THE INIMITABLE AMITABH BACHHAN !!

 Bollywood has always been  an impactful influence for every Indian , making its foray into young impressionable minds as soon as they come to consciousness about the world around them . The industry undoubtedly has been thriving on the artistic aesthetic creativity of several noted story - tellers   and directors   as well as the  earnest endeavours and versatile histrionics of eminent actors and many talented character artists ...all of whom are consumed with the sole idea of entertaining the masses with their acting prowess and carving a niche for themselves in this huge industry . That is what has made Bollywood the largest  , the most prosperous ,flourishing and  productive industry in our country.

However , the trajectory for most of the eminent award-winning artists has not been smooth as they  have  had  their own share of struggles  ,  hardships  , rejections and failures before they could   secure a place for themselves in the hearts and minds of the common masses for ultimately it is we who lift them up with our feedbacks and start idolising them !
Talent and Destiny both go hand-in-hand in making them Stars !!
In every decade since the inception and rising popularity of the industry from the post colonial age till today's technology- driven era  a select few actors have made their way into the hearts of people and have immortalised themselves.
The Star of the Millenium as he is popularly referred to is one such gifted actor who shot into fame in the early 70's with his versatile histrionics and has ever since reigned supreme in the hearts of millions in this country and overseas. The Dadasaheb Phalke  ,  PADMA Sri , PADMA Bhushan and  PADMA Vibhushan awardee  Amitabh Bachhan is a towering personality ,  a household name  , an endearing host who has captured and seized the minds and psyche of cinelovers .
A perfect Entertainer  , his theatrical abilities , the rich impressive powerful baritone that he is endowed with  ,  his excellent comic timing  , his angry young man portrayals , his serious tragic roles have all contributed in making him a Mega Star. The warmth and humility that he exudes has made him an unparalleled and amazing host in the popular series KBC watched intently by young and old alike. KBC is just not a Quiz Show  , it is a prestigious platform where contestants   the audience and viewers get an opportunity to meet their most favourite star and it is almost like an achievement of a lifetime  for those  who make it to the Hot Seat !! .
Amitabh Bachhan is an institution in himself!
He makes an indelible mark with his superb acting skills  in every film   that he does even if the film is not a box office hit .
People seem to be hankering to see more of him on screen , on television and it is a dream for several to meet him personally . His stately , imposing  and   dashing physical  personality coupled with  the elegance with which he carries and conducts himself makes the phrase " YEH DIL MANGE MORE " most apt for him !

Apart from his cinestar image personally he comes across as  a crusader for women's issues   , keenly sensitive and fiercely protective about the rights and matters related to  the fair sex .Most importantly his thoughtfulness ,  consideration and the esteem and regard  that he has and accords to  women is definitely exemplary  , inspirational and certainly  serves as a lesson for the chauvinistic clan of men folk who are not habituated or have not  learnt to take a NO from their women folk clearly indicating their disrespect towards them !
Amitabh Bacchan is just not a super star..
He is inseparably associated in every  family circle    ,  someone with whom everyone can relate to ..that is his magnetic charm . He has the ability to come down to the level of the common man  , make everyone  feel comfortable hinting that he is also one of their fraternity ...that is the magnificence of his lofty stature.
   So huge is his fan following that he is almost deified , idolised and looked upto as an angelic figure .
It is this aura and charisma that makes him the most lovable , dignified and revered Icon of the film industry with a larger than life personalty.
      To say that there will never again be the likes of him may seem  hypothetical but IS  true for  those of us  fortunate to be living in the era of the Megastar and who have grown up seeing his meteoric and phenomenal rise ,  his lovely  family  and witnessed all the phases of his life and career . For us ,  his ardent supporters and Fans , there never has and never will be another like him !
Amitabh Bachhan will undeniably and unquestionably be adulated and venerated for generations to come ...
Wishing him even more productive and fulfilling years ahead !
Robert Browning's famous lines echoes the sentiments of several Amitabh fans ...
" Grow old along with me
   The Best is yet to be. " !!!

.

FRAILTY OF THE HUMAN PSYCHE !!

 In the Netflix original series The Crown Season 3  Queen Elizabeth categorically  utters these significant  words when she is miffed by her Secretary's reports of the  adulation and adoration her own real sister is gathering in her trip to The USA as an emissary and she quips ,  "I am a Queen , not a Saint "!!

