At Kanchi-1

 

(Note - As per Hindu Mythology) 

I realized that it was almost one year since I last travelled on train as the Circar Special express brought me to Chengalpattu Junction overlooking the picturesque Kolavai Lake. One 'Kaapi' later, I took the bus to Kanchi from Chengalpattu busstation which is just opposite the railway station. Language was never a problem - Andhra border is close by and Kanchi is a popular destination for many Telugu folks. The former Capital of Pallavas is famed for it's legendary and historical temples and Silk.  The bus station is located at the centre. Apart from Jaina and Buddha Kanchi which are located at the outskirts, Vishnu Kanchi marks the place where almost all major Vishnu temples are located and Siva Kanchi is that part of the City where major Shaiva shrines are located.  The municipality of Kanchi, established as Conjeevaram Municipality in 1897 is also now Distict Headquarters.  After checking into a decent and reasonable lodge room following a prolonged search, I wandered on the streets of Kanchi. 

Me at Karchapeswarar Temple

The First Day (13/02/2021)
The first thing to notice is that the timings of almost all major temples vary from 06:00 AM in the morning till 12:00 PM in the afternoon and again from 03:00 PM in the afternoon till 06:00 PM in the evening (some notable exceptions - till 08:30 PM). Firstly, I visited the Chitragupta Swamy temple, adjacent to my lodge room, perhaps the only temple of it's kind! A famous ritual is followed in this temple - offering of Seven lamps followed by making Seven Pradakshinas. Although the temple is historical, attributed to Medieval Cholas, it is small. A few feet opposite and at a visible distance, lies the temple of Karchapeeswarar, associated with the legend of Lord Vishnu, in his Kurma Avatar worshipping Lord Shiva. The temple is huge with an inbuilt tank and despite the heat outside (it was almost afternoon), the ambiance of the temple ensured a soothing coolness once inside! The temples of Tamil Nadu, in distinct Dravidian architecture are a sight for sore eyes! After a visit to the Kanchi Kudil Private Museum nearby, I took rest for the morning session.

 

Chitragupta Swamy Temple

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

At 3:00 PM in the afternoon, I took a share auto from the busstation to the Greatest temple among the 108 Divya Desams - the 11th Century (?) Varadaraja Perumal Temple. Spread over 23 acres, the formeost striking feature of this huge temple is the Hundred Pillared Hall located on the left side of the entrace. Words fail to describe the intricate stone work! The mula Viraat of Athi Varadhar / Varadaraja Perumal Swamy is in Yoga Nidra inside the temple tank and once in 40 years, for a period of 48 days, is brought outside and consecrated - an event known as the Raising of Athi Varadhar. The images inside the temple are partially damaged. The sanctum sanctorum of the Lord is located on an elevated floor whereas that of consort Goddess Perundevi Thayar is located below to the left side. Beside the sanctum santorum is the famous Lizard carving on the ceiling - one is not allowed to touch it unlike olden times. After that, I visited and prayed to Vamanamurthi Vishnu at the Ulagananda Perumal temple, which is adjacent to my room. Then, I had the great fortune of visiting the temple of Kanchi Kamakshi Amman. A form of Bala Tripura Sundari, as per a legend, Kanchi Kamakshi Amman prayed to Lord Shiva here under a Mango Tree. It was a great experience to look upon and pray to the graceful Goddess, seated in Padmasana. Thus has ended my first day!

Stone work at Hundred Pillared Hall

Varadaraja Perumal Temple

 

(To be continued...)

Veluvali Maheeth
At Kanchi-1 (13th & 14th, February 2021)
18/02/2021, - Palakollu.

