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Memories of Nanjanagudu

Memories of Nanjanagudu Amma has gone to Nanjanagudu to attend a history conference, and over the phone she recalled some of the trips to Nanjanagudu she had undertaken when Bappa was alive ... to study the chariot carvings, to study Mysore Traditional paintings and to interview sculptress Subhashini Devi. One of those trips, I was fortunate to accompany Bappa. I think the year was 1984. I am writing this really for several reasons: To remember that eventful field trip to Nanjanagudu To remember so many friends I had from Nanjanagudu. They would travel everyday from Nanjanagudu to Mysore to attend the Engineering school. They all were from poor families, but had such brilliant engineering minds. To document the troubles taken by Bappa to collect the data that goes into making of Kamat's Potpourri. Of course at that time, there was no Internet, he did all this out of sheer interest and as hobby. To document the touching friendliness of Indians of the period. I truly believe that as prosperity has come, Indians have become selfish and less helpful to strangers. Field Trip to Nanjanagudu Nanjanagudu at that time was a very traditional town. Lots of traditional families with treasured art pieces in their homes that they inherited from their ancestors. Bappa wanted to study and photograph them. We took a train to Nanjanagudu from Mysore. Mr. H. Krishnamurthy, a colleague of my mother's had arranged for a local volunteer (Chandru) to help us with introductions. It was very hot and sunny and we got tired hauling all the photography equipment from place to place. We had no appointments and we'd just knock doors and ask if the family had any traditional artwork in their household and if they would permit us to photograph them. Bappa was especially interested in Mysore Traditional Paintings. As you know, Indians worship idols, and in this case they worshipped the paintings. We could not convince most families to move the paintings outdoors so that we could photograph them in the sun. This is the reason why you see a flash reflection in many of the photographs taken. It was a laborious task, but we didn't get any treasure-trove. Everybody would say so-and-so has a great painting and by the time we went there, either it was sold, or not available, or we were not allowed to photograph. Finally somebody said a local gym had some paintings, and we went there. That was the first time I went to a truly Indian gym (vyayamshala) It was just like the gyms described in 16th century Indian literature! Traditional wrestlers, and traditional Indian exercise equipment. I remember it vividly. Then we got hungry, but no restaurant was forthcoming. The young volunteer Chandru insisted that we go to his house and pay his folks a visit. They were a modest Brahmin family, but the lady insisted that we eat in their house. To honor her request we did, but we realized that the lady had fed us the meal she had prepared for her husband and two children! After we ate, that lady cooked once again, without a bit of regret or hesitation. Her generosity and big heart has always been with me. After all, we were complete strangers to her, and we offered no money or such rewards. Then someone said the local movie theater has lots of traditional paintings. So we went there. By looking at our photography equipment many patrons thought we were a film crew and started following us. The owner of the movie theater was very courteous and shared with us numerous problems of the theater industry. It was a very tiring day. But I learnt so much! (Comments Disabled for Now. Sorry!) First Written: Saturday, September 9, 2006 Last Modified: 9/10/2006 1:25:17 PM

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