This precisely sums up human nature with all its failings and foibles.
From Royalty to the commoner sibling rivalry has  always been  prevalent and undoubtedly continues even to this day ! It is just not restricted to sibling relationships though ....this particular human infirmity  of envy and jealousy also envelops those whom one considers to be one's  very close friends , relatives  and  near and dear ones .
Childhood is emblematic of innocence and camaraderie....Well  , though waning now,   at least it used to be a decade or two ago .That period has been termed as the best time in one's life when complexes are still in their nascent stage .However , with the onset of adolescence complexes and complications start raising their ugly head so much so that by adulthood it is full blown shattering one's own peace  and causing pain involuntarily to those who are so valuable in their lives !
It comes as a jolt to the receiver when there is a gradual  change in behaviour  , a certain coldness and indifference , the unwillingness to accept and appreciate their once dear friend / relative .
If the other is doing relatively well in life  , has been blessed with achievements or accolades to his / her credit ofcourse by other acquaintances  , it hits them even  harder  somewhere in their inner subconsciousness and results in this unfortunate alienation.
Gone are the days when the previous generation that of our parents who reciprocated warmly and felt truly happy when anyone in the family or their friend circle had done something of merit or credit . Happiness was  and could be shared then resulting in bonds becoming  stronger and in garnering moral and emotional support thereby  resulting  in mental and physical fitness. Those were the days when families were close- knit. This was likewise present in the earlier joint family system when there were norms and values  that were inculcated in every member  when there was  more tolerance and endurance and the growth of every member was a reason to rejoice.
Alas in present times this is sadly lacking . Anyone who is a little  comfortable in life and has to his credit any sort of merit suddenly becomes  an estranged person . It is some kind of a vicious complex that subsumes one's close buddies /family members  that results in this strange demeanour. Comparisons  lead to intolerance  and brooding  causing  relationships to suffer unnecessarily.  This comes as a rude shock especially for those who are emotionally connected.
One is alone if one  is experiencing some of that elusive joy and bouyance in life . One has to now think of people with whom one can share one's happiness and fulfilment.
What needs to be kept in mind is that everyone is born and endowed with his /her own capabilities ...
Even identical twins  , real siblings , bosom pals are alll different from each other .Such is The Almighty"s divine Plan that no individual is a replica of another .  And the role of Destiny cannot be negated ....

Instead of getting afflicted  and hoping for a change it is better to accept  and savour the few precious relationships one is blessed with .....uppermost being the selfless love of parents whose happiness for their offsprings is unalloyed and incomparable ! Blessed are those who find in their spouses a lifetime of beautiful and compatible companionship ....for the spouse like parents are selfless in their love and support for their soul- mates !
I am reminded of Wordsworth's sonnet  ( Let Me Not To The Marriage of True Minds )here which talks emphatically about love:
" Love is not Love
Which alters when in alteration finds "
Soulmates belong to this breed who bear with and support each other through a lifetime!

Also to be fair to those few relatives / friends who  do not harbour such negative feelings ....though they are few in number ,  they are indeed valuable.

In a nutshell rather than delving into the labrynthine network of the human psyche it is best to live by the maxim
NEVER EXPECT , ONLY AACCEPT  !!
May humankind be spared of these priggish ,prudish and perilous  tendencies that jeopardise bonds of love and friendship .May love and bonhomie prevail !

OUR TIRANGA , OUR PRIDE !

 One glance at our National Flag instantly fills us with joy and pride .It infuses us with patriotic fervour and with a deep-seated desire to be of some use to our great country. Just looking at it invokes in every proud Indian the loftiest and sublimest emotions of overpowering love and utmost regard for our beautiful country . We suddenly become aware that despite all limitations of a developing nation our country is The Best !