కాంచీపుర దర్శనం-1

(Note - As per Hindu Mythology) 

సుమారు సంవత్సరం తర్వాత రైలు ప్రయాణం చేసిన నన్ను సర్కార్ కోవిడ్ స్పెషల్ ఎక్ష్ప్రెస్స్ ఆహ్లాదభరిత కోవాలాయి సరస్సు పక్కన వున్నా చెంగల్పట్టు జంక్షన్ వద్ద దింపింది. బయటపడి, ఒక 'కాపీ' సేవించి, ఎదురుకుండానే వున్న బస్స్టేషన్ కి వెళ్లి, రోడ్డు మార్గాన్న కంచి ని బస్సులో చేరాను. తమిళం పూర్తిగా రాకపోయినా, అర్ధం చేసుకోగలను - పైగా, ఈ ప్రాంతం ఆంధ్ర సరిహద్దు కి దగ్గర, ఎంతో మంది తెలుగు వారి నిత్యం వచ్చి పోతూవుంటారు - కావున భాష సమస్యే కాదు. పల్లవుల అలనాటి రాజధాని అయిన కంచి పురాతన, ప్రసిద్ధ దేవాలయాలకు, సిల్క్ చీరలకు ప్రతీతి.  ప్రధాన బస్టేషన్ కూడా నగరం నడి  బొడ్డున వుంది.  కాంచిపురన్న వైష్ణవ దేవాలయాలన్నీ వున్నా ప్రాంతం విష్ణు కంచి గాను, శైవ దేవాలయాలన్నీ వున్నా ప్రాంతం శివ కంచి గాను పిలుస్తారు. ఇవే కాక,. ద్రావిడ సాంప్రదాయం లో కట్టిన జైన దేవాలయాలు కూడా నగరం అవతల కలవు. 1897 లో ఏర్పడిన కంచి పురపాలక సంఘం ఇప్పుడు జిల్లా హెడ్ క్వార్టర్స్.  ఒక చిన్నపాటి లాడ్జి రూము తీస్కుని (రెండవ శనివారం కావున ఎక్కువ సేపు పట్టింది), కాంచీపుర రాజా వీధులలో నిమ్మిత్తమాత్రుడనై పడ్డాను. 

 

Me at Karchapeswarar Temple

మొదటి రోజు (13/02/2021)
ముందుగా గుర్తుపెట్టుకోవాల్సిన  విషయం, ఇక్కడ అన్ని ప్రసిద్ధ దేవాలయాలు ఉదయం 06:00 గం నుండి నుండి మధ్యాన్నం 12:00 గం వరకు, తిరిగి మధ్యాన్నం 03:00 గం నుండి సాయంత్రం 06:00 గం (కొన్ని సుమారు రాత్రి 08:30 గం' వరకు) వరకు తెరిచి ఉంటాయి. లాడ్జి కి మూడు రూముల అవతలి వున్న చిత్రగుప్తాస్వామి గుడిని ముందర దర్శించాను. బహుశా చిత్రగుప్తునికి వున్న ఏకైక గుడి ఇదేనెమో! సప్త దీపాలు సమర్పించి, కలము, దస్త్రములు చేతబూనిన మూలవిరాట్ చుట్టూరా ఏడు  ప్రదక్షిణాలు చేసిన మంచిదని ఇక్కడి ప్రతీతి. చాలా పురాతనమైనదైనా, చిన్న గుడి. కాస్త ముందరే కార్చపీశ్వరుని గుడిని దర్శించాను. కూర్మావతార అయిన విష్ణుమూర్తి శివపూజ చేసినట్టుగా చెపుతారు. ఈ గుడి చాలా విశాలమైనది, కోనేరు కలదినూ, బయట మిట్ట మధ్యాన్నం ఎండ గా వున్నా కూడా, గుడి లోపల విశాలమైన ప్రాంగణం లో ఎత్తైన స్థంబాల మధ్య ఎంతో ఆహ్లాదంగా, చల్లగా అనిపించింది. తమిళనాట ద్రావిడ సాంప్రదాయన కట్టిన గుళ్ళు ఎంతో విశాలమైనవి! తర్వాత దగ్గరలోనే వున్నా కంచి కుడిల్ అనే ఒక ప్రయివేట్ మ్యూజియం ని సందర్శించాను. అక్కడి తో మొదటి రోజు మధ్యాన్నం సమయం సుమారు 12:30 అయింది. 

