The blind guiding the blind?

Guide (1965)
Director: Vijay Anand

I was squeezing my brain, trying to determine the movie's premise. Then, it dawned upon me. We are all walking around aimlessly, looking for someone, anyone, to guide us through the path of life. We are a confused lot. Neither the Guide leading is cocksure that he is leading along the right track, nor we, the seekers, are good at picking out the correct guidance.

We are impressed with the explanation of the tourist guide who managed to sell us the beauty of the place he was promoting. His persuasive speech guides us to appreciate its backstory. Language is a lubricant that eases this exercise. 

That must be it, language. The power of speech is the one that guides us to look for that utopia that we are seeking. We think we will be out of the rut we have entrapped ourselves in. Sadly, after making the necessary changes, we are happy but just for a short duration. Pretty soon, we are embroiled in the same quagmire, looking for another seemingly unreachable goal. Along the way, our primal desires draw more tentacles of misery.

How, then, should we proceed afterwards? Take all that as life experiences that make our lives more meaningful, more colourful or as life lessons? Do you want a life with no undulations but a dull, predictable path?

The 1965 movie simultaneously in English and Hindi with the names 'The Guide' and 'Guide' respectively. It was based on a novel by RK Narayan. Interestingly both stories employ the same cast, but the storyline is slightly altered to satisfy their target audiences. Minus from the English version where the main stars converse Indian-accented proper English are the classic evergreen songs that appear in Hindi. These songs are still enjoyed by all today. Also missing is the emotional display and philosophical, existential soliloquy that are quite pathognomic of Indian cinema. The features are indeed the ones that make Indian movies Indian.

Unquestionably, in my books, the Hindi turned out tops. It is more engaging and brings out the message embedded in the story. 

This movie was not without controversy on release. The idea of an Indian wife leaving the marriage to live with another may be challenging for a mid-1960s Indian public to stomach. A married woman dancing her way to fame may not go well with them either.

Raju, a street-smart tourist guide, meets Marco and his trophy wife, Rosie, to show them around town. Marco, an archaeologist, is only interested in exploring the caves around there. Raju takes the frustrated Rosie sightseeing. Watching a traditional dancer performing a snake dance, her suppressed inner desire comes to the fore. Rosie's mother was a poor courtesan, and Rosie herself was an avid classical dancer. She left all that after her marriage to Marco. That was the deal for the wedding - Marco's aristocratic background would clear Rosie's blemished origins. 

One thing led to another, and her marriage crumbled. Rosie moves in to live with Raju. An unhappy Raju's mother is moved out. Rosie and Raju reach dizzying heights via her dance. The insecure Raju fears that Rosie may go back to Marco. He forges her signature on some bank documents and is charged. Rosie and Raju's manager-lover arrangement collapses. 

The Hindi version has dialogues
of dharma, soul and redemption.

Raju takes a long trip to nowhere and is mistaken for a guru. His one-liners and philosophical talks excite the masses. The word about him goes around. Raju is coaxed to go on a 12-day fast to pray for rain. His feat goes in the press. Both his mother and Rosie come to the scene. The ending depends on where you consume the story- the book, the Hindi or the English version. They differ.

In Raju's 'second avatar' as a holy man, it is also language that strikes a chord with people. The power of the language comforts the aimless seekers of divine intervention. Word soothes, motivates, and pushes an agenda. Conversely, it is the very same word that cuts, hurts and destroys an institution quite august.

P.S. A certain young Gujarati boy who would later grow up to be the Prime Minister of India, a certain Narendra Modi, was moved by this movie. In the end, he thought that 'Guide's primary theme was that everyone gets guidance from their conscience.

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The dilemma of a King?

Lost Loves (Arshia Sattar; 2011)

Exploring Rama's Anguish

The question is whether the so-called divine scriptures are indeed infallible sacred decree or just mere guides for humanity to use as a precursor the complete the building block of life. Is it really God's orders or is it the human interpretation of what is best for mankind?

If the holy texts are indeed supreme, can it be deliberated or argued? We, the human race, used to live at a time when avenues were open for debates. Paradoxically, at this time and age when literacy is at its highest peak since the beginning of history, these doors are precariously shut. No place for questioning!

Are the powers that be hiding something?

I had always been under the impression that a King by the name of Rama as a human in flesh and blood, did actually walk on Earth. His subjects were have been awed by the dramas that revolved around the royal family. Their actions and decisions must have been closely watched by his citizens and be awed. Human beings always look at role models to follow. In those days, with the absence of Kim Kardashian and Kanye  West to set the precedence, the royalties must have been the trendsetters. With a little bit of exaggeration here and a little glorification there, Rama, his consort and his brothers must have attained demigod status, if not Supreme God Himself.

