A couple of days back I attended a concert by Pandit Jasraj. He was welcomed by one of the sponsors on the stage with a big beautiful bouquet of flowers and a shawl. Another Dignitary did the same. Nothing unusual. Almost everyone who is welcomed or felicitated get a bouquet and shawl, in India at least.
It got me thinking. Flowers, maybe Panditji will put in a vase or pass on to a secretary who may do the same. They may end their journey in a vase or a dustbin. But what about the shawl?What does he do with them ?He gets minimum one shawl per show (he got 2 that day).He must be doing at least 5 shows a month(a very conservative estimate considering his stature).That would translate to a minimum of 5 shawls a month, that is 60 a year. Assuming he has been holding concerts for at least 30 years the number goes to 1800.Now even if he passes them on to his driver, cook, maid and their extended family, his own family, distant relatives, students etc stc,1800 is still a big number. This is a very conservative estimate as this does not include awards that he has received. Again at least 1 shawl per award.
So where do these shawls go? Are they displayed on shelves just the way his awards are? Or they occupy his old cupboards or trunks? Or do they get recycled the way coconuts do at various temples? Any clue anyone?
7 comments:
many of those shawls were just given to his extended families, disciples, disciple's families, his domestic helps...
@tripti...hmm that`s good..by the way how do you know that??You are one of his disciples??
Hmm..never really thought about it. Pbly given away to friends, relatives, disciples etc..Let us know when you find out :)
as long as the shawls are passed on and used its good...
Hahaha,
good mathematics.
great calculation:), never thought earlier, but now i am also thinking, what do they do with that no. of shawls?
hehe....I'm sure he holds one of these pujas once a year at the temple & 'daans' away the shawls to the poor.
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