Conversations

J's Buddha

Dressed in a shirt crisp and yellow

Looking calm and mellow

A man, lets call him J

Walks in as people make way

He is the much feared don, 

The all-in all without the brawn

An artist, a historian and an avid reader

A rumoured murderer, yet a beloved leader

Ambedkar lover

Mayawati follower

A buddhist politician

And a real estate broker with ambition

So nothing is black or white

An ethnographer's plight

But is J a good man or a bad man

To find out is my plan

He speaks at length

Of the Dalit strength

About Manusmriti

And the powers that be

The importance of education

Petty crime due to frustration

Amma unavagam, no thanks!

People can not be well fed vote banks

An hour into the conversation

I am nowhere close to a conclusion

J removes his glasses with a sigh

To reveal a swollen eye

 Go to the hospital J

The group of boys gathered around say

He reassures them - nothing to worry

There is no hurry

A minor injury sustained at a ritual

At the annual temple festival

And so he continues to explain

How hindu power took reign

He speaks of  money

Brahmin hegemony

The take over of Buddhist temples

The power of religious symbols

He drew buddha's face , with a naamam

And covered the hair with a kreedam

 What did it do to Dalit morale?

When buddha was made perumal

It was 2 pm and I was out of questions

J's mobile rings, business beckons

Please meet me this weekend to talk more I urge

He replies Saturday is OK, Sunday I will be in church