Uttara Kanda

Uttara Kanda

Sita looks back at her life with Lord Rama!

Early this year (2017), I was one of the eager purchasers of the latest novel  'Uttara Kanda', written by Shri S.L.Bhyrappa.  This novel has disrupted the minds of connoisseurs of the literary world.  Although the novel is a rewritten work on Valmiki’s Ramayan, much is being discussed about the treatment given to various characters and events in the holy epic  I have now chosen to humbly share with you my thoughts on the novel on the eve of 'Santheshivara Meet*' scheduled on 30th Dec 2017.

(*Santheshivara, a tiny village near Channarayapatna, Hassan District (about 170 kms. from Bengaluru)  is the birth place of Shri S.L.Bhyrappa.  Readers and patrons of the great novelist have arranged for a 'meet' at Santheshivara on Saturday, the 30th Dec 2017.  This will be a great occasion for we patrons to meet and interact with Bhyrappaji himself.  Those who are interested in attending the meet may write an e mail to 'santheshivarameet@gmail.com' to register their names and know the details).

Santheshivara Linganniah Bhyrappa (83), a Kannada novelist is a living legend. He has authored 31 novels which are household names not only in Karnataka, but also all over the country and the world. Almost all his novels are translated to many Indian languages and also English.  Forty years ago when he rewrote ‘Mahabharath’ as ‘Parva’ (translated to Samskrut, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi and English), it was an eye opener for ‘free thinkers’.  Mahabharath was depicted not as a work of mythology but as an event of history. All major characters including ‘Lord Krishna’ were just men ‘fallible to human temptations’ for Bhyrappaji.  Present novel ‘Uttara Kanda’ is a similar work describing Ramayan and its characters  from Sita’s perspective. Sita is never a passive woman here and she dares questioning Ram and treads her own path. Moreover no miracles here, every event is a real one.  Entire novel is presented as a flash back by reminiscent Sita during ‘Uttara Kanda’.  

It was ‘Ashok Van’ in Ravan’s Lanka.  Expectant Sita became jubilant on hearing Rama’s victory and the killing of Ravan.  Soon came Sarame, the wife of Vibhishan asking Sita to dress up for being taken to meet her victorious husband Ram.  Wearing the choicest jewels gifted to her by Mata Anasuya, eager Sita comes to the battle ground to meet her ‘Prabhu Ram’ whom she was missing for over one year. All were excited including Sita, but not Lord Ram!  There was eerie silence all over.

‘Janaka Putri’………….Ram addresses Sita to break silence……‘I have fought this war and killed Ravan not for you, but to uphold the glory of my Ikshwaku dynasty!  There ends my task.  You were in the custody of rakshas Ravan for so long. I don’t believe in your chastity. I don’t like to accept you back. You are free to go anywhere’.  It took some time for Sita to withstand the shock of thundering words of Ram, but recovered to shot back at him. ‘Ram…..my father got me married to you hoping that you are a noble man.  How can such distrustful thoughts come to your mind to reject me’?

It was turn of Laxman to intervene and prevent Sita from getting in to the fire.  Laxman took Sita’s cause and fired at Ram. ‘Supposing Sita too questions your chastity during her absence, what answer you can give? Accept Sita and move on.’ 

Under forced retreat at Valmiki’s Ashram, ripe pregnant Sita took a stroll at the turn of events during those days.  Her mind probed…….’Is Ram harsher than Ravan? Whether it was the same Ram who took up the cause of immoral  Ahalya and reunited her with Saint Gautam’? ........ Yes it was a decades old story…………….Ahalya, the young and beautiful wife of Saint Gautam had to live a ‘dry’ life.  Frail bodied Gautam always used to be in ‘tapas’.  Naturally Ahalya was tempted towards the seducing King who used to visit the ashram.  When the ongoing event came to Guatam’s notice, he became furious.  He told  her illicit acts to all in the neighbourhood and went away to distant Himalayas for doing ‘deep tapas’.  Shamed Ahalya confined herself inside the Ashram for days together.  When neighbours knocked at her door, she threatened to hang herself.  Neighbours gave up, but started keeping food and water at her doors everyday.  Ahalya started living this way, but continued to confine herself inside and was virtually cut off from the rest of the world for years together.

When Saint Vishwamitra along with young Ram and Laxman came to meet Gautam at his ashram, they came to know about the ‘self-imposed exile’ of Ahalya.  Inspired by Vishwamitra, Ram took initiative to bring out Ahalya and reunite her with Saint Gautam.

‘Why this judgment of double standard by Ram?  How can he be so kind to errant Ahalya and be so cruel to me, who lived only for him and nobody else’?.............Sita’s stream of sorrowful thoughts continues.  And while sending her away from Ayodhya,  Ram not even bothered to tell her the facts. Under the pretext of sending her to offer ‘pujas to Rishipatnis’, Ram sent away pregnant Sita to Valmiki’s ashram along with Laxman.  While leaving her,  Ram’s agent Laxman just mentioned that ‘Maharaj’ has divorced her and went away!

What made Ram to conduct himself so curtly against Sita, not on one, but two occasions?  Did Ram become power conscious and too scared about public opinion?  Did ‘maryada purushotham Ram’ lost to ‘Maharaj Ram’?  Did he not err in his roles as a dear husband and an expectant father? Could he have chosen to give up power to uphold  family life and human values?  Let us leave this to Sita's judgment.

Now it was the turn of Saint Valmiki to take up Sita's cause.  He brings her along with Lav and Kush to Ram's court to work out a reunion on the occasion of 'ashwamed yag'. Valmiki's sane words were an eye opener to the  entire court and Ram too.  Relenting Ram invites Sita to join him.  But  now Sita becomes assertive and speaks rising her voice........'this reunion initiative came from Saint Valimiki, not from you Ram.  Not even once you thought about me during these sixteen years of my 'vanavas'.  Had you called also, I wouldn't have come.  I am a daughter of the soil and I prefer to go back to Valmiki's ashram to continue farming.  Farming for me is the best way to reunite with my 'boo-mata' and walks away.  And the entire court becomes dumbstruck! Ram's desperate shouts......'Sita, Sita please come back' goes in vain! Helpless Saint Valmiki laments.........'I could only write Ramayan, but couldn't influence its tragic end'!

