A ‘Noble’ Story

Kuvempu

The break was great!!! I didn’t want to close the blog because I knew I would want to come back and write more. There were several instances when I wanted to start blogging again – Sarah Palin, Economic mess, Listening to ‘Jolene’ the other night, and of course Sachin Tendulkar‘s (aka GOD) world record. But, nothing triggered me as much as this news item did. Now, I know what my passion is 🙂

Kuvempu is undoubtedly one of the greatest writers in Kannada. He is in the elite group with such greats as Bendre and Dr. Shivaram Karanth. Around 20 years ago there was a lot of talk about Kuvempu’s name being considered by the Nobel committee for an award in literature. If he had won the Nobel, it would have certainly been great for India. He didn’t and it’s history now. Not winning Nobel in no way diminishes the greatness of Kuvempu as a writer.

Fast forward to 2008. Kuvempu is dead. There is a symposium about Kuvempu’s work ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam‘ in Mysore and Kuvempu’s self-proclaimed disciple Dr. S. Prabhushankar comes up with a brilliant story. Apparently, he was carrying Kuvempu’s works to New Delhi to the Indian Nobel committee. When he reached the railway station, there was no seat reserved for him. Finally, some ‘North Indian’ (that’s the key) threw Kuvempu’s books into a corner and treated it like trash. And thus, because of some North Indian conspiracy, Kuvempu didn’t win Nobel. Dr S. Prabhushankar came out with this colorful story in 2008, long after Kuvempu’s death.

The media has carried the story with all the color and prominence. These self-proclaimed disciples of Kuvempu always had problems. De. Ja. Gow for one, I have absolutely no respect for. Now, Dr. Prabhushankar joins the same bandwagon?

A few innocent questions for Dr. Prabhushankar:

• Why did you keep quite for so long? If the story were true and if you had made this public at that time, maybe Kuvempu would have won the Nobel. So, I guess you are really responsible for Kuvempu not winning Nobel.
• The Nobel committee in Delhi wanted you to carry all of Kuvempu’s works in a train from Mysore? Really, they didn’t know who Kuvempu was, huh?
• It must have been quite hard to travel in an unreserved compartment. Did you get good sleep?
• Sorry, but I have to ask you this, when the ‘North Indian’ threw Kuvempu’s works away, did you cry? If so, how much? Did you make sure someone took a photograph? That will come in handy very soon, I am sure.
• Did you happen to ask the name of that ‘North Indian’ idiot?

Well, I have way too many questions, I will just stop here. Isn’t it sad that everyone wants to do politics and somehow want to see their name in the newspapers?

In this case Dr. Prabhushankar is the first culprit and media (as usual) is the second culprit. With all due respects, it’s time people start completely ignoring anything and everything which comes out of the likes of De. Ja. Gow and Prabhushankar.

Well, at least Karnad and URA are intelligent…….

One Year Later

I will just post a poem which my mother wrote. As for my feelings, I will just keep it within myself!!!

ಮುಂದೇನೋ???

ಈಗೀಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ
ಗೇಟು ಕಿರುಗುಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ಕದ ಬಡಿಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ಫೋನು ರಿಂಗಣಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ಮನೆಗೆ ಬರುವವರಿಲ್ಲ
ನೀನಳಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಖ
ಮನೆಗೆ ನಾನೊಬ್ಬಳೆಯೆ
ಉಸಿರಿಡುತಿಹ ಒಬ್ಬೊಂಟಿ!!

ಈಗೀಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ
ಗಿಡಬಳ್ಳಿ ನಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ಹೂವು ಅರಳುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ತೋಟ ಲಕಲಕ ಹೊಳೆಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ಗಿಡಬಳ್ಳಿಗಳಿಗೆ ನೀರೂಡುವವರಿಲ್ಲ
ನೀನಳಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಖ
ಮನೆಗೆ ನಾನೊಬ್ಬಳೆಯೆ
ಉಸಿರಿಡುತಿಹ ಒಬ್ಬೊಂಟಿ!!

ಈಗೀಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ
ಅಡಿಗೆಮನೆ ಘಮಗುಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ಹಬ್ಬಹರಿದಿನದ ಸಂಭ್ರಮವಿಲ್ಲ
ಭಕ್ಷ್ಯಭೋಜ್ಯಗಳಿಲ್ಲ
ತಿನ್ನುವಾಸಕ್ತಿ ಇಲ್ಲ
ನೀನಳಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಖ
ಮನೆಗೆ ನಾನೊಬ್ಬಳೆಯೆ
ಉಸಿರಿಡುತಿಹ ಒಬ್ಬೊಂಟಿ!!

ಈಗೀಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ
ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಭಂಡಾರ ತೆರೆಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯ ಓದುವವರಿಲ್ಲ
ಕಥೆಕಾವ್ಯ ಬರೆಯುವವರಿಲ್ಲ
ಕಣ್ಣೆಲ್ಲ ಬರಿ ಮಂಜು ಮಂಜು
ನೀನಳಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಖ
ಮನೆಗೆ ನಾನೊಬ್ಬಳೆಯೆ
ಉಸಿರಿಡುತಿಹ ಒಬ್ಬೊಂಟಿ!!

ಈಗೀಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ
ರೇಡಿಯೊ ಹಾಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ತಂಬೂರಿ ಸ್ವರವಿಲ್ಲ
ಕಂಠಕುಸಿರೇ ಇಲ್ಲ
ಕಿವಿಯೆಲ್ಲ ಬರಿ ಮಂದ ಮಂದ
ನೀನಳಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಖ
ಮನೆಗೆ ನಾನೊಬ್ಬಳೆಯೆ
ಉಸಿರಿಡುತಿಹ ಒಬ್ಬೊಂಟಿ!!

ಭಣಗುಡುವ ಮುಂಜಾನೆ ಸಂಜೆಯಲಿ
ಇರುಳ ನೀರವತೆಯಲಿ
ಕ್ಷಣವ ಯುಗ ಮಾಡುತ್ತ
ತೆವಳುತಿಹ ಈ ಕಾಲ
ಸರಿವ ಲಕ್ಷಣವಿಲ್ಲ
ನೀನಳಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಖ
ಮನೆಗೆ ನಾನೊಬ್ಬಳೆಯೆ
ಉಸಿರಿಡುತಿಹ ಒಬ್ಬೊಂಟಿ!!

ಜೀವಸಖ ನೀನಿರುವ ತನಕ
ಸ್ವರ್ಗವೇ ಇಳೆಗಿಳಿದು ಬಂದಂತಿತ್ತು
ಜೋಡಿ ಹಕ್ಕಿಯ ಬಾಳು
ಹಾಡಾಗಿ ಹರಿದಿತ್ತು
ಏಕೆ ನಡೆದೆಯೊ ಹೀಗೆ
ನಡುನೀರಿನಲಿ ಬಿಟ್ಟು
ಒಂಟಿ ಬಾಳಿಗೆ ತಳ್ಳಿ
ಕಣ್ಣೀರ ಕಥೆ ಮಾಡಿ

Temple

What do you do on the first birthday after death? 

ದೇಗುಲ

ಗಂಟೆ ಜಾಗಟೆ ತಮಟೆ ವಾದ್ಯಗಳ ದನಿಯಿಲ್ಲ
ಬರಿ ಮೌನ, ಬರಿ ಧ್ಯಾನ
ಭಕುತರ ಮನಗಳಲಿ ಹಳೆಯದೇ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ
ಮತ್ತದೇ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ
ಹೋಮಕುಂಡದ ಒಳಗೆ ಎಳ್ಳುದೀಪ
ತೀರ್ಥಕ್ಕೆ ತುಳಸಿ ಎಲೆ
ಆರತಿಗೆ ಕರ್ಪೂರ
ಮುಂಜಾನೆ ಮುತ್ತೈದೆ
ಸಂಜೆ ಹುಡುಗರ ದಂಡು
ದಿನವೆಲ್ಲ ಜನಜಾತ್ರೆ
ಕುರುಡು ಯಾತ್ರೆ

ಬಿಳಿ ಹೊದ್ದ ಅರ್ಚಕರ
ಮುಖದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದೇ ನಗುವು
ಕಾಲ್ಮುಟ್ಟಿ, ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿದು
ಮೌನದಲೆ ಮಾತಾಡಿ
ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೊರಳುವ ಮುನ್ನ
ಒಮ್ಮೆ ನೋಡುವ ಬಯಕೆ
ತಡೆಯಲಾಗದು ಮನಕೆ
ಗರ್ಭಗುಡಿ ಒಳಹೊಕ್ಕು
ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಡುಕಿದರು
ಕತ್ತಲೆಯ ಕೋಣೆಯಲಿ
ದೇವರಿಲ್ಲ

A Wish

Wish you all a very Happy New Year 2008!!!

ಆಶಯ

ಕಾಲನರಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಬ್ಬದೌತಣ
ನೊಂದವರು, ಬೆಂದವರು
ಕರಿನೆರಳ ಮುಖದವರು
ಅಪಶ್ರುತಿಯ ಹಿಡಿದವರು
ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ ನುಡಿದವರು
ಹೊಸಗೀತೆ ಬರೆದವರು
ಬಲ್ಲಿದರು, ಮಾಂತ್ರಿಕರು
ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಬರುತಿಹರು!!

