INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 2 Chamba FOLKLORE RENDERED ON MUSLIN

Text: SANDEEP SILAS Photographs: SATBIR SILAS

ike the beauty of a Chamba rumal is the mountain city Litself – richly embroidered on fine muslin. The first look on approach, above the green contoured carpet towards a housing cluster, is uplifting. The town of Chamba is situated on the eastern bank of river Ravi in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It rises up the hill like a temple spire, all shine and piercing the sky. Though man has found habitation on all possible locations both sides of the river, on mountain tops and plateaus, the hubbub is in the centre. The town owes its name to Champavati, daughter of Raja Sahil Varman, the founder king. The town was laid in 920 A.D. and since then the exquisite embroidery of city life has grown tremendously. River Ravi meanders in this huge valley, as if the mountain and river are engaged in a romantic ballet, steps rising and falling rhythmically. Sometimes they come dangerously close to each other, at others fall back with the music, never for once disengaging from clasp. The numerous plateaus visible on the western mountains of the valley are green running spaces, delightfully flat. The deep gorges created by two such plateaus fall straight to the rounded rocks and pebbles of the riverbed. The palace of Chamba rulers, though shorn of regality, is still the

Envious greens...

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 3 Above: Chaugan – sprinkled with signature building of Chamba. The to the flat, the Chaugan is venue to wild flowers. Facing page: Children growing on trees? bazaar is a straight line of shops, many seasonal fairs and festive and Chamba’s famous Chamunda Devi not showrooms to be precise, and celebrations in the city. In July/ temple (right). articles of daily use are stocked, not August each year resident gods and displayed. Mother necessity rules all goddesses blessing the valley leave considerations. The most attractive their temple precincts for the Minjar point about this market is the view fair, and come to Chaugan as of a snowy Pirpanjal peak that homage to Lord Raghuvira. Drums, seems to squat grandfatherly right cymbals and other rudimentary hill in the midst of lane at the far end. musical instruments proclaim the Though it is quite a distance, it is visit of the deities. yet so tantalisingly close. All ancient towns have a rich The Chaugan, a flat huge ground is religious tradition. So much so that laid next to the market. Beyond is a city life is collectively and gradual drop to the river Ravi. The individually ruled by temple slope is also dotted with fine traditions. This inter-dependence of buildings and a bridge over the temple and cityfolk was evident as river is visible in the distance. You an undercurrent at Chamba. The six have to cross this bridge for main group of temples, three entering Chamba town. The old dedicated to Shiva and three to suspension bridge sighs as you pass Vishnu, are built in the same and no pauses are permitted. Back complex in the Shikhara style. The

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 4 temple of Lakshmi Narayan and The temple of Chamunda Devi, The king holding a flower, and the Radha Krishna were built in the built high on a mountain, beckoned winged busts are definitely images reign of Raja Sahil Varman, us. From the roof of the temple are which have creeped in from the sometime in the 10th and 11th hung scores of brass bells in middle-east, perhaps as a result of century A.D. The white marble different shapes and sizes, as trade or travel exchanges. Inside, image of Lakshmi Narayan, also wishes made here by devotees, the image of goddess is installed called Vaikuntha, is in Kashmiri took human and real form. They regally, sitting over two lion faces, style. A white diamond shines from are testimony to fulfilment. smiling over devotees benevolently. the forehead of the impeccable Interestingly, the outer beams carry The view of Chamba town, the Ravi statue and it is adorned by carvings displaying yogis in river, and that of Pangi valley to the ornaments donated by devout different yogic asanas. On the left, is stunningly beautiful. kings of Chamba. Picture-frame central beams are carved in wood Jhamwar, 12 km uphill, is a nature necklaces called Sabih, bear the several gods and goddesses along lover’s delight. Shorn of the royal photo images of devout kings. with other representations - a king crest and insignia, only nature had These temples were renovated holding a spear in one and a flower been left to own the place. The during the reign of Raja Pratap in the other, a flying apsara Pirpanjals, closer than ever, snowy Singh Varman in 16th century A.D. blowing a conch shell and winged peaks gaining prominence, seemed The brass image of Gauri Shankar busts of men and women, rendered to consolidate their hold. (Lord Shiva and His consort Parvati) exactly in the style of Egyptian is a picture of a perfect couple – Pharoahs, among many others. The Back in town, the Bhuri Singh composed, confident and devoted. wood ceiling is an interesting study Museum preserves the rich tradition The posture instantly catches your in religious influences and of the valley encapsulating life, attention. intermingling traditions of the time. riches and styles. On display are

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 5 Mulk Raj Sidana

Gaddi dance of Chamba. various necklace styles – natural colours have yet not Champakali, Sabih, Laumala and dimmed in their richness. One can the Dodmala. The Dedhku (ear- revel while watching Ramayana tops), Pher (ear-rings), Arsi stories, hunt scenes, portraits, other (mirrored thumb-rings) speak of religious themes, the exploits of the longing and effort of Pahari Krishna and stylised images of women so involved in the tradition goddesses rendered in folk style – of beauty. The miniature Chamba slender and sharp. The exquisite paintings – Basohli style (1765) Chamba rumal boasts of difficult and Kangra style (1780-85) are embroidery, done finely on themes executed with fine brush strokes to like Ashta-nayika and render bewitchingly folklore, Rasamandala. The beauty of a portraits, royal durbar and hunt Chamba rumal rendered in rich scenes or the Radha Krishna silken colours, executed with episodes. So fine is the work that precision, peers at you enticingly. even ornamentation in a crown There is no way but to take this is clearly visible. More so, the folklore home.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 6 occasion of initiation ceremony, marriage, or as thanksgiving by a grateful person, or for temple construction, dating to 10th-11th century A.D. speak volumes about strong administrative and land revenue structures. These plates, bearing the seal of rulers are as vibrant and alive as the earth they transferred. Come night and the giant leviathan like mountains again settle to sleep. Some sequin spots of light reflected on their person only establishes their presence. As they recede and

Mulk Raj Sidana the town prepares to indulge into deep slumber, the Ravi river becomes articulate. It is the only constant presence, that is heard. ◆ The author, a civil servant, is a noted travel writer. Dileep Prakash

The making of Chamba Rumal – they mystify initially, then attract handkerchief (top) & Raslila of Lord Krishna depicted on the Rumal (above). you strongly. Wherever inscribed, the iconography is of generic type The most striking, are however, the on slabs recovered from Ravi fountain slabs. These are carved valley. Later on, horsemen, archers, stone slabs placed earlier at points swordsman and female water where springs had erupted. Some carriers found themselves on these were set up by grateful citizens for slabs. The flat carving on fountain societal benefit. Some others were slab is unique. It fulfilled a dual planted in memory of a dead purpose – societal use and spouse - funerary significance. They promotion of art. depict figures of deities, lesser mortals and even persons for There are coins of different whose future bliss they were set kingdoms discovered in this valley up. Decorated with ornamental which reveal a prosperous trade scrolls and mostly enclosed within link. The copper plate inscriptions the border of interlacing snakes, recording grant of land on the

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 7 Sacred ‘Ashok’

SAMAR SINGH

mong the flowering trees of equal in merit to digging ten wells, India, the Ashok, also called a pond to ten vapis, a son to ten ASita Ashok, (Latin name: ponds and planting a tree was Saraca indica) has a very special equal to having ten sons. Apart significance. It has been considered from signifying the importance of sacred since time immemorial and the species and the merit of tree finds honourable mention in several planting in general, this story ancient scriptures and the famous indicates the ancient way of family epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. planning: plant trees instead of producing several children. According to a legend mentioned in the Matsya Purana, Parvati, the The name Sita Ashok is derived consort of Lord Shiva, planted a from the association of the tree sapling of Ashok. When the deities with Sita, the heroine of enquired about its significance, Ramayana. It is believed that when Parvati is said to have replied that Ravana abducted Sita and took her making a vapi (step well) was to Lankapuri, Sita chose to stay in a