 

Chitragupta Swamy Temple

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

మధ్యాన్నం 03:00 గం' లకు షేర్ ఆటో మీద 108 వైష్ణవ దివ్యదేశాలన్నిటి లోకి సుప్రసిద్ధమైన వరదరాజ పెరుమాళ్ దేవాలయాన్ని (11వ శతాబ్దం) సందర్శించాను. 23 ఎకరాల విస్తీర్ణం కల్గిన ఈ దేవాలయం లోకి అడుగిడిన వెంటనే ఎడమ వైపు విజయనగర రాజులు కట్టించిన వంద స్థంబాల మండపం ఒక ప్రత్యేక ఆకర్షణ. ఆ శిల్ప కళా వైభవం వర్ణనాతీతం. మండపం పక్కనే వున్న కోనేరు లో యోగ నిద్ర లో వున్న మూల విరాట్ ని ప్రతి 40 ఏళ్ళకు ఒకసారి, 48 రోజుల పాటు ప్రధాన గుడి లో ప్రతిష్టించి పూజలు చేస్తారు. లోపల ప్రధాన దేవాలయం లో కుడ్య చిత్రాలు చాలా వరకూ పాడైపోయాయి. వరదరాజ పెరుమాళ్ స్వామి గర్భ గుడి మొదటి అంతస్థు లో, పేరుందేవి తాయారు గుడి కొంచెం కింద ఎడమ వైపు కలవు. గర్భాలయం వెనకాలే ప్రసిద్ధ బల్లి శిల్పం గలదు - ఇది ఇప్పుడు ముట్టుకోలేము, కేవలం చూడడం మాత్రమే. తర్వాత మళ్ళీ బస్టేషన్ వైపు షేర్ ఆటో మీద వచ్చి, దగ్గర లోనే వున్న వామమూర్తి అవతారిఐన ఉలగానంద పెరుమాళ్ గుడిని దర్శించాను. అటుపైన, పద్మాసనం లో ప్రసన్నంగా విరాజిల్లిన కామాక్షి అమ్మవారి దర్శన భాగ్యం కల్గినిది. బాలాత్రిపుర సుందరి స్వరూపిణి అయిన కామాక్షి అమ్మావారు ఇక్కడి శివుని గూర్చి ఒక మామిడిచెట్టు కింద తపస్సు చేసారని ప్రతీతి. సాయంత్రం వేళ, రద్దీగా వున్నా కూడా, చక్కటి లైటెనింగ్ కాంతులలో కామాక్షి అమ్మవారి గుడి, కోనేరు, గాయత్రీ మండపం చూడడం ఒక చక్కని అనుభూతి. ఆ విధంగా మొదటి రోజు గడిచినిది.

Stone work at Hundred Pillared Hall

Varadaraja Perumal Temple

 

(To be continued...)

వెలువలి మహీత్
కాంచీపుర దర్శనం-1 (13 & 14వ తేదీలు, ఫిబ్రవరి 2021)
18/02/2021, - పాలకొల్లు.

The Fall of Golconda

(In the late seventeenth century, 'Zindapir' Alamgir Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor finally conquered Qutub Shahi Sultanate after a prolonged and pyrhhic siege of Golconda, finally realizing the Century old fantasy of direct Mughal Imperial domination over Deccan, however short lived. In his own words after the fall of Golconda...)

 

Aurangzeb at Siege of Golconda - from A.Truschke's book

Day in and day out, the flames of ambition kept me alive, 

and the lust for conquest is a desire that made me thrive.

What disdain men had for me, despite me brimming with competence

and what mockery women made of me, when I simply abhorred the opulence!

 

O Proud Princes of the Deccan, look how I smashed your pride, 

as my Mansabdars and Musketeers persisted and tricked.

The Diamonds of Krishna are of no value to the Shahs of South, 

as my cannons chipped your fort, brick by brick, in a battle so foul!

