’ಕವಿ ಮಹಾಶಯ’

  

ಯಾವುದೇ ಭಾಷೆ ಏಳಿಗೆಯಾಗಬೇಕೆಂದರೆ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಅತ್ಯಮೂಲ್ಯ. ಸಾಹಿತಿಗಳು ಸಿರಿವಂತರು! - ಬರವಣಿಗೆಯ ಸಿರಿ, ಭಾಷಾ ವೈಪುಣ್ಯತೆಯ ಸಿರಿ, ಸರಸ್ವತಿಯ ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದದ ಸಿರಿ ಇವರ ಬಳಿ ಯಥೇಚ್ಛವಾಗಿ ಉಂಟು. ಇಂತಹ ಮಹಾನ್ ವಿಚಾರಕರ್ತರ, ಆದರ್ಶವಾದಿಗಳ, ಸಾಧಕರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಾದದ್ದು ನಮ್ಮ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ. ಕನ್ನಡದ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಸರು ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಅನೇಕ ಕವಿ ಮಹಾಶಯರಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅವರ ಬೆಗೆಗಿನ ತಿಳಿವಳಿಕೆ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಡಿಮೆಯಿರಬಹುದು. ಹಾಗಾಗಿಯೇ, ನಾನು ಒಂದು ನಿರ್ಧಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಪ್ರತಿ ತಿಂಗಳೂ ನಾನೊಂದು ಕನ್ನಡದ ಕವಿರತ್ನಗಳ ವಿಚಾರವಾಗಿ ಬರೆಯುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಸಮಯವಿದ್ದಾಗ ತಪ್ಪದೇ ಓದಿ!

ಈ ತಿಂಗಳ ’ಕವಿ ಮಹಾಶಯ’ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸರು.

(ಮೂಲ: ಕನ್ನಡ ವಿಕಿಪೀಡಿಯಾ)

ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಅತ್ಯುನ್ನತ ಕವಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದ ದಿಗ್ಗಜರಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬ ಎಂದರೆ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲಾರದು. ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಮೂಲ ಹೆಸರು ನಾರಣಪ್ಪ. "ಗದುಗಿನ ನಾರಣಪ್ಪ" ಎಂದು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಈತನ ಕಾವ್ಯ ನಾಮ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ. ವ್ಯಾಸ ಮಹಾಕವಿಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಅತ್ಯದ್ಭುತ ಕನ್ನಡ ರೂಪವನ್ನು ರಚಿಸಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಈ ಹೆಸರು ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನಿಗೆ ಅನ್ವರ್ಥವಾಗಿದೆ.

ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಜೀವಿಸಿದ್ದ ಕಾಲ ನಿರ್ದಿಷ್ಟವಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿದುಬಂದಿಲ್ಲ. 12ನೇ ಶತಮಾನದಿಂದ 16ನೇ ಶತಮಾನದ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಜೀವಿಸಿದ್ದನೆಂದು ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಚರಿತ್ರಜ್ಞರು ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯಪಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗಿನ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯಗಳು ಈತನ ಕಾಲ ಸುಮಾರು ಕ್ರಿ.ಶ. 1430 ಎಂದು ನಿಗದಿಪಡಿಸಿವೆ. ಕನಕದಾಸರು ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖ ಮಾಡಿರುವುದರಿಂದ ಹಾಗೂ ತಿಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ಕವಿ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲದಿರುವ ಎಂಟು ಪರ್ವಗಳನ್ನು ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಿರುವ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಅಂದಾಜನ್ನು ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಹುಟ್ಟೂರು ಈಗ ಗದಗ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಕೋಳಿವಾಡ ಗ್ರಾಮ;ಕಾವ್ಯರಚನೆಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು ಗದುಗಿನ ವೀರನಾರಾಯಣ ಗುಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ. ಈಗಲೂ ಸಹ ಆ ಗುಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಕಂಬ ಎಂಬ ಒಂದು ಕಂಬವಿದೆ - ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಈ ಕಂಬದ ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲೇ ಭಾರತವನ್ನು ರಚಿಸಿ ಓದುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಎಂಬ ಪ್ರತೀತಿ ಸಹ ಇದೆ.

ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಅತಿ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಕೃತಿ ಕರ್ಣಾಟ ಭಾರತ ಕಥಾಮಂಜರಿ. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಗದುಗಿನ ಭಾರತ, ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾರತ, ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಭಾರತ ಎಂದೂ ಹೆಸರು. ಮಹಾಕವಿ ವ್ಯಾಸರ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಅನುವಾದ ಎನ್ನಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಕೇವಲ ಅನುವಾದವಾಗಿ ಉಳಿಸದೆ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ತನ್ನ ಕಾವ್ಯಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯವನ್ನು ಈ ಕೃತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಧಾರೆಯೆರೆದಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೇರುಕೃತಿಯಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿತವಾಗಿರುವ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾರತ, ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಮೊದಲ ಹತ್ತು ಪರ್ವಗಳನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡಿದೆ.

ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಕಾವ್ಯ ಭಾಮಿನೀ ಷಟ್ಪದಿ ಛಂದಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ರಚಿತವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಕಾವ್ಯ ಪ್ರತಿಭೆ ಓದುಗರನ್ನು ದಂಗುಬಡಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಅವನ ಕಾವ್ಯಪ್ರತಿಭೆ ಪೂರ್ಣಶಕ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮುವುದು ಅವನ ರೂಪಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ. ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ರೂಪಕಗಳ ವೈವಿಧ್ಯತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಆಳ ಅಪಾರವಾದದ್ದು. ಇದೇ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಹೆಸರು ರೂಪಕ ಚಕ್ರವರ್ತಿ ಎಂದೇ ಖ್ಯಾತಿ ಪಡೆದಿದೆ.

ರೂಪಕಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯ ಮಾನವಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ವರ್ಣನೆ. ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಕಟ್ಟುವಷ್ಟು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ. ಅವನ ಎಲ್ಲ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಅವರವರದೇ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಬೈಯುತ್ತಾರೆ, ನಗುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಹಾಗೂ ಅಳುತ್ತಾರೆ ಸಹ.

ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಆಳವಾದ ದೈವಭಕ್ತ ಸಹ. ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ವರ್ಣನೆ ಅವನ ಕಾವ್ಯರಚನೆಯ ಮೂಲೋದ್ದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು. ಅವನ ಮಹಾಭಾರತ ಕಥೆ ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಸುತ್ತಲೂ ಸುತ್ತುತ್ತದೆ, ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಅವಸಾನದ ನಂತರ ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ತನ್ನ ಕಾವ್ಯವನ್ನೇ ಮುಗಿಸಿದ್ದಾನೆ, ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಹದಿನೆಂಟು ಪರ್ವಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹತ್ತರ (ಗದಾಪರ್ವ) ನಂತರ.

ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಪ್ರತಿಭೆಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡಿಯಾಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದ ಕುವೆಂಪು ರವರ ಸಾಲುಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ:
"ಕುಮಾರ ವ್ಯಾಸನು ಹಾಡಿದನೆಂದರೆ
ಕಲಿಯುಗ ದ್ವಾಪರವಾಗುವುದು
ಭಾರತ ಕಣ್ಣಲಿ ಕುಣಿವುದು! ಮೈಯಲಿ
ಮಿಂಚಿನ ಹೊಳೆ ತುಳುಕಾಡುವುದು!"
ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸನ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕೃತಿ ಐರಾವತ. ಇದು ಅಷ್ಟಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಹಳಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರಭಾವ ಬೀರಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಭಾರತವನ್ನು ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಸಹ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ, ವ್ಯಾಖ್ಯಾನ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಭಾರತವನ್ನು ಓದುವ ಒಂದು ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಶೈಲಿಯಾದ ಗಮಕ ಕಲೆ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿದೆ.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumara_Vyasa

The sinner 'ME' !

A 'Phenomenon' occurred today. But I missed witnessing it. I'm still regretting it. I would continue regretting it till eternity. In all probability, I'll never forgive myself for this. It was once-a-lifetime opportunity and I just can't stop grumping. It's one of those rarest instances which has made me abuse myself. I wouldn't have made such an issue even if I had missed an important exam because I was sound asleep on my cozy bed! Yes, may be you have guessed it by now. I missed it. Today, I missed watching the GOD showing off his enthralling, majestic 'avatar' to his devotees! Such a day wasn't decided by the position of the stars, but by the GOD himself who thought of delighting his devotees.

Yah, the GOD is actually a human after all. He's virtually a family member of every Indian family. He has probably made me smile more than any other individual. He has made me make up stories and complain of false body aches-diseases in order to skip school and get a 'darshan' of him on a 22inch screen. He has made me cry, made me bite my nails, made me say 'shlokas' as he nears a landmark, made me shout 'I'm proud to be born as an INDIAN!!', for infinite number of times.

