Name Game

One of the biggest efforts in human history is to 'name' - the act of giving an individual his title or term for the rest of the world to call him or her by that name. William Shakespeare may have brushed aside the significance of this act by rendering those famous words "What's In a Name"? But as they say in Hindi "Naam Mein Hi Sab Kuch Rakkha Hain". After reading those reports of the political leaders in Tamil Nadu naming the babies during their campaign trails, it really amazes me whether these people have names on their fingertips? Are the parents satisfied at the end of the day, by this act of "no labour"? May be this aspect should be debated, which could be done on later date. However, this whole aspect called "name game" needs greater attention.

Apart from naming the new born, this also extends to newly built homes, newly started commercial establishments, and also newly bought vehicles. The spark, that made me compose this blog is also one such act. Last year, we built our own house, thus transcending from the "Ever Wandering" culture to one of firm "Anchorage". So, the event of house-warming and all that followed had to guided by providing a firm anchor in the form of a proper name to transform the "House" into something called a "Home"!! So, my mother entrusted me with the task of choosing a suitable name - she had already chosen a few includingher favourite, "Nandanam". But then there were some smarter people around near our home who had already chosen that name. So, as we cannot be seen as "copycats" and with self-pride raging in my heart, I took over the task. But then I have this habit - never know whether it is good or bad - of postponing things. So, I adopted a gradualist approach. But then my mother did not leave it like that. For her this was the most imporatnt task of the land. So, reluctantly I was forced to commence the "Operation Name Find". Then the question arises where do, I embark upon this voyage??

For a start I pick up the "Shabdataaravali" in Malayalam and start the search. Oh, I forgot to mention something. This is a voluminous encyclopedia, which in afct, combines two standard Oxford reference dictionaries!! So, I turn over the pages and pore over those innumerable names - and their meaning too!! I also tired to remember all those movies, which had a 'literay' touch to their names. I lay back on the bed staring at the ceiling, wracking my brain for that one elusive name. After days of these tiresome efforts, I come up with my conclusion. "Mayookham" is the choice and it means "light", which would deliver us from darkness. Mom looks at it and seems no that happy, because she kept saying that her original choice was much better. But still my spirits were up and as they reached a cresecndo, my sister came up with her own proposal - "Niharika". It means "droplet of snow". Soon mom also wants the same name. How quickly she changed her mind!! Were my efforts going down the drain?? No, they are not as my dad ratifies my choice, overruling that of my sister. Finally. I'm happy. As the name is inscribed in black font on a brass plate and fixed on the wall near the gate, my task seems accompllished and I feel a sense of "deja vu". It stoill remains fixed there, bearing all the rain and shine.

Later that year, a movie by the same name also releases. though its didn't do well in the box office. At least my inteelectual property rights do not stand questioned!! However, I just wonder how difficult the task would be for parents of the newborn kids to seek names for them. Even my name, according to choice of my grandpa was Anurag, but then my mom had other ideas...........

Musings on Mother's Day!!

Today, the 2nd Sunday of May, is International Mother's Day!! I'm not a great admirer of such ''commercialized days'', but still this day has remained etched to me since my childhood. Every year, my mind wanders back to those 'good old' days with my dear mom. A sudden whiff of memories come thrashing into my mind. I remember a line in one of those old comics that I used to read in my boyhood days. "God couldn't reach everywhere, so he made Mothers". How true!! This relationship between a mother and her children has always been an unbreakable chord which is built on the foundations of Love and Tenderness.

My mother always keeps going back to those days when I was a toddler. How I used to trouble her by breaking all my toys, not having my food properly and as to how I-was of good size in my infant days-used to travel with her in trains and keep demanding tea, in the sultry summer and the compartment being over-crowded!! As I passed into my teens, I again troubled her by picking up quarrels with her, not telling her about the class tests, lying her about my grades. But, as my age passed on, everything changed and I sometimes developed a feeling that I was moving away 'mentally' from my mom. I became a man, driving bikes and cars after getting a licence, became eligible to vote by acquiring the Voters' ID card and am at the doorstep of getting a Master's Degree. I feel the 'alienation' is getting stronger now!!

