The Beauty of Desert

I was at my desk, watching the wall clock. (LOST IN MY OWN WORLD)

I recalled, Swapna ma’am class 

LAW OF MIMESIS

‘’PRINCIPLE IN THE CREATION OF ART. ACCORDING TO PLATO, ALL ARTISTIC CREATION IS A FORM OF IMITATION, THAT WHICH REALLY EXISTS (IN THE WORLD OF IDEAS ) IS A TYPE CREATED BY GOD. THE CONCRETE THINGS’’

"Man perceives in his existence is shadowy representation of his ideal type. Therefore the world I live in, we live in, IS TWICE REMOVED FROM THE TRUTH.. sometimes

BEFORE ONE MONTH

Smita: ma’am

 Got salary message. you checked

 Nakti: really (Nakti works in private company. she is stubbornly reluctant to accept her mother’s thought. She is waiting to get hitched this year. she has some unusual interests like saying hello to strangers or scolding man who took a pee on roadside)

7.30 BRANCE WAS CLOSED..

As usual, Smita and I started walking, chattering, smiling

We stopped at shop. Uncle knows us. we got our milk packet. Smita took left turn and I walked straight.

It was Saturday evening HATA (VEGETABLE MARKET),   So everyone is in haste.

I went to Ganguram sweets and snacks shop.

AHAA!! Frying smell of samosha

 Every month, the day when I got salary, I used to purchase chenapoda. 

Confectioner: yes mam

Nakti: pack 1 kg

Looking outside the shop

An old man, around 80 years, white colored tangled hair, crinkly black face with sunken eyes and cheeks. he was so skinny that I can even count his rib bones.

 The bony framework of body only covers a skin. He was wearing a SASH(LUNGI), There was a rip in it which was visible at a distance. His wrest must be like my purlicue is.He was not even wearing any slipper. The inter-space between his toes was something different.

His face was drawn and haggard from sleeplessness or starvation, I was confused. He gave 50 rupees and asked for 5 Bara ( Meedu Bara) to pack and another 5 to eat. He walked 2 steps back in dark and started eating as he has not eaten for the whole day. I think he was not eating he was swallowing those. The time he swallowed one, water in his eyes and throat is out.

Confectioner: ma’am you parcel

Nakti: yehh

After collecting I look at the same direction but he disappeared.

I tried to find him but he was not there.

 The parcel he took, may be for his wife and children, but only 5 Bara 

I left for my room annoyingly.

Every day when I cross Ganguram, my eyes hunt him but I wouldn’t get him.

ONE AFTERNOON

I  was coming from office, my eyes caught the skinny man, I gave a smile.

But he gave a weird look which was obvious and I was expecting.

 I started following him. I don’t know what propelled me to follow him.

Of course not his weird look but definitely the oddity and rarity inside me.

After 5 minutes, He and I are in his slum.

He suddenly turned back and wondered, At the same instant, I was surprised and started looking hither and thither.

Skinny man: Where are you going?

                     Do you need any junk dealer?

Nakti: All at once, I said "yes ‘’

            Questioned, are you a junk dealer?

Skinny man: No, I collect those.

Nakti: what’s your name?

 He answered  SADHU

Sadhu: In morning time I stay in market, you tell me your address, I will collect scrap material.

Nakti: Yes , house no -B - 97

Tomorrow morning 6 ‘o’ I will be there. ma’am

I came home, without changing my clothes, started collecting trash and junk whatever I had.

Next day

It breezes most mornings where I stay , I do love the breeze when the air that blows your hair around as well the dry leaves were rustling. I was standing in front of gate and reading my newspaper.

He came

Sadhu: Ma’am

Nakti: Yes

Sadhu: He took junk and paid me 120 rupees.

We exchanged a smile.

That day onwards, every morning I saw him under the tree when I started walking to bus stop.

ON A RAINY DAY

Morning 5.50, it was raining cats and dogs, I was frighten by the sound of thunderstorm and lightning strike. the thunder soundscape has been deliberately kept the area quiet and calm.3 - 4 times I looked outside gate,  3 people are barely there near the tree. It was still dark, I dare not step to outside. I was repeatedly checking my phone.

He was watching me from a distance.

He came with his umbrella, called me.

Sadhu: Maa (general compellation in odia for a girl ): Don’t worry, I will walk with you.

We started walking, he asked me, maa why are you going as it’s raining , nobody will come to office.

Nakti: I smiled and asked with whom you stay in that slum?