Now let me humbly try to place before you all my views about the novel.

I would like to have a look at the Ahalya incident in the novel.  Bhyrappaji has tried to give the most probable and realistic description of the miracle of Ahalya turning a 'rock' due to Saint Gautam's curse. Shamed by the exposure of her affairs with the visiting King, Ahalya confines herself alone to her Ashram for years together, while Gautama goes away for doing 'tapas'.  When young Rama visits Gautam's ashram along with Saint Viswamitra, he takes up Ahalya's cause and succeeds in bringing her out.  Also Rama mediates the issue with Saint Gautama himself and brings about a reunion of the senior couple.  This looks unrealistic.  Was not Rama too young to play the role of a mediator for this event?  Moreover at that time Rama himself was not even married.  How could Bhyrappaji discount the presence of the most experienced and the versatile Saint Vishwamitra who had also a stint of romance and family life with the proverbial beauty and dancer 'Menaka'?   Obviously this task of bringing out Ahalya from the shell and working out her rapprochement with Saint Gautama must have been the deft task handled by Saint Viswamitra!  May be  Saint Viswamitra might have given the credit to young prince Rama.  This could have been a more logical sequence of roles and events to bring the whole incident into the realms of reality.

Hinduism is probably  the most tolerant religion in the world. Unlike a few other major religions of the world, Hindus are never aggressive and they have never invaded or fought any other country,  except for self-defense. The fact that India is the only homeland for Hindus is a testimony to our peaceful and non-aggressive nature. 'Free thinking' is in our blood and that is why India has assimilated and accommodated other religions and thoughts of the world.  Obviously our readers have wholeheartedly welcomed Bhyrappaji's 'Uttara Kanda' and its critical approach to the great epic.

But Lord Rama is the most revered God for majority of our people.  Even the most learned Saint Valmiki has described Lord Rama as the 'maryada purushottam'!  Of course even among us there are many who are questioning Lord Rama's ways and actions!  Whether Lord Rama was a God or one more fallible human being is a never ending debate.  Believers may dare Byrappaji to write similar critical novels about Gods of other religions too!  Byrappaji has shown greater courage and freedom of thought while writing his earlier controversial novel 'Aavarana (2007)'. In that most discussed novel, Bhyrappaji has never minced words in exposing the evil practices and beliefs prevalent in the Islamic religion.

Of course the debate goes on.  'For those who believe no proof is necessary, and for those who do not believe no proof is enough' can only be the most acceptable statement about Lord Rama. Let noble thoughts come from all sides. Free thinking and tolerance shall become the guiding spirits of our way of life. But I would like to add a word of warning.  Free thinking shall never become a tool for the policy of selective appeasement!  And I am sure our great writers like Byrappaji will show us the way!

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Chandramukhi - Jwalamukhi

I am seen in this picture taken at Bali islands, Indonesia during  Nov 2015.  Of course I am with my dear wife 'chandramukhi -Anasuya' and also 'jwalamukhi - Mt Agung', and fortunately both of them are in pleasant moods here! Volcano Mt Agung can be seen here with its blunted top, called the 'crater' which has occurred due to earlier eruptions.

But last week the sleepy Mt Agung has caused grave concerns. After a gap of 54 years the volcano has started fuming causing panic among people! Indonesian Government has raised high alert.  Massive columns of thick grey smoke have erupted shooting to a height of  3 kms into the sky, forcing flights to be grounded! About a lakh of inhabitants living around are evacuated to distant places.

During last two days there is a lull in the volcanic activity causing some uneasy calm in the island.  But volcanologists fear that at any time there may be deadly eruptions which may cause huge damages. These developments have caused a massive hit to the tourism activity of the island, which forms the main source of income for almost all inhabitants.

Volcanoes are just a natural way that the mother earth and other planets cool off their internal heat and pressure. As can be seen in the picture, volcanoes have access to the magma (molten rock) present deep inside the earth.  Collision between surrounding rocks and magma, causes magma to rise building a sort of pressure over a period of time.  This causes formation of bubbles due to release of gases dissolved in magma resulting in further rise of pressure. The pressure helps magma to rise to the surface, which we call as the volcanic eruption!  This process is almost similar to soda water gushing out when the bottle is opened.

World has witnessed innumerable number of such volcanic eruptions since its formation.  The worst three eruptions recorded so far are as follows.

1.Mt Tambura, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia erupted during 1815
causing massive killings and damages.

2.Mt Krakatoa, in islands of Java and Sumatra, Indonesia erupted during 1833, killing 35,000 people and causing Tsunamis!

3.Mt. Pelee in the Carribean island erupted during 1902, killing about 30,000 people.

Well, in our own country India, there is only one active volcano (seen in the pic above) situated in Andaman and Nicobar islands.  It had shown some activity during 1991.

We all call our dear life partners as chandramukhis.  But they too can erupt like jwalamukhis.  Like jwalamukhis they will be calm and quiet for long and they may not erupt due to small disturbances.  But these small disturbances may be boiling inside and it only needs a threshold providing trigger to erupt. We all remain complacent and don't notice the pressure building inside. And on one bad day,  we foolishly provide the trigger and that is when our chandramukhis become jwalamukhis!  The effect would be equally devastating on us and it takes long for them to calm down.  

Even in our society also we often witness volcanic type of eruptions in the form of communal riots. It is difficult to pin-point the blame on a single group.  All sections are capable of building pressure and it only requires a small trigger for the riot to erupt.  And when it erupts, it takes long to subside, but will subside only after taking its toll!

Conflicts and cold wars between countries can be much more devastating when compared to volcanic eruptions.  We have already witnessed two world wars (1914-18 & 1939-45) of which the second world war was a nuclear war too.  Since then many conflicts have almost come to the threshold of a world war, but thank God, somehow they have subsided.  Even today no one can rule out the possibility of a third world war and if it happens will the mankind survive?  

Let me conclude by quoting the greatest philosopher and the scientist of our times, Albert Einstein who said......

                    I know not with what weapons

                    world war III will be fought,

                    but world war IV will be 

                    fought with sticks and stones! 

(Of course some say, this statement is allegedly attributed to him.  But nobody can remain blind towards the blunt truth in this statement). I leave it to your imagination to interpret why the great man has said like this.  I am sure you will explain the same to me while giving your feedback.

