Five months, about 150 days - no stirring out of the confines of our residences - every one of us have to accept the lock-down rules and follow rules.
The large size of the country and the sheer size of the population poses a daunting task for even the utmost efficient and responsible government; then consider the unique mix of our indifferent and insensitive administrative system at all levels and typical character of the people of this country to always break the rules! A favourable environment for the virus to make this land its home!
The daily wage earners, auto/cab drivers, vendors and many others are constantly worried about the next meal. The government, thus, has relaxed the lock-down conditions enabling people to move from one town to another within the state but of course with the request and warning for people to be careful and not rush out like the water released from a dam.
I had not ventured out except for brief walks in the morning hours. All public places where people gather forgetting to maintain distance are off limit for me. Many a day I was wondering about this restriction, trying to probe within - " Am I getting restless?" Do I miss preparing for a long tour/the travel or the diverse groups of people?" I don't think so. one thing flows into another and the days roll smoothly past.
When there was a talk about trains, railway stations and the rush to find our reserved seats, I certainly felt very nostalgic and sensed the longing lurking deep within me.
After weighing the pros and cons, we decided to travel by road to Tiruvannamalai to see my elder daughter and family(especially my granddaughter) and I could spend the 'Ganesh Chathurthi weekend with the immediate family members. Though the Ramanashram and the temple would be closed, 'Darshan of the mountain ('Annamalai) uplifts the spirit.
Ah,,, packing things and getting ready for the travel - brought a surge of feelings and so the wanderer within me jumped with joy and did a quick twirl!!
Those who happen to watch Tamil movies and particularly the MGR movie -"Anbe vaa" (அன்பே வா) would remember MGR's burst of energy and zest for life in the following song. (slightly modified by me!!)
"புதிய வானம், புதிய பூமி !
நான் வருகையிலே என்னை வரவேற்க புதுக் காலை விடிகிறது!
உடைய சூரியனின் பார்வையிலே உலகம் விழித்துக் கொண்ட வேளையிலே !"
The song celebrates the beginning of a new dawn in a new place (Shimla)with 'Joie De Vivre'! The wanderer within broke out with this song during the morning drive with all beings waking up to a new morning. (All singing happened in the mental screen where images from distant pasts and recent times overlapped with the present whirred past)
The piercing blue sky, glossy green leaves enjoying clean air sans fumes and smoke, the comparative silence of the route with less human disturbance triggered the senses sharply.
It was strange to see the 'Girivalam route (roads to go round the mountain in circumambulation) deserted and quiet and the ashram gates tightly closed with no autos in front or people going in and coming out. But the earth seems to have embraced this with joy.
I had 2 days of waking up to the vision of the mountain and different bird calls. Had a great bonding time with daughters and my granddaughter.
Getting back to the city on Monday morning, we got caught in a heavy traffic in the suburbs which uncannily looked like pre Covid time traffic.
However, there is nothing like early morning drive by road though big and small towns and villages with velvety green fields on both sides of the road. The crops/plants are at different stages of growth - tender saplings, transplanted shoots, tall erect plants, cluster of plantain trees and the gently swaying coconut fronds and one of the oldest natural vegetation of this state- the Palmyra just brought to memory the fertile stretch between Karur and Kulithlai in the delta.
When I tried to look for continuity in the community life around.. what do I see? The early start of farming activities,cattle lazily feeding on dried grass, haystack and occasional bullocks grazing in the meadows could be the continuity across centuries. However, I could see tractors, heavy bikes instead of bullock carts and antenna on the roofs and the heap of plastic and non-biodegradable garbage jarring the senses. I am jolted back to the present - end of romantic dreams of the past! And that which takes the first place is the dress of women working in and around their houses - nightie, lifted up and tied around the knee like a skirt and one towel placed around the neck! Something special for this state, I think! I call it the 'national dress' of TN!!
Anyhow, reading those historic novels of Sandilyan again brought those kings like Karikal Cholan, his uncle, the traders from distant lands alive! What an amazing and fascinating time that long period starting just before Christ and going on up to 11th century CE was!
And my mind...! what kind of busy factory is that! I am visualising horses trotting or galloping on those roads along the canals of Kaveri and feeling proud about the great Karikal Cholan who built a masonry dam across Kaveri built around 2000 years ago and the trade connection with Roman empire.
I was wondering about the dreams and visions of those seafarers who sailed in uncharted waters, the narrow arms of Indian ocean with rocks jutting into the sea, the dangerous sea predators, pirates and tyrant rulers of distant lands.
With this intense thoughts and visions, the travel went smoothly and here I am - back to routine but charged!
Credit: The first four photos have been shot by my daughter.)
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