and such things.
No wonder then ordinary people want at list an epitaph over their grave. Even farmers want to be cremated in their farm and wife next to husband.
The architecture is most favourite discipline to memorise a dead. Others are also seen here and there. We have Nehru wanting his ashes spread over whole of India from a plane. Nothing less in grandeur! We have a Mahtama whose forgotten ashes are immersed several years after.
It may be OK for those who are left behind to decide on the scale of memorial. Utter nonsense for the dying person. As saint Ramdas swami has said it’s same if the body of a sanyasi is burnt, drowned or eaten by dogs and other animals. If one can not be that detached while living, one should not cling to dead body and keep moral, physical, financial burden to the successors. It should be best left to their choice.

Arvind khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

EARLY MORNING DOCTORS AND LATE NIGHT COURTS

The lecturers from Medical colleges will soon be barred from private practice. So is reported in the Times of India. Medical science is continuously progressing. It is impossible to keep tab of the new progress made just by referring to books, periodicals and papers. Nothing can be as effective to gain first hand knowledge as a patient treated personally.

It is sin to take ill on weekend. Dispensaries are closed. Gone are the days when doctors used to pay home visit at nominal charge. Little chance is of medical help unless you go to hospital. There also the specialists from hospitals are usually gone away from city for trips and picnics having planned to complete their schedule during 5 day week. On many occasions the hospitals are left to the competence of para medical staff. We hear regularly cases of the relatives of patients attacking doctors for alleged negligence. Medico-Legal cases are on the rise. We also hear regularly bogus doctors detected. There is a bee line to get attachment in big popular hospitals as specialist All this happens in the cities and metropolitan areas and on other side there is dearth of general practitioners in rural area.

Definitely it is no case for ban to practice. As it is the medical service is poor and poorly distributed. Efforts must be for more primary medical services at more places and for more time. A patient would like to visit the doctor for some body ill at home and go to duty with peaceful mind. We have banks working at the time convenient to the customer. The floweriest, the vegetable wholesale market, the milkmen do their work in early morning. Why cannot some doctors do the same ?

Allow those lecturers to practice part time at early morning and take lectures full time. Perhaps they will overtake other medical practitioners who any way are available till quite late in the evening. The government mooted bare foot doctors in rural area. Some relief can also be given to over crowded cities by this way.

The government is also mooting the idea of courts in double shift. So we may end up having early morning doctor and late night advocates. There may a case of a same person doing medical practice in the morning and legal practice in the evening. Why not so long he does not become robber by the day?

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

SOME MORE ABOUT FREEDOM

Yesterday’s blog turned out to be little longer and had to be cut short due to lack of time. Here is something I missed yesterday.

I have already told mentioned about the plight of cured patients who are not accepted back home. It would be quite natural for them as being deprived of freedom. Thankfully that freedom was restored to three patients as reported. Here is another angle.

I met one patient in the corridors. He wished me good morning in very civil way. When I wished back, he suddenly bent to touch my feet and calling me uncle as if asking for blessings. Blessings don’t cost any thing. So I could be liberal to give promptly. He started telling his story. He hailed from Hydrabad. According to him his brothers and other family members had deprived him of his property rights by accusing him mad. The property was also described as a piece of farm land. I asked him to write down on a piece of paper his name, names of the family members and the description of the land when a member of staff separated us telling me not to believe him. I did not know whom to believe. I went back to program little disturbed. I contacted superintendent to whom I was introduced earlier and told him about the patient and staff. I asked him how it can be ensured that the patient is not the victim. What I was told by him is interesting. The hospital has a legal cell and a lady legal adviser. There are number of accusations reported by patients which are neither believed nor disbelieved. An enquiry is conducted and if any substance is found the matter is taken to the court from redress. A share can not be denied for being mad. A guardian is to be appointed by court.

A day before I was watching another interesting program on TV on destitute Children where again a detailed legal mechanism to safe guard right of Minor orphan child was explained.

The mad and the orphan both have same rights as other citizens of India. When they are not capable of protecting them themselves, the government is stepping in. Now let us not jump to criticize corruption, delay and so many other short comings. The very fact that the Government thinks to protect the right of those who can not do it themselves ensures us that Union of India is welfare state as is declared. The freedom is very foundation of welfare. Freedom is a word easy to shout under national flag and in safe cordon of security but difficult to mean. The fight freedom does not get over after achieving Independence from foreign rule.

Ranavin swatantrya kona milale ? ( who gained freedom without fight )

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

FREEDOM AT MENTAL ASSYLUM

15th August is celebrated by our Lions Club of Kopri-Thane at N.M.Mental Hospital, Thane for last 22 years. It is a tradition which makes me proud as the President initiating it. How much this tradition has helped the Hospital, I do not know. It has certainly taught us a thing or two. Some lessons came from the Doctors and other staff and some from inmates. I have not kept any record of them but few I can remember are worth mentioning here.

Normally our banner reads as Lions Club of Kopri Welcomes you. The painter changed it to Lions of Kopri welcomes you. Mistake welcome and welcomes was pointed out by one of the cured patient. We Lions have tradition of reading flag salutation in very meeting. The tradition is all the more significant on 15th Auguat. Every body stands at that time as mark of respect to national flag. We just stand but the inmates folded hands as Namaskar. without being prompted.

The programmes they present is practised and rehearsed for days in advance. It helps to keep their mind occupied. Once in a while we go to watch the practice. The simple action of facing the audience and turning back is to be rehearsed 100 times till everybody can make it together. Either they will not turn at all or turn not to full 180 degree or turn in wrong direction. The patience shown by the training staff till every thing is synchronized is amazing. The actual performance on d day is baffling to ay the least. There is joy of wearing anything else than uniform for them. Imagine how much joy must be brought by the colourful bright dresses and make up. It overflows on most of the faces The watchful eyes of the staff never leave them for a moment. Almost like security man behind the Prime Minister of India delivering speech from Red fort. And the audience! The response is simply to be seen to believe. A character saluting national flag from stage will prompt few dozens to do the same from audience. Most of them are totally engrossed and clap with innocence of child. But some faces would be always blank either on the stage or in audience reminding us that everything is not normal.

