Chemistry taught us that rules are always formed so that exceptions can be defined...Or in plainspeak - there is no rule without an exception and this rule is the only exception because it does not have one. Whilst you figure out a way in the quagmire of exceptions and rules, let me go on with the subject of this post per se...The rule-exception dual started with a phone call early in the morning (early wrt NITIE and not to the general world :) ). The general rule is I answer the call and get back to my bed if it is so early...What happened today was an exception and a greater one at that because its a Saturday, a holiday and hence a greater reason to sleep long!
Chemistry also taught us that exceptions are not without reason. As I answered the call half asleep in the small verandah of my room (Thank God for NITIE...where else would you find such privileges!) I saw an amazing sight. The trees, the lawns, lake and the very ambience were resplendent in sunlight. A light breeze adding a chill supplemented the beauty. Communing directly with nature - was the feeling that I had.
The call being answered, I stayed put in the verandah still communing with her! The scene immediately reminded me of Sahir Ludhianvi's lines:
"Yeh kis kavi ki kalpana ka chamatkaar hai, yeh kaun chitrakaar hai"
As I got down for breakfast, it felt great to wish people Good morning as the morning itself was much more than good. A nice breakfast with tea together with the day's newspaper getting its first reader (even the newspaper was new and fresh) in conjunction with the usual banter...All sums up to be a great morning!
As they say "Old is Gold"....Personally in terms of adages they are definitely gold.....Early rising in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by cheerful people is the best recipe for a good life!
To all those who get up late, this is for them. Sacrifice a few hours of sleep and see what you get in return. And as always you get some only if you give some. Its a Game of Quid Pro Quo - you give some you take some.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Tata Ethos
Tata - the name itself embodies everything good within it. Good culture, quality, values, ethics. Having worked for a Tata group company, I used to and still continue to admire the group for what it symbolizes in today's corporate India. In fact it has been a true champion of Indian excellence right through the 100 years of its existence since the first wasps of smoke started bellowing from the Sakchi plant of Tata Iron & Steel Company (TISCO) in 1907. Sakchi, later renamed as Jamshedpur is now a UN Global Compact City and it defeated the only other Indian nominee Bangalore.
A strong ethics and value system has always been a hallmark of the Tatas and the greatest testimony is in the fact that 100 year old Tata Steel has stopped working only once due to labor unrest and that too way back in the 2nd decade of the previous century! Their commitment to philanthropy and human values defies comparision. Read LN Mittal's description of his visit to Tata Steel below:
" I visited Jamshedpur over the weekend to see for myself an India that is fast disappearing despite all the wolf-cries of people like Narayanamurthy and his ilk. It is one thing to talk and quite another to do and I am delighted to tell you that Ratan Tata has kept alive the legacy of perhaps India's finest industrialist J.N. Tata. Something that some people doubted when Ratan took over the House of the Tata's but in hindsight, the best thing to have happened to the Tata's is unquestionably Ratan. I was amazed to see the extent of corporate philanthropy and this is no exaggeration.
For the breed that talks about corporate social responsibility and talks about the role of corporate India, a visit to Jamshedpur is a must. Go there and see the amount of money they pump into keeping the town going; see the smiling faces of workers in a region known for industrial unrest; see the standard of living in a city that is almost isolated from the mess in the rest of the country.
This is not meant to be a puff piece. I have nothing to do with Tata Steel, but I strongly believe the message of hope and the message of goodness that they are spreading is worth sharing. The fact that you do have companies in India which look at workers as human beings and who do not blow their software trumpet of having changed lives. In fact, I asked Mr. Muthuraman, the managing director, as to why he was so quiet about all they had done and all he could offer in return was a smile wrapped in humility, which said it all. They have done so much more since I last visited Jamshedpur, which was in 1992. The town has obviously got busier but the values thankfully haven't changed.
The food is still as amazing as it always was and I gorged, as I would normally do. I visited the plant and the last time I did that was with Russi Mody. But the plant this time was gleaming and far from what it used to be. Greener and cleaner and a tribute to environment management. You could have been in the mountains. Such was the quality of air I inhaled! There was no belching smoke; no tired faces and so many more women workers, even on the shop floor. This is true gender equality and not the kind that is often espoused at seminars organised by angry activists. I met so many old friends. Most of them have aged but not grown old. There was a spring in the air which came from a certain calmness which has always been the hallmark of
Jamshedpur and something I savoured for a full two days in between receiving messages of how boring and decrepit the lack lustre Fashion Week was.
Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata had created an edifice that is today a robust company and it is not about profits and about valuation. It is not about who becomes a millionaire and who doesn't'. It is about getting the job done with dignity and respect keeping the age-old values intact and this is what I learnt. I jokingly asked someone as to whether they ever thought of joining an Infosys or a Wipro and pat came the reply: "We are not interested in becoming crorepatis [millionaires]
but in making others crorepatis [millionaires]." Which is exactly what the Tata's have done for years in and around Jamshedpur. Very few people know that Jamshedpur has been selected as a UN Global Compact City, edging out the other nominee from India, Bangalore. Selected because of the quality of life, because of the conditions of sanitation and roads and welfare. If this is not a tribute to industrial India, then what is? Today, India needs several Jamshedpurs but it also needs this Jamshedpur to be given its fair due, its recognition. I am tired of campus visits being publicised to the Infosys and the Wipro's of the world.
Modern India is being built in Jamshedpur as we speak. An India built on the strength of core convictions and nothing was more apparent about that than the experiment with truth and reality that Tata Steel is conducting at Pipla.
Forty-eight tribal girls (yes, tribal girls who these corrupt and evil politicians only talk about but do nothing for) are being educated through a residential program over nine months. I went to visit them and I spoke to them in a language that they have just learnt: Bengali. Eight weeks ago, they could only speak in Sainthali, their local dialect. But today, they are brimming with a confidence that will bring tears to your eyes. It did to mine. One of them has just been selected to represent Jharkand in the state archery competition. They have their own women's football team and what's more they are now fond of education. It is a passion and not a burden.
This was possible because I guess people like Ratan Tata and Muthurman haven't sold their souls to some business management drivel, which tells us that we must only do business and nothing else. The fact that not one Tata executive has been touched by the Naxalites in that area talks about the social respect that the Tata's have earned.
The Tata's do not need this piece to be praised and lauded. My intent is to share the larger picture that we so often miss in the haze of the slime and sleaze that politics imparts. My submissions to those who use phrases such as "feel-good" and "India Shining" is first visit Jamshedpur to understand what it all means. See Tata Steel in action to know what companies can do if they wish to. And what corporate India needs to do. Murli Manohar Joshi would be better off seeing what Tata Steel has done by creating the Xavier Institute of Tribal Education rather than by proffering excuses for the imbroglio in the IIMs. This is where the Advanis and Vajpayees need to pay homage. Not to all the Sai Babas and the Hugging saints that they are so busy with. India is changing inspite of them and they need to realise that.
I couldn't have spent a more humane and wonderful weekend. Jamshedpur is an eyeopener and a role model, which should be made mandatory for replication. I saw corporate India actually participate in basic nation-building, for when these tribal girls go back to their villages, they will return with knowledge that will truly be life-altering. Corporate India can do it but most of the time is willing to shy away. For those corporate leaders who are happier winning awards and being interviewed on their choice of clothes, my advise is visit Tata Steel, spend some days at Jamshedpur and see a nation's transformation. That is true service and true nationalism. Tata Steel will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2007. It won't be just a milestone in this company's history. It will be a milestone, to my mind of corporate transparency and generosity in this country. It is indeed fitting that Ratan Tata today heads a group which has people who are committed to nation-building than just building influence and power. JRD must be smiling wherever he is. And so must Jamshedji Nusserwanji. These people today have literally climbed every last blue mountain. And continue to do so with vigour and passion. Thank god for the Tata's !"
A steel magnate himself, LN Mittal's words as above speaks volumes of the Tatas and their contribution to corporate India. The Tatas fully deserve the global respect that they command from CEO's to the poorest of all because of their yeoman service to the nation. As always its a Game of Quid Pro Quo - you give some you take some
A strong ethics and value system has always been a hallmark of the Tatas and the greatest testimony is in the fact that 100 year old Tata Steel has stopped working only once due to labor unrest and that too way back in the 2nd decade of the previous century! Their commitment to philanthropy and human values defies comparision. Read LN Mittal's description of his visit to Tata Steel below:
" I visited Jamshedpur over the weekend to see for myself an India that is fast disappearing despite all the wolf-cries of people like Narayanamurthy and his ilk. It is one thing to talk and quite another to do and I am delighted to tell you that Ratan Tata has kept alive the legacy of perhaps India's finest industrialist J.N. Tata. Something that some people doubted when Ratan took over the House of the Tata's but in hindsight, the best thing to have happened to the Tata's is unquestionably Ratan. I was amazed to see the extent of corporate philanthropy and this is no exaggeration.
For the breed that talks about corporate social responsibility and talks about the role of corporate India, a visit to Jamshedpur is a must. Go there and see the amount of money they pump into keeping the town going; see the smiling faces of workers in a region known for industrial unrest; see the standard of living in a city that is almost isolated from the mess in the rest of the country.
This is not meant to be a puff piece. I have nothing to do with Tata Steel, but I strongly believe the message of hope and the message of goodness that they are spreading is worth sharing. The fact that you do have companies in India which look at workers as human beings and who do not blow their software trumpet of having changed lives. In fact, I asked Mr. Muthuraman, the managing director, as to why he was so quiet about all they had done and all he could offer in return was a smile wrapped in humility, which said it all. They have done so much more since I last visited Jamshedpur, which was in 1992. The town has obviously got busier but the values thankfully haven't changed.
