Symbolism and the Indian mindset !

We Indians have perfected some arts. There is nobody in the world, like us urban Indians, especially the Mumbaikars, who can thrive on speed. Or rather haste. We can make sense out of total cacophony, of noise, pollution, local trains, rickshawalas who refuse to come where we want to go etc. Conversely, we can also get completely lost in a peaceful, quiet and ordered environment, where we do not have to run behind time. Such is the life we lead where we choose to be on the move continuously. Think of the next plan before completing the current one. And this life of running to reach our every changing goals, and some times, running to even stay in the same place, has given rise to a form of symbolism that is distinctly Indian. Or even distinctly Mumbaikar. It is as much symbolism as hypocrisy, one can say. But giving the benefit of doubt to us, I would say it is just self-appeasment and self-satisfaction. Are you wondering whether I am just trying to make a fool out of you by weaving some random words together? If so, then picture this.


Traditionally, we Indians begin our day by bowing down to the Sun god, and end our day by chanting the prayers of some other God. Throughout the day, at various stipulated time intervals, we are traditionally supposed to offer obeisance to assorted deities. But the pace of our life does not allow us to indulge in such religious activities on a daily basis, forget sticking to the times. We could let go of them, but no. Our mindset doesn't allow these rituals to be cast aside, fearing the wrath of God almighty. And some times that of the elders in our family. So then, what does one do? One conveniently remembers to bow down before God before important exams, filling important documents, buying new appliances, certain festivals etc., not to forget the silver foil on the pedha, which is fasting on certain days. I seriously don't get the concept of apparently 'fasting' where in fact one consumes copious amounts of sabudana [sago] items and other sundry 'fasting' foods. We have collectively managed to reduce religions to a level of mere symbolism. The God fearing populace has succeeded in trivialising the Almighty. Ah what a blasphemy!


Moving on, literally, let us notice our own actions at the end of a long tiring day in college or after work, when we board a jam packed fast local and face atleast 30 minutes of commuting. We storm inside, tred on peoples' toes and more, 'book' a seat at the next station [if lucky] or go with the next best option i.e. sitting '4th seat' or even '5th seat'. [Some ultra thin people manage that to my never-ending amazement. Being blessed with a rather large proportion, I do not claim to do it.] What, one might wonder, does one achieve by touching just a tiny bit, some times mere centimeters of one's posterior to the hard wooden seat? In fact, the cramped position creates a more uncomfortable situation [and gives one muscular thighs] but the illusion of having sat down after a long day gives one as much mental satisfaction as plopping one's rear end firmly on a sofa. Again, symbolism at work here.


We don't show symbolism in any other thing as much as we show in that one necessary yet utterly hateful aspect of everyday life- cleaning. When done by others, it must be done to such perfections that even a speck of dirt must not be visible. But when one has to move one's own lazy *** to do it, one again resorts to symbolism. Observe the roadside stallwala dunking the dirty plates in a bucket full of even dirtier water and claiming them to be spick and span. Or your household help just swatting at the floor with a broom when she thinks no body is watching. Or even one's own behaviour in the lab of trying to achieve cleaning of the apparatus with least effort [that too after the lab assistant shouts at one], in a bid to get out fast. Lack of time, or the presumed lack of it, are the reasons given for the above actions.


The last example I would like to give is some thing close to the hearts of all those who are and have been students. Symbolism in punishment. Santosh Desai states in his book, and I heartily agree, that suspension is a form of punishment invented for the sole purpose of delaying any constructive action. Till now, I have not been able to come up with any answers as to how it has helped reform the erring individual or to correct his mistakes. By most people, and not just students, it is seen as merely a 'cooling period' which would erase their acts from public memory. Similarly, the punishment of 'writing lines' given in most schools is a mystery to me. Wasting precious paper, ink and ATP in writing the same lines over and over again seems to have no apparent benefit except excersize to the arm and a slight improvement in handwriting.


If you take a moment to think about it, I am sure you can come up with dozens of such examples from your life and surroundings. It will only serve to reinforce the fact that symbolism has crept in and started eating into our minds because we have become so wrapped up in our busy lives. I shudder to think of the inevitable day in the future, when living itself attains symbolic levels.

 

A vacation that served to rejuvenate me and on which I ended up having the most fun that I have had for quite some time, is symbolised by this picture.
It was exactly like what this shows- A stormy sea swathed in pseudo-calmness given to it by the cool winds blowing along with the tang of salt in them. I, like the lonely ship, battling through it all, chopping and swaying precariously but still managing to stay afloat, catch some fish, enjoy the sights. Wanting to reach the land, for fear that the huge sea is a mirage, but dreading it at the same time, because here on the sea I was free to explore my mind and catch as many whiffs of the salty air as I want, but there on the ground, awaited the responsibility of cleaning, cooking and eating the fish. I had exams to face the moment I got back. I wanted to meet them head on and prove myself and get them over with, but I also wanted to linger for a moment longer, just until the sun got down. Just until the stars filled the sky. Just until the moon lit up the way home. Just until I could close my eyes and capture that scene in my mind's eye, once and for all.
Just one picture, clicked probably nonchalantly, but the range of feelings it hid within. Sort of shocks me too.

