OH, DEAR ONIONS !

Onions have once again caught the fancy of humour-writers, cartoonists, photographers and meme-makers.  This time their imagination scaled new heights.  Their creations have been hitting the social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, day in and day out without any letup.

TEARS WITHOUT ONIONS

(By Subbaram Danda)

Our dear onions have become dearer. The upward march of the onion prices since August throughout the country has been relentless.  In some markets, the price shot up to Rs.200 per kg for the small variety and crossed the mark of Rs.120 for the regular ones. The reason is failure of the crop in some states, following heavy rains. The Government efforts to control the situation through imports and imposition of stock holding restrictions did not yield timely results.

Playing on the current onion situation, several jokes have been churned out. Here are some:

An advertisement in the matrimonial column of a leading newspaper said: “WANTED a groom for a 21-year-old, dark-complexioned and unschooled girl of 4 feet 6 inches height.  She has no siblings. Caste no bar. Father owns a 100-acre onion farm.”  In a day there were 5,000 responses.  

The canteen in the Indian Parliament is highly subsidized and the dishes sold there are unimaginably cheap.  A cartoon in the “Deccan Chronicle” brilliantly gave expression to this idea in the context of soaring onion prices. 

The Police Chief of an Indian city issued an alert to its citizens drawing their attention to an unfolding danger.  It said: “New goons are on the prowl.  They are after your high value possessions.  Always remain on the guard. Please keep your onions in a safe under lock and key.”

A private security agency advised teenage girls on how to escape from stalkers.  It said: “Always carry some onions with you. Throw them at the ruffians one by one as fast as possible.  They will scramble to collect them. They may even fight with each other while sharing the booty.  Meanwhile, run away from the scene.” 

Marketing managers have also jumped into the onion fray.  A cell-phone company in Tamil Nadu offered a kilo of onions free on every cell-phone purchased.  A television channel showed packs of onions displayed in the showroom.

The American president is in tears of late.  The reason: 

Another security firm offered armed guards for trucks transporting onions from one place to another. “It has become a necessity.  Don’t be caught napping,” it told truck owners.

Now-a-days banks are flush with funds.  Home loans are not moving.  Car loans are sluggish. Managers in charge of loans are under pressure from their higher-ups to meet tall targets.  So, one bank manager came up with a brilliant idea cashing in on the rising onion prices.  

  

Famous Tamil screen comedian Vadivelu was featured in a meme as standing in front of a famous restaurant in Chennai and making a call to the Income Tax department.  He informed an officer: “Sir, I have seen a couple ordering onion dishes for their breakfast.  If you can rush here, you can be sure of a big catch.”

Going to buy onions?  Be prepared to expect the unexpected!  Here is a trendy cartoon:

  

A fancy store displayed a sign very prominently:  "Buy from us a very novel and timely gift. You can present it with a touch of pride to your near and dear ones on any occasion -- one kg of onions colourfully packed."

A thoughtful start-up made a mark on WhatsApp.  Naming itself “Onion Jewellery” it offered to make specially crafted jewellery with onions for all occasions.  Its speciality:  Bridal wear. 

Tik Tok enthusiasts have been very active producing hilarious videos on the onion situation.  In one such video, we can see onions being safely stored in the locker of a steel cupboard and subsequently used very sparingly.   

In another Tik Tok video onions have replaced currency!  A man alighting from an auto-rickshaw pays the fare with onions.  The driver too willingly accepts them. Here is a grab from the video. 

Godman Nithyananda has been in hot news since his announcement that he has formed a separate island-nation by the name Kailaasa.  A curious comedian asks his friend whether he has any idea what the price of onions is in Kailaasa.

Onions are known to produce tears when peeled or cut.  Now they produce tears in absentia. And smiles too.  

