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Prose Name : Colours Of Silence
Author Name : SATISH GUJRAL
CHECK YOUR UNDER STANDING
SHARE YOUR RESPONSES :
1.Surender, a friend of Satish came to visit him. Satish hadn’t gone to school. Why?
On that particular day, Satish was not feeling well and he was eriously ill, so he hadn’t gone to school.
2. Identify the sentence – a question-that suggests Satish’s weakness (Para.5)
When Surender came to visit him, Satish asked him, ‘Why are you speaking so softly? This question suggests the weakness of Satish.
3. Why was Satish confined to bed? What was the worst thing for him? Why was it so? (Para.12)
Satish was seriously ill, he felt that some huge weight was pressing upon his head making everything seem for away and silent. He felt helpless and upset and confined to bed. He couldn’t hear, so the silence was the worst thing for him.
4. The school he was attending informed Satish’s father something. Can say what it was.
The school authorities informed that they couldn’t keep Satish in their school because he was irregular and had hearing problem.
5. Satish didn’t want to go to a new school. What was the reason?
Satish was very sensitive and delicate boy. He had hesitation to talk to other children and had a fear that they would make fun of him for his disability (deafness). The children at new school were new to him, so he didn’t want join to a new school.
6. After a lot of persuasion, Satish agreed to go to a nev school. Do you think he was accepted at the new school?
Satish was not accepted at the new school because he was dea and he was not able to speak correctly. He had hearing problem.
7. What made Avtar Narain angry? (Para 15 & 16)
The headmaster suggests to Avtar Narain that they should jo his son to the school for deaf and dumb children. Hearing this Avt Narain became angry.
8. The word ‘Expedition’ in para 18 means
a) journey b) visit c) Mountaineering (Choose the right answer)
a) journey visit
9. How did Satish’s brother Inder try to help him ?
Satish’s elder brother Inder took care of him. Everytime he sit besides his brother, spoke with him taught new words and pronunciation to him. Inder spent most of his time with his brother.
10. Guess the meaning of these words from the context.
snatches (Para 15) shattered (Para 18)
brooded (Para 20) confined (For 21)
verify the correctness of answer, with the help of a dictionary
The meanings of the words.
snatches = parts
shattered = helpless
brooded = thinking or meditate deeply
confined = keep with in the limits
But the dictionary meanings for the same words
Snatches (n) = an attempt to seize, a small piece or quantity
shattered = to break into pieces, to upset, ruin.
brooded = to sit on eggs, to think anxiously for some time
confined = to shut up, imprisoned
Share your Responses :
1.What did Satish see at the far corner of the garden ? Why did it attract him? (Para-22)
Satish saw a rare bird, which was unlike and he had never seen that type of bird before. That bird had a longish tail and black crest. It had restless energy. Its eyes kept moving here and there, and bird was ready for flight at any moment. So he was attracted by it.
2. Both the parents were his well-wishers. But, each cared for him in a different way. How? (Para-24,25)
Sathish’s father and mother thought differently. According to Satish’s father, he should learn something by reading and able to earn his livelybood in future. Instead of that if he spend his time in paint-ing, how should he lead his future by mere an artist. But mother soft hearted didn’t have this type of far vision, she simply thought that why should they restrict for his happiness. Both the parents were well wishers, they thought differently.
3. Which action of Satish changed his father’s attitude ? (Para-29)
Satish had a very good skill in painting. He did his painting with devoted and dedicated interest. He got much pleasure in painting. One day though Satish knew his father was not pleased with his painting pastime, he was immersed and busy in painting. By seeing all these, his father’s attitude was completely changed and he was agree to continue, and encouraged him a lot.
4. What was Satish unable to believe? Para-30
Satish’s father came and sat beside his son and understood his feelings. Then decided to encourage him. He brought the necessary things to paint and found a best Art’ school. He was ready to admit in that school. All these changes of his father was unbelievable to Satish.
5. How did Satish express his gratitude to his father? (Para-33)
Satish wondered at the begining, his eyes were filled with tears out of joy, he came and hugged his father. His heart was full of love and gratitude.
6. Name any three fields in which Satish Gujral has made his name. (Para.35)
Satish Gujral has made his name in painting, sculpture and archi-tecture.
7. How can you say that Satish became popular all over the world? (Para.36)
His works were exhibited almost all parts of the world and dis-played in prestigious museums like the museum of Modern Art, New work, The Hiroshima Collection, Washington and the National Gal-lery of Modern Art, New Delhi. So he became popular all over the world.
8. If you are asked to give another title to this story, what title would you suggest? Justify your choice.
If we want to give another title to this story I suggest “The Successful disabled” This story reveals the success and the disabled got very prestigeous award Padma Vibhushan. “The Silent Artist” Though he lived in silent world, he became a famous artist and awarded many titles.
THINK ABOUT THE TEXT
1.How did Satish meet with an accident? Do you think the accident occurred due to his carelessness?
During his holiday, Satish went to Kashmir with his father and brother. While he was crossing a weak bridge he and his brother stood upon the same bridge. They were seeing the swirling water below. Out of curiosity Satish wanted to show it to his brother, just then he was losing his balance and fell into the water. Like this the accident took place. No, this accident was not happened to him by his carelessness. It was only of his bad luck and instantaneously it happend.
2. The writer describes the effect of the accident in para-graph 12. One such effect is given here. Write others in the space provided.
- He wanted to scream but he couldn’t
- We felt that some huge weight was pressing upon his head
- He felt everything seemed for away and silent
- Everything seemed like scenes from the drama (Pantomine)
- He felt helpless and upset.
3. Some words are given below. Choose the words that re-neet the feelings of Satish after Surender left.-angry. miserable disappointed, lovely, sad, surprised, elated, shocked, helpless.
e.g. – miserable
The words that reflect the feelings of Satish after Surender aff were miserable, disappointed, sad, shocked, helpless.
4. Father, mother, and brother all tried to help Satish in their own way. Some of their actions are given below. Against each of these actions mention whose role was major in it by writing ‘F’ (father). ‘M’ (mother) and ‘B’ (brother) in brackets. One example is given.
