Once in a year Keralites across the Globe on Thiruvonam day (Thiruvonam is a Malayalam Zodiac sign) celebrate Thiruvonam festival in memory of the famous Asura king (Asuras are believed to be evil minded, Suras are their just opposite, i.e they are believed to be Gods with the aim of warding off evils and its perpetrators, the so called Asuras and make the earth a heaven) King Mahabali, a benevolent dictator. While he ruled over Kerala, Kerala was shining with prosperity and happiness and the king was very fond of his subjects. The subjects even went to the extent of worshipping him. Equality prevailed everywhere, corruption was not even heard of, all sorts of lies and deceits were absent. In short, a heaven.
The Gods, who were supposed to be the leaders of entire world, got jealous of the Asura king and out of fear or panic on the phenomenal popularity of the Asura king, who was set to conquer the entire world, met and decided to remove him from the throne.
After many a deliberation, God Vishnu took the shape of Vamana (dwarf) and in the guise of a little Brahmin boy, approached the Asura king and requested him to have mercy on him and handover three foot of land which the philanthropic king found a trivial thing and taking pity on Vamana (The dwarf), allowed wherever Vamana desired take three foot of earth. The king had a sterling quality of keeping words.
With each step the Vamana got taller and even touched the sky. Within two steps he conquered two worlds (according to the mythology prevailed at that time only three worlds existed) and there was no space for him to take another step. The king who was always determined to keep his word, sensed the treachery of Devas, and Vamana revealed himself in the form of Mahavishnu.
The king bowed politely, with devotion requested Vishnu, to take his next step by placing his foot on his head and accordingly Vishnu took the another step by placing his foot on his head and before departing from earth to Pathala (the nether world), the king humbly requested God Vishnu to make it possible for him to visit his beloved subjects on Thiruvonam day each year to visit his subjects and inquire about the welfare of all by visiting each house. God Vishnu granted his request and thus accordingly to Mythology Mahabali the Asura king, visits his prajas (subjects) once in a year on the Thiruvonam day for enquiring about the welfare of his subjects.
The festival is celebrated with pomp and pageantry once in a year by Keralaites across the World, even by pawning their Gold ornaments who don’t have the wherewithal to celebrate Thriuvonam.
As far as the Modern thinkers are concerned, the month of Chingam (in Malayalam) is a harvesting season for Keralites and to celebrate the happy occasion, somebody of yore discovered a myth- the Asura king and his philanthropic attitude and his determination to maintain equality among all and a corruption-free society…
We are familiar with the mythological story of Mahabali, the Asura king but have not heard about the great lover of equality to humanity of yester years- Karl Marx, the proponent of Marxism making an appearance in the World.
This is an imaginary account of Marx’s visit to India one day to inquire about the present state of our society and the party.. The unfortunate truth about the umpteen splits happened in the party and the existence of several communist parties in our land was seemingly not known to him.
With his grayish beard and moustache, lush hair on his head dressed in his usual dress, black pants, shirt and thick overcoats , smoking a cigar he first made his appearance, either knowingly or unknowingly at A.K.G Bhavan at New Delhi. The bust of comrade-A.K.G resting outside might have silently communicated to him the message. Hope, you have heard about silent communication?
With the cigar on his lips he authoritatively entered and found a handsome man in his prime seat wearing a half-sleeved white shirt and a black pants. He was all in smiles, his grey hair combed beautifully. Another man, curly head and grey-haired with a cigar in his lips and also blowing out smoke through his nostrils and mouth was also a handsome guy with a mischievous smile in his lips. While talking to his comrade, he was scribbling something. Marx saw his framed photo on the wall along with some other legendary leaders. It was the morning time. Peoples’ Democracy and ‘Left Word’ were found lying scattered. A typical communist party office.
“Good Morning Comrades. I am your beloved comrade Marx. Karl Marx. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Engels could not accompany me. Happens sometimes.”- Marx took a deep puff and without seeking their permission sat on a chair just opposite to them placed close to wall.
“ You are Mr.Marx! Very-very Good Morning.” The handsome man with his bewitching smile extended a warm welcome to Marx. The other man followed and again got immersed in his duty.
It was really a shock to Marx. He didn’t expect a ‘Mr’ addressing from them. He always preferred to be called a comrade. “Changes, changes and changes.”- Marx told himself in a whispering tone. While in their duty, occasionally they were watching television and passing some comments.
“What is it?” Marx pointed out his finger at the TV channel.
“ It is called Television, Mr. Marx. Update news always available. 24 X 7, We should say like that. Science and technology development is phenomenal, Mr.Marx! Phenomenal…” You had already wrote about the ceaseless changes taking place like a flowing river. This is the era of knowledge revolution….. We appreciate you very much Mr.Marx and we are proud of you. Really.Really. The man with curly head looked at comrade Marx appreciatively.