The food is still as amazing as it always was and I gorged, as I would normally do. I visited the plant and the last time I did that was with Russi Mody. But the plant this time was gleaming and far from what it used to be. Greener and cleaner and a tribute to environment management. You could have been in the mountains. Such was the quality of air I inhaled! There was no belching smoke; no tired faces and so many more women workers, even on the shop floor. This is true gender equality and not the kind that is often espoused at seminars organised by angry activists. I met so many old friends. Most of them have aged but not grown old. There was a spring in the air which came from a certain calmness which has always been the hallmark of
Jamshedpur and something I savoured for a full two days in between receiving messages of how boring and decrepit the lack lustre Fashion Week was.
Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata had created an edifice that is today a robust company and it is not about profits and about valuation. It is not about who becomes a millionaire and who doesn't'. It is about getting the job done with dignity and respect keeping the age-old values intact and this is what I learnt. I jokingly asked someone as to whether they ever thought of joining an Infosys or a Wipro and pat came the reply: "We are not interested in becoming crorepatis [millionaires]
but in making others crorepatis [millionaires]." Which is exactly what the Tata's have done for years in and around Jamshedpur. Very few people know that Jamshedpur has been selected as a UN Global Compact City, edging out the other nominee from India, Bangalore. Selected because of the quality of life, because of the conditions of sanitation and roads and welfare. If this is not a tribute to industrial India, then what is? Today, India needs several Jamshedpurs but it also needs this Jamshedpur to be given its fair due, its recognition. I am tired of campus visits being publicised to the Infosys and the Wipro's of the world.
Modern India is being built in Jamshedpur as we speak. An India built on the strength of core convictions and nothing was more apparent about that than the experiment with truth and reality that Tata Steel is conducting at Pipla.
Forty-eight tribal girls (yes, tribal girls who these corrupt and evil politicians only talk about but do nothing for) are being educated through a residential program over nine months. I went to visit them and I spoke to them in a language that they have just learnt: Bengali. Eight weeks ago, they could only speak in Sainthali, their local dialect. But today, they are brimming with a confidence that will bring tears to your eyes. It did to mine. One of them has just been selected to represent Jharkand in the state archery competition. They have their own women's football team and what's more they are now fond of education. It is a passion and not a burden.
This was possible because I guess people like Ratan Tata and Muthurman haven't sold their souls to some business management drivel, which tells us that we must only do business and nothing else. The fact that not one Tata executive has been touched by the Naxalites in that area talks about the social respect that the Tata's have earned.
The Tata's do not need this piece to be praised and lauded. My intent is to share the larger picture that we so often miss in the haze of the slime and sleaze that politics imparts. My submissions to those who use phrases such as "feel-good" and "India Shining" is first visit Jamshedpur to understand what it all means. See Tata Steel in action to know what companies can do if they wish to. And what corporate India needs to do. Murli Manohar Joshi would be better off seeing what Tata Steel has done by creating the Xavier Institute of Tribal Education rather than by proffering excuses for the imbroglio in the IIMs. This is where the Advanis and Vajpayees need to pay homage. Not to all the Sai Babas and the Hugging saints that they are so busy with. India is changing inspite of them and they need to realise that.
I couldn't have spent a more humane and wonderful weekend. Jamshedpur is an eyeopener and a role model, which should be made mandatory for replication. I saw corporate India actually participate in basic nation-building, for when these tribal girls go back to their villages, they will return with knowledge that will truly be life-altering. Corporate India can do it but most of the time is willing to shy away. For those corporate leaders who are happier winning awards and being interviewed on their choice of clothes, my advise is visit Tata Steel, spend some days at Jamshedpur and see a nation's transformation. That is true service and true nationalism. Tata Steel will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2007. It won't be just a milestone in this company's history. It will be a milestone, to my mind of corporate transparency and generosity in this country. It is indeed fitting that Ratan Tata today heads a group which has people who are committed to nation-building than just building influence and power. JRD must be smiling wherever he is. And so must Jamshedji Nusserwanji. These people today have literally climbed every last blue mountain. And continue to do so with vigour and passion. Thank god for the Tata's !"
A steel magnate himself, LN Mittal's words as above speaks volumes of the Tatas and their contribution to corporate India. The Tatas fully deserve the global respect that they command from CEO's to the poorest of all because of their yeoman service to the nation. As always its a Game of Quid Pro Quo - you give some you take some
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Importance - The craving and pitfalls
Value which one attaches to a thing or person translates into how less or more important a person or thing is. Importance is a craving for every person specially in or amongst a large group or even in a mutual relationship. The craving results in expectations which almost often remains unfulfilled. The result is a painful reconciliation to the newer level of importance and revised lesser expectations. An out of the box parallel could be drawn with the stock market as well. Investors invest in a stock assuming an expected return and hence the price of the stock increases due to the demand! The stock's price being unjustified or expectations being higher than what the worth is corrects itself when the investors realized the expectations which leads to lesser importance to the stock and lesser expectations!