Yes, the GOD I'm referring to is none other than Sachin (if you hadn't guessed it, then dude - either you haven't seen the GOD, which means you haven't LIVED yet!  Or -well, there's no 'or' here!). The very first sentence I got to hear in my life (as told to me by my parents) was "Oh! Sachin is born. He is going to be a cricketer!". His name was one of the first words I heard. It was the surgeon or one of the nurses. But yes, as they gave me the usual clichéd hit on the bum, they said "Oh! Sachin is born. He is going to be a cricketer!". But, I missed his amazing knock of 200* today. It seems like there's a certain void in my life, because of this. A certain void that shall remain forever. GOD, forgive me :'(

I was looking forward to the 2nd match after a nail-biting finish to the 1st ODI at Jaipur. Today, I came back from my Chemistry Lab at around 4:30pm and turned on my laptop to check the scores. Sachin's score read 96*. I thought of checking my mail for a minute and then run to the hostel TV room to witness the 'avatar'! But I couldn't help myself as I got lost in those mails and sending replies to the required ones. When I checked the scores after I closed the mail, Sachin was one short of (yet another) hundred and as it turned out, had amassed 49.5% of the runs for the day. I closed my laptop and ran to the TV room. But as my luck had it, the GOD had already brought smiles on the face of his devotees. Sachin had got the run required and I had missed it by a few seconds :'(

The TV room was filled with people, bad air, infinite cheering, and of course the 'devastuti's' were ON! I found myself some space and started watching the match. In no time, Sachin crossed 150! The number of people in the room started to grow larger than Ganesha's belly, the duration of each applause longer than Hanuman's tail. It was 5:21pm by Lohit's watch when I reminded myself of the NSO class. Yes, I had to attend the football training. On any other day, I would've bunked the class and watched the match. But since the IFL (Institute Football League) opening was scheduled at 6:30pm IST (IITian Stretchable Time), I thought the coach would leave us, soon after taking the attendance. And hence, I assumed I would be back in the TV room in sometime. Such a fool I turned out to be! I changed and reached the football field by 5:35pm.

But fate had other plans. The coach, no doubt took attendance. But he did the unexpected too! Like someone had taken away his kidneys while he went to get medicated for a headache, like someone had suspended him from a government job because he slept too little in the office, like he discovered he has married a guy after 12 years of marriage and 4 kids! - he started to vent his anger on us. He made us run the entire perimeter of the football field a minimum of 15 times, followed by sprints of 100m and 15 push-ups alternately, for 5 times! On a normal day, I would've got killed. But today, it was suicide!

As I ran around the field, the loud cheers of SACHINNN-SACHIN *clap-clap-clap* filled the air. Since the field is surrounded by Hostels-2,3,4,5,8 , the sound -which would be music on usual occasions- turned out to be noisy. From every direction possible, the cheers were reaching me. But, every cheer brought a chill down my spine- and a chilly up the 'w'hole. It was anger on one side (towards the coach and myself. Myself because I took a stupid decision of attending the class). It was prayers and anxiousness, on the other hand. With every cheer, I wondered if Sachin had done the incredible feat. A feat which only he could have achieved (fittingly achieved, rather!) But unfortunately, the cheers were all hazy and not 'running' commentary. I contemplated on running away from the field and going to the TV room in my hostel. But the coach stood right in the middle of the football pitch. He had a very good view, unfortunately.

One of my friend- Jim, who was injured sat on the bench near the start line. It appeared that he was keeping a track of the scores through his mobile.  So I decided to run quicker, so that I could ask him for scores as I reached the start line after each round. He said 180*, 191*, 195*, 197*,198*. The sadist returned! The coach asked Jim to return to his hostel, if he wanted to. And why wouldn’t he!? He ran (despite his injuries!) :'( I was left puzzled, stranded.

But, after a few minutes I heard the loudest cheer imaginable. Louder than a thousand saints reciting shlokas, louder than a million bells of a temple, the sound signaled the inevitable-the obvious! It seemed as if the institute buildings trembled, the wind gave a tune, the birds sang praises, the innumerable  trees shook in admiration- yes, there was a response everywhere! I shouted within me. I thanked the GOD!  He had removed his 'kireet' to bow to his devotees, out of affection. The GOD had raised his 'mace' to convey a big thanks to all his worshipers. The first ever double century in ODI history was here!

As I finished the class, I returned to my hostel. The hostel notice board read '24TH Feb is Sachin Day, henceforth. Sachin craxx 200*!'. I added a line 'Sachin Bhagwan hai!'. I made up for the missed action by watching the presentation ceremony 'LIVE'. I saw the highlights at 11pm and it felt awesome! The TV room was decently filled for the highlights too, would you believe that!? And trust me, after Sachin got his 200- the people(including me) clapped again! Such an innings it was- elegant, flawless, chanceless, exuberantly brilliant- a GOD'S special indeed! Just for a moment I felt that if not for the limited overs, Sachin would've batted till infinity, scored a heap of runs more- in the process of breaking his own records!