Mom, where are your loving arms? where are your smiles and cajoles?? I need them, ma!! Reading one of the books gifted by one of my cousins, containing stories by Malayalam authors on Mother was heart aching!! The emotional attachment of the mothers to their children has transcended eons as it is reflected in those stories. Even, in these summer nights, I yearn to sleep on your loving lap, with you caresssing my hair by running your hands through it; I also love to to hear you scolding and even beating me with those lovely hands, that you've burnt innumerable times trying to cook the best food for me; I am eager to hear you talk about those past days, when you used to hold my hand, while walking back home in the evenings from the school. Mom, where are those days?? Where have they disappeared?? Are those footprints on the sands of time been erased by the tide of 'life', which always brings up a 'new act' each day?? I still feel the warmth of your 'thalodal' when my body temperature rose to levels, which they call 'pani'. I still want to relish your Banana Payasam' that you prepare with so much affection for me. Even the "Chemmeen Curry" is still on my lips!! Those Onams, Vishus, and Deepavalis spent with you have gained an eternal status.

Mom, when I seated you behind my bike and drove you, it was one of the most cherished moments of my life. Let many more such good times remain in my life. Whom should I thank for you being a wonderful mother to me? My sincere prayer is, if there is a process called "Punarjanmam", I should be again your loving son!!. May be the elders are right. Mother always acquires the prominent position among the relationships. The nostalgia keeps sinking in,as the sun sets and twilight shudders into the horizon. I am shaken from my musings by that beautiful song, "En Amme, Onni Kaanaan Ethra Naal Njan Kothichu......."

Rural India-Which Way??

The whole talk of "India Shining" during the last 2004 elections in India has shed the myths of "Goody-goodyness". This was best reflected in ther conditions of the farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The acute crises, which forced them to take their lives, have left many questions unanswered. P. Sainath, in one of his talks in JNU had said that in comparison to the media comparing the Lakme India Fashion Week, which came to over 300, the people covering the rural agrarian crises were only 4, including himself!! Perhaps, the Gandhian dream of "India living in its Villages" is a far-drawn illusion!! The Rural India doesn't exist for these elitist media!!

My friend Atul talks of setting up a school, removed from all modern day conventions in some hinterland of the country, and wants each of us to spend some time there. Hope, he is succeessful in this endeavour. But then there is also this bit of feeling developing in me, of this "Return to the Roots" becoming just a fashion statement!! Isn't this a bit of "Utopian Concept" too. All this city-bred and elite educated class taking thingts out of the limits!! The best illustration for this would be the Naxalite movement in this country, where in its heydays, the students coming out of the universities and colleges in Hyderabad and moving into those rural and impoverished areas, in the hope of "ushering in the transition from Bourgeoise Capitalism and Feudal remnants to a path of Liberation!! but what has been the latter day results. They have donned the cloak of "Extortionists" and doing away with the "Class Enemies"-who in fact come from the highly deprieved sections and join the low-ranked posts in the Police forces, to win bread for their families!! Is this the "Rural Revolution" that is beckoning the people??

The Rural hinterlands of India are seeking a change, no doubt. But that cannot be through the barrel fo the gun!! As Sainath himself stated, it would do agreat good if the Media in this country could at least lend a helpful ear to their worries and distress. May be then pesticide could just be used for crops rather than be a 'passport to deaths'.....

My First Hit

This is my first experience with blogging. The concept seemed very good. So, went on with it. Well, I'm Anand P.K, Set to complete my Post-Graduation programme in International Relations from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Planning to do my research too, from here in Chinese Studies. I am basically from Palakkad District, in Kerala. But I've been a wanderlust moving from Coimbatore, to Porbandar to Cochin to Delhi. Done a bit of India Darshan!!