Rise and Shine, Kerala! (my thoughts on Kerala matters)

This flooding has been an unprecedented disaster in the history of my little home land. We have not experienced such a widespread, large scale suffering in Kerala, in this century. One that touched everyone one way or the other. Wars, the Partition, famines – none of those have touched us that hard on the whole. We are used to the Monsoon rains, and its accompanying frustrations, and joys. We are used to flooding in the sense that we read and hear about it with regards to certain areas. It was as if they did not affect us. Some areas, especially the coastal areas and also those around the  hill ranges suffer more, but again, shamefully I have to admit, it became an item in the news. Overall, the rains were soothing, and poetic, at times, dramatic with the powerful thunder and lightning show that set hearts pounding. All along, we know and see it all as the harbinger of the harvest season and the dazzling sunshine of the Onam season. I still remember the thunderous rain right when schools opened after the long summer vacation. And also when it stopped right before harvest season, in time for the  Onam vacation. The shining sun, smiling faces, smiling flowers, hovering dragonflies. Because the water that came up usually will drain away too. But this time, things were different, in fact, we are still in the early stages of the aftermath. This is the beginning of a major recovery effort , of an enormous rebuilding. For those who do not know, this becomes a massive undertaking because of the sheer number of people in that small piece of land. Albeit, a blessed land.

At first, it was disbelief that this could happen, that the rain was not going to stop, that the rain was so heavy and powerful that some described it as hissing and foaming. Even when the flooding started and even after warnings, there were people who stayed put in their homes assuming that it would get no higher. When two storey buildings started vanishing under water, of course people were convinced. The totally unprepared state rose to the occasion. The vast rescue and relief projects started with a few hiccups but gained momentum soon enough thanks to a great big hearted group that included fishermen, movie stars, politicians, the state Police, firemen, Electricity board, civil service officers, medics, lawyers, teachers, schools, colleges, businessmen, and a willing and able tech-savvy, social media active group of youngsters. Afar, in countries like the US, young people mobilized donations for their stricken homeland. Within a handful of days, they were able to garner the support of other NRI s who were yearning to pitch in. Hopefully, the older generation sat up and noticed how the much mocked “progress” and social media aided in this massive undertaking. They saw how the till then carefree youth jumped into the fray to help their fellow men and women with open hearts and willing hands. How differences in religion or caste or class was overlooked by everyone as much as how Mother Nature did the same! Those news items about disaster that changed lives in one sweep that we had previously taken in our strides, of which were aware but in which we were not involved at all, became the reality for all of us. The superficial sympathy became empathy.

And while all this is going on, of course I hear other stories, other sides to the story. How indiscriminate development, quarrying and mining in the Western Ghats, that natural protective fortress of ours, and in other areas, has led to these, especially the mudslides and landslides. How the rabid grabbing of farmlands, rice fields and even forest land for building homes and resorts have led to this. And how the lack of planning on the part of the government with regards to the amount of rainfall , the duration of the same, and the lack of calculation as to the amount  of  water that needed to be released from the dams at a certain time etc etc. Most of which makes sense, and the one about the rainfall and the dam needs to be looked into a little more, when we have the time.

I saw doubting folks with regard to the funds collected by well-meaning youth. People do not take the time to read, to listen, to take it in. I am always amazed when we show no hesitation in blaming someone without taking the time to know the facts. I heard and saw again how politicians used religion as their weapon to demoralize and segregate groups of people. Thus there are those who say that it is because we eat beef that this happened. Don’t know if anyone said that it is because we drink wine too. Again, these same people who say this do not mind living in such places and making money there. I had heard that some divisive  unIndian, unKeralite groups have been creating trouble in ours state, a little before this disaster.  Citing history and ownership of lands etc. Are they forgetting all the gains they reaped out of these other religions? Malayalis have always been tolerant and understanding . Unlike in the North, we have always been friendly with our fellow Malayalis, no matter what their religion is. We do not learn biased history in our schools. We do not need your hatred, greed, ignorance and divisive rhetoric in our land.

