ನಾಳೆಯೂ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ!

ಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಸನ್ನಿವೇಶಗಳು, ತೀವ್ರ ಅಧಿಕಾರದಾಹ ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕದನಗಳು, ಬಿಗಿತಪ್ಪುತ್ತಿರುವ ಆಡಳಿತ, ಮತ್ತು ಇಂತಹ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಗೊತ್ತು-ಗುರಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಓಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸಮಾಜದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕೆಲವು ವಿಷಯಗಳನ್ನು ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದೆವು. ದೇಶಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ಪಡೆಯಲು ನಮ್ಮ ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದು ಹೆಣಗಾಡಿದ ಕೆಲವರು ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ಸೇನಾನಿಗಳ ಬಗೆಗೂ ತಿಳಿದಂತಾಯಿತು. "ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಪ್ರಸಾರ" ಎಂಬ ಶೀರ್ಷಿಕೆಯ ಈ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ ಓದಬಹುದು.

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಏಕೀಕರಣ ಆಗುವ ಮುನ್ನಿನ, ಆಗಿನ ಮೈಸೂರು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಮೊದಲ ಚುನಾಯಿತ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೆಂಗಲ್ ಹನುಮಂತಯ್ಯನವರ ಆಸೆಯ ಕೂಸಾಗಿ "ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಪ್ರಸಾರ" ಸರಣಿಯ ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅನೇಕ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳು ರಾಜ್ಯಾದ್ಯಂತ ನಡೆದವು. ಇದರ ಜೊತೆಜೊತೆಯಾಗಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ "ವಾರ್ತಾ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಸಾರ ಇಲಾಖೆ" ಸಹ ತನ್ನ "Song and Drama" ವಿಭಾಗದ ವತಿಯಿಂದ ಅನೇಕ ಕಡೆ "ರಸಸಂಜೆ" ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಉದ್ದೇಶ್ಯ "ಕುಟುಂಬ ಯೋಜನೆ" ಮತ್ತು ಅದರಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ "ಮಿತ ಸಂತಾನ" ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಪ್ರಚಾರವೇ ಆಗಿದ್ದಿತು. 

ಅನೇಕ ಕಲಾವಿದರು ಈ ಎರಡೂ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿ ಇಂತಹ ಸಂಜೆ ನಡೆಯುವ ಕೂಟಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದ ಜನತೆಗೆ ಮನರಂಜನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಕೆಲವು ರೀತಿಯ ಜ್ಞಾನಪ್ರಸಾರ ಸಹ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಶ್ರೀಯುತ ಪಿ. ಕಾಳಿಂಗ ರಾಯರು ನಡೆಸಿಕೊಡುವ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳು ಬಹಳ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾದವು. ಅವರು "ಉದಯವಾಗಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಚೆಲುವ ಕನ್ನಡನಾಡು" ಗೀತೆಯಿಂದ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿ ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ "ಬಾನಿಗೊಬ್ಬ ರವಿಯಿರಬೇಕು, ಬಾಳಿಗೊಬ್ಬ ಮಗನಿರಬೇಕು, ತಂಪುಕೊಡುವ ಚಂದ್ರಿಕೆಯಂಥ ಚೆಲುವೆಯಾದ ಮಗಳಿರಬೇಕು" ಎಂದು ಮಿತ ಸಂತಾನದ ಪರವಾದ ಗೀತೆಯಿಂದ ಮುಗಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. 

ಶ್ರೀ ಹನುಮಂತಯ್ಯನವರ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಇದ್ದಾಗ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ಬಂದ ಹೊಸದು. ಮೊದಲನೇ ಪಂಚವಾರ್ಷಿಕ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಮೂಲ ಗುರಿ ಕೃಷಿಗೆ ಉತ್ತೇಜನ ಕೊಡುವುದೇ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ಆಗ ಅನೇಕ ಹಳ್ಳಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಲೆಗಳಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅನಕ್ಷರಸ್ಥರ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಬಲು ದೊಡ್ಡದಿತ್ತು. ಅನೇಕ ಹಳ್ಳಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ರಸ್ತೆಗಳೂ ಬಸ್ ಪ್ರಯಾಣದ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯೂ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ನೀರಾವರಿ ಅನುಕೂಲಗಳು ಈಗಿನಂತೆ ಇರದೇ ಬಹುಪಾಲು ರೈತರು ಮಳೆಯನ್ನೇ ಅವಲಂಬಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೆಳೆ ತೆಗೆಯುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. 

ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಪ್ರಸಾರ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮವನ್ನು ಮತ್ತು ಅದರ ಅನುಷ್ಠಾನವನ್ನು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಈ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ ಮತ್ತು ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆ ವಿವರಗಳು ತಿಳಿದಿರುವುದು ಅವಶ್ಯಕ. 

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1952ರಲ್ಲಿ ಚುನಾಯಿತ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಅಧಿಕಾರ ವಹಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೊಸ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳ ರೂಪು-ರೇಷೆ ಸಿದ್ಧಪಡಿಸಿ, ಹಣ-ಕಾಸಿನ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು ಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ರೂಪುಗೊಳ್ಳಲು ಸುಮಾರು ಎರಡು ವರುಷಗಳು ಹಿಡಿದವು. ನಂತರ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥಿತವಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳು ನಡೆಯಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿದವು. ಅನೇಕ ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸರು, ಗಮಕಿಗಳು, ಕಲಾವಿದರು ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿದರು. 

