JJ Verdict and Some Learnings

I've been up since 4.45am Paris time watching Indian television online from the moment Jayalalitha  and her coterie left their home in Chennai before Rahu Kaalam. I had 4 cups of filter coffee (a true Tambrahm) discussed with Tamil friends on Skype (they understand Amma Puranam), followed trolls on Twitter and awaited justice like others. A tweet even said Jayatv was playing the movie "Viduthalai". Would the day pan out in her favor?

I was discussing with a friend that Karnataka is her home ground and losing in your home pitch is a humiliation. Let's not forget that she decimated every party in the recent Lok Sabha Election, hardly 4 months ago.

After two hours of wait, I felt that the Bangalore special court should have used smoke signals like the Papal Community to communicate with the anxious public. At one time, I even thought may be the Judge is having her BMI measured to ensure if it is proportionate to her wealth. But that is not what disproportionate asset case is about.

If she was convicted, the future of Tamil Nadu seemed dark (like power cuts), given the current ruling party is a one woman show and the opposition is tongue tied in the assembly. The last time a national party like Congress ruled Tamil Nadu was 50 years ago and ever since the throne of corruption was occupied by the two Dravidian parties. Despite not speaking Hindi, the DMK ministers perpetrated the 2G scam. DMK didn't even contest the recent Mayoral and Municipality elections, which shows how confident they were about their win or humiliation.

While awaiting the verdict one of my friend messaged me on Whatsapp saying that she must be forgiven by the court. But then I asked him why do we forgive a person who denies her wrongdoings? Logically, doesn't forgiveness come after confession and realization? 

Jayalalitha is a complex individual made of courage, insubordination, dishonesty, and arrogance. When the Government employees picketed lines in Chennai, she boldly invoked ESMA and sent many of them home. When the courts asked her to appear she got an exemption disregarding judiciary. Moreover, she used her power to tamper evidences and delay justice before the SC finally got involved and moved the DA case to Karnataka. And she also walked out when the interviewer on the Hard Talk show on BBC grilled her on her cases. Given her volatile temper, insubordination, and how ministers prostrated and worshipped her, isn't confession too much to expect from Amma? 

Finally, like the contrived Bollywood climax, she complains of chest pain and brings the famous Paneer Pugaielai (tobacco) back after the verdict. Urrgh! 

When I went back to check the social media trolls, none except Mr. Swamy from BJP expressed their emotion on Twitter, a platform that is popular among the ruling party at the centre. A few who shared, went with a boiler plate text that said we respect judiciary. Some BJP supporters tweeted that Jaya's verdict eclipsed Modi's US trip and his UNGA speech. I'm sure Jaya didn't want to steal Modi's thunder. There were also no tweets from Rajapakse, her bitter enemy.

Today is also Purattasi Saturday, a special day for Perumal and specially Varadaraja Perumal. Btw, let's recall how she heckled Kanchi Seers a few years ago acussing them of a murder at the same temple and arresting them in a pre-dawn raid in Mehboob Nagar in Andhra Pradesh. And now it is all coming back. Even before the Amma Cement dried up, her wall of fame came down with shame.

Though the world remembers her opulent walk during foster son's wedding, today the world didn't get to see her repentive (a good assumption?) walk into the jail. Jail time is not bad, it gives her an opportunity to reflect, realize and ruminate. Isn't that the philosophy of life? I hope she doesn't turn more bitter and spiteful. Haven't we witnessed her revengeful past?

Given the length of jail time, I don't think there is much left in her political career. She rose like a Phoenix bird every time she came down, but this time the rise is questionable. She will be 71 when she comes out of jail and at 77, she will be allowed to contest elections again. By then Amma products and schemes would have expired, and her cut outs vanished. Tamilians known for their short memory would have forgotten her good and bad deeds and would have voted for another Cinema star for a Chief Minister. 

Let me end my ramble with some food for thought. My friend said that in astrology we say Chevvai Dosham (Mars dosham), but in JJ's case it is Sahavasa (friendship) Dosham. Friendships can either elevate you like the one between Arjuna and Krishna or pave way for your downfall like the one between Karna and Duriyodhana. So, beware of your friends circle. 

Hope the severity of this verdict will put fear into the erring political class and will be dawn of new era in Tamil Nadu (an end to freebies and corruption). Those involved in Coalgate, 2G, Commonwealth, Saradha, etc.must get ready for their turn. Karma is a bitch and sooner or later it catches up with you. 