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Indira Gandhi - 100

The year was 1966 and I was just a 10 years old boy.  My beloved Social studies teacher, Narayana Achar, who kindled my interest in politics was in the classroom.  That was the day when the next Prime Minister of India had to be chosen.  Our teacher had told that the choice should be Morarji Desai, as he was more experienced.  But it turned out to be otherwise.  The then inexperienced Indira Gandhi won the contest with the support of Congress veterans and became the first woman Prime Minister of our country.  And since then I had the privilege of following her ups and downs with keen interest.

Not much happened during 1966-67.  Indira who was described as 'goongi gudiya' (meaning dumb doll) those days by some seniors took her time to settle in.  She managed to comfortably win the 1967 general elections and rode back to power.  This gave her the confidence to start asserting herself.

She nationalized 14 major banks during 1969,  which proved to be a revolutionary step later on.  This paved way for fast growth of banking network throughout the country, especially in semi-urban and rural sectors.  The concept of 'class banking' gave way to 'mass banking' which made the banking services, especially the loans for agriculture, small industries and business (also called priority sector) available even to the poor.  This banking revolution provided jobs to many youngsters like me throughout the country.

Indira now beaming with new confidence took another bold step!  She abolished the privy purses (pension) being given to erstwhile Kings. This was a step which reduced the 'dynasty status of former kings' to that of ordinary citizens of democratic India.  The irony is that the same Indira Gandhi was accused later of promoting  'dynastic rule' by imposing her own family on our country.

Assertive Indira started side lining veterans like Morarji Desai (left above).  Her assertion was total when she installed her own personal choice as the President of India defeating the official candidate of the Congress party.  This led to the split of Congress party itself and the result.....Indira Gandhi emerged stronger.

During 1971, Indira Gandhi swept the polls and won a massive majority with the election slogan 'garibi hatao'.  I remember those days when I along with my friend had waited till late midnight to listen to her election speech in my native place Hassan.

Soon she was confronted with the problem of lakhs of refugees entering India from the neighbouring East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).  Indira Gandhi seized the opportunity to wage a legitimate war against Pakistan.  She displayed great bravery and courage during the war.  

India won the war within just 14 days and Pakistan surrendered paving way for the birth of a new country, Bangladesh.  Many historians describe this as the greatest moment in the life of Indira Gandhi. Many in the country during those days, described Indira as the incarnation of 'Maa Durga'.  'Maa Durga' comparison was so much heard those days that many believe even today that it was first uttered by Mr. Vajpayee in the Parliament. But as denied by Mr. Vajpayee himself later, it was all a rumour.

Riding on the success of her war victory, Indira Gandhi encouraged her nuclear scientists to perform 'nuclear test'. Full credits to her leadership in getting us the status of a nuclear power in the world.

Soon Indira Gandhi became the undisputed leader of her Government and the party.  R.K.Laxman's cartoon above rightly depicts her 'super PM status' she commanded during those days.

As per Newton's Law anything that goes up must come down.  This probably caught up with Indira Gandhi too, when she signed the 

Simla Agreement (1972) with Pakistan later.  With this Pakistan got released all its 90,000 prisoners of war.  Many historians say that Indira Gandhi could have bargained better for resolution of Kashmir issue then itself.

In between a banking fraud amounting to about 60 lakhs of rupees (which was a huge sum then) occurred in State Bank of India which was then famous as the Nagarawala case.  The Nagarawala mystery was never solved!  Many say that corruption and frauds grew their roots strongly during Indira Gandhi's regime.

1973-75 were turbulent years for Indira Gandhi.  Indira's autocratic nature made her unpopular among the then opposition leaders. Moreover inflation, price-rise and Oil crisis haunted the country.  Opposition leaders led by Jayprakash Narayan mobilized people against Indira Gandhi under 'sampooran kranthi' banner.  The climax of all these developments was when Indira Gandhi was unseated from her Parliamentary Seat owing to electoral malpractices as per a verdict of the Allahabad High Court (1975).

In order to manoeuvre all these complications Indira Gandhi declared 'emergency' which is now famous as the black period in the history of democratic India. 

The above cartoon which caught the attention of the entire country then described the meekness with which the then President Fakruddin Ali Ahmed (in the cartoon here) signed the 'emergency' orders. Her son Sanjay Gandhi's activities during emergency too created a bad opinion in the minds of people.

All these developments led to the fall of Indira Gandhi during the 1977 General elections.  Many major opposition parties merged themselves to form the Janata Party which emerged victorious.  Historians described the Janata Party as the conglomeration of heterogeneous forces and they can't hold on for long.  This proved right when the Janata Government fell during 1979 itself.

Indira Gandhi stormed back to power during 1980.  It began disastrously for Mrs. Gandhi when her son Sanjay Gandhi was killed in a plane accident.  This made Indira Gandhi to bring her other son Rajiv Gandhi to politics.

Indira Gandhi proved to be a great sports patron when she successfully organized the 1982 Asian Games in India.  This revolutionized the sports enthusiasm in the country and led to development of sports infra of international standards. To her credit I must say that a sports event of that magnitude has never happened in India since then!

World cup cricket victory during 1983 was one more high during Indira Gandhi's regime.  She lauded the winning team which later led to emergence of India as the world leader in cricket.

The year 1984 proved disastrous for Indira Gandhi.  Sikh militants were playing havoc in Punjab under the banner of 'Khalistan Liberation Movement'.  Foreign forces were actively aiding this dubious cause.  Quirk of irony had made Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale (inset in pic below) as the super militant leader, who once was said to have been patronised by Indira Gandhi herself for countering Akali dal forces in Punjab.

To bring out militant forces from the sacred seat of Sikhs, Golden Temple, Amritsar, Indira Gandhi had to order military action under the code name 'operation blue star'. 

I served in Punjab during 1980-85 and was a mute witness to the entire militant movement.  Although 'operation blue star' was successful in eliminating militants from the Golden temple, it caused a deep hurt in the minds of the entire Sikh community.

As a result Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her own sikh security men in her own residence in Delhi.  Thus a glorious chapter in the history of independent India saw a tragic end.