He is one of the proudest sons of the Indian soil. But yes, just like art- sports too is beyond the boundaries of religion, political divide, geographical limits. Every person who watches him play would LOVE him indeed. It makes me say 'I would prefer watch the highlights of any of his innings over any new movie on the block!'. He is a role-model, an inspiration, a true hero in every sense, a living legend. Cricket would've been incomplete without him. Yes, people say 'No player is bigger than the game'. Well, we have an exception here! And he deserves every bit of the admiration and applause. To the greatest sportsperson I have ever known, WE LOVE YOU, SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR.

ps: The match somehow reminded me of the day when I hid myself in the storeroom of our house, inside a Onida TV carton! It was India Vs South Africa in the TITAN CUP. I was in 1st grade. I was longing to see Sachin bat. It was a day-night match. But I didn’t want to miss the action, in case India batted first. So, after my dad gave me a shower, instead of going to my room and putting on the school uniform, I went to the store room!  When the school van horned, everyone at home realized that I was missing, after frantically searching for me! Finally when they found me, it was too late for me to go to school :) Though I got a few beatings, I didn't mind them because I was hours away from a 'Darshan' :D

pps: Some day soon. Sachin would be the synonym for incredible, unbelievable, divine, game - in every thesaurus available! Trust me!

ಮಿಂಚು..

                       ಮಿಂಚು

ಶಂಖಿನಿಯೋ? ದೇವತೆಯೋ? ಯಾರಿವಳು?
ಮೆಲ್ಲಮೆಲ್ಲನೆ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆಯಿಡುತಾ, ಹನಿಹನಿ ಮಳೆ ತಂದಿಹಳು,
ಸನಿಹ ಬಂದು ನಿಲ್ಲುತಾ, ನಾಕವನಕೆ ಕರೆದೊಯ್ದಿಹಳು,
ಕಣ್ಣಕಾಂತಿಯ ಕಿರಣದಿಂದ, ತಿಂಗಳನ್ನೂ ನಾಚಿಸಿಹಳು,
ಹಸನ್ಮುಖಿಯ ಹಸನತೆಯೋ!! ಮನೋಲ್ಲಾಸವ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿಹಳು,
ಅಧರಗಳ ಚಿಪ್ಪು ತೆರೆದು, ಕನ್ನಡ ನುಡಿಮುತ್ತುಗಳ ಉದುರಿಸಿಹಳು,
ಗಾಂಭೀರ್ಯತೆ-ಚಂಚಲತೆ, ಪರಿಪರಿಯಲ್ಲೂ ವಿಸ್ಮಿತಗೊಳಿಸಿಹಳು,
ಮಧುರ-ಮನೋಹರ ಈ ಶ್ರುತಿಸ್ವರ, ಮನವ ಶುದ್ಧಿಸಿಹಳು,
ನಗೆಮಿಂಚು ಬೀರುತಾ, ಕತ್ತಲೊಳ ಭಾವನೆಗಳ ಬೆಳಗಿಸಿಹಳು,
ನಯನಗಳ ನಮ್ರದಿಂದ, ಇವನನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ಅಂತರ್ಗತದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂತರ್ಧಾನವಾಗಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿಹಳು,
ಶಂಖಿನಿಯೋ? ದೇವತೆಯೋ? ಯಾರಿವಳು?


 
ಪದಗಳ ಅರ್ಥ:
೧.ಶಂಖಿನಿ-ಅಪ್ಸರೆ.
೨.ಸನಿಹ-ಹತ್ತಿರ.
೩.ನಾಕವನ-ಸ್ವರ್ಗದ ವನ.
೪.ಕಾಂತಿ-ತೇಜಸ್ಸು.
೫.ತಿಂಗಳು- ಚಂದ್ರನ ಬೆಳಕು.
೬.ಹಸನ್ಮುಖಿ- ನಗುಮುಖ ಉಳ್ಳವಳು.
೭.ಹಸನ-ಶುದ್ಧ.
೮.ಮನೋಲ್ಲಾಸ-ಮನದ ಸಂತೋಷ.
೯.ಅಧರ-ತುಟಿ.
೧೦.ವಿಸ್ಮಿತ-ಅಚ್ಚರಿ.
೧೧.ಮನೋಹರ-ಸುಂದರ.
೧೨.ನಯನ-ಕಣ್ಣು.
೧೩.ಅಂತರ್ಗತ-ಒಳಮನಸ್ಸು.
೧೪.ಅಂತರ್ಧಾನ-ಮಾಯ.

ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯನ ಪಟ್ಟಾಭಿಷೇಕಂ | ೫೦೦ ವರ್ಷ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣಂ ||

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕತ ಇತಿಹಾಸದ ಪುಟಗಳನ್ನು ತಿರುವು ಹಾಕಿದರೆ ಕದಂಬ, ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯ, ಚೋಳ, ಹೋಯ್ಸಳ, ಮೈಸೂರಿನ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳು ಕರುನಾಡನ್ನು ಆಳಿರುವುದಾಗಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಕರುನಾಡನ್ನು ಅನೇಕ ವರ್ಷಗಳ ತನಕ ಆಳಿದ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯವೆಂದರೆ, ಅದುವೇ ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ. ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಹಕ್ಕ-ಬುಕ್ಕ ಸಹೋದರರು ವಿದ್ಯಾರಣ್ಯ ಋಷಿಗಳ ಸಲಹೆಯ ಆಶ್ರಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಿದರು.

ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಯ ಸಂಧರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಒಂದು ಘಟನೆ ಪ್ರತೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಅದನ್ನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ವಿದ್ಯಾರಣ್ಯರು ಹಕ್ಕ-ಬುಕ್ಕರೊಡನೆ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಗೆ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತವಾದ ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕುವಾಗ ಮೊಲವೊಂದು ನಾಯನ್ನು ಅಟ್ಟಾಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡರು. ಇಂತಹ ಜಾಗವು ಗಂಡುಮೆಟ್ಟಿನ ನಾಡೇ ಇರಬೇಕೆಂದು ತೀರ್ಮಾನಿಸಿ, ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ-ಸಮಯ-ಘಳಿಗೆಯೆಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಪರಿಶೀಲಿಸಿದ ನಂತರ, ತಮ್ಮ ಕನಸಿನ ಹಿಂದೂ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಿದರು.

ಸಂಗಮ, ಸಳುವ, ತುಳುವ, ಅರವಿಡು ಸಂಸ್ಥಾನಗಳು ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುತ್ತವೆ. ಈ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ರಾಜನೆಂದರೆ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ. ’ಕನ್ನಡರಾಜ್ಯರಮಾರಮಣ’ವೆಂಬ ಬಿರುದು ಈ ವಿಖ್ಯಾತ ಅರಸನ ಪಾಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಂದಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯರ ಪಟ್ಟಾಭಿಷೇಕವಾಗಿ ೫೦೦ ವರ್ಷಗಳು ಸಂದಿವೆ! ಜಗದೊಡೆಯ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಜನುಮದಿನದಂದು ಜನರ‍ೊಡೆಯ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯರ ಪಟ್ಟಾಭಿಷೇಕವು ನಡೆಯಿತೆಂಬ ಮಾತು ಚಾಲ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿದೆ.

ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯರ ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ, ಸಂಗೀತ, ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಸುಭದ್ರತೆ, ಕಲೆ, ಜನರ ನಡುವಿನ ಶಾಂತಿ-ಸಮನ್ವಯತೆ ಯಥೇಚ್ಛವಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆಯಿತು. ಈ ಮಾತು ಎಷ್ಟು ನಿಜವೆಂದರೆ ಈಗಿನ ಜನ ’ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿನ್ನವನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಭಯವಾಗಿ ತಳ್ಳುವ ಗಾಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ, ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಬದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾರಾಟ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು’ ಎಂದು ಮಾತನಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ!

ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ ಜನರ ಮೇಲೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಜಾತಿ-ಮತದ ನಿರ್ಭಂದನೆ ಏರದಿರುವುದು ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಗಮನೀಯ ಅಂಶ. ಅಧಿಕಾರವು ಧರ್ಮದ  ಚೌಕಟ್ಟಿನೊಳಗೆ ಇರಬೇಕು ಎಂಬುದು ಅವರ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಅಲ್ಲದೇ, ತಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಜನರ ಆಗು-ಹೋಗುಗಳನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಯಲು ಮಾರುವೇಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಅನೇಕ ಬಾರಿ ಜನರೊಡನೆ ಬೆರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ’ಅಮುಕ್ತಮಲ್ಯಡ’ವೆಂಬ  ಗ್ರಂಥವನ್ನು ತೆಲುಗು ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ರಚಿಸಿ, ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಭಕ್ತೆ ಆಂಡಾಳ್ ವಿಷ್ಣು ಭಗವಂತನ ಬೇರ್ಪಡುಗೆಯಿಂದ ಪಡುವ ಸಂಕಟವನ್ನು ಅದ್ಭುತವಾಗಿ ವರ್ಣಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಇಂತಹ ಜನನಾಯಕನ ಆದರ್ಶ, ಸಾಧನೆಗಳಿಂದ ನಮ್ಮ ಇಂದಿನ ’ಧನ’ನಾಯಕರು ಪಾಠ ಕಲಿಯಲೆಂದು ಆಶಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯರ ಹೆಸರು ಕರುನಾಡ ಇತಿಹಾಸದ ಪುಟಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಎದೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಜರಾಮರವಾಗಲಿ! (ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿಯಬೇಕಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿ.ಆರ್.ಪಂತಲು ಅವರ ಡಾ|ರಾಜ್‍ಕುಮಾರ್ ನಟನೆಯ ’ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ’ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ವೀಕ್ಷಿಸಿ.)

It Happened On A Wednesday!!

   It happened on a Wednesday!!

With a flight scheduled at 7:30am to reach New Delhi at 10am, the day started off with a surprise. A shock rather! Not only did I wake up at a staggeringly unusual 4:30am without an alarm, I also managed to get the rest of my family off their sleep. The cuckoo struck 5 as I climbed the stairs to the terrace. A few shouts of protest were yelled out at me by my cousins for disturbing their precious sleep.

