As the name suggests these birds are known for their exquisite nests (like Tailorbird- incidentally I spotted one at turf club shrubs…I am seeing tailorbird after a longtime last spotting probably was at Sultanpur about seven years back!), that are woven out of grass, the long mouth pointing down, they hang from outer bough of trees. To enter these the bird has to shoot up in full flight (tricky that one), making it predator proof. About a decade back I got an abandoned baya nest from bharatpur (we treaded the swamp and had to do some work to pluck it from the tree) that adorn my room for many months. I had plans of lighting it with green lights and so on, during shifting the nest unfortunately got crushed. When you observe these nests minutely you know how intricate piece of work it is, and yes birds don’t have hands that makes it a miracle!. Baya nests are quite common in countryside, so next time you come across one don’t fail to stop and appreciate these little birds.
Baya males acquire a distinctive yellow plume and striking black mask during breeding season. They are found in abundance in open arable field that has few trees, damp areas are preferred. Can cause harm to crops (what is that compared to rotting in godown!!) but does compensate by feeding on caterpillar, grasshopper so on.
Mahadevi Verma What is pity looking for
What are waves searching
in the throbs of the sea
Mahadevi Verma (1902-1987) was major Indian Hindi poet, married at early age she rebelled against child marriage 
and pursued higher studies, later was active in freedom struggle. She was awarded the highest literary award in the country: the Jnanapeedam (or Jnanpith, as north Indian put it) in 1982. Mahadevi Verma belonged to the Chhayavad school of Hindi
and pursued higher studies, later was active in freedom struggle. She was awarded the highest literary award in the country: the Jnanapeedam (or Jnanpith, as north Indian put it) in 1982. Mahadevi Verma belonged to the Chhayavad
Has storm slept with soft breeze as pillow?
Has the curse of the world come as everlasting sleep?
Why does the child of immortality want to embrace death?
Wake up, you have far to go.
Chhayavad had strong current of humanism that is universal, unrestricted and all embracing. Mahadevi Verma had immense understanding of Vedic and other ancient philosophies. One can observe traces of Vedic tradition in her poems-seeing formless in tangible, abstract in concrete. There is a strong element of bhakti school too, the overwhelming presence of divine love and longing (it needs Indian mind to understand, for most in West life began and end with Freud !!. Pity)
Lord, the distance between us is full of joy,
the moment I came in contact with you
all my dream-world will be shattered,
but even so I do not wish
to be away from you
These from another poem
When the sea tremble like a pearl
in the golden shell formed by the earth and the sky,
and the cloud float like soft cluster of snow
in the brightness of silver sea,
the like fragrance one who gently caresses me-
who is he like a breath emitted during my slumber?
These lines from the poem “Gathering like clouds”
When could the fiery rays of the sun
take away compassion from my heart,
when could the beautiful stars in the sky
deviate me from my path?
The pride of majestic sky I brought
upon the earth and it brightened the world.
These lines from “If you do not grapple”
If you do not grapple with
the rising waves of the sea,
which tide will take you
across on the other side?
….
The eyes of idol god shine bright with the light of the lamp,
and its rays come as a blessing to the temple priest,
will not the fiery laughter erase the traces
of destruction carved on the hard rocks?
the moment I came in contact with you
all my dream-world will be shattered,
but even so I do not wish
to be away from you
These from another poem
When the sea tremble like a pearl
in the golden shell formed by the earth and the sky,
and the cloud float like soft cluster of snow
in the brightness of silver sea,
the like fragrance one who gently caresses me-
who is he like a breath emitted during my slumber?
These lines from the poem “Gathering like clouds”
When could the fiery rays of the sun
take away compassion from my heart,
when could the beautiful stars in the sky
deviate me from my path?
The pride of majestic sky I brought
upon the earth and it brightened the world.
These lines from “If you do not grapple”
If you do not grapple with
the rising waves of the sea,
which tide will take you
across on the other side?
….
The eyes of idol god shine bright with the light of the lamp,
and its rays come as a blessing to the temple priest,
will not the fiery laughter erase the traces
of destruction carved on the hard rocks?