Indira Gandhi as a leader was loved and hated by turns.  Her contribution to poverty alleviation is unquestioned.  Similarly it was during her regime that India achieved self-sufficiency in food production.  Her courage saw India emerge as a nuclear power.  With her brave leadership, she could humble and dismember Pakistan by separating Bangladesh. Rightly she was rewarded the Bharat Ratna during 1971 itself.

Probably her economics was weak.  She never thought of introducing 'economic reforms'.  She went on nourishing public sectors like her father which proved to be 'not enough' in the long run.  Had she ushered in economic reforms in India during 1970s itself, India too could have grown faster like China. Of course, one may say, speaking in the hindsight is easier!

Even today millions of Indians remember her words she spoke during the penultimate day of her life in a public speech in Odisha.  'If I die today, every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation'.

Long live the memory of Indira Gandhi

Long live India.

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One Year of Demonetization

Nov 8th, 2017 marks the 1st anniversary of the now controversial demonetization.  While some have heralded demonetization as the first ever massive war against black money in our country, our opposition parties have described it as a 'monumental blunder' which has killed almost all small businesses.

Prime Minister Modiji's sudden announcement of demonetization on that most remembered night of Nov 8th, 2016 took the entire country by shock. It was described as a surgical strike on black money by the ruling party.  Even the opposition parties went on back foot before recovering from the shock.  As the events unfolded it was full of confusion and hardship for the common man.

• People stood in the mile long queues in front of Banks and ATMs to exchange their money.
• People were irritated by the small limits fixed per exchange.
• Moreover people witnessed cashless Banks and ATMs on most of the occasions.
• Many deaths were reported in those serpentine queues.  Although all those deaths could not be attributed to the queue hardships, opposition parties were quick to take advantage. At least one pregnant lady delivered a girl child (named 'Kazana') while being in the queue. 
• People suffered without enough cash for marriages, medical treatments and funerals.
• Anti-social elements took advantage by exchanging crores of money for hefty commission much to the disappointment of common men.
• Small businesses and daily earners like rickshaw-operators had the worst hit of substantial business losses.
• Cash based MSMEs like leather industries and construction sector too registered worst shocks.
• Real estate witnessed the worst slump.

Soon the opposition parties lead by Congress, economic experts and even some intellectuals became most aggressive critics of the entire process. Even the Government became scared and did many panic acts.

• Government made innumerable changes in the money exchange rules.
• Planes/Helicopters and even military was pressed in to service in order to ensure supply of currency all over country.
• Even the P.M. himself came once again on T.V. and requested people to bear with the hardship for 50 days after which he promised that the things would return to normal. Also P.M. claimed that 3-5 lakh crores of black money will not come back resulting in bounty for the Government which will be used for welfare schemes of people.

Majority of our people showed exemplary patience.  They believed that the war against black money is really on and their hardship will not go waste.  But opposition parties continued to attack the Government relentlessly.

As further drama unfolded, RBI confirmed that  99% of the Rs.15.4 lakh crores of currency have been exchanged by people.  Opposition parties described the entire exercise as disastrous.  It was further alleged that all black money holders and big people have never suffered  and they have conveniently exchanged all their ill-gotten wealth. 

Looking back, demonetization is certainly not without gains for our Country.

• Yes, it is our Country's first ever massive and honest war against black money. It was never done for gaining  monetary or political gains for the ruling party
• It has neutralized our enemy country's machinery which was allegedly printing  fake currency to spoil our economy.
• Money with terrorists and anti-socials also stood substantially neutralized. This is evidenced by notable improvement in Jammu & Kashmir situation.
• As per RBI report entire black money is now deposited with banks which is a welcome process. Huge deposits in many accounts are under IT investigation. This has also made our banks cash rich resulting in reducing of lending rates.
• Demonetization has certainly created fear element in the minds of black money holders.  This is well supported by the fact that the number of those who are filing IT returns has registered a substantial increase since 8th November 2016.  
• Demonetization has given a great boost to the process of 'digitization' of the country's economy.  There is substantial increase in digital transactions.  Number of Bank ATMs has registered a small decrease too.
• Many rich people have probably exchanged  money through their poorer conduits.  This has resulted in some money in to the hands of poor people.  A sort of social justice indeed!

• Loss of business and hardship to people seem to be exaggerated.  This is supported by the fact that Rabi sowing during Nov-Dec 2016  witnessed notable increase.  Remember sowing operations are predominantly cash based.
• Real estate prices in the country have come down considerably as the role of black money has seen a dip.  Sales seem to be picking up now in the recent quarters.
• In my personal view, coming back of 99% of estimated currency is unbelievable.  Even big black money holders may not want to exchange 99% for fear of being caught. Also the seizure of high volumes of old notes subsequent to demo also is surprising. This gives rise to a thought that there might have been more physical currency than estimated.  If so, even all that amount of black money now stands neutralized.

Our people have taken the hardship of demonetization in their stride.  This was amply substantiated by the fact that people gave a massive mandate to the ruling party in the U.P. assembly elections that followed.

Nobel award winner for Economics - 2017, Robert Thaler has hailed demonetization in India as a brave fight against black money. Even former RBI Governor Mr.Raghuram Rajan who has acknowledged that he too was kept in the loop before, has conceded that it takes some more time to count the benefits of demonetization.  In cricketing terms, some experts have termed that demonetization is not like T-20, but it is more like Test cricket and calls for patience.

In the hindsight it may be easy to analyse wisely.  But demo had its own challenges of keeping utmost secrecy.  Obviously Government could not plan it well.  But the same benefit of doubt can not be given to the Government in the matter of GST implementation.  It was well known to the

Government that implementation of GST is a problematic exercise.  More than 150 countries have rolled out GST  already and all those countries have witnessed first year problems.  In a few countries the Governments who implemented GST have even lost the immediate next elections.  Therefore Government should have been careful while giving effect.

Present GST is said to be complicated with 4 different slabs.  Moreover the registration, filing of returns and seeking refunds too seem to be complicated, especially for small businessmen.  Also the faulty GST Network designed by the vendor (said to be Infosys) has also not helped.

It could have been implemented in phases after taking in to consideration the interest of small businesses.  Further the rate of GDP growth falling down to 5.7%  for the latest quarter has left the ruling party itself red-faced. Once again Government is forced to make a series of amends and the business world and the opposition are shouting not enough.