And indeed it is ! The exotically beautiful flaura and fauna  , our majestic mountains , our splendid rivers , our richly -cultivated agricultural fields that change their hues as per the season ,our  desert lands with their vibrant cultural ambience  together with our ever growing economy  makes us stand tall like a towering figure  in the midst of other giants!! Gratitude to The  Almighty is what we are filled with .Besides it makes us feel so blessed to be fortunate enough to be born in this land .
Our glorious past when India was known as the GOLDEN BIRD OF THE EAST and our recent past of our heroic FREEDOM STRUGGLE and finally our much - sought after Independence makes us swell with Pride !!
History tells us that it was Pingali Venkaiyya   a doctorate in geology and a diamond expert , born on 2nd August, 1876 and who was with Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa designed the National Flag using orange and green colours. This was in the year 1921. To this Lala Hunsraaj of Jalandhar added the symbol of Charkha and finally Gandhiji suggested that it could have a white panel too..
And thus our Tiranga came into being !!
The Tiranga which is emblematic of our dignity , integrity and glory  , of our solidarity  , our large-heaetedness  ,  our acculturation , our assimilation  , our  democracy and finally our much - propogated Unity in Diversity !
This year is a landmark year in the history of the nation as we complete and celebrate 75 years of our Freedom from the British yoke . However , rejoicing and celebrations are not enough .Just marking the day with events  ,cultural shows
and delivering fiery speeches revealing oratorial skills  are not enough......infact all this should act as a catalyst for all of us to be inspired and ignited with the zeal to serve the country .
Our parents , our ancestors   our forefathers  were witness to the humiliating bondage they were subjected to .
Freedom and the wish to be liberated from the ill treatment and servility  meted out to them was uppermost in their minds .
Swami Vivekanand ignited many young people to fight for Freedom. The slogan Vande Mataram and the poem written by novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee   in the 1870s  , declared as the National song of our country and first sung by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896 was very motivating for the general masses.
Rabindranath Tagore 's contribution in  writing  and composing  the National Anthem will always stand out.The polymath 's emotionally charged poem " Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high ....."written before Independence  , representing his vision of a new and awakened India was highly inspirational for every Indian to participate in the Freedom Movement.
Gandhiji's book Hind Swaraj written in 1909 in which he writes about home rule  and self government believed that the idea of Swaraj is about freedom and self control. He thus watered the already germinating seeds of liberation from the foreign rule that had started budding and flowering .

    The Mutiny of 1857 was one of the first major uprising of our countrymen . After that impactful revolt It took almost a year for us to convert our vision into reality.
The rest is history ...history that should never ever be forgotten,  that should remain alive and pulsating in every Indian----the history of the magnanimous and chivalrous  struggle for Freedom .
That was an amazing period ,  an electrifying era ,!!  . The entire country was infuriated and  every Indian was charged with the thought  of and was py  dreaming of freedom enthused with the zeal to Do or Die for the country's Independence . Several thousands and lacs of young  freedom fighters infused with this craving   lost their lives. Some  became heroes celebrated till date for their martyrdom. But the unsung heroes who got no recognition and who sacrificed their lives for their country were many in number.The entire country from North to South , East to West stood united for this One Cause  One Dream. This fervour was  just not restricted to the males  ---' women ,   young and old alike participated in this Movement , sharing the "lathis"that were barbarously flung across groups of agitators and rebels. Several were imprisoned   several convicted and sentenced to death   and several sacrificed everything including their entire families  for their country 's freedom!
It was an unprecedented Movement in the entire history of mankind proving what Unity and Determination  can achieve .
The cause has been fulfilled ,   the Dream has been realised .It is our duty now to not let down the sacrifices of our Freedom fighters , to uphold the traditions and culture we have always stood for and lastly to  repeatedly  narrate to our younger generation details about this mammoth fight for  Independence so that they can  pass it on to  Gen. Next  making them realise the value of  this hard- earned freedom and how they have to now shoulder the responsibility of making our nation  soar and shine  ! Our duty is to keep it alive so that it can inspire everyone born in this great country to  be filled with the fervour of serving their nation in whatever way they can. That would truly make every Indian citizen aware of this coveted Freedom  ,  to  value it and cherish it always.
That would be the greatest tribute for our martyrs!
     With the ongoing trend of exploring foreign shores for quality education , better professional prospects and a more wholesome life style it  would not be an exaggeration  in saying that  almost every  urban  Indian household today has members who are abroad  -- some studying , some serving and earning and some residing  there  as permanent citizens . What is common among them is that whichever part or corner  of the world they are this Induan Diaspora is without doubt and in their heart of hearts ,  proud Indians with deep regard and reverence for their Mother Country .....they have not and never will become oblivious of their roots ! That is being a true Bharatvasi  , a dignified Hindustani !
Our Tiranga therefore will always fly high with everyone singing with heads held high and in unison:
विजयी विश्व तिरंगा प्यारा   , झंडा ऊंचा रहे हमारा!
Vande Mataram !

