Love and Peace -1

 ANANDANILAYAM - VISAKHAPATNAM

The night was still young. The moonlit sky was pleasing the senses like fine musical notes.  The world is transfixed under the fluorescent splendour.  From time to time gentle breezes flow across the flowers hanging from the Rangoon creeper plant that spread over the compound wall of  Anandanilayam villa. An auto stopped in front of the villa. A six foot handsome young man of muscular frame  alighted from the auto and looked around. The charming night charged his poetic heart. The flowers looked like young damsels in scarlet and light pink skirts dancing in the moonlight stole his heart. The man fixed his gaze on the stunning young beauties " Oh Where else could the heaven be ! 

Oh  delicate beauties hanging on Rangoon creeper , 

Oh miniature nymphs your beauty is drunken stupor

The silvery moon  is pouring down the silent  suitor

Oh! the moon lit night is melodious fluter

This Rangoon creeper could be a sort of nymph descended from the sky. The flowers  swaying in the gentle breeze look like locks on her fore head. The young man said to himself  "the red and pink flowers are glowing like corals in bright gold ring. It is these charming flowers of happiness that make this house Anandanilayam. (abode of hapiness)  He looked at the sky the moon is  pulling the strings of sarod. The moonlight cascades the heaven and earth with his silver  strings.  For a while the moon hid herself behind the clouds.  The stars that glimmer seem shining when she is behind the clouds when the moon is out they seem to be pale and waning. She is playing hide and seek with stars. The poet soliloquizes

Each star is a passionate suitor

Each minute She becomes cuter

The stars dance around the moon

Overwhelmed by her silvery swoon

She peeks through windows

And walks on the meadows

Her foot is light and slenderly

In the silver nature looks tenderly  

The trees and mountains look new

The grass is laden with dew

She stops by ponds how gracious

Oh! amorously she kisses the lotuses

what a peace her beauty brings

Oh! my poetic heart sings

"Oh Diana your beauty rules the earth and our hearts alike." His heart murmured. The  bard then remembered Keat's Endymion poem. Oh Diana! How pleased is Keats with your beauty that he wrote four volumes on it.  I remember the Greek mythology and Endymion the Greek shepherd. He is the most handsome man on the earth. Oh! Moon you are the beautiful nymph called Selene. (Selenology means study of the Moon). You are both libidinous, and voluptuous. You are the seductress you kidnap all handsome men you come across. I remember how you coerced Endymion, the most handsome Shepard and made love to him endlessly and got fifty daughters to him. The night is titillating his senses. The bard was lost in thoughts.  

Suddenly black clad teenager came running as if somebody was chasing him. The black clad teenager hid himself in the bushes near the compound wall. The streetlamp was drowsy like a drunken man.   Now and then it turns on like the street dog that barks from time to time. The shape behind the black clad was barely visible. Just then a policeman who has not noticed him hiding behind the bushes went running ahead.  

He must be in pursuit of that black clad teenager.  A few moments later the street lamp turned on and the teenager came out from behind the bushes. "Oh what a tatter ! What a nuisance with the blue coats?  Has he gone?" said the teenager.  The bard smiled wistfully and said Is it necessary to run? Is it your style?"  " It is not necessary but necessity to my profession. It is the style my job often demands."  What is your job?! I doubt it's thieving ?"  The teenager came near and stood face to face by the bard " for sure I am a thief " he said.

He was loud and clear and looked as happy as a lark. He took a long leap to the other side of the road but his leg slipped and he fell down in the pool of stagnant water. The roads are slippery as the monsoon rains set in recently.The nature is a beautiful pastoral poem particularly during the rainy season. The tanks and ponds are full. The blooming flowers and waving trees, the cicadas come out breaking long underground stay  and sing joyfully.

Oh! cute dancing damsel

What a tender charm what a plain form

what a shining calm that makes hearts warm

the watery tracks on the distant hills

The teenager fell in the slush got up was about to run. The young man stopped him " your clothes got wet and muddy. How can you go like this? Take bath in our bathroom in the front yard. The thief got into the bathroom. he washed himself and his clothes too. By the time he finished bath the young man came to the bathroom and placed  new clothes on the bathroom door. your clothes are dilapidated how long can you wear them! take these clothes. The teenager wore new white clothes and came out. He looked fresh after a bath his face is bright. Now your face is clear. I think I have seen you somewhere? said the bard. 

I know you and your name too. You told me that you are Bharatavarsha when I hid myself in your auto. I thought you are named after the country. (The ancient name of India is Bharatavarsha or Aryaavarthanam). Yes I remember your face but I don't know your name? said the bard. " My name is Sankara Mareedu" the thief replied. Bharatavarsha's face turned red " Aren't you shameless to steal? Have you forgotten that you have given me a word not to steel?"  slammed the bard. Mareedu smiled wistfully and  said " I have not forgotten that I have a stomach too. I knocked several doors for a job. All doors are closed. No job for a theif? It's alright, but no food for days. 

