Confessions of a Country Swain (Blank Verse)

                                                        (  I  )

             The wind feels cool just like the touch of my palm

              Ice-cold when winter comes; the tossing crowns

              Of golden corn remind my youthful days

              When I as a lad raced with calves and village boys:

              With sudden rush and cease a lilt of music

              Passes through undulating wavy grass;

              Like minstrels at wedding time who vie

              With loud playing sounds of trumpets and drums ;                    
              Our village dames excel in drawing designs
              With rice-powder and colors in front-yards

              Of our homes with rhythmic ease and accustomed skill.

              But me, too poor at drawing those curves and dots;

              As a boy I scribbled sparrows and crows

              With a coal-piece on whichever wall I wish

              And drew odd circles and squares on sandy bed.

              The fluffy floating clouds in various shapes      

              Tinged with crimson, rosy and golden colors

              Made a visual feast to my wondering eyes;

              Our elders after their farming work sat around

              To drink country-liquor and drag back to their homes

              With empty pockets, groping through gloomy lanes;

              For me the fields around with colorful blooms and leaves

              Showed the thrilling art of Nature’s work;

              Though I can’t capture those charms in paint

              I kept them safe within as a treasure of dreams.

                                            ( I I )

             “Why this fustian talk?” you may ask; forgive

              A village babbler’s loose petty sermon:

              My school teacher oft used his rod to mend

              My slogging brain: he spared no stick or duster;

              My parents beat me , but beyond letters

              I never learnt: each letter took a month’s labor

              I sweated like a bull goaded through rough furrows;

              After my tedious study time, my life

              Took a happy turn; I grazed the cows and tamed

              Them to yield milk that fell with hissing froth

              Into the pail; a delicious smell I sensed

              As I watched those mild creatures munching grass;

              My master praised poesy as the food divine

              That I treated as Greek and Latin indeed:

              In my broken dialect and half-fledged tunes

              I sang aloud amidst the open fields

              Unaware of my animal friends and pals;

              My friends called me a bard in a teasing way;

              I never cared: once when a rambler heard

              My song, he praised me and danced like a doll

              Clapping and whistling with excited zeal

              And gave me sweet berries with happy looks.

                                         ( I I I )

              Don’t think of me, a trumpeter; I never played

              Romeo like city youth but chose to dwell

              With my rustic maid under the thatched roof

              Though not so pretty as flirting city girls

              She gave me contented joy and worked a lot ;

              Not pestering me for costly things and wealth
              On festive days we had our joyous fill                             

              When all people sat around in moon-lit nights

              After their due reverence to village temple gods.

              With much delight I took the role of serving food

              Urging all to eat more and more in liberal measure.

              Not like these urban folk with metal forks and spoons

              But relish each morsel full with god-given hands.      

                                            

                                             ( I V )

               I ply the boat too tied beside the sedgy banks;

               With my  leathern scrip, line and rod 

               To deeper waters I row with keener eye

               Swinging my line with cautious twist to catch

               A bunch of silver carp,white trout or striped long eel

               A lush meal for me with country fowl and eggs ;

               A simple life I lead with my kin and mates

               Not wishing for airy castles too steep

               For my honest labor, humble means and worth

               I do thank God for what I am, My friends !

               As clear as a banana with its golden rind

               Open,I laid bare my feelings to you;

               I end my confession too long I presume

               Pardon me if much time I snatched from you.

                   ***************************************************

               24th May, 2018                          Somaseshu Gutala

     Note :    1. Country swain = a village youth

                   2. fluffy              = soft like feathers

                   3. fustian           =  artificial 

                   4. babbler          =  talkative

                   5. trumpeter      = one who praises himself

                   6. scrip              =  (Archaic) bag

                   7. half-fledged   = immature   
         
                             ************************************* 




   
                      

                    

There is a beast inside

 

             

                  1.          There is a beast in you and me, beware

                             That lies deep hidden like a secret mole

                             Spreading hemlock through thy body whole

                             No worldly power or pelf it will care

                             Think twice before you fall into her snare.