A CONTEMPORARY CONVULSIVE TREND !

 Kaliyug is almost reaching its zenith ! At least that is the general feeling among Hindus who have grown up learning about the four yugas. But alas this fourth cycle , the age of sin and strife has completed just 5123 years with 426, 877 years before it is predicted to be finally over

These statistics have been stated by Wikipedia and are certainly not reassuring for the human race. Though it is we , Indians who believe in it , yet Kaliyug is a world-wide phenomenon considering the ongoing wars , duels , conspiracies and misdemeanours.
Social fabrics are falling apart, morals are at an all-time low , and there is  a sense of discontentment   disillusionment and disbelief that  prevails amongst the old , the young and even the new budding generation. 
Spiritual masters though encashing this distressed lot,  are constantly trying to spread good will providing valuable inputs of living life well and peacefully. Our age-old practice of "DHYAN" or meditation has become widely popular with a sizeable number of people across the globe practising it in the quest to derive some peace , solace and that ever elusive transient phase called happiness. Our masters are repeatedly drilling into us that we just need to be in the present , to live life fully each day and be happy with all that we have and are blessed with.
Yet its like everything is falling on deaf ears !!

Being a sexagenarian ( in my late sixties )when I go down memory lane and reminiscence about my innocent  childhood , the triflest things that brought a broad smile on our faces , our disciplined parents leading by example and thus becoming our role models  and the economical    prudent    uncomplicated life styles , I am compelled to think that probably half a century back Kaliyug was still in a nascent stage !
The exceptional pace of its upsurge and its burgeoning growth has made it evident that it is here to stay with us till Doomsday for that is where we are being led to. Well its all going as per our sages had predicted !
Hindu mythology   though full of exceptions is replete with ideal behavioural norms and morals
The great bard ,Tulsidas 's Ramcharitmanas which categorically states the filial duties and  responsibilities as well as talks of ideal behaviour which one should have towards parents , elders  ,  among brothers  , is like a gospel in every household esp in North India  ,  staunchly revered and  deified .  In other parts of this diverse nation other Gods are propitiated and other religious and sacred texts are followed . However  ,  the ideals and societal norms propogated are unfortunately losing their impact on the worshippers. We are becoming increasingly religious , almost fanatical to some extent  but not advancing spiritually .
Our ancient texts   The Vedas, The Puranas   The Upnishads   unfortunately not popularised or propogated among the masses are treatises on ethics . We have read and idolised  about Eklavya , Shrawan Kumar , Savitri  and Satyavaan   Dhruva and the likes  through the popular Panchatantra stories and the more fortunate ones through their grandma's tales but their context is lost to the contemporary new ideals and visions

What has gone amiss today despite our rich legacy ?Why have we started ignoring   disrespecting and becoming indifferent to it ? Many will have ready answers and solid arguments to these questions but that does not negate the denigrating , nose - diving ethical and abominable behavioural patterns of the present times.
We are an agitated dissatisfied lot today. Lust and avarice are uppermost in our minds
Wealth and all the ensuing  luxuries also fail to provide us that coveted peace of mind
Acquiring wealth is a symbol of success and highest achievement. And all of us are into this rat race. The ever - widening gap between pelf and penury is creating havoc .
      One of the many detrimental ,outrageous and uncouth unfortunately widely rampant feature is the use of expletives. This is prevalent among all ages  , cultures , languages and countries.
Abusive language is always used in rage , perturbation and anxiety . It releases all the harmful secretions possible in the body thus causing extreme damage to our bodies
What to talk of the damage done to the mind
for it is irreversible causing agony to the self and others . But that comes later .....the users feel that firstly the use  of abuses is cathartic for one vents out one' s irritation   irrascibility  and frustration easing them for a while and secondly the impact and thrust of communicating becomes more powerful with their use .
Using abusive and foul language is nothing new ....it was there in the past too. Only it was HEARD less .It was supposed to be blasphemous and lowly to use them .
        Going back to my reminiscences as I entered adulthood and was on the threshold of starting my career as a college  teacher I was aghast to hear these immodest expletives being used by young students also !!  I felt like admonishing them for their rude conduct but their jeering faces changed by earlier decision. That was shattering for me but then I too became thick- skinned and almost oblivious of this fast - growing and accepted mode of conversation.
I pondered and solaced myself thinking that a child is not born with such disrespectful codes of conduct....it is what they hear all around them , their own parents , elders  that makes them emulate their role models ....some even may not be knowing the actual meaning of these terms.
    A few decades back Using foul language was a prerogative and privelege of the males . It was and ofcourse is as if their rightful claim .
Elders never uttered bad words infront of their children or elders . It was supposed to be unmannerly and giving a bad example. 
The bad words used were then of a milder version too!!!
However  we  soon got rid of this ARCHAIC  inhibition so much so that  the female species became familiar with them and started using them brazenly to the extent that now they cannot talk whether it is in English or Hindi or any dialect for that matter without freely using these expletives irrespective to whosoever they are talking to ! And the expletives are the harshest most explosive  and  loathsome ones which are certainly very provocative too.
The fact is that it is just not that those in an inebriated state who are using it ....that ofcourse is their fundamental human right acceptable to all and sundry for they are supposedly not in their senses and have the sanction to behave as ignominously as possible everywhere ! What is hard- hitting is that it has found a strong place in the language of all and sundry and the irony is that we are all readily accepting and tolerating this rudeness which is in vogue now