- giving Satish company – B
- caring for his future – F
- teaching him pronunciation – B
- caring more for his present state – M
- meeting institutional heads- F
- finding an art school for him-F
5. a. Describe the bird (P.22) in your own words.
That bird was a rare bird.
It had long tail and a black crest.
It had restless energy.
Its eyes were kept moving here and there.
Its whole body was ready to flight at any moment. It was a very beautiful bird, and attractive also.
b. Now write a small paragraph on any bird / animal that you have watcfied.
Self assessment.
Once, I went to zoo and got opportunity to watch the peacock The two peacocks are moving here and there. They were very beautiful. I observed the big peacock. its eyes were small. It has blue green coloured plumage. Its tail is not the ordinary tail. Its tail is full of quill feathers and it had the highly elongated upper tail. The eyes were best seen when it fans its tail. It danced. All were attracted to see the Peacock.
6. Do you think the school you are studying should admit students with disabilities of hearing? Give reasons.
C7. Read the text again. Note down the important events in them. Show them in the flow chart.
ENRICH YOUR VOCABULARY:
Task-1:
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words selecting from the words given in brackets.
Ganesh was fond of riding bicycle. One day he rode it so fast that he lost control, and hit against an electric pole. His left leg fractured and there were scratches all over the body. He was badly bruised. His mother, who was near, ran up to him. Fortunately, he was not hurt much. She tried to console him with soothing words. Some boys who were near teased him. The teacher who happened to pass by told them it was unbecoming that they of helping the boy Ganesh was all right, but his hopes of taking in the arranged Kabaddi tournament that day were shattered.
Task-2
You can form the opposite of words by adding un _______, in ________, dis _______, mis _______
A list of words is given below write words adding the prefite (Refer the dictionary for the right answer.) Important, we advantageous, understand, approve, decent
eg. Indecent
important X unimportant
well X unwell
advantageous X disadvantageous
understand X misunderstand
approve X disapprove
decent X indecent
Task-3:
Complete the following using appropriate words from the te You will find from the clue which paragraph of the text has thu word.
(Note that you have to change the form of the word in some case) e.g.: Manoj, a poor boy, works hard in an Auto garage. But what he earns is a _______, not enough even for a meal a day
(p26) answer: pittance
a) Look at that old man. He can _____ hear (P5)
Look at that old man. He can barely hear.
b) My friend met with an accident yesterday. He was admitted to the hospital with many _______ (P8)
My friend met with an accident yesterday. He was admitted to the hospital with many bruises (injuries)
c) I saw a person near the bus stop yesterday. A bus was about to hit him. I screamed, but he couldn’t hear. He had lost the power of hearing he was ________ (p 14)
I saw a person near the bus stop yesterday. A bus was about.to hit him. I screamed, but he couldn’t hear. He had lost the power of hearing. He was deaf
d) The survivors in an earthquake had lost everything. They felt _______ (P18)
The survivors in an earthquake had lost everything. They felt shattered.
LISTEN AND COMPEHEND
Task 1:
Once there was a man who was blind. He wished to see the whole world with his own eyes. One day his friends took him to Jesus. They said to Jesus, “Lord, this is our friend and he is blind. Please enable him to see”.
Jesus took the blind man to a quiet place away from the crowd and gently touched his eyes. Jesus asked him, “Can you see now?” But he could only see a few movements. Jesus gently touched his eyes again. Now he could see everything. Flowers, birds, trees, people and all. He shouted in happiness, “Lord, I can see, I can see!” He knelt down before Jesus and thanked him heartily.
Listen to the teacher carefully and answer the questions that are given at the end.
1.Who took the blind man to Jesus? What did they request Jesus?
His friends took him to jesus. They requested to make him to see again.
2. “Can you see now?” Who asked this? Could he see?
Jesus asked him. He could see only a few movements
3. Why did Jesus touch the blind man’s eyes again?
Jesus touched the blind man’s eyes again so that the man coule see everything.
4. What did the man see after Jesus touched his eyes again?
The man see everything after Jesus touched his eyes again eyes again.
5. How did the man thank Jesus?
The man knelt before Jesus and thanked him heartily.
SPEAK WELL
Task 1: Govind and his friend are on a visit to MEGA hospital They want to get some information from the hospital staff. Some hints are given for you to help you ask questions and get an.
They were home after their visit to the hospital Describe the experience at the hospital to your brother.
[Elder brother: Govind, Younger brother : Hari]
Hari : Anna, you visited the MEGA hospital yesterday. Will you share your experience with me?
Govind : Ok Putta, with pleasure.
Hari : How do visitors / Patients get the primary information at the hospitals?
Govind : There is a reception counter, and the receptionist guides the visitors.
Hari : How are the patients taken to the ICU or Wards?
Govind : They are taken to the ICU or wards on wheel chairs or stretchers.
Now continue and complete the conversation.
Hari : How should we take care if somebody fell on the ground before bringing them to hospital?
Govind : We should take care of them and do the proper First Aid to them.
Hari : If the person had multi fracture or other serious problem what did the doctor do?
Govind : In that case the doctor would do the operation in operation theatre.
Hari : After the operation, could they send the patient to home?
Govind : No, the patient should be shifted to wards.
Hari : Thank you brother. I learnt much from you.
READ AND RESPOND
Task 1: Read the passage given below and answer the ques-tions at the end.
The first baby bomb was dropped on the densely populated industrial town of Hiroshima in Japan on 6th August 1945. The city of Hiroshima was flattened. At least 78,000 people and possibly many thousands more, were killed or fatally injured. As great a number were injured and all their dwellings were damaged or destroyed. The city’s military garrison was wiped out. Only a handful of doctors remained alive, and most hospitals and medical supplies were destroyed. Citizens of neighbouring towns described the burned, living and dead as no longer recognizably human, with their flesh raw and blackened, their hair gone and the features melted on their faces. It was the mest shocking sight man had ever wimessed.
1. The presage is abont a __________ (Fill in the blanks)
great disaster of Heesham
2. Where did the incident take place?
The incident took place at Hiroshima in Japan.