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 8 garden of Ashok trees and was successful in preserving her chastity. Ever since, the Ashok tree is believed to safeguard the chastity of women; hence, the name Sita Ashok. In Sanskrit, ‘Ashok’ means one who has no sorrow. Sanskrit poetry and other literature has many references to the Ashok tree and it is described as so sensitive that the very touch of a beautiful damsel makes it burst into flowers. In Ritusamhara, Kalidas describes the blossoms of the tree as that which made young women burn with desire. This explains why the Ashok is also considered a symbol of love, being associated with Kamadeva (Cupid), the god of love, who is believed to use its flowers as one of his arrows. The tree is also considered very sacred among the Buddhists and the Jains. This is mainly because it is believed that Siddharth Gautam (later known as Gautam Buddha) was born under an Ashok tree at Lumbini near Kapilvastu. Likewise, it is believed that Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained omniscience under an Ashok tree. For all these reasons, the Ashok became a favourite in India and other countries like Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand for raising as an ornamental tree in the gardens and parks, specially near temples and monasteries. Its leaves and flowers were also depicted decoratively in the sculpture of several ancient temples and monasteries, notably in central and eastern parts of India. During the Kushan period and for some time thereafter, the tree motif became very popular and among the trees that found favour was the Ashok. The best examples are to be found in the temples at Mathura and its

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 9 surroundings as well as at Sanchi fleshy when unripe and resembles and not fragrant. It is well suited as and Bharhut. the tamarind pod. an avenue tree and is being cultivated extensively these days all Ashok is a leguminous species, There is no doubt that Ashok is one over the country. native to India, which explains the of the prettiest Indian trees, ◆ second part of its botanical name. It generally found growing wild, The author is the President, World Pheasant is also found in Sri Lanka, Association, and a noted writer on flora and mostly along the streams. However, environment. Myanmar, Malaysia and some other from the earliest time, it has been Photographs: Dr Naresh Kapoor countries of South-East Asia. In cultivated as an ornamental tree in appearance, it is a handsome the gardens and parks. It is quite medium size tree, with branches hardy and grows well in warm and spreading in all directions and humid climate, but needs protection forming a dense shapely crown. from the hot winds during the The trunk is covered with a bark summer season. It can be that is smooth and greyish brown. propagated quite easily from seeds. The foliage is deep green and shiny. Each leaf is about a foot long In recent times, some confusion has and has three to seven pairs of arisen on account of the fact that wavy-edged leaflets. The leaves another species, somehow also grow alternately on the branches. called Ashok, has been patronised The tree flowers during the months widely in horticulture. This is of February, March and April in actually the Mast Tree (Latin name: large compact orange-red clusters Polyalthia longifolia), which is that are fragrant and present a very better known as Asupala. It is a tall pleasing sight. They are used by evergreen tree with a straight stem, women to decorate their hair and slender branches and a symmetrical also in temple decoration. The pyramid like crown. Its yellowish- leguminous fruit pod of the tree is green flowers are inconspicuous

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 10 ISRO EXPLORING FINAL FRONTIERS… RADHAKRISHNA RAO he successful second developmental flight of India’s three-stage, cryogenic fuel-driven Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle T(GSLV) which took place in May 2003 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota island has given a big thrust to the plan of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to build “heavier and more powerful boosters of the future”. The 414-tonne 49-metre tall GSLV performed the task of placing 1825-kg G-Sat-2 experimental satellite into orbit with a “text book precision”. After its third test flight slated for late 2004, GSLV will be declared operational and used for the routine launching of the INSAT class domestic spacecraft. During its third flight, GSLV will launch Edusat, a satellite dedicated to support the educational programmes in the

PLSV – with its three spacecrafts – readying for launch.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 11 country. Significantly, the operationalisation of GSLV would help India end its dependence on the European launchers for orbiting its INSAT series of satellites. Technologically the most challenging project of ISRO, GSLV had its debut flight in April 2001. According to Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Chairman, ISRO, six countries including India have this kind of capability in the world. He is clear in his perception that a large country like India needs to be self-reliant in space. He also revealed that countries like Malayasia and Thailand have shown interest in using Indian capability in satellites and launch vehicles. Meanwhile ISRO has established a second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre with a view to cater to the increased frequency of launches envisaged for the Indian space programme. In keeping with its philosophy of progressively upgrading the launch capability through technological innovations and use of novel materials, ISRO has taken up a project to build an uprated version of GSLV which would be capable of launching a 4-tonne class satellite payload into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. This vehicle is expected to take off before the end of this decade. ISRO has also covered much ground in developing, an indigenous cryogenic engine. As envisaged now GSLV equipped with the Indian-made cryogenic engine upper stage is expected to fly in 2005. This fully home- grown cryogenic engine will have a thrust of 7.5-tonne and would

PLSV on the launch-pad.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 12 made exploratory proposals to market medium class satellites to developing countries. India’s first unmanned scientific mission to moon is likely to take off before the end of this decade. ISRO has already submitted a proposal for this mission. A lunar mission task force set up by ISRO has pointed out that it is feasible to launch a lunar polar orbiter using the Indian launch capability. India has the wherewithal to build sophisticated lunar probe with indigenous expertise. The major objective of the Indian lunar missions would be to realise the technological capability for undertaking more ambitious planetary missions in the future. While the Indian probe to moon will study the hitherto unexplored Solar panels of the spacecraft. Antrix has also supplied regions of moon, it would at the spacecraft hardware for Japanese save time help the country MTSAT-2 satellite. Further, the become a major scientific and carry 12.5-tonne of fuel in the company clinched a deal with technological power. form of liquid oxygen and liquid German aerospace outfit DLR for hydrogen. Another innovative mission that supporting two of its satellite ISRO is planning concerns the ISRO, which has successfully missions. On another front, Antrix launching of a 500-kg reusable marketed the capability of its has further expanded the capsule by means of PSLV. The earlier generation Polar Satellite international marketing of the main goal of the Space Capsule Launch Vehicle (PSLV) featuring data received from India’s highly Recovery Experiment is to carry alternate liquid and solid fuel successful IRS series of earth out micro gravity experiments in stages, is also planning to offer observation satellites. It has also a orbit and demonstrate technology the GSLV services to the global tie up with the US-based Space to deboost from orbit for reentry customers for launching two Imaging for the worldwide and recovery from sea using tonne class communications marketing of IRS data that is floatation system. This satellites. The Bangalore based currently being received by five experiment would also give a Antrix Corp, the commercial arm ground stations in USA, two in thrust to ISRO’s plan to develop of the Indian space programme, Russia and one each in S. Korea, reusable space vehicles. has singed an agreement with Argentina, Germany, UAE, Japan, Nanyang Technological University Thailand, Myanamar and Spain. ISRO is also working on building (NTU) of Singapore for launching Plans are afoot to set up IRS data advanced earth observation and its earth observation micro reception stations in Zimbabwe, communications satellites. satellite X-sat onboard PSLV Venezeula and Taiwan. As part of Sometime later this year, an earth sometime in 2005. Antrix would its plan to strengthen Indian observation satellite codenamed also extend support to NTU for presence in the multi-million Resourcesat-I will be launched by developing the satellite. dollar space market, Antrix has means of PSLV. This satellite will

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 13 enhance the data collection capability in the area of agriculture, disaster management as well as land and water resources. The launch of Resourcesat-I will be followed by orbiting of an exclusive cartographic satellite Cartosat-I in 2004. A second generation Cartosat with one metre resolution and microwave remote sensing capability for day and night observation and the ability to look through the cloud cover is also being developed by ISRO. Parallely, ISRO is also working on developing advanced communications satellite in INSAT-4 series made up of seven satellites. INSAT-4 series would feature many innovations in satellite communications technology. Thus the Indian space programme which took off with the launch of a 9-kg sounding rocket from a modest research facility in the fishing hamlet of Thumba on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram in November, 1963, is now poised for a quantum leap in its quest to explore the final frontiers. ◆ The author is a noted freelance writer on scientific subject.