A vote of thanks usually follows some kind of great event, and heartfelt acknowledgements are generally given after some kind of achievement. Right at this present moment, neither has some great event just occurred, and nor have I achieved any thing of note. So I think this is the perfect time to thank some people, who have, directly or indirectly, supported me, influenced me, loved me and been with me through thick and thin, over all these years. The reason why I think this is the perfect time is because I want to acknowledge them for no special reason. I don’t want the reason to overshadow my thanks. So here goes…

My parents- For being my support-system, disciplinarians, guides, teachers and recently, for being my friends.

My sister- For always reminding me that some body looks up to me, and hence I have a responsibility towards them as well.

My grandparents- All of whom are the rocks on which our family rests. I am proud of my educated, liberal and intellectual heritage.

My childhood caretaker Vanita bai- For making sure I was well-cared for in the absence of my mom. May you rest in peace.

My cousins- Mayuresh, for filling my childhood with lots of laughter and joy.
Archana, for being my books-buddy.
Amit, for teaching me to play cricket and all the long summers spent playing in Baroda.
Nachiket, Neha, Jai, Shreeya, Rucha, Isha, Viraj and Pushkar, for being living reminders of the concept of extended family.

My maasi and masa- For making Baroda my ‘home away from home’ during the vacations. And masa, thanks especially for the amazing smses.

Manali- In whom I found not only a friend, but also the strength to make it through the tough times and the will to fight hard. No happiness is complete until I share it with you and no grief is lessened until you tell me it will be alright.

Viviktesh- For being my friend for almost 17 years now. The bad times have changed our equation but the essence of our friendship will always remain intact. Also, thanks for introducing me to interesting science.

Pratik- For being the reason I smile and the reason I seethe with anger, alternately. Our equation is such that it will equal to zero one day and 100 the next day, but for me, it will always be a Nobel Prize winning one.

Hazel- For making me realize that dogs are wonderful creatures and giving me a place in your doggy heart. You may be Manali’s bitch but you are my pet.

Shruti- For being a great friend, an amazing conversationalist and for always being there to talk whenever I want a laugh or to just share my thoughts. I really miss you ever since you’ve moved.

Rashmi- For singing your ‘silent songs’ in my poor ears from 8th to 12th standard. Those years were super-fun and I will always keep calling you ‘bhabhi’.

Aakrutee and Ruchi- For completing my drawings and helping me pass in the subject in school. Also, for being such good friends.

Chandrahas- For all those wonderful conversations and words of advice. I hope you will realize soon that you are a wonderful person and you deserve more than you expect.

Jui, Tejal, Girish, Pranoti, Shree, Ameya and Nikhil- All of you together made the school days really memorable and one of the best times of my life. I hope we all stay together for years to come and every New Year is brought in with as much fun as has become the norm.

Shruthi- For tolerating me every single day for almost 2 years now. For being the biggest reason I get through the tough days in college and the person I love to share all the great days with, the most.

Akshata- For always taking my taunts sportingly, for being a really fun, reliable person, always coming to eat out and sharing the rickshaw fare.

Divya- For that maniacal laugh that is just so infectious and for clearing our OC doubts.

Nimi- For choreographing our dances and more importantly, for making all of us cartoons dance with perfect co-ordination.

Shelly- For being my fellow bhukkad.

Hiba- For sharing my love of books.

Ashwini- For always being upbeat and introducing me to Max.

Sindhu- For always being an active part of our group.

Priyanka- For being another bhukkad and for all the fun ‘bum bum bole’ steps.

Kamu- For giving me a little tension when I take things too lightly.

Priti- For teaching me to eat raste ka bhel and being the ‘jerry’ in the ‘tom and jerry show’ and entertaining us all the time.

Dipti- For the phone conversations and for bearing with my fits of anger.

Khushboo- For being a calm and cool listener, and a great support.

Siddharth and Aniket- For all the fun we have between lectures.
Manisha, Aniket and Chetan- For being my lab partners and partners-in-crime.

My school and college teachers, especially;
Asmita teacher, Sathe teacher, Pranoti teacher, Sahay teacher, Wakankar madam, Padhye madam and Sarnaik aji- For guiding me through school.

Anita Ayre madam, Kunal sir, Dube sir, Nilesh sir and Pradnya madam- For being excellent teachers and also helping us organize the college events so well.

Deboshree- For being a wonderful GS and a very supportive senior. You have set us a great example.

Rashmi- For always being ‘khushmisaj’ and a very helpful senior.

Advait- For making me realize that a ‘hangover’ can remain for a very long time and an ‘ice-cream’ does not necessarily have to melt. The practice match is proving to be pretty good though the overs seem a little less.

And finally, a big thank you to God for giving me this wonderful life and giving me the ability to love and express it.