December 07, 2019

VINAYAKA CHATURTHI FESTIVITIES 2019

Ganesha is one of the deities of the Hindu pantheon, who merrily lends himself to be decorated and worshipped as per the likes, desires and fantasies of his devotees.  The imagination of the people knows no bounds in making and shaping the idols of the deity. Due importance is also given to themes of the day and current trends. Here are some photos of God Vinayaka as displayed in different places in the country during this year’s Chaturthi celebrations.  Unusual ornamentation of the deity can be seen in the photos.

STATUES OF FANTASY

(By Subbaram Danda)

Khairatabad Ganesha 

The famous Khairatabad Ganesha in Hyderabad, Telangana, stands grand with a height of 61 feet, a record for the county.  Displaying 12 heads and 24 hands and surrounded by 7 horses and 12 snakes, the idol invokes the Sun God for good rains and a bountiful harvest. A total of 150 artistes worked on the idol, which has become a big draw.

Lalbaugcha Raja 

Mumbai, Maharashtra, is known for Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations in great pomp and gaiety. Hundreds of idols of the deity are displayed at various strategic points in the city thronged by people for several days till immersion. The most popular attraction, Lalbaugcha Raja statue, celebrates this year India’s space achievements.  The backdrop in colourful graphics shows two men in space suits hovering in space, planets revolving around and a Chandrayan lander ready to descend on the moon.  

Coconut Ganesha 

A 30-foot-tall idol of Ganesha fashioned out of as many as 9,000 coconuts has become a great attraction in Bengaluru, Karnataka.  It has been installed near Puttengally Genesha temple. The deity’s mount, the adorable mouse, is also made of coconuts.

‘Athi’ Vinayaka 

After ‘Athi’ Varadar, it is now ‘Athi’ Vinayaka.   The darshan of ‘Athi’ Varadar for 48 days in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, was a major spiritual event recently. The statue of Varadar, made of ‘Athi’ (fig) tree was taken out of a tank after 40 years and laid back in the tank following the 48-day darshan.  In a bid to keep up the ‘Athi' tempo, a festival committee has installed an 'Athi' Vinayaka statue made largely of dry figs on Venkatanarayana Road in T. Nagar, Chennai.  The 15-foot tall idol weighs about 250 kilograms.  

Millets Ganesha 

To lay emphasis on the importance of millets in an attempt to change the food habits of the people for good health, an idol of Ganesha made of pearl millets (Kambu in Tamil) has been set up in Rangarajapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The grains have been neatly and smoothly glued over the statue in an artistically pleasing way.

Saluting Ganesha

The theme of patriotism and nationalism has not been left out.  In an installation in K.K.Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Ganesha has been featured in a family set up saluting the national flag.  The admirable mouse holds the flag.  

Cool Vinayaka 

(Photo courtesy: Mylapore Times) 

Every year sculptors and artists have been turning out Vinayaka idols in ultra modern styles.  Whatever their medium is -- precious metals, wood, clay, plaster of Paris or sand – their creativity is outstanding.  This year my appreciation goes to the relaxed-looking Ganesha sculpture sporting a cooling glass!   

September 03, 2019

 

MAHARSHI : My Review

The publicity blitz surrounding the latest Telugu movie Maharshi, the silver jubilee picture of Andhra cine star Mahesh Babu, attracted my attention. Having seen some of his earlier flicks, I became curious.  Even in Chennai, many cine screens ran the film from May 09, some with shows as early as 8:30 a.m.  I read newspaper reviews and watched “You Tube” clips.  Finally, I booked tickets for an afternoon show at a mall for my wife and me. 

In the video clips, the spectators coming out of a movie house on the first day first show were largely ecstatic.  Some of their comments: “Super film,” “fantastic show by Mahesh Babu” and “it will collect Rs. 500 crores.”  There were, however, some views like “average” and “okay.”

Hero Mahesh Babu is supported by  Pooja Hegde, Allari Naresh and a host of others.

