Diksha

The cover translated "The initiation", after a long stinch I was able to enjoy a hindi movie in all its entirety. It was an art genre movie, set up in a classical era of south india, when brahmin and sudr part of society was still segregated by a chasm as big as the grand canyon (if not less). The story revolves around the acharya which is the highest post in a village overseeing religous matters. The turmoil of everyday life and how inspite of being different could not survive the ultimate transformation. Picture features some well known faces, of only whom I could recall Nana Patekar playing the low class sudr.

I will try to brief about the story line itself because its not just the story line that makes a film or story but its shift from one chapter to another, the lines said in between and the whole atmosphere which it recreates; is what makes a feature powerful.

The story starts with a father handing over his only son under the guardianship of acharya of another village for his education and ascension to brahminhood. Nani as the boy is lovingly called is a small boy of around eight who retains his childhood curiosity and candidness at looking at the world, he is contrasted against the older disciples who although learning from long have somehow been deviated from their true calling. His studies start and he is attracted to Nana Patekar (Goga) who works in his home. The life proceeds with Acharya's education and other day to day happenings, meanwhile Goga's aunt expires and he pleads Acharya for her last rights (which in brahmin society was restricted in those times). But he still does it and there is a big hoo haa in the village over the issue his older son also comes disconcerted, to which Acharya replies that what he did was not about right or wrong but to keep Goga's faith alive and not letting him fall apart.

In Acharya's home is also his daughter Yamuna who although a widow lives there with him, which too was a digression in that age. We see Acharya as a righteous man who knows the limits and context of religion and society in the right terms. Goga also respects his Acharya for this righteous nature. Later in the movie Yamuna gets entangled with another village brahmin and gets pregnant while Acharya had been away on his yearly pilgrimage. The truth is known and she had to get it aborted. On returning Goga regretfully announces "I could save your daughter from snakes and fire but not a brahmin".

The movie tactfully deals with many aspects in sync society/ religion/ morals/ women and caste system all intervowen creating a complex miasma to which many fall a victim while others live it through to know the difference and choose. It also pits the society into the context, that very few humans live a self righteous life themselves but are always ready to point a finger on the first sign of human folly. Makes me always remind of a quote

"Public scandal is what constitutes an offence, sins sinned in secret are no sins at all"; after all we all have a past!

The double contrast the movie offers is that although Acharya holds the infinite wisdom of knowing religion from society but his burden of responsibility hinders him to evolve from the rest in the ultimate test, while his son who had earlier questioned him on performing last rights at the sudr's house forsakes his teaching to uphold the truth and so does Goga although an ignorant worker spits his teaching as mere empty words.

Makes us somehow wonder how far does the religion extend in our life, what obligations do we have, and inspite knowing so much do we still fall its victim or brake free. And Although no religion restricts human from right ways, its our society interpretations moulded to suit, which have made these moralistic distinctions of right from wrong. But the ultimate decision lies with you; alone!

Daily humdrumm ---------

Life's progressing, got a promotion; cheers. (Another of those life moments to remember by). After a long time visited Lal Bagh, felt good strolling carefree through this man-made closest facscimile of nature. Yesterday picked up three magazines to while my time; Man, Interiors and Sanctuary. Last one a definate recommendations to any of the nature lovers, superb photography.

The Entrepreneur in us!

Ever seen a child complete his first sand castle, prepare his/her first dish, complete a chore entirely to which he or she alone can take credit and call it truly one's own. There's a stark glow on their face.

Every time we go in for a task which we alone are accountable for we carry in a risk of failure and also a sense of pride for the success it entails. As time passes our risk taking capacity declines proportionately. But for some the drive keeps on getting stronger and stronger. Oxford dictionary loosely defines such a person "As one who undertakes or controls a business or enterprise and bears the risk of profit or loss" though it does bear other meanings but not to what I have buzzing in my head, and for the past few days this word has been continuously making rounds due to a friend who similarly wishes to take that risk. He flew from Delhi to attend a seminar make a few friends share in his ideas and see if others think him sane enough and are willing to give in, that much required helping hand. And gentlemen business at the end of the day is all about networking and presenting your product to those who care.

He is few of those distinguished breeds who have taken their head and heart in a venture they can call their own; risking the everyday bliss of an organised life! Mark it my friends starting a new business is no easy task especially in our knowledge economy where every third person bleeps a bulb representing a fancy idea that can change the world, but the only thing they lack is the initiative.

Entrepreneurship comes in various flavors and sizes, for some its simply a legacy passed on; for others its their only course of action and then there are those who were in a job and then they thought its time to call for their own shots.

My friend belongs to the latter; and during his stay of three days, shared his experiences which fraught him during the whole makeover, he too was in the dilemma of risking out his high paying job and treading into murkier waters the future of which only time can tell; and every now and then he has called me to ask whether he should be going ahead or be sticking to his everyday job and let the life smoothly take its course, like everyone else. And each time I asked him to take it head-on because twenty years down the line when he thinks back it shouldn't bring in the worry lines on his head that he didn’t gave it a chance.

We talked of many a things which lie in the preview of an individual to make such an idea a reality, and it all converged at a few basic stints that is persistence, right attitude and an honest believe in yourself and letting it known to the world. He too was harangued by many into deviating from this course; when his family is settling down and he has a new born baby to care about. But coming to think of it, our life is always in flux of various events and nowhere do we sit and say "wow" this is the point where I start.

But ofcourse fate too plays its own sweet games and although many have got that spark they lack a choice but in case you are few of those who gets them both, don’t shirk back.

He is too rolling his dice, carefully; for three years he hopes to give in all that he's got, if all goes well we plans to buy a Merc in another ten years or so :) else he exits with his experience intact, he may have to fight his way in, but at the end he will have that strange glow all his life that he tried.

I wish him luck in his future enterprise.