Meanwhile the rain stopped. And now the next important phase is here. Recovery, rebuilding. I hope and pray that we do not take this chance lightly and throw it away for immediate gains. Plan, listen to the experts, environmental especially. Take the time to do it well. For instance, please refrain from throwing that garbage the river brought back to us, back in the river! Protect our land for future generations, for us, so that disasters like this do not happen again. And if Nature does act up again, for some things are beyond our control, let us be better prepared. Effective storm water management has to be a priority. I see and admire the watershed drainage improvement projects in this town where I live now. It is amazing how beautiful and pleasing such projects can look. Rain gardens, water detention basins, storm sewer pipes along with erosion control with vegetation covers, rock ditches and so on become part of that.

Progress is here to stay, and it would be good if we could do it sensibly. For those who live in big cities with all their amenities, cities that were built on one such “natural” part of earth, you can’t expect these bucolic places to stay bucolic with no modern conveniences. Striking the right balance between preservation and progress is the key, obviously. So many options, resources, so much expertise, examples from all over the world, including the Dutch hydraulic project. A little caution, a little less corruption, a little  goodwill, and patience, we could do so much!

Now, in relation to the flooding, is  another glaring lack in our State. The lack of an efficient garbage disposal system, as many have pointed out. Pickup, disposal, recycling garbage is as important as a good sewer system. New guidelines are needed in the construction of homes. Our ancient vaasthu  shasthra was made and evolved for our climes but we have to take it further than just good luck and/or good life for us, but to our fellow human beings too. For the good of those who live around us, for those who come after us. One simple instance – the ubiquitous tiling of  yards. Very convenient, clean and comfortable, but do it so that the water can seep through, drain off. Permeable material should be used.

Another very important factor that I learned is the need for easy effective water purification systems. When I saw the Aqua tabs, which are pills that you can just drop in the water, cost more than double on amazon India, I wished we made our own. I am sure someone will think of the advantages of having fire drills and flood drills. I hear of talks about flood line mapping, digitalizing documents, calls for an international conference as to how to go forward from here. All sounds great. I know there are already small groups and organizations that work towards these goals. Let them into the mainstream. Garner the power of our youth, our students, our reasearchers, our universities, technoparks, and colleges. Encourage and support them to discover and invent new and better ways to do things, to live well , live healthy and smart in our own land. I know we can make things happen in spite of the red tape, the corruption, the political or gender intrigues. I remember the time when we brought a water tank to our university hostel a long time ago. That is another story again.

In spite of having so much water around us, we are not using it.I am more aware of missed opportunities in that area. My parents’ generation, especially those who grew up in the countryside, learned how to swim. But with the advent of towns and a few other elements, which believe and perpetuate the idea that all are equal, but some are more equal,  of which I have written elsewhere profusely, ours is not a water culture anymore. We don’t swim, we don’t fish, we don’t lie on the beach counting the stars. In fact we don’t dare to play.

Finally, A word to the wise – believe in your gods/God. But do not push him or her down others’ throats thinking yours is the only one way to Heaven. Do not fall for anyone who preaches anything in the name of their particular god or religion. Here is an idea -- why don't we make fun of , find fault with our own religion? Don't do that to another's religion. Because in many things, it is when someone else say bad things about something or someone we care about, that we get mad. Like a mother or father with her child. She or he can scold him as much as they like, but beware if someone else does it! Same with cultures. So I think we should make a pact about religions too.There was a time, not that long ago, when we could laugh at our religions. Joke about our gods. Now everyone seem to be taking it all so dead seriously! Guys and gals, tone it down! We all die, no matter what. Be kind to one another, as much as you can. We are on this earth together. We the people and also we and our gods. They are here because we are here. And vice versa. Now if that is blasphemy, just stop and think about it. Don't get mad.  We have heard it all said a million times, I know. But now a days apparently people find it hard to distinguish between faith and fanaticism. My fellow Malayalis, Indians, may you always use your commonsense! Unite and prosper! And may the sun shine on you, warm and bright!

For more info re other stories mentioned above, please read the fine print.

