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Maya Bazaar revisited!

Discussion in 'Cheeniya's Senile Ramblings' started by Cheeniya, Feb 25, 2015.

  1. Cheeniya

    Cheeniya Super Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Maya Bazar Revisited!

    One of the most fascinating characters of Mahabharat is Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna. While Mahabharat talks of his marriage to Uttara, a student of Arjuna during his exile, there is a more interesting folklore of his wedding to Balarama’s daughter Vatsala. There was a great movie called Maya Bazaar produced over five decades back based on this folklore. I used to be crazy about this movie and enthralled by the cunning of Gatothkacha in getting Abhimanyu and Vatsala married. The movie was known for its trick shots of the ace camera man Marcus Bartley who was a member of a fraternity which I joined later. Despite our age difference of about 25 years, we shared a great friendship. One of his most acclaimed movies was Chemmeen that fetched him a National Award.

    I am digressing. I started telling you about Abhimanyu and strayed on to Marcus Bartley! When I mention his name, Abhimanyu and not Marcus Bartley, all of you who are familiar with Mahabharat would recall his adventures in the Kurukshetra War. The young lad had a chance to listen to Lord Krishna explaining to His sister Subhadra all about dealing with the military formation of Padmavyuha. Abhimanyu was still in the womb of Subhadra at the material time and unfortunately he could learn only half the operative portion of Padmavyuha as Lord Krishna left it off midway seeing His disinterested sister dozing off. Abhimanyu could learn only of the technique of moving into the Padmavyuha but not of coming out of it. This cost him his life during the Kurukshetra War as all of you must know.

    Why am I telling you about Abhimanyu now? It is because I am very much like him these days! If you remember, I was telling you about the Writer’s Block that has laid me low for quite some time now. Writer’s Block can be a Padmavyuha if you do not know how to break out of it. There is a well known writer of Tamilnadu by name Perumal Murugan who is very much in the news these days. He wrote a book called ‘Madhorubagan’ (Tamil word for Ardhanareeswara) which some members of a community found offensive. They dragged him to the District Collector and extorted an unconditional apology from him. The letter of apology which the hapless writer had to tender hurt him deeply and he declared to the world that ‘The writer Perumal Murugan is dead’. He further decided that he would withdraw all his books from circulation. The writing community of the entire nation has risen in revolt in support of him and has declared that this was a clear case of violation of freedom of expression. Here is a case of a writer who has been gagged by some self styled moralists and is not allowed to write what he has in mind. I, on the contrary, live in perfect freedom but I have nothing much to write about! Who is more to be pitied, Perumal Murugan or myself?!

    Abhimanyu knew that he had only half knowledge of getting into Padmavyuha and that he could never come out of it and yet he ventured into it because he owed it to his father and his illustrious clan. I have now ventured into writing my next Rambling because a dear friend of mine in IL enquired of me this morning if I was still suffering from Writer’s Block. It was then that I decided to break free and put pen on paper or rather finger on the keyboard. I knew I had no subject to write about but that has never been my problem. I always do this and let my fate decide what should be the outcome of it. In fact, I have mastered this art of starting with a blank mind and rambling on and on so much that many of my friends even tell me that if ever I take to scripting a mega serial, I could be minting money! Then you may as well ask me what this Writer’s Block that I have been complaining of is all about. It is nothing but pure laziness that affects me mainly in winters!
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2021
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  2. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Cheeniya Sir,

    Welcome back to your ramblings with this brand new thread. I am glad I am the first to respond to this post. You not only know how to write but how to get good response from fellow ILites. You approach each subject with your thorough knowledge and writing skills and you also know how to respond as well. Like you, I also start with a blank mind and keep writing whatever comes to my mind. If I have to research, plan and write my posts like I do my professional work, I would never be able to write anything anywhere. In my opinion, your approach is the best. The social media is to interact, communicate and help other friends and not necessarily to bring the best out of each person. As far as social media is concerned, my approach is "communication is only to express and not to impress".

    I consider the posts here like Satsang where many come up with their own views on the subject matter discussed and eventually find the top flat layer that allows to see the angles of the entire diamond that glitters with added luster.