3. How do you say that the bomb blast resulted in a great disaster?
Citizens of neighbouring towns described that everything was burnt. The burnt things (man or animal) were not at all recognizable This says that the bomb blast resulted in a great disaster.
4. What had happened to the military garrison ?
The city’s military garrison was wiped out.
5. The survivors couldn’t be given medical help-Why do you think so ?
The survivors couldn’t be given medical help because only a hand-ful doctors were remained alive and most of the medicines were de stroyed.
6. What tells you that the condition of the bomb affected people was horrible?
The people of neighbouring tows described the burned, living and dead as no longer recognizably human, with their raw and blackned, their hair gone and the features meited on their faces. It was a shock-ing sight.
7. What is your feeling as you read the last few lines of the passage?
Really the bomb blasting was very cruel and inhuman. What-ever may be the reason, killing and destroying was a crime and un-civilized.
Task-1:
The following is the schedule of Chief Minister of Karnataka.
The Chief Minister of Karnataka is leaving (be + leave) for Delhi. this evening by a special plane. He will be arriving (arrive) in Delhi at 8pm. He is going to meet (be go meet) the MPs of Karnataka soon after his arrival. He will be discussing (will + discuss) some important issues with the Prime Minister, tomorrow morning. He will meet (be meet) party high command by tomorrow evening. He will come back (be + come back) to Bangalore by the evening flight.
Task-2:
My sister’s marriage is arranged (be+arrange) to take place on 21st May. We are going to get (be+go+to get) the invitation printed by the second week of this month. My parents will visit (will+visit) the relatives by 5th of May. All of us will be going (will+be+go)to Bengaluru next week to buy some clothes and jewellery.
Task-3:
Complete the dialogue using the right form of the verbs given in brackets.
Ganesh: Hi, Gopal when will be your annual day celebrations?
Gopal : We will have it on 3rd January.
Ganesh : Who is the Chief Guest?
Gopal : The local MLA is the Chief Guest.
Ganesh : Perhaps you are busy with the cultural activities, aren’t you?
Gopal : Yes, I under
Ganesh : Is it a day function?
Gopal : you’re right. It is a day time function.
Note : How different forms of ‘be’ are used.
Extra Multiple Choice Questions
1. Colour of Silence is the real story of…….
a. Satish Gujral
b. Inder Gujral
c. Declines Narain
d. Architect
2. Colour of silence is the lesson adopted from
a. Biography
b. Extract
c. National Book Trust of India
d. Epic
3. Satish spent his holiday in _______
a. Gujarat
b. Kashmir
c. Banglore
d. West Bengal
4. Satish’s friend name was
a. Raju
b. Inder
c. Surender
d. Narain
5. Satish suffered frequently and had infection especially of the _________
a. leg
b. head
c. body
d. ear
6. Avtar Narain said that “We will have to look for a ________
a. new home
b. new school
c. new doctor
d. new friend
7. When the accident occurred, Satish was _________ old boy.
a. 8 years
b. 10 years
c. 9 years
d. 11 years
8. His brother ______ sat for hours with him and talked to him
a. Inder
b. Chander
c. Sarat
d. Narain
9. ‘The life of Garibaldi’ translated into Urdu by _________
a. Munshi Premchand
b.Urdu
c. Lala Lajpat Rai
d. Avtar Narain
10. One day Satish was looking _______ in to the far corner of the garden
a. readly
b. happily
c. casually
d. gloomily
11. My son is not dumb, Sir! Said by
a. Master
b. Head Master
c. Avatar Narain
d. Inder
12. Bird’s eyes kept _______ here and there.
a. closing
b. opening
c. darting
d. watching
13. The bird had _________ tail
a. short
b. longish
c. white
d. black
14. He began filling pages and pages with ________
a. doodles
b. strokes
c. pictures
d. painting
15. According to Satish’s father, painting is an _______ pastime.
a. open
b. idle
c. ideal
d. imaginary
16. He had always been good at Urdu ________
a. writing
b. reading
c. calligraphy
d. speaking
17. Satish sketched the bird from memory with a few _________
a. deft strokes
b. colours
c. lines
d. pattern
18. Satish’s strokes varied with his _______
a. memory
b. writing
c. friends
d. Mood
19. According to Avtar Narain, we must always be _______
a. optimistic
b. pessimistic
c. patient
d. peaceful
20. Artists make a _______ and live in poverty
a. earnings
b. pittance
c. plan
d. task
21. Satish Gujral is accomplished in several art forms like painting, sculpture and ______
a. writing
b. colouring
c. building
d. architecture
22. The only ______ for Satish was painting
a. duty
b. work
c. solace
d. hope
23. Satish Gujral was honoured with the ______
a. Padma Vibhushan
b. Padma Bhushan
c. Bharatha Ratna
d. Doctrate
24. Satish Gujral has published _______ books of his works
a. 4
b. 8
c. 6
d. 10
II. Match the following:
P
| A | B | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. rickety bridge | a. fit of illness | d |
| 2. glistened | b. parts | e |
| 3. bruised | c. unfeelingly | f |
| 4. Bouts of fever | d. weak bridge | a |
| 5. snatches | c. shone | b |
| 6. bluntly | f. injured | c |
Q
| A | B | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. persuation | a. tour | d |
| 2. shattered | b. restless | e |
| 3. expedition | c. top | a |
| 4. voracious | d. act of convincing | b |
| 5. crest | c. helpless | c |
| 6. darting | f. moving | f |
Introduction:
This prose is the biography of Satish Gujral. This is adopted from National Book Trust of India. It is an Indian publishing house, founded in 1957 as an autonomous body under the ministry of education within the government of India.
Satish Gujral was born on 25th December 1925 at Jhelum, West Punjab in British India. His elder brother was former Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral. At the age of 8, a sickness resulted in impairment of hearing.
Dozens of documentaries have been made recording his work. A full feature film on his life is in the making. A 24 minute documentary called “A Brush with Life” was released on 15th February 2012. The film explores the literary, cultural, political and personal influence on his life and works. It is a celebration of an artist of unparalleled talent and man of immense fortitude. Four book of his work have been published including an autobiography.
He has won an equal, if not more, acclaim as an architect. His design of the Belgium Embassy in New Delhi has been selected by the international forum of architects as one of the one thousand best built in the 20th century round the world.