Why, Expectation is an important metric in the statistics by which we anticipate the future expected values of an event!
Coming back to a much more complex arena of humanity, what happens when the importance you felt you had isnt what it actually is. Or more ironically it has changed or changes periodically as per the wants of the second person involved. Personal experience tells me, most likely either you have misread the situation and thought you were important but you actually are not! This atleast one can blame oneself! But what about the periodically or situationally changing ones? Objectively importance cannot be constant and has to change periodically for any person! However there has to be a basic level attached to everyone and this basic level shoud ideally be constant. However, personal experience also shows that most often even this does not happen.
Most often you would see people turning up to you in times of pressure and need and then and then an abject disregard after the wind has blown away. This also takes me to the subject of being taken for granted but let's that keep for the next post!
Conclusion is importance is good and creates a feel-good warmth. It also comes with it the risks of being rejected and disregarded later. Maybe even in this its give and take - initially you give the importance to a person and later take the disregard with pain! Game of Quid Pro Quo as always it is!
Why, Expectation is an important metric in the statistics by which we anticipate the future expected values of an event!
Coming back to a much more complex arena of humanity, what happens when the importance you felt you had isnt what it actually is. Or more ironically it has changed or changes periodically as per the wants of the second person involved. Personal experience tells me, most likely either you have misread the situation and thought you were important but you actually are not! This atleast one can blame oneself! But what about the periodically or situationally changing ones? Objectively importance cannot be constant and has to change periodically for any person! However there has to be a basic level attached to everyone and this basic level shoud ideally be constant. However, personal experience also shows that most often even this does not happen.
Most often you would see people turning up to you in times of pressure and need and then and then an abject disregard after the wind has blown away. This also takes me to the subject of being taken for granted but let's that keep for the next post!
Conclusion is importance is good and creates a feel-good warmth. It also comes with it the risks of being rejected and disregarded later. Maybe even in this its give and take - initially you give the importance to a person and later take the disregard with pain! Game of Quid Pro Quo as always it is!
Friday, August 31, 2007
KRISHNA - THE ULTIMATE
" Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Faleshu Kadachana"
- Bhagvad Gita
Hindu mythology presents a diverse diaspora of several epics and stories which to the common man may sound fantastic as well as a fantasy but in the truest sense they reflect the entire vivid rainbow of humanity. The variety of characters and situations that it depicts still remains to be completely unravelled . What follows here in this page is a modest attempt to dissect a persona that has no parallel in India and that which doubtless encompasses humanity in its entirety , possesses all the qualities of a human and yet is different in all possible aspects . He is none other than KRISHNA - THE ULTIMATE , or also famous as GOVIND, NARAYANA, HARI. He has been described as the one who possesses a thousand names ( he is called the "Sahasranamdhari" ) , as the one who is comparable to none, one who has no beginning ( He is called "Anaadi" ) and the One who has no end ("Anant ").
The Hindu stories have maximum references to him and He epitomizes values in their variety, nature in its naturality . The story of his birth itself indicates what lies in store ahead for those who listen to His stories. He was born on the Ashtami of the "shravan" month of Hindu calendar in the Shukla Paksha . The myth surrounding his birth in a stormy night in the prison bars of Mathura to Devaki and Vasudev is famous and every Indian child listens to it with rapt attention when the story sessions of grandmothers begin.
The antics of the lord in his childhood are glorified as His " Leela" or sport and countless sonnets and ballads have been written and sung over the millennia in every Indian language possible . Even today a child is referred as "Balakrishna" ( Little Krishna ) when he bowls over his mother with his playfulness. It is perceived that the Lord was giving his mother "Moksha" ( salvation) by his pleasing antics . The great poet Soordas in his lyrical ode to the Lord's childhood has mentioned that the greatness that Yashoda has achieved by being a mere spectator is more than what can be achieved by great seers in seven rebirths. Poets have been rendered speechless when they perceive the sheer humanity in his playfulness and Hindi literature is abundant with such Mother - Son sequences.
As the child grew up his activities took a different turn. The cowherds and the cows became His companions in His Sport . Though he behaved humanly the Lord showed glimpses of His being the "Avatar Purush " like His lifting of the Govardhan mountain in His little finger and thus showing Indra who is the Supreme . The people of Vrindavan adored him and their adoration was their "Bhakti ". In fact this form of "Bhakti " called the " Prem - Bhakti " ( devotion through love) is the most important message of Krishna .
