" DRAVIDIAN'S OF FAR EAST"

Which way,option, straight or to the left- I thanked and said left he pressed the signal post indicator button, a White Palm Symbol flashed; right of way electronically given for the pedestrians to cross the busy junction. You are now in West Desmoines ,well, where do you live! though surprised as not yet formally introduced I looked up and mumbled giving a very precise location "North- West", you have come a long way for your evening stroll extending a friendly gesture for a conversation.I am on annual sojourn from Mumbai -India; he responded authoritatively ' I Siva a Tamilian' my ancestors migrated somewhere from the present South India region 650 years ago but I have never been to India; brought up near the boarders of Thailand and Malaysia- educated in Australia ,here on a assignment for almost 7 years. We speak Tamil at home, my children in college and wife a teacher also a prolific Tamil writer. We are looking forward to visit India later this winter. Awesome introduction. I too wanted to be bit Ancient and thus continued ,I am a Tamil  Brahman  my ancestors hailed from " Kalpati " bordering Tamilnadu and Kerala state ( the only remote region I could authentically extend), brought up in Thar desert of Rajasthan state , settled in Mumbai and our two children happily married to gentle South Indian  Brahman family now settled in America. My wife is the only person in our family who practiced Carnatic music and likes devotional songs can read and write Tamil.We met a few times and conversed in Tamil, he observed that my Tamil is slightly flawed and remarked that it looks as if you have picked up the language later probably from your wife.However I was positively intrigued and keen to explore the cause of migration  800 to 1200 years ago from South India.
Historically India was inhabited by the Dravidian's the first original settlers were highlanders who some 3500 BC migrated from North West Iran into India- Subcontinent and played a leading role of Indus Valley ethnographic composition, before they were driven into Deccan beyond Narmada river into the Southern region by the Aryans who were infact semi-nomads invaded India through Khyber Pass at around 1500 BC. Dravidian's urbanized culture,caste was non existent,matriarchal tradition being the special feature and they had a huge respect for women particularly 'Mother' this is the reason folks in rural area of South India worship 'AMMAN" ( Mother ).Also in ancient India three religious traditions rose to prominence namely Saivism, Brahmanism and Jainism of which saivism was the most ancient also from saivism derived the temple traditions of Hinduism enriching in process Hindu mythology.There was considerable tamil diaspora in malaysia, indonesia and far east around early 18th century and the tamil population in malaysia alone was 25 lacs; the migration basically was to work in rubber plantation- a tamil school is on record as early as 1875 ( Tamilians were all over in thailand,manila,vietnam cambodia and even reached reached australia ). The tamil community mainly chettiar under Chola kingdom possessing  rich cultural heritage traveled  foreign countries by foot, road and set up business, took up small errand or jobs they were known as 'Nagarathans' now estimated to live in 52 countries abroad including west. I am certain that only a person like 'Siva Chinniah' having traits of a true Nagarathan can extend a warm response despite holding a high corporate status of Vice -President of Technology Development had no qualms in meeting me several times during my short stay at Desmoines. I thank him and look forward for his maiden visit to India the country of his ancestors.

" MATADOR IN MAKING "

Exactly the same day about a month ago I and Hema boarded Southwest flight from  LosAngeles destination the 'SinCity'  Vegas and our nephew  from the adjacent terminus for Spain, we both were escorted to the airport by our sister-in-law, grim faced, worried and tense as her young son was going to participate in " PAMPLONA" festival which is held in Spain every year in July when Bulls weighing 500-550 Kgs charge and chase people through the streets of the city into the Bull fighting arena.It is hazardous sport,but for Spaniards a traditional spectacle.We all were eager to learn from our daring nephew how well he is prepared  to take on the Bull, whether he is aware bulls are color blind and the fighting bull charges instantly, provoked  easily and cannot  be conveniently  distracted.I have viewed National Geography documentary where 'Pride Lions' of Africa being chased and even hounded by wild Bulls and these selected Bulls for the 'CORRIDA' unlike the other domestic are creatures of special breeding and are spared for the event. Nephew smiled nonchalantly answered 'Do not worry athimbar' -enjoy at Vegas; I am prepared; were you coached at your Kansas medical college facility asked her mom! No - but I have seen numerous video of  PAMPLONA and fully assured myself that with marginal tact and maneuvers a Matador is able to outwit a charging Bull- firmly grounded without moving much a Matador initiates series of  movement with a large cape for which the crowd in the arena applaud for his proximity to the horns of the bull. Hema wanted him to watch the show as a spectator or keep a safe distance from the charging bull after all there is no reward attached to the event.May be for the people of Spain it is a ritual carried on from Roman times and possibilities of life threatening injuries does not deter them. I understand that the Spaniards view this to be as a struggle between bull fighter and bulls but as a contest between fighter and themselves as to how close the bull fighter let the horns come and how far the matador go to please the crowd.We wished safe and secured return to campus for the the medical study also did remind him of having heard of one 'Belmonte' who was probably the only American to have performed in Spain, Peru and Mexico as a Matador and now gives lessons some where in Texas.