A cool breeze welcomed me as I entered the terrace. The floor was a little wet due to the late night showers. I could hear the birds sing at a distance. The flowers in the pots had just blossomed and it was another reason for me to wonder at the beauty of mother nature. It had been a long time since I had seen the sunrise. It was a sheer joy to view the rays of the sun chasing away the darkness. I swear, I almost turned a poet then. It was a very important day for me. A day that would decide my destiny. I just looked at infinity and prayed. Cursing myself for waking up late all these days, I climbed down the stairs.

The previous night was quite busy for all of us. There was a party to attend, shopping to be done and of course the packing for the four day trip. So it was quite obvious to see almost everyone being in a not so active mood. But something was wrong with me that day. Since I'm referred to as the personification of laziness by everyone at home, they were shocked to see me getting ready on time. Finally, we managed to leave at around 6am to the airport. 'We' here includes my parents, grandparents, uncle-aunt and two of my cousins. Yah, and me as well!

The drive to the airport was rather a quick one due to negligible traffic. It was quite startling to imagine that these very streets of 'Namma Bengaluru', now quiet and serene, would soon turn into a pandemonium once the city wakes up.

But there was a considerable amount of restlessness within me throughout. However, all I could do was hope for the best.

With the 'Suprabhatam' playing in the background due to the insistence of my grandparents, we reached the airport. The TV outside the airport read '6-E 414: Now Boarding'. I just remember that we picked our luggage and rushed to the counter and finished the procedures.

The smiling air-hostess with a badge reading 'Ms. Priscilla Simmons’ pinned on her uniform welcomed us. It was quite funny to see my fellow travelers on this early morning flight . Few fat ones with round faces, few businessmen with well-fed faces, few old ones with wrinkled faces and few pretty faces that make you say 'Wow!'. But all of them had sleepy eyes. Give them a pillow and it seemed they wouldn't wake up anytime soon.

Somehow, I managed to take the window seat after a fight with my cousin brother who happens to be 7 years younger to me! As the flight took off, I could see my city through bird's eye. It was beautiful! Something within me asked "Will you return back to your city with your dreams alive?" The prayers continued.

All of my family members went for a nap. But I could not sleep. I soon got nostalgic. Looking at the blue skies and the clouds through the window, I wished I could fly. I wished I could be special. I thought of the last 8 months of my life and my eyes soon responded. I had lots at stake. It was my final lifeline. I wished I could prove everyone wrong!

It was 9:47am by my watch when the pilot announced the landing. Something within me said that Delhi would make my day special. As I took my handbag from the closet above, I switched on my cellphone. We soon took the stairs and got down the flight after another pleasant smile from Ms. Priscilla. I barely managed a smile though. Everyone except me and my cousin took the first bus to the airport from the place of landing. I was praying. My cellphone started to ring. I took a deep breath and answered the call.

It was my sister over the phone. Her tone revealed it all as she said 'Hello'. I almost jumped! But I had to confirm it. With some effort I asked "Akka, what happened?" Surprisingly she did not create much suspense and said "IIT Bombay- Chemical Engineering Dual Degree." I could hardly speak! I told her to repeat. I had never felt so heavy in life.

Everything seemed to burst from within. I managed to say "Luckily I made it. I'm too happy. Thank God." "You deserve it. I'm proud of you. I'll speak to you later. It's only 5am for us now. I'm too sleepy. You are right, I'm lazier than you. Bye" and my sister hung up. My cousin brother was standing next to me. He had always thought of IIT to be an Indian branch of the MIT, since he is from the US. He was too excited and promised to inform all his friends that his cousin is getting admitted to an MIT!

It took me a minute to calm down. We took the second bus and I soon broke the news to my family at the luggage collection counter. My parents were visibly proud. After exchanging hugs, I soon found that a few fellow travellers wanting to speak to me. A middle-aged man dressed in casuals congratulated me saying "I have a relative who studied there. Your parents must be lucky to have a boy like you." A young couple too came forward and wished me. I felt like a star. I realized that one can fly without wings. I felt special.

I don't think I have ever made 23 calls within an hour! I called up my mentor, teachers, friends, cousins. I was too excited. This made my day even special.

Few had inspired me. Few had guided me. Few had pushed me ahead. I felt lucky. I went to the rest room. I looked at myself in the mirror. I felt that I looked different. I felt I was more than happy. I splashed water on my face and moved towards the exit. The entire world looked beautiful. I was constantly smiling.

The day had more to offer. We soon left for Agra at around 11am. The journey through the humble villages was quite an experience. The Taj Mahal looks great on paper. But in reality it's nothing short of divine. I was spell-bound when I stood in front of it. It's beauty is beyond words. It was a spellbinding feeling that you get to experience once a life-time. We started our journey back to Delhi. We were at the capital by 8:30pm. We stayed at The Lalit. Never before had I stayed at a five-star overnight. The buffet for dinner was nothing short of an extravaganza.  Given that I'm a foodie, I simply enjoyed the wide-ranges of fruits, bread, starters, meat, rice, desserts, chocolates that were offered. It was some meal!

