Vanitas Still-life : Memento mori

‘It’s cold’. I said standing in the queue across the vast, dark expanse of Central Park.

‘We should have a cup of coffee’. My husband replied. 

Before, I could say anything he was on his way to get one for both.

In a while, he came back with a brown bag and two cups of cappuccinos!!!

Enjoying the froth, warmth and the subtle flavor of cinnamon in my cappuccino, I was excited to enter the Frick Collection to see the masterpieces; the Dutch have offered the world!

As I entered inside the museum, looked ahead and there she was, looking quietly and steadily at all of us, across the winter gardens, “The girl with the pearl earring” occupying the focus and attention of digitized human beings.  Admiring Vermeer’s work, I walked in the adjoining hall. I was astonished to see the lively portrait by Halls depicting a 19-year Dutch bride, wearing an intricately designed golden gown.  I wondered how the golden oil paint still talks the richness of her embellished brocade!

 

Crossing a few famous paintings, Claesz’s “Vanitas Still life” caught my eyes.  Being an Anatomist depiction of human skull in the composition startled me. Very closely, I looked at the different elements in the painting.  The deep eye sockets, broken tooth of the rigid human skull sitting with an awe of superiority on the book with its ragged, torn pages. I wonder, the infinite knowledge grasped by the deep convoluted sulci and gyri of his brain all wrapped under the bony skullcap. The upside down, empty wine glass depicts the celebrations of life with all its virtues and vices.  The blue ribbon with a small key hanging at the end of table incites him to open the Pandora of life. To get enthralled by the beautiful colors of sunrise, to sway in the fields of blooming flowers, to wonder where the birds are flocking together……….. but with the golden timepiece ticking beside can he manage the bliss of just being still for a moment! This mystery and unpredictability is what makes life interesting. Climbing the ladder, juggling the difficulties, fulfilling all dreams and desires before the lamp gets extinguished leaving the snuffed smoke in the air!

On our way back home, I marveled, how did the painting talk to me? I am absolutely astonished how can a person of twenty-first century still relate with the still life composition of a 400 years old painting. I thought, I am an evolved species possessing all the worldly materials that makes all aspects of my life easier!

“Vanitas  Still life” emotionally molded me in the deep, unfathomable world where I am always puzzled by ‘What is the gist of my life?’ – Yes, its the brevity.

A Green piece of Land making Joseph’s life EVERGREEN!

I was sitting in the flight at the early hour of 4:30 am.

‘The flight from Orlando to New York will be taking off in 5 minutes…….’ announced the air-hostess in her sharp voice.

I turned to the guy beside me who was enjoying, the view from his window; I guess he could read the envy on my face! He was an average sized, dark skin old guy with curly hairs and spectacles.

I was curious, so I introduced myself and asked, ‘Hey, are you here on vacation?’

‘Hey, I am Joseph, Yes I am, I have a home in Tampa, but I stay in New York.’

I asked him, ‘Are you alone?’

He replied, ‘My wife is a nurse in a Hospital in the City and my two daughters and a son are all married and settled.’

‘Where do you work?’ I asked him.

He smiled and said, ‘I did my basic engineering course from Jamaica. I came to USA in 1962, worked at different places. Now am working in an engineering department of New York City Hospital.’

I wondered and asked, ‘Who looks after your home in Tampa?’

He replied, ‘You know, I actually have my own land in Tampa, where I do farming.’

I said, ‘It’s interesting Joseph. What do you cultivate?’

He replied, ‘I love Jamaica and I try to plant the crops over there. I have different kinds of spices cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, star anise…so on. I do visit here every 2-3 months.’

I said, ‘They are the same spices, we all Indians use for seasoning our food.’

I could see the satisfaction and reflection of self-achievement in his eyes. I asked him, ‘Do you have a day- off at work today?’

He smiled and said, ‘I have night-shift today, so when I will reach home at 9 a.m. I will cook for myself and my wife; she will come after her night-shift in afternoon. Then I will sleep and leave, for work at 7 p.m.’

I was amazed to see his enthusiasm and perseverance. Since there was hardly any time left for the flight to land in New York. I thought we should take a nap.

When we woke up, the sun was peeping through the window surpassing the blue skies, floating around like a welcome ring.