We are told that the audience of hundred or two patients brought to watch the show is less than 10 % of the total strength and most of them cured patient who are not accepted back home. We have seen some faces over dozen of years and even become friendly with some of them. They would ask only two things a bidi or taking them back to family. The real patients in the wards are beyond comprehension of what is Independence and what is programme.

This year we had a real different story presented for change, for the first time in 22 years. A lady patient by name of Rajkumari ( Babita as nick named by the hospital ) narrated her story. She is from west Bengal. Does not remember how she came here, does not remember that she had a son till the treatment cured her. She wrote down her address and would give to everyone coming to visit the hospital. One of the staff took pity and sent a letter on the address. Reply did come. She was united with her family. Her son separated from her ( probably in train ) was also located in Madhya Pradesh. Too good or to filmy like to believe but true. We were in for surprise when doctors told us that they could unite three such patients in last year. Three may be next to zero compared to thousands of inmates. But even that fractional number was also achieved in last 22 years of our association. A true case of freedom at asylum. Compliments and congratulations to the hospital. Let us pray to God there would be many more such freedoms.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

AS OLD AS INDEPENDENCE

Born in 1947, I am one of those born in the year of independence. One of my friends is born exactly on to make in impressions on baby mind in form of memories. The advantage is I 15th August. I was not so lucky. I had to experience what is colonial slavery for good 48 days. Experience has failed can immediately tell how old is Indian independence. Disadvantage is nobody calls me a freedom fighter. I have seen many institutions go searching for freedom fighters. The best of the lot is gone very long back. Any from second even third line of freedom fighters is also not to be availed any more. Some of those who were not even in teens before 1947 were also felicitated as freedom fighters. Shouting of VANDE MATARAM from bathroom was also accepted as freedom fight. Now is perhaps the end of road for finding freedom fighters.

It does not matter any more to younger generation. India is India in their mind. The prefix of Independent has lost its bearing. Only those who were slave at some point of time can value importance of the word Independent. For the rest being Indian is same as being Independent Indian. They don’t see Americans calling themselves as Independent Americans. Americans also fought for freedom like us. The fight was over 1767. Ours got over in 1947. Sixty years is certainly long enough to confine few things to history.

Sad is the case for the organizers who are forced to find alternatives to the freedom fighters. The last war was also over in 1971. The terrorist are doing their best to provide alternative martyrs. We can have few more years of felicitations and honoring. How long are we going to bury our heads in the sands of history. It is rather pity that people can not think in terms of future on the Independence day. Why don’t we think of launching new ambitious endeavor. May it be Industrial, Cultural, political. Anything that is ambitious and nation building in character. Can we not have another visionary thinking big like Pt. Nehru ? If 15th August is a land mark of time, let it be bridge between proud past and promising future. JAI HND.

Arvind Khare

WOMEN AND KASHMIR AGITATION

Something is terribly wrong when women come to streets. That is what is happening in Kashmir agitation now.

Recently we had been through Shrinagar for Amarnath Yatra on the face of agitation. A band call ensured closed shutters on the day we arrived and same closed shutters said good bye to us due to curfew. In between we had to interact with people like taxi driver, hotel owner, House Boat owner, food vendors etc. They did argue about on going agitation, separation demand, lack of economic growth when engaged in conversation. That they were not well conversed with rest of India was quite evident. Still we found them extremely cordial. They were very concerned about our safety and went out of way to ensure our passage to airport.

Some may say because of business interest. We did not notice traders smile but sincerity on their face. Some 20 years back we were in Shrinagar. We stayed in Lal Chowk area. A medical emergency on a Sunday made us visit the narrow lanes of city in search of Doctor. We got one who not only treated patient but also treated all of us like family guests. We came to know some delicacies like Gustaba which otherwise would have never come to know. In fact as tourist we never noticed any resent for us any where. On the contrary we were given a feeling of welcome.

We found women of the home very homely and shy. We did not see much of womenfolk on the street. Those who were on the street appeared shy to even look at you. It is difficult to imagine that they have suddenly got courage to pelt stones at the security.

One thing however we did notice was terrible resent for security. We were told number of stories about their ruthless handling. We were told how some youth were killed by them for no reason. We were told how a woman cooking in home was shot and how a boy who ventured to go on street to fetch milk was shot. We thought at that time that they were exaggerated stories. Apparently they were not judging by the pictures of the stone pelting women published in the press.

The issues involved are too complex for ordinary citizen like us to understand. However one thing is sure that the battle may be one but cause is lost with women taking to street. We must understand that they are neither police nor soldier nor terrorist but a face of untold suffering. Perhaps bullet is not proper instrument of dialogue.

Let us hope that peace will return and so the hospitality of Kashmr.
Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

KHAP MODEL OF PANCHAYAT RAJ

When I wrote about woman power demonstrated by Chandravati, a mention was made about Khap. I had some how felt even at that time that story of Chandravati is too good to be repeated. I had also cited example of Shahabanu case to show case how vested interest including Governments go to any length to destroy the moral boosted by such exceptional and lone cases of dogged fight. The laws are amended, terror is let loose by groups and here sadly by close members of families of the victim.

The ugly face of Khap is well demonstrated by media. May be due to sensation it generates. That is very existence of modern media. The ugly faces of families on rampant murder spree is more sensational and thus to be more hoghlighted. The brother, fathers, uncles and at times even ladies don’t seem to flinch in killing their own siblings in the name honor. That ladies like mother in law and sisters in law are experts at killing daughter-in-laws is an established fact of ages. Men folk is usually happy at molesting and raping daughters in law. Capital punishment is left to women folk. When it comes to killing daughters compared to daughters in law. men seen to be more happy at the task. If father and brothers are not honorable enough uncles too join in the kill. All in the name of Honor of course. This funny thing called honor unites family killers and excited onlookers under the umbrella of Khap. Both the appellants as well as judges know the verdict well in advance. The defense is conspicuous by absence. The execution of draconian orders are carried out by appellants again. They even boast of the act to media. More sensation and more news worth. Happy happy we shall be when we kill them A B C.