ಒಂದು ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆಯ ನಂತರ ಚಹಾಕೂಟ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ  ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಎ. ಜಿ. ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ರಾವ್ ಅಂದು ಬಂದಿದ್ದ ಪತ್ರಕರ್ತರ ಜೊತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಪತ್ರಿಕಾ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಯಾಗಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದಿದ್ದ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಿ. ಕೆ. ನಾಗರಾಜ ರಾವ್ ಅವರ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದರು. ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರರಾಯರು ಅವರನ್ನು ಕರೆದು ಕುಶಲೋಪರಿ ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿದರು. 

"ಸರ್ಕಾರ "ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಪ್ರಸಾರ" ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಗಮನಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಿದೆಯಲ್ಲವೇ?"

"ಬಂದಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವರದಿಗಳನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವಲ್ಲ"

"ಅನೇಕರು ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡು, ಅನುಮೋದನೆ ಪಡೆದು ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ"

"ಹೌದು. ಗೊತ್ತು"

"ನೀವು ಅನೇಕ ವಿಷಯಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಉಪನ್ಯಾಸ ಮಾಡಬಲ್ಲಿರಿ. ಹಳಗನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರಯುತವಾಗಿ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ. ಬಿ. ಎಂ. ಶ್ರೀ ಅವರ "ಗದಾಯುದ್ಧ" ನಾಟಕ ಆಡುವಂತಹ "ಯುನೈಟೆಡ್ ಆರ್ಟಿಸ್ಟ್ಸ್" ತಂಡ ಕಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೀರಿ. ಸಾಹಿತಿ ಎಂದು ಸಮಾಜ ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಿದೆ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಪರಿಷತ್ತಿನ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಆಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ. ಹೀಗಿದ್ದೂ ನೀವೇಕೆ ಈ ಕಡೆ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ತೋರಿಸಿಲ್ಲ?"

"ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ಮಾಡಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಕೊಡುವಷ್ಟು ಬಿಡುವಿಲ್ಲ. ಮತ್ತೆ ಸರ್ಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಿ ಓಡಾಡುವಷ್ಟು ವ್ಯವಧಾನವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ"

"ನಿಮ್ಮ ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ ರಾಜಾಮಣಿಯವರು ಭಾರತದ ಬಿಂದೂರಾಯರ ಗಮಕ ಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಥಮ ಶಿಷ್ಯೆಯರ ಗುಂಪಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿದವರು. ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಸಂಗೀತ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಡುವವರು. ವೀಣಾ ರಾಜರಾಯರಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ವೀಣಾವಾದನ ಕಲಿತವರು.  ಅವರಿಂದ ಗಮಕ ವಾಚನವಾದರೂ ಮಾಡಿಸಬಹುದಲ್ಲ?"

"ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿರಿಯರ ಯೋಗಕ್ಷೇಮ ನೋಡಬೇಕು. ನನ್ನ ಕಾರ್ಯಬಾಹುಳ್ಯದಿಂದ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದು-ಹೋಗುವವರು ಹೆಚ್ಚು. ಮೂರು ಸಣ್ಣ ಮಕ್ಕಳು. ಬಿಡುವೆಲ್ಲಿ?"

"ನೀವು ಹೇಳುವುದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಸರಿ ಎಂದು ಒಪ್ಪುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಆದರೆ ರಾಜಧಾನಿಯಿಂದ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ, ಸಣ್ಣ ಸಣ್ಣ ಊರಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸರ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಅವಕಾಶ ಆಗಬೇಡವೇ? ಅದಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಇಂತಹ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳು ಸಿದ್ಧಿಸುವುದಾದರೂ ಹೇಗೆ?"

"ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮಾತಿನ ಒಟ್ಟು ಅರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಒಪ್ಪುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಆದರೆ ನಮಗೆ ಕಷ್ಟ"

"ಹಾಗೆಂದು ಬಿಡುವುವಂತಿಲ್ಲ. ಆಗಾಗ ಬಿಡುವು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ. ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಿ ಕಾಯಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ. ಕೆಲವರನ್ನು ನಾವೇ ನೇರವಾಗಿ ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಬಹುದು. ನಿಮಗೆ ಹೀಗೆ ಆಹ್ವಾನ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಕೆಲವು ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಡಿ. ಅದರ ಅನುಭವದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಮಗೇ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಉತ್ಸಾಹ ಬರಬಹುದು!"

ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರರಾಯರ ಮಾತಿನ ಧಾಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮರುಮಾತಿಗೆ ಅವಕಾಶ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಮುಂದಿನ ವಾರವೇ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಇಲಾಖೆಯಿಂದ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಿಗದಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಪತ್ರ ಬಂದೇ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿತು. ಮೊದಲ ಗಮಕವಾಚನ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರರಾಯರ ನೇರ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಹಾಸನ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಒಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಯೋಜಿಸಿತ್ತು. 

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ಇಂತಹ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳು ಸಂಜೆ ಐದು ಗಂಟೆಯ ಹಾಗೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗಿ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಸ್ತದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಗಿದುಬಿಡಬೇಕಿತ್ತು. ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಬೆಳಕಿನ ತೊಂದರೆ. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದ ಆಹ್ವಾನಿತರು ಕಡೆಯ ಬಸ್ಸು ಹಿಡಿದು ಹಿಂದಿರುಗಬೇಕಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಕಡೆಯ ಬಸ್ಸು ತಪ್ಪಿದರೆ ಅಂದು ರಾತ್ರಿ ಹಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಕಾಲಕಳೆಯಬೇಕು. ತಂಗಲು ಅನುಕೂಲಗಳು ಇರುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಊರಿನ ಶಾನುಭೋಗರೋ, ಪಟೇಲರೋ ಅಥವಾ ಇನ್ಯಾರೋ ಗಣ್ಯ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳು ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ಸಹಕಾರ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ನಡೆಸಿಕೊಡಬೇಕು. ಊರಿನ ಅರಳಿ ಕಟ್ಟೆ ಬಳಿಯೋ ಅಥವಾ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಮನೆಯ ಅಂಗಳದಲ್ಲೋ, ಇದ್ದರೆ ರಾಮಮಂದಿರ ಅಥವಾ ಭಜನ ಮಂದಿರದಲ್ಲೋ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ. ಹೀಗೆ ನಡೆಯಬೇಕು. 

ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಿಗದಿಯಾದ ದಿನ ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ನಾಗರಾಜರಾವ್ ದಂಪತಿಗಳು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಿಂದ ಬಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊರಟು ಹಾಸನ ತಲುಪಿ, ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಊಟ ಮುಗಿಸಿ, ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಬಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಇರುವ ಊರು ತಲುಪಿದಾಗ ಮಧ್ಯಾನ್ಹ ಮೂರು ಗಂಟೆಯ ಸಮಯ. ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದ್ದ ಸೂಚನೆಯಂತೆ ಶಾನುಭೋಗ ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪನವರ ಮನೆ ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡರು ತಲುಪಿದರು. ಮನೆಯ ಮುಂದೆ ಎಂಟು-ಹತ್ತು ವರುಷದ ಬಾಲಕಿಯೊಬ್ಬಳು ಕುಂಟೆಬಿಲ್ಲೆ ಆಡುತಿದ್ದಳು. ಇವರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದವಳು ಮನೆಯ ಬಾಗಿಲ ಬಳಿ ಹೋಗಿ "ಅಮ್ಮಾ, ಯಾರೋ ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ನೋಡು" ಎಂದು ಕೂಗಿ ತನ್ನ ಆಟ ಮುಂದುವರೆಸಿದಳು. 

ಹೊರಗಡೆ ಬಂದು ನೋಡಿದ ಗೃಹಿಣಿ ಪಡಸಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸುತ್ತಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದ ಚಾಪೆ ಹಾಸಿ "ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ. ಅವರು ಹೊಲದ ಕಡೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇನ್ನೇನು ಬರುವ ಹೊತ್ತು" ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿ ಮನೆಯ ಒಳಗಡೆ ಹೊರಟುಹೋದರು. 

ಸುಮಾರು ಕಾಲು ಗಂಟೆ ಸಮಯ ಕಳೆಯಿತು. ಮನೆಯ ಒಳಗಡೆಯಿಂದ "ರತ್ನಾ, ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾ" ಎಂದು ಕೂಗು ಬಂತು. ಕುಂಟೆಬಿಲ್ಲೆ ಆಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಹುಡುಗಿ ಒಳಗೆ ಹೋದಳು. ಒಂದೊಂದಾಗಿ ಎರಡು ಲೋಟ ಕಾಫಿ ತಂದು ಪಡಸಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತಿದ್ದವರ ಮುಂದೆ ಇಟ್ಟು ತನ್ನ ಆಟ ಮುಂದುವರೆಸಿದಳು. ಗಂಟಲು ಒಣಗಿತ್ತು. ಕಾಫಿ ಕುಡಿದರು. ಇನ್ನರ್ಧ ಗಂಟೆ ಕಳೆಯಿತು. ಸುಮಾರು ನಲವತ್ತು-ನಲವತ್ತೈದು ವರುಷದ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಬಂದರು. ಕುಳಿತಿದ್ದವರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದರು. 

"ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ. ಇಂದಿನ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆಸಲು ಬಂದವರೋ?"

"ಹೌದು. ಶಾನುಭೋಗ ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪನವರನ್ನು ಕಾಣುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚನೆಯಿತ್ತು. ಬಂದಿದ್ದೇವೆ"

"ನಾನೇ ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪ. ನನಗೆ ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ತಾನೇ ಪತ್ರ ಬಂದಿತು. ಇದೇನು, ಇಲ್ಲೇ ಕುಳಿತಿರಿ. ರತ್ನಾ, ಒಳಗಡೆ ಕೂಡಿಸಬಾರದಿತ್ತೇ ಪುಟ್ಟ"

ಮನೆಯ ಒಳಗಡೆ ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರು.

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ಕೈ ಕಾಲು ಮುಖ ತೊಳೆದು ದಣಿವಾರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ಮೇಲೆ ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪ ಮಾತು ಮುಂದುವರೆಸಿದರು. 

"ನೀವು ಎರಡು ವರುಷದ ಹಿಂದೆ ಬೇಲೂರು ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ ನಡೆದಾಗ ಬಂದಿದ್ದಿರಲ್ಲವೇ? ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದಹಾಗಿದೆ"

"ಹೌದು. ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಪರಿಷತ್ತಿನ ಸಂಪರ್ಕದಿಂದ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ ಆಯೋಜಿಸುವ ಹೊಣೆ ನನ್ನ ಮೇಲೆ ಇತ್ತು. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಆಗ ಕೆಲವು ದಿನಗಳು ಬೇಲೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿರಬಹುದು"

"1952ರ ಬೇಲೂರು ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನವನ್ನು ಈ ಸುತ್ತಲಿನ ಜನ ಆಗಾಗ ನೆನೆಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ"

"ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಆಯಿತು ಅಂದು ಬಂದವರು ಅಂದರೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸ ಸಾರ್ಥಕವಾಯಿತು"

"ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ. ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಅದಕ್ಕೂ ಮುಂಚೆ ನೋಡಿದ ಹಾಗಿದೆ. ಸುಮಾರು ಹತ್ತು ವರುಷಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ ಬೇಲೂರು ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನದ ಅರ್ಚಕ ಮಂಡಲಿಯ ಪ್ರಧಾನರು ಶ್ರೀ ಮುತ್ತು ಭಟ್ಟರ ಮನೆಗೆ ಡಿ.ವಿ.ಜಿ. ಅವರು ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾಗ ನೀವು ಅವರ ಜೊತೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದೀರಾ?"

