KULDHARA—JAISALMER: THE HAUNT REMAINS EVEN AFTER CENTURIES

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

     Ghost towns and villages have often held our attention. But simultaneously, they have also unleashed our imagination to some hair-raising and eerie trepidation. So, its character remains quite aloof, from the oppressive ruins of the rich and arrogant castles and fortresses. One such village, nests in Kuldhara. Located in the deep-seated, desert region of Western Rajasthan. Where, when, you stand under the hot striking sun. You might not get to see a single human form till the horizon. In all earnest, such unspeaking and phantom towns and villages may not utter a complaining word. But then they scream about the enduring trauma. Their inhabitants might have undergone and that gives us a chance to peep into their harrowing lives.

    Rajasthan brims in the expanse of Thar desert. It has no dearth of ghost villages. That remains almost unpeopled for various reasons. But only a few of them have got as much attention as Bhangarh and Kuldhara. Perhaps, due to the myths attached to them. So, while we were in Jaisalmer. It was only natural for us to undertake the sightseeing of Kuldhara.

    It simmers in deep desolate wilderness, at about 18 km, west of Jaisalmer. And it certainly has a story to tell. Where, we came across a young boy named Bhairo Sharma. Who narrated the aghast episode, in an emotional tone. Is when, I reflected after many years. That there was someone doing justice to the forgotten art of storytelling.

    It happened some 300 years ago. When, Kuldhara was a prosperous village. Where, Paliwal Brahmins used to reside under the state of Jaisalmer. The story thus throws up a spine-chilling feel. When, the evil eyes of Salim Singh. The all powerful tyrant and debauch Prime Minister of the state. Fell for the daughter of the village head and desired to marry her by force. He then threatened the entire village of grave consequences, if they did not acquiesce to his wishes.  

    The entire clan of Paliwals then lived in those 85 villages. They forthwith held a council. Where, it was decided, instead of acceding, to the demands of the depraved Prime Minister. They would abandon and leave their village and homeland. To, save the honour and purity of their daughter from the evil eyes of the monster. And soon, they all left for good. But before departing they ordained a powerful curse on Kuldhara. That, after them, no one else shall ever be able to settle and prosper in the village. And from that day onwards the village remains unoccupied, barren and even deserted. It gives an isolated and godforsaken look. Perhaps, quite similar to the unseen yet imagined faces of the residents of those times, that too, centuries ago. It is also believed. People who have attempted to stay here overnight have been haunted away by some strange and abnormal phenomenon.

    The parallel story that runs and appears to be as plausible as the first one is. Salim Singh, upon not being obliged by the Paliwals raised the taxes to such an extent. That it became practically unbearable for the local community to survive in the village. So they decided to migrate to greener pastures. However, people are more inclined to believe the first story. That has a tinge of romance and mysticism in it.

    The dilapidated and tale-telling houses and monuments are now maintained by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). One can enter the village only after purchasing tickets. After which you drive along the prime street. That appears to be the main boulevard of the settlement. Where, even now, after centuries one feels gloomy and sad. For there are rows of houses with their roofs fallen. And the ruined walls give a sense of melancholic past. Where, the entire landscape is dry, dusty and sun stricken. That conveys a blaring message of atrocious human upheavels. Even, when, the era denoted happiness through righteousness.

    We halted at a location. That appeared to be the hub of the rustic village. Just close by there was a house in good upkeep. We entered to see the rooms that were well maintained. Following the path we even went up the stairs and up to the roof. From where, the entire village was visible. Though, I could not feel any supernatural presence. Yet that element of sombreness struck me while I was there. One could say the animation was missing. Ladies in the group could not withstand the countenance of destruction and slowly walked away.  I could even sight an unvisited and left alone temple nearby. Gradually, we cruised past the ruins available in the form of the crumbling walls. For a moment, it gave me a flash of those lives that lived there centuries ago. There was definitely something spine chilling even when everything around was so calm and unmoved. Perhaps, the collective curse of those helpless citizens was still pulsating there. Where, everything was looking so recent. And one got a feel as if someone was calling you from behind those dilapidated houses.

