A YIndian, Yorkshire by birth and Indian by marriage. Originally from the UK, I've now lived in Mysore, South India for over ten years with my beautiful wife Manjula. MeandMycycle is about the ups, downs and ups of our life in Mysore and our creations: Mysore Bed and Breakfast and MyCycle Tours.
After a cycle tour I sometimes meander (MAnjula would call it a ‘rounding’ ) through the countryside exploring new places.
After today’s tour with Anni and Sankar I passed through Channahalli, one of my favourite villages, rediscovering another trail only to stumble across newly painted sculptures.
Crazy colours which usually seem to be the original stone colour, they caught my eye.
They’re ‘hero’ stones often a strip of three images. The hero in battle, the celebration afterwards and Pooja to god, usually shiva.
I’m often reminded of the quote by E P Thompson about India ….
“India is perhaps the most important country for the future of the world. All the convergent influences of the world run through this society… There is not a thought that is being thought in the West or East that is not active in some Indian mind.”
In my view that speaks about its diversity of ideas, its openness and inclusivity. (Plus Nehru’s palmist but that’s for another day)
But of course it’s not straightforward or necessarily predictable.
I first fell in love with India in the 1970s through books and listening to its music.
Eventually arriving here almost thirty years ago first visiting Bangalore, I realised I’d somehow come home.
It’s never been an easy relationship.
I always look for patterns. In those first few days I was amazed by the driver’s behaviour. How were the cars not crashing into each other? Were there rules? Did anyone know or follow them?
In time I began to recognise something of the patterns. First I noticed the number plates. The first two letters K and A stand for the state- Karnataka. The next two figures, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) office where the vehicle is registered. In Mysore’s two RTO offices, that’s 09 and 55. In Bangalore a main office is number 05. So flashing before my eyes as I fought through the traffic and sought understanding was KA0S …
I jest but it helped me realise what a very different world I was now in.
I was impressed by Bangalore but it was nothing by comparison with Mysore, my next stop.
It’s been that long since Kaveri joined Kaliyuvamane
From the very beginning —-Sarvesh (Multi-lingual, typical talented Indian) and I (mono-lingual.. you know the stuff!!) explained to her mum Chandrika the pros and cons of the school:
— it’s small, free to parents, with a good track record from not following the education sausage factory model
— It’s residential, and you’ll only see Kaveri at home a couple of times a month although you can visit as often as you wish.
— as it’s outside the system she can’t easily (if at all) rejoin a mainstream education (it’s an alternative/free school) until age 16
Chandrika and Mani had visited this and one other school I’d suggested and been invited to suggest others.
We did emphasise it was her decision.
She chose Kaliyuvamane.
Personally I liked the school its approach to education and life in general. I think it’s been a great success. The fact that it’s residential, also helps.
BUT over the past few months Kaveri’s mother has changed her mind. She, in any case has difficulty sticking to one thing. She decided to take Kaveri out of the school.
She misses her and wants her to help around the house. Neighbours, employers and others, we don’t really know who, criticise her for ‘giving-up’ her daughter.
It’s been a stressful period to put it mildly.
You’d be forgiven for thinking she’d gone stark raving mad. Everything about Kaveri and her life as improved dramatically. She now the average size for her age, progressed in all her education, had a great confidence, a real star at the school. Ticks in all directions.
So we invited Chandrika, her mum and sister over to my house to decide.
Discussions with grandmother, Radhika and Chandrika. Trishala and Eregowda very much part of Manjula’s Mysore team. they initiated this meeting and together with our man in Australia brought us to a happy resolution. From right, Radhika (auntie) , Chandrika (mum) and moi.
Chandrika has agreed to keep Kaveri at Kaliyuvamane. Thanks to everyone in the team, and at Kaliyuvamane. Not forgetting the significant help from Sarvesh, in Australia.
It was my day at school but Kaveri had tooth ache. So it became a trip to the dentist.
One tooth removed, followed by a visit to see grandmother and ‘sister’ Radhika and a special treat of ice cream.
The family work as ‘watchman’ on construction sites. It’s how I first met kaveri as they looked after a site opposite mysore bed and breakfast for years. The nine year old becomes a teenager.
After a busy Saturday providing drink, snacks and art at a Padma farm event as member of a team of students from Kaliyuvamane.
Waking to breakfast with our guests from Switzerland
Even earlier, in the morning, Sarvesh had facilitated a meeting between me and Chandrika, Kaveri’s mum to try get her -back on track- to keep Kaveri at the school.
Fingers crossed we’re getting there.
The absolute helpful stars being Radhika,
Kaveri with grandfather, grandmother and Radhika.
who Kaveri calls her sister (actually Auntie and a wonderful friend to us all), and Sarvesh
Saying farewell to Amanda from Switzerland.
Next grandmother travels by bus across city and takes her shopping.
And finally Anni becomes hair stylist.
It feels like I’ve seen Kaveri for about five minutes this weekend (as she falls asleep again in my lap when we go back to school in the auto) but I’m happy that she’s had a great time.
She joins the pantheon of stars in my life.
The brightest star at our first wedding anniversary.
It’s not the first metamorphosis she’s experienced.
Born in 1960 as one of the first in this country — previously a Morris Oxford in the U.K. until the equipment was exported to India to make them as the Ambassador— she was converted in the 1970s to a mark three using the kit similar to the one seen here.
Me and MYCycle 