The GSLV lift-off.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 14 Buddha shown with thick garments, Kushana. Gandhara School of Art FUSION OF INDO-GREEK TRADITIONS

K.K. KHULLAR opularly known as Greco- stucco, clay as well as in mural Buddhist art, the Gandhara paintings. Originally, the Gandhara PSchool of art is distinct from sculptures were painted and the aniconic tradition of early covered with thin layers of gold. Indian sculpture and the anthropomorphic tradition of The Gandhara School of Art Greco-Roman art. The Gandhara flourished in the north-west of artist, it is said, had the hand of a undivided India and the eastern Greek but the head and heart of Afghanistan for nearly eight an Indian. Although the process of hundred years, between the first production and the manner of his century B.C and the 7th century using the material was Hellenistic, A.D. Ruled by the Persian dynasty the basic urge, imagery and (Iran) in the 6th to 5th century iconography remained Indian. The B.C, Gandhara absorbed the school is represented in sculptures, Indian and Mediterranean

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 15 influences in art and culture. It is here that the fusion of civilisations took place; it is here that the rhythm of civilisations was maintained. A typical characteristic of Indian culture is its capacity of absorption, assimilation and synthesis. It is surprising how invader after invader came to India, only to become its part. Gandhara was conquered by Alexander of Macedonia in the 4th century B.C. During the reign of Ashoka, it was a part of the Mauryan empire and one of the biggest centres of Buddhism. It is said that Buddhist missionaries used to be welcomed there with the beat of drums. Again it was a part of Kushan empire under Kanishka in the first century A.D when Gandhara and Mathura Schools of Art moved towards Kambojika/Hariti, pre-Kushana, Gandhara. excellence unmatched by any were invoked, The Kanishka statue other art movement or school. found at Surkh Kotal in The Kushans fostered a composite Afghanistan embodies the best of culture so exquisitely exemplified Kushan style in Gandhara by the artistic creations of the iconography. The Kushan period Gandhara school of Art, as also on marks an important epoch in the Gandhara coins where all Indian history because India came deities – Indian, Iranian, Buddhist, into close contact with the outside Greco-Roman, Bectrian, Parthian world during their rule. It also marks the beginning of the golden The massive lower half of Buddha, dated Kushana year 93. age of Gandhara art. Kushans had intimate contact with Rome and Greece. In their interpretation of the Buddhist legends, the Gandhara artists leaned heavily on classical Roman art with plentiful of Greek mythology such as angels with garlands, Tritons with the fish tails and horse’s forefoot, Centaurs with human heads, arms and the body, spiral and flowing lines, scrolls and stuccos. The result is that we have Buddha with curly hair, muscles and moustaches. Gautama is made to look like the youthful

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 16 531 stupas and 3000 statues of Buddha and Boddhistvas have been found in clay and stucco. Hadda’s ancient name is “Nagarahara” which was visited both by Fahien, who visited the settlement around 400 AD, and by Hieun Tsang who camped there in 630 AD. Both these pilgrims came from China via Afghanistan to visit the land of Sakyamuni. Hieun Tsang stayed here for 18 years, first as a student, then as a teacher at Nalanda University where students from all parts of the world, including Afghanistan and Iran, came for learning and enlightenment. Art education formed part of Nalanda curriculum Standing Buddha. and admission in art school there Apollo, the Greek sun-god was very difficult. It is said symbolising beauty and strength admission-seekers waited for years dressed in loose attire. A large at the gates of Nalanda to pass the number of clay Buddhas have entrance test. been excavated in eastern and In the early Buddhist art we have central Afghanistan which was evidence that Buddha was under the influence of Mahayana represented by various symbols Buddhism after the historic such as Bodhi tree with ‘Vajrasana’ Buddhist split at Parishipura beneath it, footprints of Sakyamuni (modern Peshawar in Pakistan) in and above all, the viharas and the the days of Kanishka the Great. stupas. In Buddhist lore, Vihara The Gandhara School of Art bears signifies something which is testimony to the fact that the associated with the life of Lord political boundaries between India Buddha while Stupa symbolises an and Afghanistan simply did not event connected with his death. exist under the Mauryas, Indo- The Stupas of Sanchi, Bharhut and Greeks, the Sakas, the Kushans, Amravati testify to this. So do the the Parthians and even the Viharas of Nalanda, Rajgriha and Mughals. The last wish of the Vikramsila. Many historians believe dying Mughal Emperor Babur, the that the Hellenic sculptors of founder of the Mughal dynasty in Gandhara were the earliest image- India, was that he should be makers of Buddha while others buried in Afghanistan. And he lies give this credit to the buried in a Kabul garden. iconographists of Mathura school which flourished in the second In Afghanistan, excavations at century B.C to the 12th century Bamiyan, Begram, Hadda, Kandhar AD. and Kunduz have brought to light several Buddhist settlements. At Mathura, the Buddha image was In the modern village of Hadda, cast in the red-sandstone obtained

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 17 from Sikri quarries. The Mathura much less construct anything like school excelled in Yaksha (male them”. This is high praise and spirit) closely resembling the coming as it does from a scholar- collosal standing figure of Buddha extraordinary like Alberuni, speaks of the Gandhara school. Both the volumes of the Indian genius schools also produced seated which conceived and sculpted Buddhas with broad shouldered, such Buddhas. shaven head, smiling face and In a larger analysis of Indo-Greek right arm in a gesture of ‘Abhaya and Indo-Afghan art, it can be Mudra’. While in Gandhara, safely said the Gandhara artist Buddha is seated on a lotus made a lasting contribution to the throne, in Mathura the Master rests Greco-Buddhist art by striking a on a lion throne. Again while the balance between the real and the Gandhara Buddha is draped in the ideal, the sensuous and the sacred, central Asian fashion, the Mathura between evolution and ethics, figures wear Indian dresses. The between a smiling and a suffering female figurines of Mathura Buddha, between a standing and a (Yakshis) are sensuous and eye- seated Bodhisatva. catching. ◆ The author, a noted freelance writer, is also Thus we find that the journey a historian. between the an aniconic tradition of the early Indian art and the gradual appearance of cult icons is an important and interesting chapter in Indo-Greek iconography. Perhaps these two schools flourished simultaneously and evolved their own image of Buddha in which both excelled and influenced each other. When Fahien, the Chinese pilgrim, saw the two gigantic Buddhas at Bamiyan, he became ecstatic; he A fine image of Buddha had never before seen such a tall from Gupta year 115. Buddha anywhere. Similarly, Hieun Tsang (630 AD) said that Alberuni, who accompanied the Bamiyan Valley is not only famous hordes of Mahmud of Ghzni for its two collosal Buddhas several times during tile early 11th measuring 175 ft and 120 ft century, was wonder-struck to see respectively, but also for its the Buddha statues not only at hundreds of cave-shrines and Bamiyan but also at Taxilla, monasteries. For two thousand Peshawar, Multan and Mathura. years these Buddha sculptures Writing about the super-excellence kept the world spell-bound. Sadly, of Indian sculptors in his famous in March, 2001, they were blown book ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’, he says: up by the Taliban on the ground “They have attained a very high that they were pagan. A Swiss degree of art in this; so much so team is planning to reconstruct that when our people (Muslims) one of the two Buddhas as a see them, they marvel at them and symbol of hope. are unable to describe them –

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 18 Fiction

What’s in a name?

ANOOP VERMA

uchita was in living room in office?’ He picked up the remote You don’t know how miserable I watching TV when doorbell and switched off the TV. feel,’ he said. rang. It was 6.30 pm, the S ‘Hey, I was watching that ‘Of course I know. You have told usual time for her husband, Vijay programme,’ Suchita protested me many times that you are not Singhal, to return from office. As feebly. satisfied with your job. But creating she rose to let him in, the doorbell scene at home isn’t the solution.’ rang again and then again. My God, ‘Not while I am at home,’ he said he is so impatient, she thought and gruffly and settling on sofa started ‘Those management guys rake in all quickly unbolted the door. ‘You removing his boots. Suchita looked the cash and throw a pittance at always keep me waiting,’ he hissed at him with an air of resignation. me.’ and marched in. ‘Tapping computer keys, day in and ‘It is not pittance that you earn. You day out, this job is getting on my ‘I came as hastily as I could,’ are one of the most highly paid nerves.’ Suchita protested, ‘but you are so individuals in your company.’ impatient.’ ‘Why don’t you do something about He shook his head contemptuously it, if it is getting unbearable?’ ‘Impatient!’ he glared flinging and said, ‘you have no idea what briefcase and sheaf of papers on ‘Do what? I can’t resign and sit at the management guys get. Their sofa, ‘you don’t know what I face home and watch worthless soaps. salaries, expense accounts, stock