Ganesha's day out in Paris

When the French vacated their colonies in India, many Indians felt a deep connect with the French and came along with them to France. But when they came over they carried undeclared priceless items called faith, culture, and tradition in their hearts that airport scanners couldn’t detect. And the Republic of Francaise welcomed them, let them practice their faith and carry on their traditions. The Ganesha Car Festival in Paris is a testimony to the mutual love and affection.

The car festival for Ganesha organized by the Trustees and devotees of the Manikka Vinyagar Temple, rue Pajol, Paris has been a tradition and this year it fell of Aug 31.

 

Discover Mada Street in Paris

Rue du Fbg Saint Denis, can be compared to our North Mada Street in Mylapore or any street around a temple in India. Smell of jasmine and agarbathi competes with spicy curry smell emanating from Sangeetha and Saravana Bhavan. The cash and carry stores sell everything from beetle leaf, banana leaf, tender coconuts, jack fruits, and something that we may never find in India: yes, honey mangoes from Pakistan. The tailor shops, salons and beauty parlors with Indian music and cosmetics only bring back memories of home in a beautiful way.

A day out with devotion

A week before devotees were asked to register their names to be a part of paal kudam (milk pot), thee chatti (fire pan), kavadi (a mini palanquin decorated with peacock feathers). The first two offerings are for mother goddess and the last one is for Karthik, younger brother of Ganesh.

I noticed the fervor when I boarded ligne 5 at Oberkampf. Women were dressed in sarees and children in traditional Indian clothes and it felt like a suburban train journey in Chennai carrying people from Velachery to Mylapore Kapali Temple car festival.

When I arrived at Rue du Fbg Saint Denis, both sidewalks were clean and just washed. All shops suspended their business for the day and had set up a table with lamps, Purna kumbam, and coconuts mounds smeared with turmeric and vermillion to welcome Ganesha and invoke his blessings. They had even decorated the sidewalks with maavilai (mango leaf), thoranam (festoons from coconut leaf). It was a day out with devotion.

India recreated

Women decorated their hair with jasmine flowers and forehead with vermillion, while men were dressed in dhoti and vibuthi smeared on their forehead. Chants on Ganesha from Ganesha Pancharatnam by MS Subbalakshmi to devotional songs by Sirkazhi Govindarajan recreated the same ambience back home.

First came the Nadhaswaram (wind Instrument similar to clarinet) with thavil and melam (Indian drums), followed by women carrying milk pots and fire pans and then followed men in rocking their kavadis back and forth to the chants of Arohara. Coming from a country famous for child labour, it was heartening to see young children carry a kavadi in Paris. Yes, it was responsibility of faith that was being transferred to the next generation.

Nibbling on faith

Just before the car with Ganesha arrived men furiously picked up the coconuts and smashed on the ground. In fact, every store had a coconut mound smeared with vermillion and turmeric. To me the smashing of coconuts sounded like 10,000 wala (fireworkds) on the eve of Diwali. It was heartening to see some local children pick up pieces of coconut and nibble on them.

Propelled by devotion

Despite the car being small compared to the temple cars in India, but the devotion was no less devotion in the gathering. Men held the two thick ropes tied to the car and propelled by the power of devotion.

 Over a few thousands had congregated yesterday morning to take the blessings of Ganesha and I never knew Paris had so many of Indian descent. In fact many locals had also brought their children along with them to watch the spectacle. Culture and tradition is passed on through education and show & tell.

The fashion capital has room for your faith

We’ve often heard and seen fashionistas boorishly printing Indian gods and goddesses in footwear and bikini. Is it even possible to find your respect for your faith in the fashion capital? Did you see the pictures and the videos? So, what do you think?

Let me leave you with the thought that a family friend shared, “You cannot take the India out of an Indian.”

Establishing your tradition and faith in a city where you live is how you it your home. Tradition and culture connects you to the roots and gets passed on to the next generation through practice and getting kids involved early is the trick. So, stay connected to your roots and culture, retain your identity, practice your faith without harming others and remember is what makes the East an attractive destination for the West.

Now you know why I call Paris my second home. Yes, home is where the heart is.

To view videos and more photos: https://app.box.com/s/acjcllsbam62bc5guyu3