Thursday, September 26, 2019

छोटे पर्दे पर बड़े ख़्वाब!

हाल ही में "कौन बनेगा करोड़पति" (केबीसी) में हिस्सा लेनेवाली दो प्रतियोगियों ने बहुत प्रभावित किया. संयोग की बात है कि दोनों महिलाएँ थीं. पहली, बबिता ताड़े महाराष्ट्र के अमरावती के निकट एक कस्बे अंजनगाँव सुर्जी से हैं. बहुत ही हँसमुख, सौम्य व्यक्तित्ववाली बबिता एक सरकारी स्कूल में ४५० विद्यार्थियों के लिए दोपहर का भोजन बनाती हैं. उनके पति उसी स्कूल में चपरासी हैं. एक ख़ानसामा की बेटी बबिता अपनी स्वादिष्ट खिचड़ी के लिए बच्चों में ख़ासी लोकप्रिय हैं. घर की ज़िम्मेदारी में हाथ बँटाने के लिए उन्हें अपनी स्नातकोत्तर शिक्षा अधूरी ही छोड़नी पड़ी, लेकिन चूँकि पढ़ाई-लिखाई में उनकी दिलचस्पी है, जैसे मौका मिलता है वैसे वह किताबें,अख़बार आदि पढ़ लेती हैं. सामान्य ज्ञान की इसी पूँजी के सहारे वह केबीसी में शामिल होने आई थीं.

वैसे तो अमिताभ बच्चन अपने सामने बैठे हर प्रतियोगी को सहज बनाने की पूरी कोशिश करते हैं, लेकिन फ़िर भी उनके जैसे महानायक का सामना करना आसान नहीं. बबिता न सिर्फ़ अपनी सादगी और शालीनता के साथ हॉट सीट पर टिकी रहीं, उन्होंने सारे सवालों के जवाब धैर्य और सूझबूझ के साथ दिए, और एक करोड़ रुपए जीत गईं.  एक करोड़ की रकम जीतने में सामान्य ज्ञान के साथ उनके संयत व्यवहार और सकारात्मक विचार का भी बहुत बड़ा योगदान रहा होगा. उन्होंने अपनी ज़िंदगी की मुश्किलों को बयान तो किया, लेकिन उनका रोना नहीं रोया.

कार्यक्रम के बीच अमिताभ बच्चन अक्सर पूछते हैं कि जीती हुई रकम का आप क्या करेंगे. बबिता की चाहत सिर्फ़ एक मोबाईल फ़ोन की थी. एक करोड़ जीतने के बाद जब बच्चन साहब ने उनसे कहा कि अब तो आपको काम करने की कोई ज़रुरत नहीं है, तो उनका जवाब था कि काम तो वह करती रहेंगी क्योंकि उन्हें अपने काम से प्यार है. निश्चय ही इस महिला ने एक करोड़ के साथ-साथ दर्शकों का मन भी जीत लिया होगा. न उनमें अपनी आर्थिक स्थिति को लेकर कोई हीन भावना दिखी, और न ही अपने काम को लेकर किसी कमतरी का अहसास. अपने काम के प्रति समर्पण की भावना और स्कूल के बच्चों के प्रति उनके स्नेह को देखकर दर्शकों को भी उनकी सकारात्मकता ने छू लिया.

माना कि इतने बड़े रियलिटी शो में शिरकत करने वालों को कैमरे के सामने पेश करने से पहले कई तरह की सूचनाएँ दी जाती होंगी, उनकी छवि को तराशा जाता होगा, और जनता के सामने प्रभावशाली तरीके से प्रस्तुत होने के लिए उन्हें कुछ गुर सिखाए जाते होंगे. बावजूद इसके बबिता की स्वाभाविक सादगी छुप न सकी. साथ ही अमिताभ बच्चन आज जिस मक़ाम पर हैं, वहाँ से उनका आम जनता के साथ उठना-बैठना, सभी प्रतियोगियों के साथ आदरपूर्ण और मित्रवत व्यवहार, हँसी-मज़ाक करना, और सुपरस्टार की छवि के बोझ से मुक्त होकर सबके साथ सामान्य आचरण करना आदि इस शो को महज प्रश्नोत्तरी का कार्यक्रम नहीं, आपसी संवाद को रेखांकित करती एक मानवीय गतिविधि बना देते है.