My aim is not to criticize Khap leaders, killer families or media. That is easy and equally sensational. Attempt is to be made to analyze dispassionately the system which is increasingly becoming order of the day.

Caste councils and / or village councils are known to us from ancient times. In fact the kings and rulers would change, The dynasties would come and go. They had little or no effect on village life except during war time. The loot and arson were inevitable as fall out of war. That was not routine and accepted something like draught or flooding. Even the army would be recruited as and when needed. The farmers would double as soldiers to earn extra buck. The loyalty was more to the field than king. The council heads would be of great help in tax collection, army recruitment and maintenance of hierarchy. Why disturb it ? So the rulers did not interfere without reason in functioning of such councils. They were sort of local self Government much before democracy was ushered in by British. These councils had all functions of Government, administrative as well as judiciary. In fact every thing about village councils or Panchayats was not bad. That is why we have now enacted Panhayat Raj by a bill passed in Parliament. Now it is not inheritance or cast domination but election that makes the Panchyat. They have budget, economic planning, administration in well documented manner. The authority is derived and limited by an enactment.

The sad part is that although executive part of the Government is decentralized to grass root level, the judiciary is not. That did not stop them from being judges. They didn’t have written laws but then neither the British had them written Very name Panchayat suggests the wisdom coming from five mouths. Wisdom from five mouths did not find any need of written down law. Even the kings did not have a constitution. The cases were heard though and awards given. Out casting a person or family was far more effective punishment than sending them to jails. Not that jail term or capital punishment was not heard of. Bit it was for more serious offenses.

The case I would like to present is to give Panhayat councils as judiciary function as well. Elected councils will have lesser evils coming from hereditary hierarchy. What is needed is documented law and rules giving authority and limitations to try.a case. Record the proceedings and verdict and of course right to appeal. The Khap heads should come as elected representatives and function within the frame work of law. That may diminish the need of Lok adalat.

Th male chauvinist mentality of killer fathers and brothers will need some thing more than a law. Unless a system is created where woman can leave the family and still live honorable life will only prick the make ego. Majority of women live in the circumstances they don’t want to live but are forced to live because there is no option. Father and Brothers are happy to be killers directly or indirectly by refusing to offer shelter to harassed daughter. Dignity of single woman can only truly point out how pragmatic is the society.

Let a single woman living with dignity decide what is honor and not the self appointed Khap guardians of honor. Their functioning now is anything but honorable. Khap may be bad but Panchayat is not. Let us change Khap raj by Panchayat Raj.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

TALE OF AKKA, MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER

Sundarabai Karmarkar or AKKA as she was called by us That was my grand mother from maternal side, mother of the mother of my mother. I vaguely remember her small frame. I recall two old ladies staying together in our rented home at Kamat wada, Thane in fifties. One was my Aaji Late Laxmibai Khare mother of my father and other was Akka mentioned above. A generation gap strictly speaking but both looked too old that to notice it at that time, a time when my age was not in double figure. Soon ( 1960 ) my father constructed our own home PUSHPAK as a small ground floor bungalow of two bed rooms. No. One bed room and other Prayer room doubling as bed room of Aaji. Akka did not move in with us. We all four siblings used to sleep in hall which was certainly big enough for couple of more beds. Yet she was not part of our home.

The fact did not come to my notice till my mother decided to tell her story. My mother has suddenly telling her childhood stories these days. Not as if she has nothing left to say about present. She is very much alive to the present world. But her mind is now wandering more into past. We are told many untold stories. That is how I came to know about rather pathetic and sad life of Akka.

Born as Kale she was married in Karmarkar family at tender age according to tradition of the time, gave birth to only girl child as soon as coming to age, became widow when the child was still breast fed. No. I don’t know the name of my great grand father and not missing it. It is great-great grand mother whom I wish I had seen. I can not bring before my eyes a woman who evicted young widowed daughter-in-law along with a baby grand child from her house and probably her holding responsible for death of her son. How can I call it as home ? Home is where heart is. This structure did not seem to have a heart.

Such a complete was the cut off she was not ready to cast even a look at her grand daughter ( which happens to be and my grand mother). She would visit a neighbor in Mahajan Chawl at Nagpur where my grand mother was staying after her marriage. Funnily my mother remembers her grand mother as a lady bent to knees with old age. A legacy she is inheriting now in some degree even if great grand mother had cut her mother off totally. Genes probably do not have emotions.

But I am now telling tale of Akka and neither of my grand mother of maternal side nor her mother-in-law. Akka came back to Kale family who gave her shelter. Her in laws refused to contribute even a token for her living let alone share in the property. A woman of extra ordinary courage Akka did not let herself become burden on brothers. As told by my mother she would sell bangles to earn a livelihood. Such a meager earning that she would have to go hungry for days. But she would not ask for money from brothers. A shelter given by them was good enough. Enough was enough by her standard. She brought up my grand mother who was reportedly a beautiful lady and married it to Mr. Narayan Gondhalekar, my grand father from maternal side. Akka could see five grand children, my mother and four maternal uncles or Mamas. One died of Sun stroke. I don’t remember face of my grand mother because she died before I was born. Died of cancer. The house of my grand father was once again in shambles. The elder Uncles were married and living separately. No body was ready to take care of the youngest Raja mama in his adolescent age. It was Akka who offered him care of the mother. I still remember a small room in Kale property where Akka lived with Raja mama, both suffering from ill fate that brought them together.

I don’t remember what circumstances brought her to our rented home in Thane before constructing Pushpak. I don’t know why she did not move in Pushpak and went back to Nagpur. I came to know only recently from my mother that she wanted a room added in our bungalow where she wanted to live along with us but separately. My mother did not muster courage to tell it to my father and the room never came along. Many relatives lived with us for months and years later on, many rooms were added later on as our families grew, unfortunately not one for an old and lonely lady in her last days.

She was a woman of courage as I have said earlier. She would tell my mother often that she will decide how and when to die. Well she did. She immolated herself in the dingy room of her brother’s property soon after Pushpak was ready and occupied. My mother did not say so in so many words but I suspect there is guilt prompting her to tell this so late to me. I too am writing this to ease the burden of that unknown and unseen guilt. All characters are real and my blood relatives. I do not mean to make any one either hero or villain. We are all ordinary pawns in the hand of destiny. Even our hates and loves are not our own. Part of grand design of some unknown principle filling us up with hate and love, joy and sorrow; making us move with timeless merry go round in this birth and next.