Satish Gujral is married to Kiran. Their son Mohit Gujral is an architect who is married to super model, Feroze Gujral. They have two daughters, Alpana Gujral who is a renowned jewellry designer and Roseel Gujral who is an Interior designer and runs the Casa Paradox.
SUMMARY
The lesson is the extract of childhood days of the famous foremost artists of India. This lesson is studied under the unit – Enabling the disabled. The readers get encouragement by the hero of the lesson. c. Satish Gujral. This is the real incident happened. The present prose proves that the physical disability is no barrier to success.
Satish was eight years old, he didn’t attend the school one day His friend Surender came to visit him and asked the reason of his absence. Poor Satish was lying on the bed, he couldn’t hear though Surender called him three times. After that Satish replied that he was not feeling well. Surender with more concerned asked again what was the reason for his illness. Satish didn’t know the reason said that he had terrible headaches and felt everything is going dark and silent. He questioned Surender why did he speak so softly. Surender had a strange look and wondered himself that satish might lose his hearing.
Previous year Satish went to Kashmir with his brother and father during holidays. There he met with an accident. When he went walking with his father and brother, they wanted to cross a bridge which was weak. Both stood on the bridge and looked down the swirling water below. Satish pointed out a spot to his brother, just then his foot slipped and losing his balance, he fell into the dangerous part of the river. When he regained his consciousness, his legs were injured. His head also hurt, he was injured and badly hurt all over.
He had several operations and his legs healed but they remained weak. After that, frequently he was ill and had infections in his ears Satish was suffering from pain. Surender got up and asked whether he will come to school next day. Satish shook his head and Surender left.
Satish was suffering and felt that some huge weight was pressing upon his head, making everything seemed far away and silent. He was upset and helpless. A slow tear came down drop by drop on his 10th English-Second Language
chock. He felt, the silence was worst as he had being confined to bed. He wanted to scream to break the silence but he couldn’t Everything looked like the scenes from some dramatic show. This was very terrible for the eight year old boy. According to doctor, all this was caused by side effects of the medicine given at the time of treatment for his legs. Doctors didn’t diagnose the correct cause,
Because of his illness, he was irregular to his school and had the hearing problem. So the school authorities couldn’t keep Satish in their school. His father decided to look new school for him. But Satish didn’t want to go to new school because he was not able to talk to the new children and had a fear that they would make fun of his deafness. But there was no other way, his father made lot of effort to convince him, at last he agreed to join the school.
They had to face the same situation in the new school also. The -head master said, that was the school for normal boys, why didn’t they took him to deaf and dumb school? Satish’s father Avtar Narain got angry and said that his son was not dumb. Almost all schools rejected Satish. They felt helpless. After this, Satish became very moody. He couldn’t talk freely, at this stage he didn’t hear a single word.
His elder brother Inder accompanied him, hours together and sat beside him. He talked, taught, and make effort to learn the pronunciation of the words. Satish did not go to play with his neighbors because he was unable to bear their talents and teasing of other children. He had very delicate mind, and too sensitive.
His father and his brother spent their time with him and taught him many things. His father brought many books to read and said that he can learn a great deal of things through the books reading. From that day onwards, he read many books. By reading, a whole world was opened for him. He became voracious reader. He read The life of Garibaldi, works of Munshi Premachand, Sarat Chandra and several others. The reading made him feel depressed and left a deep impression upon his sensitive mind. He came to know another world of suffering and trouble while his own world looked comfortable in comparison.
After some days Satish again struck and confined to bed. At this stage he could sit, look out of the window or read the books. One day he saw a rare bird that was flying here and there. It had long tail and black crest. It had restless energy and to flight at any moment. He was attracted by the bird and sketched the bird from his memory. He liked his sketch, and kept beside his bed on the pile of books. He had discovered his past time by filling the pages with pictures and patterns of his thinking. He was good at Urdu writing and sketching came naturally.
But his father thought that it was an idle pastime. Instead of this, it was better to read books. Satish was refused to stop drawing though his father opposed. His mother said to his father that why did he take away his son’s source of entertainment. His father’s concern was about his future. How can he lead his life as an artist? Artists had very less income and his hearing may return at any time and he had to study to make something out for his life. Mother asked how it possible that he can recover his hearing. He had become ill since 3 years. She lost her hope but his father didn’t lose his hope. His father said why should they decide that he is going to remain deaf all his life instead of that they should be optimistic and gently scolded his wife.
Though they visited doctors several time, his condition was not improving. He remained in his silent world. The only comfort in his life was painting. His father was opposed but he managed to paint and draw. One day his father observed his son’s talent and decided to encourage him. He asked his son about his painting, Satish was astonished that his father was not angry with him. After few hours, father brought paints, brushes, drawing sheets etc., and carefully set them on his table. Satish came and hugged his father with love His father said that those things for him. His father found the best school of Arts and his son made his life in his way. At last Satish’s father accepted his son’s wish to become an artist. Satish learnt more than painting in that school and also learnt about life. The boy, now popularly known as Satish Gujral.
He was one of the few artists, famous for painting, sculpture and architecture. He was also a writer. His works were displayed in prestigious museums like the museum of Modern Art, New York, the Hiroshima collection, Washington and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. He had published four books of his works in the various arts.
He was awarded the Order of the Crown for the best architectural design of 20th century for his design of the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi. He was honoured with “Padma Vibhushan”. He was the good example for the disabled could also achieve the best. Disability was no barrier to success.
ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾರಾಂಶ :
Colours of Silence ಈ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಪಾಠವು ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ನೀತಿಯನ್ನು ಬೋಧಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ದೈಹಿಕ ನ್ಯೂನ್ಯತೆಯ ಮನುಷ್ಯನ ಸಾಧನೆಗೆ ಅಡ್ಡ ಬರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಹೃದಯ ಸ್ಪರ್ಶಿಯಾಗುವಂತೆ ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಇದು ನಿಜವಾಗಲೂ ನಡೆದ ಘಟನೆ. ‘ಪದ್ಮ ವಿಭೂಷಣ” ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗೆ ಪಾತ್ರರಾದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕಲಾವಿದ ಶ್ರೀಮಾನ್ ಸತೀಶ್ ಗುಜರಾಲ್ ರವರ ಬಾಲ್ಯದ ಘಟನೆ. ಅವರು ತಮಗೆ ಉಂಟಾದ ನೋವು, ನ್ಯೂನತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮೆಟ್ಟಿನಿಂತು ಹೇಗೆ ಜಗತ್ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧರಾದರು ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಬಿಂಬಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. “ಬೆಳೆ ಯುವ ಪೈರು ಮೊಳಕೆಯಲ್ಲೇ” ಎಂಬಂತೆ ಬಾಲ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಕಲೆಯನ್ನು ಮೈಗೂಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೆಳೆದ ಘಟನೆ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ನೀಡುತ್ತದೆ. ನೈಜವಾದ ಘಟನೆಯಾದ್ದರಿಂದ ಇದರ ಪರಿಣಾಮವೂ ಸಹ ಅಪಾರ.
ಅವತಾರ್ ನರೇನ್ರವರ ಎರಡನೆಯ ಮಗ ಸತೀಶನು ಒಂದು ದಿನ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಹೋಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವನ ಸಹಪಾಠಿಯಾದ ಸುರೇಂದ್ರನು ಅವರ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದು, ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಅವನೇಕೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಕೇಳು ತ್ತಾನೆ. ಕಣ್ಮುಚ್ಚಿ ಹಾಸಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲಗಿದ ಸತೀಶನಿಗೆ ಕೇಳಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಮೂರು ಸಾರಿ ಕರೆದ ಮೇಲೆ, ನಿಧಾನವಾಗಿ ಕಣ್ಣು ತೆರೆದು, ತನಗೆ ಹುಷಾರಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಸುರೇಂದ್ರನು ನಿನಗೆ ಏನಾಗಿದೆ, ಏನು ಕಾರಣವೆಂದು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ಸತೀಶನು ತನಗೆ ಕಾರಣ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ, ಆದರೆ ಹೋದ ಸಲ ಕಾಲಿಗೆ ಆಪರೇಷನ್ ಆದಾಗಿನಿಂದ ಈ ರೀತಿಯಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ತುಂಬಾ ತೀವ್ರವಾಗಿ ತಲೆ ನೋಯುವುದು, ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಕತ್ತಲೆಯಂತೆ ನೀರವವಾದ ಮೌನ. ನನಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಬೇಜಾ ರಾಗಿದೆ.
ಆದರೆ ನೀನೇಕೆ ಅಷ್ಟು ಮೃದುವಾಗಿ, ಮೆಲ್ಲಗೆ ಮಾತ ನಾಡುತ್ತೀಯಾ, ನನಗೆ ಕೇಳಿಸುವುದೇ ಕಷ್ಟವಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದನು. ಈ ಮಾತನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿದ ಸುರೇಂದ್ರನು ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯಚಕಿತನಾಗಿ ಸತೀಶನೆಡೆಗೆ ನೋಡುತ್ತಾ, ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಇವನಿಗೆ ಕೇಳಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಹೊರಟು ಹೋಗಿರಬೇಕು ಎಂದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾನೆ.
ಸತೀಶ್ನು ಹಿಂದಿನ ವರ್ಷ ರಜೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಂದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅಣ್ಣನ ಜೊತೆ ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದನು. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಒಂದು ಅಪಘಾತ ದಿಂದ, ಅವನು ಆಗಾಗ ಖಾಯಿಲೆ ಬೀಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಅಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋದಾಗ ತಂದೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಣ್ಣನ ಜೊತೆ ಕಾಲ್ನಡಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡುತ್ತಾ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅವರು ಒಂದು ಹಳೆಯ, ಟೊಳ್ಳಾದ ಸೇತುವೆಯನ್ನು ದಾಟುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಸೇತುವೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ನಿಂತು, ಕೆಳಗೆ ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ನೀರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ತನ್ನ ಅಣ್ಣನಿಗೆ ತೋರಿಸಲೆಂದು ಕೈಚಾಚಿ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ. ”ನೋಡು, ನೀರು ಎಷ್ಟು ರಭಸವಾಗಿ ಸುರಿಯುತ್ತಿದೆ” ಹೀಗೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿರುವಾಗಲೇ, ಕಾಲು ಜಾರಿ ನೀರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಅವನಿಗೆ ಜ್ಞಾನ ಬಂದಾಗ, ಅವನ ಕಾಲುಗಳು ಜಜ್ಜಿ ಹೋಗಿ, ತಲೆಗೆ ಪೆಟ್ಟು ಬಿದ್ದಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಅವನ ದೇಹವೆಲ್ಲಾ ನೋಯುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತದೆ.
ನಂತರ ಅವನ ಕಾಲುಗಳಿಗೆ ಕೆಲವಾರು ಆಪರೇಷನ್ಗಳು ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ ಕಾಲಿನ ಗಾಯಗಳು ವಾಸಿಯಾಗುತ್ತವೆ. ಆದರೆ ಆಗಾಗ ಅವನು ಖಾಯಿಲೆ ಬೀಳುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಅವನ ಕಿವಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೋಂಕು (infection) ತಗಲುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತದೆ.