AMBITION, RICHES AND MUD 

(By Subbaram Danda)

Mahesh Babu in a dance sequence with Pooja Hegde

In the story Rishi Kumar (Mahesh Babu) plays three transcendental roles – an ambitious student from an ordinary family, a high-flying business tycoon and finally a social reformer wiping the tears of the toiling farmers.  It is a theme-based tale, the current trend with leading stars.

A brilliant but somewhat arrogant student, Mahesh Babu pursues his master’s degree in engineering to make it big in life, unlike his father (Prakash Raj), whom he considers a failure. He enjoys his college life playing pranks on his classmates, particularly Ravi (Allari Naresh) and Pooja (Pooja Hegde), but at the same time he stands first in the class.  His tricks look quirky but enjoyable.  Also, a streak of helpfulness can be seen running in his blood. He develops an operating system integrating artificial intelligence with human wisdom. 

Pooja Hegde searching for ladies hostel in the college campus

Allari Naresh, Pooja Hegde and
Mahesh Babu enjoying college life

In due course, he becomes the CEO of a multinational corporation with its head office in the US. He rakes in the highest income for any chief executive officer in the world. As days roll by, circumstances make him see the real purpose of life.  He comes to know of a sacrifice made by his classmate Allari Naresh, which leads him to become a champion of the cause of the farmers. He willingly uses his riches to save them from the clutches of a land-grabbing corporate entity.  He succeeds where even the seasoned politicians find themselves helpless.

Mahesh Babu as the highest earning CEO
of a multinational company in the US

As a friend of the farmers Mahesh Babu
steps into the mud and tills the land

From the beginning Mahesh Babu and his classmate Pooja Hegde are seen romantically involved but they keep on playing hide and seek right through the film unable to understand each other.  She sparkles in duets with the hero.

In the three-hour film there are some comic interludes, a lot of fighting scenes and several flashy visuals.  Till the interval it is absorbing and fast-paced.  But, in the second session it drags, reflecting slackness in editing.

Mahesh Babu crushing an opponent in a fighting scene

In credit lines Mahesh Babu is portrayed as Super Star.  Like Tamil Super Star Rajinikanth, he also delivers a few punch dialogues.  “Success is not a destination, it is a journey” and “success has no full stops, only commas” evoke claps from his hard-core fans.  Equally outlandish are some of his statements.  Once, on what he likes to achieve, he declares, “I want to rule the world.” 

There are quite a few songs in the movie.  Topping them is “Idhe kada, idhe kada, nee katha…” with rhythmic lyrics and a lilting melody. Its tune lingers long in the minds of the viewers.

On the whole, director Vamsi Paidipally manages to churn out a film that meets the demanding expectations of Mahesh Babu fans.  They get a lot of opportunities to clap and whistle.  He succeeds in bringing home the fact that farmer is the real supreme sage in this world -- Maharshi.

May 18, 2019

NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL : A RECOLLECTION

It is unfortunate that the iconic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris stands ravaged by a massive fire. It is not only a place of worship especially for the Catholics but also a major historic site. It is, of course, a great tourist attraction.  I feel nostalgic, as I have been there twice.  I have also devoted one chapter in my book "Marvels Very Majestic" to the cathedral.  Here I present a few of its rare features.

WHERE RELIGION AND HISTORY MEET

(By Subbaram Danda)

The cathedral two decades ago

Notre Dame means “Our Lady” in French.  It is an “active Catholic church” dedicated to Virgin Mary containing the “Cathedra,” the official chair of the Archbishop of Paris. It is located on a small island in the river Seine at the centre of Paris. Besides attracting a large number of tourists every year, it finds a prominent place in several movies. 

Strangely, as if jinxed, the Notre Dame cathedral has gone through periods of destruction and renovation in its centuries of history.  During the French Revolution it was plundered and misused as a warehouse.  Many statues were decapitated or mutilated.  For years it remained neglected. Celebrated French Writer Victor Hugo, through his famous novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” whipped up the sentiments of Parisians and made them see the need for its restoration.  The consequent major renovation brought the cathedral back to its old form. During both the world wars it was subjected to shelling, but it survived. 