 

When strength deserted my troops, I carried on and on and on, 

Patient and pious, yet I imposed my imperial will for a cause long forgone. 

In future, My travails and travels would be laughed upon,

But the legacy of the Great Mughals is not forlorn!

 

 

Poem - The Fall of Golconda 

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Friday, 29th of January, 2021.,

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, 

Palakollu,.

At the Museum

The Central Hall

Inside the Central Hall

Located on Bandar Road of Vijayawada, Bapu Museum (formerly Victoria Jubilee Museum) stands like a blast from the past. It was almost ten years ago that I chanced upon this building. The sad thing was that this was always under renovation/off limits, perpetually so. But, I got to visit this underrated museum on 3rd of January, Sunday. I have always had a feeling that Vijayawada could've been a better city - with a lots of tourism potential - perhaps the only true Andhra City that could match Chennai or Bengaluru in the distant future. Yet, the cultural and historical legacy of the city went for a toss, as is evident with the horrible maintenance of Moghalrajapuram caves and Akkanna Madanna Caves. When we seek culture merely as a form of entertainment and look up to the Past only as a source of manipulating emotions, we could never realize the inherent greatness bestowed upon us.

The Persian Artist by AR Chugtai - Painting

Dutch Epitaph Tomb

It was way back in 1887 that Robert Sewell, the then District Collector of Krishna inaugurated this Museum, originally as a part of Industrial Exhibition. In 1926, the Museum premises housed the first campus of Andhra University. The local Zamindars rendered yeoman services to the cause of the museum. Substantial renovations were made in 1962 and 2015. But, perhaps the greatest hours of the Museum was when history was made on 31st March and 1st April of 1921! At the Central Hall of the museum built in Victorian style, on the sidelines of the Special Annual Congress Session, Sri Pingali Venkayya garu, a famous telugu freedom fighter designed the Indian National Flag and presented it to Mahatma Gandhiji in the presence of other luminaries. The flag was the precursor of the present day Indian Tricolour. I felt really fortunate and humbled!

The Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra

Sculpture of Satyabhama

The name Bapu refers to Sri Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana garu, an acclaimed Director and creative intellectual from Andhra Pradesh - the change in name was made in 2015. To the central hall's left, there is another building which housed the artifacts. On the ground floor, there are various impressive sculptures categorized into Jaina/Buddhist and Hindu themes along with Prehistoric tools and weapons discovered in adjacent villages. On the top floor, there are separate galleries for contemporary art, medieval warfare, numismatics and inscriptions. The application of Information Technology and the concept of Virtual Museum is impressive. On the lawns of the Museum, there are many idols and inscriptions from the past. I was surprised to find Tombstone Epitaphs in Dutch from my home town, Palakollu, which harks back to the colonial past.  

The Entrance

Application of IT and Virtual Museum concept

 

 

Name - Bapu Museum (formerly Victoria Jubilee Museum), Bandar Road, Vijayawada

Entry - Rs.50/- per head (Indian), Rs.200/- per head (Camera), Rs.1000/- per head (Foreigner/Video Camera) 

Timings - 10:30 AM - 05:00 PM everyday including Sundays, but closed on Fridays and other National Holidays.

Visited On - 03/01/21, Sunday.     

 

 

 

 

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Wednesday, 6th of January, 2021.

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu.

My twenty twenty

An year passed, and passed fast, a challenging and damning one, 

And it is time to take stock of my crushed dreams and betrayed hopes.

Like the wheels of Lord Jagannath's chariot, time marches on and on, 

and in it's great vortex, my emotions run dry without steam. 

 

With my condescending conscience, I fought new and bloody battles, 

and in an arena set for bloated egos, my bruised self respect stood unbowed.

When legends trembled and trolls laughed at my chances skittled, 

day in and day out, I showed up, and stood to face the Covid Dragon, unmoved.  

 

In Samalkot of the Winter's past, I got to speak at the blessed Lord's temple, 

And, new alliances forged and formed as new lessons were learnt from mistakes made. 

