Peaceful Coexistence

The sun continues to play truant. And still, somehow, we could complete our exercises out in the open, without taking a break (before it began to rain). The insects and crawlies in the grass, took their chances as usual, especially with those in shorts (see pic). They crept up the many hairy legs to feast on blood and leave behind their signature bumps on the skin – which surely can itch like hell.
But we have learnt to live with such irritants. We know there’s no point trying to shake off these creatures because they are bound to come back anyway. When you cannot fight them, you must endure them.
Besides, we have realized that they do not cause any real damage. In a spirit of peaceful co-existence, they restrict themselves to feeding on your leg only below the knees – not venturing above. So one gets to live and let live. At the most you might have to perform a gig on one leg while trying to itch the affected part with the shoe of your other leg. But that’s okay, so long as you don’t interrupt the rhythm of the exercises.
The other major irritant was the unusual clamour generated by the music system today. Pray, who wants to hear some crazy idiot belting out “Dil mangta hai… toh aaja soniye” early in the morning? Now contrast this with what we have been listening to all along, eg. a sonorous devotional in Jagjit Singh’s voice: “Hath jod kar ardas Guruji, Wahe Guru, Wahe Guru…”
A number like this induces inner peace and calm – the right mental state to start the day. Or take a Manna De classic like Laaga Chunari Mey Daag or any of the vintage hits of the ‘50s and ‘60s in the voices of Rafi, the Mangeshkar sisters, even Mukesh. We rarely get to hear those golden oldies these days.
Still, if there are some people who insist upon listening to the modern jhin-chak early in the morning, we mustn’t grudge them. Tastes differ and in a free country, we must learn to co-exist peacefully. All we can say is this: Play your music by all means, but keep it on Silent!
Renu Babani says:
I totally agree. A bit more peaceful, soft music in the morning sounds sweeter than the loud music. Oldies are the best as the words have so much meaning and sound very pleasant during that time. After all, morning is supposed to be quiet and filled with the sounds of chirping birds, cool breeze and rustling leaves. Yes, the insects do have a field day at our expense. But, I guess, they need nourishment too!
--Renu