ಸತೀಶ್ನು ತುಂಬಾ ನೋವನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಹಾಸಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲಗಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡು, ಸುರೇಂದ್ರನು ನಾಳೆ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಬರುತ್ತೀಯಾ ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿ, ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಹೊರಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಸತೀಶನು ತನ್ನ ತಲೆಯನ್ನು ಅಲ್ಲಾಡಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಅವನಿಗೆ ತಲೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಹಳ ಭಾರವನ್ನು ಹಾಕಿ, ಒತ್ತುತ್ತಾ ಇರುವಂತೆ. ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ದೂರ, ದೂರ ಮತ್ತು ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ಮೌನವಿರುವಂತೆ ಭಾಗವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಹಾಸಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಮಲಗಿರಬೇಕಾದ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಿಂದ ಅವನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಗೊಂದಲಗಳ ಗೂಡಾಗಿ, ಆಸಹಾಯಕನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಮೌನ ತುಂಬಾ ಕೆಟ್ಟದ್ದು ಎನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲಿನ ದೃಶ್ಯಗಳು ನಾಟಕೀಯ ದೃಶ್ಯ ಗಳೆನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಮೌನ ಅಸಹನೀಯವೆನಿಸಿ, ಕೂಗಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಆದರೆ ಅದು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಕೇವಲ ಎಂಟು ವರ್ಷದ ಹುಡುಗ ಇಷ್ಟೊಂದು ಅಸಹನೀಯವಾದ ನೋವನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸಬೇಕಾದ ದುಃಸ್ಥಿತಿ. ಡಾಕ್ಟರುಗಳಿಗೂ ಸಹ ಇದರ ಕಾರಣ ತಿಳಿಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಅವನ ಕಾಲಿನ ಟ್ರೀಟ್ ಮೆಂಟಿಗಾಗಿ (ಉಪಚಾರಕ್ಕಾಗಿ) ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಔಷಧಿಗಳ ಅಡ್ಡ ಪರಿಣಾಮದಿಂದ ಹೀಗಾಗಿರಬಹುದು. ಎಂದು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ.
ಸತೀಶನ ಅನಾರೋಗ್ಯದಿಂದ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಕ್ರಮಬದ್ದವಾಗಿ ಹೋಗಲಾಗುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಕಿವಿಯೂ ಸಹ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಕೇಳಿಸುತ್ತಿರ ಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಅವನ ಶಾಲೆಯವರು, ಅವನನ್ನು ಶಾಲೆಯ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಒಪ್ಪಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಸತೀಶನ ತಂದೆ ಬೇರೆ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಮಗನನ್ನು ಸೇರಿಸಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. ಆದರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಸೇರಲು ಸತೀಶ್ನು ಒಪ್ಪಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಹೊಸ ಹುಡುಗರ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಲು ಸಂಕೋಚ. ಅವರ ತಂದೆ ಅವನನ್ನು ಬಹಳವಾಗಿ ಒತ್ತಾಯಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ಆಗ್ರಹಪಡಿಸಿದಾಗ ಹೊಸ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಒಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡ. ಆದರೆ ಹೊಸ ಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅದೇ ಕಾರಣ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಎದುರಾಯಿತು. ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ಮುಖ್ಯೋಪಾಧ್ಯಾಯರು ಅವನನ್ನು ಸೇರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಒಪ್ಪದೆ ಕಾರಣ ನೀಡಿದರು. ಮೂಕ ಮತ್ತು ಕಿವುಡು ಮಕ್ಕಳ ವಿಶೇಷ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಸೇರಿಸಲು ಸಲಹೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟರು. ಆಗ ಅವತಾರ್ ನರೇನ್ ಕೋಪಗೊಂಡು ನನ್ನ ಮಗನೇನು ಮೂಕನಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ತಂದೆ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಬ್ಬರೂ ಅನೇಕ ಶಾಲೆಗಳಿಗೆ ತಿರುಗಿದರೂ ಪ್ರತಿಫಲ ಸಿಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆಗ ಸತೀಶ್ನು ತುಂಬಾ ಮೌನಿಯಾದನು. ಅವನ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಬಿಗಡಾಯಿಸಿತು. ಒಂದು ಪದವೂ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಕೇಳುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಕಿವುಡುತನ ಆವರಿಸಿತು. ಆಗ ಅವನ ಅಣ್ಣ ಇಂದರ್ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಸಮಯವನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟನು. ತಮ್ಮನ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಕುಳಿತು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಪದಗಳ ಉಚ್ಚಾರಣೆಯನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಡುತ್ತಾ, ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಾ, ಅವನನ್ನು ಸಂತೋಷಪಡಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಸತೀಶ್ನು ಹೊರಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಅಕ್ಕಪಕ್ಕದ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಜೊತೆ ಸಹ ಆಡುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಬೆರೆಯುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವನಿಗೆ ಆ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ತನ್ನನ್ನು ಹೀಯಾಳಿಸಬಹುದೆಂಬ ಹಿಂಜರಿಕೆಯಿತ್ತು. ತಂದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅಣ್ಣ ಅವನನ್ನು ಹುರಿದುಂಬಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಪ್ರತಿದಿನವೂ ಅವನ ಜೊತೆ ಕುಳಿತು, ಅವನಿಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ವಿಷಯಗಳನ್ನೂ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಅವರ ತಂದೆ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಕೈತುಂಬಾ ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನು ತಂದುಕೊಟ್ಟು, ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನು ಓದು, ಬೇಕಾದಷ್ಟು ಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನು ಸಂಪಾದಿಸಬಹುದು ಎಂದರು. ಅಂದಿನಿಂದ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಓದುವ ಹವ್ಯಾಸ ಉಂಟಾಯಿತು. ಅವನು ‘ಲೈಫ್ ಆಫ್ ಗರಿಬಾಲ್ಡಿ, ಮುನ್ನಿ ಪ್ರೇಮ್ ಚಂದ್, ಶರತ್ಚಂದ್ರ ಹೀಗೆ ಹಲವಾರು ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನು ಓದಿದ. ಓದುವಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ಅವನ ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಹೊಸ ಪ್ರಪಂಚ ತೆರೆಯಿತು. ಆಗಲೇ ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ವಯಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಮೀರಿದ ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನು ಓದುತ್ತಿದ್ದ. ಓದುತ್ತಾ, ಓದುತ್ತಾ, ಅವನ ಜ್ಞಾನ ದಾಹ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿ ಅವನು ಓದನ್ನೇ ತನ್ನ ನೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಕೆಲಸವನ್ನಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ. ಅವನ ಪುಟ್ಟ ಸುಖವಾದ ಪ್ರಪಂಚಕ್ಕಿಂತ ನಿಜವಾದ ಪ್ರಪಂಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಜನರು ಎಷ್ಟು ಕಷ್ಟ ಹಾಗೂ ತೊಂದರೆಗಳನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂದು ತುಲನೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ.