“What about the plight of the toiling masses of India? Finally you have seized the throne at New Delhi? Organized struggles of Proletariat and farmers are taking place, even now?” – Marx queried.
They burst in to laughter. Marx sat there with an embarrassed face. Simultaneously lighted another cigar and took a deep puff. With his left hand, he caressed his beard and also his lush hairy head.
“Mr. Marx, nowadays Proletariat revolution is not at all discussed and debated anywhere in the world. Dictatorship of the Proletariat is a thing of the past. Times have changed a lot, a lot Mr.Marx. On the question of capturing the power at the centre we are not much enthusiastic. We want to be King-Makers. Helping some other party leaders to be enthroned and once in a while arm-twisting them, to implement our various demands. A revolution, particularly an armed revolution- even that concept has become out-dated for us. Changes Mr.Marx, Changes……….You have not heard about such things in your world? Pity, Pity, really Pity Mr. Marx.”
The handsome guy about to cross into old age, looked at Comrade Marx with a question mark on his face. The first time Marx was watching him sitting with a serious face.
“From what I have heard so far, I fear the relevance of my ideology is coming down!”- Marx was also in a serious mood.
“Please do not interpret our words in such a way. Every philosophy undergoes evolution in the course of time. Such evolutions have taken place among the communist parties across the world. These evolutions are in line with your philosophy, Mr.Marx. Changes, changes all the way. The Ultimate truth. Dictatorship of the Proletariat ,armed revolution by consolidating masses, it has even turned to be unimaginable, new-recruitments on contract basis, outsourcing of jobs, your dream of withering away of states getting to be impractical at present, sometimes after turning full circle, the history may repeat itself, not sure, actually we are not sure of anything nowadays, that is the sad truth, Mr.Marx”. The curly headed man was in a confused mood. His chain smoking might be the result of this confusion.
“You are in agreement with outsourcing of jobs?”- Marx went inquisitive.
“We have our reservations, Mr.Marx. But we are forced to live with it….Sad truth.. Really. Changes and changes, Mr.Marx. In a world of knowledge revolution, we have set aside dogmas.”- The leader was again in a pensive mood. Helplessness is the most apt word. Marx felt.
“What about your state of Kearla? Everything fine.?”- Marx was actually frowning. Both of the leaders looked at each other embarrassingly.
“ In Kerala, everything is fine. Party is totally united. The people are living in harmony Party has implemented certain innovations like Party channels, Amusement parks, Five-star hotels and the party leaders are always on the move to implement more and more innovations to bring cheers in the face of common man”- The leader was in an exciting mood.
Lighting another cigar, Marx took frequent puffs, sat pensively for a long time. What was he pondering over? Who knows? No mind reading machines yet…”
“Okay then. Comrades, let us hire a taxi and take a drive down the road to have a glimpse of your capital city and if possible a long journey to the villages of nearby states like UP, Uttarkhand, Haryana and a few states. I would be very much obliged to you, if you could spare this day for a long journey through rural India for an on the spot study of situation prevailing there”………-A long pause. Marx was anxiously waiting for a response……A positive response…..
“Sorry Mr. Marx. By the by, you know, the general elections are round the corner! We are contesting in eighty seats. Moreover, today a PB meeting is scheduled in a shortwhile from now and the leaders from other states are about to reach here one by one. The seats to be contested, who has to contest from each seat, the strategies to be adopted in the light of present political equations, and some international matters. Yes Mr.Marx, a tedious schedule. If you could come to grip with our predicament, we would be obliged to you ever……
The curly headed man got up from his seat, heaved a sigh, intermittent coughs followed, might be due to his chain smoking and threw his hands in the air.
Marx could understand his impatience. He was watching the man with a sense of humour.
“Okay comrades. I am not going to disturb you. I find it incredible that out of 540 parliamentary seats, you are contesting only in eighty seats. This in 2009, no? Even if you contest all the seats, suppose, by some miracle, you get a majority in the house and thus capture power, the nations’ plight will be the same.”
“Don’t think it is too late, have an introspection and take necessary steps if your party as well as your comrade parties, I know the movement has turned to a hotch-potch combination of splinter parties without any ideological bondage, fighting out in the streets. See you later, comrades…..”
Marx got up with the cigar in his lips with a serious face, got out of the AKG bhavan, the central office of the Party, and melted in the faceless crowd.
While reaching in front of the bust of A.K.G, he could hear both of them bursting out into laughter………
Changes, changes and changes…………..
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