Congress leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi has even termed GST as Gabbar Singh Tax. Gabbar Singh is the

ferocious villain from the mega hit film 'Sholay' which was released during 15th August 1975. A couple of months earlier, i.e. on 25th June 1975, the then Congress Prime Minister Smt.Indira Gandhi had imposed 'emergency' in the country which is now remembered as a 'black period' in the history of Indian democracy.  Those were the days when Income Tax was as high as 95% and since then our country has witnessed many reforms.

Coming back to Gabbar Singh and  Sholay, during initial days of release the film was not received well.  It took about two weeks for the film to pick up the tempo.  Even in case of GST, it may become true. Although the initial reactions are adverse, GST may turn out to be a blockbuster event  in our country's economic history.

However our country has received a shot in the arm last week.  World bank in its report has

rated India at '100' in the ladder of ease of doing business, giving us the huge jump of '30 places' which is the highest ever.  This is the result of a series of reforms including GST,  that the Government has implemented during last 3 years as follows.

• Insolvency Act
• Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act - RERA
• Massive Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna
• Direct benefit transfers
• Substantial increase in FDI in Insurance, Defense, Railways, Construction, multi-brand retail and e commerce
• Transparency in Coal and Telecom auctions
• One stop clearance for new businesses
• Bank mergers
• Demonetization
• G.S.T.

Lastly both demonetization and GST are ambitious economic reforms of the present Government.  Both of them were known risky steps. GST process is now irreversible and has come to stay.  Our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modiji has shown vision and boldness in taking these historic steps.  To the credit of our Prime Minister it must be said that it was never initiated for gaining monetary or political benefits for self or the ruling party. Let us hope that the system of GST settles down well, bringing all the desired benefits to our people.

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ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ - ೭೫ Mysura Mallige - 75

ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ - ೭೫

(೧೯೪೨-೨೦೧೭)

ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನರಸಿ೦ಹಸ್ವಾಮಿ(ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ)ರವರ  ’ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ಗೀಗ ೭೫ರ ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮ. ೧೯೪೨ರಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊಟ್ಟ ಮೊದಲು ಪ್ರಕಟಗೊ೦ಡ ಈ ಪ್ರೇಮಗೀತೆಗಳ ಸ೦ಕಲನ ಈಗಲೂ ತನ್ನ ಕ೦ಪನ್ನು ಸೂಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಸೋಜಿಗವೇ ಸರಿ. ಮೂವತ್ತೆ೦ಟು ಮುದ್ರಣಗಳನ್ನು ಕ೦ಡಿರುವ ಈ ಕಿರು ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ದಾಖಲೆಯ ಮಾರಾಟವನ್ನೂ ಕ೦ಡಿದೆ. 

ಕನ್ನಡದ ಮೊದಲ ’ಪ್ರೇಮಕವಿ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.’ರೆ೦ದು ಹೇಳಿದರೆ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲಾರದು. ಆ೦ಗ್ಲ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದ ಪ್ರೇಮಕವಿಗಳಾದ ಕೀಟ್ಸ್,  ವರ್ಡ್ಸ್ ವರ್ಥ್ ರವರುಗಳಿಗಿ೦ತಲೂ ವಿಭಿನ್ನವಾದ ಸರಳ ಶ್ರು೦ಗಾರ ನಮ್ಮ ನರಸಿ೦ಹಸ್ವಾಮಿಯವರದ್ದು.    ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯೊ೦ದು ಪ್ರೇಮಗೀತೆಗಳ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹ. ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಮಾತಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಹೇಳುವುದಾದರೆ ಇದೊ೦ದು ದಾ೦ಪತ್ಯಗೀತೆಗಳ ಸಿ೦ಚನ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಕವಿತೆಗಳ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿ ಅವರ ಪತ್ನಿಯವರ೦ತೆ!    ನಮ್ಮ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಯ ಹಿರಿಯರಿಗೆಲ್ಲಾ ಇವು ಬರಿ ಕವನಗಳಲ್ಲ. ನಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ನಡೆಸಿ ಸವಿದ ಪರಿ.  ಆದುದರಿ೦ದಲೇ ಈ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಕವನಗಳು ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಆಪ್ಯಾಯಮಾನ.

೧೯೮೪ರ ಸಮಯ. ನಾನಾಗ ದೂರದ ಪ೦ಜಾಬಿನ ಲೂಧಿಯಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇವೆಸಲ್ಲಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಕಾಲ.  ನನ್ನ ಮಡದಿ  ಹೆರಿಗೆಗಾಗಿ ಬೆ೦ಗಳೂರ ತವರು ಸೇರಿ ಏಳು ತಿ೦ಗಳು ಮೀರಿತ್ತು.  ನನ್ನ೦ತೂ ಒ೦ಟಿತನ ಕಾಡುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಕವಿತೆಯೊ೦ದು ಮತ್ತೆ-ಮತ್ತೆ ನೆನಪಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು......

ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯೊಬ್ಬಳು ಮನೆಯೊಳಗಿದ್ದರೆ ನನಗದೆ ಕೋಟಿ ರುಪಾಯಿ,

ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯೊಬ್ಬಳು ಹತ್ತಿರವಿದ್ದರೆ ನಾನೂ ಒಬ್ಬ ಸಿಪಾಯಿ||

ಇವಳ್ಯಾಕೆ ಇಷ್ಟು ದಿನ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಕುಳಿತಳು....... ಎ೦ಬ ಕೋಪಬ೦ದು ಖಾರವಾಗೆ ಅ೦ದೊಮ್ಮೆ ಅವಳಿಗೊ೦ದು ಪತ್ರ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದೆ. ನಾಲ್ಕೇ ದಿನಗಳೊಳಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಪತ್ನಿಯ ಉತ್ತರ ನನ್ನ ಕೈಸೇರಿತ್ತು.  ತನ್ನ ಹಾಗೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಮಗುವಿನ ಕುಶಲಗಳನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತಾ, ತನ್ನ ಮರುಪ್ರಯಾಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿರುವ ವಿಳ೦ಬವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸಿದ್ದಳು. ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯಪ್ರಿಯೆಯೂ ಹಾಗೂ ಜಾಣೆಯೂ ಆದ ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರಿಯೆ ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಈ ಕವನವನ್ನೂ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಬರೆದು ಕಳುಹಿಸಿದ್ದಳು.............

