The recent trip to Kerala, I had a prioritised mission. I wanted to watch the ‘Good Friday’ celeberations of Kudamaloor church. I had last participated the programme in 1971, the year I left for Delhi. After that, though I wanted, I could not make it. This time, I had planned my Kerala trip to suit the good Friday. I must confess, the enthusiasm with which I wanted to visit my hometown, especially the key institution of the village, Kudamaloor Church, famous for it’s Good Friday programmes as also for being the birth place(parish) of Saint Alphonsa, could not sustain for long. The Kudamaloor St.Mary’s church was believed to have been built 900 years ago by the then king of the province, Chempakassery Raja. With so many wonderful architectural marvels, the old church in it’s present form might have been built not less than 400 years ago. The icon of the church was the beautiful painting of The Lady with baby Jesus with Kings, placed in the centre of the Alter of the main hall in a huge glass frame meticulously placed to fit in the painting. The church also has stone carvings inscribing some historical tit bits written in a Malayalam script, which the present generation could hardly understand. The stones were placed as floor marbles. With wide huge stone walls, the church hardly needed any cooling. In my last to last visit I had noticed that the floor has been done up with new ‘Rajasthan marbles’ probably to make it look modern. The carved stones were plucked and placed along the wall, as if to make it to speak it’s own age and ethnicity. I feel it would have been beautiful if it had remained where it was already laid. This time, what pained me most was the scene of the Altar of the old church. Empty, vacant, as if the ‘heart’ has ripped out. My church, Which I wanted to visit again and again, stand like a skeleton of the old church.
I saw the most famous painting of the ‘Mukti Amma’ is now framed and placed in front of the new church.
Next time, I may see a green patch in place of the old marvel. My heart weeps.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Sacred heart ripped out
The recent trip to Kerala, I had a prioritised mission. I wanted to watch the ‘Good Friday’ celeberations of Kudamaloor church. I had last participated the programme in 1971, the year I left for Delhi. After that, though I wanted, I could not make it. This time, I had planned my Kerala trip to suit the good Friday. I must confess, the enthusiasm with which I wanted to visit my hometown, especially the key institution of the village, Kudamaloor Church, famous for it’s Good Friday programmes as also for being the birth place(parish) of Saint Alphonsa, could not sustain for long. The Kudamaloor St.Mary’s church was believed to have been built 900 years ago by the then king of the province, Chempakassery Raja. With so many wonderful architectural marvels, the old church in it’s present form might have been built not less than 400 years ago. The icon of the church was the beautiful painting of The Lady with baby Jesus with Kings, placed in the centre of the Alter of the main hall in a huge glass frame meticulously placed to fit in the painting. The church also has stone carvings inscribing some historical tit bits written in a Malayalam script, which the present generation could hardly understand. The stones were placed as floor marbles. With wide huge stone walls, the church hardly needed any cooling. In my last to last visit I had noticed that the floor has been done up with new ‘Rajasthan marbles’ probably to make it look modern. The carved stones were plucked and placed along the wall, as if to make it to speak it’s own age and ethnicity. I feel it would have been beautiful if it had remained where it was already laid. This time, what pained me most was the scene of the Altar of the old church. Empty, vacant, as if the ‘heart’ has ripped out. My church, Which I wanted to visit again and again, stand like a skeleton of the old church.
I saw the most famous painting of the ‘Mukti Amma’ is now framed and placed in front of the new church.
Next time, I may see a green patch in place of the old marvel. My heart weeps.
I saw the most famous painting of the ‘Mukti Amma’ is now framed and placed in front of the new church.
Next time, I may see a green patch in place of the old marvel. My heart weeps.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Richeness means.....
Today, there was a picture of Anil Ambani with marigold flower garland around his neck, standing in front of Tirupati temple, in the front pages of some popular English dailies. Similar pictures were seen of Mukesh, Amitabh Bachan, Abhishek Bachan and A few such newsworthy souls of India. I am sure, they all were there to please the deity who, they believe, will shower them with blessings (of course wealth in billions), for their offer of a few lakhs. Rich Indians, no matter their religion, offer hefty sums to deities of their choice.
A few days back, there was a picture of Mr. Gate who with his extra bills(wealth),(which keep swelling every moment), busy shaking hands with kids in a remote Indian village, for whose, health, education, up-liftment, he spare his extra wealth. His wife also join him in this act of worship.