Hindu philosophy advocates two forms of Bhakti to attain salvation . One is the "Gyan Marg" and the other "Prem Marg". Through the former one attains the Lord by gaining knowledge and preaching the same about HIm. The latter is the more simpler asks the Bhaktas to love the Lord himself , not as a Lord but as a companion . Here one must mention that this love is echelons above what we today term as love. "prem" as our texts say is a spiritual phenomenon which is a "Sangam" of two souls. In case of Bhakti it is the confluence of the "atma" and the "Parmatma".Hindi poets like Soordas, Raskhan , Meera have described in great elaboration the worth of such form of Bhakti and who better than the most beautiful of them all - Krishna Himself .The character of Akroor in the Bhagvat Puran is to demonstrate the superiority of the Prem Marg over the other.
Krishna's "Raas - Leela" is one of the striking phase of his incarnation. Legend has it that every Gopika loved Him in her heart but social barriers prevented them from expression. This also indicates that Bhakti is without barriers and does not remain confined within the societal rules. It is said that the Lord in His Sport once asked Devi Durga to descend to Vrindavan and advise all the Gopikas to think of their beloved and fast for a period of 40 days succeeding which they would be granted their beloveds. Everybody wished Krishna and waited for 40 painful days which is also famous in Hindi as " Viyog Parv". At the end of the Parv as promised Krishna with His Maya became omnipresnt and every Gopika thought that He was with her. But in reality He was with his consort Radha. The Bhakti of Radha is unparalleled in Indian Mythology. The union of Radha-Krishna is the ultimate confluence of the "Jivatma " with the Supreme Being and it also shows that marriage is not necessarily the final resort of Love.
This story has all the shades of a classical but spritual romance. Even today Hindi film songs directly refer to the saga of Radha - Krishna . Every aspect -from Krishna teasing his consort near the Yamuna ("Bhor bhaye panghat par , mohe natkhat Sham sataye") to Radha getting angry with Him is encompassed in our literature. Poets have narrated incidents galore of this phase of the Lord's life.
The last and final major aspect of Krishna's life is his role as a Kshatriya and as a master craftsman. Krishna was the Indian Machiavelli and advocated immortal principles in the Gita which if followed even today will lead to success as well as peace of mind. He was the first to advise the businessmen to start the lending business.Legend tells that when Jarasandh invaded Mathura , it did not have the resources to lead the fightback. Krishna much to everyone's indignation advised that resources be generated from the lower "Vaishyas". His philosophy that they were also citizens and they also had equal responsibility towards the safety of the city.Moreover they being businessmen would never want to lose money and hence would bless the Kshatriyas to victory to satisfy their purpose. His role in the Kurukshetra War is an open book to all. His policy was to counter Dharma with Dharma but to tolerate Adharma taking Dharma's resort is a crime. Thus he defined His actions in the war as Dharma when he defeated Drona , Karna , Duryodhana taking resort to unlawful means.
Krishna is a Philosophy in Himself, combining an institution of rules , variety of emotions that engraves in itself the humanity in its entirety. The Bhagvad Gita is a Bible for us . It prescribes one to be not a "Bhakta Yogi" but asks us to be a "Karma Yogi". Our authority is confined to the job only and not in its results. {"Ma Falesu Kadachana"). His life is statement on way of life on all the 4 stages of life and each and every action of His is an education in itself and worthy of replication .
The above is only a small attempt to cover a persona which has been tried in vain through millennia by poets and preachers, seers and sages. Much water has flowed down the Kalindi (Yamuna) since His days but the Vrindavan still abounds by His charms. His "Venu Vadya" ( Flute) still resonates in the greens and even now the Raag "Brindavan Saarang" brings delight to the true lovers as well as the peacocks which wait eternally for their lover , the "Sawan" (rain drops) as Radha waited and is still waiting for Him to return.
- Bhagvad Gita
Hindu mythology presents a diverse diaspora of several epics and stories which to the common man may sound fantastic as well as a fantasy but in the truest sense they reflect the entire vivid rainbow of humanity. The variety of characters and situations that it depicts still remains to be completely unravelled . What follows here in this page is a modest attempt to dissect a persona that has no parallel in India and that which doubtless encompasses humanity in its entirety , possesses all the qualities of a human and yet is different in all possible aspects . He is none other than KRISHNA - THE ULTIMATE , or also famous as GOVIND, NARAYANA, HARI. He has been described as the one who possesses a thousand names ( he is called the "Sahasranamdhari" ) , as the one who is comparable to none, one who has no beginning ( He is called "Anaadi" ) and the One who has no end ("Anant ").
The Hindu stories have maximum references to him and He epitomizes values in their variety, nature in its naturality . The story of his birth itself indicates what lies in store ahead for those who listen to His stories. He was born on the Ashtami of the "shravan" month of Hindu calendar in the Shukla Paksha . The myth surrounding his birth in a stormy night in the prison bars of Mathura to Devaki and Vasudev is famous and every Indian child listens to it with rapt attention when the story sessions of grandmothers begin.