Few little crimes committed for many lofty elusive ideals, so elite and ample, 

matched those fleeting moments of pleasure that I always dreamt, but never had.

 

Battered by the banality of life, I sought refuge in solitude, 

caressed by the twilight of struggle, I was all at risk and not safe.

In books and dreams, I lived and died, I laughed and cried,

away from the scorched reality that offered no kiss of life. 

 

And twenty twenty, the year of vision that  turned rapidly into an unkept promise, 

made me rich and poor, cursed and blessed alike like the hero of The Thousand Hoods. 

What new joy and sorrow awaits me, what challenge turns me into a champion?

Well, towards 2021, I walk, a new sojourn with an old passion.  

Veluvali Maheeth, 

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu, 

Thursday, 31st of December, 2020.  

 

Winter's Warmth

A winter morning at the municipal tank of Palakollu

That behemoth of winter has set in November, fraught with cold chill,

and the new season arrives with no fanfare, no outward thrill.

Weaver birds, sparrows and parrots - all early birds gather at the Tank, 

under the dull blue sky, when the Sun plays hide and seek, setting a feverish prank.

Books and boorish weather are a perfect match made in heaven, 

The scorching summer and the rapturous rains have long gone, without a question.

A thin sliver of lethargy creeps into mounting ambition, 

As dreams and visions clash with a reality obsessed with perfection.

Time moves at a rapid pace but with a veneer of leisure,

and an air of indifference joins a soul seeking pleasure.

But, winter offers me a kiss of bliss that sets my raging heart at ease,

and in the comforts of her gaze, my restless mind finds a soothing solace

And, winter cuddles me with all her charm and warmth, 

and in her cherished embrace, may all my pleasures be confirmed.   

Poem - Winter's Warmth

Veluvali Maheeth, 

Palakollu - Thursday, 5th of November, 2020.

Our Colonel has fallen

(On 15th of June, 2020 Indian soldiers of 16 Bihar Regiment were forced to confront the intruding Chinese armed forces in Galwan valley. As grisly details emerged later on, after six hours of intense fighting, 20 Indian soldiers were martyred, including the commanding officer on field, Colonel Santosh Babu. This poem is a tribute to the brave men who made the supreme sacrifice)

 

Col. Santosh Babu - Image Credit unkown 

Tents perched atop the heights of Ladakh mocked the talks that happened, 
blowing hot and cold, breathing fire and fury, the Dragon's done mapping.
When the durbar of Delhi was ill-prepared for the assault, 
Sun Tzu struck sneakily and rubbed a terrible wound with salt.
 
With so little backup but so much at stake, brave men marched to the front;
O sons of heaven, o masters of Asia, be prepared for the righteous brunt. 
And those lofty mountains witnessed the clash that unfolded, 
as the enemies snooped southwards, and with terror, the arena exploded. 
 
Out-manned in a brazen barbarous attack, the men fought, so brave and calm. 
But for the loss that followed, what gods would offer the best balm? 
O dear colonel - our colonel has fallen; along with his loyal troops bloody but unbowed
O Galwan river, carry those fallen with respect; and for the supreme sacrifice, our entire nation bowed.

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Saturday - 29/08/2020, 

Palakollu,.

The Temple of Vontimitta

 