Like booze abuses using expletives are what we all readily share and delight in !
So now there are no reservations --male , female , educated  , illiterate   , the rich and elite , the Impoverished and indigent ....this is one thing that UNITES us and that  we  all have in COMMON !!
The Media is playing a hazardous role in popularising this alarming trend ...be it cinema , Ott platforms or the Idiot Box .
But why accuse just the Media ? We are all equally responsible ! I think this can be most aptly described in our National language as " कलियुग की पराकाष्ठा " !!



Where are we heading to ? Why are we abandoning our values and morals ? What morals are we passing on to posterity ? And finally are we really joyful doing that ??
The answer despite all arguments is a Big No !
So what is the solution ?
We cannot change our external stimuli ...what we can consciously and conscientiously endeavour to do is to change ourselves .That will be in our own interest and for the welfare  of our  future generations .

Although we cannot imagine a return to a better age we can certainly improve our own selves for a better tomorrow ! Wishful thinking but hope we are able to realise it...the sooner the better !

THE AGE OF INNOCENCE !

 THE AGE OF INNOCENCE!!

The post colonial period aroused us from our stupor induced by our bondage . We Indians shook ourselves and gradually  plunged into diverse realms of hectic activity .
From agriculture to academics to aviation the progress was phenomenal. However,  that was the era of untainted innocent youngsters infused with the quest for knowledge combined with ethics .They dared to now dream of better futures and their nascent dreams coupled with their diligence did give them rich dividends which was in the larger interest of the developing nation .
Today we are still a developing nation , vigourously engaged in a  frenetic pace of heightened activity striving to carve  a niche in various capacities and to realise our Big  dreams. But alas in the midst of all this we have somehow lost our earlier innocence which  has now been replaced with an aggressiveness as we are in a frantic hurry to fulfil our goals.