Sadhu: my wife and I

Nakti: any children

Sadhu: No, children

             He smiled and said WE ARE FREE , NO WORRY, NO TENSION.

NaktI: His reply sunk me in deep thought , I mean how can be someone happy with the fact he has no kids.

Sadhu: maa, your stop

Nakti: Aaaaah!! thanks uncle I smiled 

TWO WEEK TO UNIVERSITY EXAM

One day after dinner I switched on the TV,

Recent news

"MASSIVE DEMOLITION DRIVE NEAR STADIUM AHEAD WORLD CUP ‘’

‘THE EVICTION DRIVE WAS CONDUCTED ALONG NARAYAN ROAD, AS 29 STRUCTURES FROM BASTI IN NARAYAN AREA WERE DEMOLISHED, WHICH WERE OCCUPYING THE SIDE AREA OF THE STADIUM CREATING A CLUTTERED LOOK. THE DEMOLISHED STUCTURES WERE 20 ASBESTOS OR TIN COVERED HOUSES.’

‘’THE STADIUM, WHICH HAS SUCCESSFULLY HOSTED CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR, IS ORGANISING WORLD CUP THIS YEAR, AFTER CLEARING THE ENCROACHMENT, THE ROAD LEADING TO STADIUM WILL NOT BE CONGESTED ANYMORE.’’

THE EVICTION DRIVE WILL MAKE A BETTER AMBIANCE FOR THE EVENT.

BABA CALLING

NAKTI: Yes

BABA: Dinner over

NAKTI: Baba, have you watched that demolition drive?

BABA: I know what’s running in your mind, sadhu uncle stays in that slum next to stadium..

(as I mention that incident when I saw him near GANGURAM.)

 Nakti: yes baba

Go tomorrow morning and check he is there or not.

Next morning,

I rushed to basti where bricks, asbestos are scattered everywhere, I asked two people.

You know sadhu uncle.

THE PERSON: Everybody left this place and the government offered place near moon hospital to stay. They answered

Again I rushed there, I did not find him there too.

I was extremely disappointed that day. I felt like so helpless and some personal loss and was disturbed.

THE WEEK EXAM STARTED

1st day when I was coming from university, ''people are painting walls of stadium and putting chuna on roads.''

2nd after examination, when I was back to home, saw '' they placed flower plants.''

3rd day when I came from examination, saw ''these flowers are blooming.''

Great

What stern actions are taken by government!!

The event occurred for one month, my friends, colleagues and my cousin booked tickets and went to watch matches.

The town was full of hue, noise and roars, everyone has a good time and is painting the town red.

Night are more colourful with lights, the shimmering and blazing nights are more dazzling with the stars’ performances.

Whenever I check my whatapp status, ‘I miss my hometown’,’ night view of home town look like a bride’, ‘selfie with stars’, ‘selfie in stadium watching match.’

Eek, GOD HELP THESE PEOPLE !!

 I was bored and tired of answering my friends and colleagues why I am not going there, why I am not a part of this glorious event?

THEY DON'T KNOW

A BARREL OF LAUGHS WHILE THE AIR IS FULL OF ZESTFULNESS.

 SYSTEM IGNORED THE HUE AND CRY OF PULVERIZED CROWD FOR AN EVENT.

THESE SHIMMERING, BLAZING LIGHTS HAD TAKEN AWAY THE FLUORESCENCE OF THEIR LIFE.

REALITY IS THAT THEY ARE FADED, VAPID AND SULLEN, THEY ARE HOMELESS

WHERE WAS THIS SYSTEM WHEN THEY HAVE STARTED STAYING THERE?

WAS IT SLEEPING THAT TIME?

 THE REASON OF THIS PROCRASTINATION.

THAT TIME, THEY DON'T KNOW ANY EVENT WILL HAPPEN HERE.

WHO IS GOING TO ANSWER ??

I REPEAT’’ WHO’’

 I WAS QUESTIONING TO MYSELF.

 THEY ARE HAPPY TOGETHER

NOW THEIR LIVES DARKEN BY CLOUDS.

THAT HOLLOEWEYED MAN WHOM I AM HUNTING, TAUGHT ME "MELANCHOLY HAS AN AESTHETIC VALUE’’ WHERE THE SYSTEM I LIVE IN, WE LIVE IN, MAY HAVE NEGLECTED THEIR SUBLIMITY.

‘’EVERYTHING IS NOT ACTUAL OR REAL AS IT APPEARS AND THE WAY WE PERCEIVE.’’