అంతర్మథనం

(Tribute to PV Narasimha Rao on his birth centenary)

డిసెంబర్ 2004
ఇంక నా జీవితం ముగుస్తోంది. వచ్చిపోయే వారిని గుర్తుపట్టడం కష్టం గా వుంది. పెరిగిపోయిన కోర్టు కేసుల్ని ఎదుర్కోవడానికి అప్పోయింట్ చేసిన మా ప్లీడర్ గారు ధరించిన నల్లని కోటు లో నలుపు మాదిరి ఒక కారు చీకటి ఎప్పుడూ కమ్మేస్తోంది నా ఆలోచనల్ని. కేసులు అంటే గుర్తుకి వచ్చింది. ఇంకా ఎన్ని కేసులు మిగిలాయి? అవి నేను గెల్చానా? ఓడిపోయానా? గుర్తుకి రావట్లేదు.  ఆలోచనలు పరిపరివిధాల పోతున్నాయి. అసలు ఏది ఆరంభం? ఏది అంతం!
ఎక్కడ మొదలైంది ఈ ప్రయాణం? ఎన్ని మజిలీలు? త్రిపురీ సభ లో పండిట్ నెహ్రు గారి ప్రసంగం విని నైజం ప్రభుత్వం పై కదం తొక్కింది నేనే నా? అది త్రిపురీ సభా? హరిపూరీ సభా? గుర్తుకి రావట్లేదు. హై కమాండ్ ఉద్దేశాన్ని పూర్తిగా తెలుసుకోలేక, భూ సంస్కరణలు ప్రవేశపెట్టి, పదవి కోల్పోతే, ఆహా, ఒక ముళ్ళ కిరీటం తల మీంచి తీసినట్టు అయింది. అది 1971 ఆ ? 1973 ఆ ? గుర్తు లేదు....

భాషలు నేర్చుకునేకొద్దీ మౌనం లో వున్న మాధుర్యాన్ని, నియంతృత్వ పోకడలు కల్గిన నాయకుల తో మెలిగిన కొద్దీ consensus decision making లో వుండే అందాన్ని, inevitability ని సుకుమారంగా గ్రహించాను. నూతనోత్తేజం నిండింది 80 వ దశకపు భారతావని లో, నా సన్యాసానికి ఇంకా మార్గం సుగమమైంది. కానీ విధి విచిత్రం. నవ్వినా నాప చేనే పండింది. ఏమి తెలుసు నాకు ఆర్ధిక  వ్యవస్థ గురించి - ఆర్ధిక శాస్త్రాన్ని ఎప్పుడూ లెక్కకట్టలేదు. లెక్కకట్టాల్సిన అవసరం వచ్చింది. పది మంది సభ్యుల మద్దతు లేక ఎప్పుడు పడిపోతుందో తెలీని నా హయం లో సంస్కరణలు అసలు ఎలా జరిగాయి? అది ఒక అబ్భుతమా? అందున, నా పాత్ర నామమాత్రమేనా? రాజ్యంగ నిర్మాత డా.అంబెడ్కర్ గారు అభివర్ణించినట్టు, మన దేశం నిజం గా ఒక Indestructible Union యేనేమో.  తూర్పు వైపు చూడమని, అగ్రరాజ్యాల వాంఛలకు తలొగ్గకుండా, పొరిగింటి వారికి పాఠాలు చెప్తున్నప్పుడు ఎంతో హాయిగా అనిపించింది. ఢిల్లీ రాజా వీధుల లో పంజాబ్ కార్యకర్తలు 'పీవీ నరసింహ రావు కి జై' అని జై జైలు పలుకుతువుంటే, వేరెవరైనా పులకరించిపోయేవారే - కానీ అట్టి పొగడ్తలు, భౌతిక శుఖాలు నా లో అంతర్మథనాన్ని ఆపలేకపోయాయి.