    I thought Abhimanyu (when he was in his mother's womb) was hearing the Padmaviyuha as told by Arjuna to his wife Subhadra and Arjuna having found his wife sleeping, stopped describing how to come out of it.

    Maya Bazaar is a much talked about movie for years and even today, whenever it is shown in the TV, we never miss to watch that movie, especially the song "Kalyana Samayal Sadham".

    Viswa
     
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  3. shyamala1234

    shyamala1234 Platinum IL'ite

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    Dear Sir,
    Thank you very much and welcome back.
    According to me writing is a creativity and creativity cannot be planned, for that matter any art. In music if the singer sings without any creativity of himself/herself it would be lifeless. Just raga, swara and tala with mathematical precision...would it be appealing? No, we cannot point out any mistake but cannot enjoy very much because no life in it. No artist (which includes writing also, everybody cannot be a writer) if tied to strings they cannot give their best to the world.
    See, you have put your finger on the keyboard and words would flow, play, ideas came out on their own and there it is ...a beautiful blog!!!! you mentioned about Marcus Bartley, Abhimanyu, Padmavyuha . Marcus is also an artist (all photgraphers are artists). Padmavyuha can be of many kinds in many walks of life. Abhimanu could not come out of it but you can come out of it easily and this thread is the proof. Don't go back to Padmavyuha. Stay outside and keep writing and we would keep enjoying them, arguing, discussing and put forth our views. Because in your threads every one can identify themselves somewhere, some place and can think about it. We don't mind communicating them with you because you make us comfortable. Some, we respect a lot but hesitate in putting forth our views on paper. We respect you and comfortable also.
    I am sad about Perumal Murugan...nobody has the right to kill a writer like that. There is a Telugu writer Chalam of 40s or 50s. He wrote great, especially about women's empowerment, their place in family and society and how they should be treated in his own style. He was condemned by many, his books were banned, people used to buy his books secretly, my mother told. At the fag end of life he became philosophical, influenced by Ramana Maharshi, stayed in his Ashram for many years. Translated Gitanjali into Telugu (one of the best translations that I ever read, of course Gitanjali is very difficult to understand).
    Mayabazar is an ever green film. I know all the dialogues, scene by scene in toto. If someone asks which is my most favourite film it is always Mayabazar. I guess Telugu and Tamil versions are the same.
    Thank you Cheeniya sir once again.
    Syamala
     
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  4. PushpavalliSrinivasan

    PushpavalliSrinivasan IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Mr Cheeniya,
    Hope that the hibernation time you have taken recharged your energy and we can expect frequent ramblings from you. No subject also will become an interesting subject when you key in your thoughts in your versatile style.

    Maya bazar is an evergreen classic film. The song " kalyaana samaiyal sadham" was a hit. The film also was a commercial success.
    Thanks for coming out from your hibernation,

    PS
     
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  5. jayasala42

    jayasala42 IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Cheeniya Sir,
    It is quite some time I visited Cheeniya's ramblings.Only yesterday I was seeing a video for children on Ghatotkacha, loved by our grandkids.It brought to me memories of Maya bazaar.Today just by coincidence I happened to read your writing.It is amazing that you are on and often going and coming out of the Chakra Vyuham.

    For myself I have many doubts about this incident.There seems to be no connection between Krishna's teaching about Chakra vyuha Principle and Subadra's getting into sleep. Modern science reveals that impressions are made in the foetus throughout whether the pregnant woman is awake or not.
    Abhimanyu was staying with Krishna nearly for 13 years and on any day,had Krishna wanted, he would have taught Abhimanyu the art of breaking the Chakra Vyuha and how to come out.

    When Drona planned the strategy of Chakra Vyuha, it was clearly a plan to avoid Krishna and Arjuna and Krishna could not have missed the plan.
    It appears that it was Krishna's wilful plan to sacrifice young Abhimanyu,instigate Arjuna's anger to take revenge ,allow violation of rules of the war and bring victory to the Pandavas in the so called Dharma yuddha.
    When compared today's war strategies by military personnel, it is so amazing that Vyasa thought about this thousands of years back.Though some fictitious element has been built into the epic, we become speechless on the description of Chakra vyuham in the epic.