Our room was on the 12th floor. Through the huge window, the Connaught place looked spectacular. The view was heavenly. My watch struck 11. I reflected back upon the day that never seemed to get over. It was easily the best day of my life. The dawn with nature, morning by the window seat, travelling at noon, symbol of love during the evening, maha meal for dinner and now, the capital before me. And of course the news that would take me to where I had always dreamt to be.

It was the 24th of June, 2009. The day that the allocation of seats to the IIT'S were announced. With a good number doctors in my family already, it was hard to pave my own way. I had crossed the hurdles. I had been lucky in many ways. But fortune favors the brave. I thanked the almighty again. Nothing can better determination backed by hard work. Someone has rightly said that 'It's not about why the chicken crossed the road, but how?!'.

As I went to my bed, I set an alarm for 6am! The wall clock said 11.55pm. I finished my daily routine of prayers and switched off the bed lamp. The day ended for all but to me it was eternal! I felt blessed. Oh yah, all of this happened on a single Wednesday!

My letter to God !!

These lines have been inspired by a track ‘Savi savi nenapu’ from the movie ‘My Autograph’. It’s my first attempt to write in English as I have always been used to convey my thoughts in my mother tongue Kannada. I don’t think the lines are an excellent piece of art. But I have been honest in portraying the soul of my thought through these lines. Most of them are instances from my own life. Hope you could sense a part of your childhood in these lines too. Read On!!

              My letter to God !!

I open my eyes, I could sense no soul nearby,

The planet of life is visible vaguely, far away from me,

I look around, there is just an old rusty box to give company,

My mind in solitude, opens the box sub-consciously,

A breeze gushes and the leaves inside fly out,

As I pick them up, each one has a story of its own to tell,

I listen, I sense, I recall, I realize, I sing!!

The warmth of the mother's lap feeling like heaven,

Her lullabies 'ever-so-melodic' and putting me to sleep,

My grandpa singing praises as he swung the cradle,

When every hand wanted my cheek, every lip wanted a kiss,

I was lovable, I was loved - as I never complained,

When my mind was free, my heart innocent,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

The unexplainable joy in going to a circus,

The amazement on watching mammoth sized people onscreen,

When we had a box to keep the unlucky butterflies,

When my grandma would tell stories & feed me,

An excuse was the only thing needed to burst crackers,

A big smile and 'Bye-Bye' to every airplane flying by,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

The compelling tears to buy me a watch at every mela,

The excitement in playing hide and seek,

When having wounds was a form of body art,

When fever brought joy and break from school,

When the genius of a little master made me hold a bat,

The stupefaction at the flash of a camera,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

The newly bought car that I longed  to get a ride in,

When ghost stories made me wet my mattress,

When Santa was someone I always waited for,

When bed time stories of Krishnaarjuna were fascinating,

The summers I longed for, to stay with my grandma,

The days I used to think kissing would give kids, 

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

The girl I met in class one, whom I thought was 'the' one

When amusement parks were more than amusing,

When I lost myself in Mohenjo-Daro and the love for history,

When the fear of beatings compelled me to sign the result sheet,

The anxiety and shivers on carrying a chit,

The near death experience while learning to swim,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

The elation when I held my baby brother as he kicked me,

A plaster was a reason for people to leave 'signatured memories',

When skyscrapers of Bombay made me watch them wide-mouthed,

When reciting prayers at school was mechanical,

When ice-creams and chocolates were rewards for good results,

The girl next door whom I loved to play with until she shifted,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

The awesome feeling of playing in the rain for the first time,

When the pet 'Pinky' was a family member too,

When birthday was the most awaited day of the year,

When dinosaurs were a topic of discussion for weeks together,

My sister standing by me as I learnt to cycle,

A couple of pimples raising alarms,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

The first click of my personal computer's mouse,

Getting caught by police for driving without license,

The pride in wearing my school team jersey,

When a boring class made us play hand-cricket time and again,

The nervousness before my first onstage performance,

The school trip- when every second was memorable,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

A spectacular view of the symbol of love in white marble,

The exquisite smile of the girl in the bus whom I never spoke to,

The first poem I penned down that made me bliss-out,

The fights with my sister which ended increasing the love-affection,

Her marriage- with tears of separation and happiness,

The airport scene, bidding her farewell as she begun a new journey,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

The girl that took my hunger-sleep and heart,

The hastiness while reading the love letter addressing me,

The attempts to impress the other sex which now seem funny,

When trimming my moustache happened secretly using dad's razor,

When planning was needed to bunk class for a movie,

The sense of achievement on my graduation day,

Bring it back, Oh God, Bring it back!

I listened, I sensed, I recalled, I realized, I sung!!

The leaves were from a tree that stands invisibly aloof,

It appears that the tree bears more branches, leaves, buds,

They would fall someday too and go into the box,

I shall open the box and fall in love with myself again,

Fall in love with each of those stories the leaves have to tell,

However, how I wish I had a time machine!!