"ಹೌದು. ಡಿ.ವಿ.ಜಿ. ಅವರ "ಅಂತಃಪುರ ಗೀತೆ" ಮುದ್ರಣದ ಪುಸ್ತಕಕ್ಕೆ ಚನ್ನಕೇಶವನ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಶಿಲಾಬಾಲಿಕೆಯರ ಫೋಟೋಗಳನ್ನು ಹಾಕುವ ಕೆಲಸವಿತ್ತು. ಗುಂಡಪ್ಪನವರು ಆ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ನನಗೆ ವಹಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ಆ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದಿದ್ದೆ. ನಿಟ್ಟೂರು ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸರಾಯರು, ಮಾನ್ವಿ ನರಸಿಂಗರಾಯರೂ ಬಂದಿದ್ದರು"

ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪನವರು ಉಂಡೆ ಮತ್ತು ಹುರಿಗಾಳು ತಂದರು. 

"ನಾನು ಗುಂಡಪ್ಪನವರ ಜೊತೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದುದು ನಿಮಗೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತು?"

"ನನ್ನ ತಾಯಿಯ ತೌರು ಮನೆ ಅದೇ ಬೀದಿಯಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಸೋದರಮಾವಂದಿರು ಈಗಲೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆಗಾಗ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಡಿ.ವಿ.ಜಿ. ಅವರು ಬಂದಾಗ ನಾವೆಲ್ಲಾ ಅವರನ್ನು ನೋಡಲು ಮುತ್ತುಭಟ್ಟರ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದೆವು. ನನ್ನಮ್ಮ ನನಗೆ "ಚನ್ನಕೇಶವ" ಎಂದೇ ಹೆಸರಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾಳೆ!"

"ಮತ್ತೆ "ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪ" ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಾರಲ್ಲ?"

"ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಶವಯ್ಯ ಎಂದು ಹಿರಿಯರೊಬ್ಬರಿದ್ದರು. ಎರಡು ಕೇಶವ ಆಗಬಾರದು ಎಂದು ಚನ್ನಕೇಶವನಾದ ನನ್ನನು ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪ ಮಾಡಿಬಿಟ್ಟರು!"

ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಘೊಳ್ಳೆಂದು ನಕ್ಕರು. ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಕಾಫಿ ಆಯಿತು. ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಸಮಯವೂ ಆಯಿತು. 

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ರಾಮಮಂದಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ ರಾಜಾಮಣಿಯವರ ಕಾವ್ಯವಾಚನ. ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸ ಭಾರತದ ಪ್ರಸಂಗ. ವಿರಾಟಪರ್ವ ಮೂರನೆಯ ಸಂಧಿ. ಕೀಚಕನ ಕೋಟಲೆ ತಾಳಲಾರದೆ ಬೇಸತ್ತ ಸೈರಂಧ್ರಿ (ದ್ರೌಪದಿ) ಅಡಿಗೆಭಟ್ಟ ವಲಲ (ಭೀಮಸೇನ) ಇರುವೆಡೆ ಬಂದು ಕೀಚಕನ ವಧೆಗೆ ಅವನನ್ನು ಒಪ್ಪಿಸುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭ. ಪದ್ಯ ವಾಚನದ ನಂತರ ನಾಗರಾಜರಾಯರ ವ್ಯಾಖ್ಯಾನ. 

ತಯಾರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಚಾರ ಇಲ್ಲದ, ತರಾತುರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಜನ ಸೇರಿಸಿದ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ. ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಜನ ಬಂದಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಬಂದಿದ್ದವರು ಕೆಲವರು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ವಿದ್ಯಾವಂತರಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೂ ವಿಷಯ ತಿಳಿದವರು. "ಕುರಿತೋದದೆಯುo ಕಾವ್ಯಪ್ರಯೋಗ ಪರಿಣತಮತಿಗಳ್" ಅನ್ನುವ ಕವಿರಾಜಮಾರ್ಗ ನುಡಿಯ ರೀತಿಯವರು. ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಜನ ಸೇರಿದರು. ಒಂದೂವರೆ ಗಂಟೆಗಳ ವಾಚನ ನಡೆಯಿತು.

ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪನವರ ವಂದನಾರ್ಪಣೆ ಮೊದಲು ಹಿರಿಯರೊಬ್ಬರು ನಿಂತುಕೊಂಡರು. "ಭೀಮ ಕಷ್ಟವನೆಸಗಿದನು ಹಾಎಂದರಾದೊಡೆ ಮುಸುಡನಮರಾದ್ರಿಯಲಿ ತೇವೆನು ದೇವ ಸಂತತಿಯ" ಅನ್ನುವ ಪದ್ಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ "ಭೀಮ ಹಾಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದುದು ಸರಿಯೇ" ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ನಾಗರಾಜರಾಯರು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿವರವಾಗಿಯೇ ಉತ್ತರಿಸಿದರು. "ಇಂತಹ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆಯುವುದು ನಮಗೆ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅನೇಕ ಆಸಕ್ತರು ಬರಲಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ" ಅಂದರು ಆ ಹಿರಿಯರು. "ಹೌದು, ಹೌದು" ಎಂದು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಗುಸು ಗುಸು ಮಾತುಗಳಾದವು.