When I saw the things that the relief camps needed the most , urgently, the realization of the need to bring some changes to our lifestyle hit me,  many of us. We Malayalis or Keralites have always prided ourselves in our ancestry, heritage and above all, tolerance. Tolerance of other cultures, other religions. And our educated leaders and citizens have tried to remedy inequalities on every level. But sometimes we Malayalis tend to look down on customs and ways of living of other cultures. We are tolerant of those people, but if some of us adopt those ways, we are ridiculed or crucified. That is why some of us Malayalis laugh at someone wearing a slip on rubber shoes or a maternity pinafore dress. Progress doesn’t mean talking back or badmouthing something or someone you don’t understand.

They forget that the Marxism that brought about many changes to Kerala society is Western. Anyway, what I wanted to point out is not that highbrow or noble. I am talking of just plain old rain boots. Wish we Malayalis used those, had access to those. We are the ones who need those boots the most,with our yearly monsoon rains. Not our usual hawai chappal. These boots protect our feet from all sorts of things. Same with work boots that both men and women should use. I see women laborers now wearing shirts and lungees as opposed to the earlier more exposed mundu and blouse. Long trousers or pajama pants will be better of course along with boots. Same with gloves, and masks. And utensils  to eat with- spoons and/or forks, instead of fingers and hands. I know I will be booed for this. And in the grand scheme of things, these are not important or necessary. We all live, we all die! But while we live, we could live well. Quality of life is an important matter. Using spoons, of course clean ones, means less chance of germs. We did have those old bio-degradable spoons made of jack fruit tree leaves  and banana leaf dinner plates long before the West touted green living. Again, ignorance and lack of exposure to other ways of living tends to make people embarrassed to change, to take up new ways of doing things. Same with the use of diapers. The convenience, the hygiene. Do not take worm infestation in children and adults as a given! As natural! You don’t have to live with it. It has its bad effects on your health, and since it usually affects children, it  Most of us have learned the merits of modern latrines as opposed to outdoor defecation. Which wasn’t the case a few years back. I remember one scene in an old movie, Eeenadu, I believe, which shows this. But again, washing one’s hands with soap and water after using the toilet is still an unknown to many. Education in the use of toilets is needed too. This flood saw many clever uses of the new technologies to disseminate information. Let us not stop there. Use similar platforms to teach, to inform the public about basic cleanliness. I know we take great pride in our baths and our oil massages and daily rituals.  But obviously that is not enough.

Above all, we need to have a better knowledge and understanding of cleanliness in public areas. Lack of  clean public restrooms, especially for women, is another sore point in our sublime culture.

Yet another of our sides: 

Read my essays How dare they be naked under their underwear! How green wasmy valley

Still a ways to go in regard to women, but that is another story. That is why I wasn’t surprised to hear about that issue with the one guy mocking the need for sanitary napkins for women at the camps. That equating of sanitary napkins with condoms, sadly, is expected -- the result of over-sexualizing, romanticizing, vulgarizing menstruation.  Along with other traditional, Victorian perspectives and institutions, such as the arranged marriage,  which is the weave and warp of our tradition, our culture, all of which works well towards  its main goal -- putting women in their place and/or relegating the marginal to the periphery. But then that is just one guy, and I hear that he got fired from his job. Ignorance and that need to make a joke in awkward moments are other reasons, of course. Which is to be pitied, and remedied through, along with that other affliction that involves peeping and groping.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Kenneth Branagh's adaptation. Not bad. big name stars. Not bad. Somehow the Orient Express, that opulently cozy romantic train is less so in this version. That was all part of the wonderful package of Agatha Christie's book and later the David Suchet movies. Glad that Branagh did not reduce Poirot to the lecherous old goat level of Ustinov. Or make him a buffoon. But what is with that mustache? I will overlook that, considering the fact that he did an overall good job. Except when he giggled like some idiot  while reading his book. And when he grew inordinately pensive and yearning looking at the picture of a lost love. Needless to say Poirot was not like that. He was dignified in every way. Those things irked me as did the pervasive grays. Realistic maybe, but why not be realistic when it comes to the character too? nd the unnecessary twists and turns in the end! And the nominal black guy! Granted this book does have an American connection. Unlike some others where they simply add one to pander to the American viewer, and the most sacrilegious of all - making Poirot a religious fanatic. Thankfully not so much of that in this one. Actually I dont remember.