Hunger Arbeit moglich macht

es  die Faulen auch weckt

und ihnen zur Arbeit bringt

der starke Mann arbeitet

der hilflose stiehlt

das ist üblich in der Welt 

Mareedu was speaking in German. Varsha was surprised and shocked. A moment later varsha said " How did you learn German?"  Many Germans come to the orphanage where I was. I worked in a German priest's house. Thus I acquired German. I have not learned it.  Sounds interesting. But why did you come out from the orphanage? " It was closed"  Varsha did not want to put more questions.  He said you  must be emancipated  you look emaciated. First  it is my duty as a fellow human being to quench your hunger. Varsha took him in to the house. 

"Are you living alone?" asked Mareedu. "My mother and sister went to visit an ailing relative they will stay with her tonight. I will finish cooking in a few minutes. Meantime you can see the house or pass time with books." said Varsha and got into the kitchen. He began cooking. Mareedu started watching the garden through the window. The front yard is quite large. There is a guava tree in one corner and jack fruit tree in the other corner. 

In the north west  he saw Almand  neem, sesbania commonly known as vegetable hummingbird ( avise chettu). In the southeast corner there are plantain trees besides there are flowering plants and shrubs everywhere. He looked at the wide entrance gate. He was enchanted with the Rangoon creeper. The nature is all wet.  The banana leaves still have sliver drops of water from last night's rain. "How cruel is this nature that makes poets and artists restless yet how beautiful it is that softens the restless minds." Mareedu spoke out to himself.   

Mareedu looked at the kitchen. It is rather large like a bedroom of rich house. He looked at the other rooms around. It is a Manduva house. Such houses are found largely in Kerala. It is an ancient traditional house built a hundred years ago still as strong as steel. There is a broad open space around which six rooms are built with slant roofs.  Mareedu looked at the wall. There is a photo of a soldier. "It is the photo of my father Deekshitulu who was martyred in Kargil war." said Bharatavarsha. Mareedu folded his hands and bowed his head showing obeisance. 

He is feeling comfortable in new clothes. He looked at his clothes. They are sparkling white. He never wears white clothes. His profession demands dark colors and coarse yarn. First time he is wearing white Lungi and white shirt. He felt like a guest at a marriage party and smiled to himself. He looked at the rooms around the Manduva. A library (Varsha's room), a store room, kitchen, a prayer room and bedrooms. 

"This traditional courtyard house gleaming in the light of electric bulbs resembles a museum. It bewitches the beholders." unexpectedly his words came out. Varsha heard him and smiled. "Cooking is finished. The food is ready." He shouted.  "I am also ready" said Mareedu who just then stepped into library. He saw the shelves full of books. They are MA Telugu and M.A History books. The array of books is fantastic. There are a few books on the table too.  They are french and German books. There are manuscripts of poems in French , German and English. Oh! This man is a polyglot! Mareedu though to himself. 

There is a Veena and a sewing machine. Varsha brought the food into the library ( his room). He served the food in banana leaves. cooked rice, lentils and vegetable curry. " The food is very tasty. where did you learn cooking?"I learned cooking from my mother's childhood friend Damini. Now my sister and mother went to Aseelmetta where she lives. said Varsha. They finished eating and Varsha took away the leaves and vessels and cleaned everything. Mareedu tried to help but Varsha did not allow him. "you are the guest, you are not supposed to do the cleaning" Mareedu was surprised. He stood like a statue in Varsha's room. 

When Varsha reentered the room Mareedu was looking at the Veena. " Your sister plays the Veena? said Mareedu. "No, I play the Veena." Mareedu was surprised once more. God! You are an anomaly sir! Normally men don't learn cooking. They don't play the Veena. They rather choose the guitar. Men in India prefer computer science to History and migrate to the west. They embrace western lifestyle. This is true with the Telugus who look down upon literature and jettison their mother tongue.  You have studied  History and Telugu. I feel that I am very fortunate to meet a polyglot like you.  I admire Telugu and I draw inspiration from  the way you live. Varsha had only a smile on his lips. It is the most pleasing smile that delivers human fragrance and kind of assurance to the fellow being. 

Mareedu looked at the wall He saw the picture of Abdul Kalam the former president of India with the Veena in his hands. It is great to know Abdul Kalam plays the Veena.  Great minds think alike.  I know discovered your role model. I got a clue to your personality. While Mareedu was speaking Varsha presented a grand Sanskrit verse that encompasses the beautiful qualities of the missile man of India. 

