Conversations with Sid

It is very difficult to get Sid to sleep, both in the afternoon and in the night, even when he is obviously sleepy. And its equally difficult to wake him up. One afternoon, as I woke him up from his afternoon nap, he wanted to sleep more. After half an hour of cribbing and crying he finally started to talk coherently.

Sid: Mujhe itni neend aa rahi hai ki main sota hi rahoo, uthoon hi nahin.
Me: Kitni der tak so-oge?
Sid: 100,1000 hours tak sota rahoonga ...
Me: Aur jab bhookh lagegi?
Sid: (thinks for a second) Uthoonga, khana khaoonga aur phir so jaoonga
Me: Aur jab khelne ka time hoga?
Sid: Khel kar aa kar phir so jaoonga
Me: Jab homework ka time hoga?
Sid: Tab sota hi rahoonga!!

***

Sid has collected some money in his wallet, given by us on weekend (as kind of pocket money), but he has not yet had occasion to spend it. One evening we planned to go for some ice-cream, and he insisted that he wanted to pay for it. For a while we humored him, but finally told him that we will pay now as he is young; when he grows older and earns, he can pay for the ice-cream.
Pat came the reply - "Par tab tak to aap buddhe ho jaoge!!"

Further, assuming that we did not get it, he clarified, "Tab tak aapke sare teeth toot jayenge to aap ice-cream kaise khaoge?!"

***

Sid saw our wedding pic, with both of us in the standard paraphernalia. The only thing he apparently found noteworthy was N's elaborate headgear and shiny garlands that punjabi grooms wear, and exclaimed - "Papa you are looking like a sheep. Baa baa white sheep!!"

If You Are Afraid of Heights

If You Are Afraid of Heights - Raj Kamal Jha

I was enticed into buying this book by the image of the lonely girl in a red frock on the cover, and the description on the back that promised "a glimpse into a looking-glass world where nothing is quite what it seems and yet everything is strangely familiar". I did not expect it to be a regular fiction - the story-telling kind, but more of a set of impressions and interpretations, and exploration of the thoughts, dreams and feelings of the girl on the cover. I would say my expectations were partially fulfilled.

It is a beautifully written book, with a vivid imagery and almost lyrical prose. It comprises of three distinct stories, with repeating images and motifs - each of these stories perhaps represent the viewpoint of a different character. It blurs the lines between memories, dreams, imagination, reality and fantasy, and the reader needs to draw his/her own inference on the meaning of the events, and the inter-connections of the characters. The portrayal of (what I believe to be) an alter-ego - Rima to Amir, and Alam to Mala - was quite a novel concept. Also interesting was the portrayal of observer/narrator flying through and above the city on the back of a crow.

However, with all the beauty, I was rather disappointed - I do not know of anyone else who has read it, but I was not able to extract the theme, and interpret how the stories connect together in the conclusion. It is what can be described as a very "literary" book. It could have been a very good book, if all the narratives could have been brought to a proper closure. But, with all the loose hanging threads, it feels kind of incomplete, and therefore, after finishing the book, that particular satisfaction is missing.

Nine Lives

Nine Lives - William Dalrymple

'Nine Lives' is the first book by Dalrymple that I have read. I had never been motivated to pick his works before, as they were mostly historic works, which I am not very fond of. I also think I was just a little biased against the author, despite (or perhaps due to) all the acclaim.

This book chronicles the stories of nine lesser known religious and spiritual faiths - most of which we would perhaps never ever come across. While some of these may be familiar depending on which region we have lived in, it is unlikely for many of us to have an insight to the depths that Dalrymple has explored. These beliefs are as diverse as the cultural heritage can be in India, and perhaps nowhere else in the world. These are stories covering a range of practices from the austerity of Jainism to extremism of Tantra; covering the length and breadth of the country from Dharamsala to Tamilnadu, from Rajasthan to Bengal.

I also loved the way Dalrymple has told these stories. Stories and experiences are related in the words of a follower of each belief or practice, a person who truly believes in his or her chosen path as the purpose of his/her live, as the way to attain enlightenment and to be one with God. Interspersed with these stories are the descriptions of the landscapes, beautifully written - almost painted in the words by the author. As are some history and facts behind and around these practices.

While he might have drawn some inferences on the history of some of these traditions, he has very subtly refrained from putting forth his own impressions on the practices or how they impacted himself emotionally or spiritually. He is curious and sensitive, and has presented the stories with wonderful compassion. He thus informs and impresses the readers, and enables them to learn and open their minds and hearts, leaving them free of any prejudices initiated by his own views.

The stories are poignant, fascinating and enriching, though tinged with an underlying sadness. They just do not open your eyes and mind to the diverse ways people can express and practice their faith, but also warm the heart to know of real, simple people whose devotion and dedication remain unwavering in the face of suffering and rejection. And they do it all without the least of pride, with humility and total submission.

Sadly, many of these rich traditions are in the imminent danger of being lost - facing threats from religious extremists on one hand, and on the other, from the changes that we call as "development". The compassionate Sufi tradition that bridges the gap between Islam and Hinduism and celebrates God as joy is targeted by Wahhabi extremists, Tantra has always been feared and looked down upon by orthodox/traditional Hindus, while the oral traditions - which have carried epic poems comprising of thousands of lines through centuries are endangered by literacy!

I'll have to admit that for a suspense thriller fan like me, it was a slow read, really so - I only could read it on half hour commute to and from my office. But, it is, without any doubt, beautifully written, and something to be savored at a slow pace.

Painting in some different media ...

Little Krishna - one of Sid's favorite cartoon characters 

Terracotta Ganeshji - painted over with metallic acrylic colors