The cathedral's architecture is marked by ribbed vaults, pointed arches and towering columns. It is specially known for its stained glass windows and admirable sculptures. 

A stained glass window  (Photo courtesy: WhatsApp)

Even the cathedral’s beginnings were chequered. The cathedral was constructed on the spot, where the Romans had earlier built a temple for Jupiter centuries ago.  This was followed by a basilica and then by another church. The foundation for the present shrine was laid in 1163 AD but its progress was intermittent.  It was not completed until 1345 – a delay of about 180 years.  A succession of architects and changing plans made this edifice an amalgam of styles.

The cathedral was the venue of several public events.  It was here that Napoleon Bonaparte demonstrated that the state enjoyed supremacy over the church and crowned himself the emperor.  In dramatic sequences, he took the coronation oath, collected from the alter the crown already blessed by the Pope and personally placed it on his head.  He them laid the diadem on the head of his wife Josephine.  Subsequently, official heralds proclaimed Napoleon the Emperor of the French.

On another occasion, when Paris was liberated during the World War II General de Gaulle rushed to the cathedral to offer his thanksgiving prayers.  His state funeral was also conducted there.

The devastating fire engulfing the cathedral
(Photo courtesy: WhatsApp)

There is another feature of the cathedral that is very fascinating.  In front of its main entrance at a distance of about 100 feet there is a small octagonal brass plate set in the ground.  Engraved on a surrounding circular granite slab is a legend "Point Zero -- Des Routes de France."  It marks the starting point for measuring all distances in Paris.  

Over the years, this "Point Zero" has acquired a mystic aura and become a "good luck" charm. People place their palms on the plate or spin with one foot on it making a wish.  Some couples even stand together on it and kiss seeking eternal bliss.  

April 17, 2019

JABALPUR : THE MAJESTIC NARMADA

An evening boat-ride on the Narmada river was the highlight of our visit to Jabalpur in the last lap of our Madhya Pradesh tour.  It was altogether a different experience.  The boat sailed past tall marble hills on both sides of the river.  It was a pleasure watching the mountain cliffs change their shape and colour, as the sun-rays played hide and seek with them.  Another attraction nearby was the waterfalls, where the Narmada cascades amidst a canopy of mist.

The Narmada flows flanked by marble hills

THE RIVER AND THE ROCKS

(By Subbaram Danda)

It was a long drive from Khajuraho to Jabalpur and then to Bhedaghat, a village, where the boarding point for the boat-ride was located.  From the road we had to walk down a long-winding flight of broad concrete steps.  On both sides, shops sold a wide variety of marble artefacts. At the ghat, boats had lined up one jostling against another.  They were all of rowing type.  Motor boats were not allowed to operate from there for ecological concerns. We engaged an entire boat for our group.  It was sturdy and fairly comfortable.

Sailing on the Narmada

Two men rowed the boat, one of them singing Hindi songs and poems full of alliterations.   It served to explain the features of the mountains and the river as the boat sailed along.   His knowledge looked impeccable. He would break out of the song to point to interesting formations among the boulders.  There were rocks resembling an elephant foot, a deer and the horns of a cow.  He would gesture at marble layers of light pink here and mild green there.

In the boat with group members

We kept clicking selfies and photos of rare-looking rocks.  “Let not the still waters of the river fool you.  The river is 600 feet deep here,” the oarsman drew our attention.   Suddenly he asked us in a high pitched tone to take a look at a boy perched on top of a high hill.  The urchin was ready to dive into the river, if we could pay him.  We were not for it, as we were not sure whether it would be a safe feat. Such daredevilry was a regular occurrence all along the route, he said with a mischievous smile on his face.

A boy perched on a hill ready to dive into the river

As the boat moved forward, at a particular spot he put out his left hand pointing to a boulder and said that marble slabs made out of it were better than Italian ones. In fact, any kind of marble available anywhere else in the world could be found there, he added with a touch of self-importance. The quality and variety of the marbles were top-class.  