Reminiscing about yesteryears if we look back at the time when ladies were not professionally inclined or career - oriented due to lack of initiative also avenues and more importantly mindsets that restricted their lives within the precincts of their abodes ....some of their counterparts had stepped into the  aviation sector which provided job opportunities to a select few  as  gradually the aviation sector was coming alive with international travel opening up. It was this that brought to the forefront our dignified  ,    elegant   gorgeous and chic airhostesses  , well- groomed    well-bred  and adept in their field . The charm and poise that they exuded through their graceful swan- like  saris and their gentle demeanour was indeed captivating for the  fortunate flyers .
This envious lot though sometimes condescended by the chauvinistic then orthodox temperaments were however  the first of the female professionals ....one of the first career women of their times. Though progressive  and forward - thinking this  charismatic glamorous sect for whom even the skies were not the limit but who  were very much on terra firma achieved great success in assaying their challenging roles .
Although the western influences had begun to encroach into our traditional social fabric with the  hippy culture and the hip hop songs of The Beatles being played on our gramophones much to the chagrin of the elders , yet there was an element of innocence  and simplicity . With no or hardly any media hype ....privacy was respected and preferred in stark contrast to the present trend of hogging the limelight and craving for publicity. That helped in a way of retaining this innocence and simplicity . There was less of manoeuvring , manipulation  , connivance and conspiracy...life was less complex and more peaceful.
The television ushered in more career  opportunities for women. A new genre of women journalists and  news readers /news reporters    entered our living rooms updating  us about happenings across the country and abroad .Their simple and sober on-  screen appearance in their dignified saris   , their  calm , composed and controlled well-modulated voices during news readings even if they were enumerating disastrous and ignominous incidents , had a  fulfilling impact on the viewers. Never did we see them agitated or loud ...rather they wore  a gentle smile on their pleasant faces which somehow was very soothing for the audiences  as compared to our new-age female brigade of  stylishly  -clad -in -Western Wear journalists  ,  with all due regards to this  laborious and energetic breed  , are so emphatically  aggressive, appear ,so stressed and an anxious lot with  their high - pitched agitated  voices  , almost fanatical ,provocative and instigative  tone that listening to them becomes painful and one turns off the Idiot Box in disgust ! 
That  earlier sauveness and sangfroid is sadly missing  and  that chastity and impeccability is drowned in the roar of their almost  hostile and abominable  articulate presentations .
To imagine a return of bygone times is wishful thinking . The Age of Innocence can  just be  cherished as precious memories. We can only keep our hopes alive for a revival of that pristine purity , unpretentiousness and salubrity!


.

ON VISHWA YOG DIVAS AND WORLD MUDIC DAY

 HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THIS COINCIDENCE THAT TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL YOG DIVAS AND

WORLD MUSIC DAY TODAY !! IT IS  AS IF THE TWO SUBLIMEST BLESSINGS OF THE ALMIGHTY HAVE COME TOGETHER TO REMIND HUMANKIND THAT ULTIMATE PEACE AND BLISS CAN BE ATTAINED THROUGH THEM !
YOG DISCIPLINES  THE  BODY MIND AND INTELLECT ELEVATING THE SELF SPIRITUALLY.
MUSIC TRANQUILLISES  THE MIND AND HEART GIVING INNER SOLACE AND PEACE.
BOTH YOG AND MUSIC  URGE US   TO
LOOK INWARDS !
TO BE CONSCIOUS OF OUR TRUE SELVES , OUR CORE BEING WHICH IS PURE INNOCENCE AND JOY CAN ALONE  ALLEVIATE NEGATIVITIES THAT HAVE BEEN ACCUMULATED IN THE COURSE OF THIS LIFE'S JOURNEY . THE INFINITE BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF THIS PRACTICE CAN UNDOUBTEDLY MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER AND BOUYANT PLACE TO LIVE IN.
SO LET US  RESOLVE  TO  CULTIVATE THIS HABIT OF LOOKING INWARDS  FROM TODAY !

THE INTELLIGENCE OF WILD THINGS

 It is rightly said that the workings of the human mind are most complex and unfathomable .The behavioral patterns of individuals are tuned in varied ways . Generally it is the outcome of the sanskars one has inherited and imbibed from one's  family . These sanskars are not newly acquired by an individual rather they are carried forward from many lifetimes as our belief system has drilled this into our core beings.

However, one's conduct  and one's temperament is circumstantial  and is solely related to one's upbringing . It is thus that family background and parental roles become all important.
A new born enters this world not bearing a clean slate but carrying sanskaars acquired in previous births. Initially the innate innocence is sheer bliss  though gradually it is smothered in layers of complexes and complexities with the all- encompassing ego raising its ugly head and asserting itself stifling  the simple uncomplicated inner self.
That is one of the banes  of being endowed with what we term as the best gift of The Almighty   , which no other living being has  ..., the thinking mind
All other living creatures termed as wild animals   untamed and even ferocious at times follow a set pattern in their lives...they have their own ways of communicating , fending for themselves, procreating ,  also quarreling yet  disciplined  and are loyal to their fraternity without harbouring any prejuudices  , leaving the world without any hue and cry and ....
yet we call them wild animals and creatures!! Ironically this is  The Intelligence of Wild Things which we humans sadly lack.
Sometimes I envisage how life would have been better if the left brain was a little unused. There would be more peace and joy in the universe. albeit with fewer comforts.
It is this ego which needs to bridled , subdued and toned down  for it is the primary cause of anxiety , perturbation,  disquietude and agitation in lives . To be easily offended , to be aggressive ,self - obsessed and unable to accept anything not in accordance with the egoistic  mindset , to be always  judgemental about any and everyone and to think that no one else can be right are indicative of a fully bloated ego. What is detrimental about this is that while others are inflicted and tormented with unnecessary mental harassment due to their ensuing behaviour the particular  individual  in turn does suffer uneasiness and some kind of guilt and remorse later .
Inner peace is shattered and only disquiet and disillusionment reigns supreme then.
Mass hysteria , destruction and devastation ensues as is rampant in present times . This is a world- wide phenomenon wherein agitated and disturbed minds in their quest to assert their supremacy are spearheading violence which is proving to be disastrous for the entire human race