I found this book quite refreshing. Written by an articulate Muslim author whom I had the chance to listen to at the Georgetown Literary Festival, she had earlier been involved in the translation the whole of Valmiki's Ramayana from Sanskrit to English.

The thing is whether to consider Rama as a reincarnation of God when he made all His life and royal decisions or did he make them as a mere mortal, as a ruler?  

The author looks at the what can be construed as Rama's imperfections. One controversy is the slaying of a Sudra ascetic, Shambukha, for masquerading as a Brahmin. The seeming brutal beheading of a man standing on his head is justified as his karma to be slain by the Lord Himself. Others criticise it pure caste consciousness.


The deceitful slaying of Vali, the Monkey King, when Rama wanted an army from Sugriva is questioned. Perhaps, Rama feels that Vali's usurping of Sagrivi's kingdom and wife was immoral. But then, it may have wrong for Rama to take sides and kill Vali when he was vulnerable when he was caught unawares, being garlanded. The truth of the matter may be different, and perhaps Rama was using Ayodhya's social mores to judge inhabitants of Kishkindha, the Varana (monkey) kingdom.

Ayodhya, Kishkindha and Ravana's Asoka garden in Lanka had different standards for women. In Ayodhya, the fairer sex is expected to be demure and bashful. In Kishkindha, however, wife swapping is an acceptable practice. In the demonic world of Lanka, open display and promiscuity were enjoyed.

Sita is viewed as a pitiful victim at the hands of Rama. Imagine being swept off her feet at the prospect of being married to the future King, only to be out-manoeuvred by a conniving young step mother-in-law at the last moment just before the coronation. Then being banished to the jungles for 14 years. The sojourn in the forest was no walk in the park too. Kidnapped by an evil king, only to be rescued much later, life afterwards was no better. Through no fault of hers, Sita is taken away but, she gets the impression that she was accused of having a whale of time partying. She has to prove her chastity to shut the gossiping mouths. Of all the persons, even her husband cannot stand by her but decide the satisfy the people's evil tongue. It is as though she is made the scapegoat to proof Rama's mantle as a just ruler. 

It also appears inhumane that Rama should banish his pregnant wife to the woods just because of the evil words of a dhoby and his unfaithful wife. It is a bad example to have the princes grew up in the wilderness without knowing their father.  Is that what a father should do? Did Rama fail to perform his dharma as a father figure?

Arshia Sattar
Credit: Flickr

Mutilation of Surpanakha, Ravana's sister, of cutting off her breasts and her nose, is an overkill - all because of her promiscuity towards a married man. If Rama were God, would He not seen her real intentions of wanting Ravana to be killed or that it would be the road to His misery. 

Perhaps, Rama was just a man, trying to do the best thing as a ruler; not to be swayed by the lure of the flesh as his father, Dasaratha, was - crumbling to the charms of his younger wife, Kaikeyi, Dasharata had to go back on his word on the throne. Was this why Rama was so cold towards his wife? Maybe Rama loved his wife, if his constant display of Sita's figurine during essential functions, in her absence, is any proof.

If Rama was sent off to live the jungle to live as an ascetic, why is depicted with weapons and continued to consume meat? And he continued to display his sorcery in jungle politics.

There are many regional addendums to the Valmiki's Ramayana. Uttara Kanda and Bala Kanda are examples of such scriptures. Philosophical discourses on these texts only show that answers in life are not so black or white. It often manifests in varying shades of grey.

https://asok22.wixsite.com/real-lesson 

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Two sides of the coin?

The Ramayana

R.K. Narayan (1972)

We all know the story of the Ramayana. The original epic poem contained 24,000 verses and 500 chapters, written by Valmiki in 4 BCE. It has many versions as it had been translated into many Indian languages and non-Indian languages. As the Hindu influence spread over the archipelago, Ramayana had been narrated in Thailand, Malaya. Indonesia and Burma. The version that was written by the Tamil poet, Kamban, is said to give plenty of weightage to Ravana's courts' proceedings and Sita's predicaments after the well-fought war against Lanka. 

The discourse that went on among the Asura brothers on the days before the Northerners' attack is worthy of mention. It tells us a lot of how civil servants or any member of an organisation would (‽ or should) react in a case of a moral dilemma. When Raavan summoned his brothers to help him out against attack from Rama's Army and his band of monkeys, each of them responded differently. 

