Hm...

 While reading T.M.Krishna’s reflection on the saffron colour in the Indian flag, its significance, and the numerous communal debates around it, I hear the slogan of “jai shree ram” being yelled by a crowd of mostly men, from a nearby, very modern, expensive, “educated” and “secular” gated community. I’m forced to put the book away, as they keep getting louder and more aggressive in their calls.

I then think and wonder,

As a kid, I was particularly fond of this day, marking rama’s birth, mostly for the yummy and soul-quietening food that is made in his name (always by the women for the “tired” men to enjoy on their holidays), but also because ammi gives akka and me so much more love and attention, calling us her rama and lakshmana.

But in the last 3-4 years, this interest has notably reduced.
From the classes and discussions on secularism in grade 10, and reading about him from a feminist lens. To a party making him their poster boy, and me growing up to be able to discern a political poster from a religious one (these seem to not remain two entities anymore). And this gained strength when a temple was constructed (not for the god, but for the people who live off of him).

Then I think some more,

Why are men yelling his name at 10 in the night?

Would rama appreciate this? And wouldn’t he be tired too, at this time?
Firecrackers for this day, too? Is it a marriage, a funeral or diwali?
Oh, or maybe it's all the same for those who wish to exhibit their power and “generosity”.
Why do their voices not indicate devotion or submission, but instead convey ego and anger, which makes them seem greater and above the god they seek?
Is it that they want the others to feel insecure? Or is it because they are themselves insecure?
Because they were told that their religion is dying in these others’ rationality?
How many of them are real devotees? How many men in white? And how many haters of other religions?

With neither the power nor the ability to make them quiet, I retire to sleep, remembering and singing to myself Thyagaraja’s lines :
“Theliyaleru Raama Bhakti Margamunu

Ilanantata Dirugucunu Kaluvarincheru Gaani

Vegalechi Nita Munigi Bhuti Pusi

Vellanenchi Veliki Slaghaneeyulai

Baaga Paika Maarjana Lolurai

Re Gaani Tyaaga Raaja Vinuta

Theliyaleru Raama Bhakti Margamunu” 

O SrI rAma! O Lord praised by this tyAgarAja!

People are not aware of the path of bhakti.

Roaming all over the Earth, they babble as if in a dream.

Getting up early in the morning, taking a bath,
Smearing ash on the body, counting fingers,
Posing as praise-worthy,
They became totally committed to earning money, but 

They are not aware of the path of bhakti.

~ Bavishya

(27 March 2026)

(attempts at acrylic)