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ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪನವರ ವಂದನಾರ್ಪಣೆ. "ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಹೇಗಿತ್ತು ಅಂತ ನಾನೇನು ಹೇಳಬೇಕಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ದಿನ ಅನೇಕರಿಗೆ ಬರಲಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. ಬೆಳಕಿನ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಧ್ವನಿವರ್ಧಕ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಆದ ಕಾರಣ ನಾಳೆಯೂ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ. ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲ ಹಳ್ಳಿಯವರಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿ. ನಾಳೆ ಪೆಟ್ರೋಮ್ಯಾಕ್ಸ್ ದೀಪಗಳ ಮತ್ತು ಧ್ವನಿವರ್ಧಕದ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮಾಡಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಊರಹಬ್ಬಕ್ಕೆ ಈ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಪಾರ್ಟಿಗೇ ಹೇಳಿಕಳಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಈದಿನ ವಂದನಾರ್ಪಣೆ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಅದು ಏನಿದ್ದರೂ ನಾಳೆಯೇ" ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿ ಮುಗಿಸಿಬಿಟ್ಟರು.

ಮನೆಗೆ ಬರುವ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಯರು ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪರನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿದರು. "ಇದೇನು? ಹೀಗೆ ಮಾಡಿಬಿಟ್ಟಿರಿ? ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಕೇಳಲೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ನಮಗೆ ನಾಳೆ ಇರಲು ಅನುಕೂಲವಿಲ್ಲ. ನಾವು ಇಂದೇ ಹಿಂದಿರುಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಬಂದವರು. ಈ ದಿನ ತಡವಾಯಿತು. ನಾವು ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ಬೇಗಲೇ ಹೊರಡಬೇಕು" ಅಂದರು. 

"ಸ್ವಾಮಿ, ಬಡವರ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆದಷ್ಟೂ ಅನುಕೂಲ ಮಾಡಿ ಕೊಡುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಒಂದು ದಿನ ಸುಧಾರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ. ನೀವು ಮತೊಮ್ಮೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಊರಿಗೆ ಬರುವುದು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಬಂದಿರುವಾಗ ನಿಮಗೆ ಕಷ್ಟವಾದರೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಜನಗಳಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಆಗಲಿ" ಅಂದರು ಚನ್ನಪ್ಪನವರು. 

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ಮಾರನೆಯ ದಿನ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಭರ್ಜರಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆಯಿತು. ಊರಿನವರ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಯಂತೆ "ಕುಂತಿ-ಕರ್ಣ" ಪ್ರಸಂಗದ ವಾಚನ ಮಾಡಲಾಯಿತು. ಸುತ್ತ-ಮುತ್ತಲಿನ ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಜನರೆಲ್ಲಾ ಸೇರಿದ್ದರು. ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆದ ನಂತರ ದಂಪತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಔತಣದ ಊಟ ತಯಾರಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಧ್ವನಿವರ್ಧಕ, ಬೆಳಕಿನ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮಾಡಲು ಉಪಕರಣ ತಂದಿದ್ದ ವ್ಯಾನಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ಉಡುಗೊರೆಗಳ ಸಮೇತ ಹಾಸನಕ್ಕೆ ಕಳಿಸಿಕೊಟ್ಟರು. ಹೊರಡುವ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ತಡ ರಾತ್ರಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಅನೇಕರು ಕಾದಿದ್ದು ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಟ್ಟರು. ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಬನ್ನಿ ಎಂದು ಎಷ್ಟೋವರ್ಷದ ಬಂಧುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳುವಂತೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಿದರು.  ದಂಪತಿಗಳು ಹಾಸನದಿಂದ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಬಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿಗೆ ಬಂದು ತಲುಪಿದರು.  

ನಂತರ ನಾಗರಾಜರಾವ್ ದಂಪತಿಗಳು ಅನೇಕ "ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಪ್ರಸಾರ" ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಅನೇಕ ಕಡೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಸಿಕೊಟ್ಟಿರುವುದು ಹಿಂದಿನ ತಲೆಮಾರಿನವರಿಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿರುವ ವಿಷಯವೇ.

Bilingual or Side-by-Side Books

Classic literary works, created by all-time great poets in many languages, are not known to large sections of readers allover the world. They are available to such readers only when a translation of the work in a language known to them is made available. When some interested readers find the translated work very interesting and desire to read the original, even by making efforts to learn the language of the original work, it is indeed a difficult task. To start with, they have to obtain both the books, shift their attention frequently between the two books, and even after all these efforts the reader may not get the full essence of the work. 

"Kannada Mahabharata" (Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari) written by Sri Gadugina Naranappa, better known as Kumaravyasa Bharata, can be a case in example. Kannada readers know that it is an excellent creation and read wherever Kannada language is spoken. But its existence itself is not known in some parts of the world. 

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There was a blog post in Roundtheclockstories, some fourteen years ago, titled "Alert Young Brains". Please click here to read it. While discussing the efficiency of brains of children it was noted that a three year baby's brain would have formed about 1000 trillion connections, which is twice as much as an adult has! After the child reaches the age of ten, a process known as "Pruning" takes place and the brain sheds half the connections. It is precisely for this reason that children are capable of learning complex rules of grammar and many languages simultaneously and quickly. Providing proper facilities to children between the ages three to ten will enable them to learn many things which would stand them in good stead in their future lives.  