ಮೃತ್ಯು ಮಂಟಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಂಪು ತರ್ಪಣ
ಕಣ್ಣೀರ ಕೊಡ ಹೊತ್ತು
ಬದುಕನ್ನು ಅರಿತವರು
ರುದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಿ ಹಿಡಿಯದೆಯೆ
ಋಷಿಯ ಒಳಹೊಕ್ಕವರು
ಕಲಬೆರಕೆ ಹೆಣ್ಣುಗಳ
ತೊಡೆಗಳಲಿ ಮೆರೆದವರು
ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸೇರಿಹರು!!

ಭೂಮಿ ಬಸುರಿನ ಒಳಗೆ ಜೀವ ನರ್ತನ
ಮುಗ್ಧ ನಗುವನು ಹೊತ್ತು
ಹಾಲ್ಗನಸ ಹೆಣೆಯುವರು
ಹಸಿರು ಜೋಕಾಲಿಯಲಿ
ಹೂಗಳನು ಹರಡುವರು
ಪ್ರೇಮ ಕವಿತೆಯ ಬಿಸಿಗೆ
ಮುತ್ತಿನಲೆ ಕರಗುವರು
ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಕುಣಿಯುವರು!!

Yet Another Political Sammelana

I should probably stop writing about such topics, but I can’t. Recently concluded Udupi Kannada Sahitya Sammelana was a mockery. It had more politics than literature.

To beginwith, there was a parallel ‘Souharda Sammelana’. The official Sammelana and the ‘Souharda Sammelana’ were apparently compared to tiLisAru and mInusAru. Ahhh, I thought we were past this Brahmin/Non-Brahmin divide. I forgot, we need to start reservation based on caste, for publishing books as well. Only then will this divide cease to exist. Yeah right!!!

I thought this Sammelana will be so much nicer with the state under President’s rule. For a change there wouldn’t be Chief minister and his cabinet taking the limelight in a ‘literary conference’. How wrong was I!!! It was hogged by the would-be, could-be and must-be chief ministers. Icing on the cake was certainly the fight between Congress and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members.

Prof. L.S.Sheshagiri Rao richly deserved to be the President of the Sammelana. Salut sir!!! Literally, that’s the only good thing which came out of this conference.

There were 14 resolutions passed, and I bet none of them would be ever implemented. None in the past have, as far as I remember. I hate to sound cynical, but politicians are indeed a rare breed. Getting the classical status to Kannada, getting back Kasargod into Karnataka by the implementation of Mahajan commission recommendations etc. One resolution which caught my eye was the opposition to the establishment of a Hindi Academy in Karnataka by the state government. Amen!!!

ಕನ್ನಡದ ಹಬ್ಬ ಸಿಹಿಯಾಗಿರಲಿ….

ಏರಿಸು ಹಾರಿಸು
ಕನ್ನಡದ ಬಾವುಟ
ಓಹೋ ಕನ್ನಡ ನಾಡು
ಆಹಾ ಕನ್ನಡ ನುಡಿ
ಹಾರಿಸು ತೋರಿಸು
ಕೆಚ್ಚೆದೆಯ ಬಾವುಟ
 – ಬಿ.ಎಂ.ಶ್ರೀ

ನಡುನಾಡೆ ಇರಲಿ ಗಡಿನಾಡೆ ಇರಲಿ
ಕನ್ನಡದ ಕಳೆಯ ಕೆಚ್ಚೇವು
ಮರೆತೇವು ಮರವ ತೆರೆದೇವು ಮನವ
ಎರೆದೇವು ಒಲವ ಹಿರಿನೆನಪಾ
ನರನರವನೆಲ್ಲ ಹುರಿಗೊಳಿಸಿ ಹೊಸೆದು
ಹಚ್ಚೇವು ಕನ್ನಡದ ದೀಪ
 -ಡಿ.ಎಸ್.ಕರ್ಕಿ

ನೀ ಮೆಟ್ಟುವ ನೆಲ ಅದೆ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ
ನೀನೇರುವ ಮಲೆ ಸಹ್ಯಾದ್ರಿ
ನೀ ಮುಟ್ಟುವ ಮರ ಶ್ರೀಗಂಧದ ಮರ
ನೀ ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರ್ ಕಾವೇರಿ
 -ಕುವೆಂಪು