అది 1996 ఆ ? 1998 ఆ ? గుర్తు లేదు - టికెట్టు కేటాయించలేదు నాకు. రోజులు మారాయి. మనుషులు వస్తారు, పోతారు,వ్యవస్థే శాశ్వతం! నమ్మిన వారు నట్టేట ముంచారు. ఇంకెంతకాలమో జీవితమనే ఈ వ్యధ . నా పాత్ర ముగిసింది. కానీ నా లో ఇంకా ఆ అంతర్మథనం ఆగలేదు!

అంతర్మథనం - Tribute to PV Narasimha Rao on his birth centenary (Telugu)

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Monday, 28th of June, 2021

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu.

Catharsis

(To whomsoever it may concern)

My World’s an ugly truth & your world’s a beautiful lie,

I knew I’d end up dejected no matter how hard I try!

How cruel and deceptive is reality, and how I assumed I was smart;

The dreams that I built got locked stoically in my heart.

Yesterday, when the cuckoo sang an ode to your beauty,

Then paling in your presence, the reddest Roses writhed in jealousy.

Me, a mundane creature lost in the travails of daily life,

How wrong for a mortal to gaze upon a Star so bright and right, it’s ripe for strife!

But the pains that I endured and the smiles that I generated

Would pale as I failed to conquer the one heart that mattered,

All the trysts we had and the hopes that I entertained,

Would all be shadows and dust in the fell clutch of feeling nothing.

But, Darling, consign all the melancholy and nostalgia to me,

As I look up to the heavens that are blessed with your charming grace.

In the lonely days and longing nights that follow, I smile and cry,

For the little things that mattered, the memories we made, pleasures even Gods couldn’t deny!

 

 

Poem - Catharsis

Maheeth Veluvali, 

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,.

Saturday - 15th of May, 2021.

Tribute to an unknown spy

"..At the risk of violating a cardinal rule of intelligence, it might also be the opportune moment to pay a silent tribute to one of the most outstanding secret agents of recent times, whose name and pseudonym will, however, have to remain a secret, but whose exploits were no less than that of the most celebrated spy of World War II, Richard Sorge."

- An article in The Hindu dated 26 April, 2021 by MK Narayanan, former director of Intelligence Bureau, (inter alia) paying tribute to an as yet unknown, classified spy who worked for India during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. The poem is a tribute to the unknown spy.

 

 

Away from the glare of public, where false heroes rise and fall everyday,

bereft of the crazy romanticism that shatters focus in every way, 

what silent deeds committed by little men makes things work?

In the mundane shadows of daily life, what dangers lurk? 

Over the waters of Bay of Bengal, when the seventh fleet arrived with superb speed,

and Searchlight launched to destroy and bleed Bengal of the hoary past, 

Then, in those troubled times, a young nation rose with a unified voice, 

A game of skill and nerves of steel was played, nothing left to chance. 

 

O unknown spy, I bow to your service in troubled times, 

What scale could measure your worth, in an era of war crimes?

The greatest secret is better kept that way, the best hero is one unknown, 

and when the issues of nation matter, covers remained unlbown.

 

It is a grateful nation that offers tribute to you, 

It matters not what we speak, and what was due, 

It only mattered what you did there, however little and unsung, 

for those silent deeds of a spy made a difference and packed a sting.

 

 

Poem - "Tribute to an Unkown Spy" based on an article written by  MK Narayanan, former director of Intelligence Bureau, (inter alia) paying tribute to an as yet unknown, classified spy who worked for India during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. 

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Monday - 26th of April, 2021,.

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,.

But, all alone I dreamed,

Way past midnight, I dreamed a dream that no one dared dream, 

as panic gave way for peace, there was no talk of the doom

for a hundred thousand oxygen tankers ran to the rescue of ailing ones,

But, all alone I dreamed, for dawn came damning millions  

Yesterday, I was a besotted hero, today I was barricaded by fate

A prisoner of my own thoughts, a pensioner of my testy past

The tonnes of fake news, disinformation failed to make me cry

But, all alone I dreamed, like a lake that's sunk, a river that's dry.

Way past midnight, when nightmares dominate, I dreamed a dream

Of a happy present, to live in the moment, a call for carpe diem.

behold, bliss beyond the scope of logic and filters of feelings...

But, all alone I dreamed, for I lost track of reality and it's trappings.