                 2.         With every dawn she wakes you up smiling so cool

                              Rousing your senses like sleek Siren sweet

                              Making thee dance to her tunes like a fool

                              Trapping you in her web of dim deceit   

                              Running after those that you never  meet.                         

                                                             

                  3..        Rush not like a fly into passion’s fire

                               In thoughtless violence lose not your future bright

                               Be not a slave to every tempting desire

                               Sheer pride and power deprive thy inner sight.

                               Yield not to bestial self ; see what is right.

                  4.          Like a tiger lurking in gloomy woods

                               She watches thy mind from morn to night;

                               As foul desires wind round like pythons shrewd;

                               Unsettling thy mind with visions bright

                               Mistaking shades for realms of joy and light.                                   

                  5.          Even in dreams she doth conjure her spell

                               To see far-fetched illusions of Croesus’ wealth ;

                               She pushes you on the royal road to hell

                               Stretching her tentacles to drain your health

                               Like a vile pestilence she ruins you in stealth.

                   6.         Her Protean forms you will never surmise

                               Like a crocodile she waits to grab thy mind      

                               Gross vicious forms appear in virtuous guise

                               Thy senses own like traitors turn thee blind

                               Reject thy swollen self: be human and kind.

                   7.         Her magic makes thee don various roles 

                               As if spurred by devils sans reason and rhyme

                               Bereft of human traits you miss your goal ;

                               Sinking like “Titanic” you lose your prime

                               In self-destructive deeds don’t waste your time.

                  8.         In spite of broken hopes she pursues you still

                              With waxen wings to fly, she drives your high

                              To fall into her trap with devilish skill 

                              Like Circe she leads you into her sty

                              Once caught, you can’t come out, forever sigh.

                  9.         Beware of reckless, angry, thoughtless deeds

                              Once done, can’t be undone, control thy greed

                              Vindictive vipers spring from Anger’s seed;

                              A terrible Nemesis comes, pay heed

                              Evil deeds to evil consequences lead.

               10.         Worst vicious thoughts she drills into your heart

                             Sucking you in with smooth dimpled surface

                             Shake off those weeds with firm discretion fraught ;

                             Misleading thoughts with cool wisdom replace .  

                             Fair means and noble ends earn Godly grace.                                                                     

               11.         You think yourself as master of thy fate

                             A beneficent power gives thee soul and breath

                             Without that gracious power, a lifeless state

                             Thank God, be not proud of your strength and wealth

                              No violent wicked deeds hide thee from death.

              12.         There is a beast in you and me, beware !

                             Her sly serpentine beauty never trust ;

                             Learn from noble Nature’s generous care;

                             Don’t run to doom with too much greed and lust

                             Except God’s grace all earthly glories lead to dust.

                                  **********************************************


             Note :   

                      a)  mole --- a small burrowing animal which lives underground.

                      b) hemlock --- a poisonous herb which paralyses a person to death.

                      c)  Siren --- a greek mythological sea creature which lures sailors with 
                                         their music and cause shipwreck.

                     d)  Protean forms --- A sea god noted for his ability to assume different 
                                                      forms.

                     e) Croesus' wealth --- King of Lydia in 6th century B.C. famous for his
                                                        fabulous wealth.

                    g)  Titanic  ------------  a British ship that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean 
                                                      on 15th April,1912 resulting in death of more than 
                                                      1500 people.

                    h)  Waxen wings ------ refers to Icarus, son of Daedalus, who tried to fly 
                                                       towards sun with wings made of wax and fell into 
                                                       sea. (impossible and dangerous plans)

                    i)  Circe   ------            a sorceress who with her magic changed humans 
                                                       into wolves, swine and lions.

                    j)  prime -----         most important part of life.
                                                             


                    18th May, 2018                          Somaseshu Gutala
                    
                                                      
                                   

On My Visit to Someswara Swamy Temple, Mulbagal (Kolar Dist. Karnataka)

Raja Gopura (Main Tower)

Dwajasthamba before main hall

Scenic surroundings on the way

In Mulabagal, located in Kolar Dist. You will find many old temples with historic significance such as Kurudumale Maha Ganapati Temple (12 kms from Mulbagal), Koti Lingeswara Temple (26kms from Mulbagal), Sri Virupaksheswara temple (3kms from Mulbagal), Sri Subrahmanya temple (2kms from here, located on a hill) and Sri Sripadaraja Mutt at Mulbagil.