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 19 options make my income look like ‘But there must be some way...’ chicken feed.’ ‘Oh there isn’t any. I am only ‘But why should we bother about 37 years old and already I am tired what they get. We get enough to of life.’ lead a comfortable life - that is all ‘We shouldn’t give up like this.’ what matters to us. Your salary provides us a cozy bungalow, two ‘There is nothing left to do except cars, nice bank balance. It enables giving up. I am chained to you to send your daughter to a dissatisfying and low paying job for prestigious school. What else do life. Now things can’t be changed,’ you need?’ he said getting up from sofa. ‘I am not getting what I deserve.’ ‘Where are you going,’ Suchita demanded. ‘This conversation isn’t ‘Then get your company to increase over yet.’ your remuneration.’ ‘For bath,’ he said and went out of ‘As if I haven’t tried that already,’ the room. he said sarcastically. ‘I have discussed my salary with the ‘Suchita remained on the sofa management many a time but they brooding over the difficulties her won’t listen. They maintain that husband was facing. She thought budget constraints don’t leave any her family could be in for serious scope for increased remuneration. trouble if some solution was not It is amazing that there aren’t any found soon. She was pained to see budgetary constraints when it him so dejected. comes to their own perks. A vice After dinner, she tried to comfort president recently bought himself a Vijay. ‘You should not be so Ferrari with company money, and dejected. If we put our heads another vice-president has gone together we can find a solution.’ with family on vacation to Shimla- all expenses paid by company. ‘I am not in a mood to talk right They are so lavish on themselves now,’ Vijay grumbled. but deny me a small raise.’ He Suchita lapsed into glum silence. paused for a moment and then said, How could she be of help when he ‘I would like to be vice president of even refused to listen? Her mind my company.’ filled with diverse thoughts, she This was news for her. ‘A vice was tapping at the remote browsing president,’ she gasped in surprise. randomly through channels. On one of the channels an astrology- ‘I am fed up of being a scientist. based programme was on. An No one cares for scientists these astrologer was explaining how days. I want to change track and planetary configurations affect the join the management team.’ life of people. Suchita did not care much for astrology, but as there ‘Are you making any efforts to get was nothing better to watch, she into management?’ decided to listen to astrologer’s ‘I spoke to the company president mumbo-jumbo for sometime. The once. He says my services as a astrologer was saying, scientist are too valuable and he ‘...depression, problems at job, lack won’t dream of wasting me in of success, quarrels with spouse, management.’ and many other problems that

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 20 plague people are in fact the result make him consult an astrologer. But ‘But many people consult of being born under inauspicious would he take her suggestion. Most astrologers. Why can’t we do the planetary configurations. There are probably he wouldn’t. She knew he same.’ ways to control the negative effects considered astrology a craft of ‘I am a scientist and not a of planets. That is what astrology is charlatans. But what if there was superstitious bumpkin.’ all about. It is the science of truth in astrology? Shouldn’t Vijay improving one’s life by appeasing give it a try? After all he had ‘Sometimes these things do work,’ the planets…’ nothing to lose by consulting an Suchita persisted, ‘many people astrologer. have improved their lives...’ It was her down-in-dumps state that made her see ray of hope in the Next day in the morning when they ‘Let me have my breakfast in astrologer’s claims. Did Vijay’s were having breakfast she said peace,’ he interrupted, ‘I have had problems result from his being born probingly, ‘have you considered enough silliness for the day.’ under inauspicious planetary seeing an astrologer?’ Fearing that if she went on he may configurations? She tried to laugh Vijay eyed her quizzically and said, leave without finishing breakfast, off the question, but could not. The ‘astrologer! What for?’ she let the matter rest for the time astrologer was claiming that by being. wearing certain precious stones, by ‘Yesterday I was watching a prayers and at times even by programme on TV that showed He returned at usual time in the changing one’s name could change how astrology can solve problems.’ evening, looking as harried as ever, the fate. Maybe this sort of thing ‘Let’s not make bad situation worse and sat down on sofa muttering will work in Vijay’s case, Suchita by getting involved in hocus-pocus,’ about unfairness with which his told herself. Maybe she should he said heatedly. company treated him. After they

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 21 had tea, Suchita said, ‘I visited our and then we will decide for neighbour, Mrs. Gulati, today.’ He ourselves.’ did not react to her statement. ‘She The astrologer, Mr. Govind is a firm believer in astrology. Five Swaroop, was thin and tall, his years ago when her husband wide forehead, piercing gaze, suffered huge losses in business, pointed nose and thin lips made she took him to an astrologer who him a picture of severity and gave him an amulet to wear. Since stoicism. His living room had a then his business has prospered.’ large shelf filled with rows after ‘You expect me to act like rows of books on Hindu Mrs. Gulati’s husband and go about mythology, astrology, and like wearing a ridiculous amulet,’ he subjects. Vijay and Suchita, thundered. ensconced on a comfortable sofa were having audience with Govind ‘Astrology may not be all nonsense.’ Swaroop. ‘I know you don’t believe ‘Are you sure it isn’t,’ he asked in astrology, Mr. Singhal,’ Govind sarcastically. Swaroop said. ‘The truth is I am not sure,’ she ‘It would be a lie if I told you accepted, ‘but is there any harm in I did,’ Vijay said mildly. giving it a try.’ Govind nodded and said, ‘Being a ‘I will appear like a fool if people scientist, it is your nature to accept come to know I consulted an as truth only those things which can astrologer.’ be scientifically proved, and astrology cannot be scientifically ‘No one will know. I have proved. But I insist that astrology is contacted an astrologer who is no hocus-pocus, it is science.’ known for his discreetness. He has agreed to see you tomorrow at ‘Then why do predictions by most 10 AM. He lives close by, just few astrologers fail to materialize,’ Vijay blocks away from us.’ asked bluntly. ‘At 10 AM! I am in office at that ‘In any scientific experiment larger time.’ the number of variables, greater is the chance of some mistake in ‘Tomorrow is Sunday, your weekly calculations,’ Govind explained. off,’ Suchita reminded quickly. ‘The problem astrologers face is ‘Meet him for my sake. Let’s see that they have to deal with vast what advice he gives.’ amount of variables. There are ‘How did you learn about this billions and trillions of stars, planets astrologer?’ and moons in universe, all of which cast some influence on destiny of ‘From Mrs. Gulati, same astrologer human beings. Obviously there is gave her husband the amulet to no way any astrologer can take into wear five years ago.’ account the position of all entities in the universe. So they arrive at an ‘OK, let’s see this astrologer approximate prediction by taking tomorrow, but I won’t follow any into account only entities that lie foolish suggestion that he makes.’ close to earth – sun, moon and the ‘That will be fine,’ Suchita said, other planets of our solar system. pleased that her effort had paid off, Sometimes their approximation ‘we shall see what he has to tell turns out to be correct and