I don’t know if such suicide can be called as cowardly act. If it is cowardice then I will be proud to be coward. No wrong. I am not coward enough to do what Akka did. May her soul rest in peace.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

LOKMANYA TILAK

1st August is death anniversary of Likmanya Tilak. Ninety long years have gone since. Longer than his life of 64 years. Long enough to forget not only the work but even the name of the ordinary person. But Lokmanya Tilak was no ordinary person. The first amongst a series of great freedom fighters who could be called as true national leader of immense following. There were leaders before him, during his time but none could be termed as leader of masses. A torch carried later on by Mamatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru. The title LOKMANYA was not conferred upon him by any university or cult. It was spontaneous recognition coming directly from the people. A feat achieved perhaps only by Mahatma Gandhi later on. The title Pandit of Nehru was as a Kashmir Pandit like Pandit Motilal, his father.
The titles conferred on him may be spontaneous but the titles conferred by him on others were trend setters. Take the example of BALGANDHARVA by him on child age Naryan Rajhans. Not only Balgandhrva became legend himself but many other Gandharvas like Savai Ganhdrav, Nutan Gandharva, Kumar gandharva followed all of whom were genius of their own merit.

The political unrest which eventually lead to the freedom of India in 1947 owes its beginning to Lokmanya. Gandhi and Jeena might have fallen apart later on but at the beginning of their political careers both were ardent followers of Lokmanya. The then Governor General has recorded and conceded to his popularity as much greater than his at the time when Likmanya was freed from Mandale prison in 1914.

But its not only the political career that makes him outstanding but his unparalleled intelligence and scholarship amply demonstrated by his minuscule of literature written by him makes him truly great. A Calendar ( PANCHANG ) was introduced near his end of life and named after him and is still followed by some in Konkan parts. It gives importance to the visual matching of the stars in the sky and stars mentioned in the calendar A revolutionary thought unfortunately dying at the hands of traditionalism. Would not have been so had he lived little longer. His scholar status as astronomer was unquestioned during his life. And of course the legendary GEETA RAHASYA which was path breaking study of Bhagvadgeeta. ( Translated in practically all Indian and many European languages) Such outstanding scholarly work was a mere bi product of his jail confinement from 1908 to 1914. Some times I feel that the British have done great favor to Indians by giving compulsory break to him from active politics. Even great achievements of starting a news paper and founding educational trust become nondescript by comparison. Both Kesari and Ferguson college of Deccan Education Society from Pune are legends in themselves

Its impossible to bring his entire personality within small framework of a blog but I feel strongly to tell about him in the same spirit in which students like me were asked to on every 1st August during our school days. I am happy to note that even now intellectuals are trying to fathom his wisdom and foresight.

I think nothing aptly offers tribute to him than the verse printed in Kesari.

Tav smaran santat sphurandayi amha ghado,
Kalank maticha zado vishay sarvatha navado,
Tat-andhri kamali pado muradita hatane ado,
Viyog ghadata rado man bhavschritri jado.

( May your motivating memories come to us always
May the blight and lust go away from our mind and intellect,
May we fall at pair of your lotus feet and resist being turned .
May we cry to be departed and may we enjoin your life.)

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com

TEMDULKAR BLOOD & CARNIVOROUS INSTINCTS

Good that blog was not written on Tendulkar Biography earlier. The news was indeed breaking. The idea was to mix the blood of master with ink and printing few selected copies of the biography at phenomenal price. Who was the target buyer? May be Vampires? The modern day vampires who have concealed their bleeding teeth? Probably there is no dearth of them even now.

Gone are the days of Lady Mackbeth washing her hands stained with blood. Gory of blood is perhaps now a thing to parade. In the wars of Marathas times, the beheaded head of the General was pierced with javelin paraded as mark of victory. That is recent history and literature. We need not scratch our heads for what must be case before that. It is expected that with civilization, such barbaric instincts ought to be overcome. History also tells us examples of King Sikandar and King Porus who demonstrated how a defeated head of state should be treated. At list the war has some kind of euphoria. When the blood is sought as marketable commodity, it is not soldier but the trader who is at work. The traders are perhaps more carnivorous of the two. The sad part is they advertise such instincts as marketing. I remember having read some time back how one dog lover cooked his flesh after death and ate it. That was her idea of keeping the pet permanently with her. Don’t we have story of the son Chilaya being cooked and served as food in scriptures? The story at least had happy end of the dinner being the GOD under disguise who as expected resurrects the son.

Like most of the news in present day media, the breaking news had little substance and too much of hype. After sharp reactions and much criticism, the master himself has come out with denial. A little late perhaps like lingering in nineties before making century. Too anxious for fans like us. But nineties are not remembered unless one gets out before making century. Well done Sir ! We can do without blood to remember you.

Arvind Khare

khare_am@yahoo.com

SECULAR SHOWCASE OF BLASTS

It is not enough to declare the state as secular in constitution alone. It must be shown as such. There arises the need to showcase image. The image is of course different than reality. The image is created and the reality is naturally born. Therefore what is shown need not be same as what is seen. Invariably there is gap between two. Yet that does not stop people from creating images and showcase them in make believe attempt.

Look at the council of ministers at the state or center. There must be at least one member belonging to minority amongst vast majority to show case this very secular image. Same is the case of appointment of state Governors to practically any state. A minority person must occupy chair after every 3 to 4 turns. The inclusion is more for token than merit.

Today purpose is to take a close look at blast trials. The Malegaon blast case is like one token case of minority amongst vast majority like council of Ministers. Only in minority is reversed from what it is at the council of Ministers. The kind of hype created by the media, the police have contributed their share in showcasing the secular spirit. The Malegaon blast trial gets almost as much coverage as all rest of the trials put together. It has become absolutely essential for the state to equate few accused belonging to majority at par with all accused belonging to minority. Some times the death of six outnumbers death of hundreds.

What a secular state and what a showcase. Keep believing that what is shown is really what is seen.