ಇನ್ನೊಮ್ಮೆ ಅವನ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಕೆಟ್ಟಾಗ, ಅವನು ಹಾಸಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಮಲಗಿರಬೇಕಾದ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಬಂತು. ಆಗ ಅವನು ಹಾಸಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತು ಓದುವುದು ಹಾಗೂ ಕಿಟಕಿಯ ಮೂಲಕ ಹೊರಗೆ ನೋಡುವುದು ಮಾಡಬೇಕಿತ್ತು. ಅವನಿಗೆ ಇಂತಹ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಾನು ಒಂಟಿ ಎನಿಸಿತು. ಹೀಗಿರುವಾಗ ಒಂದು ದಿನ ಕಿಟಕಿಯ ಮೂಲಕ ತೋಟದ ಕಡೆ ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಒಂದು ಪಕ್ಷಿಯನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ. ಅದು ತುಂಬಾ ಅಪರೂಪವಾದ ಪಕ್ಷಿ, ಇದುವರೆಗೂ ಅಂತಹ ಪಕ್ಷಿಯನ್ನು ಅವನು ನೋಡಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆ ಪಕ್ಷಿಗೆ ಉದ್ದವಾದ ಬಾಲ ತಲೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಪ್ಪು ಶಿಖೆ ಅಥವಾ ತುರಾಯಿ (crest) ಇತ್ತು. ಆ ಪಕ್ಷಿಯ ವಿಶೇಷತೆ ಅದು ಅತ್ಯಧಿಕ ಶಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿ, ಅದರ ದೇಹ ಯಾವ ಕ್ಷಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಕಾದರೂ ಹಾರುವಂತಹ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಹೊಂದಿತ್ತು. ಅದನ್ನೇ ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಸತೀಶನಿಗೆ, ಅದು ಹಾರಿ ಹೋದ ಮೇಲೆ ಮರೆಯಲಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ ತನ್ನ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು, ತನ್ನ ಜ್ಞಾಪಕದಲ್ಲಿರುವಂತೆ ಪಕ್ಷಿಯನ್ನು ಚಿತ್ರಿಸಿದನು. ಅದು ಅವನಿಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಸಂತೋಷವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿತು. ಆ ಚಿತ್ರ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ನಿಪುಣ ಕಲಾಕಾರನು ಬರೆದಂತಿತ್ತು. ಅದನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ರಾಶಿಯ ಬದಿಗೆ, ಅವನ ಹಾಸಿಗೆಯ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣುವ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡನು. ಈ ರೀತಿ ಅವನು ಚಿತ್ರ ಬರೆಯುವ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಹವ್ಯಾಸವನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ಕೊಂಡನು. ಅವನು ಬರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಚಿತ್ರದ ರೇಖೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕೋಪ, ಸಾಂತ್ವನ, ಹಾಸ್ಯ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಇರುತ್ತಿ ಉರ್ದು ಭಾಷೆಯ ಬರವಣಿಗೆ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಕರಗತವಾಗಿದ್ದುದರಿಂದ, ಅವನ ರೇಖಾ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ಸಹಜವಾಗಿಯೇ ಸುಂದರವಾಗಿ ಮೂಡಿಬರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.
ಆದರೆ ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ಅವನ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಯ ಹವ್ಯಾಸ ಅವರ ತಂದೆಗೆ ಸರಿ ಎನಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಕಾರಣ ಹವ್ಯಾಸಿ ಕಲಾವಿದರ ಗಳಿಕೆ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಕಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ನಾಳೆ ಅವನ ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ಗತಿಯೇನು? ಅವನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಓದಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಅವನು ಚಿತ್ರ ಬರೆದ ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಎತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರು. ತಂದೆಗೆ ಇಷ್ಟವಿಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೂ, ಅವರ ವಿರೋಧವಿದ್ದರೂ ಸತೀಶ್ನು ತನ್ನ ಹವ್ಯಾಸವನ್ನು ಬಿಡಲು ಇಷ್ಟಪಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆಗ ಅವನ ತಾಯಿಯು ಅವನ ಸಂತೋಷಕ್ಕೆ ಏಕೆ ಅಡ್ಡ ಬರುವಿರಿ ಎಂದು ಕೇಳುವಳು. ಆಗ ಅವನ ತಂದೆಯು ಅವನು ಕಲಾವಿದನಾಗಿ ಜೀವನ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ ಮಾಡುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ಯೋಚಿಸಲೂ ಸಹ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಕಲಾವಿದರ ಸಂಭಾವನೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಕಡಿಮೆ. ಅವನು ಬಡತನವನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಇವನಂತಹ ಜಾಣ ಹುಡುಗರಿಗೆ ಅದು ಸರಿಯಾದ ಮಾರ್ಗವಲ್ಲ, ಇವನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಓದಿ, ತನ್ನ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು. ಅಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇವನ ಕಿವುಡು ವಾಸಿಯಾಗಿ, ಇವನು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾದ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಗೆ ಬರಬಹುದು. ಆಗ ಇವನು ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಕಲಿಯಬೇಕಲ್ಲವೆ? ಎನ್ನುವರು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಅವನ ತಾಯಿಯು, ಇವನು ಈ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ತಲುಪಿ ಮೂರು ವರ್ಷಗಳಾಯಿತು. ಮುಂದೆ ಇವನ ಕಿವುಡು ಯಾವ ರೀತಿ ವಾಸಿಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದು ಅಪನಂಬಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸುತ್ತಾಳೆ. ಆದರೆ ತಂದೆಯು ತನ್ನ ನಂಬಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ತಮ್ಮ ಹೆಂಡತಿಯನ್ನು ಹಗುರವಾಗಿ ಬೈಯುತ್ತಾ ನಾವೇಕೆ ಅವನು ಜೀವನಪೂರ್ತಿ ಕಿವುಡನಾಗಿಯೇ ಇರುತ್ತಾನೆ ಎಂದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು. ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಆಶಾವಾದಿಗಳಾಗಿ ಯೋಚಿಸಿ, ಅವನೂ ಸಹ ಎಲ್ಲರಂತೆ ಕಿವುಡುತನವನ್ನು ಹೋಗಲಾಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಮಾಮೂಲು ಸ್ಥಿತಿಗೆ ಬರಬಹುದು ಎನ್ನುವ ಯೋಚನೆ ಮಾಡಬಾರದು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಹಲವಾರು ಸಲ ಡಾಕ್ಟರರ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಯನ್ನು ಕೊಡಿಸಿದರೂ ಅವನ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬದಲಾವಣೆ ಕಾಣಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ಮೌನ ಜಗತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಬಿಡಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಕಾಲ ಕಳೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಒಂದು ದಿನ ಚಿತ್ರ ಬರೆಯುವಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತನಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗ, ಕೆಂಪು ಬಣ್ಣ ಬೆರೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಆಗ ಅಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಬಂದ ಅವರ ತಂದೆ, ಅವನು ಮಾಡುವುದನ್ನೇ ದಿಟ್ಟಿಸಿ ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಅವನು ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದು ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಂಡು ಮಗನ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಈ ಹವ್ಯಾಸ ನಿನಗೆ ಬಿಡಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ ಅಲ್ಲವೇ ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದರು. ತಂದೆಯ ಮುಖವನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿ ನೋಡಿದಾಗ, ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಗೆ ತನ್ನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೋಪವಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಗೊತ್ತಾಯಿತು.
