By Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan
On 15th Jan,2024, Pongal Day. Music Academy, Chennai- 18.34 p.m. yours truly was in attendance for the ‘All are Welcome’ show. Honestly, came as escort to my two daughters.They had come to see a couple of their dancer colleagues performing.
However, willingly sat back, mesmerized by the light, song and dance extravaganza, in that pecking order, revealing my lack of artistic nuances. And then, I wrote, what I wrote. Now read on and tell me whether anyone, for the life of me, can dance to the following exposition. Make a storyline on the life of two farmers immigrating to Singapore from our rice bowl in Tanjore District of Tamil Nadu. Yes, the performers did!
I found myself thoroughly incompetent to review the stellar show. Nothing unusual. So I wrote on Arisi-Rice, as I saw and heard the running commentary and the compositions in Tamil, set to music by Rajkumar Bharathi with ‘music direction’ of Sai Shravan. We were told that it took 90 musicians, as if a philharmonic orchestra associated with the west. Stunningly beautiful and brilliant. If classical art was portrayed like this, it has a bright future. It cannot be surely a dying art. And a full ground floor at the Academy, overflowing into Balcony as well, was a welcome testimony.
From Seed to Soul, Rice is the Lifeblood of Asia. Rice is more than just a grain in Asia; it is the very thread that weaves together the fabric of life. From the cradle to the grave, rice nourishes bodies, sustains communities, and shapes the cultural tapestry of the region. In the hands of skilled farmers, it transforms from humble seed to life-giving bounty, feeding teeming millions and embodying the spirit of resilience and resourcefulness that defines the Asian spirit.
For the farming community, rice is not just a crop; it is a way of life. The cycle begins with the careful selection of seeds, passed down through generations, each carrying the whispers of past harvests and the hopes of future abundance. The act of sowing is a sacred ritual, a prayer whispered into the earth, a promise of life to come.
As the monsoon paints the fields emerald green, the young rice shoots unfurl, their delicate blades reaching for the sun. Farmers tend to their charges with meticulous care, nurturing them through sun and rain, weeding out pests, and coaxing them towards maturity. It is a dance of interdependence, a silent conversation between human and plant, a testament to the deep understanding that binds farmer to field.
The golden wave of ripening rice signals a time of celebration. Families gather under the warm sun, their hands moving in practiced rhythm as they reap the rewards of months of toil. The air is filled with laughter and the rhythmic thrum of threshing, a symphony of human and natural energy.
The harvest is not just about filling bellies; it is a time for community, for sharing stories and laughter, for expressing gratitude for the land’s bounty. Rice binds families, strengthens villages, and connects generations through a shared understanding of the simple yet profound truth – that life, like rice, is best nurtured with care, patience, and cooperation.
In birth and death rituals, rice marks significant life transitions. It is sprinkled on newborns for good luck, and offered to ancestors in remembrance. It is a symbol of life’s cyclical nature, a reminder that even in death, new life will spring forth.
The dedication of Asian farmers has transformed this humble grain into the lifeblood of a continent. From the sprawling rice paddies of Vietnam to the terraced fields of Nepal, farmers have met the challenge of feeding a growing population with unwavering determination and ingenuity.
Their efforts have not only ensured food security but also fostered a culture of sharing and selflessness. In the face of natural disasters or economic hardship, communities come together, sharing their rice and supporting one another in times of need. This spirit of collective action is a testament to the power of rice to bind people together, creating a web of support that stretches across borders and generations.
Rice is more than just a food; it is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Asia. Its journey from seed to soul, from field to family, and from generation to generation is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the deep connection between people and the land. As we face the challenges of the 21st century, let us remember the lessons etched in every grain of rice – the importance of cooperation, the power of tradition, and the unwavering belief that even in the face of adversity, life, like rice, will find a way to flourish.
The light imagery danced to by the dancers from south east Asia, including our own Chennai, was dazzling. It took one’s breath away. Awesome and mind blowing, used too commonly, deservingly fitted the bill for this dance ensemble. The grace and colourful costumes in multiple rainbow lights, altering and swaying to the ‘Thathingthinathom’ magical phrasings, were stupefyingly captivating. The result of time, effort, resources and creativity on display, were breath-taking.
It was our CULTURE. Our OWN. Woven seamlessly into Javanese, Balinese et al consummately, revealed amazing synchronization, even to a nincompoop like me. For once, one was lost for words to satisfactorily capture the beauty of the light, song, dance, and above all else, the unique THEME.
(Writer is practicing advocate in the Madras High Court)