Cut Diamond with Diamond

“Cut diamond with diamond”, he used to say often. “If you have a bad cold, eat deep frozen icecreams! If you’ve a nagging back pain, pinch your hand hard until it pains you more than the pain that’s constantly nagging you. Don’t you know how they treat snake-bite? They inject small doses of the poisonous venom – and soon you’re on your way to recovery! Again, the vaccines – what do you think they contain? A mild form of the same micro-organism, which helps you build its antibodies…” he could go on, my old friend, who later grew up, one learnt, to be a professional in the financial field!

After a couple of stints in reputed finance companies, he took to consultancy. I don’t really remember his name….nor did I ever heed his advice, but I am sure he has prospered and become an advisor to the likes of Ben Bernanke and his counterparts in several European countries. How else could one explain the rising belief in worldly monetary policies, that debilitating debt that threatens to engulf countries all over the world, ought to be treated with ……., you guessed it - more debt?

I am sure, his wisdom, which may have been otherwise lost its significance, if it was continued to be spent on fools like me. One would have partaken of large dollops of icecream, perhaps only to have the common cold transform to pneumonia, while my doctor, jubilantly declare, “Congratulations – you don’t have common cold, which has no known cure yet, but pneumonia, which does!”

Fortunately for the world, such great thinkers usually succeed and their popularity grows exponentially. Financial wizards are made of such stuff and one may not be surprised if they would want us to believe that the only way to remove poverty is to inject more poverty in our masses! Maybe suck out whatever little money that’s been meant to be going to them by way of NREGA or any of those obscure-sounding schemes, that you hear of only on the budget day – that too only if you hear our Hon. FM speak at the annual parliamentary ritual.

So kind-hearted government folks, toiling in our rural areas, ensure that the money doesn’t reach them and continue to enrich those afflicted by money-related diseases, albeit, of the excesses kind. After all, we’ve got to get rid of poverty, don’t we?

So we find everyone out to heal the world – NGOs, GOs (government offices), industrialists, entrepreneurs, politicians, judicial bodies, extra-judicial bodies… all of them! But the method remains the same – the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink all day!

So how do we handle insurgency? Create more insurgency! If Naxals are a problem, let’s create Salwa Judums! Create new small Frankensteins to handle the old BIG Frankensteins, that our previous governments created! Until the small ones grow BIG and join the BIG Frankenstein they were meant to destroy!

The members of the public, of course, should not sympathise with any of them – they’re waging a war against us! So we shall have extra-judicial panchayats to deal with problems that the judicial bodies cant deal with (or have been the cause of having created them in the first place). Call them Khap, Baap or whatever! We need urgent solutions to our ever growing ailments.

And I am sure we will have them as long as my old friend (cant remember his name...) or his types thrive on this eager planet, willing to offer their advice to anyone like me, who is languishing in my miseries and is willing to lend his ear!

As for me, I just thought I must offer readers some anti-dote for my humour! And if this proves to be too strong dose for an anti-dote, you may want to read my article published in “The Indian Weekender”, a weekly newspaper for Indians settled in New Zealand.

Go to page 44 of this link!
To read my article, click on this link

An artiste's touch to Seashells!

Thank you, Blogadda, for selecting this post as a Saturday Spicy Picks!

“You’ve got to meet her!”, my cousin’s wife urged us some time ago. So off we went to meet Smt. Leela Puthli at her residence at Mumbai, to see the wonders her dexterous fingers had painstakingly created from god’s creation that could be found aplenty in nature – in the oceans across the world. Seashells!

It was indeed a pleasure to meet a 74-year old artist, who had laboriously created lovely objects by lending her magic touch - transforming seashells into lovely flower arrangements like beautiful dahlias, exquisite jewelry boxes, breathtaking jewelry pieces that could be worn as bridal décor or by models featuring on fashion magazine covers. Those who adore the beauty of seashells and consider the numerous forms that one finds in the deep, blue sea or by the sandy beach side or rocky promenades, may wonder what can one do with such things as seashells, except display them in one’s show-case?


A flower arrangement made from seashells

“Lots!” would be Ms. Leela Puthli’s prompt reply. Having taken up the fascinating hobby in the mid 60s and a keen interest in Conchology (study of shells), she ought to know! Cultivating a hobby of collecting a wide variety of shells, she had royal company in Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Emperor Hirohito, King George III and Queen Victoria, who were all shell enthusiasts! But Leela Puthli went the extra mile by painting and transforming them into life-like flowers and plants! Soon enough, her family and friends began to appreciate her rare art form, by which she produced some rare masterpieces. There weren’t many who had made a mark in the field of shellcraft in those days. With her nimble fingers and hours of hard work, oodles of patience and a strong urge to be creative in her work, she would weave the shells into exquisite patterns, paint them and then paste them onto such mundane articles such as broken kitchen cabinet doors or throw-away cake bases!