Talambralu Scene of Sita Rama Kalyanam

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Place

Vontimitta/Ekasilanagaram is a small village located in Rajampeta Mandal of Kadapa district. The Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy temple of Vontimitta is a famous and historical temple dedicated to Lord Shri Ram. Mythologically, this place is associated with the Hindu Epic Ramayana. It was assumed that Lord Shri Ram visited this place during his Vanavas along with Goddess Sita and Lakshmana. The temple was allegedly built by Vontadu and Mittadu - two robbers who repented. However, historically the temple owes it's origin to the Rayas of Vijaynagar and probably their feudal vassals in 16th Century CE, even though some view it as belonging to a much earlier Chola period. There are some sources which identify this village with the legendary Ekasilanagaram - home town of perhaps one of the greatest Telugu poets of all time, Bammera Potana. Infact, this temple is associated with many poets and scholars - an impressive achievement in itself! Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu - one among the Ashtadiggajas of Sri Krishna DevaRaya's assembly Bhuvana Vijayam, the iconic composer Annamayya, French gem merchent and traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier - the list of admirers of this temple is impressive! Post bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh (2014), when Bhadrachalam became a part of Telangana, the state government of Andhra Pradesh started giving prominence to this temple. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) took over the management of the temple in 2015 and the state government of Andhra Pradesh started patronizing Vontimitta temple as the official venue of the annual festival of Sri Ramanavami festival.

Beautiful Sculptures at Ranga Mandapa

The temple has some interesting features that endear the devout and the tourist in equal measure. The spacious temple is well endowed with three Gopurams and two adjacent Ponds (Ramateertham and Lakshmanateertham). On the walls abutting the Main Gopuram (entrance), beautiful sculptures and reliefs are carved. These deal with various motives - tales from the Ramayana, Sita-Rama Kalyanam depicting the Telugu marriage rituals like Talambralu, and a not so grand Rishabha Kunjara that was obivously inspired from Darasuram. Once inside, the Garbha Griha and Antaralya protected by a Dravida style Vimana are located within a large rectangular Ranga Mandapa - symbolic of Vijayanagara temples. Within the Ranga Mandapa are exquiste pillars caved with the figures of the mythical Yali - another hallmark of Vijayanagara architecture. Carvings depicting tales from Bhagavatam, Ramayana are also found witin the Ranga Mandapa. The idols of Lord Shri Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana in the sanctum sanctorum are monolithic and beautiful. Outside the Ranga Mandapa, two separate Mandpas (Garuda) are located. A few inscriptions can be found too. Another interesting feature is the notable absense of temple/shrine for Lord Hanuman within the premises of the main temple. It was really a wonderful and spiritual experience visiting this histoical temple!

Yali

Tips 

1. The village of Vontimitta is located on Kadapa - Rajampet Road and is well connected by buses from Kadapa and Rajampet. It is 25 Kms away from Kadapa, and share autos/Taxis/Tata Aces regularly ply to and from Kadapa, Bhakarapeta and Rajampet. 

2.Photography is stricly prohibited in the Sanctum Sanctorum and in the central hall i.e, Ranga Mandapa. 

3. The temple attendant staff may be rude at times - If the government really wishes to sponsor tourism, it should take an urgent sensitization drive for it's employees. One can't just go on and enjoy world class sculptures when he/she cannot even find where the chappal stand is! 

 

Rishabha Kunjara - Bull or Elephant? - Fascinating optical illusion

The Temple

Maheeth Veluvali,

Sunday - 16th of August, 2020,

Vontimitta (Kadapa)

Dhoni - A Tribute

Dhoni in action - ICC CWC Final, 2011 - Credits to Sportstar, The Hindu

 

April  2005 - Pakistan were touring India, and the stage was set for the second ODI at Vizag's ACA-VDCA Stadium (Much later, the stadium was renamed as Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium). During the first innings i.e, Indian innings - at one down, the new wicket-keeper was promoted. The only problem I had that day, as with many other people who watched the game, was with the name. It must be Tony, I heard as my junior class boys raved about his batting. It was the beginning of a cult - Mahendra Singh Dhoni! Cricket in India is a sacrificial arena where new Gods are born and old Gods whither - the eleven Gods were expected to entertain and perform every single day. Heroic exploits on field were cherished but winning games - something that we lagged then, didn't seem to bother us. But the new boy was exhilarating. His carefree batting did not confirm to bookish standards and that was all that mattered, or so it seemed...