La La Land and Hamilton Walker's and Casablanca

That  La la Land is a grand movie has been proclaimed by many reviewers and moviegoers, and it has been nominated for many awards. And it so deserves them all. The movie validates art and artists and rebels and liberals without whom we will be rather poor in mind, and in hope, and raises "love" to a level and a time that is at once in the past but very much in the present. It embraces drive and ambition in both man and woman, effectively making those very necessary parts of that ethereal, romantic thing called "dream". It is a movie about movies and stars. About a city of stars and "stars".
a movie that shows the power of imagination, its ability to dream, to plan, and to re-imagine the past, return to the present. it celebrates coincidences shamelessly, plants imagined memories, deja vu feelings with gleeful abandonment, much to my delight. After all, as  I keep saying, a movie is a construct. And so are we. And time goes by! All of which makes one think again that life is but a dream. That the world is a stage. Where all of us are stars in our own little movies, big movies - tragedies, comedies, adventure, drama, horror, disaster and so on. (well, back to my old hope - what if we can really lead those virtual lives? :) )
Mia's song

Aside: If I sound less than enthusiastic, please know that it is not the fault of this earnest, sincere, hopeful, youthful movie. It is me, this jaded old person who  cannot really identify with young lovers following their dreams, with hope and passion, although I have to say, in spite of my passionless head, I liked the movie, and I would recommend it. And I can imagine a young Asha being wowed by it, being immersed in it, swimming in it!

Last week we went to this new restaurant in town, Hamilton Walker's. I knew it took up some space in that intersection, but was a little surprised when I stepped in. I am all for ambience, and this one unexpectedly made me feel like I had gone back in time. Like I was in one of those black and white movies set in New York, in one of their swanky restaurants with  jazz band. There was no jazz band even a piano here, but just Dean Martin's seductive voice floating over the soft voices. But that was enough, with the cozy dark seats and dark wood, and murals on the walls, it was quite pleasant.

Then I saw La La Land. The songs and the dances. The hero and the heroine. Mia and Sebastian. Wow! And the ending. At "Seb's". The jazz band. The gin joint. Hamilton Walker's? what a charming coincidence! :) though I have no one waiting inside!  "Of all the gin joints in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine." Mia walks into Seb's. As I am walking out of the theater, I remember the mention of Casablanca by Mia. Ingrid Bergman's picture on the wall. Casablanca in modern times. Albeit without the intrigue, excitement, and suspense of a war, espionage and the ambience of it all. The fear, the urgent life and death atmosphere of the times.

here, the gin joint owner is a gifted pianist. Like that other old role of the vamp now usurped by heroines, maybe this one has been taken too. But that s fine. as they all do it so well! As their eyes meet, it's the pianist who must have said, "here's looking at you, kid!" Curiously, in true time flipping, movie history timeline twister style, it seems as if La la Land ends where Casablanca begins.

Casablanca- Sam, the pianist, Rick, and Ilsa

Update: Not that great, really. The actors are good. The song nd dance gimmicks are nice. Just a nice movie, overall. Nothing special.

US Election 2016

Trump triumphs.

I remember budding scientists lamenting the loss of funds for scientific research back in the Bush era. Money was used for funding wars, they said. It  was as if some wanted to  bring  everyone down - to a certain basic business level. As if they had something against literacy, against higher studies, against art, humanity, its evolution, progress towards  better, equal world for all classes, races, sexes. That they were trying to produce and maintain a group of drones and peons for their massive corporate and military structures . It was a giant leap backward into the Middle Ages, where only a handful should enjoy the perks of being rich and powerful, and that included the Church. The servant should be happy and content being servants, and obey the Masters .I know I am being naiively idealistic, and I know all politicians are just that, in the end -- politicians. A skewed sense of morality and goodness is part of the game, the only difference being in degree and kind. For instance, neither party has done anything significant to stem the rising cost of higher education in this country, so as to make it accessible to everyone. And, successful businessmen in this world have to be even greater politicians if they want to succeed, I would think. Maybe that will work in America's favor with the new President.