The antics of the lord in his childhood are glorified as His " Leela" or sport and countless sonnets and ballads have been written and sung over the millennia in every Indian language possible . Even today a child is referred as "Balakrishna" ( Little Krishna ) when he bowls over his mother with his playfulness. It is perceived that the Lord was giving his mother "Moksha" ( salvation) by his pleasing antics . The great poet Soordas in his lyrical ode to the Lord's childhood has mentioned that the greatness that Yashoda has achieved by being a mere spectator is more than what can be achieved by great seers in seven rebirths. Poets have been rendered speechless when they perceive the sheer humanity in his playfulness and Hindi literature is abundant with such Mother - Son sequences.
As the child grew up his activities took a different turn. The cowherds and the cows became His companions in His Sport . Though he behaved humanly the Lord showed glimpses of His being the "Avatar Purush " like His lifting of the Govardhan mountain in His little finger and thus showing Indra who is the Supreme . The people of Vrindavan adored him and their adoration was their "Bhakti ". In fact this form of "Bhakti " called the " Prem - Bhakti " ( devotion through love) is the most important message of Krishna .
Hindu philosophy advocates two forms of Bhakti to attain salvation . One is the "Gyan Marg" and the other "Prem Marg". Through the former one attains the Lord by gaining knowledge and preaching the same about HIm. The latter is the more simpler asks the Bhaktas to love the Lord himself , not as a Lord but as a companion . Here one must mention that this love is echelons above what we today term as love. "prem" as our texts say is a spiritual phenomenon which is a "Sangam" of two souls. In case of Bhakti it is the confluence of the "atma" and the "Parmatma".Hindi poets like Soordas, Raskhan , Meera have described in great elaboration the worth of such form of Bhakti and who better than the most beautiful of them all - Krishna Himself .The character of Akroor in the Bhagvat Puran is to demonstrate the superiority of the Prem Marg over the other.
Krishna's "Raas - Leela" is one of the striking phase of his incarnation. Legend has it that every Gopika loved Him in her heart but social barriers prevented them from expression. This also indicates that Bhakti is without barriers and does not remain confined within the societal rules. It is said that the Lord in His Sport once asked Devi Durga to descend to Vrindavan and advise all the Gopikas to think of their beloved and fast for a period of 40 days succeeding which they would be granted their beloveds. Everybody wished Krishna and waited for 40 painful days which is also famous in Hindi as " Viyog Parv". At the end of the Parv as promised Krishna with His Maya became omnipresnt and every Gopika thought that He was with her. But in reality He was with his consort Radha. The Bhakti of Radha is unparalleled in Indian Mythology. The union of Radha-Krishna is the ultimate confluence of the "Jivatma " with the Supreme Being and it also shows that marriage is not necessarily the final resort of Love.
This story has all the shades of a classical but spritual romance. Even today Hindi film songs directly refer to the saga of Radha - Krishna . Every aspect -from Krishna teasing his consort near the Yamuna ("Bhor bhaye panghat par , mohe natkhat Sham sataye") to Radha getting angry with Him is encompassed in our literature. Poets have narrated incidents galore of this phase of the Lord's life.
The last and final major aspect of Krishna's life is his role as a Kshatriya and as a master craftsman. Krishna was the Indian Machiavelli and advocated immortal principles in the Gita which if followed even today will lead to success as well as peace of mind. He was the first to advise the businessmen to start the lending business.Legend tells that when Jarasandh invaded Mathura , it did not have the resources to lead the fightback. Krishna much to everyone's indignation advised that resources be generated from the lower "Vaishyas". His philosophy that they were also citizens and they also had equal responsibility towards the safety of the city.Moreover they being businessmen would never want to lose money and hence would bless the Kshatriyas to victory to satisfy their purpose. His role in the Kurukshetra War is an open book to all. His policy was to counter Dharma with Dharma but to tolerate Adharma taking Dharma's resort is a crime. Thus he defined His actions in the war as Dharma when he defeated Drona , Karna , Duryodhana taking resort to unlawful means.
Krishna is a Philosophy in Himself, combining an institution of rules , variety of emotions that engraves in itself the humanity in its entirety. The Bhagvad Gita is a Bible for us . It prescribes one to be not a "Bhakta Yogi" but asks us to be a "Karma Yogi". Our authority is confined to the job only and not in its results. {"Ma Falesu Kadachana"). His life is statement on way of life on all the 4 stages of life and each and every action of His is an education in itself and worthy of replication .
The above is only a small attempt to cover a persona which has been tried in vain through millennia by poets and preachers, seers and sages. Much water has flowed down the Kalindi (Yamuna) since His days but the Vrindavan still abounds by His charms. His "Venu Vadya" ( Flute) still resonates in the greens and even now the Raag "Brindavan Saarang" brings delight to the true lovers as well as the peacocks which wait eternally for their lover , the "Sawan" (rain drops) as Radha waited and is still waiting for Him to return.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Why are we moving away??