I bid goodbye to Joseph. My mind could visualize his farm with green, beautiful plants spreading the tantalizing aroma of spices! Everyone needs a place where one can find solace and satisfaction. Though you stay far off from your homeland, you can never forget your roots, the seeds of which are sowed deep in your heart and so you try to create your own small world in the space available to you.

God’s incarnation in her perseverance – A Bold Lady Farhan

It was five minutes past 2:15 p.m, I reached the gate for my bus. Though I knew, the exact departure time of my bus, I invariably glimpsed the timetable in the glass window nearby. A lady, sitting on the black small sliding bench yelled,

‘Hey Honey, it went just now!’

My steps involuntarily turned towards her and I sat next to her.

‘You look Indian’, She inquired.

‘Yes, I am’, I replied.

Her eyes sparkled, ‘I am Muslim, of Indian descent. My great grandparents migrated from India to Trinidad some 150 years back, but I came here in 1969. I am Farhan’

She was wearing big rings in three of her fingers. One with light green stone carved in a shape of leaf and a lovely small flower sitting on its side. The second one with the shiny white pearl and the last one with a square shaped ruby. The big silver bracelet in her right hand was even more attractive than the matching trinket in her neck.

She was chewing something in her mouth. She immediately took a small bag and said, ’Hey Priti, you should have this, its made of ginger and sugar. My kids always keep this in my bag. It’s good.’ Without waiting for my positive gesture, she just placed them in my hand.

‘Do you work?’ I asked.

She said, ’Now, I can’t. I am retired. I was working in a HR department of a business firm in New York. You know, people sometimes are jealous and mean to you at work. She was lost in her past memory and said, ‘I was awarded as ‘Employee of the year’. It was a beautiful evening at a five star hotel with my children. But later life became difficult for me at work. An Italian lady at my work took the things wrongly as she thought she deserved the award more than I. I told her, ’I work hard, sincerely and honestly, for me it is important to get my pay in hand at the end of each week for my family to run. I am not allured by this award, you can take it!!’

Flashing the headlights the bus was parked in front of the gate. She lifted her heavy body with great difficulty and took her limping baby steps towards the gate, with her stroller bag on one side. She took the front seat. I was following her and sat beside her.

I asked, ’Why did you come to USA?’ She laughed and said, ’Destiny!’ Continuing her conversation, she said, ’After I got married I came here with my husband, but he treated me like a slave. He never gave money to bring even the grocery. He then took me back to Trinidad. I had my two kids there. I was staying in a rented home as a paying guest with an old couple. When I used to cook, the aroma of my food would entice them. So the Granny asked me, ’Will you cook for us, we will pay you?’ I accepted the offer, but used to give them free lunch boxes for the weekends, with LOVE!! They enjoyed, loved and appreciated my food.’

Few months later, My husband started harassing me. One night while asleep, Lord Jesus came in my dream, he told me, you have to be a strong girl Farhan. Get up do something for you and your kids. You know Priti , I do not know how it happened, I am not too religious, I just follow the daily course of my prayers sincerely, but till today I have never understood, how did I dream of Jesus, if Allah is one for whom I pray daily!!’

‘I started cooking for more people in my neighborhood. With this as my savings, I came all the way with my two kids in this country. I did all kinds of job from cooking, sewing clothes, baking, etc. to raise my kids. My elder son works in a bank on Wall Street and my younger one is a Professor.’

I said, ’It’s an unbelievable achievement Farhan! But how did you become a HR person?’

She placed her spectacles on her forehead, its golden chain hanging around her ear, she smiled, ’I went to a business school in NY; after my kids completed their education. Luckily got a nice job later.’

She said, ’My husband still calls me, wants my money, wants to stay together, but I am now, firm as a rock. I am happy with the freedom I have earned on my own.’
Talking to her, I realized I missed my stop. I immediately pressed the stop bell. I said, ’Bye Farhan, nice meeting you’, and left her in a hurry.

Returning back towards my home, my thoughts were resonating back and forth. The uncanny ways in which God gives you strength. How do things so difficult to imagine, actually happen in this world through the hands of common people with great strengths??? Each one of us at some point are awakened from our deep slumber by God. Realizing the depth of faith and determination, we can surely turn our fate - holding the fingers of Almighty. Farhan’s morphogenesis from infirmity to intrepid woman is truly inspirational !!