However, I can't help being worried for that budding scientist, and artist now, boy and girl. I hope this is not a giant step backwards for America, and for the world which looks onto America, to imitate, to garner support for their own agendas. One thing I am sure about is that the Indian girl suffered a hefty loss. Sexism does not exist, many say around here and in India. Wake up, moms and dads, especially Indian, sexism, misogyny exists - is openly flaunted, in the name of religion, culture, and tradition, in countries like India. People like Trump become role models there, sadly, all for the wrong reasons. For, to them, he stands for fundamentalism, jingoism, racism, white supremacy, and a lot of other backward thinking attitudes. But why should Americans care, huh? As per Trump, and his followers, it is not America's problem. That kind of isolationism is scary. like someone said, (well, a character in a movie )with great power comes great responsibility. Being world police just for economic gains is, to say the least, irresponsible. Human rights is not just a catch phrase to be bandied about for one's own gains.

2008- Race won then, when the Democrats chose Obama over Hillary. Even then we heard sexist and ageist comments from Obama himself, and no one cared. I hoped that he would be a bridger of gaps, when he became President, and it was time, the race issue had to be addressed. Of course, in the current campaign,  she was dehumanized, as is the usual case, when women try to step out of their prescribed sphere, when any marginalized, and/or colonized being would attempt to become uppity. They are either burned at the stake, branded as witches, or crucified. Still, she fought valiantly. It is amazing how much fight she had in her, how much she wanted what she wanted, and how much she was ready to fight for, in this world run by men. I am awed by her tenacity, her persistence, and above all, her brilliant mind.

 I console myself, thinking they are all politicians, that they break up and make up for their own purposes. That they are all united in their race for success, money, and power.
The losers are the common people, generations of boys and girls. Humanity lost a chance to go forward. To that ideal world of inclusion, unity, equality and enlightenment. We lost the fight against bigotry, ignorance, and class. America blew a chance to make history, to be  role model for all the growing boys and girls of the world. But then, who knows! Ever the hopeful person that I am, maybe now that he has won, after having used every trick, every misogynistic, bigoted, exclusivist idea to woo and win a huge hate-filled section of this country, acting as if he was part of the servant class, when he assumes office, Trump, along with his Trumpets/Trumpettes, will show who he really is. Which side he will support, which country he will lean on, who he will put first, to serve his purpose, which, I hope, is as noble as he thinks it is. After all, it is all a show, and he is the greatest showman of them all!

The allure of the Spirit World and of other worlds: Kung fu Panda 3 (2016)

Where do I begin? How do I describe the picturesque beauty of this fantastic movie? Shall I describe the green skies and golden clouds touching tall mountains, and the elaborately, intricately carved Jade Palace set at the  top of those seemingly endless steps, or the blue-leaved trees along the way to Po's ancestral village,   the secret green green Panda village nestled in that valley past the tall frozen waterfall, where in the evening, red lanterns glimmer and in the day, baby pandas roll down green hills, and around with huge butterfly kites ...Maybe I should  swoon over the detailed depiction of the colorful interiors of the homes, the weaves of the rugs, the stacks of porcelain bowls, the pots filled with dumplings.  or shall I sing songs of praise for the golden shiny Spirit Realm where Oogway resides now, a fabulous place which you reach riding a swirling pool of pink petals, and where the chubby panda Po becomes the true Dragon  Warrior - flaming - literally in a translucent fiery dragon form, trailing a golden silk cape behind him, enjoying it all, so proud and happy that we tear up. I had loved the first two movies in this series ,and I was waiting for this one - did not disappoint me at all. I am reminded of that other movie with its cozy little farm  in that lush green valley, where a bright little pig named Babe lived with his farmer friend. Another movie that enchants.