How does our past influence us? Specially the past which was never a part of our lives and about which we have only heard and read about in books. The past of our country which is seeing a sea-change in attitudes tastes and preferences now. The new brigade is seen to be in an advantageous position because it was brought up in post liberalization era where profits where not wrong, extravagance was appreciated and envied and flaunting the order of the day. If you have it show it was the mantra. Now that cud be wealth to well-toned bodies! This brigade was talented and energetic to work hard and dared to dream. Situtaion demanded people who could shape up their dreams and lo behold! here appeared encouragement from all quarters including politics, media and what not...People might be wondering where this piece of prose is heading....It actually heads nowhere because we, ourselves as a society are heading where??? to nowhere....Every major city is at a cusp of conflicting and confused identities. A traditional Chennai is gradually being dumped with resto-bars and lounge-bars and unfortunately the increase in them is equated with city getting developed! Where have more logical parameters like transport, infrastructure, roads gone?
Gone is the old charm of Calcutta with its Durga Puja...the Puja itself competes with discs and extravagance and flaunting of the people. There is a clear divide amongst people who still listen RabindraSangeet and the new brigade which has been rarely exposed to it!
This is not a pessimistic or a communist feeling that we should revert back to old days because old is gold. India today is at an exciting threshold now. The people who dare to dream never had it so good. Profits are not decried anymore and rather any wealth & prosperity obtained through hard work is exemplified and eulogised! However, as an individual I am at splitsville to say the least...Is allegiance to traditions foolhardy? Why cant we look into the rationale of our traditions and then reject them? Arent we still under colonial influence only that it is being replaced by reasons like globalization and westernization? Why still anyone speaking better English is thought to be better or smarter? Why do people have to freak out at pubs and malls to celebrate? Why is extravagance = celebration? And what if I dont want that shall I be called as a 91 year old instead of 19?
On one hand we seem to be self-assured and confident and on one hand we seem to be confused...Societal and peer pressures try to shake off the Indian roots but something which is ingrained is impossible to amputate...Its thrown everybody from politicians to portfolio managers, from brand managers to media into a topsy turvy zone where you can only expected the unexpected to happen....
At threshold of its 60th Independence Day, India is still like a new bride who is waiting for her "ghoonghat" to be pushed over and her moon-face to be revealed! Lets not forget ourselves in the deluge of consumerism! Lets bring new ideas and theories to explain ourselves rather than resorting to existing ones! Because India is new! And as is the trend the Indian mantra we always follow Bollywood - "Chak De India"...Lets give her our best...and take the best from her!
As always you give some you take some! A Game Of Quid Pro Quo
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The recordings of what we played...
The recordings of what we played in Denovo...
The first is an adaptation of Titanic soundtrack!
Second is our version of Motherland an adaptation to fusion in Raag Jog...
Listen and let me know
The first is an adaptation of Titanic soundtrack!
|
Second is our version of Motherland an adaptation to fusion in Raag Jog...
|
Listen and let me know
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Denovo 2007 NITIE's annual cultural day
Denovo - NITIE's annual cultural day happens once the juniors come in and are asked to showcase their cultual talent to the seniors, faculty and staff. Completely different time in the life of an MBA student always into business and money. This Denovo was special as it also marked the launch of the cultural club a concept a few of us have been carrying in our hearts for long.
One of my very few satisfactory performances and definitely a sea change in terms of experience...we played instrumental fusion with Anuj n Jajoo on electric, dawn on harmonica, Sameer on Tabla and Jayanth on mridangam (percussionists after a loooong time!) and yours truly on the violin...The idea was to showcase all the talents as well as present music as a universal language....hence the choice of a Indian base track on Raag Jog and the Titanic track for the western base...
The initial exhilaration of listening to the motherland of L Subramaniam quickly vapored away as it was too hot to handle....then started customizations suiting our standards...greatest challenge for me was I had to lead the track the way Subramaniam had done....and he being who he is, is impossible to replicate...moreover as the track provided ample scope for improvisation, clamping down on that and setting up a nice framework encompassing Jog and within a minute and half, playing a bit of jazz in it as welll....but all's well that ends well and in my opinion it ended really well....
Titanic was something we had played last year and though the output wasnt satisfactory, last year's experience was valuable....Jayanth's addition to this group proved invaluable as his mridangam blended beautifully with the western sounds...there was a time when Titanic sounded like Therukoothu (Tamil folk)!
Appreciation was instantaneous and immense! But quite a lot to learn...most importantly if you put in the effort - in practise as well as in minor things like setting the pitch, accoustics, tuning of instruments- it pays you handsomely...again it boils down to a Game of Quid Pro Quo - you give some you take some!
One of my very few satisfactory performances and definitely a sea change in terms of experience...we played instrumental fusion with Anuj n Jajoo on electric, dawn on harmonica, Sameer on Tabla and Jayanth on mridangam (percussionists after a loooong time!) and yours truly on the violin...The idea was to showcase all the talents as well as present music as a universal language....hence the choice of a Indian base track on Raag Jog and the Titanic track for the western base...