ಹಸುರಿನ ಗಿರಿಗಳ ಮಲೆಗಳ ನಾಡೆ
ನದ ನದಿ ತೊರೆಗಳ ಪುಣ್ಯದ ಬೀಡೆ
ಖಗಮಿಗ ಮೃಗ ಕೋಗಿಲೆಗಳ ನಾಡೆ
ಗಂಧ ಸುಗಂಧದ ಪಾವನ ಬೀಡೆ
 -ಎಚ್.ಆರ್.ಲೀಲಾವತಿ

ಕನ್ನಡ ಜನ ಕನ್ನಡತನ
ಕನ್ನಡ ತನುಮನ
ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತು ಸುಂದರ
ಕನ್ನಡ ಮನಸು ಸುಂದರ
 -ಸಂಧ್ಯಾ ರವೀಂದ್ರನಾಥ್

MBA Is Life, Engineering Is A Lie

I have started to appreciate management skills and principles, like never before. Last week has been an eye-opener.

At the work front, nothing has changed. What made me respect management skills so much more is something which is happening at the personal front. Let me explain.

Three couples (including my wife and I) decided to present a variety show for the local Kannada organization’s upcoming program. I was the one who worked with the Kannada committee members to define and describe the program. I was the one who came up with bulk of the initial list of programs and I was the one who is doing most of the co-ordinating. In a nutshell, I ended up being the unofficial ‘leader’ of the group.

We have our first meeting to decide on the program format. We go home afetr finalizing the list. Next day, one person from our group calls my wife and wants to talk to her. This person’s qualm is that we are involving way too many people in the program and that six of us do not have enough ‘stage time’. And, she also wants to make sure that this program does not give rise to unnecessary ‘mis-understandings’ between us. She also suggests that the third couple in our team may also want to give a few solo performances. Basically, she says that my wife and I decided on the whole thing and we are thrusting it on them to accept it. She doesn’t say that it in as many words, but she intends to say that.

So, we have the meeting again. And, we find out that the third couple (who hadn’t opened their mouth until now) was actually very keen and interested in the way the program was already chalked out. That means that they were thinking on the same lines as we were. But, the second couple (who had talked to my wife) was in no mood to relent. I had to use all possible management tactics that I knew to make sure that the tempers didn’t flare. I did agree for the second couple to have their own time slot. Nobody had problems with that.

The next day, the organizers call me and tell me that we have too many songs in our show and we need to cut it. I tell them about the revised program list and they are happy. A few days after that, they call again saying that they still think that we have too much emphasis on music. I don’t get their logic. The same program was fine a few days back, and now it’s no longer acceptable (My wife has her own conspiracy theories about this, but I won’t get into the details).

As you can imagine, I had such a fun time co-ordinating the efforts and being the bridge between the organizing committee and the core group of six participants. This is just the first week. The actual program is not going to happen for another month.

Never again will I look at an MBA graduate with a “you talk nonsense and you make free money, what do you know about real work and technical orgasms” look. Managers, salut!!!

ಅಪ್ಪ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಗಣಪತಿ ಹಬ್ಬ

ಅಪ್ಪ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಗಣಪತಿ ಹಬ್ಬ, ಬೋಳು ಆಲದ ಮರದಂತೆ.
ಶುಭ್ರ ಮಗುಟ ಧರಿಸಿ ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆಯಿಂದ ಅವರು ಪೂಜಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ರೀತಿ, ಮಂತ್ರಘೋಷದ ಏರಿಳಿತಗಳಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಭಕ್ತಿ ರಸ…ಇನ್ನು ಬರಿ ನೆನಪಷ್ಟೆ.

ನನ್ನ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಹೇಳುವುದಾದರೆ, ಹಬ್ಬದ ಹಿಂದಿನ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಸೂರನ್ನೆ ದಿಟ್ಟಿಸುತ್ತಾ ನಿದ್ರಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದೆ. ಅಪ್ಪನ ನೆನಪು ತುಂಬ ಕಾಡುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಅತ್ತುಬಿಡಬೇಕು ಎಂದುಕೊಂಡೆ. ಅಳು ಬರಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಆದರೆ ದುಃಖ ಉಮ್ಮಳಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.

ಹಬ್ಬವೇ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಹಬ್ಬದ ದಿನ, ಮನಸ್ಸು ಮುದುಡಿ ಗೂಡು ಹೊಕ್ಕಿತ್ತು.
ಅಪ್ಪ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಗಣಪತಿ ಹಬ್ಬ, ಹಾರಲು ಮರೆತ ಹಕ್ಕಿಯಂತೆ.

When SOMEBODY Emails NOBODY, Who Is CRACK?