There is a lot of discussion about the language in which children should learn in the formative years. What should be the medium of instruction in the early years of the child's education? Lot of noise is made about learning in "Mother-tongue". What is mother-tongue? In the era of migration from one part of the world to another part of the world for education and making a living etc., there are many cases where a mother does not even speak her own language! Husband and wife speak a third language at home, and a child born in such a family would believe that the third language itself is its mother-tongue. There is nothing wrong with this reality, but in the context of learning, reading and appreciating the valuable literature in the language of their ancestors, there will be a vacuum.   

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The vacuum referred above is visible in our own experiences. Moving away from a place where one's mother-tongue is spoken, getting married to a person from another background and language, communicating in a mutually known language which is neither's language happen routinely. Children born in such families understand the languages of their parents, to different extents, but do not know reading or writing that language. You read a book to them, they understand. But they cannot read on their own. 

Side-by-side books or Bilingual books address this issue in a exemplary manner. They may even motivate the next generation to learn the language of their parents. These books provide the same work or story in both languages simultaneously. It can be in one language on the left side (usually the original) and another language (usually the translation) on the right side. Alternatively, it can be one para or stanza of the original followed by its translation and so on. These formats help the readers to compare and understand the background, sentence structure, grammar and usage of words. 

The next issue is one of "who reads them"? Children are the obvious first group. We have read Gulliver's Travels and Robinson Crusoe, and stories of Oliver Twist and Tom Sawyer in our childhood. We did not know the background and culture in which those works were written. Had we known the full background of those works, our understanding would have been much sharper. The next group would be of those who know the language and understand it when spoken, but don't know reading or writing. Those learning a new language would be the next group. There are countries where Permanent Residency or Citizenship is given to immigrants who know the language of that country. Bilingual books facilitate easy learning of such required languages. 

Such books help learners through improved comprehension, establish cultural connection, ease of learning and saving time as well. There is also something known as "Three Book Rule". Timothy Ferriss, an American entrepreneur, investor and author suggests reading of three books on any topic by three different authors to get a clear perspective about it. Dual language books help in achieving such objectives. 

A play titled "Madhavi", written in Kannada as a follow-up of two blog posts in Kannada on this blog site, was released two months ago. Many readers who understand the language of the book, but cannot read it, have requested an English translation of the same to enable them to understand its contents. This has led to the idea of exploring a Dual language edition of the book. 

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Dr Rohan Narayana Murty, founder and CTO of Soroco, a technology company did his PhD in USA from Harvard University. Son of Sri N R Narayana Murthy and Smt Sudha Murty, Dr Rohan gave a generous gift of 5.2 million US Dollars to the Harvard University Press to bring out books covering greatest Indian literature works to readers allover the world. Through "Murty Classical Library of India" Harvard University Press has brought out many Bilingual books that have spread the rich Indian literature of various Indian languages through English translations. 

Kumaravyasa Bharata, picture given above, is one of them. Raghavanka's Harischandra Kavya is another. There are many such books of various other Indian languages as well, thus familiarising the rich Indian literature to the corners of the world. Interested people can further explore the vast treasure through Murty Classical Library of India. 

Straighten My Little Finger

The news of unrest among the soldiers of his army had reached the King. It was a long time since King Bharatesha and his army had left the capital city Ayodhya. They were moving from one province to another fighting wars and conquering vast areas. Being away from the capital and their families had brought much pressure on the members of the army and supporting forces. Victory after victory had developed a lot of pride among the soldiers. Initially pride was indeed acting as a catalyst in furthering fighting spirit and encouraged them to fight to their fullest potential. But the effects of war and long stay away from their families and capital was now telling on their morale. In addition to this they developed a sense of arrogance as well. "It is on our strength that the King is able to win all these wars. What can he do without us? It is time we let the King know of our strength and make him realise our feelings", they thought. What started as a mere gossip in the camp had now taken a strong shape and finally reached King's ears. 

Bharatesha was the elder son of Rishabhanatha (also known as Rushabhadeva). Rishabhanatha had two wives; Sumangala and Sunanda. Sumangala had 100 children, 99 boys and a girl. Bharatha was the eldest of the sons. The daughter was named as Brahmi and it is said that the script Brahmi is named after this daughter. Sunanda had a son and a daughter. They were named as Bahubali and Sundari respectively. In due course of time Rishabhanatha decided to renounce the world and become an ascetic. He divided his Kingdom between his sons. Bharata was made King of Ayodhya and Bahubali became King of Poudanapura (Takshashila). The other 98 brothers were also made kings of different areas. The new generation started ruling their respective kingdoms.

Bharata was now know as Bharatesha. He was a strong warrior and a good king. A chakra was born in his weapons depot. Known as Chakraratna, this divine disc gave immense power to Bharatesha. The chakraratna would move in front of the army and now Bharatesha was winning all the areas he raided and conquered them. Now he was thinking of going back to Ayodhya. At this time the unrest among the soldiers came to his notice.

A strange and surprising news spread among the soldiers and other supporting staff in the morning. Something had happened to the King Bharatesha's little finger on the hand. King's little finger had sprained and become bent. All the efforts of the King and his team of doctors could not straighten it. Strange as it appeared, it was indeed true. Everyone was wondering what to do.

The King had called a special session of the royal court. He duly arrived in the court and sat on his throne. When he upheld his hand everybody could see the crooked finger. The King announced a reward to any one who could straighten his little finger. Some came forward and tried to straighten it, but failed. A long chain was brought into the court. One end was tied to the crooked finger. The soldiers were asked to hold the chain and pull to straighten it. Some soldiers tried initially, but failed. More and more soldiers now joined. Finally entire army and all the supporting staff joined and pulled the other end of the chain. And Lo, they could not succeed in their effort.

