ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ ತಮಾಷೆಗಾಗಿ (2024 May)

 (ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. Tried to dramatize an incident that happened at Udupi 🙂👍)

There is a queue for Sri Krishna Darshan at Udupi Krishna Mutt. Srikanth, driver Suresh and me waiting in quite a long line.)

Malathi : (smiling) Oh, the foreigners! They just jumped over the railing to skip i the queue. (chuckles)

(A Telugu-speaking couple tries to slip through the railing, but the husband gets stuck.)

Malathi: (laughing) And look at that couple! The wife slipped through easily, but the husband... well, let's just say he's a bit more... substantial.

(The husband grumbles and trudges through the loooooong queue to reach his wife.)

A still smiling Malathi's   eyes  locked with this foreigner. I could tell he wanted to talk. She wanted to avoid

(The foreigner approaches, asking devotees to move forward.)

Foreigner: Are you from Karnataka?

Malathi: (briefly) Yes.

(Srikanth engages with a group of lady travelers )

Srikanth: ಯಾವೂರು ಯವ್ವಾ?
ಕುಷ್ಟಗಿ ಸರ್!! (Where are you from? From Kushtagi!!)

Traveler: ಹೌದು ಸರ್, ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳ ದಿಂದ ಬಂದೀವಿ. (Yes, sir, we're  here  after a visit to Dharmasthala.)

Srikanth: ಅಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿತ್ತು? (How was it there?)

Traveler: ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿತ್ತು ಸರ್. ಮೂವತ್ತು ರೂಪಾಯಿಗೆ ಉಳಿದು ಕೊಳ್ಳೋ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಆಯ್ತು. (It was good, sir. We got accomodation for 30 rupees.) ಆದರೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ 500 ರೂ ಕೊಡಬೇಕಂತೆ.
ಶ್ರೀಕಾಂತ್ : ಮೊದಲಿಗೆ ದೇವರ ದರ್ಶನ ಪಡಕೊಂಡು ಪ್ರಸಾದ ಉಣ್ಣಿ. ಆಮೇಲೆ ಉಳಿಯುವ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ನೋಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ. ಛತ್ರ ಗಿತ್ರ ಇರತಾಂವ್.

(The foreigner continues talking to the malathi.)

Foreigner: Do you come here every day?

Malathi: No, I'm from Bengaluru.

Foreigner: Oh, you traveled so far to visit Krishna.

Malathi: (smiling) If we're ever in the vicinity, we make it a point to visit the temple.

(The foreigner asks about her profession, and Srikanth becomes interested.)

Foreigner: Are you a teacher?

Malathi: No.

Srikanth: Which part of Russia are you from?

Foreigner: Central Russia.

Srikanth: (mimicking shivers) Oooooh, it's so cold there!

Foreigner: Oh, you've been to Russia?

Srikanth: No.

Foreigner: Then how come you know so much about Russia?

Malathi: (interrupting) He reads a lot. He's quite knowledgeable about stuff.

(The queue moves forward, and Srikanth removes his t-shirt at the behest of the priest)

Srikanth: Oh, you have this thread (ಜನಿವಾರ)around your body. Are you a Brahmin
Srikanth: (answering) Yes.

Foreigner: I visit India every year. ( As he was.parting he said he visits Manali every year to trek)

(A priest arrives and takes the foreigner's group with him, skipping the queue.)

Malathi: (watching) And look, the priest is taking them ahead.
Meanwhile, there's a live bhajan going on in front of the idol... the voice is heavenly, but I couldn't see the singer's face due to the crowd.
ದರ್ಶನ ಪಡೆದು, ಊಟ ಮಾಡಿ, ನಮಗೆ ಕಾಯ್ದಿರಿಸಿದ ಕೊಠಡಿಗೆ ಮರಳಿದೆವು. ಒಂದು ಮದುವೆ ಎಟೆಂಡ್ ಆಗಲು ಹೋಗಿದ್ದೆವು.