इसी सन्दर्भ में जिनका ज़िक्र किया जा सकता है ऐसी दूसरी महिला हैं रूमा देवी. यह विशेष कार्यक्रम कर्मवीर में अतिथि बनकर आई थीं. राजस्थान के बाड़मेर ज़िले की रहनेवाली रूमा देवी को हस्तकला के क्षेत्र में उत्कृष्ट काम करने के लिए इस वर्ष राष्ट्रपति ने "नारी शक्ति पुरस्कार" से नवाज़ा है. टीवी के पर्दे पर इनकी उपस्थिति बेहद दिलकश और ऊर्जावान थी. पारम्परिक राजस्थानी पोशाक में सजीं रूमा देवी ने खुलेपन और आत्मविश्वास के साथ अपनी कहानी सुनाई. वह महज आठवीं कक्षा तक स्कूल गईं. कम उम्र में शादी होने के बाद धन के अभाव में अपने छोटे बच्चे का इलाज नहीं करा पाईं और उसे खो दिया. घूँघट की प्रथा का आदर करते हुए उन्होंने अपनी दादी से सीखा हुआ कशीदाकारी का काम घर से ही शुरू किया और धीरे-धीरे अपने जैसी कई महिलाओं को अपने साथ जोड़कर उन्हें भी रोज़गार दिलाया. आज २२ हज़ार महिलाएँ उनके साथ कार्यरत हैं. उनके बनाए वस्त्र और अन्य सामान जैसे टेबल कवर, कुशन कवर आदि की भारत में और विदेश में भी बहुत माँग है. 

रूमा देवी ने अपने काम के सिलसिले में विदेश दौरे भी किए हैं, और व्यावसायिक मॉडेल्स के साथ फैशन शो में रैम्प वॉक भी. केबीसी के विशेष कार्यक्रम के दौरान वह लगातार मुस्कुरा रही थीं और बेबाकी से ठहाके भी लगा रही थीं. अतिथि के रूप में उनका साथ देने आई थीं अभिनेत्री सोनाक्षी सिन्हा. सोनाक्षी के ग्लैमर और चमक-दमक के सामने रूमा देवी कहीं भी कम नहीं लग रही थीं, बल्कि महज ३० वर्ष की उम्र में हासिल की उपलब्धियों की रोशनी में उनका आकर्षक व्यक्तित्व और भी निखर उठा था. उन्होंने १२ लाख ५० हज़ार की रकम जीती और उसे अपने साथ काम करती महिलाओं के उत्थान के लिए इस्तेमाल करने की इच्छा जताई.

गाँव की मिट्टी की खुशबू अपने साथ लेकर आईं बबिता और रूमा देवी की कहानियाँ प्रेरणादायी तो हैं ही, साथ ही यह दूर-दराज क्षेत्रों में बसे उन अनगिनत लोगों को सपने देखने की हिम्मत देती हैं जो अपनी मेहनत, कौशल और विश्वास के बूते पर अपने आपको साबित करने के लिए प्रयत्नरत हैं. 

यह लेख इन्दौर से प्रकाशित दैनिक "प्रजातंत्र" में आज २६ सितम्बर २०१९ के अंक में प्रकाशित हुआ है. 

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Under The Bodhi Tree!

I was in Patna recently for a family event . This was my first ever visit to the city and I was keen on making a trip to Bodhgaya, the site of the Mahabodhi Temple and the sacred Bodhi Tree, where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment before being known as Gautam Buddha. It is one of the major pilgrimage destinations, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunately there was a spare day, so we planned a trip.

We hired a car and set off towards the holy site in the morning. Various searches had shown the distance to be between 95 and 120 kilometres. The driver, a young and slender lad, was chatty and friendly. He asked us if we had any preference between the two routes available to reach Bodhgaya. We told him to choose the route where road conditions were better. He said, we'll take the Hilsa-Islampur route, as the other route was under repair, and hence not in a good condition. 

It was a warm day and we were passing through fields and villages, getting a glimpse of rural Bihar. The village markets were bustling with women buying fruits and vegetables from roadside shops. The driver said, they were preparing for the upcoming Teej festival. The narrow streets in the villages and the crowds in the markets slowed down our speed, and it took us almost four hours to reach Bodhgaya from the time we started from our hotel, much longer than what we had anticipated.

The Thai Monastery
Inside the Thai Monastery
Vehicles are not allowed, so we took a battery-operated rickshaw to visit the Mahabodhi Temple. Suddenly the landscape changed! The streets were lined with colourful Buddhist temples and monasteries on both sides. Bhutan, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and many other countries where followers of Buddhism live, have a presence here in the form of these lovely prayer houses. We stopped by two of them, one belonging to Bhutan, and the other to Thailand. Both had very ornate and elaborate decorations around the idol of Buddha, which was very placid and restful in stark contrast. Both the monasteries are lovely, quiet and well-kept.