Bring them back, Oh God, Bring them back!

ಕೆಲವು ದಿನಗಳ ತರುವಾಯ..

ಸರ್ವರಿಗೂ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ,

ಏನ್ ಸಮಚಾರ? ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ?

ನಾನು ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ಯುಸಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದರಿಂದ, ನನ್ನ ಈ ಅಧಿಕೃತ ಅಂತರ್ಜಾಲದ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮೊಟಕುಗೊಳಿಸಬೇಕಾಗಿ ಬಂತು. ಎನಿವೇಜ಼್, ನಾನು ಈಗ ಮತ್ತೆ ಪೆನ್ನು-ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಹಿಡಿದು ಮನದ ಹುಚ್ಚು ಭಾವನೆಗಳ ಮುಗ್ಧ ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತನೆಗೆ ಮುಂದಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಸರಿ, ಲೆಟ್ಸ್ ಕಂ ಟು ದಿ ಪಾಯಿಂಟ್.

’ಅನಿಸುತಿದೆ ಯಾಕೋ ಇಂದು’ - ಈ ಹಾಡನ್ನು ಕೇಳದಿರುವ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಇನ್ ಫಾಕ್ಟ್, ಕನ್ನಡಿಗನೆಂದು ಕರೆಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಾದಲ್ಲಿ, ಈ ಹಾಡು ಕಂಠಪಾಠವಾಗಿರಲೇಬೇಕು! ಈ ಹಾಡಿನ ವಿಶೇಷತೆಯೇನೆಂದರೆ ಸರಳವಾದರೂ ಅಮೋಘ ಸಂಗೀತ ಮತ್ತು ಅದ್ಭುತ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ. ಹಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಯಕನು ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯನ್ನು ವಿಭಿನ್ನವಾದರೂ ನೂತನವಾದ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯಕ್ತ ಪಡಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಈ ಹಾಡು ಸೂಪರ್ ಹಿಟ್ ಆದಮೇಲೆ ಅನೇಕ ಪ್ರೇಮಗೀತೆಗಳು ಬಂದು ಹೋಗಿವೆ. ಸರಿ, ನಾನೂ ಒಂದು ಕೈ ನೋಡುವ!

ಈ ಪದ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊಸ ’ಕಂಪ್ಯಾರಿಸನ್ಸ್’ಗಳನ್ನು ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸಲು ಯತ್ನಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ’ಫಿಲಾಸಫಿ’ ಕೂಡ ಇದ್ದಿರಬಹುದು. ನೀವು ಯಾವುದೇ ’ಆಂಗಲ್’ನಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಿದರೂ ಸರಿ, ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ ಪದ್ಯದ ನಾಯಕನ ಮನದ ಮೂರು ಮಾತುಗಳ ಅರ್ಥ ಹಾಗೂ ಆ ಮಾತುಗಳ ಹಿಂದಿರುವ ಭಾವನೆಗಳು ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಮುಟ್ಟಿದರೆ ಸಾಕು. (--ಈ ಪದ್ಯ ಕೇವಲ ಕಾಲ್ಪನಿಕ--)

ಸರಿ, ಓದಿ. ಹಾ, ಒನ್ ಮೋರ್ ರಿಕ್ವೆಸ್ಟ್.. ಅನೇಕ ಬಾರಿ ಪದ್ಯದ ಆಳವನ್ನು ಅರಿಯಲು ಬಾರಿ-ಬಾರಿ ಓದಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದಂತೆ. ನನಗೂ ಈ ಅನುಭವ ಆಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಪದ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕವಿಯ ಕಣ್ಣುಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಕಂಡರೆ, ನಿಮ್ಮಯ ಕಣ್ಣಿಂದ ಹನಿಯೊಂದು ಬಂದೇ ಬರುವುದು, ಜೋಕೆ!  ಸೋ, ಸಮಯದಾರಣ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಗ-ಬೇಗ ಓದದೇ, ಟೇಕ್ ಯುವರ್ ಟೈಂ..

ಅತಿ ಶೀಘ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ:

ಗದ್ಯಗಳು:  1. Sachin & Me.

             2. The Person I want to be: '       '!

             3.Translations.

    ಹಾಗೂ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ’ಟ್ರಾಜಿಕ್’ ಪದ್ಯ :(

ಬೈ ದಿ ವೇ: ’ಫೀಡ್‍ಬ್ಯಾಕ್’ ಕೊಡಲು ಮರೆಯಬೇಡಿ; ಯಾವುದಾದರೊಂದು ಆಸಕ್ತಿಕರ ವಿಷಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಚರ್ಚಿಸಲು ಇಷ್ಟವಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ, ಅದನ್ನು ನನ್ನ ಗಮನಕ್ಕೆ ತರಲು ಮರೆಯಬೇಡಿ. ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.


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