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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
The hands that draw also wipe the tears...
The hands that draw also wipe the tears...
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
It was a hot November morning; but a cool breeze was blowing in as I climbed the ramp up to the podium of our apartment complex. I stood there - at the podium, for a few minutes savouring the cool breeze and then quietly moved along the paved garden path to the lobby of our building.
It was a hot November morning; but a cool breeze was blowing in as I climbed the ramp up to the podium of our apartment complex. I stood there - at the podium, for a few minutes savouring the cool breeze and then quietly moved along the paved garden path to the lobby of our building.
I was not surprised to see the traditional ‘Happy Diwali’ rangoli at the entrance to the building. This has been a tradition with us from the beginning of time. This rangoli was indeed really beautifully drawn. I took a few pictures and moved on to where the elevator banks stood .
I was not surprised to see the traditional ‘Happy Diwali’ rangoli at the entrance to the building. This has been a tradition with us from the beginning of time. This rangoli was indeed really beautifully drawn. I took a few pictures and moved on to where the elevator banks stood .
My eyes soon saw more Rangolis being drawn on the other side of the lobby and I moved over to see two young men - in their mid twenties - kneeling over rangolis that they were drawing on the fully clean floor near the lobby. I stood watching and admiring as their nimble fingers deftly and quickly complete the colorful shapes.. again and again. Needless to say, I kept clicking away at this ‘work in progress’.
My eyes soon saw more Rangolis being drawn on the other side of the lobby and I moved over to see two young men - in their mid twenties - kneeling over rangolis that they were drawing on the fully clean floor near the lobby. I stood watching and admiring as their nimble fingers deftly and quickly complete the colorful shapes.. again and again. Needless to say, I kept clicking away at this ‘work in progress’.
And soon, even as one the boys got from his knees and stood several feet away checking on his handiwork… my inquisitiveness got m better of me and I asked that artist :
And soon, even as one the boys got from his knees and stood several feet away checking on his handiwork… my inquisitiveness got m better of me and I asked that artist :
“How many such Rangolis do you do every season?”
“How many such Rangolis do you do every season?”
What he said really surprised me.
What he said really surprised me.
“We are a group of a hundred boys and girls and on an average we draw about 800 rangolis all over the city and suburbs.”
“We are a group of a hundred boys and girls and on an average we draw about 800 rangolis all over the city and suburbs.”
I also came to know that he along with his brother - the other man drawing the rangoli - lived in Bhiwandi and both of them worked in the municipal corporation offices. He himself was a Health Inspector. He further said that this was his part time hobby and he really enjoyed what he was doing. I felt I felt awkward asking them about the financial aspects of their work and instead asked a question that has often bothered me.
I also came to know that he along with his brother - the other man drawing the rangoli - lived in Bhiwandi and both of them worked in the municipal corporation offices. He himself was a Health Inspector. He further said that this was his part time hobby and he really enjoyed what he was doing. I felt I felt awkward asking them about the financial aspects of their work and instead asked a question that has often bothered me.
I asked “How do you feel when these Rangolis are wiped clean or swept off “.
I asked “How do you feel when these Rangolis are wiped clean or swept off “.
He avoided my gaze for few seconds and when he eventually did look at my eyes, his eyes were moist.
He avoided my gaze for few seconds and when he eventually did look at my eyes, his eyes were moist.
He said “We cannot bear to see these Rangolis wiped off and if we do see we always cry . In our profession it is a tradition that when rangolis are wiped clean, we do not ever see them when this is being done”
He said “We cannot bear to see these Rangolis wiped off and if we do see we always cry . In our profession it is a tradition that when rangolis are wiped clean, we do not ever see them when this is being done”
He carried unprovoked:
He carried unprovoked:
“We have this art and we use it to make others happy especially during this season of lights that's our job that's our calling that's our tradition and that's all I know”.
“We have this art and we use it to make others happy especially during this season of lights that's our job that's our calling that's our tradition and that's all I know”.
Obviously I was deeply moved by what he said and left thinking how little we think of the artist behind the art.
Obviously I was deeply moved by what he said and left thinking how little we think of the artist behind the art.
Today it is a Rangoli; tomorrow it may be sketch on a candle and day after a beautiful drawing on a dirty wall in the city or .....
Today it is a Rangoli; tomorrow it may be sketch on a candle and day after a beautiful drawing on a dirty wall in the city or .....
We pride ourselves as being doctors - a profession about which the legendary Sir William Osler had said :
We pride ourselves as being doctors - a profession about which the legendary Sir William Osler had said :
“The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business; a calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head.”
“The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business; a calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head.”
As I write this essay I wonder how many us are truthful to this aspect of the practice of medicine and the joy of treating and healing.
As I write this essay I wonder how many us are truthful to this aspect of the practice of medicine and the joy of treating and healing.
November 2018
November 2018
At my request, the brothers posed for this photograph
At my request, the brothers posed for this photograph
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