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 22 sometimes it is way off the mark. It A frown descended on Vijay’s face Suchita’s face lit up. ‘My God,’ she is my belief that some day we will and he said irately, ‘whoever heard gasped, ‘that’s great. I am sure your be able to take into account the of Singhal being pronounced as luck will change for better once whole universe and then astrology Sinjhhal. You suggestion is you make that minor change in will become a precise science.’ ridiculous.’ your surname.’ ‘You hold interesting views,’ Vijay ‘I am sorry,’ the astrologer said ‘Oh, don’t read too much into it. said. coolly, ‘but that is the only way I am doing this just for the heck of ‘I have with me your date and time according to my calculations.’ it. I don’t expect any miraculous change in my fortune by this of birth, and place of birth. On the ‘It is my fault that I came to an spelling change,’ Vijay said trying to basis of this data I will make astrologer with my problems,’ Vijay play down the issue. calculations and then I shall let you said and turning towards his wife know what you can do to improve said, ‘let’s go. I have had enough When he reached office he told your fate.’ of it.’ his secretary to circulate an internal memo to the effect that his ‘How much time do you need for Suchita, embarrassed by Vijay’s calculations?’ Suchita asked. surname was to be spelled as discourtesy, apologetically said to S-I-N-J-H-H-A-L from now onwards. ‘At least one week,’ said Govind, Govind Swaroop, ‘I am sorry that When the surprised secretary ‘by next Sunday I will be in a an understanding couldn’t develop wanted to know the reason for this position to let both of you know between us.’ change of spelling, Vijay got livid. what can be done.’ ‘I too am sorry that I couldn’t satisfy ‘I don’t have to give reasons to In the days that followed they your husband but I only spoke the anybody,’ he snarled, ‘its my carefully avoided talking about the astrological truth.’ surname and I will spell it the way I want.’ The secretary hurriedly astrologer, even though he ‘Thank you for your trouble,’ Vijay remained very much on their mind. typed and circulated the internal said and marched out of the room. memo. Secretly both hoped that he would Suchita followed him. be able to suggest some solution to A fortnight passed. The president, their problems. When they were inside their car, two vice-presidents and the chief she said, ‘you should not have Finally the much-awaited Sunday executive of Eagle Software had behaved like that with Govind arrived and Vijay and Suchita were gathered in boardroom. Something Swaroop, he was only trying to once again in Govind Swaroop’s very grave was being discussed. ‘So help us.’ living room. ‘I gave your case a what is the problem with Vijay great deal of time Mr. Vijay ‘Help us! My foot,’ Vijay hissed, Singhal?’ the president asked. Singhal,’ Govind Swaroop began, ‘that man was making a damn fool ‘His surname is no longer Singhal,’ ‘you have been born under difficult out of us.’ ventured a vice president, ‘he planetary configurations.’ Vijay and ‘OK then let’s forget it,’ Suchita insists that he is ‘Sinjhhal’ Suchita listened with anticipation. retorted angrily, ‘it was my fault nowadays. Sinjhhal, spelled as ‘My calculations make me conclude that I got you to an astrologer.’ S-I-N-J-H-H-A-L.’ that there is only one way out for They sat in the car and drove back you,’ Govind said looking at Vijay. ‘Vijay is constantly telling everyone in silence. to refer to him as Sinjhhal but he ‘What?’ the couple asked in unison. Next day Suchita expected Vijay doesn’t give any reason for his ‘Your name is unlucky for you. You to be tense, but was surprised change of name,’ second vice must change it. Your first name when she found him absurdly president said thoughtfully. Vijay is all right, you can carry on relaxed. She was even more ‘There is something fishy going on,’ with it. The problem stems from surprised when he said while they the chief executive said your last name, Singhal. You must were having breakfast, ‘you know, suspiciously. start spelling it as S-I-N-J-H-H-A-L. I have decided to follow that This spelling change should damned astrologer’s advice. I will ‘Fishy!’ the president injected, ‘what appease the planets and change start spelling my last name as do you mean by fishy?’ your fate.’ S-I-N-J-H-H-A-L from today.’ The chief executive cleared his

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 23 throat and spoke in a smart-alecky our own Vijay Singhal,’ the chief and then smacking his lips tone. ‘It has come to my knowledge executive declared. ‘It’s obvious delivered the punch line. ‘He does that our main competitor in the that our Singhal is passing company not want anyone of us to know that software business, the Crow secrets to Crow Software’s Singhal.’ he is related to Crow Software’s Software, have a Singhal working The mood in the room changed Singhal and that is why he is for them as senior scientist.’ instantly at this revelation. changing the spelling of his surname.’ ‘So what!’ said a vice-president ‘O my God,’ gasped one vice- scratching his bald head, ‘there president. ‘You acted like a real Sherlock could be any number of people in Holmes and caught a master ‘A traitor in our midst,’ declared world with the surname Singhal. criminal,’ declared the president. another. Some of them could be employed ‘Thank you sir,’ beamed the chief by Crow Software.’ ‘I will nail Vijay,’ the president was executive. red with anger. ‘I will be ‘In this case it means nasty completely ruthless, I will crush ‘I always had a feeling that this business,’ the chief executive him, I will destroy him.’ Vijay was no good,’ said a vice- retorted. president, ‘few days ago he ‘Vijay is very smart. He has covered ‘What nasty business?’ the president criticized me for going on a his tracks well. There is no clear thundered. company-paid vacation to Shimla.’ evidence of his nefarious activities, ‘I have found out that the Singhal except for the fact that he has ‘I never was comfortable with scientist employed by Crow suddenly decided to change his Vijay,’ grumbled the second vice- Software is the second cousin of surname’ said the chief executive, president, ‘I have caught him many

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 24 a time casting jealous looks at the The chief executive explained, new Ferrari that the company has ‘sometimes it is necessary to reward gifted to me.’ traitors to win the battle. Our main ‘The question is what are we to do problem is how to get Vijay out of with this traitor,’ asked the research facility without letting him president. walk over to our business rival Crow Software. If we give Vijay ‘We should have him arrested,’ lesser post I am sure he won’t suggested one vice-president. accept, but a vice president’s post ‘And of course we will have to he will accept with alacrity. As vice throw him out immediately,’ offered president in charge of some the second. administrative functions, he won’t have access to our research secrets ‘I don’t think we should have him but at the same time he will have arrested or throw him out,’ the sufficient inducement to stay on in chief executive ventured slyly. the company.’ ‘First of all we don’t have enough evidence to have him arrested and The president nodded shrewdly, second if we throw him out he will ‘I think your suggestion is on the openly go over to Crow Software mark. It makes my heart burn to with all our trade secrets. Crow promote a traitor as vice president. Software will only be too happy to But in the larger interests of our have him.’ company we must do that.’ ‘My God, you are right. Vijay knows ‘We should send him to a month- all about the new products that we long vacation to Shimla are developing in our research immediately after he is made vice facilities and if he goes over to president. While he is in Shimla we Crow Software, it will be a big will have enough time to assess the disaster for us.’ damage he has done to our company by spying for Crow ‘Vijay can’t be allowed to leave our Software,’ said the chief executive. company at any cost,’ said the chief executive conspiratorially. ‘Yes, maybe we should also buy him a Ferrari because that will give ‘But if we let him continue he will him even more inducement to stay go on passing research information with us,’ the president said, ‘we to his relative in Crow Software,’ can’t afford to lose him.’ said the president. ‘Yes, it would be prudent to hand ‘Yes, it is imperative to get him out him a Ferrari,’ the chief executive of the research facility urgently,’ the nodded his head. chief executive agreed, ‘but without giving him reason to leave our Few hours later Vijay was promoted company and walk over to Crow as vice president and was offered Software. There is only one way to all expenses paid family vacation to achieve that. I think we should Shimla, and presented a brand new make him vice president.’ red Ferrari. ‘A traitor as vice president,’ the two So? Want to spell your name vice presidents hollered in unison. differently??? ◆ ‘We can’t reward a turncoat by The author is a freelance writer. making him vice president,’ the president thundered.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 25 The plaque recalls what Gandhi was doing prior to his arrest in January, 1932. Mani Bhavan ODE TO MAHATMA GANDHI

Text: BRINDA GILL Photographs: SATYAJIT S. GILL

long a quiet green road political events, was also the shaded by laburnum trees headquarters of the Indian Athat burst into yellow National Congress. After the tragic blossoms in the summer stands death of the Mahatma, it was Mani Bhavan, an old-world dedicated to the nation as a double-storeyed building. Witness Gandhi National Memorial. And to a critical period in Indian in today’s turbulent times, Mani history and politics, today it is a Bhavan reiterates Gandhiji’s serene oasis in the bustling message of peace. metropolis of Mumbai that takes visitors back to the early 20th At the reception area is a display century to a time when Mahatma of photographs, letters, currency Gandhi often lived here. It was notes and postage stamps here that Gandhiji (between featuring Gandhiji, issued by 1917-1934) met with national different countries, indicating his leaders and spread the message exalted stature among people of truth and non-violence that across the world. Among these went on to influence a generation displays are 14 interesting of Indians seeking freedom. exhibition sheets of stamps During this period, Mani Bhavan, spanning events related to a springboard for important Gandhiji’s life, presented by

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 26 The room where Gandhi lived and worked – preserved in its original form.