After they all failed to do it, the king himself straightened the crooked finger. The army now knew the strength of their King and their arrogance fled away making way for awe and admiration about King Bharatesha's strength! The assigning of task of straightening of the crooked finger was his way of showing his strength to his army. 

As the King and his army reached Ayodhya, the disc stopped at the gate of the capital. It would not enter the city. His ministers told Bharatesha that he had not yet become successful in his efforts to become the unquestioned emperor since his brothers were not conquered. As they were still independent kings, Bharatesha's task was not completed. Either he had to win over his brothers in a war or they should accept him as their superior and supreme emperor. Bharatesha invited his 98 brothers to fight him. They chose to renounce the material world, surrendered their areas to Bharatesha and went in penance. Only Bahubali was left now.

Bahubali was not the one to surrender without a fight. Ministers of both sides discussed and told the two brothers to settle their war by restricting it to a duel between them. They advised to have three rounds of war; Drushtiyuddha (looking at each other), Jalayuddha (throwing water at each other) and Mallayuddha (physical fight as wrestlers). Bharatha knew he had no chance to win in a fight against Bahubali. Bharatha was 500 bow-length tall whereas Bahubali was 525 bow-length tall. The physical superiority of Bahubali would ensure his victory. It is easy for a taller one to look down on the shorter one whereas the shorter would have to struggle to look up to the other. The taller one could easily throw more water on the face of the shorter brother. The taller also had advantage in the wrestling round. Bharatesha knew his limitations. Bharatha told his brother Bahubali that he would not fight and surrender all his empire to Bahubali without a fight.

Bahubali was moved by the offer of his brother. He too decided to renounce the world and go for penance like his father and other brothers. He handed over his kingdom as well to Bharatesha and started a long tapas (penance). Even after years of strong penance he could not reach salvation. He had a feeling that he is standing in the land belonging to his brother! Bharatesha came to know of this. He went to Bahubali and told him to come out of such feeling. Many in the past have ruled this land and many more would do so in the future. This land does not belong to any one particular person. Hence it was not proper to think on these lines, he convinced his brother. Once cleared of this confusion, Bahubali attained salvation and became a model of non-violence and piousness. He reached the highest level of spiritual attainment.

Bharatesha continued to rule his kingdom and was a very popular King. Though he had 96,000 wives and many children, he did not have any attachment to the material world. He found a single white hair on his head one day. That was enough for him to change his mind towards spiritual orientation. He renounced the worldly pleasures and wealth and attained salvation thereafter.

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As per the popular folklore and other literature available, Bahubali defeated Bharata in the three rounds of war. The fight indeed took place and Bahubali emerged victorious and shattered the pride of Bharatesha. However, despite his victory, Bahubali saw the futility of war and earthly pleasures. This changed his outlook towards life. He renounced the world and became Gomateswara. 

Noted Kannada poet Ratnakaravarni (ರತ್ನಾಕರವರ್ಣಿ - रत्नाकरवर्णि) lived in Karnataka's Moodabidri town, about 35 KM from the city of Mangalore, in the 16th century. He has authored a brilliant literary work titled "Bharatesha Vaibhava" (ಭರತೇಶ ವೈಭವ - भरतेश वैभव). It extends to as many as 80 chapters and 10,000 verses! It is constructed in a meter known as "Saangatya" (ಸಾಂಗತ್ಯ सान्गत्य), which is a popular singing meter of the rural areas. He was a court poet in the period of Immadi Bhairarasa Wodeyar. He was a very proud poet. It is said that he even converted to Shaivism when he was insulted on some occasion, and returned to Jainism later on.

Ratnakaravarni has made subtle changes in the story of the two brothers, Bharata and Bahubali. Bharata appears like a villain in all other literature, but Ratnakaravarni has made him a real hero by making a few changes. The summary given above is as per the version of this great poet Ratnakaravarni. He has added some new incidents and left out some others and woven his epic work. His Bharatesha is a model who serves both worldly pleasures and spiritualism (ಯೋಗ ಮತ್ತು ಭೋಗ - योग - भोग). 15 chapters of the book is devoted exclusively towards depicting the life he led with his 96,000 wives. It is said that the youth from earlier generation used to read these portions secretly, in an era when modren films and television was not available to explain or show pleasures of married life! 

Ratnakaravarni's Bharatesha Vaibhava is translated to Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and English. Mangalore University has a dedicated chair for research named after poet Ratnakaravarni. A reading of this work and listening to scholars lectures on the same is indeed a literary pleasure. 

Ratnakaravarni's "Bharatesha Vaibhava" has shades of Mahakavi Bhasa's "Pancharatram". Bhasa has made changes in his Pancharatram and there is no Kurukshetra war at all in his work! Duryodhana parts with half his kingdom to Pandavas and all live happily thereafter. Please Click Here to read about Pancharatram.

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At the time when Mahamastakaabhisheka is being celebrated for Gomateswara-Bahubali in Shravanabelagola today, remembering Ratnakaravarni and Bharatesha Vaibhava is indeed relevant and proper.

Do You Follow These Tenets, King Bharata?

Corporate espionage is being discussed in the media relentlessly.  So is the quality of members of cabinets and senior bureaucrats of the governments at different levels. Cabinet ministers are known for speaking out of turn on issues not related to them.  Their life styles and habits keep raising controversies. Distribution of work among the government servants is becoming a major issue. Ambassadors are said to be not up to the mark.  Armed forces and their requirements are being debated endlessly. Welfare of soldiers and officers of the forces is a big question mark. That public finances are in a big mess is not at all disputed. The only issue for arguments and counter-arguments is who is responsible for it.  The civil society is almost vertically divided about the reasons for atrocities on women.  Some hold that the women themselves are responsible for their suffering.  That appears true as well.  If there are no women in the society, there won't be any atrocities on them!  Decision making has become a forgotten art. The list can go on and on.