Appreciating the narrative of the oarsman

The oarsman took pride in telling us that the Narmada and the marble rocks provided an excellent backdrop for shooting scenes for a few Bollywood films.  The hit song “Raat Ka Nasha” was picturised here for the Kareena Kapoor starrer Asoka.  An outdoor fighting sequence for the flick Mohenjo Daro was also canned at Bhedaghat.

A dance sequence for the movie Asoka was shot at Bhedaghat

Soon we arrived at a point where the mountain ranges on both sides of the river appeared to come closer.  It was named Bandar Kodini, meaning a spot for monkeys to jump from the cliffs of one side to the opposite ones.  As the sun cast long shadows, we turned back heading towards the boarding point.  We could see the rock formations in different diffused colours. The entire boat-ride clocked one hour.

It was an hour-long boat journey 

On the way to the road, we spent a few minutes closely watching the marble articles sold in the shops.  What astounded us was display of huge marble Shiva lingas as tall as four feet.  Small ones were also there.  Other artefacts on show included ornamental idols of deities, jars, lamps and name signs. At a stall we could see an artisan turn a rough marble block into a decorative elephant. His casual style of working was amazing.  

Shops selling marble articles

Our drive from Bhedaghat to the falls area was short. Called the Dhuandhar Falls, it is where the Narmada plunges to a depth of about 95 feet in a horse-shoe format.   A cable car from the parking lot took us over rocky terrain through which the river flows till the point of the falls.  It could also be reached overland.  Men, women and children in large numbers were there enjoying the roar of the falls.

The Narmada plunging to form Dhuandhar Falls

In monsoon times, the horse-shoe-shaped cascade would look gorgeous like the Niagara in its miniature form, we were told.  But when we were there, the water in the river was not much and so there were breaks in the cascade.  Still it was beautiful, if not spectacular.  We spent quite some time appreciating the falls and the scenery around.

At the Dhuandhar Falls 

The Bhedaghat boat-ride on the Narmada and the Dhuandhar waterfalls will remain green in our minds for long.

(The series has concluded)

April 03, 2019

KHAJURAHO REVISITED

The splendour of the sculptures of the 1,000-year-old Khajuraho group of temples in Madhya Pradesh attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world right through the year. These creations in stone celebrate human life and emotions in all their myriad forms and in shocking styles.  They are unparalleled in the history of world art and architecture.  For me it was a refreshing revisit last month.  For my wife it was her first trip.

PASSIONS CREATED IN STONE

(By Subbaram Danda)

As we entered the vast temple area, we could see ahead of us neatly mowed lawns, well trimmed hedges, blooming flower plants and the towers of a few temples.  It was a delightful sight.  Originally, there were as many as 85 temples in three clusters but only 22 of them have survived the ravages of time and human intolerance. Nowhere in the world can one see so many temples grouped together at a stone’s throw from each other as in this complex.   Most of them are dedicated to the gods of the Hindu pantheon and a few to the Jain faith

.

At the entrance to the Khajuraho group of temples

The name Khajuraho is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘kharjur’ meaning date palms, which are abundant in the area. The temples were built by kings of the Chandela dynasty between 950 AD and 1050 AD, when their reign was at its peak.

The origin of the Chandela dynasty is steeped in mystery.  According to a legend, a young widow of ravishing beauty was swimming in a pond on a full moon night when her charms attracted the Moon god.  He descended to earth and paired with her.  To atone for his act, he granted her a boon.  Accordingly, a son of great valour was born to her, who was named Chandravarman after the Moon god.  In course of time he became a king and established the Chandela dynasty.  As desired by his mother, he took up construction of temples.  An emblem, crafted in stone, where a warrior takes a lion head on, had been the royal symbol of the dynasty, reflecting the bravery of the Chandela kings.  This emblem can be seen at several spots in the temple complex.

