Grey, Yellow, Brown--Ageing, basically!!!

Hey.

For some time, the notion of ageing has made me a curious cat of a different kind. In the past two/three years I have lost some very precious people due to death-aunts, uncles, friends. Of course, many of them lived a full life, experienced life in its many hues and also cries. It is but natural that they should have departed for their heavenly aboard. I feel it is terribly alright and similarly natural to miss them. So, it is very interesting to me to hear people how they respond to ageing. And, no need to add that it reflects each one's perception of life itself. So, I was amused to hear one of my maternal aunts say "ಅಯ್ಯೋ!! ಇದೇನೆ, ನಾವು ಯಾರೂ ಹೋಗೋ ಹಾಗೇ ಕಾಣ್ತಾಯಿಲ್ಲ!! ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಹೀಗೇ ಕೂತಿದೀವಲ್ಲಾ!!"  Who talks of death in this manner!! ಎಂಬ ಯೋಚನೆಯ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನೆನಪಾಗಿದ್ದು ದ.ರಾ. ಬೇಂದ್ರೆಯವರ ’ಸಾವಿನೊಡನೆ ಸರಸ’. ಸಾವು ಅನಾರೋಗ್ಯದಿಂದ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಯ ದಾರಿ ಎಂಬಲ್ಲಿದ ಶುರುವಾದ ಆಲೋಚನೆ, ಸಾಯುವ ದಾರಿಯ ಹುಡುಕಾಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ಪುನಃ ಕಂಡು ಕೊಳ್ಳುವಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಮುಕ್ತಾಯವಾಗುವ ಹಾಸ್ಯ ಪ್ರಮುಖವಾಗಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ಬರಹ.  ಹಾಗೇ ನೆನಪಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಪದ್ಯ Death Be Not Proud by John Donne. A very serious poem in which the poet, unlike Bendre, contends to conquer death by the awareness of the eternity of the Soul. That's literatuers' notion of death. Also, it's about the differences in personal and cultural epistemologies.   

        However, the first time I looked at it differently and gave it a serious thought was with a conference in Sociology that was titled somewhat like 'The Sociology of Ageing' etc. With the referential literary mind, the title was interesting, I thought. It was exciting to read the sociological perspective as it was a more objective study of ageing and not so much a personalised, metaphysical response and/or query. As always, did a little bit of net-researching, Google Books etc. The search was an eye-opener of sorts--with books titled 'Handbook of Aging', 'Sociology of Ageing', 'No Aging in India, Alzheimer's, bad family and other modern things' etc. The perspectives are as interesting as they are wide--an analysis of the Indian concept of 'vanaprastha' (to give up worldly life and embrace meditation-No Ageing in India: Alzheimer's, the Bad family and other modern things by Lawerence Cohen) to the role of folkloristics by Roma Chatterji in Critical Themes in Indian Sociology. The arguments presented in these books range from scholars discussing the significance of differentiating between 'elderly', 'ageing' and 'requiring support' to the binaries of biological-psychological, sociological-economical dimensions of ageing. 

              

         I think it is the cartoonists who represent and capture the spirit of ageing in all its complexity. Mr Citizen, by R K Laxman, for example. He is that common, ageing man who hardly is seen, heard or acknowledged. But R K Laxman has made this silenced figure speak loud and clear in his cartoons. Most of the cartoons were created in the late twentieth century and some of them hold good even today. (That's some commentary on development plans, though!!) Here are some of those entertaining elders who are spirited and three cheers to their creators as well

 

  

  

            

 

These cartoons portray humour in old age; some familiar situations, and some attitudes to deconstruct the fascination with youth and youthfulness like dating, and being in love.   

                  

But, one of my personal favourites is Aunty Acid created by Ged Backland. She represents all that is confusion, full of desires and fun that comes with ageing common sensibly- with clarity and articulation.  

 

Dear reader, do share your observations, stories and some cartoons 👇

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