Was this the state of affairs in our country all the time?  Are there no principles or guidelines as to how these issues are to be resolved?  Were these concerns ever brought to focus in ancient India? What were the theories and practices used by our forefathers?  It is indeed worth dwelling on these issues.

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Rama has moved to the forest to start his fourteen years of "Aranyavasa".  His wife Seethe and one of the brothers, Lakshmana, have followed him.  They are living in the woods and leading the life of hermits.  Lakshmana climbs on a tree for fetching some fruits. He finds that an army is marching in the direction of their hut. He runs to his elder brother, Rama.  "It appears that Bharata is coming with an army here. Permit me to fight them.  With your grace, I will kill that entire army", he says.  Rama smiles at him.  "There is no need for any heroics, Lakshmana. You do not know your brother.  I know my brother.  Wait patiently", says Rama.  As the army nears the hut, its leader runs to Rama and falls at his feet.

Rama identifies the person at his feet with some difficulty.  It is Bharata alright, but not the way he ought to be.  He is not dressed like the king of Ayodhya.  He is just like his own mirror image (except the body color).  He has matted locks, dressed in bark robes and lying on the floor with folded hands.  Aadikavi Valmeeki says that he was like the Sun who has lost his brightness when the end of time (yugaanta) nears. Rama is moved by his appearance and approach.  He lifts Bharata and takes him in his lap, as he used to do when they both were little boys.

The first few questions asked by Rama are general and towards the welfare of the family. "How is our father, King Dashartha?  This is not the time that you should leave him behind in Ayodhya and come to see me.  How are my three mothers? How is Guru Suyagna, son of the great sage Vasishta?  Are you treating your archery teacher Sudhanva with respect? Are you holding your elders, aged teachers, doctors and other scholars with reverence?", Rama asks.

All the questions that follow and the queries that are made appear to have been written to answer each one of the questions that are raised above with reference to the happenings in our country today.

• Quality of Ministers: Are you keeping learned people, who are not easily lured by temptations as ministers?  Are they knowledgeable in interpreting their internal sentiments through external gestures? Remember, one wise man is better than a thousand stupid fools in a cabinet.  One efficient minister alone can bring greater prosperity for the King (than any number of others).  Are these ministers capable of standing up to the King in support of the ordinary subjects if the innocent subjects are harassed?

• Council of Ministers: A King's victories stem from a concealed counsel of ministers, those who can hide their thoughts within themselves.  Are these ministers incorruptible and of total integrity?

• Personal habits:  Are you not falling a prey to excessive sleep? Are you not eating good and delicious dishes alone, but sharing them with trusted friends?  

• Maintaining secrecy:  Are you ensuring that others are not able to find the details of the discussions you have with your ministers, through their enquiries or other strategies?  Are other Kings able to know your plans only after they implemented?

• Bureaucrats:  Are you assigning superior work to servants capable of doing superior work?  Is mediocre work given to mediocre ones and inferior one to inferiors in capacity to perform?  Servants should neither come too close to the master nor they should run away at his sight.

• Economy and finances: Are you implementing plans with maximum benefit, but minimum costs?  Are you properly managing food grains, money in treasury, weapons, artisans and archers?  Do you have arrangement for abundant income but minimum expenditure?

• Dispensing justice:  Does your administration and ministers dispense justice without fear or favor?  Remember, tears falling from the eyes of those who are falsely accused destroy the King.  

• Ambassadors and spies:  Are you appointing only knowledgeable men, wise and endowed with presence of mind and those who know how to speak to a point? Are you appointing teams of spies, those who do not know each other?

• Army and Defense:  Is your Army Chief cheerful, wise, valiant, courageous, well behaved and beloved by his subordinates?  Are your soldiers strong, skilled in warfare, tried and tested?  Are you honoring the courageous soldiers and respecting them?  Are you paying them properly and without delay?  When there is delay in payments, servants become corruptible and it is a great misfortune that can befall a King. Are you increasing the number of elephants and horses in the army? Also, remember not to think lightly of the enemies.

• Agriculture and animals:  Are you taking proper care and maintenance of the farmers and cattle-rearers?  Are the cattle treated without cruelty?  Are the agricultural lands well tilled and water stored properly in tanks?

• Women Protection:  Are you protecting women in your kingdom? Are there social festivities? Are you appearing before the people each day in the morning on the Highway? (Are you accessible to them?)

• Decision making:  Are you discussing important issues with three or four ministers collectively?  Later on, are you discussing secretly with each of them?  Are you contemplating on the issues of the state in the latter part of the night (early mornings) and then coming to a decision? 

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All the above issues directly answer the problems that our society faces today.  It is to be remembered that Rama had never been a King at this stage.  He was still of tender age, may be around 20 years.  He was not even second-in-command (Yuvaraja). Dasharatha's first attempt to make him The King brought in the step-mother Kaikeyee and all hell broke loose.  He then moved to the forest followed by his wife and one of the brothers.  Whatever knowledge he had was acquired by learning at the feet of his Gurus as well as observing his father's style of ruling the kingdom.  Bharata also had the same advantages or disadvantages.  All these questions posed here are Adikavi Valmeeki's way of communicating with the world as to how a King should act, behave and rule.

There are many such gems in our ancient literature and valuable works of other parts of the world as well. Unfortunately, our teaching in "General Management" or "Political Science" starts with the theories of 17th or 18th century scholars. They are called the fathers of management and we too believe it.