As I took this picture near my factory in Velachery in 1973, I saw the cyclist receding in my rear-view mirror as my past receding; or at least felt that it would be so nice if the past moved away like the cyclist did, became smaller and smaller, until it disappeared. Unfortunately, I ended up with a picture which, subconsciously, represented my misfortune: obscure future, and sharp past.
If only it were possible to consider looking out of the windshield of your car as looking to the future, and looking at the tiny rear-view mirror fixed at the centre of this larger glass as looking at the past, how much easier would it become to pass through life. Looking at the larger picture, which is the future, and considering the past as smaller and dwindling, even disappearing. Perhaps it is possible for most people, who are capable of going through life and gifted with unquestioning mentality. But others, who reside in the company and curse of greater consciousness, for them why does it work only in reverse: the small and vanishing past, in any case inalterable, becomes obsessive, while the larger picture of the future remains obscure. So much so, that the power of the past to haunt can destroy prospects of an even better, or quieter, more tranquil, future.
4 comments:
sir, ur words r indeed enlightening. every single topic of urs, the phrases, the description is unique and foe me never-heard/thought-before.
Arre mere bhai, yeh street ka gyan hai
dimaagh bilkul dukh-dard se jaam hai
Hello Kaka
I have been following your blog but posting a comment for teh first time.
I was alwasy in awe of you simply based on the picture i drew from teh conversation with dad and other kakas- and must say you surely do live up to the reputation :-)
But i beleive i am the one who can see the past as the cyclist in your picture. The future is very clear and focused, atleast what i want or need to be is, if i get there or ot is altogather is a different topic. in that sense teh future is obscure too but i relish that situation - plunging into teh unknown leaving the security of the past - and if i get to where i need to be or even if i dont ---the rush of trying what i have not done before is enjoyable (most of the time). i remmber a conversation with Dada, who was excellent in giving gyan thru simple but to the point stories, i was coming back from Devlali with him and Baa and he wantd to know what i wanted to become and i was fubmling as i myself had never really thought of that- i was in the 8th grade 12 years old. there was a long conversation - but to jump to the point- he said it doesnt matter as long as you do something you enjoy is rigteous and as long as i can enjoy doing it irrespective of the amount of money , etc... i made or not.
i never got it that time and though he tried i was not convinced and he would say time will come wehn u will get it- remmeber this conversation that time. There is hardly a moment or a day i dont think of him - but i do enjoy the thrill of looking into the future everyday and look forward to it
To tell u the truth I never felt this way during my student life - hated exams- actually hated that i have to prove what i know to anyone.
again this frame of mind may change as i grow older (as dada woudl have said - "am viti tuj vitsse dhirye baapaliya") - but then again i will cross the bridge (and cross i will) when the time comes.
Yaadon sey dhundhla hai
Aaney wala jo pal
Saaye sa mere sang hai
Beeta hua wo kal
Darmiyaan donon key
Meri ukhdi huyi saansein
Jaisey qaidi koi parinda
Aakhri bharta ho aahein
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