    Kuldhara remains a desolate place with forlorn looks. Curses don’t die so soon, they say. The ambience brings across a kind of seeping sadness to your heart. Especially, when, one thinks of the unfortunate people.  Who, were forced to leave the land of their forefathers. However the place doesn’t appear to be spooky for any other reason barring the wicked crime spelt in the story.

    Even, when, the ASI has taken over the settlement. It remains to be seen if this village will ever flourish. By flourish I mean—will the lineage of the people, who left generations back. Ever come together to salvage their motherland. But, was this a quintessential example of a migration that moved a civilised settlement? My answer would be no.

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Copyright@shravancharitymission

Copyright@shravancharitymission

CHANAKA SAYS—3

Paroshe karyahantaran pratakshya priyavadinam,

Varjayetadrishyam mitran vishwakumbham payomukham.

A friend, who talks flatteringly sweet things overtly but covertly tries to harm should be gotten rid of without any delay. He is like a pot that is filled with poison but is topped with cream to deceive.

*

Na vishwaset kumitre cha mitre chasapi na viswaset,

Kadachit kupitam mitram sarv guham prakashyet.

A friend who is no good, should not be trusted and a friend who is not proven bad should also be not trusted with your secrets because he might reveal them when he is not on good terms with you.

*

Mansa chintitam  karya  vacha nev prakashyet,

Mantren rakshayed goonam karya chasapi niyojayet.

What plan you have thought of in your mind, should not come on your tongue. Contemplate and rethink over it, keeping it guarded. Put the idea or plan into action without voicing it.

*

Kashtam cha khalu mukhatava kashtam cha khalu yovanam,

Kashtatookasthtaram chaev pargenivasanam.

Stupidity is a woe, the youthful days are woeful, but living on other’s mercy is woe extreme.

*

Shaley shaley na manikayam mokitakam na gaje gaje,

Sadhavo na he sarvatra chandanam na vane vane.

Every hill does not contain gems, every elephant has no mani-pearl on its forehead, every place is no home of nobles and every forest does not grow sandalwood trees.

*

Translated by Kamlesh Tripathi

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Poem: IN THE ARC OF TWILIGHT

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IN THE ARC OF TWILIGHT

In the arc of twilight,

When the day recedes,

Night retrieves,

Is when the daylight dims,

And darkness begins.

*

That makes me wonder,

Is it time to surrender?

Where the end looks closer,

And time every minute a bulldozer.

*

It appears as if,

There isn’t much left to render,

For the thread of life,

Now looks slender.

*

So the time looks ripe,

In the realm of life,

To forthwith—account for,

What you missed in life,

And gathered in the strife.

*

But before destiny strikes,

 And takes you by its might,

Into the wide blue yonder,

That is full of thunder,

Only to surrender,

It gives you a flash to remember.

*

So before the untoward arrives,

Scan your blessed life,

To slate it out for your own sight,

What you attained,

And what remained in vain.

*

Yet rejoice,

At the opportunity of life,

That the rare attain,

Wrapped in cloak of humanity,

And under the aegis of Almighty.

*

And reflect honestly,

The count of your vivacity,

To feed your own vanity,

And ask yourself.

*

Did you see what you wanted to see?

Did you do what you wanted to do?

Did you say what you wanted to say?

Did you love, whom you wanted to love?

And care, whom you wanted to care for?

*

For the rhythm of life,

Is only as wide,

As the breath of life,

And only the lucky go past,

The fill of life.

*

So before the destiny,

 In plentiful,

Be kind,

Be sublime,

For that is prime,

In God’s mind.

*

By Kamlesh Tripathi

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THE LOOK-ALIKE VIDEO OF GURMEHER KAUR—exposes the dark side of Indian mindset

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

The look-alike video of Gurmeher Kaur has been making the rounds of social media for quite a few days now. I too, got a few copies from some of my whatsapp friends. Correspondingly, I too, sent out a few, here and there. But, before, sending it out, I keenly sat through it a couple of times. Where, I could happily reflect on my jaunty college days, nothing more and nothing less.

    But, as expected, within minutes some of my friends. Upon receiving the video reacted by saying—the girl I’m trying to troll is not the one who is in the video. The social media is only trying to malign Gurmeher Kaur by sending out this video. Which, I definitely don’t deny. But, I have another point of view to highlight—towards, all the fracas or whatsaap jostle, as I would like to call it. That some of my friends tried to create about the whole issue.