    We can apply Chakra Vuha principle as a critical turning point in real
    life situations.

    Ethical dilemmas can occur in many ways, often when we least expect them. Most professionals, why even family people , do knowingly or unknowingly get themselves tangled up in difficult situations. Some stumble into trouble without recognizing what’s in store down the road. Some give in to temptations that overtake their objectivity and principles.
    Every now and again, however, an issue of monstrous proportions will surface and affect you directly in some way. For example,in business, a client unexpectedly commits suicide, a client threatens or sues you, a colleague damages your reputation, or your own life goes out of control (e.g., messy disharmony in family life, severe economic downturn,financial stress or addiction or suicides by a near relative.

    Problems vary from college admissions, disposal of family property, decision on marriage alliance,admission or not of a terminally ill patient into a hospital etc etc.

    All such stressors can result in an inability to make sound judgments.
    You may confront a situation that offers no choice but to make decisions with ethical implications under ambiguous circumstances. Confusion, pressure, frustration, anxiety, conflicting loyalties, insufficient information, and our confusion over inability of reasoning threaten us as challenges. Such reactions complicate the matter and greatly elevate the chances of errors in decision-making.
    You can't remain quiet for long. Only in rare cases 'taking no decision' may turn out to be a wise decision.


    Under such circumstances some intuition( likened to the plan of Krishna) prevails over us to take decision, though it may harm some close relatives, result in incurring the displeasure of close relatives , some financial loss or bring in some disrepute to the family.

    One is pressurised to take decisions, whether pleasant to all or even to the disliking of one's ownself,considering over all ethics.

    The fact that cannot be overlooked is Abhimanyu's thirst for glory and his hastiness not withstanding the fact he knows his own weakness of ignorance to come out of the Chakravyuha.

    Perhaps this is the lesson Mahabharata teaches us thro the 13th Day war resulting in the sacrifice of young Abhimanyu.
    We also learn a great lesson'Don't TROUBLE THE TROUBLE UNTIL THE TROUBLE STARTS TROUBLING YOU'( In Tamil we used to say' veliyil kidantha onaanai madiyil kattik konda maathiri)
    The jubilant Maya bazaar has taken me to a more serious topic, of course closely connected.The Maya Bazaar fantasy has been replaced by a greater more severe issue.
    Sorry for diversion.
    Thanks Cheeniya Sir for allowing me to contemplate.

    Jayasala 42.
     
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  6. Cheeniya

    Cheeniya Super Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    My dear Viswa
    Thank you for being the first to respond to my rambling. I somehow had a hunch that you would not conclude the FB without a mention of 'Kalyana samayal sadam'! Besides the catchy tune, SV Ranga Rao gave the song all the credibility as none else in the movie world then could have justified it. The ecstatic smile on his face when plate after plate of goodies emptied themselves into his eager mouth was so genuine. That song made the listeners salivate in their mouth. I saw the movie in the Casino Theatre which piled up a lot of things in their refreshment stall during the screening of the movie! It is a great pity that most of the mouth-watering delicacies mentioned in that song have now been replaced by the insipid pizza and the like.

    I really do not know if I deserve all the praise that you have showered on me. I did get into a period of inactivity from which I was finding it difficult to come out. Then I decided that I should put up something for a starter and develop my story from the FBs I get. Hope it works that way!

    There are a lot of profound interpretations for the Padmavyuha Episode. While some attribute to Arjuna, many consider it as a 'leela' of Lord Krishna. Krishna wanted it to happen that way to uphold Dharma and sacrificing Abhimanyu was part of His whole package! According to many, even Subhadra falling asleep was his handiwork so that He could deprive Abhimanyu of the complete knowledge of Padmavyuha.
    Will be talking about this more as we go on!
    Sri
     
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  7. Cheeniya

    Cheeniya Super Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    My dear Syamala
    Thank you for all the nice things you have said. You seem to think that I am a Writer! Please think of me as a Rambler and not a Writer. As a Rambler, I do not have to make much of a sense in what I write and that gives me a lot of Freedom. I am the proverbial 'Jack of all Trades' and 'Master of None!' Try probing into the contents of what I write and demand explanation for them and you will see me ducking into the nearest shrub!