Harjeet A. Singh which formed countrymen to bury differences of a part of his award-winning caste and creed and instead forge exhibition “Our Freedom a common Indian nationality. Struggle” at the state level Amidst his correspondence with philatelic competition in 1998. On world leaders is a letter to Herr the ground floor is the Research Hitler, dated 23.7.39 in which Room and Library, which has Gandhiji, indicating the need to more than 50,000 books by and avoid war, writes, “It is quite on Gandhij, on Gandhian thought clear that you are today the one and related subjects. Visitors can person in the world who can procure stamps, books and prevent a war which may reduce literature on Gandhiji at the humanity to a savage state”. Films counter here. on Gandhiji as well as recordings of his speeches are played on Wooden steps lead to the first request at the auditorium here. floor with their adjoining walls bearing photographs of Gandhiji From the Picture Gallery, the conveying vignettes of his flight of steps with photographs formative years, including his of Gandhiji along the walls years spent in South Africa as continues to the second floor. volunteer of the Indian A neat room, where Gandhiji Ambulance Corps (in 1899) and lived and worked, preserved in with settlers at the Tolstoy Farm its original setting bears a few (in 1910). On the first floor is a spartan articles - his spinning Picture Gallery, that traces wheel, hand-fan, sandals, desk, Gandhiji’s life story in books- that speak of his simple photographs, his articles, letters living. Gandhij received his first to prominent persons as well as lessons in carding in 1917 at Mani his enduring quotes urging his Bhavan, and learnt to spin thread

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 27 Photo from a section “Glimpses of Gandhi”. from raw cotton. In the next moments and events in Gandhiji’s room are replicas of a few of his life from his youth till his end. belongings including Boer War The last flight of steps leads to medals, hand spun yarn, jail bowl the terrace where on the morning and tumbler, his footwear and of January 4, 1932, at 3 a.m. simple cutlery. From Mani Gandhiji was arrested when in a Bhavan, Gandhiji organized the tent here and imprisoned without first mass movement against the trial. Three plaques at the site repressive Rowlatt Act in 1919, recall the moment. Gandhiji last sold prohibited pamphlets of his visited Mani Bhavan in June 1934. writings “Hind Swaraj” and Over half a century after India’s “Sarvodaya”, called for a independence and Gandhiji’s countrywide strike to mark the passing away, Mani Bhavan beginning of the Satyagraha continues to convey the campaign, supported the Khilafat Mahatma’s ideals. agitation, published “Satyagrahi” ◆ an unregistered weekly, took The author is a noted freelance writer. over “Young India” and “Navjivan”, weekly journals in English and Gujarati respectively. In the context of his pursuing the policy of non-cooperation, he decided to return the Kaiseri-i- Hind medals and Boer War medals he had received in 1920. The next room features “Glimpses of Gandhi” in small figures crafted by Mrs Susheela Gokhale Patel that depict different important

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 28 Books

MANAGING STRESS THE YOGA WAY

BHARAT BHUSHAN

oga, the much acclaimed Indian philosophy Yenunciating how to achieve mental and physical discipline, is as relevant now as it was in the past. In fact, it has acquired more significance in the present context when most of us are faced with stress – primarily because of the modern lifestyle. C. M. Bhandari’s book on “Yoga Shakti” seeks to demystify Yoga and present it as a 5000-year old universal science of the Vedic times that helps us realize the true nature of “self”. It also tells us how to deal with stress and lead a relaxed life. The author, a career diplomat, says his “exposure to Vedic literature” helped him explore the mysticism of the East and combine it with the scientific Yoga centers in the Unites States enquiry of the West. By showing alone – an industry worth ten how to execute certain Yogic billion US dollars. And there are postures in the book under review, 15 million Americans who practice the author explains how one can Yoga on a regular basis. reduce the stress in our daily Profusely illustrated, the book routine and reduce or completely provides an invaluable overview on eliminate production of toxins in the usefulness of Yoga in our day- the body. He even goes on to say today routine so that we can lead a that if followed properly and healthy and relaxed life. sincerely, Yoga can help the children in improving their BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT: YOGA SHAKTI performance in schools. – FITNESS AND RELAXATION HIGHWAY by C. M. Bhandari; published by Devamber Understandably, Yoga is becoming Prakashan, New Delhi; Price: US$ 18 an integral part of lifestyle in the (Rupees 900). western world. It is estimated that ◆ there are about 100,000 (one lakh)

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 29 Notes

“India Palace” Creates Waves in UAE

“India Palace” – an Indian The hotel also takes pride in restaurant in the UAE capital Abu showing to its customers how Dhabi – has earned well-deserved Indian bangles are made. The kudos. This is primarily because elaborate process of bangle- the restaurant not only provides making is executed right in front the best of Indian cuisine to its of the customers. customers but also showcases Manager Shetty says,“eighty India’s rich cultural heritage. percent of our customers are Every decorative piece that Arabs, ten to fifteen percent are adorns the hotel has specially French and British and the rest been made in Lucknow, capital of are Indians”. This speaks volumes the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. for the popularity of Indian The hotel displays the portraits of cuisine among foreigners. Indian kings and queens carved – Shylaja S. Rao on metal pots that have been ◆ strategically placed. Besides, it also has a rich repertoire of “musician dolls” – despite it being not a doll-house.

Indian Mangoes for China

ndia has become one of the first countries to export its Iworld-famous mangoes to China’s potentially huge market. An agreement to this effect was reached between India and China during Prime Minister Vajpayee’s recent visit to that country. The first consignment of six tonnes – three each for the Chinese capital Beijing and the eastern metropolis Shanghai – has already reached China. “The initial market response to the Indian mangoes is very encouraging”, said a Chinese official. With this, India has become the first South Asian country to export mangoes to China which follows a strict import regimen. ◆

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 30 Well-carved doors at the entrance (top); painting of Emperor Akbar adorning a hotel wall (above) and a variety of hand-made bangles displayed in the reception area (left).

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 31 WarblersJEWELS OF INDIAN SKY

Text & Photographs: BHAGAT SINGH

arblers are small birds beds. A few species inhabit at with slender bills, known higher altitudes upto 10,000 feet in Wfor gleaning insects from the Himalayas. Most of the species leaves, grasses and twigs. Because of these birds have drab brown and most of warblers look alike, the grey plumage. In the main, these several different species are not are insectivorous and feed chiefly given individual names in Sanskrit, on insects: caterpillars, ants, small and are referred to as Chatika – beetles etc. ‘little bird’ and Patingika – ‘little The warblers, as their name sparrow’. indicates, are renowned for the Warblers make up a huge family of quality of their songs. These birds several species, most of which are utter in gentle, continuous trilling scattered throughout the Indian manner. It appears as if they speak union, both in deciduous and moist in verse or give expression to their deciduous areas, including reed passions in songs. They keep singly

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 32 or in pairs or in small groups in scrub jungles, gardens and orchards. These tiny birds are mostly seen flitting jerkily from bush to bush with constant flicking of the tail.

In breeding season, the males give a spirited performance from an exposed perch excitedly warbling their squeaky songs. The breeding takes place over a prolonged species build a rough dome or oval are glossy and of oval shape and in period from March to September. pouch of grass, moss etc. close to most cases profusely blotched with Different species build different the ground, while a few make a brown or red. Both the sexes take types of nests, depending on the ball of moss, lichen and dead part in the performance of parental vegetation growth and the climatic leaves, and place it among the duties. conditions of their respective roots of trees or hollow tree trunks. ◆ habitats. Reed warblers construct a One of the strangest warbler nests The author is an eminent writer/ deep massive cup of dry reed photographer on wildlife. is that built by the Tailor bird. The leaves slung between several reed cup-shaped nest is made by sewing stems above water. The nests of together the edges of one or two scrubland birds are a rough cup of leaves with either plant fibres or twigs, grass, root and stems, lined spider’s silk. with fine grass, wool, hair and fibres, well hidden in low thorn These small birds lay several eggs bushes or clump of grass. Some ranging from three to ten. The eggs

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 33 IndiaA procession of women in Varanasi. IMPOSSIBLE TO RESIST…