Nobody:

“My second preference has always been English. I will not talk in Hindi. I am still upset that I was forced to study Hindi over Sanskrit in school.”

It is silly to dislike a language just because you were forced to study it – if you do so, you join the bazillions Tamilians who put forth exactly that argument. If you refuse to converse in Hindi, you lose the opportunity to communicate with so many millions of our brethren!

Ciao

– Somebody

***************************************************************************************

Somebody,

OK, I am still laughing reading your mail 🙂

A few clarifications before I start:

1. I think Hindi is a beautiful language. It is
extremely melodious to ears.
2. I love listening to Hindi film songs and ghazals
and certainly appreciate the lyrics in there.
3. I have watched tons of Hindi movies and will
continue to do so.
4. I can read, write and understand Hindi extremely
well. I cannot speak well because I haven’t tried.
5. I watched Hindi serials regularly on DD and never
once watched a Kannada serial (if it helps this
argument!).

So, which question of yours didn’t I answer? I thought
I did answer everything. If I missed something, that
would be purely accidental.

The only statement I disagree with in your mail is:
“If you refuse to converse in Hindi, you lose the
opportunity to communicate with so many millions of
our brethren!”.

That argument is very generic. If a person cannot
speak Kannada, even he/she will not be able to
communicate with millions of their brethren!!! So,
that argument is flawed. It assumes
magically that somehow Hindi is above the other
languages, and that’s exactly where I disagree.

My mother studied in Kannada and English mediums. But,
she can read, write and understand Hindi extremenly
well. Why? Because she loves learning new languages.
She understands several Indian languages and easily
picked up Hindi when she went to visit her brothers
who were in North India. That is different.

As for me, I had taken Kannada as my first language in
school. I wanted to take Sanskrit as my third
language. Hell no. I HAD to take Hindi as either the
first or third language. Basically, it was forced down
my throat. Seriously, this reminds me of the Nazi era.
Since when did such cultural dominance become
acceptable?

My argument is simple. I will not accept Hindi as some
superior language than other Indian languages.

It just amazes me to see how people take me for
granted. There would be 10 South Indians at a party,
and a couple from Hindi heartland come in and
automatically start conversing in Hindi. Really?!?!?!
Give me a break.

Your viewpoints maybe certainly different. You seem to
be more comfortable in reading and writing Hindi than
Kannada. So, perhaps your idea of national integration
is for every Indian to talk in Hindi. I don’t know, I
am just guessing. You are certainly entitled to your
opinions, obviosuly.

But, I will not accept it under any terms. Forcing
anything on anyone is rape and there is nothing pure
about it.

As you can imagine, I am quite passionate when such
topics come up 🙂 I rest my case now. Let me go do
some work.

Maybe, I should have made this a blog post 🙂

Fun Always!
Nobody

Light

I just signed a consent letter for using one of my poems in an album. This time I am sure the music will be really nice since the music director is one of my favorites.

Here’s the song…oooops, just the lyrics:

ದೀಪ

ದೀಪಗಳ ಹಬ್ಬದಲಿ ಚಂದಿರನು ಸರಿದಾಗ
ಕಂಗಳನು ಸೆಳೆದದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನ ಹಣತೆ
ಒಲವಿನಂಗಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಮರೆಯಾದಾಗ
ಹೃದಯವನು ಮೀಟಿದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನ ಕವಿತೆ

ಭರವಸೆಯ ಶಿಖರದಲಿ ಸೋಲೆ ಗೆಲುವಾದಾಗ
ಕೈಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಸಿದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿ
ಪ್ರೇಮ ಮಂದಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಕ್ತಿ ಬರಿದಾದಾಗ
ಮನಸನ್ನು ಬೆಳಗಿದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನ ಕಾಂತಿ

ಯೌವ್ವನದ ಸುಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ದಿಕ್ಕು ಬದಲಾದಾಗ
ಹೆಜ್ಜೆಗಳ ಬೆಸೆದದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನ ಛಾಯೆ
ಸರಸ ಮಂಟಪದಲ್ಲಿ ರಸಕ್ರೀಡೆ ಮುಗಿದಾಗ
ದೇಹವನು ತಣಿಸಿದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನ ಮಾಯೆ

ಜೀವನದ ಪಯಣದಲಿ ನಾ ಒಂಟಿಯಾದಾಗ
ಆಸರೆಯ ನೀಡಿದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹ
ಕಾರ್ತೀಕದಿರುಳಿನಲಿ ನಾ ಕವಿತೆ ಬರೆದಾಗ
ಮೈಮನವು ಬಯಸಿದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನ ಮೋಹ