A unique floral bridal-wear - a special creation for a special occasion

In this passionate indulgence, she had her husband, Ganesh Puthli, strongly by her side. He encouraged her to cultivate her hobby and also studied shells to their core – the myths behind shells, the scientific, historic, economic and ecological importance of these mere hard covers for soft, vulnerable creatures of the sea called molluscs, to protect themselves from bigger fish by hiding within these hard calcified beautiful forms, known to us as sea shells.


Another exquisite flower arrangement

Soon word went around her extended family and friends circles and people would pour in to see these lovely creations – plaques, vases, necklaces made of seashells - and, soon enough, would long to possess them! Having observed some displays in an aquarium, she decided to make some exquisite articles which she would want to be displayed alongside the ones at the aquarium. It was not long before her dreams were fulfilled. Soon orders began to pour in and even the Khadi Bhandar was impressed with her creations and wanted thousands of them! Her masterpieces, though, changed hands for “throwaway prices”, or shall we say one did not have to shell out too much? At times, she even gifted away some to her near and dear ones, because she valued relationships more than anything else in the world. And guess what they brought back in return? Various shells, fish scales (which she would use for the green leaves), broken doors, discarded boxes to help her with her next artwork!

But not all the shells the couple used to make flower arrangements were from well-wishers. Trips to beaches were often at odd times – in the mornings, to look for some fresh catch. Bivalves and univalves - Clam shells, cowries, scallop shells, tusk shells, chambered nautilus, gastropods – they would look for them high and low on several beaches along the coasts of India. The couple would also give talks and presentations at society events, she recalls, where her husband Ganesh, who is unfortunately no more, would, in a professor-like manner, explain all about this fascinating world to astounded audiences. Both Ganesh and Leela have written articles, which have been published in magazines like the Eve’s Weekly, The Illustrated Weekly of India, the Kanara Saraswat, Dharmayug (Hindi) in the mid ‘70s. Some prominent models and actresses have been featured in those pages displaying necklaces, bracelets, designer dresses using shell-work. Their work and passion have also been extensively covered by journalists in the Financial Express, Sunday Standard, etc.

Sadly, her hard work and the natural process of ageing have taken their toll on her fingers - with painful swollen finger joints, she is unable to pursue her hobby that brought her great satisfaction and a fair amount of popularity in her prime years. Considerate friends and concerned extended family members now call up to tell her not to exert herself and hurt herself any further! She talks about her large family and friends and often expresses her gratitude for their support, without which, she would not have been able to pursue her dreams. One cannot miss noticing the humility she has carefully preserved over the years. We seek her permission to capture the beauty of her works, which are on display at her residence, with the help of my digital camera to post on my blog for my readers and thank her for the time and kind courtesies extended to us.


Ms. Leela Puthli - the artist

While reading all the articles written by the couple and published by reputed magazines and the features carried by publications, I come across some great facts about wonderful world of seashells – anecdotes and snippets, being interesting tidbits, that I would like to share with you all along with some pictures taken by me of her amazing creations.

I do hope you enjoyed reading this post - as much as I enjoyed doing it!

Interesting Tidbits about Seashells from articles by the Puthlis:

1. The Hindu mythological tale about how seashells came into existence tells about how the Goddess Kanya Kumari, who plans to marry Lord Shiva and waits for the Lord bedecked in bridal floral grandiose, but by a quirk of destiny, this is not to be and so heartbroken, she throws away all the floral decorum by the coastline.
2. The molluscs live life safely in their shells, as we know. But perhaps it was the wish to have more space and just as we humans want to live in 2/3 BHK homes in cities, one variety of molluscs is blessed with chambers in its shells – something like rooms in our flats – that’s the “Chambered Nautilus”. It's design is an engineering and architectural marvel. A US submarine by the same name has been built based on the design of the chambered nautilus shell.
3. Cowries (kavadis) have been used as monetary units in the 17th to 19th Century AD. in parts of Africa and India. The cost of a cow was 2500 cowries and the Indian Rupee was worth 2400 cowries. An Englishman is said to have bought a mansion for 16 million cowries! Now we know why we say “shelling out money” for a big purchase!
Also explains the oft-repeated Hindi filmi dialogue “Ek phooti kavdi nahin doonga”!
4. Cowries have also been used in games like shatranj (in place of dice) in the olden days. After money – gambling! Now some folks gamble on cricket scores! Times may have changed – but we haven’t!
5. Shells have been used as tools and bowls in kitchens for serving (perhaps soup?) before the invention of modern utensils.
6. Broken shells have been used in horticulture being a source of calcium carbonate even today.
7. The scallop shell has been of significant importance in Christianity.
8. The Shell Company has a scallop shell as its logo to remind us of its humble beginnings - shells being their first business interest.
9. Indian conch shells (turbinella pyrum, shankha as we call it) enjoy prime importance in Hindu religion. A rare, left-handed variety (called sinistral) is believed to have mystical powers. The epic Mahabharata cites the “Panchajanya” conch that Lord Krishna blew before the Pandavas waged the war against the Kauravas. Each of the Pandavas had a separate conch, together blown was a clarion call for the opponents.
10. Some interesting web-links to explore the world of seashells (without really diving into the deep blue sea)
Some lovely pics here
Loads of information here
Explore the Wikipedia’s ocean of information here

Some of her plaques and articles made from shells

More of my PerkyTweets

Twitter has been one microblogging platform where one can post one's thoughts and views about various incidents taking place as they happen – in just 140 characters that make a tweet!

Since many of my blog followers have not yet come on to Twitter,
I would like to share some of my Perky Tweets here. I am sure this will prompt readers to follow me on Twitter! My Twitter Id is @gopinathmm

Most of my PerkyTweets have been featured by Blogadda.com

My #perkytweets

Pak Govt tells Shoaib his marriage was an act of Stupidity! Havent we all been told this by someone or the other if not d govt? #perkytweets

Hope they haven't counted folks like Balasaheb Thakrey in the 1411 we are all talking about thanks to Aircel ad! #perkytweets

Facebook seems to be desperate in trying to improve its own face - it seems to be having a new look everytime one logs in! #perkytweets

If you have some torn rags, do send them to Australia - our folks there have been advised to wear them to avoid being bashed up #perkytweets

My 500th Tweet! But who cares? Everyone just wants to know if My Name is Khandekar has been released! Kucch Paisedekar? #perkytweets

Amazing how folks in the Indian Govt think it is important to keep talking to Pak for peace but dont think so when it comes to Naxalites!

Direct Tax Code to be implemented wef 1.4.2011. So we have one more year to DE-CODE it! #perkytweets

A budget never stopped rich from being richer or poor from being poorer. Both unmindful of its contents.Middle class watch it helplessly!

This budget was no different - what the higher Tax slabs giveth, the increased fuel prices and excise duty rates taketh away! #perkytweets

Tiger population could get a boost - only if all the wild cats followed in the path of Tiger Woods - 1411, 1412...1499.. #perkytweets

I find believing in the existence of good cholesterol as difficult as believing in the existence of good Taliban! #perkytweets

Bees have this way of appearing at unusual places and causing anxiety to the hosts. Big Bee, apparently, is no different! #perkytweets

I can foresee a day when those having white money will become so rare that he will be prosecuted by law for hoarding it! #perkytweets

Lalit Modi was doing what every Indian wanted - to bring the black money stashed away back to India - and we want to fix him! #perkytweets

When the mind blanks out, you notice your blog has registered 25k hits, you retweet everyone, have perk hoping folks call this a #perkytweet

SRK strikes a deal with Balasaheb - offers to change name of the flick to "My name is Khandekar" #fakenews #perkytweets

International Lunar Geographic Society names lunar crater after SRK. So we now have evidence why crazy guys are called lunatics #perkytweets

One can now Tweet from Space! With workplaces blocking Twitter and FB, are folks hoping they'd rather be in space than at work? #perkytweets

Activists cry hoarse when they hear about children and women being sold. Why nobody minds cricketers being sold? #justasking #perkytweets

Some deemed Universities are now doomed universities #perkytweets

Tilgul Ghya god god tweeta, Tilgul sandoo naka, Twitter/FB var bhandoo naka! Requesting all tweenoos - tweeple in #marathi #perkytweets

Tiger Woods thanks NDTiwari, who in turn is thanks SPS Rathore, who is waiting 2 thank someone 2 take it forwrd - media pl help #perkytweets

From now on, will NDTV mean ND Tiwari Videos? #perkytweets

Tiger Woods voted Associated Press best athlete - for running from one girl to another, i guess? #perkytweets