Mukha Mandapa (Main Hall)

Sculptures of riders in main hall

Kalyana Mandapa

Main Hall

 Someswara Temple is in the heart of the town and we have go through narrow lanes flanked by small tiled houses. The huge main temple tower reminds the glory of Chola kings who ruled this place and constructed many temples here during eleventh

century. Later this temple was renovated by Vijayanagara kings in 14^th century. The beautiful pillars of Mukha Mantapa (main hall) and Vasantha Mantapa (marriage Hall) are quite fascinating. The marriage hall is decorated with sixty four pillars with carved figures of lions, elephants and deities. The main hall is supported with massive pillars on both sides with beautiful carvings of lotus buds and Yali figures. In the sanctum Lord Shiva installed by Koundinya Maharshi is seen.

Nandi Mandapa

Inner Sanctum

Parvati (Kshamadambal Shrine)

Ganapati idol

carvings on temple pillars

Idol of Subrahmanya in temple premises

Temple pond

 Just facing the sanctum there is a very big Nandi statue. In the inner chamber before the sanctum you will see another small Nandi statue. On the north-west corner of the sanctum is seen the shrine of Shiva’s consort, Parvati, called,Kshmadamba (One who forgives every one).We find two more Shiva Lingams with Nandi idols in front of them. Behind one of the Lingams one can see the carved figure of Sri Kalabhairava. Another shrine for Subrahmanya is seen.  On the southwestern corner of the temple one can see Vasantha Mantapa , with sixty four decorative pillars.  In the temple premises one sees many statues in damaged state.

 The temple tank looks very unclean and needs to be cleaned and those waters may be used for Abhishekam also. Many childless couples visit this temple to pray and do pradakshinams to get their wishes fulfilled. This temple is looked after by the department of the archaeological Survey of India. Just within a reach of few yards you can visit Kolaramma’s temple also.

                                             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

         14th May, 2018                                                                Somaseshu Gutala

On my visit to Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple at Mulbagal ( Kolar District, Karnataka)

Entrance Tower to temple

idol of Hanuman on temple tower

Temple Premises

Temple tank

   

Mulbagal is nearly 100 kms from Bangalore and on the way we come across towns like Hosakote and Narasapura  on the highway to Tirupati. The road is quite smooth with four lanes. On both sides one can see fields and trees surrounded by distant hills with heaps of boulders.  The name of the town “Mulbagal” comes from the Kannada word “Mudala Bagilu” which means the eastern door. This town is located at the easternmost end of the Vijayanagara Empire. Many temples constructed by Vijayanagara rulers and Chola kings are seen here. The whole town looks very colorful with flower vendors and fruit stalls.

Main idol in the sanctum

Presiding deity covered with silver shield

Lord Ranganatha's shrine

The lizard idol covered with brass shield

The temple is just near the bus stand .Though the temple entrance looks comparatively small once you enter you will find a very spacious compound with many sculptures of Hanuman on the walls. The main idol, Lord Veeranjaneya carved in black granite stone, is nearly 10 feet tall decorated with flowers and garlands. On the temple tower idols of Hanuman and his retinue with folded hands are seen. On the friezes of the Mukha Mandapa, idols of Vishnu’s ten incarnations and those of Hanuman are seen. According to local legend this temple was more than five thousand years old and the idol of Hanuman was installed by one of Pandava brothers after the Mahabharata war. Arjuna after the war during his pilgrimage visited this place and kept his chariot banner with Lord Hanuman at this place. 

Historically speaking this temple was constructed during the period of Vijayanagara rulers. Just beside the main shrine there are many other subsidiary shrines. Sage Vasistha is said to have installed the idols of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita here. Sage Bhrigu Maharshi  is said to have installed the idol of Lakshmi Venkateswara here. There are shrines for Lord Chenna Kesava , Lord Ranganatha and Lord Lakshmi Narasimha also. Many pilgrims going to Tirupati visit this temple to obtain the blessings of the Lord before going on Pilgrimage.