MONIKA ESPINOSA

am a ceramic artist from I travelled to India a short time Argentina. I had heard about after the attack on the Twin Towers Ioccidental and European art in the US, i.e. in mid-September, during my many years of arts 2001. apprenticeship. We knew very little about the orient art, excepting From the very moment I arrived some references to Japan and at the Indira Gandhi airport, China. That’s why, when I decided New Delhi, India embraced me to apply for the UNESCO Aschberg warmly. Impossible to resist... this Scholarship for Artists, I didn’t warmth that the Indians exude. hesitate in choosing the destination: I lodged in the hostel of the it would be India. Sanskriti Foundation at After going through the Anandagram, a neighborhood of preliminaries, I was informed that Delhi. It is really an oasis of peace I had been granted the scholarship. where artists can develop their

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 34 I met several acknowledged ceramists: Kristine Michael, Leena Batra and the Blue Pottery Studio, and the works of the most important ceramists in India, Gurcharan Singh, Devi Prasad, Promila Pandit and many more whom I have seen at work with clay, showing a deep respect and skill. Another thing that appealed to me most is the feminity of the Indian women – revealed through their colourful saris, the tinkling of their bracelets and anklets. I Think women expressed themselves more by these adornments than by words. This has helped me design the patterns of dresses, made of clay, which could well combine with the characters of the Indian iconography. They are like walking- books for me. During my trip to Benares, I observed how children played with kites (patang) on the banks of river Ganga. That image, the kites symbolising connection between earth and sky, was felt by me as a prayer. And, of course, I got back to Sanskriti with 60 kites to work on. In India, every person I met, every place I visited has helped me inspire not only in my work but Exhibits at the “Undressing” exhibition organised at the Sanskriti Kendra (top) and also in knowing myself a little the terracotta horses (above). more. I wish this interchange could creative pursuits in an ideal Besides, the National Museum and be more continuous and extensive. manner. During the next three the Crafts Museum in New Delhi There are so many things to share, to learn from each other... months, I got acquainted with the also have terracotta representations. ◆ potter’s art of the country, the India While travelling through Delhi, of the huge terracotta horses!!!. Khajuraho, Agra and Varanasi It wasn’t necessary to travel over I discovered the ceramics of the whole subcontinent to be able everyday usage, women carrying to become acquainted with all the earthen pots full of water, the small different ceramics manifestations; in oil lamps, the tea (chai!) served in the Sanskriti Kendra, there is the the street in terracotta cups and the “Museum of the Terracotta”, with hundreds of Gods and Goddesses pieces of work of each zone. in terracotta.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 35 Ooty Library DREAM LIVES ON…

VIDHU GANJOOR & BUZZ BURZA

n a letter written to the government in September, 1829, a gentleman named Sullivan emphasized the need for library facilities in Ooty. It Iwould be three decades before definite steps would be taken towards the realization of such a dream. Today, the manifestation of that dream lives on in the form of an architectural and cultural gem, i.e. The Nilgiri Library. Its original motto, “Reading moulds one’s habit and character”, still rings true.

The sylvan glades of Ootacamund had become one of the most important sanatoria for British India. The residents of this lovely place were two types: permanent and transient. The latter were either on government duty or in search of restorative cures Ooty was known for. Everyone though needed reading material.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 36 On the 22nd of July, 1858, a decided that most of the money The fact that despite its chequered provisional committee of 24 they raised be earmarked for the history the library was able to members met for the first time to construction of the building so that survive speaks volumes for the discuss the establishment of a they could avail of the proposed wisdom and tenacity of those public library in Ootacamund. In monthly grant of Rs100 for the responsible for its running. No trip addition to the library books, a maintenance of the facility. to Ooty is complete without a visit request was also made for the to this dream that would live on… The collection of books establishment of a reading room ◆ commenced almost immediately furnished with periodicals and Buzz Burza, an American freelance writer, because a room in the local court- lives in New Delhi with his writer wife Vidhu newspapers. house had been made available to Ganzoor. Initially the scheme was to combine house the library’s growing a library with a government collection of reading material. As museum and the committee men of science were coming in estimated that the cost of increasing numbers, it was constructing a building housing recommended that among the first both institutions, plus a stock of books to be acquired would be the standard works, would amount to best works of reference in the Rs 15,000 (a fortune in those days). various sciences. It was therefore proposed that the government grant half this amount, The subsequent years saw flip-flop and the rest to be raised through on the part of the government in private contributions. honouring its commitment for the construction of the library building. The government did not agree to However, after many ups and this; it only condescended to downs, the library was finally built provide a building site plus a and inaugurated on May 8, 1869. monthly grant of one hundred The architectural detailing of this rupees to maintain both a library high gothic building remains to this and a museum. day a prime example of the lengths The committee was undaunted by colonial designers would go to the rejection of their request and recreate a little bit of “back home”.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 37 Indian Handicrafts MUCH SOUGHT AFTER

GARIMA SHARMA xquisite designs, attractive colours, unmatched workmanship and subtle elegance are the distinguishing features which have put EIndian handicrafts on world map. Steadily climbing the popularity chart, their exports shot up to a staggering Rs. 83,430 million in 2002-2003. This sector has more potential for earning substantial foreign exchange. As a rural and cottage industry, it provides employment to lakhs of people from the weaker sections of society. Low capital investments, higher value addition and highly labour intensive are highlights that make the sector significant for the country’s economy. Central and State governments have been paying extraordinary attention to ensure high growth rate and

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 38 The iron beams of the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa and the iron pillar at Qutab Minar in Delhi are evidence of the early skills achieved by the Indians in the field of metal-casting. Copper and bronze are the two most popular non-ferrous metals shaped into tools, bronze-casting in India being as old as five million years. The scope of metal art is immense, what with the variety of decorative techniques practiced such as inlay, metal casting, carving, appliques etc. Work done in Moradabad, Jaipur and Delhi is representative of this. Moradabad, in U.P., is especially noted for its coloured enamelling and intricate engravings development of the handicrafts and wood, stone, papier-mache, in niello. Metal wire inlay work, industry. pottery, silk, cotton, brocade, found mostly in U.P. and Kerala, natural fibre from plants etc. The Handicrafts bear the stamp of each has panels and pictures depicting tribal and rural artisans have particular region and culture. With attractive scenes. Metal engraving inherited various techniques and India’s great diversity and rich practiced in Kashmir is usually processes from their forefathers in culture, we have a unique treasure done on walking sticks, the creation of their art. of handicrafts to boast of. These nutcrackers, cutlery, decorative works of art are executed through a Metal has been part of Indian life pieces etc. Rajasthan artisans do variety of mediums such as metal and culture since time immemorial. outstanding work in silver-spice

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 39 boxes, caskets, birds, animals and Kashmir, is used for making trays, jewellery boxes with intricate book stands, wall decorations, fruit designs. These are marked both for bowls etc. Gujarat has a rich their utility and ornamental value. tradition of woodcarving; famous are the traditional wooden swings, Papier-mache items are made of chairs and tables. Karnataka and thick layers of paper pulp mixed Maharashtra are famous for wood with starch and given different lacquering. Painted traditional shapes and designs on wooden cradles, boxes and ‘ganjifa’ sets of moulds. Imagination runs wild as playing cards are painted with craftsmen breathe life into the religious and mythological figures. moulds, bringing out variety of Hand fans made of strips and slices expressions. Kashmir turns out a of sandalwood are great utility variety of utility items of papier- items, spreading their refreshing mache, as also decorative pieces. aroma in the room. ◆ Woodcraft too has played its part in The author is a freelance writer. making the Indian handicraft treasure richer. Since time immemorial, wood has been used to make utensils. In Himachal Pradesh, water pitchers are made of wood. Walnut wood, found in

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 40 Muddupalani SCHOLAR DEVADASI