Jack’s Nation and NATURE at rebel with each other!!

Standing at my usual Gate for the bus, I was looking in the dark, black garage at a distance for the fading sign of my bus…..!!! I turned to my side, a dark man in his late sixties was standing beside me. He was reading a small religious book. His hands were dry, scaly revealing his hard work, but were strong enough. I felt, his face was more mature with age as compared to some other guy of his age.

I said, ’We have just missed the bus.’

He nodded, ’I guess so.’

‘Where do you work in the city?’ I asked.

He replied, ’I work in Long Island City, in a company. We lend Cameras for movies. I take care of the stuff required for the lenses and all. The cameras are most sophisticated and exclusive. Recently we lend it for the shooting of ‘Hangover’ starring Denzel Washington.’

‘Wow…..it’s wonderful.’ I complimented.

I introduced myself to him. He said, ’Glad to meet you, my name is Jack.’

‘How long are you working in this field?’ I inquired.

He smiled, ’I am working there through my life. Actually I am from Haiti; I came here with my dad, after I completed an Instrumentation course in my country. I joined a college here, I have a liking for cameras, luckily got a job here and am still continuing.’

My mind was more curious to know about Haiti, I said, ’Jack, it must be very terrifying situation in Haiti now, due to recent earthquakes, do you still have your relatives there?’

He replied sadly, ‘My wife’s relatives are there, but they have luckily escaped with minor injuries. You know Priti, some countries have bad destiny and so is mine. My parents migrated here after a massive earthquake in Haiti in 1965. There was no means to earn living. My dad started working here and raised our family of three. ‘

I asked, ’Jack, what’s your mother tongue?’

He laughed, ’I know French as Hiati was French colony for many years everyone there is well versed in it. I speak Spanish, as the Dominican Republic is our neighbor and English after I came here and studied it.’

I was surprised, ’Oh!! How long were the French ruling Haiti?’

Jack replied, ’We got Independence long back in 1805, but unlike India revolutionaries in Haiti just drove the French away. There was anarchy in the country. Followed by Military rule and a series of Dictators. They extorted people by levying high taxes. The spices are main agricultural products grown there. We have rich reservoirs of Aluminum ore. But the common man never earned the fruits of his efforts. The atrocities of the government were most horrible with no Law and Justice.’

I said, ’There seems lot of political instability in Haiti.’

Jack added, ’Yes, but President Clinton sent his troops in 1995, took over the military rule and now finally we have democracy.’

I said, ’I recently read that people in Haiti are conjured by voodoo and other traditional practices, Is that really true?’

He nodded in dismay, ’Yes, you are absolutely correct. The masses are not educated; children don’t go to school, forced to labor in fields. Lot of mistrust amongst relatives and friends. So they practice this black magic, instead of visiting a doctor even for ailments.’

Our bus was entering the Lincoln tunnel. Jack said, ’You know this tunnel was built in 1930. They had amazing foresight; it’s the lifeline of the two cities still today. I know your country too got independence from British colonies, but see now you are racing at an unbelieving pace with time and having a global face. We never got an opportunity. Each time something is done, it either gets destroyed with massive earthquakes or by the ruthless government or by the ignorant, corrupt people themselves. Our generations don’t inherit a single legacy from the past; they have to start from the scratch each time, so nothing productive is built. With this annihilation going on, can you tell me how a country can be build?’

I was speechless for a moment.

I said, ’Jack, how is your family?’

He said, ’My kids are good, I have grandchildren too, but you know they don’t understand the hard work our generation has endured. Freedom sometimes sways you away from your goals and life becomes aimless.’

I wondered the vast knowledge Jack had!! I bid goodbye to him. With heavy heart walking to the footsteps of my home, my mind was all hazy. We can never ask questions to our destiny. For the first time I realized countries too have their destinies. The hap and hapless occurrence reflect the whole human development and ultimately the mankind. Fortunate are the human beings and countries on whom the mother NATURE smiles or else she can sabotage the whole mankind!!