 This temple was renovated and enlarged by Raja Todarmal, the Finance Minister in Akbar’s Court. The statue of Todarmal and his wife are seen carved on the temple wall. One can see the idol of a lizard on the wall covered with a brass shield and pooja is done to this idol every day. People believe that whoever touches this idol will be freed from the bad effects of a lizard falling on their body. The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The temple is closed from 12.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. in the afternoon.

                                      *********************************************

8th May, 2018                                                                    Somaseshu Gutala

AT New Woodlands Hotel, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai

   

                                                               Outer View of New Woodlands Hotel

Outer View of Function Hall

Visitors' Lounge

Painting near Reception Counter

Inside view of Executive Room

Executive Room

During our short trip to Chennai we put up at this hotel which is centrally located with all adequate facilities at reasonable rates. The new Woodlands Hotel  is one of the famous hotels established nearly seventy years back by Sri Krishna Rao. Many temples and offices are just within a radius of five to ten kms from this hotel. Many cabs and autos are available from this place. Many places of interest such as Kapaleeswara temple (2 kms), Sri Parthasarathy Swamy temple (4kms) and Marina Beach (3kms) are very near. Chennai Central Railway Station is just 6 kms and Chennai International Airport is 16kms away from this hotel.

 In this pure vegetarian three star hotel comprising 175 spacious rooms on four storeys, one can have a traditional feel along with modern comforts. The spacious hotel premises with large gigantic trees around create a refreshing atmosphere. There are different types of rooms like A/C cottages, A/C deluxe Suit, A/C Standard Rooms, A/C Executive Rooms with varying prices depending on our needs and luxuries given. The rooms are quite large with facilities like free wifi, airport shuttle, complimentary breakfast, mini-friz, writing desk, cupboards, safe deposit locker, T.V. electric kettle, telephone and room service. Every morning a complementary newspaper is given.  Hot water facility is given for a few hours both in the morning and in the evening. Room service starts at 6.30 a.m. in the morning. But as most of the people in Chennai get up early, room service may be started at least by 5.30 or 6.00 a.m. in the morning. In the rooms a writing pad with some stationery material may be kept along with a questionnaire for feedback from the customers.

Vrindavan Restaurant

Banquet Hall

Parking Space

Wedding hall

 This hotel meets the various needs of travelers and tourists in many aspects since it has a marriage hall, a function hall and spacious lawns to arrange functions in open space also. In the hotel premises there is a pretty small Krishna temple with many beautiful paintings where one can sit and pray. Other attractions of this hotel include a swimming pool, a pizza stall, currency exchange facility, doctor-on-call, a book shop, a gift stall, a beauty parlor, men’s saloon, laundry facility and a florist’s shop. This hotel has two restaurants to cater to the tastes of customers. At Krishna restaurant one can have many varieties of South Indian and North Indian dishes in  A/C rooms with all facilities. In Vrindavan, a multi-cuisine restaurant, one can have South Indian, North Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes along with many beverages, soft drinks and ice creams. The paintings of Krishna leelas give a traditional ambiance to this restaurant. Krishna Restaurant is open from 6.45 a.m to 10.30 p.m. at night. Vrindavan Restaurant functions from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. In both these restaurants service is very prompt and the surroundings are hygienic and cleanly maintained. The rates of meals are a little bit high and if you wish to have a simple type of meal at lesser rates you can go to Saravana  Bhavan just on the opposite side of the road. The check-in and check-out timings are from 12.00 p.m. to 12.00 noon. This hotel is one of the top rated properties in Chennai and many celebrities and politicians visit this hotel for holding meetings and enjoying parties. Two more branches of this hotel are located in Chennai : Woodlands, Narada Gana Sabha, Mowbray's Road ,and Woodlands Mathura, 2nd Floor, Tarapore Towers, Mount Road. In Bangalore 'The Woodlands Hotel Pvt.Ltd.' is located on Raja Ram Mohan Raj Road, Bangalore-560025.

                                                 ****************************************

  May 1st, 2018                                                            Somaseshu Gutala