Vernal’s
Hanging Parrot is always a pleasure to watch, an active little parrot
(essentially a parakeet) that has a sharp high pitch call while flying like a
guided missile negotiating the trees at high speed. My earlier attempts to snap
this bird was not very successful but finally got a rather good one at Coorg on
a daily nature walk.
The
Tibetans of India
I am quite taken in by
the cultural presence of Tibetan Buddhists. Sand mandalas are exquisite, so is
the 
ambience of the temples.
Incidentally, I was big fan of momos 
much before it became popular. I have visited Tibetan settlement at
Mcleodganj, Dharamashala (in HP) few times. Recently I was in Coorg,
Kushalnagara, Bylakuppe to be specific, that has significant presence of
Tibetans. I have come here before. The Golden temple is quite marvelous,
profusion of colors and aesthetics is breathtaking, further few km is Sera
monastery where more than 5000 Buddhists are studying to become monks. I
thought of going to the library, that is lodged in a grand building but it
seems to be perpetually closed, I was told it opens from 2pm to5pm. Odd time
indeed. .
ambience of the temples.
Incidentally, I was big fan of momos much before it became popular. I have visited Tibetan settlement at
Mcleodganj, Dharamashala (in HP) few times. Recently I was in Coorg,
Kushalnagara, Bylakuppe to be specific, that has significant presence of
Tibetans. I have come here before. The Golden temple is quite marvelous,
profusion of colors and aesthetics is breathtaking, further few km is Sera
monastery where more than 5000 Buddhists are studying to become monks. I
thought of going to the library, that is lodged in a grand building but it
seems to be perpetually closed, I was told it opens from 2pm to5pm. Odd time
indeed. . 
Bylakuppe undoubtedly
has some beautiful Tibetan style buildings, I though am appalled by the fact
that the Tibetans who have been staying here for decades find it difficult to
interact in Kannada, this is severely indecent. They seem to have reduced
themselves to ghettos without much concern to the outside world, who incidentally
have been quite a gracious host. They have intentionally kept themselves
isolated. It is understandable that they are quite insecure, and feel the
desperate need to preserve their culture that is brutally uprooted and
transplanted in a distant land. We do empathize with these concerns. That
however doesn’t explain nor justify the lack of sensitivity towards others. It
can even be snobbishness, I found the monks amiable so this factor can be discounted.
But I also found them extremely reserved to the point of rude, this is not
taken. Tibetans must be aware of local language and culture, indeed the state
government has every right to promote its language and make it compulsory in schools.
This blogger will argue that their presence has been overall quite positive and
peaceful (there has been incidents of poaching for Chinese so called medicines)
but the ghettoised mindset doesn’t augur well. It is likely that post-communist
(that is strong central authority, an anachronism), and a democratized China,
will see autonomy or even freedom to Tibet. It looks quite plausible. That
however doesn’t explain rude behavior. Languages need to be respected not only
as a cultural reference but also as intent to understand the land and its
people.
As I was roaming around
the Camp, that is about three km from Golden Temple, I came across Tibetan
cultural centre, few inquiries and mishaps led me to some youngsters who were
busy practicing songs for some event. They also had mind focused on traditional
welcome song for Dalai Lama who is visiting later this year. You may visit me at
http://youtu.be/DZejMdbyCN8 this song is in praise of Dalai Lama. The
singers are Nyima Dhondup, Logyal and Achoa. Dhondup who is the lead singer
came out quite subdued and shy, it’s only when he started singing that I saw
startling transformation. They came out as quite an affable and mannered bunch
of youngsters, and that speaks volume of the culture that these youngsters are
exposed to. Rarely over the top, self controlled and talented. I guess being a
good human being is more than enough than any claim to talent.
From my scribble pad...
The purpose
Every
instance a purpose.
Every
living moment grand wrestle of purposes
In
the ultimate purpose little purposes sacrifices itself
for
a cause still not quite clear.
In
the search of purposes, the eternal condemnations
of
aims and goals, for bigger and brighter.
The
non purpose embedded takes time to reveal
and
so the beauty of timeless nature of being
To know
The
aim, if you call it so,
Is
to know, to know more
To
be aware, to understand
To
think on these
And
to know more