Mitabhashee, suguNaalaraasi , vara smamnya samaalochanaa

hita karya krutakrutya vandita mitaahaarya , niraadambara 

vitagupta kshipanee dharaa dhara kalaamaarya maneeva 

prajahitasastra paramanuyodha hari ambhod bruth patham gatavan.

Mareedu had goosebumps with Varsha's instant metrical poem. He folded his hands to the bard. You are great scholar than I imagined besides you are so simple. Varsha turned Mareedu to Kalam's poster. when such a great man is here you should not consider me at all. He is really the great man. Stationed in such a great position he thinks and lives like an ordinary man. You need to be a rich or a powerful man to be simple. 

A poor man can not be simple. My mother is a war widow. I am unemployed. My mother was stitching clothes for the people in the neighbourhood.  I drive  auto at night to support my family.  I am doing this only to give my mother rest. She is not straining herself with the sewing machine. My forefathers built this house in the early nineteenth century. Varsha brought some money and gave it to Mareedu.  Keep this money and try to live in a new place where no one knows you. He kept the money in his shirt pocket. You look like a price when you wear white clothes. You should always wear white clothes. If you have no money for food , such situation should not arise in your life, don't forget Anandanilayam. Mareedu dissolved in tears. He walked out of the gate and disappeared into the darkness.

                                                               ***

                                    

The sun is rising in the Eastern ghats. Bharatavarsha is sitting in the front yard of Anandanilayam amid marigold and chrysanthemum which are swaying their heads to the gentle breeze. He was watching the sun with awe and wonder.  

Lo! The mighty darkness buster 

rising above the cloud cluster                            

He is the torch in the sky, lord of light  

He began his march to the world's delight

Varsha said to himself. Yes, he delights the world. The flowers are singing aubade to the Morning sun. Perching on the branch of the guava tree two parrots are squeaking. The koel on the neem tree is trilling melodies into the ears of the bard.   The front yard is the ideal place for the bard. He is writing devotional verses  drawing inspiration from the nature.

 

Malini and her daughter Manjusha stepped into the compound. The Radhamanoharam (Rangoon creeper) blissfully smiled at the passing duo. Malini looked at her son Bharatavarsha in the garden. She went  direct into the kitchen, to prepare some coffee. Manjusha looked at the red flowers with admiration. 

 "The red flowers have stolen gems from the heavens." She thought and took a bunch of shining flowers into her hands and kissed them. Then she went to her brother, sat beside him on a small wooden stool" She pointed to the black wet clothes on the clothes line  "Hmm! did have a have a guest again?" she exclaimed. Varsha smiled "Yes I had." he replied. "You go to places to educate people isn't it enough? Why do you bring guest home?!" said Manjusha. "I don't bring guests home they come accidentally" said Varsha.  "Oh! How come the accidents happen whenever we go out?" asked Manjusha sarcastically.

just then Malini stepped into the garden with two cups of coffee. Varsha and Manju took cups from her hands. " Bringing every Tom, Dick and Harry home and feeding him. Anandanilayam has been a tavern" She was a bit peevish. 

"What other honours you bestowed on  him? " She asked again.  "Nothing a pair of clothes and  .. and .. " Varsha was stammering. "And some money" Malini completed.  Manjusha was disappointed. "If you are spending all the money that you have earned not only Mom but also I will have to start sewing again."   She is very angry and fuming.   

Malini laughed at Manjusha.  "Let him spend , It is no difficult for me to take to stitching again. Varsha is munificent like his father. You need not work on this sewing machine, you are learning another machine (computer) do it well"  She supported her son. 

Manju , why don't you PG, Anyway you completed your graduation. Your concentration will be diverted from me on to studies."Manjusha understood what her brother was telling. " Look Mom, how Varsha is teasing me!" Complained Manju. "He is the light of her eyes living up to his ideals." Said Malini. 

Varsha said "Tell me what happened to Aunt Damini. " She is unable to put up with Lakuma. She is taking on her nerves.  Lakuma's mother wanted Lakuma to be under Damini's care. She doesn't like the lavish and untraditional ways of Lakuma.  So she sent her to Damin's hostel recently. Damini was unable to control her in spite of keeping her weather eye open. Yesterday while running after Lakuma she fell down and hurt her back.  She is advised bed rest for a week." Said Malini. 

Varsha laughed and said " She is an innocent girl." 

Manjusha flew off the handle. "Which innocent girl spends so much of money on clothes? All western out fit. Which innocent girl celebrates birthdays so pompously? Which innocent girl maintains so many boys behind her? Innocent uh! That word loses it value if we use it to Lakuma. She is a reckless , unrefined girl born to belittle her own culture. She has western mindset" Manjusha loaded on Lakuma.

