To share with some people!

NATEE BINODINI

A friend is planning an ambitious feature film project on the famous dancer-actress of Bengali theatre of the late 19^th century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binodini_Dasi

Curious to know about her life, persuaded Nikhil to part with her autobiography “Amar Katha”“Amar Abhinetri Jiban” (My Life as an Actress, 1924/25 left unfinished), I was compelled to share her words in her letter to her mentor, Girishchandra Ghosh, dated (My Story, 1912), followed by 1^st Sraban, 1316:

“… A long time… you told me, repeatedly: “God does not create living tings without reason. We all come to this world to do His work. We do our work and once it is one we forsake this world and depart.” How often have I pondered over these words! But I have never been able to understand from my own life of what use an inferior being such as myself has been to God, what work of his have I been able to do; and if I have indeed been of some use, then why after having worked for so many years will there be not an end to the work?

Whatever it is that I have done throughout my life; has that been the work of God? Such low acts; can they have been for God?

My restless soul asks time and again, “What is my work in this world?” The time fast approaches when it will be time to take leave of this rest-house known as the world. Then, what have I achieved in all these years? With what words of consolation shall I take leave of this world? what is to support me when I become a traveler of that final voyage! Mahashoy(her term for her mentor),… explain to me, in what part of the Lord’s scheme have I have been of any use? In what part am I still of use or ever will be? – One who is beholden.”

No, I am certainly not alluding to myself :-)

But her story indeed makes wondrous reading – an actress widely and greatly appreciated, yet shunned because she was born to a whore, and treated all her life similarly.

On Cormac

Just the other day, a friend (Daya Gupta) presented me a book “The Counsels of Cormac,” a book of advice from the great Irish King, Cormac MacAirt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormac_mac_Airt

As fate would have it, after a recent fiasco with a leading Production (TV) House, the opening lines of the book were indeed ironical and aptly suited for the times – then and now! Here are they:

“O Cormac, Grandson of Conn,” said Carbre,

“What is best for a king?”

“That’s easy,” said Cormac:

Composure rather than wrath,

Patience rather than contention,

Geniality rather than arrogance. …

Productivity in his reign,

Attention to every unfortunate,

Many charities. …

Let him have legitimate claim to truth,

Let him rebuke falsehood

Let him love justice

Let him quell fear.