• The amusement of Ancient South Indians, provided contest by professional entertainers with the Bull which did not resemble to the Spanish bull fight ,where the scales are heavily weighted against the bull, but here the bull appears to have the advantage the actor enters the arena unarmed and 'Embraces the Bull' in an attempt to master it rather like the cowpunchers of American Rodeo-There is no attempt to harm or injure the animal. The game of taming the bull was looked on as an ordeal to test the manhood of young men; since it is stated that the girls who watched the performance would choose their life partner from among the top tamer of the beast as a sort of 'Tamil Sayamvara'. The stars were favorable to both of us in our different ventures,we did not incur any loss at Vegas and our dashing adventurous nephew reported at his campus on the 24th of July- exactly the same day by sheer coincidence we took our return flight at 11.30 am for Mumbai via Paris. I have a feeling that my nephew  the most eligible bachelor will not decline if I invite him for the Indian Bull show next August at Selem in South India

    

" NO BRAIN"

    

      Educating children is very complex and labour intensified field.It is now generally agreed that children can perform with greater degree of understanding if specific instruction on reading or writing is held up until they have reached the mental age of  Six, Prereading  instructions nowadays are by chart reading ,chart stories,printed symbols, simple conveying of thoughts  ' what does it mean under the picture'. Some 25 to 30 years ago kids were in school by the age between 3 to 4 years- parents targeted 14 or 15 years for Matric ( 10th standard ), pre-university by 16 and graduation maximum by 19. Kindergarten program was not prescribed nor rigidly set. This subject cropped up when I saw my grandchild keyaa attempt to add new usable words to her speaking vocabulary with correct pronunciation and motivation learning perhaps from age suited film ( Disney ) strips , charts and of course teachers. Kids of our time were on school for long duration just one or two charts were shown repeatedly it was more of Day Care and were en mass promoted to learning class within 2 years , where they recited nursery rhymes in regional language/ English and numerical tables up to at least 10 all at a furious pace. I had memory issues on numerical tables particularly of table 7 and 9 ( both later in my life were lucky numbers including at Vegas recently) though it was bit easy if not interrupted the tables of 2,4,10 and even 11 my favorite it used to be then like a Nursery Rhyme :- Ten One Za.....10 . Ten Two Za ..20 bit confusing when at Ten Ten ZA. Sir Julian my class teacher one morning picked me with intent; what is Nine Six Za . no clue look down he said  vaidi ( my school name,) what is Six 9 Za - I thought of something to please my teacher and loudly spurted out " HUNDRED" - immediate response of julian sir " ISS CHOKARAI MAI THO DIMAG HI NAHI HAI "( this kid has no Brains).The teacher wriggled out is if he had touched a live wire and never once during the entire year did he pick me up for question/answer session , I felt of  having performed a great service to the teacher very happy that my answer pleased him and praised the teacher to my parents started liking the school and Julian sir in particular( he later became my mentor for all outdoor games ). I accepted this pronouncement (having less grey matter) till grade 9th when finally I bade adieu to maths and science course.The curiosity to explore the mysteries of Brain persisted and first read in the library about Human Brain the  knowledge impressed me about  all "Humans " are born with nearly all Brain Cells, some of these cells die as we age but even had to live to be a Hundred you will never come close to using all cells in your brain .This was in fact very comforting and it further stated that all BRAINS ARE WRINKLED AS A WALNUT adult Brain weigh about 1.5 Kg . The Brain reaches its full size by the time a person is 6 years of age ;(I realized my Julian teacher judgement was perfect, I definitely had less grey matter at the age Four to grasp 9x6 or 6x9 ).The brain as I read does need plenty of nourishment and uses 20 % of body supply of oxygen while makes up only 2% of the body weight. Scientist have estimated hundred billion nerve cells in the brain in every human being; my stress level reduced pursued the courses diligently as brains do not tire and aspired to be successful like Umesh Bhatnagar our D-643 gandhi nagar neighbor in jaipur.