"Manju we are living in terrible times! Life begins with English education. English language and culture rules our country long after the Britishers have left our country. People think that If they don't study in English they don't get jobs. If they don't speak English they think they lose their face. Speaking English has been a status symbol, wearing western out fit has been a symbol of modern thougt. Life is nothing but extreme manifestation of American culture. The more English you speak the more you are honoured. The more western culture you display the more futuristic you look. This is the mindset our nation. I don't blame Lakuma. All young people are like that."

Are you an  old man?  asked Manjusha vehemently. Before Varsha answered their neighbour Seetaratnam entered the garden. Malini greeted Seetaratnam and asked her what she wants.  "I came to borrow the broad knife to cut open the coconut husk." she said. Malini went in to bring the broad knife. 

Please sit down Mrs. Seetharatnam. said Manjusha.

Please call me Sony. My husband and children call me so. 

What a beautiful name is yours. Seetharatnam is a traditional name.  We admire it.

But it is rough and looks like uneducated person. People misunderstand me. My daughter's name is Sanghavi. We call her sanya. Another daughter's name is Tanjuja. We call her Tanya.

I wonder why you have such a name as Bharatavarsha. Does it have any meaning?

"Bharatavarsha is the ancient name of our country." Said Bharatavarsha.

Oh! Is it? But you have to modernize. Learn English. It is the greatest language.  Leave this traditional attire. No girl will marry you if you wear dhoti and Kurta. 

Manjusha " The girl who loves traditions will marry him otherwise he will remain bachelor. You don't worry about his marriage. We will do the woryying"

Just then Malini came with broad knife. She said " Why argument with a small girl?"

Seetharatnam:  Look Malini your daughter is arguing with me. I am telling the truth.        She never understands. She has to learn the ways of the world and you should educate her."  

Malini: I can not educate them against our culture. Our culture is the breath of this country for which my husband lost his breath joyfully. We have no regrets. 

Don't you know we are priests. My elder son is a priest in Krishna temple. No girl is ready to marry him. Our traditions have wrecked him. 

"I can not westernize my children. I can not edit or alter names like Sunny, Bunny, Sony. Mother, Mother tongue and Mother land are unparlleled. This is what I have learnt and this is what I have told my children" said Malini. 

Sitaratnam: English is the greatest language. My younger son learned English. He has gone to America. Life is great in America. Telugu is waste. What will you do with Telugu and Sanskrit?

Just then a tall man with square jaws and slight beard came in. He heard the last bit of the conversation.  He wished Bharatavarsha and other ladies " Good morning."

He said " Mrs. Seetharatnam,  I am the childhood friend of Varsha. My name is Raghava.      I have not changed my name or left our culture. I have learned English and went to America. Life in America is not great as you said. It is a desperate struggle for dollors. Life style is stinking over there. I had done such menial jobs as baby sitting and toilets cleaning which    I have never done here. Most youngsters from  India are doing the same jobs in UK and USA. They are living in pathetic conditions but their parents are proudly claiming that their children are in Advanced countries. "Raghava stopped and looked at Raghava. Bharatava was silent. He was reticent rather. Raghava understood that it is the pulse of our society. But he doesn't want to be soft like his friend Varsha.  Malini asked Raghava to stop " Enough for today Raghava!" She said.

 

Despite Malini's protests Raghava continued. " Just like a toddler teaching grown up man how to walk  you are teaching the greatness of English language to a scholar and a polyglot." He told Seetaratnam. 

"Wait , I am also an educated woman. I Passed B.A." said Seetharatnam proudly. 

"The Sanskrit scholars of India gave the sun more than a hundred names. Can you tell me  five names (synonyms) for the Sun in English? " Raghava asked caustically. Mrs. Seetaratnam startled by this unexpected question. She tore her mind for a few minutes but could not even stammer out any other name for Sun. 

Bharatavarsha said "   Aditya, Ambareeshu, Anjisthu,  Varsha was reeling off  the synonyms for SUN. When he was at the 40th synonym Raghava asked her another question. "How many english names (synonyms) you can imagine for a woman?" Seetharatnam was quiet. 

Raghava said "  A woman with beautiful teeth is called Sudati, A woman with long thick hair is called Kesani, A woman with beautifu Bimba fruit like lips is called Bimbadari. A woman with big breast is called Gubbaladi, A woman with broad butt is called Nitambi. Our scholars have given names to woman corresponding to her physical shape of her boy.          In  addition to that they have given woman a different name for every different action.          A woman who goes to meet her lover of her own accord or by appointment is called Abhisaarika."

 

Bharatavarsha: I know, anybody speaking mother tongue, advocating traditions is considered old. I am an old man. I have no desire to prove myself young by adopting English language and culture. I am soldier's son. My father Ugra Narasimha died for the same land. I would rather die as a bachlor than marry a girl by showing western life style. 

Seetaratnam: You don't understand anything now  because you are drunk on youth. But time will teach you a lesson said Seetharatnam angrily and left in a huff. 

                                                                       ***