The Power of the Profession

The time has come for us to know the Power that we possess. The Power of the knowledge imbibed in us, the Power of the Mandate vested in us by Parliament, and the Power of the Experience we have gained as Civilizations roll along.

Arguably, and often favorably, the Oldest Profession in the whole wide world (www???), Architecture professes the creation of multifaceted built environment. The ability to weave this to a higher level of imagination, at the same time ensuring its clarity as a reflection of our civilization is of paramount importance in itself, subject that the users are to our whims and fancies, often hidden.

We are at certain times faced with the creation of a living space for a family, albeit residence. Do we not have the capacity to ensure peace and happiness in the household via the media of the built / enveloped space? Alternatively, do we not have the power to subject the family to eternal misery by thoughtful or sometimes wrong planning? and wrong decisions. There then lie within us the Powers to ensure peace and prosperity, or the Power to destroy the fabric of the Family.

We are creators of a parallel economy. A Two Rupee / Quarter Dollar tea @ the local tea shop is elevated to the status of a 200 Rupee/ 5 Dollar “pot of tea” at say the Hyatt or the Marriott, only due to the Décor/Ambience created by the designer added with good service and a “dash of a name”. Are we, by the powers vested in us, not creating a parallel economy here? The same is true of famous buildings or Environment, where the saleable market goes up due to the tenacity of the creator. That is the Power we have over the Economy.

My mind goes back to the days of my Architectural schooling, to an event which completely re defined my role in my chosen profession (not by default). Prof Ravindra (currently teaches at Bangalore, India) was a well dressed teacher, however very distant beneath his thick spectacles. Favorite pass time (so it seemed) was to smirk with hands over lips at the basic design models of first and second semester students. Really helped upcoming Ego’s! Nobody knew where he ate, nor what the inside of his cabin looked like.
But all knew that he used to come in at 8.00 AM and leave at 5.00 PM, always opening out a big old umbrella with a curved wooden handle. Now, Manipal is often Hot Hot during the summer days, with horizontal rains during the Monsoon. But the hillock used to be pleasant at 8.00 AM and the sun would have normally retracted by 5.00 PM, bringing in the cools of the Arabian Sea on to the ‘walkers’. But our Profy used to have his wide umbrella open on his entry and departure from the seat of education.
I was a bit mesmerized by this chap, and decided that there is more to him then he would let out. As adventurous as I am, I embarked on the dark journey to his abode @ the college, greeted by a surprised ‘yes’ to the knocks on his porch. On entry, after being asked to take a seat addressed as “Mr. Mohandas” (knew his decency) – he peered at me quizzically, posting a look at his first visitor in maybe years, the early marauder!!!
I, a bit ruffled, ventured to question him on his open umbrella in times of good weather, during the entry and exit. He did look at me quizzically once more, as if “how did this chap land up here, both in the cabin and for the course?”

His answer was sudden: Mr. Mohandas, when I come in and go out, the whole college is doing the same thing, resulting in a rush at the gates and other places. My umbrella creates a space around me, into which no one can enter without my permission.

Things dawn on me in flashes. This was the essence of my new profession. I went back and destroyed the basic design model I was engaged in (which was supposedly OK for a first year student, as per the decision of more experienced seniors)!!!!!

Exercise our powers with the diligence it requires, but primarily understand the POWER we are vested with.

Ar. Mohandas Kalipurayath, B.Arch, FIIA
Past Jr Vice President & Council Member, the Indian Institute of Architects
Assessor, Council of Architecture (India)
Past President, NASA (India)

The Festival of Lights

'Festival of Lights' or Diwali is a festival of charisma and splendor. Diwali has been given the traditional name of 'festival of lights' because of the hundreds and thousands of small oil lamps or diyas lighted by many hearths, and many hearts.

The burning of these diyas are considered to be the lighted pathway of a person's expression of happiness and also a manner of paying obeisance to God, the Supreme power for attainment of health, prosperity, knowledge, financial security and peace in one's life.'

