Eyes of the Beholder

There are many miracles happening in our daily life and we miss them just because we prioritize much minor things. And yet, we travel the world and lavishly spend time and money for witnessing the same miracles in a much more “sophisticated” environment. You actually miss the gold coz you were hunting for iron.

            It happened to me while I was wandering around on Brigade Road, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was crowded as usual and I was searching for something significant among the crowd thinking about the pictures I could get of the beautiful buildings or even of Namma metro. While walking, I saw this guy taking pictures of a street-side beggar. Without throwing a second glance, I kept walking. But something about the first look at the “beggar” forced me to look back. On the second glance, I noticed that he was no beggar at all. He was an artist. He was painting. I was in awe of this person who was actually much more talented than most of the people in the crowd. And yet, he was there, sitting on the ground, working with so much ease as if he were having a cup of coffee sitting at home.

            I went back to have a look at his work and was awed by what I saw. Needless to say, the paintings were beautiful. I sat down next to him to have a bit of a chat. He said he only spoke Kannada. His name, as I figured out with my broken Kannada, was Manju. And he was painting for the past 15 years just like that, sitting on the streets. I got a few pictures of him and of his paintings.

But the most amazing thing about Manju was he was hit by polio on both his hands and legs and he used to paint using only his toes!!! And still, he managed to paint better than most of us could ever do using our hands. He sold his paintings at just Rs. 25 per painting, and there were people who would throw down some cash thinking he is just another beggar. He picked up the cash carefully, but effortlessly, using his toes and put it in a small tethered bag. I observed him and his work for a while, till a small crowd started to gather around us. I took the cue, said a small good-bye which he returned with a smile on his face. I left the place with my mind full of thought about this man.

            We crib about the smallest of problems we face. How much can we learn from this man! He has to fight daily to survive, and he does.

           We might come across so many such people who have to fight, not to earn a living, but to be alive. However, we ignore these people coz they don’t publicize their problems and we do not understand the language of silence.

Life throws challenges on every path. It’s up to you to take it as an obstacle or an opportunity.

"Ek nayi raah, ek dastaan hai zindagi,

Har pal ek naya maqam hai zindagi,

Ladkhadakar uthna seekhaati hai yeh,

Ladkhadakar sambhalneka naam hai zindagi,

Raahein ajnabee, humsafar gair hai yaha,

Har kadam ek naya imtehaan hai zindagi,

Tum chalo to raahein khud hi ban jaati hai,

In raahon par chalne ka naam hai zindagi,

Ek pal pyaas to ek pal jaam hai zindagi,

Har pal ek naya maqam hai zindagi.. "