How fitting that my last practice in Mysore should fall on Saraswathi's birthday. How I missed it last year is a good indication of how spaced out a person I am. Was early at the shala, and noticed the senior (senior not in age but in practice) aspirants bringing some flowers to the changing room. I went through a mental checklist - is it some festival? is it Guruji's birthday? is it Friday's prayers? All wrong. The answer came after class ended. A birthday cake was presented to Saraswathi at the stage, and then the senior aspirants went to give Saraswathi the flowers. After that, we all sang Happy Birthday. It was really nice to see the respect and love shown to this great teacher.
I was very lucky as I had planned to give Saraswathi a gift after my last class. After the cake cutting, I got changed and went to the office to say my thanks and goodbye. But not before offering the gift as a birthday present. What an opportunist I am - shameful! I took it further and ask for permission for a photo with Saraswathi. Digital camera nowadays come with many features - and one of them is that you can customise the camera in such a way that when a picture is taken, you will hear a dog barking instead of a click. Of course I had change the settings (for the kids!). Anyway, Sharath was in the office at that time and I ask whether he could take the picture of me with Saraswathi. To my horror, I heard a dog bark as he took the picture. He gave a quizzical look at the camera and then at me. At which point, I was completely mortified. Stripped of any dignity, I went for broke and ask for a photo with Sharath! Saraswathi also gave me the same look as Sharath when she took the photo. But it was worth it!
What a great two weeks it has been. It has been both enjoyable and inspiring. Now I must remember to change my camera settings back to normal settings.
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing the Mysore experience. Did check out on KPJAYI Mysore last month as my teacher was telling about.Had the thought of going there some day when I gather the courage to. At least now I have an idea of the place and oh boy, there's ATM ! :)
Hi Lyi C. Going to Mysore has been magical and memorable for me. I hope it will be for you, too if you decide to go. Gokulam, where the shala is and where most students stay, is a residential suburb of Mysore and is quite safe. Both Sharath and Saraswathi are really nice - your practice will be in good hands! So, if you have the time, go for it!
Maybe I will read about your Mysore experiences one day in your blog. Wishing you lots of enjoyable practices.
Wow! I didn't realise you made another trip to Mysore!
Thats so cool...
It has been fun; and I'm getting dangerously attached to these trips!
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