A few days back, there was a picture of Mr. Gate who with his extra bills(wealth),(which keep swelling every moment), busy shaking hands with kids in a remote Indian village, for whose, health, education, up-liftment, he spare his extra wealth. His wife also join him in this act of worship.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
It was a very hot day of the month of May, I had taken a coke, and a bottle of mineral water to keep me cool. Put together it costed me 35 Rs., not bad, so hot, I have seldom felt this heat in Delhi. I had taken a Blue line bus to Dilshad Garden, almost 18 kms from ITO. It costed 15 Rs. But the journey was horrible. Heat wave from the side windows with glass panes missing. Crowd inside. I was lucky to get a seat. I decided no more Blue line ( I had made this resolution a few times before also.). Alighting at Seemapuri, I called a Rikshaw. Checked his charge for Shalimar Garden (2 kilo meters). Alas ! Cheater wants 20 Rs for that much distance. Cheater, I could barely resist my anger to this opportunist, leach… and whatever came to mind and boarded. He pedelled the distance, sweating, wiping his forehead, again peddling finally reaching my destination. I paid him and walked off. Hardly will I remember this guy who brought me home at a cost of course, at 2 p.m noon on a day considered to be one of the hottest of the season.
Reaching home, I recalled, if the rikshaw was not available at the place, I would be walking the two kms, might have consumed another bottle of cola, yet got exhausted, might also have the heat wave on me and jolly well could have fallen ill for a few days. I have paid Rs 20/- to the service that man – most probably from Bihar – whose face I would hardly recollect. Why only rikshaw even that Blue line was doing a service. That time of the day, DTC do not operate for reasons ranging from lunch break to change of duties. Even if there is one, it will skip you and speed away.
Reaching home, I recalled, if the rikshaw was not available at the place, I would be walking the two kms, might have consumed another bottle of cola, yet got exhausted, might also have the heat wave on me and jolly well could have fallen ill for a few days. I have paid Rs 20/- to the service that man – most probably from Bihar – whose face I would hardly recollect. Why only rikshaw even that Blue line was doing a service. That time of the day, DTC do not operate for reasons ranging from lunch break to change of duties. Even if there is one, it will skip you and speed away.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Believer's agony
So many Godmen make news for wrong reasons these days (thanks to Media) women abuse, child abuse, and in many other abusive activities. Such questionable characters amass wealth and fame. All these men and many before with such profile are leading luxurious life with followers flowing in from all over the globe. The saddest part is that the very promoters of these characters of darkness are the so called elite, educated and well informed people.
There is a sect of believers who engage their energy and time in sending chain mails to people with scary tales of calamities. These fanatics take up the case of some concrete structure survived in a devastating calamity and say “the Cross survives the Haiiti devastation”; “the statue at Velankanni has stood intact amongst the debris of tsunami” etc. and warn the reader that only the cross & statue survives, while the people die. So be a believer and send the mail to twelve believers. The irony is, the one who shed blood and gave his body to save the world, was busy in safeguarding his properties when his children were dying and getting perished all around.
I think these followers of Godmen and self promoters of God need to be told the fact that no Godman can guarantee immortality . No God will be glorified if He looks after his own concrete structure of cross and statue and let his folks die and their homes get shattered
There is a sect of believers who engage their energy and time in sending chain mails to people with scary tales of calamities. These fanatics take up the case of some concrete structure survived in a devastating calamity and say “the Cross survives the Haiiti devastation”; “the statue at Velankanni has stood intact amongst the debris of tsunami” etc. and warn the reader that only the cross & statue survives, while the people die. So be a believer and send the mail to twelve believers. The irony is, the one who shed blood and gave his body to save the world, was busy in safeguarding his properties when his children were dying and getting perished all around.
I think these followers of Godmen and self promoters of God need to be told the fact that no Godman can guarantee immortality . No God will be glorified if He looks after his own concrete structure of cross and statue and let his folks die and their homes get shattered
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Kerala Pride
The admirably handsome former Minister of State Shashi Taroor, who, despite being born and lived outside Kerala, stand for an applause from the proud Malayalees, for holding his head high for Kerala.
The fact that the who is who from Kerala, in spite of holding very powerful ministerial positions in the cabinet could not make a niche worth noticeable for the state and its people, therefore, are the strongest adversaries (jealousy – what else) of the globally acclaimed writer – diplomat who got backing from none other than Kofi Annan for his bold stand. Shashi Tharoor has actually stepped in the shoes of V.K. Krishna Menon, gem of a Malayalee reined in Delhi’s power corridor, notwithstanding the contribution of late Shri K R Narayanan. I have a list of prominent Malayalees in Delhi on top of which is Mr. Prakash Karat, who sails another boat.