I am told the township of Bodhgaya is served by Gaya airport, which is just five kilometres from the Mahabodhi Temple and about 12 kilometres from Gaya. It is a seasonal airport where special flights from Buddhist countries bring pilgrims to this important destination.

The Royal Bhutan Monastery
Inside the Royal Bhutan Monastery
Soon, we were at the Mahabodhi Temple. Mobile phones are not permitted inside the complex and one has to deposit them at the entrance. Cameras are allowed after paying a fee. But unfortunately I did not have one.

Outside the Mahabodhi Temple
The Temple is strikingly beautiful. There are two Shikhara towers, the taller of them crowned with a stupa-shaped structure, with finials adorning its top. The structures are covered with magnificent artwork, most of which is in a very good shape. I read somewhere that the material is brick covered by stucco, which is not so durable as stone. The structure that we see today has undergone several renovations over the centuries. The original temple is believed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka 200 years after Buddha's enlightenment, which in turn occurred around 2500 years ago. 

There is a small queue to enter, and the Buddha you see is bereft of any ornamentation or decoration, radiating peace with those compassionate eyes, and gentle lips with subtle hint of a smile. I spent some quiet moments and came out to find an arrow pointing to the Bodhi Tree.

It is a sprawling peepal tree at the back of the temple. It is said to be a direct descendant of the original tree. The trunk of the tree has been fenced by railings on all sides, around which there is a large platform. There was a big group of pilgrims dressed in white, all of them from Sri Lanka, sitting around the tree on the platform, reading and reciting something from booklets held in their hands. A group of monks dressed in saffron was circumambulating the tree and the temple in silence. It was a hot afternoon, but it felt as if the shade of the tree enveloped you in a comforting embrace. We sat down for a while. It was very peaceful, and it felt wonderful to be there among those pilgrims and monks. Occasionally, the leaves rustled with the breeze, and some of them came tumbling down, only to be picked up instantaneously by someone or the other. Our driver, who had accompanied us to the temple, was quick to grab one for me. I have saved it as a prized souvenir of the trip.

The temple is surrounded by green stretches of lawn dotted with beautiful small stupas. They offered excellent photo opportunities, but alas, my mobile was taken away and I had no camera! We walked in the complex, admiring the structures, visiting the lake, looking at rows and rows of burning lamps in a covered shed, taking in the hundreds and thousands of paper cups filled with flowers, placed on the ledges in perfect order by the pilgrims. It was all very tranquil, very blissful.

Photos by Lata
Before going back to our parked car, we made a stop at the Giant Buddha. It is a modern structure, consecrated in 1989. Made of sandstone blocks and red granite, it is perhaps the largest statue built in India. The 64 ft. tall figure depicts the Buddha meditating under the sky in open air. 

It is time to get back to Patna. Another four hours to get there. I am happy I got an opportunity to make it to Bodhgaya. A place steeped in history that still holds an appeal for us with its serenity and calm.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Going Back, Going Green!

Everybody is talking about environment because it is the World Environment Day today. People are being encouraged to make changes in their lifestyle to help the cause of environment. Carrying cloth bags for shopping is one of them. A few decades ago, that was the norm. I remember using cloth bags stitched at home to bring vegetables. But few years later it became a downmarket thing to do. Plastic bags of different sizes and colours took the market by storm. Now one could go to the market without having to carry the boring cloth bags, and return home with vegetables peeping out of the crisp and crackling plastic bags. Not just veggies, but everything you bought would be handed over to you in a plastic bag. The fancier the shop, the more stylish the plastic bag! But times have changed. It is nice to see the humble cloth bag make a grand return. Going by the trends, one will not be surprised if it becomes a fashion statement in the days to come!

Same is the case with paper bags. Your friendly neighbourhood grocer would always pack your stuff in handmade paper bags. Or he would simply wrap things in sheets of paper and tie the bundle with thread. Then paper disappeared to make way for attractive plastic bags that would be lined on the shelves of supermarkets, proudly displaying their contents through their transparent bodies. It was so convenient, neat and clean to just pick them up and toss them in your cart! But now environmental concerns are making people return to the good old paper bags.


Milk used to be delivered door to door. When the milkman came, you rushed to the door with a container to collect it. No plastic involved. Mother Dairy milk vending machines in Delhi support and implement the idea of 'no plastics' beautifully. You go to the outlet, buy the required number of tokens, set your container under the machine, and with the drop of each token in the slot the machine dispenses half a litre of chilled milk in your container. It is easy, convenient, and very eco-friendly.