    While, most of them, reacted to the video in a more conformist and derogatory manner, with sympathies for Gurmeher. Where, they all tried to tell me. The video is indecent and should not be circulated. But I had a more promethean view point towards the whole issue. Because, I felt in certain ways, it only exposed the primitive mindset of my friends, and that too, in a glaring manner. As, I, would like to ask them? What was so obscene and vulgar about the video that I shouldn’t have circulated? And, about which, you made such a brouhaha. If having a couple of drinks in the plush confines of a car with your close friends is an obscenity, then so be it? Don’t women drink in India? Isn’t that a reality of our country? So where is the vulgarity in it? Come on, let India grow up. Had a boy been drinking under the same circumstances, would you have reacted in the same manner and called the video obscene and vulgar?

    That she was in shorts. So what? Aren’t women entitled to wear shorts in India? Then, she was with some of her male friends. Perhaps, they were her college friends. So, is that a big deal? That she was tipsy and entwining in the car listening to a not so decent love song. So what? Is that a crime? Most certainly not and above all aren’t women supposed to enjoy as men do is the moot question. And by calling the video vulgar aren’t we exhibiting a sexual bias towards them?

    The short point that I’m trying to make is. There wasn’t anything vulgar or even obscene in the video. But, because, of our deep-seated dig and reactions, we made it look like it. For, any college child can enjoy in this manner when surrounded with friends. Whether boy or girl. We all have behaved like that in our college days. And, for a moment, even, if the video was of Gurmeher. I wouldn’t have rated it in anyway vulgar and obscene. To, run her down. But yes, preferably, any man or a girl would have preferred to keep it as a private property.

    Last but not the least the video turned viral only because of the protagonist, who happened to be a girl. So to my friends—you told me not to circulate the video because it was vulgar. But I found no vulgarity in it and that only speaks of your polluted mindset.

    Sadly, I kept waiting for at least one person to tell me. You can circulate the video as there is nothing indecent about it. But I’m still waiting. Perhaps the wait will be much longer than what I had thought. India still has to grow.

*****

PHILOSOPHER AND THE MERCHANT’S DOG

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

     Once, a rich merchant was crossing a turbulent river in a boat, along with his dog.  With him were some other passengers, including a philosopher. The unruly dog of the merchant had never sailed earlier. Therefore, it was not feeling at home in the changing surroundings. And, so, it was trying to run helter-skelter by pushing the passengers. More, out, of strangeness. In the process it was not allowing anyone to even sit peacefully. So much so, even the oarsmen were feeling shaky about his misdemeanours. That had unsettled all the passengers, and where, everyone was somewhat panicky. The, boatman was now beginning to fear about the dog’s rowdy movement, that was swaying the boat excessively. Where, it could have just overturned. In the process, everyone could have drowned including the mischievous dog.

   But the dog was unfazed and remained in a state of caper and romp. The merchant therefore was indeed regretting having brought the dog with him and was in a state of helplessness. But, he was unable to tame it. In the meantime a passenger who happened to be a philosopher in the boat couldn’t resist.

    He walked up to the merchant and said—‘Sir, if you permit me. In a minute or so I could docile your dog. Upon, hearing this, the merchant was greatly relieved and he gave him the permission forthwith.

    The philosopher with the help of two daring passengers lifted the dog and threw him in the river. Scared, the dog started squealing on top of its voice and started swimming back, towards the boat. Soon it even started pawing the boat—as if fearing for life. The philosopher was watching the dog intently. After a little while he pulled him back to the boat. But the dog was now frightened. So he waddled to a corner of the boat and just sat down. The passengers and even the merchant were surprised at this benign behavior of the dog.

    Merchant asked the philosopher—‘my dog was earlier caper romping all over the boat. But now he stands tamed and is just sitting in one corner like a domesticated goat. How come?

     Philosopher said-

    ‘Sir, without experiencing pain, no one can imagine the agony of others. It was only when I threw him in the river. He could understand the might of the river, the utility of the boat and the struggle of the oarsmen.

     This story goes out to those ungrateful Indians. Who stay in India but keep abusing her. They too should be thrown to Pakistan. Only to realise the beauty of india.

Jaihind

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