Having said this, I do not endorse the controversy, Mr. Tharoor got embroiled in —it was un-matching of his stature — although he made this move for his love for Kerala and the youth of the state in mind. Any how different people think differently. I join (rather intrude) the mass of young Malayalees all over the world in extending an unconditional support to Mr. Shashi Tharoor. In his exit speech as a Minister He quoted Vallathol’s famous lines.
“Bharatham ennu kettal abhimana puritham akanam antharangam, Keralam ennu kettalo thilackanam chora namukku njarampukalil.”
(One should be proud of a mere mention of Bharatam but on hearing the name of Keralam, blood should simmer through the veins)
Let’s join him !
Jai India !
Jai Kerala !
The fact that the who is who from Kerala, in spite of holding very powerful ministerial positions in the cabinet could not make a niche worth noticeable for the state and its people, therefore, are the strongest adversaries (jealousy – what else) of the globally acclaimed writer – diplomat who got backing from none other than Kofi Annan for his bold stand. Shashi Tharoor has actually stepped in the shoes of V.K. Krishna Menon, gem of a Malayalee reined in Delhi’s power corridor, notwithstanding the contribution of late Shri K R Narayanan. I have a list of prominent Malayalees in Delhi on top of which is Mr. Prakash Karat, who sails another boat.
Having said this, I do not endorse the controversy, Mr. Tharoor got embroiled in —it was un-matching of his stature — although he made this move for his love for Kerala and the youth of the state in mind. Any how different people think differently. I join (rather intrude) the mass of young Malayalees all over the world in extending an unconditional support to Mr. Shashi Tharoor. In his exit speech as a Minister He quoted Vallathol’s famous lines.
“Bharatham ennu kettal abhimana puritham akanam antharangam, Keralam ennu kettalo thilackanam chora namukku njarampukalil.”
(One should be proud of a mere mention of Bharatam but on hearing the name of Keralam, blood should simmer through the veins)
Let’s join him !
Jai India !
Jai Kerala !
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A Different Pilgrimage
Suddenly in January it occurred to me that I must make a trip to Kerala, where I was born sixty years ago. Having said so, I owe a clarification. By virtue of birth I do belong to Kerala, the land Malayalees and others fondly call “God’s own country”. During the last forty years, I have been making sorties to Kottayam and back to Delhi, shuttling between relatives. This time too we visited relatives, but only as a ‘Edathavalam’.(Midway)
It was a cozy Jetlite trip to Nedumbassery, where Lata and Premkumar received us. We were taken to their home ‘Savitri Bhavan’ in Elammkkara. They both and Naryanan Sir(Velliachan) made that evening a warm, memorable one. Nothing to compare the yummy Appam and Fish Stew treat managed by none other than “Satyechi”. Mouth watering Crab curry was a first time delicacy. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. By opening a scotch, Velliachan made us feel VIPs.
Our next destination was Vagamon, a less popular location, but a princes amongst the hills, Vagamon is approximately 40 kms up Erattupetta. Though we had a plan to make it to the Kurisumala where the stations of cross being held. We could not make it as it consists of an hour’s steep climb. We reluctantly skipped. We visited the pine forest (This did not fascinate us as we are just a month down our visit to Mukteswar). The “Mottakunnu” (Egg shaped mountains) reminded the small mud mounts made of coconut shells in our childhood. There were no trees but grass on the mounts . Is n’t it surprising that in perpetually raining Kerala a natural marvel exists without trees or bushes. Perhaps nature has its plans differently. But that is it. Perhaps the most surprising and scenic place in Vagamon. Another interesting place of visit in Vagamon is the Paultry farm managed by the Franciscan Missionaries. The Swiss breed cows milk the entire valley of Pala, Bharananganam, Erattupetta. The Campus, so meticulously planned, resources and wastes used and reused, and managed for decades was established by a foreigner Franciscan missionary. Management students must make a serious visit to this place to learn things in detail. Bravo, Father, you climbed the hilltop when Vagamon was not heard of by outside world and for making that ‘conversion’. Vagamon still need to be visited. Next time. On our descend, we passed through Bharananganam, but could not alight for “the St.Alphonsa’s” tomb.
Our Good Friday at Kudamaloor was an experience. Nothing has changed. The Neenthu Nercha(crowling on knees) from the Cross (Black stone)till the altar (a quarter Km) continues to attract thousands from far off places as it used to be forty years ago and before. We did not go to any other places in Kottyam, though Kumarakam was only a few miles from my place. Here we visited all the family oldies, some of whom may not be there till our next visit.