Arvind Khare

khare_am@yahoo.com

AMARNATH YATRA

It was indeed a high fly pilgrimage. Just bare three days of 5th,6th & 7th July to be precise. Day one to reach nearest base camp, day two for to & fro journey to the shrine in the cave and day three for return. No scope for making it shorter. Three domestic carriers and a helicopter service needed for that not to mention taxi drive to and form Baltal or pony or Dandi (palquein) ride of the last 6 KM distance from helipad to shrine cave.

Still it had the devotion, charm and adventure of full fledged AMARNATH YATRA. The adventure was written large on narrow, rising and slippery trails. In case you failed to notice, the pony wala or Dandi wala were quick enough to point out spots from where travelers have slipped into deep valley and how no trace of them could be found. They say Terrorist are planning to hit the YATRA. No need of ammunition. A small stampede rising out of panic is good enough to take toll of hundreds and thousands of Yatri. If that was not enough to indicate dangers, co-travelers gasping for breath did the job of reminder well.

Still the danger failed to dampen the spirit of the charm and devotion. A shining sun on the caps of peaks and snow gathered on the trail, clouds winds and rains, the cold of near the ice caps, a rare rainbow, mud, stones, glaciers, pine trees all came together to complete the grand picture. The peaks of Himalaya are so well spread that every peak appears to be top of the world. That was the feeling we carried till we reached the shrine.

While climbing the last lap of trek, all three trails coming from Pahalgam, Baltal and helicopter pad united in one single trail. It no more mattered from where you have come, or how much you traveled. Only thing that mattered was the fact you were there at last at the feet of the LORD in all his natural grandeur. The realization that BULAVA AYA HAI. In our case the call came to my wife. She made it in spite of cracked heals and fix leg joints on shear strength of strong will. We have to thank the dandi boys for that. I was a mere chaperon. It was Vikas Gokhale who turned in the robes of dutiful son Shravan for us. In the anxiety to ensure that we definitely have Darshan, he skipped his own. I am ready to hand over whatever Punya I might have accidentally collected to him.

Arvind Khare

khare_am@yahoo.com

ANNUAL APPOINTMENT WITH SALIL SAHJEEVAN

This year it was 4th July the Sunday following 29th June, the death anniversary day of SALIL. Sometimes it is preceding Sunday. For some time we tried to do it exactly on the 29th June. Working day made it possible only in the evening. Not as much time could be spent as we wanted. So the adjustment was inevitable. Adjustment is key word not only during life but even life after because we others are destined to live life of adjustment. It may be becoming somewhat ritualistic with every passing year but 13 years in long time to go.

As usual we had drawing competition. No subject is needed to be given. Children start as soon as papers and drawing materials are distributed. Usually it is typical scene of the sun rising from valley between two mountain peaks, or some festival or floral motives. The quality is similar to any other normal school children. Majority paintings are poor copies of some painting seen some where. Yet occasional exception do crop up to surprise. This year we had a boy painting Raksha Bandhan. When asked to explain he promptly told it is a festival where brother promises security to the sister. Imagine it coming from a boy abandoned on the streets. You have altogether different perspective of home, family and Indian culture. Invariably flag salutation is shown on the foreground of the shelter. Here not the quality of drawing itself that draws the attention but the thought behind it.

This was followed by dance numbers presented by some children. Once again it proved that the talent does not necessarily come with secured family back ground. Forget the talent but self confidence is exhibited to very large measure than average children of secured background. Then we had prize distribution and cash incentives to the boys securing first rank in his class room. No year is gone without having at least one such shining student receiving incentive. David had bagged it continuously during his school days. Now he is grown up and living independently in rented house along with his younger brother Wilson. He is a great reminder of the worthiness of cause.

The visit was completed with the lunch. A chicken Biryani cherished by all children. Perhaps our Lionesses were not too comfortable with non vegetarian food. They were considerate enough to see priority given to the liking of children. The Lions did their share under leadership of President Lion Anthony D”souza. A word must be spared in praise of the brother SANJAY in charge and the cook. A clear family bond is visible in their dealing with the Children.

The best part is of course the prayer said before start of the Lunch. Nothing better comes to my mind to bless the soul of our departed SALIL.

Arvind Khare

khare_am@yahoo.com

YEAR OF ADDITION AND DEDUCTION:

Almost mid year. 27th & 29th June to be precise. Till 13 years back it was only 27th June. The day I was born. Years added to the age. Same number of years deducted from balance life. Now towing in line is 29th since SALIL died in 1997. Single year seemed to long on then. We thought his memory will never leave us. It is neither forgotten nor constant on thought and feeling. Life continued. Many people parted, many people joined from family, friends and colleagues. I did not want it that way at the time. I thought time will stand still. Not to be so. The memory which was thought to be constant companion for balance life is no more so. I thought giving up birth day celebration would be right thing to do. I tried visiting Pandharpur in this period. I continue to spend some time with inmates of SALIL SAH JEEVAN. , shelter for destitute children. Slowly all these things are turning into ritual. Done and forgotten. Don’t tell to all new people that come in contact. Now I get wishes from people who neither know nor care if I have a son or not much less his tragic end. Telling them about tragedy does sound like fishing for sympathy. Now I neither celebrate nor able to forget the birth day and of course much less the death anniversary. What a confused state of affair ! Do I regret it ? Sort of !

Kuch khoya kuch paya,
Chalti chale chalu duniya.
Hume ye kya ho raha hai ?
Ateet humse chut raha hai !
Iske pahle ki bhul de yade
Uparwale hume utha de.

P.S. Did not write for long time because did not feel strongly enough. Practically nobody bothered. That further dampened the spirit.

It’s OK. Be your own Biographer and be your own critic too.

Artvind Khare

COMING OUT OF HISTORY BOX

Millions of people take birth, live their life to the fullest and perish. Very few live their name behind. Very few of these very few make their way to history pages. History pages are difficult to define. The names of Prime ministers and Chie ministers are recorded. Can a page giving their chronology called as History page ? Even the police keep history sheets of the criminals. Are these History pages ? We have dynasties ruling India and some other parts of the world. History painstakingly records their chronology. Is it history ? In fact present school of thought does not classify chronologies of dynasties and wars as history. Only those who make difference to societies are given a place in history page. You find Mahatma Gandhi on history pages even if he did not rule for a single day. The purpose of this introduction is to show how difficult it is to get into history box But that is not the aim of today’s blog.