Containers used to be carried to the shops for buying cooking oil too. No plastic jars and no plastic pouches. Now people are talking about going back to the same practice to cut the use of plastic. It was common to use coconut husk to scrub utensils. While banana leaves were extensively used in South India for serving meals, in several other parts of India, it was the modest dona and pattal. Pattal is a circular plate made by stitching together dried leaves of sal, banyan or other trees. Dona is a bowl made using the same material. These were convenient and completely bio-degradable. Making them came under cottage industry which provided employment to men and women, When shops began to be flooded with disposable plates, bowls and spoons made of plastic, the existence of this cottage industry was threatened. But as awareness about the dangers of plastic is increasing, the simple dona-pattal are slowly making a comeback. Earthen cups called kulhad in Hindi were common for serving tea in public places like railway stations and roadside stalls until plastic cups replaced them in a big way. I had the pleasure of sipping tea from a kulhad in Kolkata a few months ago. Hope to see them in other places too. 

While plastic brought convenience and ease with it, we had to pay the price in terms of endangering the environment. It feels great to see some of us spreading awareness and returning to the good old practices. We had many excellent ways of doing things in those days, some of which may be very difficult or almost impossible to adhere to in today's world. Environment is a major factor that affects almost every aspect of our life. I have touched upon a handful of them from a common man's perspective. If you recollect environment-friendly alternatives from earlier times that are still feasible to try, do share them in the comments section. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Manohar Parrikar: A Breath Of Fresh Air!

I did not know Manohar Parrikar personally, nor do I know anything more about him than what is out in the media. But since his passing two days ago, I feel a sense of personal loss. I am sure many of you do too.

He was like a breath of fresh air in the murky world of politics. A quintessential aam aadmi, he was a true son of his home state, leading a simple life that resonated with the spirit of Goa. He was everything that we do not usually associate with a politician: an IIT Mumbai graduate, unassuming, open, accessible, shunning any kind of special treatment in public places, drinking tea at roadside stalls, playing football, riding a two-wheeler, wearing sandals and sporting a casual half-sleeved shirt that became his trademark. All this and more of his personality endeared him to people who are used to seeing pictures of politicians wielding brooms and going through the facade of sweeping clean streets only for photo opportunities. He did not do things for building his image. What we saw him do was actually how he lived.

A popular chief minister, he had an easy rapport with people. Again in tune with the carefree and laid-back lifestyle of Goa! When he assumed the responsibility of defence minister and moved to Delhi, the cold climate (literally and figuratively) of Delhi did not suit him. He longed for the warmth of Goa. He felt restrained by the restrictions Delhi put on him in terms of his movement and speech. He occupied only one room in his spacious government accommodation so that he could pack up and move back to Goa quickly when it was time.

When the deadly disease knocked at his door, he faced it bravely. His appearance changed beyond imagination in a short span of time. The sprightly gentleman was reduced to being a frail person with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes. But that did not stop him from going around on his official engagements, complete with a tube in his nose and a cap on his head. It is shocking and painful to look at his pictures in that state. The more you try to find his former self in these images, the more it eludes you.

Even though those pictures were a reality, it will be unfair to remember him in that way. He was a rare bird in the political firmament, and it will be apt to think of him as someone who caught people's imagination by soaring high in turbulent skies.

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

एक याद पुलवामा की


कुछ पाँच साल पहले की बात है. मैं कश्मीर गई थी. श्रीनगर से पहलगाम जाते समय हमारी बस पुलवामा ज़िले में पम्पोर के पास गाँव लेथपुरा से गुज़री थी. मैं एक यात्री समूह के साथ थी. टूर गाइड ने हमारी बस लेथपुरा स्थित सूखे मेवे और मसालों की एक दुकान के पास रुकवाई थी ताकि यात्री वहाँ से अपनी पसंद का सामान खरीद सकें. दुकान कई तरह के मेवों और मसालों से भरी थी और मेरे साथी खरीदारी कर रहे थे. बाहर एक छोटा स्टॉल था जिसमें स्वादिष्ट कहवा बिक रहा था. कश्मीरी दुकानदार सभी का स्वागत कर रहे थे, और हम लोग भी कश्मीर की सौगातों का आनंद उठा रहे थे.