The emblem of the Chandela kings

Each temple at Khajuraho has its own distinctive features.  The Kandariya Mahadev temple in the western cluster stands out as the largest and loftiest.  Dedicated to Shiva of the Hindu Trinity, the temple’s principal tower rises to a height of more than 100 feet.  It is said to resemble Kailash, the celestial abode of Shiva.  It displays sculptures of gods, goddesses, celestial nymphs, sensuous acts and animals on its walls, pillars, brackets, recesses and at every conceivable place.  One expert has counted 226 statues inside the shrine and 646 outside. A number of them are as big as two-and-a-half feet to three feet in height.

At the Kandariya Mahadev temple

One other temple that is spectacular in this sector is the Lakshmana temple, dedicated to Vishnu, another God of the Trinity.  It is not clear how this shrine has come to be known as the Lakshmana temple.  It is the earliest and the best preserved temple of the lot.  Realistically chiselled elephants at the base give the impression that they are supporting the temple.  It also has fine specimens of bracket figures.

At Lakshmana temple with group members

At the Vishwanath temple, the basement niches are carved with Saptamatrikas, Ganesha and Virabhadra.  Inside, the main hall and the passageway contain some of the loveliest sculptures, including a woman with a fruit in one hand and a parrot in the other, a mother with her child, a damsel playing the flute and amorous couples. 

At Vishwanath temple

The Varaha temple is relatively small in size.  But, it enshrines a colossal monolithic image of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu. It is nearly nine feet long and six feet high.  An astounding feature is that all over the body of the boar 672 figurines of Hindu gods and goddesses have been etched.

At Varaha temple

Among the Jain shrines, the Parsvanath temple in the eastern sector is the most appealing. Lavishly carved statues can be found on its outer walls. Some figures like a lass writing a letter, a dancer wearing an anklet, a woman extracting a thorn from her foot and a damsel using an eye-liner are very popular.

A maiden using an eye-liner

The erotic figures, seen in almost all the temples, evoke varied reactions in the visitors. While some feel quietly embarrassed, a few turn away with suppressed giggles. What has really perplexed researchers of Khajuraho’s erotica is its unabashed boldness, unparalleled variety and startling size.  Interestingly, only ten per cent of the total sculptures fall under this category.  A British author has described the amorous sculptures as representing “the apogee of the erotic art in India.”  Why are the sensuous sculptures present in a place of worship, where a person goes to acquire purity of thought and peace of mind? It is explained that ancient treatises on temple architecture do permit them for purposes of “ornamentation, prosperity and protection from evil spirits.” There is also a view that the Chandela kings followed the Tantric cult, which encouraged gratification through sensuous pleasures for attaining liberation from earthly bonds and ultimate eternal bliss.  There are some other theories but they lack conviction.

Sculptures on the wall of a temple 

These temples also serve as a spectacular backdrop for an annual week-long dance festival organized by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad towards the end of February, when the harsh winter gives way to the warm spring.  The fete has been inspired by the legendary dances of Shiva Tandava (cosmic dance) and Krishna’s Raasleela (dance with companions).  It is held in an open air auditorium within the temple complex in the evenings as the shrines glow in colourful lights.  It is a great platform for classical dancers from all over India to showcase their talents and present innovations. 

The annual dance festival in an open-air auditorium

We watched the dance programme on the evening of February 26. In fact, it was a highlight of our trip.  Our tour organizer had thoughtfully incorporated it into our itinerary.  An Art Mart, where handicrafts made by people in and around the state are exhibited and sold in colourful tents, is a popular adjunct. Marble icons, metal-ware, textiles and wooden artefacts are a big draw. 

At the Art Mart

My current visit to Khajuraho is one of rediscovery. It is heartening to note that the UNESCO-recognized world heritage monuments are being maintained with care and attention. One must see them at least once in one’s lifetime.

(The series will continue)

March 30, 2019