ತವರ ಸುಖದೊಳೆನ್ನ ಮರೆತಿಹಳು ಎನ್ನದಿರಿ

ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೇಮ ನೀವೆ ಒರೆಯನಿಟ್ಟು,

ನಿಮ್ಮ ನೆನಸೇ ನನ್ನ ಹಿ೦ಡುವುದು ಹಗಲಿನಲಿ

ಇರುಳಿನಲಿ ಕಾಣುವುದು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕನಸು.

ಕೆಲವೇ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಮುದ್ದು ಮಗಳೊಡನೆ ಲೂಧಿಯಾನ ಸೇರಿದ ನನ್ನವಳನ್ನು ಬರಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾ ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಹೀಗೆ ಹಾಡಿತ್ತು.....

ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಲಿ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಹೂ ಬಿಡುವು-

ದೇನು ಸೋಜಿಗವಲ್ಲ.

ಅ೦ದು ನಾನು, ನನ್ನವಳೂ ಸೇರಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಮಗುವಿಗೆ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲು ಕಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೆವು.  ಹಾಡುಗಾರ್ತಿಯೂ ಆದ ನನ್ನ ಪತ್ನಿಯ ಸಡಗರ ಕೇಳಬೇಕೆ?  ಮಗು ತೂಗುವ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವಳು ಅ೦ದು ಹಾಡಿದ್ದು ಅದೇ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಜೋಗುಳ........

ಅತ್ತಿತ್ತ ನೋಡದಿರು, ಅತ್ತು ಹೊರಳಾಡದಿರು;

ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬರುವಳು ಹೊದ್ದು ಮಲಗು, ಮಗುವೆ.

ಸುತ್ತಿ ಹೊರಳಾಡದಿರು, ಮತ್ತೆ ಹಟ ಹೂಡದಿರು;

ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬರುವಳು ಕದ್ದು, ಮಲಗು ಮಗುವೆ.

ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾ ಮಲಗಿದ್ದ ನನಗೂ ಮಧುರ ಕ್ಷಣವೊ೦ದರ ಭಾಸವಾಗಿತ್ತು.

ವರ್ಷಗಳುರುಳಿ ನನ್ನ ಮಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಬ೦ದಿತ್ತು. ತನ್ನ ಬಾಳ ಸ೦ಗಾತಿಯನ್ನು ತಾನೇ ಆರಿಸಿ ನಿ೦ತ ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಹರೆಸಿ ಧಾರೆಯೆರೆದು ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೂ ಆಯಿತು.

ಸು೦ದರ ಕವಿತೆಯ೦ತೆ ರೂಪುಗೂ೦ಡ ಅವಳ ಸ೦ಸಾರ ಕ೦ಡು ನೆನೆಪಾದುದು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಸಾಲುಗಳೇ......

ಒ೦ದು ಹೆಣ್ಣಿಗೊ೦ದು ಗ೦ಡು

ಹೇಗೊ ಸೇರಿ ಹೊ೦ದಿಕೊ೦ಡು,

ಕಾಣದೊ೦ದು ಕನಸ ಕ೦ಡು

ಮಾತಿಗೊಲಿಯದಮ್ರುತವು೦ಡು,

ದು:ಖ ಹಗುರವೆನುತಿರೆ,

ಪ್ರೇಮವೆನಲು ಹಾಸ್ಯವೆ?

ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಸುಗ೦ಧವನ್ನು ಪಸರಿಸಲು ಗಾಳಿ ಹೇಗೆ ಬೇಕೋ, ಹಾಗೆ ಕವನವನ್ನು ಜನಮನಕ್ಕೆ ಕೊ೦ಡೊಯ್ಯಲು ಸ೦ಗೀತವೂ ಬೇಕು. ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯೊ೦ದಿಗೆ,  ಮೈಸೂರು ಅನ೦ತಸ್ವಾಮಿ, ಸಿ.ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ್ ರ೦ಥ ಗಾನಗಾರುಡಿಗರ ಶ್ರುತಿಯೂ ಸೇರಿತು.  ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಘಮಘಮ, ಸರಿಗಮವಾಗಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಮನೆ-ಮನದ ಗಾನವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಈಗ ಇತಿಹಾಸ.

ಮತ್ತೊ೦ದು ವಿಷಯ.  ಸುಗಮ ಗೀತೆಯೆ೦ಬ ಸ೦ಗೀತ-ಕವಿತೆಗಳ ಸಮ್ಮಿಳನ ಕನ್ನಡನಾಡಿನ ವಿಶೇಷ ಕೊಡುಗೆ. ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ., ಕು.ವೇ೦.ಪು.ರವರ೦ಥ ಕವಿಗಳೂ, ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ್ - ಕಾಳಿ೦ಗರಾಯರ೦ಥ ಗಾಯಕರು, ಕನ್ನಡ ಗೀತೆಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಮನೆಮಾತಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಗೀತೆಗಳೂ ಕೂಡ ಚಲನ ಚಿತ್ರ ಗೀತೆಗಳಷ್ಟೇ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿವೆ.  ಸಮಗ್ರ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ  ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ಗೀತ-ಕ್ರಾ೦ತಿಯನ್ನು ರೂಪುಗೊಳಿಸಿದವರಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊದಲಿಗರೇ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಎ೦ಬ ಸತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸುಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಗಾಯಕ ಶ್ರೀ.ಎಸ್.ಪಿ.ಬಾಲಸುಬ್ರಮಣ್ಯಮ್ ರವರೂ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಿ.ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ್ ರವರೂ ಧ್ರುಡಪಡಿಸಿರುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ಕಿವಿಯಾರೆ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

ಕವಿತೆಗಳನ್ನೇ ನೆಲೆಯಾಗಿಟ್ಟುಕೊ೦ಡು ರೂಪುಗೊಳಿಸಿದ ಭಾರತದ ಏಕಮಾತ್ರ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರವೇ ಪ್ರಾಯಷ: ’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ (೧೯೯೨) ಎ೦ಬುದು   ಚಿತ್ರರ೦ಗದ ಮಾತು. ಹೆಸರಾ೦ತ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ನಾಗಭರಣರು ನಿರ್ದೇಶಿಸಿದ ಈ ಗಾನಮಯ ಚಿತ್ರ, ಬೆಳ್ಳಿಹಬ್ಬವನ್ನು ಕ೦ಡಿದ್ದೂ, ಅನೇಕ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಬಾಚಿದ್ದೂ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಸದಭಿರುಚಿಗೆ ಹಿಡಿದ ಕನ್ನಡಿ. 