The initial exhilaration of listening to the motherland of L Subramaniam quickly vapored away as it was too hot to handle....then started customizations suiting our standards...greatest challenge for me was I had to lead the track the way Subramaniam had done....and he being who he is, is impossible to replicate...moreover as the track provided ample scope for improvisation, clamping down on that and setting up a nice framework encompassing Jog and within a minute and half, playing a bit of jazz in it as welll....but all's well that ends well and in my opinion it ended really well....
Titanic was something we had played last year and though the output wasnt satisfactory, last year's experience was valuable....Jayanth's addition to this group proved invaluable as his mridangam blended beautifully with the western sounds...there was a time when Titanic sounded like Therukoothu (Tamil folk)!
Appreciation was instantaneous and immense! But quite a lot to learn...most importantly if you put in the effort - in practise as well as in minor things like setting the pitch, accoustics, tuning of instruments- it pays you handsomely...again it boils down to a Game of Quid Pro Quo - you give some you take some!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
A Bunch of Juniors
Being a part of the Impact team @ NITIE has been an exhilarating experience! More so because many hundreds of people who aspire to be amongst us here or for that matter in any top school look up to us. There is this certain aura that is present which makes people in a b-school seem out of the world to those who arent.
The heydays of Impact are the 4 days of GD/PI on campus where a bunch of more than 800 students vie for a 100 odd places in college. So many questions, so many doubts, so many aspirations! It seemed as though a few of our statements could possibly change their decisions and hence the course of their career! It instilled in us a greater sense of responsibility that made us more careful and more empathetic to the varied situations of the aspirants and their vivid descriptions :)
The better part ofcourse is the Induction season once the new batch lands on campus! Now the eyes are a bit less starry but full of questions none the less! The questions though now vary and veer towards profiles and jobs and studies and on the lesser side proxies mess food better cell connections! Everywhere and anywhere there are juniors smiling and saying a hi! Many many more people know you and respect you just because you are a solitary year senior to them in a b-school! So we have all the rights to give as much gyaan as possible (Gyaan is and will always be any MBA's forte! :P). They aspire to be in committees and contribute to the college! We aspire to get the best candidates to our committees and I am dead sure that a lot of wrangling over a few juniors (especially the girls) is going to take place over the nexr week!
Yes next week! Will be the most critical for all committees as they choose their future batch over a 4 day sessions of interviews and double interviews and shortlists and what not! Will leave both the batches tired but definitely excited! I for one am looking forward to seeing a bunch of juniors answer our questions diligently and trying to be one of Impact!
But all said and done borrowing from one of the famous ad lines...
"Buying a house-15 lakhs, Rajinikanth's fees in Sivaji- 15 crores, meeting a bunch of juniors at any time of the day or night - priceless"
6 months more in this campus! Intend to work hard a lot! Party and booze a lot and emerge out with a satisfaction of having contributed in some small way to the college and guided several younger and impressionable minds to their own paths! No doubt involves a lot of hard work and compromise on your own time! But as always its a "Game of quid pro quo - you give some, you take some"
The heydays of Impact are the 4 days of GD/PI on campus where a bunch of more than 800 students vie for a 100 odd places in college. So many questions, so many doubts, so many aspirations! It seemed as though a few of our statements could possibly change their decisions and hence the course of their career! It instilled in us a greater sense of responsibility that made us more careful and more empathetic to the varied situations of the aspirants and their vivid descriptions :)
The better part ofcourse is the Induction season once the new batch lands on campus! Now the eyes are a bit less starry but full of questions none the less! The questions though now vary and veer towards profiles and jobs and studies and on the lesser side proxies mess food better cell connections! Everywhere and anywhere there are juniors smiling and saying a hi! Many many more people know you and respect you just because you are a solitary year senior to them in a b-school! So we have all the rights to give as much gyaan as possible (Gyaan is and will always be any MBA's forte! :P). They aspire to be in committees and contribute to the college! We aspire to get the best candidates to our committees and I am dead sure that a lot of wrangling over a few juniors (especially the girls) is going to take place over the nexr week!
Yes next week! Will be the most critical for all committees as they choose their future batch over a 4 day sessions of interviews and double interviews and shortlists and what not! Will leave both the batches tired but definitely excited! I for one am looking forward to seeing a bunch of juniors answer our questions diligently and trying to be one of Impact!
But all said and done borrowing from one of the famous ad lines...
"Buying a house-15 lakhs, Rajinikanth's fees in Sivaji- 15 crores, meeting a bunch of juniors at any time of the day or night - priceless"
6 months more in this campus! Intend to work hard a lot! Party and booze a lot and emerge out with a satisfaction of having contributed in some small way to the college and guided several younger and impressionable minds to their own paths! No doubt involves a lot of hard work and compromise on your own time! But as always its a "Game of quid pro quo - you give some, you take some"
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