यह इलाका केसर की खेती के लिए मशहूर है. मैं दुकान में टहल रही थी और अचानक मेरी नज़र पीछे की तरफ स्थित ज़मीन के बड़े-से टुकड़े की तरफ गई. मैं उत्सुकतावश उस तरफ बढ़ी. दुकान के स्टाफ का एक व्यक्ति मेरे साथ चलने लगा और उसने मुझे बताया कि यह खाली जगह दरअसल केसर का खेत है. इस वक़्त जून का महीना था इसलिए फ़सल नहीं थी. "सितम्बर में आएँ, आपको यह खेत केसर के फूलों से ढँका हुआ मिलेगा", उसने कहा.

दुकान से निकलकर हमारी बस प्राचीन अवंतीस्वामी मंदिर में रुकी थी, जो श्रीनगर से ३० किलोमीटर दूर स्थित एक वैष्णव मंदिर है. झेलम के किनारे बने, पहाड़ों से घिरे इस सुन्दर मंदिर को देखने अक्सर पर्यटक आते रहते हैं. मनभावन उद्यान और हरे-भरे वृक्षों-पौधों से सजा मंदिर का अहाता देखकर हम सब बहुत खुश हुए थे. मंदिर की सुंदरता को मन में भरकर और उसकी छवियों को अपने-अपने कैमरों में क़ैद कर हम लोग पहलगाम की तरफ बढ़े थे.

सभी छायाचित्र : लता 

१४ फ़रवरी २०१९. श्रीनगर से ३० किलोमीटर दूर गाँव लेथपुरा, ज़िला पुलवामा सुर्ख़ियों में है. अपनी ख़ूबसूरती, केसर के खेतों, मेवों-मसालों या मंदिर के लिए नहीं, बल्कि अपनी ज़मीन पर बहे ४० जवानों के ख़ून के कारण. जैसे-जैसे सैनिकों के काफ़िले पर विस्फोटकों से लदे वाहन द्वारा आत्मघाती हमले की घटना का विवरण देख, सुन और पढ़ रही हूँ, मन बार-बार अपनी यात्रा के दौरान उस जगह पर समेटी खुशनुमा यादों की ओर लौटता है, और वहाँ हुए भीषण रक्तपात की कल्पना कर विषण्ण हो जाता है.

उस दिन सुबह साढ़े तीन बजे जब जम्मू से बसों का काफ़िला चला था, तब क्या रहा होगा उन जवानों के मन में? अपने परिवार के साथ बिताई छुट्टियों की यादें, अवकाश के बाद तरोताज़ा होकर फिर ड्युटी पर जाने की ललक, और न जाने क्या-क्या. भारत के विभिन्न राज्यों से आए, अलग-अलग भाषाएँ बोलने वाले ये जवान एक साथ अपनी मंज़िल की तरफ़ बढ़ रहे थे; मानो हर बस में एक छोटा भारत समाया हो. सबका लक्ष्य एक ही था--अपनी मातृभूमि की रक्षा. कोई अपने बुजुर्ग माता-पिता को पीछे छोड़कर आया था तो कोई अपनी नई-नवेली दुल्हन को. किसीने अपने छोटे-छोटे बच्चों से रूँधे गले से विदा ली थी, तो किसीने जल्द वापस आने का वादा किया था. किसीकी अटैची में घरवालों ने अपने हाथ से बनाकर दिए खाने के सामान की खुशबू थी, तो किसीके दिल में अपने प्रियजनों की स्मृतियों का खज़ाना.

और बस के बाहर प्रकृति के सौंदर्य की कई छटाएँ. सुबह सर्द मौसम और अँधेरा रहा होगा. शायद कोहरा भी. लेकिन धीरे-धीरे सूरज की किरणों ने आसपास की सुंदरता को अपने प्रकाश में नहला दिया होगा. बस की खिड़की से बाहर का दृश्य देखकर कितने उल्लसित हुए होंगे सारे जवान! जैसे-जैसे श्रीनगर क़रीब आने लगा होगा, हवा और सर्द हुई होगी. कुछ ही समय बाद शाम होगी और सूर्यास्त के बाद घाटी में अंधकार होगा, अगली सुबह के सूर्योदय तक. लेकिन तभी एक धमाका हुआ और ४० ज़िंदगियाँ हमेशा के लिए अस्त हो गईं. इन ४० ज़िन्दगियों की अपनी-अपनी कहानियाँ थीं. अपने घरों-गाँवों से निकलकर यहाँ तक पहुँचने के संघर्ष की कहानी, भारत के लिए प्यार और जज़्बे की कहानी, परिवारजनों के त्याग की कहानी.