"Life......through eyes of ART - Time to regain it again"

I was walking towards my lab, suddenly a soft voice interrupted me.'Hey, Priti are you coming for the art exhibition?' Jessica asked me. I was a bit perplexed, but the next moment I answered,' Yes, surely.' After the day's work in the college, we both took our routine subway ride. On our way I asked her,' What is this exhibition about?' She explained,' It's the exhibition of Kandinsky paintings, whom I admire a lot.' I wondered,' I know, you have a doctorate in science, how do you know so much of arts?' She smiled,' I took arts for my under-graduation, I studied the works of famous artists all over the world, so I developed love for art and paintings, but with time passing by, most of the things are about to erase from my memory, its my dream to see today's exhibition held in city after 25 years.'


We got off at the stop, and walked for 10 minutes to reach the most famous Solomon Guggenheim Museum, facing opposite the largest green space - Central Park in New York City. The Museum is designed by one of the well known architect Frank Lloyd. When we entered the museum, the hallway was crowded, we made our way for the queue. Got our entry passes and took the free audio hearing aid, and were now ready to enjoy the journey.

The floors of the museum are designed in spirals like a double stranded DNA, climbing high!!! We stalked at the first painting.It was a colorful depiction of human figures migrating after war,abandoning their homes...the appeal in the colors was just amazing!! As we moved further, I felt, 'The paintings are becoming more abstract with little sense of figures or forms..' I asked Jess, 'Did he make abstract paintings?' She explained, 'He is one of the person, who developed this art form in the early twentieth century.During that era art was more of realistic forms.
Kandinsky grew up in Moscow but later he went to Munich, to explore the art in the rich cultural city . In a Music concert, he was so inundated by the serene, soothing tunes....he felt that paintings too, can be formless yet strong enough to grip one's heart and have an emotional effect on an individual like the music. It was a great realization for him.... and a great moment for the art world too.'

As we were moving around. I was mesmerized by his colorful, bright schemes. The orange, blue, yellow, red, green.... the horse with its long neck...the blue rider on it ....in later part the rider was replaced just by a tick mark....and so on and so...the forms were becoming more abstract..depicting the gradual transformation of an artist to the world of his own, inviting our minds to think what is he talking in this? and this...???????? When we reached the top floor the forms became more geometrical....the patch work of colors alluring me, as if I am wearing a beautiful Saree of it!!!!!!!!!(I hope I would haaaa!!)


As we headed back downstairs, the museum was overflowing with people. I bid goodbye to Jess, thanking her for such a wonderful and memorable day.I was glad spending my afternoon amidst the bright colors ....detaching myself from the hassle and bustle of the city and the infinite worries occupying our minds. Its great to see people devoting their time to enjoy this invaluable and precious art forms which are unexplainable, explorable, emotionally turbulent. Knowingly or Unknowingly I too submerged myself in the appealing colors, cryptic forms, deciphering the meaning of each in the way I could relate, questioning myself did Kandinsky think that way???.....may or may not...but the enigma of Kandinsky's art will keep on influencing the generations to come!!!!

WEATHER.......it indeed changed Fredrick's Life, but rather he made his own!!!!

'Hey Priti, the phone is ringing..'said Lalit, so i woke from my deep..... early morning sleep, I thought the alarm was ringing so I immediately switched it off. Then came the thundering sound of Lalit,' Oh!!! this was the call from the cab for airport not the alarm...you...!!! and in a matter of second again the phone started ringing, this time I immediately attended it and the female voice at the other end informed me that our cab for airport was waiting downstairs. We just managed to gather our luggage and get into the cab.Thanking Minal and Sumit for their hospitality we bid good bye to them, and as the cab took a turn, a tall, sturdy, white driver asked us,' Are they your relatives?' We said, ' No, they are our friends, We came to spend some time with them, as we like here.' He asked,'Where do you stay?' We said, ' New Jersey.' He replied,' It must be very cold there.' We said,' Yes.'

It was around 4 a.m, so I asked him,' What are your working hours?' He said,' I work from 12 midnight to 6 a.m.Then I take rest, help my wife at home. I have two kids, one is doctor...he laughed loud and said, not of human beings ,but of Wii gaming console, he is 17 years and plays that all the time...'