Easter was at Punalur, all near and dear ones from Bangalore and Delhi gathered and was a very pleasant day. The four hour holy mass in ‘Malankara rite’ was as if I have had my quota for the whole year. I confess I could not control my nap during the service. Sorry Lord. On Monday after Easter we took a visit oldies mission. Take it from me, we visited six elderly people past their eighties, all women. None of them has her life partner in this world.
Our next destination was Thiruvananthapuram. The most beautiful capital city of all the Indian States (I am serious). Next two days we visited Kovalam and Shankhumukham. Having heard a lot about the beaches, no need to mention we were thrilled. We enjoyed the roaring waves in Shankhumukham and the romantic sands in Kovalam. Kingfisher brought us back in style. The illuminated Bombay (I dare to call) from above sky was marvelous, and another sight of splendid Delhi (my city) again from the Sky was Wow!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnote, Sorry to mention, Kerala, the most advanced Indian state lacks basic human facilites. The state of public lavatories is pathetic, especially Bus Stands, and wherever you may be lucky enough to find one, it hardly has a women’s toilet. Hope the KTDC and ITDC takes care. Untill then, please be prepared.
It was a cozy Jetlite trip to Nedumbassery, where Lata and Premkumar received us. We were taken to their home ‘Savitri Bhavan’ in Elammkkara. They both and Naryanan Sir(Velliachan) made that evening a warm, memorable one. Nothing to compare the yummy Appam and Fish Stew treat managed by none other than “Satyechi”. Mouth watering Crab curry was a first time delicacy. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. By opening a scotch, Velliachan made us feel VIPs.
Our next destination was Vagamon, a less popular location, but a princes amongst the hills, Vagamon is approximately 40 kms up Erattupetta. Though we had a plan to make it to the Kurisumala where the stations of cross being held. We could not make it as it consists of an hour’s steep climb. We reluctantly skipped. We visited the pine forest (This did not fascinate us as we are just a month down our visit to Mukteswar). The “Mottakunnu” (Egg shaped mountains) reminded the small mud mounts made of coconut shells in our childhood. There were no trees but grass on the mounts . Is n’t it surprising that in perpetually raining Kerala a natural marvel exists without trees or bushes. Perhaps nature has its plans differently. But that is it. Perhaps the most surprising and scenic place in Vagamon. Another interesting place of visit in Vagamon is the Paultry farm managed by the Franciscan Missionaries. The Swiss breed cows milk the entire valley of Pala, Bharananganam, Erattupetta. The Campus, so meticulously planned, resources and wastes used and reused, and managed for decades was established by a foreigner Franciscan missionary. Management students must make a serious visit to this place to learn things in detail. Bravo, Father, you climbed the hilltop when Vagamon was not heard of by outside world and for making that ‘conversion’. Vagamon still need to be visited. Next time. On our descend, we passed through Bharananganam, but could not alight for “the St.Alphonsa’s” tomb.
Our Good Friday at Kudamaloor was an experience. Nothing has changed. The Neenthu Nercha(crowling on knees) from the Cross (Black stone)till the altar (a quarter Km) continues to attract thousands from far off places as it used to be forty years ago and before. We did not go to any other places in Kottyam, though Kumarakam was only a few miles from my place. Here we visited all the family oldies, some of whom may not be there till our next visit.
Easter was at Punalur, all near and dear ones from Bangalore and Delhi gathered and was a very pleasant day. The four hour holy mass in ‘Malankara rite’ was as if I have had my quota for the whole year. I confess I could not control my nap during the service. Sorry Lord. On Monday after Easter we took a visit oldies mission. Take it from me, we visited six elderly people past their eighties, all women. None of them has her life partner in this world.
Our next destination was Thiruvananthapuram. The most beautiful capital city of all the Indian States (I am serious). Next two days we visited Kovalam and Shankhumukham. Having heard a lot about the beaches, no need to mention we were thrilled. We enjoyed the roaring waves in Shankhumukham and the romantic sands in Kovalam. Kingfisher brought us back in style. The illuminated Bombay (I dare to call) from above sky was marvelous, and another sight of splendid Delhi (my city) again from the Sky was Wow!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnote, Sorry to mention, Kerala, the most advanced Indian state lacks basic human facilites. The state of public lavatories is pathetic, especially Bus Stands, and wherever you may be lucky enough to find one, it hardly has a women’s toilet. Hope the KTDC and ITDC takes care. Untill then, please be prepared.
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