इस घटना के बाद सारा देश दुःख, क्षोभ और क्रोध के आवेग में डूब गया. भिन्न-भिन्न तरीकों से विरोध प्रकट करने के आवाहन सोशल मीडिया पर आने लगे. किसीने मोमबत्ती जलाई, तो किसीने काले या सफ़ेद वस्त्र पहने. उजड़े परिवारों की क्षति तो कभी भी पूर्ण नहीं हो सकती. लेकिन जवानों के बलिदान को व्यर्थ न जाने देने के लिए हम सामान्य नागरिक भी एक काम ज़रूर कर सकते हैं. हम ऐसे भारतीय बनें जिनके लिए लड़ने में सैनिक को फ़ख्र महसूस हो.

यह लेख इंदौर से प्रकाशित दैनिक प्रजातंत्र में आज १९ फ़रवरी २०१९ को प्रकाशित हुआ है. 

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Second Act With Manisha Koirala!

I was at the Hindu Lit For Life (Hindu LFL) that concluded in Chennai recently. It is a big event and there are parallel sessions running in different spaces at any given time. So it is practically not possible for anybody to attend all sessions. One chooses what one wants and plans accordingly. I had decided on attending quite a few, and a session with Manisha Koirala was one of them. Titled "Second Act", it was to feature her in conversation with Dr. Sheela Nambiar, an obstetrician and gynaecologist by training who also practises Lifestyle Medicine. and is a fitness consultant. 

I remember Manisha as a beautiful and competent actress, having seen her performances in "1942: A Love Story" (1994), "Agni Sakshi" (1996),  Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) and some other films. Reports of her being struck by ovarian cancer emerged some time in 2012-2013. She put up a brave fight and emerged victorious after surgery and treatment in the USA. Her book "Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life", published by Penguin India in 2018 tells the story of her battle with the dreaded disease. She was at the Hindu LFL to talk about this difficult chapter in her life.

She came on the stage dressed in a dark blue and white ensemble-- a mix of blouse/top and salwar/dhoti, her hair pulled back and tied in a severe bun. She smiled a lot and established an instant rapport not only with Dr. Nambiar, but also with the audience. She looked calm and at peace with herself in spite of the ravages of time and cancer on her lovely face.


She talked of her reckless lifestyle when she was at the peak of her career, and the resultant neglect of health. How she went into a denial mode after she learnt of her cancer, thinking all the time that perhaps the doctors had made a mistake, maybe the reports were wrong. Then the painful treatment and its aftermath. How her family, her mother in particular, provided solid support to her during those testing times. How thinking positively helped her overcome her disease. How important it is to be strong and optimistic even while going through unbearable pain. How this phase has taught her to take care of her body, to make the most of what life has to offer, to live.

Dr. Nambiar was understanding and supportive all along, allowing Manisha to be in her comfort zone. Manisha, on the other hand was frank and quite open. She said it was important to keep negativity and resentment at bay, and move on with one's life. She has understood the importance of giving, not just money; but time, love and care to others. She has emerged out of her ordeal as a better person, more compassionate, more loving, more giving. 

She has resumed work after recovery. She appeared in "Dear Maya" in 2017, then in a Netflix anthology "Lust Stories", and essayed the role of Nargis in Sanjay Dutt's biopic "Sanju" in 2018. She will continue working, but currently she is training for a trek to the Everest base camp that she plans to undertake with her friends.

The audience cheered her throughout the interaction. Reacting to a question she disclosed that the doctors had still not said that she was completely cured--I have told myself that I am cured now. When somebody asked if she thought of committing suicide at any point of time, she laughed and said, I had cancer already, why would I think of suicide. The 50-minute interaction was full of warmth, honesty and smiles. 

I am happy I sat in, it gave me a chance to see the person behind the larger-than-life image of a film actress. Somebody from the audience summed it up well when he got up and said to Manisha, "We heard all the other talks with our mind, but your talk has touched our hearts ma'am!" 

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

A Scrapbook Of Photos From Kolkata!


I had been waiting to enjoy jhalmuri in Kolkata, and when it appeared in front of me in such an attractive way, I was delighted. This mixture of puffed rice with a variety of ingredients was tangy and spicy. I asked the vendor to add a bit of almost everything from his basket to the serving he was making for me, other than the customary mustard oil. Purists may scoff at my omission of this dressing, but I am afraid, my palate simply cannot take it. On the way from Kolkata to Shantiniketan.