I asked him,' How long you are here?' He said,' I am actually from Montreal, Canada. My father had a family business of renting helicopters,as in Winter due to snow most of the roads are closed,we used to provide our service to remote places. When I was 19 years old, I was accompanying, our pilot and suddenly there was a bad snow storm, he tried to maneuver a lot, but our helicopter just crashed. I somehow managed to come out, but we lost our pilot.I got some bruises, didn't know what to do. I prayed to God continuously for my life. The weather was becoming more harsh and hostile.I stayed there in bad windchill hungry and thirsty....at the end God heard my prayers and I could see help flying for me through sky. After the most dreadful 48 hrs in my life, the helicopters landed. The doctors approached me for help, and it was then I realized....Oh!!!! I cannot feel my feet, I started crying.The doctors checked and said,' You got a frostbite.'Hearing those words my mind was sunken. I was treated for it in hospital, after I was discharged. We sold all of our business and migrated here to Florida. My feet have not healed till today!!! So driving is the safest job for me.'

He suddenly asked,'What's your terminal?'We said,' It's Jetblue.' Within seconds we were outside our gate. We thanked Fredrick and took our luggage. Then going through series of security checks, at last we boarded our flight. On way back, my mind was just thinking of Fredrick!!! He faced a narrow escape from death in catastrophic weather at such young age,causing WEATHER as a single factor compelling him to migrate to a new place.I admire his sheer will power and zeal.Its hard for time to heal his wounds,but he has moved forward and is still doing so!!

Dealing with insecurities, waiting for her child's dream come true- Sheela Aunty.

I was about to leave the home, was carrying my bag and a bit worried in mind, how will I travel the whole night in the bus? Who will seat beside me? Will I be able to sleep? Many questions.....luckily got the bus just in-front of home, so reached the bus terminal in the city. It was evening around 6:30 pm. I was scissoring through the exodus of people from their offices rushing towards the bus terminal and subway station. Reached the ground floor of the greyhound bus terminal,was waiting for Lalit. He too arrived soon. We then got our tickets checked and just were wondering what next? An Indian Lady who was in her late sixties, a bit disorganized saw us, she immediately asked,' Are u going to Chicago?' I said,' No, to Cleveland.' She started inquiring about our whereabouts from India. I just gave her some tentative answers,as Lalit was not so keen to talk to strangers, quite true as you never know unknown people and their intentions!!!We left for our bus on ground floor.

I was carrying the dinner to night, both of us standing in the queue at our gates started to eat the roll of chapati and sabji.After about an hour we saw the same Lady standing at the rear end of the queue. Somehow I felt secured and now Lalit too. I told him,' I will talk to her and request to get the seat besides me.' He immediately acceded, so I went back and told her the same,her young daughter was standing next to her.The Lady in a second smiled to me and said ,'Yes'. I happily returned to my place and informed the same to Lalit, he was relieved too!!!

I bid goodbye to Lalit and boarded the bus. Got the seat and now was apprehensively waiting for Aunty. She came balancing her bags on her shoulders,her wavy hairs all swaying around.As promised She sat besides me.

We immediately introduced ourselves. 'Hello,I am Sheela from Delhi'.I asked her,'How long are you here?' She said,' I came here to stay with my daughter for a while,am planning to go to India next month.My daughter is studying here and aspires to become a dentist.'After She came to know,I teach in a medical school, she started ricocheting me with hundreds of questions.....and half of our night was over.

She told me,' How insecure as parent she feels, as her daughter staying all alone so far in this country. She added I am worried if my daughter elopes with some guy at least he should be an Indian.' I could feel the vibes of her anxious mind in her eyes. She said,' My girl is very intelligent and studying in the best university here, her Father wants her to give the best education so we send her here, we are proud of her and are sure she will always take rational decisions in life.'

We decided to take a nap. When I woke up it was day outside and was happy to have a safe night with sound sleep. We got off at Cleveland on time, Sheela Aunty had to change for another bus for Chicago to meet her relatives. She gave me her contact details and asked me to be in touch. I moved on for the cab ride to my hotel. After reaching my suite I called Lalit, he was happy that I made it safely. As my day was going to start late I sneaked into the cozy comforter, thinking about Sheela Aunty, and many brave parents like her.Though they understand the insecurities of their lovable kids in foreign land, they show the broader perspective of taking risks, facing the dangling sword of insecurity continuously for each moment in their life. The hope that just keep them going are the DREAMS of their child!!!! Amen.