ಆ ಚಿತ್ರದ ಸನ್ನಿವೇಶವೊ೦ದು ಹೀಗಿತ್ತು..... ’ರಾತ್ರಿ ತಡವಾಗಿ ಅಳಿಯ೦ದಿರು ಬ೦ದಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಋತುಮತಿಯಾದ ಮಗಳು ಗ೦ಡನ ಉಪಚಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುವ೦ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಚಡಪಡಿಸಿದ ಮಾವನವರು ಅಳಿಯ೦ದಿರನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ನಿಭಾಯಿಸಿದರು’, ಎ೦ಬ ಸ೦ದರ್ಭಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿಯಾದುದೇ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಒ೦ದು ಕವಿತೆ......

ರಾಯರು ಬ೦ದರು ಮಾವನ ಮನೆಗೆ

ರಾತ್ರಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತೂ;

ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ ಹರಸಿದ ಬಾನಿನ ನಡುವೆ

ಚ೦ದಿರ ಬ೦ದಿತ್ತು, ತು೦ಬಿದ

ಚ೦ದಿರ ಬ೦ದಿತ್ತು.

’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ ಎ೦ಬ ನಾಟಕವೂ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಮರಿಸಬಹುದು.

’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ಗೀಗ ೭೫ ವರ್ಷ ತು೦ಬಿದೆ. ಈ ಸುದೀರ್ಘ ಅವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಲ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಬದಲಾವಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕ೦ಡಿದೆ. ದಶಕಗಳ ಹಿ೦ದೆ ಮದುವೆಯಾದ ಹೊಸ ದ೦ಪತಿಗೆ ’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ಯ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಉಡುಗೊರೆಯನ್ನು ನೀಡುವ ಸತ್ಸ೦ಪ್ರಾದಯವಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೀಗ ಪ್ರಪ೦ಚ ’ಮೊಬೈಲ್’ಮಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಡೀ ವಿಶ್ವವೇ ಮಾನವನ ಬೆರಳ ತುದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬ೦ದು ನಿ೦ತಿದೆ. ಮಾನವೀಯ ಆದರ್ಶಗಳು ಕುಸಿದಿವೆ.   ಗ೦ಡ-ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯರ ನಡುವಿನ ಸ೦ಭ೦ಧ ಸಡಿಲಗೊ೦ಡಿದೆ.

ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರಿಗೋ, ಕನಸಿನಲ್ಲೂ ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯೊ೦ದಿಗೇ ಸಲ್ಲಾಪ........

ಒ೦ದಿರುಳು ಕನಸಿನಲಿ ನನ್ನವಳ ಕೇಳಿದೆನು

ಚೆ೦ದ ನಿನಗಾವುದೆ೦ದು -

ನಮ್ಮೂರು ಹೊನ್ನೂರು, ನಿಮ್ಮೂರು ನವಿಲೂರು

ಚೆ೦ದ ನಿನಗವುದೆ೦ದು.

ನಮ್ಮ ನವ್ಯ ಪರ೦ಪರೆಯ ಈಗಿನ ಕವಿಗಳು ಮೇಲಿನ ಪದ್ಯವನ್ನೂ ಹೀಗೆ ತಿರುಚಿದರೂ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ...........

ಅ೦ದಿನಿರುಳ  ಹೊಸ ಗೆಳತಿ ನನ್ನ೦ದು ಕೆಣಕಿದಳು

ಚೆ೦ದ ನಿನಗಾರೆ೦ದೂ -

ನನ್ನ೦ಥ ಬೆಡಗಿಯೋ, ನಿನ್ನ ಪೆದ್ದ ಮಡದಿಯೋ

ಬೇಗ ಹೇಳು ಈಗೆ೦ದು.

ಆದರೂ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಸ೦ಗೀತ ಪ್ರೇಮ ಕನ್ನಡತನದ ಅವಿಭಾಜ್ಯ ಅ೦ಗವಾಗಿ ಈಗಲೂ ಉಳಿದಿರುವುದು ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರ ಭಾಗ್ಯ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿಯೇ ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಕವಿ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಅಜರಾಮರಗೊಳಿಸಲು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿರುವ ಸು೦ದರ ತೋಟವೇ ಬೆ೦ಗಳೂರಿನ ಬನಶ೦ಕರಿಯ ’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನರಸಿ೦ಹಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವನ’. 

ಒ೦ದೊಮ್ಮೆ ಆ ವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುತ್ತಾಡಿದರೆ, ಈಗಲೂ ’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ಯ ಘಮ-ಘಮದ ಭಾಸವಾದೀತು!

ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ತೋಟಕ್ಕೆ ಮಹದ್ವಾರೋಪಾದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುನ್ನುಡಿ ಬರೆದುಕೊಟ್ಟು ಹರಸಿದವರು ಹಿರಿಯರಾದ ಡಿ.ವಿ.ಗು೦ಡಪ್ಪನವರು.

"ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪುಸ್ತಕವ೦ತೂ ಇನ್ನೊಬ್ಬರ ಮುನ್ನುಡಿಯಿ೦ದ ಬಣ್ಣ ಕಟ್ಟಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಾಗಿಲ್ಲ.  ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ತೆರೆದು ಒ೦ದೆರಡು ಸಾಲುಗಳನ್ನು ಓದುವವರಿಗೆ ಬೇರೆ ಯಾರ ಶಿಫಾರಸು ಬೇಕಾಗಲಾರದು. ಜೀವನಾನುಭವವಿದ್ದ ಈ ಪದ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಓದುವವರಿಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಮನದ ಧ್ವನಿಯೇ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊರಡುತ್ತಿರುವ೦ತೆ ಕೇಳಿ ಬ೦ದೀತೆ೦ದು ನನಗೆ ಅನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ತೋಟದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿ೦ತಾಗ ಧಾರಾಳವಾಗಿ ಉಸಿರಾಡಿರೆ೦ದು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಬೇಕಾದ ಕಾಲ ಬೇಗ ಕಳೆದುಹೋಗಲಿ. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಬಳ್ಳಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ಋತುಗಳಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ನಗುನಗುತಿರಲಿ".  ಡಿ.ವಿ.ಜಿ.ರವರ ಈ ಮುನ್ನುಡಿಯ ಹರಕೆ ಈಗ ಸಾಕಾರಗೊ೦ಡಿರುವುದು ಸಮಸ್ತ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಲ್ಲವೆ?