Hordes of people had descended on the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Founded by Swami Vivekananda, the temple draws on Hindu, Christian, Islamic and Buddhist architectural styles as a symbol of unity. The sprawling campus looked very colourful and picturesque, with hundreds of seasonal flowers blooming in the gardens. In spite of the crowds, it was serene; the quiet Hooghly flowing nearby adding to its beauty. At the Belur Math.


Taking a well-deserved break in the middle of a busy day! Somewhere in the vicinity of the Marble Palace.


It is not yet five in the evening and the sun is ready to set soon! A boatman at work with people enjoying the ride in his boat. The Vidyasagar Setu looks grand and imposing. At the Prinsep Ghat.


This window looks so striking with its lovely contrast! At the Jorasanko Thakur Bari.


The blue door attracted my attention. The cycle added an interesting dimension. And the plants provided a touch of life to the frame. In Kumartuli.


The small temple makes everything around it so bright and cheerful! I could not resist taking a picture. In Kumartuli.


Kolkata was the first city to begin Metro rail operations in India in 1984. I took a ride and liked the experience. At Shyambazar Metro station.


The Rabindra Sarobar and its surroundings offer excellent recreational spots to people of all ages. The area is well-maintained and clean. A great place to be outdoors in the middle of a busy metropolis. View from the Calcutta Rowing Club.


A walk along the Rabindra Sarobar.


It was nice crossing the river from Babu Ghat to Howrah in this passenger boat. The ride costs Rs. 6 and lasts only a few minutes. Got treated to lovely views of the iconic Howrah Bridge from the boat.


It is difficult to get the bridge in a single frame. This is the best I could get!


As I alighted from the passenger boat and walked up the ramp, the Howrah station was just across the road.


Hand-pulled rickshaws continue to ply in Kolkata. In fact, they are one of the cultural icons of the city. Rehabilitation of rickshaw pullers and introduction of battery-operated modern vehicles is the need of the hour. At Shyambazar.


These windows are so typical of Kolkata! This is the scene in a lane on a lazy Sunday morning. In Shyambazar.


People living upstairs and small businesses downstairs. The beautiful balconies and drying clothes are so lively and colourful! The trees, shops and homes present a happy picture of co-existence. At Shyambazar.

Photos by Lata
This is where one normally exits the Victoria Memorial halls. The halls were bursting at their seams with crowds. They are impressive and loaded with information on Kolkata and its people. It was interesting reading about the beginnings of the city and how it came to be the bustling metropolis that it is today. Also, about all the distinguished personalities in various fields who contributed to the growth and glory of Kolkata. Being there was a humbling and enriching experience!

Read my posts on Jorasanko Thakur Bari and Kumartuli here.

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Of Kumartuli, Clay And Divinity In Kolkata!

From Jorasanko Thakur Bari, I head towards Kumartuli in an auto rickshaw. It is a short distance away. The auto driver stops at the mouth of a lane off Rabindra Sarani and asks me to enter Kumartuli from that point. 

I have always been fascinated by pictures of clay idols of Durga in the making, and had made it a point to include Kumartuli in my Kolkata itinerary. I had read about this potters' colony in magazines and newspapers. It has also been featured in the Vidya Balan starrer "Kahaani" (2012). The stunning idols of Durga that people adore and venerate during Durga Puja are created in the lanes and bylanes of this modest neighbourhood. 

I have been wondering what I will get to see here in the month of December. Durga Puja got over just a couple of months ago and it is too early to start making Durga idols for the next year. I so want to see the potters in action! As I start walking in the lane flanked by small studios on both sides, to my utter delight I notice forms of Goddess Saraswati, complete with her veena and swan being shaped in clay. I realise they are being made for Saraswati Puja which is celebrated in Bengal on Vasant Panchami. I thank my luck for the good timing and set out to explore further. 

There are some men sitting outside what looks like a small shop, and just to make sure that I don't get lost in the labyrinthine alleys I ask them in Hindi --if I want to come back to this point should I ask for Rabindra Sarani? One of them replies enthusiastically--Didi, Rabindra Sarani nei, tram rasta bolben. I smile and thank him for this useful tip. Yes, this is a tram route alright. With buoyed confidence because of my small headway in local parlance, and eager anticipation I walk ahead.

Hundreds of potters and their families live and work in this congested area. The studios are rather small and a lot of unfinished work is lying outside in the lanes. The inner frame of the idol is made with straw, and several forms of the Goddess at this stage are just bodies of straw in different sizes. The idols that are in more advanced stages of making have the straw covered with clay. Saraswati--sitting with her customary poise, a veena resting in her lap and a graceful swan at her feet--is taking shape. Many of them are headless. But several of them are complete with a head too! The round face is adorned with exquisite fish-like eyes, and it looks radiant even in a raw state. Kudos to the nimble fingers of the artisans who create divinity with clay in these humble surroundings.

