“Ghar Wapasi”
– Does it mean I am not home? Hmmm !!!
I am giving it a serious
thought. Why not? I was always comfortable with Hinduism. My
knowledge in Hindu mythology is fairly decent – even better than
some of my Hindu friends. I have always respected and enjoyed Hindu
traditions, culture, heritage – well at least most of them (Could
never figure out Kathakali for instance – my ignorance, I guess).
Was in love with at least half of the Hindu girls in my class (along
with half of Christian girls - incidentally there were very few
Muslims in our class). They used to look so cute with those chandana
pottu, long hair & Jasmine flowers. I can assure you,
proselytising was the last thing on our mind - me and friends - when
those teenage dolls came trotting down the corridors.
Of course none of us
could take this to the next level due to utter lack of support from
our parents and teachers alike – especially the head master – who
used to be a priest - always. I see them as predecessors of today’s
moral police. We always (mistakenly) assumed that they were doing it
for our own good.
I sometimes wonder –
What if they were more liberal? What if they had not taken that
spoilsport / anti-romantic stand and allowed us to grow naturally and
bloom. Probably I would have lost interest in studies and dropped out
like Bill Gates.
Or would have just
scraped through the finals, failed to get admission in any
professional college, joined English literature, became a lecturer in
local college (after donating a couple of lakhs to Father Principal's
auditorium construction fund) and lived happily ever after.
Or started a company
after teaching English for sometime - like 'Jack Ma' and named it
Coolibaba.com – Kerala being a communist state. Who knows ...
I loved the stories of
Ramayana and Mahabharath, just as I loved the Biblical
stories. I savoured the adventures of Ram, Krishna and Arjun with the
same excitement as the adventures of Moses, David and Solomon. I
guess it is the same with many of my Hindu friends who were lucky
enough to have been brought up in the multi-religious environment.
When I was a child, I used to make “Atham” during Onam and
crib during Xmas with same fervour. We hardly noticed any difference
among my classmates – between Hindu and Christians – except
during that 3rd period, once a week – when Christian students had
to move to catechism class and others to moral science class.
Back to our present issue
– Ghar Wapasi. Of course there is a small issue - which God
to worship?
I am sure some solution
can be found - Hinduism is such a broad & tolerant religion.
After all, Hinduism can accommodate thousands of Gods & the
patriarchs do not have any issue with followers worshipping any God
of their choice. I am sure one more shouldn't really matter. That's
not the issue here.
Main issue is the Caste –
which is the corner stone of the Hinduism. I am going to have a
problem, if I decide for Ghar Wapasi. to which caste can I go
back?
You see – my family has
been Christian for centuries. Many ancient Christian families from
Kerala have records dating back to 2nd or 3rd centuries. We have been
Christians long before Vasco Da Gama landed at our shores. Long
before America was founded – even before the continent was
discovered. Before the Vikings were plotting their first raid on the
British monasteries. When Romans were having orgy sessions to please
their Pantheon, our forefathers were already saying their evening
Rosaries. (I guess I have covered most of the so called Christian
countries). Kerala had Christians even before Europe did. Westerners
didn't introduce Christianity to us. Earlier Kerala Christian
communities used to keep close relationship with Church of Antioch –
which is the present day Syria - one of the first countries to
embrace Christianity. Not Rome, Not England.
In fact folks back home
are proud of the fact that their forefathers stood up to the western
Christian missionaries who reached our shores much later.
In my opinion, Christians
and Hindus share very similar values except the “touching part”.
Caste system and untouchability are the only two things that sets us
apart. An average Christian can any day relate to their Hindu
neighbour in values, culture, heritage than to some western Christian
from a far away land.
When you think on those
lines, Ghar Wapasi – whatever it means - is worth giving it
a thought.
But which caste can I go
back to? I have no idea what my original caste was to start with. I
am sure there must have been many naughty forefathers in every caste
- who had the "vision" to over look caste boundaries when
it came to extra curricular activities. So DNA tests are unlikely to
throw up any conclusive results.
Under the circumstances,
I feel the best option would be to let me pick one of my choice.
Being a Keralite, I guess
I shall settle for a Caste from my own state – although I wouldn't
mind a VIP sounding one like Chakraborty. Even a cute one like
Topiwala. It’s alright – since I look like one, I shall settle
for one from my state.
Let us start with
Brahmins – Kerala has Iyers - Palghat Iyers to be precise. Confused
lot. They are yet to figure out if Palghat is in Kerala or Tamil
Nadu.
Then we have Namboothiris
- Pass. Too difficult to pronounce. And who wants to add an extra
costume to the wardrobe. (What is the dry cleaning charge for a
poonool anyway).
Varma is good. Royal one
– but suddenly the face of Prince Charles comes to my mind. And
treasures of Padmanabha temple. No royal surnames. I will opt for a
caste which has a tradition of paying taxes.
Of course the most common
is Nair. But then why pick a common one, when you have such a vast
platter to choose from. Nambiar sounds good. Menon - even better. I
am sure my children stand a better chance to get into foreign service
with a Menon surname. Most of the Menons I know either “was” or
“is” working for the Consulate (Foreign Services). Or how about a
beautiful sounding one like “Pisharadi”. Ask an Italian to
pronounce and it sounds so exotic – like Prada or Trussardi. Or
perhaps the most ferocious sounding Malayali Surname - Warrier (Only
when non-Malayali pronounce it though). But I can foresee how my
Chinese colleagues are going to struggle with it – I will pass.
No untouchable surname
please – I would like to touch and be touched. I have been like
that for so many years - so it would be difficult to change my
behaviour all of a sudden.
While I take time to
figure out a suitable surname and caste, let me ask - What am I going
to do with this Ghar Wapasi thing? I am not interested in
ration card or Aadhar card. I have no interest in Politics.
And absolutely no interest in changing my eating habits.
I am an Indian. I am a
Malayali. I am a Christian – you choose the order. I am comfortable
with it and proud of my identity. Is there any particular reason why
I should consider Ghar Wapasi? Is any one guaranteeing me
“Live happily ever after”? Last I checked – there was none.
No discount sale offer /
No 'buy-one-get-free' – Nothing . If then, what this fuss is all
about?
Whatever you say - you
see, I am already Home.
***
Author: Biju Joseph.
E-Mail: bijuabroad@yahoo.com
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