Vibishana, the honourable one, totally disagreed on Raavan's action of kidnapping somebody's wife against all her cries and pleas and justifying his misdeeds as a tit-for-tat against violence against their sister. He did not want to condone any of his actions. Hence, he fled the scene and did not want anything to do with the defence of Lanka. But, he went on to volunteer information to the enemy which eventually caused Raavan's downfall. Is that right? It could a subject of protracted discussion.

Then, there was Kumbakarna, another brother who also did not approve of Raavan's kidnapping of a respectable woman. Because of the brother's previous help to him and the fact that 'blood is thicker than water', Kumbakarna decided to stay back and fight for his brother. To him, the familial bond was more important than judging the merit of Raavan's misdeeds.

On the other hand, Kuberan the sloth was oblivious to everything that was going on. He was in a deep slumber as he always was when all these was going on. Only when he was provoked at the climax when everything was going on, he charged headlong. By then it had a little bit too late. Does that not remind you of many around us who seem aloof of their surroundings. Only when things go pear-shaped, and things hit the fan, do they suddenly peel open their eyes to see.

Sita's Fire Ordeal
exoticindiaart.com

If you think Ramayana is all about the stoic Rama and his stance of facing all adversities like a good son and a good ruler, you are wrong. Sita had her fair chance of misfortunes. She thought she was getting married to be a queen, but turns of events eventually made her end up dressed in bark parchment to undergo exile in the forest for 14 years. As if that was not enough, Sita had to be kidnapped. Despite being faithful to the vows she made to the celestial bodies during the wedding, her chastity was suspected. Of all persons, it had to be Rama. She saw the change in him after the release from Lanka. Rama did all the search and fight not for love and affection but as a duty. Anyway, that is what is expected of a king-in-exile when his consort is abducted. And of all things, Sita had to prove her innocence via a fire ritual. For Rama, the people's perception was more important. Is this the Dharma that he talks about? Things were never the same after that. Her later self-imposed exile is a testimony of that.

People spent a lifetime trying to read and re-read the Ramayana to understand the wisdom imbibed in its poem. Narayan condenses the whole epic into a small, readable edition for the general public to peruse in any way they want; as a story, a philosophical discourse or a holy book.

Yes or No, Right or Left, You are correct!

Vikram Vedha (2017)

Source: Wiki

Whenever one goes back to his wayward ways, I remember Amma would say, "See, Vethalam has gone up murunga tree!" The story of Vedhalam (Vetal) goes back to the tales of King Vikramaditya and the fables of moral dilemmas. In one instance, the mighty King had to capture Vetal, a demon, from a cemetery. He was supposed to keep a code of silence and not utter a single word, or the creature would retreat back to the tree it was hanging. The King followed suit. The imp was such chatty chap who kept telling stories upon stories and demanding answers. He asserted that if the King knew the answer and did not reply, his head would explode. If the answer were correct, the devil would jump back to the tree. The devil would stay if the answer were wrong. Like that the devil escaped captivity as the wise King could his tales that ended with riddles. 25 stories were told. The King could answer all 24. The demon dodged and the sorcerer caught him, and the cycle went on. The last one proved too complicated even for the wise king. Vikram brought Vetal back.

This is the basis of this film; Vikram, a hotblooded police officer and Vedha, the dangerous criminal he is trying to nab who attempts to justify the path that his life turned out to be.

Gangland fights in North Chennai are becoming nasty. Abandoning their traditional steely knives, the gangsters find guns more damaging. The bodies are piling, and the police had set up a special force of cops to keep the situation under wraps. Everybody in the team was specially handpicked for their dedication. Despite all the obstacles, they persevere. The team members all have their own sorrows to wallow; the chief was injured in an encounter, Vikram's buddy, Simon, has a child with a chronic debilitating disease, another with sex addiction, another who wants to give the best education to his child and yet one with a gambling addiction.

The team gets the opportunity to seize the gang leader, Vedha, but he gets out on bail. Thanks to Vikram's wife who happens to be a junior lawyer. Then a cat-and-mouse game starts as Vikram gets near to apprehending  Vedha. Vedha, in the meantime, engages in a 'catch-me-if-you can' routine whilst telling him stories of moral dilemma and his own justification for the predicament that he (Vedha) is in. Being born in the unfortunate side of the society with scant of opportunities, he had to do what he had to do to survive.