 

September 2007 - The 50 over World Cup was a disaster for India. After a tragic but necessary turn of events, Dhoni was made the Captain of the T-20 World Cup team. And the era of captain cool had just begun! This was when I truly learnt that all the aggression, rage, intent in the world is nothing when you don't possess a cool and calming brain - the ability to remain level headed and be dictated by logic rather than emotions. And how would I forget the final with the arch-rivals - I was in my Intermediate - AP residential junior college at Nagarjuna Sagar. We got to listen to the dying moments of the game, thanks to the cell phones and radios of our lecturers, and as Ravi Shastri started shouting 'Andd there is Shreeshaaaant....!', we went berserk with joy. What calculated gambles that man behind the stumps took that day! And something strange happened - his calmness rubbed off - we started winning games big time. I'm not an expert to discern if India really had the right balanced team at that point of time, but some if not the greater part of the credit goes to the Captain cool. From 2008 till 2011, Team India had a steady rise. And, the new hero, thanks to the nerves of steel,  marked himself with distinction as a finisher sharing the likes of Michael Beavan - a desperate role India needed in ODIs. 

April 2011 - It was the World Cup Final. I've had to work that day, and for the greater part of the Indian innings (Night), I was in a buss that took me from my work place Vijayawada to my home town Palakollu. I missed most of the Mahi magic that went on at Wankhade, on live. But, what a day it was as India lifted the cup! And again, those riveting words of Ravi Shastri, 'Dhooni finishes it off in style' still ring in my ears. Life came a full circle for the hard core Indian cricket fans. And the man of the moment didn't hog any limelight - a lesson in class!

 

August 2020 - Dhoni went on to lift the 2013 Champions Trophy on behalf of India - the only captain till date to hold all the three ICC trophies - World Cup, T-20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. Over time, he became more cautious in his batting - a usual trait of a senior middle order batsman. He became the poster boy of IPL. His performance behind the wickets however got better. And one fine day in Manchester, as India was simply outclassed by New zealand, his cautious but valiant efforts ended in a heart breaking run-out. I was passing through the city  (Vijayawada)  where I missed Dhoni's exploits of 2011 World Cup Final, when a quick check on twitter confirmed the news that was doing rounds as a rumour since so long - the retirement of Dhoni. And a whiff of nostalgia descended upon me. 

 

Thank you Dhoni!

 

 

 

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Monday - 17th of August, 2020.

Palakollu,.

 

A little empathy

(On the eve of The World Environment day 2020 - 5th of June - Theme : It is the time for nature)

The Home Sapien i.e, Man (and woman, of course) is a wonderful creature. We are impatient & biased Judges who seethe with rage and anger on a daily basis, we are condescending doomsday prophets who revel in a bubble of narcissism and negativity. In our pursuit of happiness, we fail to recognize the fragility of the environment all around us.

Indeed, Our achievements truly sets us apart from the nature that we belong. Our narrow and myopic vision continues to define the world we shape and see as a giant box of toys to be played with by an ever crying child that refuses to grow up. From the shell of a endangered Turtle to the tooth of a mighty Tiger, our exploits and conquests far exceed our needs.

But, is it all lost and irreversible? No...

Very often, in our ability to be attracted to failures and negativity, we lose sight of  the few positive things that we achieved - not for our selfish purposes, but for the benefit of our beloved Mother Earth. The universal acceptance of the Montreal Protocol - a resounding success story of reclamation of Ozone layer, enhanced conservation of wetlands like Chilika Lake, better preservation of Red Sanders Trees in Andhra Pradesh - to name a few. The Paris Climate change, assuming even a part of the deal would be successful, would be a game changer.

In the end, it's all about a little empathy - a little heart. In the end, it's not a question of something that's happening very far away - it's not a remote phenomenon in the Amazon rainforests of Brazil or the grasslands of Australia - these are not mere news articles. I could never hear the call of a Macaw in the Amazon, but the song of the Koel in my background sends a thrill down my heart.  And yet, I believe the famous saying of the Indian Scriptures, Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (The World as one family) to be true and relevant for all times!

It is indeed the time for nature, not to exploit, but to think, feel and act, with a little empathy!