As I go deeper in the bylanes, I notice other figures too. There she is as Durga with multiple arms and perched on a tiger, while elsewhere, as Kali she is ferocious with her tongue sticking out, and Shiva at her feet. What stands out in all these is the beautiful expressive face. And perfect proportions. Nothing is out of place. Everything exists in a harmonious balance. I can only imagine how magnificent they will look when their faces are painted, and when their saree and jewellery are in place.



Photos by Lata
I am surprised to see how unobtrusive and welcoming the artisans are. They go about their work without questioning my presence in their midst. And I am not the only one. There is a young visitor taking pictures with a sophisticated camera. Then there is a foreigner with an Indian guide who is relating mythological stories about these figures to her. There is another guest who is watching a potter and singing to him as the latter is busy at work. Kumartuli is also a popular destination for organised walks.

In spite of the abysmal conditions, people are friendly and lively. Children playing in the lanes, elders sitting outside their homes soaking in the sun, and potters chatting with neighbours and fellow potters during a break. They have put me completely at ease with their disarming smiles and easy manner. Filled with admiration for their art and their spirited way of life, I walk back to the point from where I had started. It is not difficult and I make it to the place without having to ask for tram rasta!

Friday, January 4, 2019

At The Tagore House In Kolkata!

I am at the entrance to the Jorasanko Thakur Bari. It is marked by a red arch, opening out into the busy Rabindra Sarani. It is a pleasant winter morning in Kolkata. People are trickling in slowly. Outside, it is a chaotic and noisy road with cars, autos, carts and rickshaws struggling to find their way among the throngs of pedestrians and hawkers. Once you enter the arch and walk the short road to the gate of the imposing house, you are transported to a bygone era. In Kolkata for a brief trip, I have been looking forward to visiting Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's house. Now at the doorstep, I am eager to see the place where he was born and where he breathed his last.

The elegant red house with a garden of trees and lush green lawns is like a tranquil oasis, amidst the cacophony of the world outside. Flowers of different hues add colour and charm to the garden. It is just the beginning of the day and there is no queue at the ticket booth. I buy my ticket for Rs. 20 which allows me entry into the house that contains the Rabindra Bharati Museum now. However, there is a separate ticket if one wishes to take pictures. I get it from the office for Rs. 50. This is good for taking pictures outside. Photography inside the museum is not permitted.


I walk around in the garden for some time and then make my way to the house. It  was built in the 18th century. It consists of large rooms that are well-lit and airy, with spacious verandas running along the length of the house. The high ceilings contribute to its grandeur. Tagore family comprised of affluent landlords and the house reflects the lifestyle of the rich in those days.


Footwear is not allowed inside the house so I leave mine in the passageway leading to the staircase. Upstairs, the chambers offer us a peek into the lives of the Nobel-laureate and his illustrious family. Many members of the family were proficient in some or other form of art. As a prolific painter, poet, writer, composer and dramatist, Gurudev was the embodiment of creativity in multiple disciplines.


The house has his robes neatly hung is glass cases on display. Some furniture, and his wife Mrinalini Devi's kitchen is also part of the display. Then there is a maternity room, used exclusively for deliveries in the family.  A detailed family tree of the Tagores is an interesting exhibit too. Photographs from his association with and visits to Japan and China occupy a large part of the galleries in the museum. Pictures from Shantiniketan where he is seen hosting eminent personalities are there too. Then there are several texts in Bengali script and a large number of reproductions of his paintings, neatly framed and hung across rooms and hallways. I regret not being able to read the script. Access to the second floor is closed so I miss seeing whatever is there.

Photos by Lata

Most of us are familiar with the images of Rabindranath wearing a long beard and flowing robes, but it is interesting to see pictures from his younger days in western clothes. He is tall, athletic, intense and aristocratic. One cannot help being overwhelmed with the sheer volume of his creative genius. Being at his ancestral home that nurtured his talent is nothing short of a pilgrimage!

What touches me most is the detailed account of his last days put up in neat frames in one of the verandas. These lines are poignant in particular:

When death comes and whispers to me 
"Thy days are numbered",
Let me say to him, "I have lived in love and not in mere time",
He will ask, "Will thy songs remain?"
I shall say, "I know not, but this I know
that often when I sang, I found my eternity."

-- Rabindranath Tagore