    Let me start my FB with Maya Bazaar. In the Telugu version, Savithri came as Sasirekha and in the Tamil version, she was called Vatsala. Marcus Bartley became a personal friend of mine during the last stages of his life. His diabetic leg had to be amputated and spent some harrowing time in Vijaya Hospital in Madras. He belonged to the Anglo-Indian community. His son Alan Bartley is a close pal of mine now.

    I have heard a lot about Chalam from my son-in-law who has read every word that this great writer has written. He was quite a revolutionary considering the period in which he lived. It is no surprise at all that a person of his mental make up found solace in the abode of Ramana. It was quite in the fitness of things that Venkata'chalam' had his peaceful end in Aruna'chalam' .
    Sri
     
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  8. Cheeniya

    Cheeniya Super Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear SLC
    I am happy to note that you liked my rambling about Maya Bazaar.
    Sri
     
  9. Cheeniya

    Cheeniya Super Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear PS
    How can I thank you adequately for this warm welcome?
    Maya Bazaar was a classic movie. Ranga Rao's henchmen with their magical powers kept us enthralled. VM Elumalai and Karunanidhi stole the show with their funny commands! Even the songs were nice! The other day I heard someone singing in TV the song 'Bale Bale Bala Deva, indha paror ariyar un maya' originally sung my Sirkazhi. It stirred up quite a lot of pleasant memories in me.
    Sri
     
  10. Cheeniya

    Cheeniya Super Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Jayasala
    Thanks a lot for a brilliant FB. You are indeed a fountain of knowledge and your value addition makes many an insipid thread blaze a trail across IL. We are all beholden to you for the trouble you take in educating us.

    I used Chakravyuha merely to amplify the Writer’s Block that I have been suffering from. In retrospect, I am glad I did so or otherwise we would never have got a chance to come across so many interesting interpretations. As far as I am concerned, I tend to associate Krishna with the half knowledge of Chakravyuha that Abhimanyu could have access to. In fact, one of the earliest versions that I came across was something like this:
    Abhimanyu is the reincarnation of Varchas, the son of the moon god. When the moon god was asked to let his son incarnate himself on earth by the other devas, he made a pact that his son would only remain on earth for 16 years as he could not bear to be separated from him. Abhimanyu was 16 years old when he died in the war.
    His son, Parikshat, born after his death, remains the sole survivor of the Kuru clan at the conclusion of the Mahābhārata war, and carries on the Pandava lineage. Abhimanyu is often thought of as a very brave warrior on the Pandava side, willingly giving up his life in war at a very young age'''
    So the age of Abhimanyu or the longevity of Abhimanyu was known to Sri krishna. So HE intentionally made the child’s mother, Subhadra go into sleep so that she might not hear the exit procedure from Chakra vyuha. As you have pointed out, unless this happened Arjuna would not fight in full fire, with vengeance in his heart. This is all a part of the Masterplan.
    According to yet another tale mentioned in the Glossary to Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s Meghanadavadha Kavya, Abhimanyu’s birth again is a result of a curse, though a different curse. According to this tale, the moon failed to pay due deference to the sage Garga, and sage cursed him to be born as a human being on the earth and Abhimanyu is this accursed moon god. He dies at the young age of sixteen because the sage, moved by the moon’s begging for forgiveness, reduced the severity of the curse by saying that he would be killed in battle at the age of sixteen and could then go back to heaven.

    I was fascinated by your linking the Chakravyuha episode to the piquant situations in our modern life. Sheer experience backs your observations. In fact, the entire Kurukshetra War is said to be waged in our daily life. The five to hundred matching of adversaries is a classical representation of how our basic good nature could be challenged by a hundred wily thoughts. I am glad that you have gone beyond what my latest rambling is aiming to convey!
    Sri
     
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