The festival of lights' is celebrated with much enthusiasm and zeal in all of north India. In fact the festival of Diwali is regarded to bring the supernatural joy and brightness in a person's life with the hope of discovering light amidst darkness, achieving knowledge in place of ignorance and spreading of love amidst hatred and violence.

The tradition of lighting the diyas on Diwali holds much importance as in Hindu mythology light signifies goodness and vitality. The idea behind the lighting of diyas and candles on the festival of lights comes from a number of stories as mentioned in the Hindu mythology. The most famous of these stories is the story revolving around Lord Ram and his family. Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Lord Ram, who according to a legend came home to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and spending fourteen years in exile. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. Like in Gujarat, the festival is celebrated to honor goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is related to the goddess Kali.

Though, everywhere, it is finally celebrated with the same sprit and signifies the renewal of life.

A Very Happy Diwali to all of you. May the Light always lead us on……..and this Diwali, let us remember to ensure that the light in our heart is always alive.

M Kalipurayath
October 2008

SANYAS.....

Man wanders through life, sometimes aimlessly, sometimes with am objective in sight/ mind.

The transition from birth to death is a voyage, a journey called Sanyas.

The famous hill shrine of Sabarimala, the abode of Lord Ayyappa, illustrates this by its philosophy – of that of “Thatwamasi” – Understand Youself - “Nee than deivam” – You are the god!!!

This is attained by ascending the 18 steps of the “Padinettam Padi” , not literally and physically – but more metaphysically. Each of the 18 steps point out to one of the dormant ‘wrongs’ in our system – like Kama (lust), Kroda (anger) ET All. Overcoming the 18 wrongs, one attains the summit (both of the temple and also the true understanding of our ‘self”) – Ahom – I,
where, etched in stone on the Temple wall, and to be etched in our minds through licks of fire – stands those words – “Thatwamasi”

In the Bible, you will find a parallel – “The kingdom of thy gods, thou shall find in thy own hearts”.

The “Flash” was discovered by me, thanks to a blogger, in the Bible again –
Revelation: Chapter 22 – which is the ‘essence’ of that holy book, and most others of parallel ‘religions’, wherever and whatever they might be.

All the methodologies adopted, fasting, abstinence ET All, are only to tune our mind and body to attain that frequency of vibration which would allow us to breach our own ‘shells’.

Sanyas, then, would have to maybe start before birth, and maybe conception???

Today we celebrate the birth of a great visionary, the Mahatma. Can we not tune inwards to see/ feel our country better, just like an attempt to see/ feel ourselves better???

M Kalipurayath
October 2008

Two Months Past

Hi there. It has been two months since I blogged here. Time problems!!!
Hope this continues.........

I would still have dinner!!!

The was an old story about the bus, all one could do while you wait for the bus is talk about it, but the moment the bus comes – all you want to do is get on the bus, without someone shoving you out

This brings me again to the question, whom am I, whom are you, and what are you? Personality is a subjective philosophy, whom are we to judge?

And there was this powerful woman, with her words....

I will still have dinner with a lady, candles blowing – but staring into her eyes

Hello

Anony - the person mentioned is the latter, I do not remember the year, but more or less that. But that being beyond the limit of my concept of Ahom, you seem to be a 'Muddled Mosaic'!!!(and who is not?)

The concepts of 'who am I, where am I, are all relative in nature. Expressions have been coined in the past, sometimes to be jolted out due to variance in situations and ideologies accepted from time to time. The write up on my friend being asked at the toll gate is a reflection of that - Are you returning? - an answer in the affirmative would have given him Rs 8 instead of the 5 Rupees for the one way fare. It is a one way journey, but you can come back once in a while to reflect, and change course if one finds the earlier path not consistent with his/her philosophy. That was his reply - "ask god"!!!

The Ramayana

In the Ramayana ,there is mention of Lord Rama, thankful to Hanuman, saying thus :

What can I give you, take whatever you desire

Hanuman : Lord, the only desire I have is that you take away my desire to have!!!