Pride of the pristine past? What good does it do to a raging heart?

Promise of a fabulous future? What comfort it gives to a restless mind? 
The tryst with destiny turned into a mirage of cruelty
But, all alone I dreamed, for that dream is a work of art, a true beauty!  

"But, all alone I dreamed," - Poem (English)

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Sunday - 25th of April, 2021

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,

My Vaccine Experience

Certificate

Covid Vaccination - The story so far...

The standard textbook definition of a vaccine is that it's a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease. Vaccination as a strategic policy was responsible for the global elimination of Small-Pox and continues to play a key role in man's fight against various infectious diseases. In the present context of Covid pandemic, India has emerged as a Global Pharmacy with it's twin policies of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vaccine Maitri. Two patented vaccines for covid are now in usage - Covishield (Astrazeneca + Oxford, Weakened vaccine) and Covaxin (Indigenous, Bharat Biotech Ltd, Inactivated vaccine). Almost all serological survey reports point to the importance of vaccination to acquire herd immunity against Covid.

 

CHC, Palakollu - First Dose

 

My Experience (Covishield)

I had my first dose of vaccine shot on 17th of February, 2021 at CHC of Palakollu. The process to register was smooth and effortless. I did not have any specific adverse reaction. I had fever (in three bouts) and body pains for the next day - like many others who took the vaccine. After a mandatory gap of 28 days, I had my second shot at PHC of Lankalakoderu on 19th of March, 2021. The second time, I felt nothing even remotely amiss or adverse. 

 

PHC, Lankalakoderu - Second Dose

 

Vaccine Hesitancy

After vaccination, one should stay for a period of almost 30 minutes under the observation of Nurses at a separately designated room in CHC/PHC so that any adverse events following immunization (AEFI) can be monitored. Vaccine hesitancy is a problem which is plaguing us right now. It is not advisable for People with chronic heart/brain diseases, too old people, those with a history of adverse vaccine reactions viz pencillin, pregnant and lactating women to take the vaccine, but for others there's not a valid reason to miss the opportunity at a time when Covid cases are on the rise again. However, I have no expertise to coax people to get vaccinated, the onus is on each one of us as well as the Health department to dispel any rumors. Right now, a window is open for senior citizens to get vaccinated.  In this regard, the novel steps taken by the Government of Andhra Pradesh must be appreciated - involving Ward & Village Secretariats in online registration, well planned approach of utilizing all PHCs, CHCs and medical staff etc,  

 

 

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Saturday - 20eth of March, 2021, 

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu.

An ode to her

The Sun rises after she rose, and then begins a battle with questions and perceptions, 

If only ambitions and dreams can be neatly packed like those lunch boxes.

While the scriptures of yore ordained respect for women, 

there was a shrill echo all around - "Respect? there shall be none."  

With or without the support of the near and dear, 

inch by inch, spaces were carved and niches were made.

Somewhere, A Satyabhama slew Narakasur, a Joan of Arc shook the British,

Elsewhere, A Mother Theresa served the poor, a Sudha Murthy taught and wrote with flourish.

 

Yet some other place, she remains unknown, a synonym of sacrifice from start to finish. 

Ignorant of the dumb stereotypes laid by dumber people all around her; she multitasks as a silent witness.

What noble thoughts emerge from her selfless mind, what great deeds are made by her everyday -

The words of the greatest poets couldn't fathom the depths of such love and affection, in any way!

 

Poem - "An ode to her" - on the eve of International Women's Day 2021 -  Not surprisingly, the idea of an International Women's day has a global and leftist origin. At the dawn of the 20eth Century, it was the German delegates at a Socialist conference in USA who first proposed such an idea. Later, when USSR proclaimed and issued voting rights to women, the idea caught up as a concrete celebration. After the rise of the feminist movement in 1960s, in 1977, UN started celebrating March 8th as International Women's day. For the year 2021, the official theme of the event is 'Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 World.' The Governments of India and Andhra Pradesh took a slew of measures towards that lofty goal of Women Empowerment, still a distant dream, one that hinges on perception as well as ground reality. 