We all talk about one's own dharma*, the reason he is sent to Earth; the correct path that he is supposed to follow as it is what he is supposed to do.  But who is to know - that this is the path and that is the destination. We are all thrown into the deep end of the pool, some of us in cesspools, others in a seemingly nectar-filled rose scented pool. We are made to made to grope in the dark and make sense of what we are supposed to do. Irrespective of muck or rose petals, keeping afloat is a struggle, nonetheless. As we go on with the journey of life, we absorb guidance and knowledge from those around us and convince ourselves that that is our dharma, our reason for our existence. But who knows whether we made the right decision. We make up our minds as we wobble along. 

People in positions of power also go through the very same quandary.  A leader has to take the tough call to steer his downlines towards the right track. Decisions are not mere flowcharts guided by arrows, but different approach needed for different situations. There is no right or wrong decision; only bad choice in retrospect! In case our decisions proved less favourable, we convince ourselves that our conscience is clear. We did what we thought was best at that time and space.

Credit: devdutt.com
Vikramaditya and Vetal

# A king was performing the funeral rites for his father. As he was about to drop the funeral offering in the river, as ritual demanded, three hands rose from the water to receive it. The first hand belonged to a weaver, to whom the king’s mother had been forcibly given in marriage. The second hand was of a priest who loved the king’s mother and had made her pregnant. The third was of a warrior who had found the king abandoned on the riverbank and had adopted him and raised him on his own. “Now tell me Vikramaditya,” said the Vetal, “On which hand should the king place the funeral offering? On the hand of his mother’s husband, his biological father or his foster father? On the palm of the weaver, the priest or the warrior? 

#25. The unanswerable question. If a father and son conquerers seize a kingdom and marry the princess and the queen in captivity respectively, what would be the relationship between their children? (Hey it reminds of P Ramlee's 'Keluarga 69' and K. Balachander's 'Apoorva Raagangal'.)

* Dharma has multiple meanings in different religions. It is said that there is no one single-word that translates dharma in Western languages. It was in use in the Vedas and had evolved over the millennia.  In Hinduism, dharma signifies behaviours that are in accordance with the natural order of the Universe. It encompasses duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and "right way of living". In Buddhism, dharma is the "cosmic law and order" and is also applied to the teachings of the Buddha. In Jainism, it is the teachings of Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) and the body of doctrine about the purification and moral transformation of human beings. For the Sikhs, dharm is the path of righteousness and proper religious practice.

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Come what may!

The Greeks say that a true Stoic sage would not crack under pressure. He would take all the curve balls that life hurls at him at the same stride as he embraces joy. He would find happiness in the simplest of things in life and would not gloat of others’ misgivings or be envious of others’ successes. He knows that everyday accomplishment has its weak points and every underachievement its merit!

King Rama must have slipped into this role, a true Stoic sage, quite well. Imagine the tragedies that bemoaned upon him. He, however, continued performing his various duties, as a ruler, a son, a crowd pleaser without losing focus. Perhaps, the priorities of being an exemplary husband or a doting father did not fall into his dictionary.

After waiting so many years in line for the realm, just when the ascent to the throne is imminent, he had to take a back seat and retreat into the jungle for 14 years. That too, because of some nonsensical promise made by his father.  Imagine an exile into the unforgiving woods, with a new bride hardly accustomed to the hardship of life. Life in the wild was no walk in the park either. Keeping intruders away was a challenge. If that was not enough,  his young wife had to be kidnapped because of some old flame issues.

Recruiting an army in a far away land down south was no easy feat. For which, he could not thank his Tamil friends enough. Rama carried the guilt of killing a just and learned king who was revered by his subjects. What about his dear friends that gave up their lives in the meaningless battle? Rama carried all that guilt.

Just when he thought all were over with the burning city and death of the ‘evil’ monarch and that he could rule Ayodhya in peace, political turmoil dictated that his wife is exiled again. If that was not enough, his wife had been pregnant when he sent her off! If not for the sage, Valmiki, she would not have survived the ordeal. What more, she had a pair of twin boys without his knowledge for years!

If fate were indeed cruel, it did rear its ugly head in Rama’s case. The sacrificial horse had to wander into their territory and his kids, Luv and Kush, had to defend it. Even before meeting his dear wife, she succumbed to her old age. Imagine, a father who not only misses his fatherly duties but almost killing them in the line of duty!

In spite of all these obstacles in life, Rama continued his worldly obligations, allegedly without flinching, surrendering, faithful to natural justice, staying steadfast to his Dharma. That must have been the reason for his elevation to God-like status comparable to the Protector of the world!