The aim is to trace those who come out of history box and continue to influence the society even after their time has come to end. They are not necessarily rulers ( including democratic rulers like Churchill.). Rulers are forget as soon as they stop to rule. Some go into oblivion like Gorbachev before death. They may get into history box and remain their unnoticed till some scholar decides to do some research. I do not think of myself as historian like Boxwel or Yadunath Srakar or Rajwade. Nor I have any inclination to follow some person or some era. I simply want to tell about some people which resurface again and again after the death.

Che Gavera for instance. He has outdone Fiedel Castro who continued to live and rule for long time after the revolution. I do not know if today’s youth prefer him on their T shirts for the face or for his work. I hope it is latter.

Apart from rulers and politicians some people gain or continue to gain acceptance much after their death. Very few knew Keshavsut and very few cared. He got recognition as father of modern Marathi Poetry much later. So much frustrated was he that he has written that People will not know how I looked like but some time in future they will know about me by my lines. Similar fate had befallen even on Shakespeare. Balkavi Thombre would have remained a character from autobiography of Laxmibai Tilak, But the merit of his poetry gained recognition much after death. No other poet writing for children in Marathi come any where near him. Shree Saibaba of Shirdi was not a God in his life time. Only a awaliya. This recognition came much after his death.

Similat fate comes way of some music and songs. “ Vaishnav jan to”is written by Narsi Mehta but became popular after Gandhi. So much so that western musicians composed tune for it more than fifty years of Gandhi. “Lakh;ahkti Chanderi “ was a song from Prabhat pictures. Modestly popular at its time. Not like icon state it has achieved today. Lata Mangeshkar sand “Jay Jay Maharshtra Maza” fifty years back and again on golden jubilee celebration of Maharashtra state. Not sung by her for the first time even fifty year back. Jyotsnabai had already made it popular. Original poem was written by Kolhatkar neither for Jyotsnabai or Latabai. It achieved icon state much later.

The merit and explosion of communication media is playing important role in such magic tricks . Perhaps many more resurrections are in the offing.

Arvind Khare

DEATH CONNECTIONS

No. I am not going to write about features of death like murder, plot, killings etc.. Nor I am going to write about features of death like wars, mercenaries, revolutions and such social equivalent to features of death at individual level.

I cannot claim vast expanse of experience either time wise or space wise. Still with whatever small experience of life that passed my journey, strange phenomena has come to my notice. Just as people are connected by birth or by marriage they are also connected by death. The end of a being has such bonding impact on those who live behind.

I could look at the bond between the victims of 26/11 through their interviews. Its not necessary to come together and form some kind of forum for that. It’s a matter of emotional bond. I am sure the emotions of a war widow can be best understood by another war widow known or unknown. We have lost our young son. We immediately bond with others who have similar fate. It is Just like love at first sight. No introduction is needed. What is true about a husband or a son must also be true about other relations.

Some times death comes from unexpected quarters. Our assistant lost his life while on duty in my office. We were at loss as how to console his mother. To our surprise she thanked my wife for acting as his mother during last moments.

My wife lost her aunt at the ripe age of 90. She died as SUHASINI at that age. Her husband is 98 years old confined to bed but still breathing .Too frail to react. Just tears rolling down silently. The neck is dropped. One does not know weather due to grief or weakness. Is it a bond till the death does them apart? In contrast we come across instances of old patients on death bed counting last moments are removed from the bed and kept on cold floor so the last breath can be hurried.

My maternal uncle has some knowledge of astrology. He knew that he is going to loose one of his son. He had three sons one of whom is dumb. For no reason, he earmarked dumb son for early death. Did almost nothing to educate him. The destiny had something else in store. It was middle son brought up like regular child that died early. The uncle is no more and the dumb boy is now burden on his elder brother. Half knowledge ? Wishful thinking ?

Simple natural deaths with no foul play also have stories to tell. I am sure every one will have stock of them if looked for.

Arvind Khare

50 YEARS OF MAHARASHTRA STATE

1ST May 1960. The day state of Maharashtra was created out of erstwhile bi-lingual state of Mumbai. It was blinder to keep Bombay province in tact in reverence to British rule. No wonder the states of Maharashtra & Gujrat had agitation as legacy even before formation. Some body fought some body else hogged in credit. Fifty year celebration was carried in the same spirit to hijack credit. Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti which carried agitation was quickly confined to memory. Both the Congress ( which includes Rastravadi ) and the Shivsena ( which includes Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena ) had nothing to do with agitation. One championed bi-lingual state and others were simply not born. Yet both parties sought to gave impression of being father of the state. Absolutely absurd.

What is 50 years in the life of a state ? Infantile state of a state ? Never. What has separate statehood brought to its people ? Very little. The word Maharashtra itself is few century old. Some say its land of Marathi speaking people. Some say its land in which Mahar ( remember Mahar regiment in army ? ) caste can be found. Some poetic inclined say its land of Maha ie. Giant people. Whatever that may be but this land and its people had their own identity of language, history, literature, culture. The Marathi language is descent and transformation from Sanskrit like all other Indian languages. It can boast of literature history f over 700 years. Its legacy of Saints like Jneashwar, Namdev, Eknath, Tukaram continues till today. Its cookery stile, folk dance and music forms like Lavani & Povada , its attire of nIne yards sari and such other distinguishing features are centuries old. Hindustani classical music is descended from Dehli but nourished here. Its Classical Dance is preserved in places like Tanjore This sate was but only briefly under alien ruler. It has given first generation of freedom fighter like Lokmanya Tilak. First generation tradition can be traced to Communism in S.A Dange and Dr. Ambedkar in Republican party of India. It was always been pioneer of new thoughts championed by stalwarts like Agarkar. Institutions like Prathna Samaj, Theosophist societies have roots here. Who can forget education to women and untouchables pioneered by Fuke and Karve. First Bronze ,edal in Olympics went to a Marathi wrestler Khashaba Jadhav as outcome of long tradition of Aakhadas. Most of them had already arrived and some gone from the scene long before 50 years. Entire fifty year of rulers added very little to what it already had as its glory. What contribution of present day rulers will enable them to find a place amongst illustrious names mentioned above ? Lata Mangeshkar may be. Sachin Tendulkar may be. But definitely not the rulers who felicitated them. They are pigmies occupying stage when giants have left.