And then there is Kai - the villain. The one who steals the "chi" of all the great Kung fu masters. Like a psychopathic vehicle of the god of Death,  a bully bull on steroids, he saunters along, swinging metal chains in each muscular hands to the beat of his special music. The Dragon Master is the only one who can subdue him, send him back to the Spirit World. And only once he himself learns the art of giving "chi". A lot of, maybe cliche'd wisdom is strewn around the whole narrative - like those annoying posts on twitter and facebook and whatnot - the boring declarations of the very obvious, but here, I didn't mind at all. Stating the obvious becomes an art in here! for they all fit the story line perfectly. For instance, "The more you take, the less you have". "You cannot be anything unless you try doing something you don not know". 'Know who you are" - and "you are not just one thing - you are a mix of many, and so being you, and your best selves, will make it all work." And of course the way it all works out in the end - the selfless act of Po, his sacrifice for his friends, and the courage and support of his friends in turn. Many lessons are given and learned all along as Po finds his true self - as in "I knew it! I haven't eaten to my full potential!"

 But what made me smile happily was when I heard the old teacher in the Spirit World, perched up among the blossoms of his tree, answers  Po's question as to whether he can go back to the mortal world, with a smile - "Who knows! I never tried!" Obviously he doesn't want to! What a wonderful, hopeful option of a life after death! To me the writers are incredibly clever - able to create such endearing, splendid characters as these warriors and their relatives and friends - among whom is one Mei mei the champion ribbon dancer who cannot be accused of being a humble wall flower! And the two dads of the hero, and the ducks and the rabbits and the intrepid pig who produces instant portraits under any conditions, and the rope bridges that connect tall peaks over cool rivers and the greens and the blues, and the golds, and the pinks......The warmth and the cold, the fire and the snow. It all comes together to give us a spectacular, grand experience. The "chi" flows - flowers bloom, magic happens, all's well with the world! I am sure even the hardened grown up would sit there with wonder-filled eyes  and a happy smile.

An old man, a little home near the sea, and Roger : Mr Holmes (2015)

To think that I might have missed this one! If not for a post on a facebook page! And the post was made by an expert in the business. I don't know if this movie was showed in the local theater. But I am thankful that it was available in our library.

Mr Holmes is 93 years old now. Yes, THE Mr Holmes - of the Sherlock denomination. And yes, the movie begins with that romantic old train, my weakness. :) And he lives in this beautiful home in that beautiful countryside, the typical English one with all its greens and flowers and stone walls and country kitchen complete with a cozy housekeeper who is busy with carrots and cabbages and stews and teas. For me, even those mundane oranges and greens and blues work to enhance the whole movie watching experience. The movie is a sensual feast, even though there is no sexy romance in there of nubile young beings. Only the loneliness and the regrets of an old man who once had the sharpest of intellects, who had lived his life by the tenets of pure logic. And that scary curse of old age - the slow deterioration of the mind - the loss of memory.

However, it is Sherlock Holmes. You do not expect him to give in without a fight! That, maybe, one last hurrah.  He finds a perfect partner in crime in the young Roger - the fatherless son of the sad, bitter, no-nonsense housekeeper. Their conspiratorial relationship is fascinating, as is their fight for the good bees against the evil wasps. And the solving of two mysteries, one of which involves the woman in his last case. I particularly liked the way the past is told - by Holmes himself, through his diary, by Roger reading the same - simply clever and not at all intrusive. But even though while I watched the movie, everything blended into a whole object that is the character Holmes, something about his relationship -- or I should call it the "non-relationship"  that never was, but should have been-- between him and that tragic young woman, lingers. Like Holmes says, his logical analysis did not help her - nor did his own fear and pride help - neither him nor her. Even though he knew they were kindred souls - two lonely hearts who could have been lonely together. The great Holmes realizes it late in life, like many a common man or woman! Makes him one of us. But this realization helps him in resolving the other mystery - this time with feeling and imagination - both which he had spurned before. He can grieve for Watson at last!

The slow loss of his memory, for Holmes, does not turn out to be a total loss -  the childless, Watson-less, Holmes gains a son and gets in touch with his feelings. As does the mother of the boy. It is all so simple - a simple story about an almost (by now) mythical character, but it is written well, and made well.

Update: Not that great, really. Cliches galore. the old man. once brilliant now losing memory, the lost love, the comely lonely housekeeper. the little boy. the father figure. the scenery is what I like of course. But then Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie episodes have better cozy scenery.