Maheeth Veluvali,

Monday, 8th of March, 2021, 

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu.

From Salary, with Love, to Petrol!

(My heart skipped a beat when I looked at the reading of the Petrol Bunk -  1.03 Litre(s) for Rs.100/-! This was how 'salary' reacted poetically to the growth of his beloved, unreachable and unapproachable 'petrol')

In the times of Fire and Wheel, ours is a tryst set by the masses;

Me, a middle class dreamer and you, the fantastic fuel of all classes!

A darling made dearer by the Arab Crisis and unknown higher levies,

and so, each passing day takes you away from my reach. 

 

Why so serious? Why so aloof and why so ambitious? 

Even the stars of the sky bow before my master's aspirations.

If only you knew how much of me you've taken and torn apart;

if only you'd come down once lest we be forced to take the ancient cart.

 

To gain your favor and seek your blessings, treaties are made and wars are fought..

Alas, I could make none, for I am a mere pawn trapped and caught. 

You grow and glow like a heartless giant, but I have a larger heart.

Heed to me and fall, my dear, and you will see for yourself, a connoisseur's art! 

(From Salary, with Love, to Petrol!)

Poem/Allegory - English

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Monday, 1st of March, 2021,.

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu.

At Kanchi - 2

(Continued...)

Note - As per Hindu Mythology

The Second Day (14/02/2021)
The second day had begun with my visit to Ekambranathar Temple, the largest Shaiva temple of Kanchi. As per a belief, the Mango Tree under which Goddess Kamakshi performed a penance for Lord Shiva is located on the temple premises. This temple of Lord Shiva is associated with the element of Land among the Pancha Bhootha Sthalas. The large and ambient Pradakshina Patha with tall and aesthetic Pillars is the most distinguishing feature of this temple. There is a statue of Karikala Chola in the temple.

Me at Vaikuntha Perumal Temple

Later, I visited the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple. It's a historical temple. The sculptures and carvings of this temple builty by Pallava Nandivarman II are exquisite. One can have a glimpse of the entire history of Pallavas on the walls abutting the Pradakshina Patha - their reign and conquest, carved neatly. The Simple Lion motif Pillars of Pallavas can be found in this temple.  It was overwhelmed to watch the Mula Viraat - Vaikuntha Perumal in all his glory!

 

Pradakshina Patha at Ekambranathar Temple

The Legend of Kanchi

Then, it was the time to visit Kailasanathar temple, located far from the city centre. It's also historical temple and perhaps the high watermark of Pallava temple building activity! There are 58 shrines with special niches spread around the main temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It's an adventure to make a round around the Pradakshina Patha surrounding the Sanctum Santorum!, because one has to crawl through a small hole! The niches carved at the base of the Vimana are terrific! Perhaps the greatest among them is the niche carving of Gangadhara Shiva. Finally, I have visited Pandava Doota Perumal temple located nearby, wherein Lord Krishna is worshipped as ambassador and negotiator of Pandavas along with Goddess Rukmini. Thus did end my trip to Kanchi. On the same day, I've returned to Chengalpattu and boarded the Circar Covid Special express.

 

Kailasanathar Temple - Lateral View

Gangadhara Shiva - Kailasanathar Temple

The Temples I've visited
1. Chitragupta Swamy
2. Karchapeeswarar
3. Varadaraja Perumal
4. Kanchi Kamakshi Amman
5. Ulagananda Perumal
6. Ekambranathar
7. Vaikuntha Perumal
8. Kailasanathar
9. Pandava Dootha Perumal       

Veluvali Maheeth
At Kanchi - 2 (13th & 14th February 2021)
19/02/2021, - Palakollu.

కాంచీపుర దర్శనం-2

(Continued...)