But that is the strong point of Marathi Manoos through centuries. He never depended on the rulers. Rulers are seldom worth more than the names painted on the notice boards of their chambers. It is common Marathi manoos who becomes uncommon without aspiring to be one. Salute to him. The state is safe in his hand.
Arvind Khare

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF PUSHPAK

Sunday we had a Satya Narain Puja dedicated to golden jubilee of our home Pushpak. 50 long years that saw five generations till now. Laxmibai Jagannath Khare came from eldest generation followed by Manohar Jagannath Khare & Mangla manohar Khare who constructed the bungalow. The construction took about four months. We Mukund, Arvind, Anu & Sachhit Mnaohar Khare from third generation used to visit and play in the sands. Just like the way Salil, Jagdish & Suruchi did later on while extension was underway. Reema and Mana came after the bungalow has to come to its present stage. Rohan and Manas belong to fifth generation who have inherited share in the bungalow by virtue of birth. Asha, Ramaa and Jyoti have acquired it as Daughters in law. Mention must be made for Amrutrao Bhagwat and Amit Dhavale as sons in law.

1st May 1960 was the day when Pushpak bungalow was occupied by us. It was Akshay Trutiya of 1960 when we moved in the bungalow. One bed room was occupied by Aaji which also served as Devghar. She was a lady of small delicate frame. Her bed had to be extended to enable others to sleep on it. Other bed room was of course for Aai & Baba, We siblings used to sleep in the hall. The kitchen was built big. The measurement then was how many people can be seated in a row for lunch. Dining table made its entry quite later. More than dozen could seat in a row with folded legs on “ Paat ”. That too quite comfortably. We had a washing place with shed over it near back door entry of Kitchen. All washing and scrubbing would be done there.

The best thing Baba did was not to let any part of house on the rent. We could add to the original four room ground floor bungalow as and when need came. Nevertheless Baba magnanimously invited many to stay in this bungalow in the forming years of their career and life. Pushpa Tamahankar, Usha Jog, Shrikant Khare, Viswas Dabholkar, Rajamama Gondhalekar, are some names coming to my mind. That was the ascending time for Pushpak when occupants grew in numbers. Two dogs Tipu and Ceazar lived full life here. A feat achieved only by Salil amongst human. Others were either born outside or died outside.

Initially the house was seldom without Guest / s. Slowly things began to change. The guests stopped coming. Anu and Suruchi got married. Salil died pre-matured. Jagdish went to America. Now it resembles old age home. The only grace is the office of Amit. The diminishing game of occupants will continue for sometime and then would come the end of Pushpak.

Another building will come with another set of occupants and another set of pathos. The picture coming before my eyes is a green field where Baba constructed Pushapak. That field will never come back. Now its turn of miniscule of civilizations making way for the layers of few inches of earth ( read as rabbit ). Regrets ? None whatsoever ! That is the way life goes. Every thing born has to die. Whether it is a person or a building makes no difference. Enjoy while it goes

Arvind Khare

75 YEARS OF MUSIC.

Last week saw felicitation on occasion of completing 75 years of age of Shri G. G. Joshi. Guruji as he is called out of love and reverence is a known personality in Thane totally devoted to Indian ( Hindustani ) Classical Music.

I knew him as founder of Kalwa Music Circle some where in sixties or seventies. He might be on any position but was always back bone of the Music circle. As an organizer he had good contacts with well known and lesser known personalities from the field. Many doyens from the field know Thane as town of G.G.Joshi who organizes the concerts and invites them. The economic side of Music concerts is pathetic. Once upon a time Music flourished owing to the patronage of Princely states. For a brief period it became a popular amongst common people who would buy tickets and support the Music tradition through concerts. It would not matter which Gharana the artist may come from. No more. The crowd is thinning and becoming ensemble of gray hairs. Young artists are regularly coming forward through GURU SHISHYA PARAMPARA. But the audience is no more good enough to meet two ends. The fees charged by some popular exponents are sky high while others have to go literally begging for a program. Music Circles coming from medium and small towns were excellent platform for such aspirants. Unfortunately many of them are closing not because of any other eason than economic viability. Against this back ground the work of GURUJI is definitely noteworthy.

But that is not all. He has training from AGRA GHARANA which is mainly sustained by Muslim performers and teachers. In fact most of the Gharanas are sustained for centuries by devoted Muslim performers and teachers. Gharana like Gwalior could find Hindu patronage earlier and in abundance. Thanks to Pt. Paluskar. AGRA Gharana had and still has minority of Hindu exponents. Against this back ground the determined training itself would have made any other person than GURUJI happy and satisfied. Not so fro GURUJI. Not only he obtained the TALIM vigorously but also chose to propagate it by training other disciples. He is doing it without taking any fee as cause for the spread of GHARANA. How rare in modern times !
I had the good fortune to be trained by him. I will be ever grateful to him for that. Next to Spirituality, Music is probably the only field where in GURU is held in such high esteem. In fact I owe a lot to music. It has given me plenty in terms of creative happiness and a dear collection of music lovers.
LONG LIVE GURUJI and long live his music through disciples trained by him.

TUKARAM- AN INFLUENCE VIEW

Tukaram an influence view. Was the subject of the talk I gave on this Ekadashi day i.e. on 10th April. Whole speech is to big but here are some excerpts.

The life and work of Tukaram makes an excellent watch tower for casting a glance at Marathi Literature and culture. His work and persona is lofty enough to offer good panoramic view.