ಕನ್ನಡ ಕುಲಕೋಟಿಗೆಲ್ಲಾ ’ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ - ೨೦೧೭’ರ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳೊ೦ದಿಗೆ ವಿದಾಯ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

ಜೈ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ!

-೦-೦-೦-೦-೦-೦-೦-೦-೦-

ಓದಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.  ತಮ್ಮ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯವಾದ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ದಯಮಾಡಿ ಇಲ್ಲೇ ನೀಡಿ ಎ೦ದು ಅರಿಕೆ.  

klakshminarayana1956@rediffmail.com

98455 62603

Amitabh Bachchan (80), You may not know!

Amitabh is the son of Padma Bhushan Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan of Allahabad, U.P.  Harivansh Rai  is a  great Hindi Literature giant.  He wanted to name Amitabh as 'Inquilab' (meaning 'revolution').

But later he changed it to 'Amitabh' (meaning 'brilliance unlimited').  Amitabh inherited his surname from his father's pen-name Bachchan (meaning 'child like'). Amitabh was initiated in to acting by his mother. 
   
      
 2.Amitabh is ambidextrous and therefore he can write with his both hands equally well.  But in films we have seen him as a left-hander.                                                                                                           
                                                                     
3.Amitabh wanted to become an engineer and wanted to join Indian Air Force.  

4.In search of a job, he came to Kolkata.  Amitabh's first employer was 'Bird & Company' who had                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Paper Mills and Coal mines.  His first salary was about Rs.300.                        

5.Amitabh could not pass the voice test for entering All India Radio, Kolkata as a news-reader. His voice was termed as hoarse!  But we all know and love Amitabh for his majestic voice.                                                                                                                                        
6.With the help of actor Mehmood, Amitabh came to Mumbai seeking a career in acting.  His first film was 'Saat Hindustani' released during 1969.  

                                                                                                             7.Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi gave Amitabh an introduction letter addressed to her friend Nargis.  Therefore Nargis' husband Sunil Dutt gave Amitabh the role of a 'dumb' person in his film 'Reshma aur Shera' (1971).                                                                  

8.Amitabh came to limelight when he played a supporting role in the Rajesh Khanna starrer 'Anand' (1971). Rajesh Khanna was already a super-star by that time.  During the shooting period, Amitabh  

   

has confessed, that he was shy of talking to Rajesh Khanna.             

                                                                                                              

8.Before making a big breakthrough in the film Zanjeer (1973) as an angry young man, Amitabh had acted in 12 flop films.  His role  

in Zanjeer was first offered to Dev Anand who rejected and therefore Amitabh got the opportunity!

9.Amitabh has acted with almost all heroines of 3-4 generations of his period.  His wife Jaya Badhuri

too is a great actress.  But for Amitabh his most beautiful actress is Waheeda Rehman.    

                                                                                                             

10.Amitabh's 'special friend' and actress Rekha's birthday coincidentally falls on 10th October, just

one day prior to Amitabh's. Stars matched, but fate did not!                                 

11.Amitabh was voted as the 'star of the millenium' by BBC voters, 
putting him ahead of greats like Charlie Chaplin, Marlon Brando and Laurence Olivier.  Like Chaplin, a light sense of comedy while acting for different  types of roles is Amitabh's mark of genius.  Remember his soliloquy in front of the mirror in Amar, Akbar, Anthony!

 12.Amitabh was the first Asian actor to be honored with a wax-statue on display at Madam

Thussaud's, London. I can be seen with his statue here along with my wife.                                                                                               

13. Amitabh is a T.B.survivor.  He was detected with T.B. of the spine when he was trying to revive his career with KBC during 2000.  This great man has never hided his disease from public domain

unlike so many ordinary people do. He told people that if T.B. can happen to him, it can happen to anybody.  He wanted to give a message to common men that TB is curable. He became an 'unpaid ambassador' of the Government for promoting awareness about T.B. Recognizing his services U.S.Government honored him (see Pic) with a special trophy during the 'World T.B. Day - 2004'.
                                                                                                                                                          
 14.Amitabh has also never hesitated to tell people that he is suffering from Liver Cirrhosis although he has never touched alcohol.  He contracted this disease when he received blood from about 200 voluntary donors,  when he was under treatment for the fatal injury he received during shooting of the film 'Coolie' during 1982. He says that he is living with just 25% liver.                                                                                                                                                                        
 15.Besides Amitabh also suffers from Asthma and a disease related to muscles. Since 1982 he is a frequent  patient to the Hospitals.  But he is able to overcome all these diseases because of his indomitable spirit to live and excel.  He is really great because he has disclosed all his ailments to people in order to fill them with courage.                                                                                                                                                                                        

16.Amitabh is also an 'unpaid ambassador' for more public causes. Gujarat Tourism received a very 

 big boost after he started spreading 'khushboo Gujarat Ki' in his inimitable style.  It is equally heartening to see him promoting 'Swachh Bharat',  never hesitating to become one with rural people in politely guiding them towards 'Sulabh Shauchalayas'. 

Amitabh Bachchan's life itself is a great message for all of us, especially to youngsters.  For him 'work is worship and birth is a God given gift to live and excel irrespective of obstacles'.  He does not believe in delivering sermons.  He guides people by 'walking the talk'!  May God bless him and his family with very long life, health, happiness and prosperity.                                                        

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  Thank you for patiently reading my article.  You can send me your valuable feedback in this site itself.  You can also reach me at klakshminarayana1956@rediffmail.com,  mobile no. 98455 62603, and on facebook at Lakshminarayana Krishnappa.