Note - As per Hindu Mythology

రెండవ రోజు (14/02/2021)
కాంచీపురన్న వెలసిన శైవక్షేత్రాలన్నిటి లోకి సుప్రసిద్ధమైనట్టి ఏకాంబరనాధుని దర్శన తో నా  రెండో రోజు మొదలైంది. కామాక్షీ దేవి శివుని గూర్చి ఇచ్చటనే ఒక మామిడి చెట్టు కింద తపస్సు ఆచరించారని నమ్మకం. దేవాలయ ప్రాంగణం లో వున్న ఒక మామిడి చెట్టు అదే చెట్టుఅని నమ్మకం. శైవ పంచ భూత స్థలాల లో ఈ గుడి భూ స్థలమని ప్రతీతి. ఎత్తైన స్థంబాల తో విశాలంగా వున్న ప్రదక్షిణాపథం ఇక్కడ చాలా ముచ్చట గొల్పుతుంది. దేవాలయము లో కారికల చోళుని విగ్రహం వుంది. 

Me at Vaikuntha Perumal Temple

శివదర్శనం తర్వాత దగ్గర లోనే వున్నా వైకుంఠ పెరుమాళ్ దేవాలయాన్ని సందర్శించాను. ఇది చారిత్రక కట్టడం. పల్లవ రాజైన రెండవ నందివర్మ కట్టించిన ఈ గుడి యొక్క వాస్తుకళ విశిష్టమైనది. గుడి ప్రదక్షిణాపథం పక్కన గోడల పై పల్లవుల వంశ  స్థాపన, పరిపాలన, యుద్ధాలు - జైత్రయాత్రలు చాలా చూడముచ్చటగా చెక్కబడ్డాయి. పల్లవ గుళ్ల లో వున్న విశేషమైనట్టి సింహ స్థంబాలు ఇక్కడ విరివిగా కలవు. నల్లటి, ఎత్తైన స్వామి వారి విరాట్ స్వరూపాన్ని కాంచి చాలా సంతోషమేసింది.

 

Pradakshina Patha at Ekambranathar Temple

The Legend of Kanchi

అటుపైన, నగర ప్రధాన కూడలి కి దూరంగా వున్న కైలాసనాథుని దేవాలయం దర్శించాను. ఇది కూడా ఒక విశిష్టమైన చారిత్రక కట్టడం. పల్లవ నిర్మాణ కౌశలానికి మచ్చతునక! శివాలయమైన ఈ గుడి లో 58 చిన్నపాటి shrines కలవు - ఒక్కక్క shrine పై చిన్నపాటి niche carving చెక్కబడ్డాయి. ప్రధాన మండపం లో గర్భాలయం చుట్టూరా ప్రదక్షిణ చేయడం సాహసమే! చిన్న గుహ ద్వారా పాకల్స వస్తుంది. అదో అద్భుతమైన విషయం! ఇకపోతే విమానం బయట వున్నా శిల్ప కళ అత్యద్భుతం! గంగాధరుడైన శివుని Niche carving చాలా ప్రత్యేకమైన అంశం. చిట్టచివరగా, దగ్గర లోనే వున్న పాండవ  పెరుమాళ్ గుడిని దర్శించాను - పాండవ దూత గా శ్రీకృష్ణుని, రుక్మిణీ దేవిని ఇక్కడ ఆరాధిస్తారు. ఇంతటి తో నా కంచి యాత్ర ముగిసింది. మళ్ళీ అదే రోజు చెంగల్పట్టు చేరి సాయంత్రం సర్కార్ ఎక్ష్ప్రెస్స్ లో వెనక్కి బయల్దేరాను.

 

Kailasanathar Temple - Lateral View

Gangadhara Shiva - Kailasanathar Temple

నేను దర్శించిన దేవాలయాలు
1. చిత్రగుప్త స్వామి
2. కార్చపీశ్వరస్వామి
3. వరదరాజ పెరుమాళ్
4. కంచి కామాక్షి అమ్మన్
5. ఉలగానంద పెరుమాళ్
6. ఏకాంబరేశ్వ స్వామి
7. వైకుంఠ పెరుమాళ్
8. కైలాసనాథ స్వామి
9. పాండవ దూత పెరుమాళ్ స్వామి        

వెలువలి మహీత్
కాంచీపుర దర్శనం-2 (13 & 14వ తేదీలు, ఫిబ్రవరి 2021)
19/02/2021, - పాలకొల్లు.

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.