A bloated ego is indicative of a deep inner complex...an unusual mix of superiority and inferiority complex....the one trying to suppress the other . This false image --building robs one of their inane goodness  and  courteousness causing them to be estranged and alienated by people in general who wish to  avoid humiliation and hurt .
      The deep - seated complexes may be due to many factors , social   personal , emotional or even circumstantial. Childhood upbringing and the code of conduct  , gender bias related norms imparted and inculcated  and cumstances as well as want of proper role models  certainly shape and govern the mental makeup .
      No solution is possible till the time realisation dawns and one begins to make a conscious effort for some transformation .
It is a cliché that one cannot expect the other to change   as it is well nigh impossible to  change one's  nature . ...one needs  to go on accepting  and adapting to the other's whims and idiosyncratic ways . So long as this belief remains there is no redemption ....neither for the doer or the receiver !
But when realisation dawns one is not only relieved and appeased  but also becomes spiritually elevated , inundated  in  joy and tranquility ...that is what all our learned spiritual Gurus are trying to propogate and instil in humankind! Let us keep our hopes alive !!

PEDAGOGY THROUGH ART

 Art Integration In Education ,the theme of

the annual magazine ,  QUEST  of a reputed  school explicitly  redefines  education with the integration of Art and enumerates the nitty - gritties  of how every discipline and stream can inculcate it  . Indeed the concept unravells  a plethora of infinite possibilities that could transform  lives and in turn society and the world at large.
Besides finding it to be a radical and revitalising initiative , it set me pondering on the wonders and miracles that Art in all its form provides. It energises , enhances and sustains life impregnating the pursuers with its infectious buoyancy, ingenuity and alacrity . So one can imagine the metamorphosis it can extend to its beneficiaries when it is amalgamated with Education .
For me the most beautiful image that art conjures up is the SMILE that it brings to the pursuer as well as the onlooker/listener . When one listens to a melodious song  , reads a good poet/ writer,  is witness to a dancer's graceful gyration or even the performance of a Juggler , a magician , or the canvas of a  painter  it brings a smile , a sense of gratification and awe . ...the audio- visual effect is enchanting .
What is most gratifying to note is the vibrance and  contentment on the performer's countenance which suggests how totally absorbed the artist is in his ,/ her Art form and firmly believes that he/she is giving his best to the form .
That explains how Art gives soul to Life dispelling all negativity and the layers of complexities that  enmesh and captivate us .From being  bonded slaves of our own manufactured personalities art liberates us from our own captivity and it is then that our core inner selves are manifested . And this to me is Godliness , is meditation when we can connect with The Divine and feel at peace .This is bliss.

Art can transform human beings to better improvised  , modified , higher  , loftier and happier forms of themselves .One can imagine how beautiful the world would be then.
This is not wishful or utopian thinking .It can happen specially  when art is promoted in the  nascent and fundamental stages of life it can germinate and blossom a whole  new generation of right - thinking , balanced  empathetic  , cultured , less self-absorbed , less flawed  mortals with a promising progeny .
That would be truly serving and deifying  Lord Natraj who symbolises the merging of religion , art  and science into One !
Just hope  this constructive enterprise is  imbibed and followed by more temples of  education and knowledge disseminators
This  can certainly facilitate holistic education in the true sense of the term which can  revivify , restructure and reorient  the endangered planet with its inmates.
Huge round of applause to the insightful  initiators and brain-stormers of the project....may their endeavour be fruitful.


.