ExpertDabbler

I was curious to know more about Ramanujar the moment I realized my current favorite Indira Parthasarathy had written about him.

The introduction to the book here made me even more curious and I have already ordered it. Nevertheless i just wanted to jot down my observations.

If Ramanujar had such a liberal and inclusive view of religion and society thousand years ago, why and how did we as a society lose the plot later on? That’s mysterious to me.

Also, I am not sure if any of the so-called social reformers in the recent past, radical or moderate, have any reference to Ramanujar in their expressions or works. That’s intriguing to say the least. If I am working on a agenda, is it not a sensible strategy to reuse my predecessor’s works, words and deeds which are in sync. with my agenda to augment my own points?

If social justice and equality was the end goal, and if that could be propagated by adapting Ramanuja and his teachings which is already accepted by the majority who believe in religion, why throw all that to the dustbin and talk atheism? Now I am not sure if Periyar’s idea of atheism is a smart one to attain social justice or whatever.

If believing in God is barbaric, saying God does not exist is equally barbaric too. Religion and the concept of God as a tool has worked very well for very long, my beliefs or non-belief be damned. What matters is whether they work or not in bringing solace to the people, not whether God’s existence can be proved. I read this perspective in Jeyamohan’s blog for the first time and it did make lot of sense to me. People always do what works for them in the long run. I now think that by talking atheism, the Dravidian leaders lost the plot completely, just like the way our Kollywood directors do time and again.

Contrast this to the way Christian missionaries propagate Christianity, they do not claim that all the wisdom and literature of ancient India are stupid. Rather they nowadays claim they are essentially Christian ideas as taught by St.Thomas. This may sound laughable now, it makes for much more subtle and persuasive communication in the long run.

I hope to read this book and see I. Pa has to say.

I always knew that Triplicane is the area of bachelors mansions. But I did not realize the historical significance of this place till last Saturday. Still, there is a lot to know about this area.

For starters, Subramania Bharathy’s ninavu illam is situated close to Parthasarathy temple. I was busy photographing that house, when a nearby Maama commented,’Avar irukara kaalathile maasam Rs.3 vaadagai kudukka mudiyaama kashtapattaar, innaiku oorey avarai kondaadaraa.. enna ulagamada..’ I could not say anything to this.

Another place that caught my attention was a very old house in dilapidated condition.
As I was trying to take a picture, an elderly person (a passerby called him Nari for whatever reason), got friendly with me and started explaining about the house. His family has lived in that house for four generations. The place apparently belongs to a Trust in UP. The entire area houses about 55 families. The arrangement was that the rental proceeds should go to the said Trust, he said.

Now, it looks like they are on the verge of demolishing the house. Nari said he vacated that place and is living close by. He had some misgivings about the way the property was managed and that the rental proceeds are going to the Trust after ‘standard deductions’ by vested interests.

I also found a very intriguing board in front of a house. This is the first time I am seeing a fan club for short stories.

Overall, it was a very interesting episode for me personally. Coming to think of it, this was just in the immediate vicinity of the temple. I guess a lot can be uncovered if only we roam the streets of Triplicane long enough. This is my second visit to Triplcane in about a month. And it’s pertinent to note that I did not notice all these during my first trip. Hmm..Looks like there are a few places to notice apart from Ratna Café in Triplicane

It takes enormous control over one’s craft and unsurpassed knowledge in a community’s way of life to write a novel like ‘Gopallapurathu makkal’.

The reason I say this is because the novel does not define a single protagonist, nor a tight plot. But a community’s complete way of life was shown to me effortlessly. And this is possible only with a writer of Ki. Ra’s calibre.

References to ‘Kazhugu Malai’ in the novel made me relate to it even better. That’s my maternal grandma’s native

I love good movies, but i don’t think any one can ever make a movie out of this, except maybe Ki. Ra himself.

I wanted to write this post in tamil, but unfortunately i am not able to install NHM writer. Mine is office laptop

I think it’s only fitting that i write about a superb novel which ends with India’s Independence day, on the eve of one Independence day.

Ki. Rajanarayanan Vazhga! Happy reading! Happy independence day!