The language Marathi might have been used perhaps as vocal language since 5th century but the earliest instances of literary contributions can be traced since 12th century onward i.e. about 700 years back. The time of Tukaram is 400 years back. Time wise he is little off centre towards present time. It would be interesting to note the development of Marathi literature before him and after him. How much influence he had taken from his predecessors and how much influence he has left on his followers. He has written about his predecessors like Sant Jnaneshwar, Sant Namdev, Sant Eknath and his disciples like Bahenabai, Rameshwar Bhat, Nilobarai too have written about him. An Abhang by one of his disciple Bahenabai somes it all in eloquent fashion by using metaphor of a temple construction. She compares Jnaneshwar with plinth, Namdev with expanse of superstructure, Eknath with columns and Tukaram with the dome. She takes upon herself the role of flag flying on top with many others.

Jnandeve rachila paya, ubharale devalaya
Nam tayacha kinkar, tyane rachile avaar.
Janardana Eknath , kham dila Bhagwat,
Tuka zalase kalas, bhajan karit savkash.
Baheni fadakati dhaja, nirupan kele voja.

Baheni, Rameshwar, Niloba were disciples and contemporary. People have written about Tukaram in every century thereafter. Right now probably dozens are writing about him. If being written about is a test then Tukaram will have few parallels from Shakespeare, The form of Abhangs is as much attributed to Tukaram as the sonnets is attributed to Shakespeare.

Sushloka wamanacha kinve Arya mayrpantachi
Ovi Jnaneshachi Abhang prasiddh Tukayacha.

Only greatest of the great are honored in such fashion. Dozens of Doctorates will fade in comparison.

Tukaram is so popular that many of his lines have come to pass as adverbs in contemporary Marathi language like Aliya bhogasi asave sadar, Gath padli thaka thaka . Many of his half liners have become titles contemporary Marathi plays like Tuze ahe tujpashi, Vaje paul apule, Knay saurasi jaye

Apart from Literature his work and persona has fascinated commoner and learned alike. More about it some time later.

NETIZEN ROOTS

I became attached to net only recently. I was not sure even a single person would read my blog. Things were not so bad to my surprise. Judging by the response by way of comments and / or personal calls it’s not crying in wilderness. This is not for self glorification but an experience which can be contributed to net communication.

One of the respondent to my blog coming from Bangalore happened to visit Mumbai on 13th and 14th of this month. Incidentally he is an Architect like me. That was one more common binding factor. His family comes from a town is some 50 Km from Thane. Apparently He had lost touch with the town from which his surname is derived. I was happy to not only to take him to his town but was also able to locate some traces of his family still residing there. The town has a local Lions Club which was under me when I was district Governor. The charter President of the club proved to be useful to meet the long separated family members. It seems that his Grand father of friend was quite popular in the town and still remembered with fondness. It was quite amusing to hear names rolling out in conversation as if they have been always in touch. Nostalgia trip of course continued with the tour of the house battered but still standing.

I hope such occasions are plenty and surely making the world seem smaller and smaller. How simple and small courses bring cheers to otherwise mundane life. Thank you Net.

BIRTH DAY THAT CAN’T BE FORGOTTEN

It is sin to forget the significance of yesterday. Still I forgot it in later half of the day till next generation came around to remind ever so gently. 6th April is ( I cannot bring myself to say “was” ) birth day of SALIL. He would have completed 37 years. That was not to be so. I have to say it since he would have turned 26th and keep saying for last 12 year. Suruchi, Amit, Rohan make up for his absence every year. His friend and witness to his death Suru telephones every year. Just call. No mention of him. I wish people were not so subtle. So subtle that for once I missed the purpose of call. People say we are courageous and all that. But the real strength comes from the generation next and next. I do not understand why old generation keeps on blaming future generation.

He was our son. Naturally like an angle to us. An angle who had to finish some of his “ Prarabdha”. Why should otherwise some body so beautiful, so sensitive, so caring so dear who has not harmed any one even in thought should die such premature death ? I used to plan retirement at 50 years of age relying on him. Destiny willed otherwise. I thought I will die in debt. Destiny is probably thinking otherwise. Still I cannot make myself stop planning. Nothing is creditable here only a habit. Or the dogged refusal to let hope die.

Admittedly the grief will die only with our death. Durga Khote has said same about her son in her biography. No grief is monopoly. Some body has lived thorough it earlier and some body will live through it in future. That does not make our grief any lesser though. Now we have accepted as God’s will. Time may heal the wound but scars are left as long as you last. Only solace is in our grandson Rohan. He is almost like his carbon copy. I often call him SALIL inadvertently. It is amazing how one innocence can help us overcome loss of another innocence.

MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.

SPORTING MARRIAGE

After all the marriage of Shoab & Sania is between two sports personalities. That alone is reason good enough to take their marriage sportingly. But we Indians in general and media people in particular lack in sportsman spirit.

Why the media world is so excited about marriage ? It’s not a first marriage crossing national borders. No good or bad is likely to happen between two nations as a result of this marriage. Why not let people alone to marry and / or divorce at their free will ? Of course it is not business of media to let anybody alone. Meddling with lives of people is It’s bread earning. Nothing is sin or crime as far as bread earning goes. Some breads need sandwich spread also is another matter. So they must carry opinion polls, publish soft porn type photos and generally do every thing to arouse ( mostly voyeuristic and sinister ) interest in public mind.

Celebrity marriages are god sent opportunities for free and if not free at least cheap publicity. Be it Abhishek Bachhan or Rahul Mahajan or Shoab Akhtar. Celebrities at least have something in bargain. A publicity is food for acquiring and retaining the status of celebrity. So it’s mutually beneficial.

The case of ordinary people is different. One can understand if Ayesha cannot take it sportingly. She was not celebrity. Not at least till she decided to spoil marriage party. Had she given consent to a dubious and long absent husband permission to marry second time , probably she would not have been heard of. It is allowed as per law ( Shariat too ). But if she is really wronged, she has reason to cry. As a fall out she also gets free publicity.

Free publicity is rather tempting. Even the NGO’s long for it. Why else should some issues be forced to be seen in the simple marriage case ? Neither Shoab nor Sania nor Ayesha are poor defenseless characters in need of public sympathy of NGO’s.

Let us take a detached and sporting view of whole marriage party. Begane shaadime Abdulla dewana. Let us be Abdullas and enjoy it.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210