ಅವನ್ನು ನಂಬಲು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಹೊರಟ ಅವನ ತಂದೆ ಕೆಲ ಗಂಟೆಗಳ ನಂತರ ಹಿಂದಿರುಗಿ ಬಂದರು. ಬರುವಾಗ ಚಿತ್ರ ಬರೆಯಲು ಅವಶ್ಯಕವಾದ ಬಣ್ಣಗಳು, ಬ್ರಷ್ಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಡ್ರಾಯಿಂಗ್ ಶೀಟುಗಳನ್ನು ತಂದಿದ್ದರು. ಅದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ತಾವೇ ತಮ್ಮ ಮಗನ ಟೇಬಲ್ ಮೇಲೆ ಜಾಗರೂಕತೆಯಿಂದ ಜೋಡಿಸಿದರು. ಮತ್ತು ಹೇಳಿದರು ಇದೆಲ್ಲಾ ನಿನಗಾಗಿ, ನಾನು ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಕಲಾ ಶಾಲೆಯನ್ನು ನಿನಗಾಗಿ ನೋಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನೀನು ನಿನಗೆ ಇಷ್ಟವಾದುದನ್ನು ಕಲಿಯಬಹುದು ಎಂದರು. ಆಗ ಸತೀಶನಿಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಸಂತೋಷವಾಗಿ ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯನ್ನು ಅಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡನು. ಕೊನೆಗೂ ತಮ್ಮ ಮಗ ತನಗೆ ಇಷ್ಟವಾದ ಹವ್ಯಾಸದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ತನ್ನ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಕೊಳ್ಳಲಿ ಎಂದು ಒಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡರು. ಆ ಕಲಾಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರ ಬಿಡಿಸುವುದನ್ನು ಕಲಿಯುವುದಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಜೀವನದ ಪಾಠವನ್ನು ಕಲಿತನು. ಆ ಸತೀಶನೇ ಇಂದು ಪ್ರಖ್ಯಾತನಾದ ಸುತೀಶ್ ಗುಜ್ರಾಲ್. ಭಾರತದ ಪ್ರಖ್ಯಾತ ಕಲಾವಿದರಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಂಚೂಣಿಯ ಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಸತೀಶ್ ಗುಜ್ರಾಲ್, ಪೇಂಟಿಂಗ್, ಶಿಲ್ಪಕಲೆ ಹಾಗೂ ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮರೆನಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅವರು ಲೇಖಕರೂ ಸಹ. ಅವರ ಕಲಾ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನವು ಪ್ರಪಂಚದ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಕಡೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದಿದೆ. ಅವರ ಕಲಾ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಉನ್ನತ ಮಟ್ಟದ ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಯಂಗಳಾದ ನ್ಯೂಯಾರ್ಕ್, ಹಿರೋಶಿಮಾ, ವಾಷಿಂಗ್ಟನ್ ಹಾಗೂ ನವದೆಹಲಿಯ ನ್ಯಾಷನಲ್ ಗ್ಯಾಲರಿ ಆಫ್ ಮಾಡರ್ನ್ ಆರ್ಸನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದಿದೆ. ವಿವಿಧ ಕಲೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅವರು ಬರೆದ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನು ಅವರೇ ಪಬ್ಲಿಷ್ (ಪ್ರಕಟಣೆ) ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. 20ನೇ ಶತಮಾನದ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಅವರು ರಚಿಸಿದ ನವದೆಹಲಿಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಬೆಲ್ಡಿಯನ್ ಎಂಬಸಿಗೆ ಅವಾರ್ಡ್ ಬಂದಿದೆ. ಅವರಿಗೆ ಪದ್ಮ ವಿಭೂಷಣ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಯೂ ಲಭಿಸಿದೆ. ಅವರ ಜೀವನ ದೈಹಿಕ ನ್ಯೂನತೆಯಿರುವವರಿಗೆ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿದಾಯಕವಾಗಿದೆ. ಅವರ ನೈಜ ಜೀವನದ ಘಟನೆಯಿಂದ ಸಾಧನೆಗೆ, ದೈಹಿಕ ನ್ಯೂನ್ಯತೆ ಅಡ್ಡಬರುವುದಿಲ್ಲವೆಂಬುದು ಸಾಬೀತಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