PRAN NEVILE

rvashi, peer among the mentioned in temple chronicles and Apsaras (fairies) is said to inscriptions. They were trained Uhave been born on earth as from childhood in the arts of dance a devadasi and imparted the divine and music and were also taught knowledge of dance and music to classical literature in Sanskrit, Tamil human beings. Chinese pilgrim and Telugu. Devadasis commanded Hieun Tsang, who visited India in respect in society and were treated the 7th century, testified to the as symbols of good luck. The existence of a well established exchange of devadasis between the institution of temple dancers, temple and the court was an Devadasis, all over India. After the accepted practice. Though married advent of Muslim rule, devadasis to the temple deities, some of them disappeared from the scene in gifted with rare beauty and North India but the practice accomplishments became royal continued in the South until the courtesans and consorts of kings. beginning of the 20th century. Devadasis from Andhra Pradesh In their heyday, under the generous dominated the cultural scene in patronage of the Pallava, Chola, South India. The classic example Pandya and Nayaka Kings, was the celebrated devadasi devadasis were honoured with titles Muddupalani who adorned the and gifts and their names are even royal court of the Nayaka King of

“Devadasis in Madras” by Tilly Kettle, c. 1770.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 41 INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 42 Tanjore, Partapsimha (1739-1763), a great patron and lover of music, literature and the arts. He honoured and rewarded Muddupalani not only for her accomplishments in performing arts but also for her scholarly achievements as a learned poet, being well-versed in Telugu and Sanskrit. At that time, Tanjore court was one of the few surviving Hindu patrons of arts in India and therefore attracted best talents from other parts of the country as well. Muddupalani’s marvellous erotic epic Radhika Santwanam (consoling Radha), a mid- eighteenth century literary masterpiece and virtual gem of Telugu literature, was little known outside Andhra Pradesh. Credit goes to Susie Tharu and K. Lalita for bringing to light this great work through their excellent compilation, Women Writing in India: 600 B.C. to the Present published in the early nineties. Radhika Santwanam consisting of 584 poems is replete with Sringar Rasa or eroticism and presents the story of Radha and Krishna in a new light. Muddupalani is totally unconventional in her perception and treatment of the subject. She highlights the woman’s gratification that takes precedence and forms the central theme of this great literary work. There is also an absorbing account of a young girl’s coming of age and her maiden sexual encounter. Hailing from a family of devadasis, Muddupalani speaks with pride about the literary achievements of her mother and grandmother who were both poets. In her autobiographical prologue, she proclaims her own eminence and popularity as a poet and scholar.

“A nautch by native dancers at Vizagapatnam” by Capt. Crockatt, c. 1800.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 43 She also describes with confidence determination to bring this and pride her physical beauty and masterpiece to the attention of the charm, her gracious personality and intelligentsia and general readers, her generous patronage of young she wrote in the Preface. “No artists and writers. She introduces matter how many times I read the herself with the following verses: book, I feel like reading it all over again. This epic brimming with Which other woman of my kind has Rasa was not only written by a Felicitated scholars with gifts of woman, but by one born into our money? own community”. Muddupalani is To which other woman of my kind perhaps the only woman scholar in have the world to have written so boldly epics been dedicated? and candidly on a sensual theme. Which other woman of my kind has won such acclaim in each of the The publication of Muddupalani’s arts? classic work aroused a lot of You are incomparable, controversy and outright Muddulapalani among your kind. condemnation by the contemporary social reformers. Many of them She further adds: denounced it as obscene and A face that glows like the full moon labelled its author as a fallen Skills of conversation, matching the woman. Nagaratanamma strove countenance hard to defend this great literary Eyes filled with compassion, work but to no avail. The British Matching the speech. Government in their anxiety to protect the moral mores of their “Devadasi holding a rose” by a Tanjore A great spirit of generosity, artist, c. 1790 (above) and “Devadasi and Matching the glance. subjects, yielded to the demand of musicians” by another Tanjore artist, These are the ornaments that adorn the reformers and banned the c. 1805 (facing page). Palani, publication in 1911. When she is praised by kings. Though all the copies were seized There is an interesting story about and destroyed, yet the copies of the the publication of Muddupalani’s book continued to circulate. It was classic. The first version of Radhika only after Independence in 1947 Santwanam as edited by that the ban was withdrawn by the Venkatanarsu was published in enlightened Chief Minister of 1887. It omitted couplets of several Madras, T. Prakasam. What a boon poems as also Muddupalani’s it would be for the lovers of autobiographical prologue which literature not only in India but also informed the readers about her abroad if this supreme gem of accomplishments and eminence as Telugu literature is translated into a poet in the royal court. Later other Indian languages, as well as into English. Nagaratanamma, a learned devadasi ◆ from Bangalore, not satisfied with The author is a noted writer. the published version, decided to bring out the classic work in its original form after extensive research. She finally succeeded in tracing the original palm leaf manuscript of this work and the new edition was published by her in 1910. Speaking about her

INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 44 INDIA PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2003 45 ISSN 0970 5074 IndiaOCTOBER 2003 Perspectives From the Editor…

In his Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 2003, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared that India would send on unmanned spacecraft to the moon by 2007 to explore the “obscure part of moon’s surface”. Mr. Vajpayee’s commitment to the nation, spurred by the relentless successes achieved by India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO), speaks volumes about the confidence he has in this premier scientific research organisation. This confidence is not misplaced: ISRO has repeatedly demonstrated that no frontier is final for it... its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs) have put into space not only Indian but foreign satellites as well, and the more recent GSLV’s second development flight, fuelled by a cryogenic engine soon to be manufactured indigenously, seeks to demonstrate that ISRO can build heavier and more powerful boosters for the future. When the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) finally becomes operational by late 2004, it will signal an end to India’s dependence on outside launchers for orbiting its INSAT series of satellites. The outgoing ISRO Chairman K. Kasturirangan says only six countries in the world, including India, have this capability. No wonder that some South-East Asian countries have shown keen interest in using Indian capability in launching satellites. The satellites that ISRO has launched so far seek to bolster India’s communication network, help spread eduacation, teach advanced farming methods to the agriculturists and help make accurate weather forecasting, besides other uses. ISRO’s commercial arm, Antrix Crop., has supplied spacecraft hardware for Japan’s MTSAT-2 satellite, clinched a deal with Germany for supporting two of its satellite missions and expanded the international marketing of the data received from India’s highly successful IRS series of earth observation satellites. All this forms part of India’s commitment to forge international cooperation in the exploration of space and the benefits that accrue therefrom. India Perspectives

OCTOBER 2003 VOL 16 NO. 10

Editor Bharat Bhushan Assistant Editor B. Bhushan

CHAMBA: FOLKLORE RENDERED ON MUSLIN Sandeep Silas 2 SACRED ‘ASHOK’ Samar Singh 8 ISRO: EXPLORING FINAL FRONTIERS... Radhakrishna Rao 11 GANDHARA SCHOOL OF ART: FUSION OF INDO-GREEK TRADITIONS K.K. Khullar 15 FICTION: WHAT’S IN A NAME? Anoop Verma 19 MANI BHAVAN: ODE TO MAHATMA GANDHI Brinda Gill 26 BOOKS: MANAGING STRESS THE YOGA WAY Bharat Bhushan 29 NOTES 30 JEWELS OF INDIAN SKY: WARBLERS Bhagat Singh 32 INDIA: IMPOSSIBLE TO RESIST… Monika Espinosa 34 OOTY LIBRARY: DREAM LIVES ON… Vidhu Ganjoor & Buzz Burza 36 INDIAN HANDICRAFTS: MUCH SOUGHT AFTER Garima Sharma 38 MUDDUPALANI: SCHOLAR DEVADASI Pran Nevile 41

India Perspectives is published every month in English, This edition is published for the Ministry of External French, Spanish, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Affairs, New Delhi, by Navtej Sarna, Joint Secretary, Bahasa Indonesia and German. Views expressed in the External Publicity Division, and printed at articles are those of the contributors and not necessarily of Ajanta Offset and Packagings Ltd., Delhi-110052. India Perspectives. All original articles, other than reprints This edition is designed by PTI for the published in India Perspectives, may be freely reproduced Ministry of External Affairs. with acknowledgement. For obtaining a copy of India Perspectives, please contact the Indian Embassy in your country. Front cover: India’s National Bird Peacock – as a wall hanging. Editorial contributions and letters should be addressed to Back cover: Folk musicians of Chamba. the Editor, India Perspectives, 149 ‘A’ Wing, Transparency: Mulk Raj Sidana. Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110001. Telephones: 23389471, 23388873, Fax: 23782391 email: [email protected] Website: http://www.meadev.nic.in