Monday, January 14, 2013

Rendezvous with the Renaissance Man

Among the things that define him the least is to say that he is a blogger.

He is someone who is much more, and blogging therefore is among the many activities of his passion. Self taught, self made, supremely adaptable, admirably well-travelled and in a purposeful quest for meaning, reason and happiness, he holds the distinction of being someone out of the ordinary, committed to himself, to be away from the mundane rat race that defines the road to success in the context of the present day.

Sadho Ram, affectionately known as Sadho, is a man who holds life in high esteem and values relationships with importance. So when one Sunday morning, not long ago, i had the privilege of having breakfast with him, only hours before his departure from here, i was adequately reassured of his priorities in life.

But the story begins from many years ago, when a boy decided to break free from what was almost decidedly the natural course of his life - willed for him by his kin, themselves following in the path of their family before them. Aware that the path towards his destiny lay elsewhere, he broke glass and chose to embark upon a journey that saw him go places, pursue a course of study of choice, and transform his life  - a journey which saw him be himself.

Having travelled extensively across the breadth of the Indian union, he continues to be in awe of places and what they hold in store for the explorer in him, the explorer that is him. The more i spoke to him, the more i became aware of him as a person unperturbed by time.

His concerns are not centered around wealth, positions or material gains - those to him are mere dictates of a social order. Sadho is energetically and genuinely articulate about the concerns surrounding human life today - paramount among which is a prevalent lacking of the ability of the individual to unite and bond with the self and thus be aware and cognizant of the the world within and that which lies outside of it.

Close to ninety minutes, an easy south-Indian fare and a soulful conversation later, i decided to let go of him mindful of his impending journey later that day.

But, truly, it has taken only ninety minutes to earn a friend for life.

Footnotes:

On another note, Deepu, my brother, turns 30 day! Welcome to the club, boyo! :-)

29 comments:

  1. "lacking the ability to unite and bond with self and thus be aware..." - Brilliant lines. Only you can write like that :) Your blogger friend seems to be an interesting person, hopping to his blog now...

    Destination Infinity

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    1. Thank you so much, DI. But i must tell you that Sadho deserves every single word of my description and much more.

      He is a very interesting person, indeed.

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  2. The way you describe people, I start envying your friendships. You have that special way of introducing people in such a way that one starts longing to meet them. I think I will look for your Sadho in his blog...

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    1. I am blessed, Saji ettan, for i have the best of friends who chart me through the biggest highs of life, over and over, ever!

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  3. Rakesh, my friend, you have given me a whole new face here. I'm actually short of words .. not sure what to say or how to. Thank you, buddy. The memories of that meet of ours has once again come alive and in more vibrant manner!

    To others, hello fellow-blogging mates, I'm nothing like what Rakesh has chose to pen me here. And sadly, my blog ARTH is no longer active. I've taken it down indefinitely. But you are welcome to connect with me (if you so wish) via Facebook, here: facebook.com/sadho

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    1. Sadho, my friend, it has been nothing short of a privilege to have been able to meet you. What i have etched here are from what i have seen and felt, and to that only parts of what i have been able to reconstruct in words, which therefore is largely incomplete.

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  4. WEll thats how it is always. excellent .. Congrats on meeting the man and intorducing such a gentleman to us too..

    Happy birthday to Deepu, many happy returns of the day

    Bikram's

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    1. Bikram, it has been such a pleasure i can tell you!

      Many thanks for your kind words and wishes too.

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  5. Would love to meet up with you and this friend of yours!

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    1. Sir, i cannot leave Bombay without meeting you! I truly cannot.

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  6. Ah. Rakesh, that's a beautiful dedication to a blogger friend.
    A very happy birthday to your bro! :)
    And hi Sadho, glad to know you through Rakesh... :)
    Bhusha's INDIA TRAVELOGUE

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    1. Thank you so much for your very kind words of appreciation, Bhusha. I'm so glad that you found this piece interesting. Also, thank you very much for your kind wishes which i have passed on to my brother.

      And, most importantly, thank you very much for visiting my space and leaving me such wonderful snippets of brilliance.

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  7. so wonderful to "meet" all the people you bring to us through your blog! and a happy birthday to your brother :))

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    1. Thank you so much, BC. Am so glad that you enjoy these bits. Also thank you so much for your kind wishes which i have passed on yo my brother.

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  8. Today i am convinced, i am not the only one to write about people i meet- you are with me on this.
    Once at Delhi Airport- had a 30 mins conversation with a Tutor who teaches senior citizens.This post of yours, reminds me of that Delhi Tutor and my discussions with him.
    People we meet, bring us the best education- i believe.

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    1. Viyoma, it is so interesting and truly soulful to meet people isn't it? What could life be devoid of people,
      isn't it?

      Right you are when you say - people we meet bring us the best education.

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  9. Interesting meeting that adds value to ones life.

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    1. It certainly has been very interesting and truly invaluable.

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  10. interesting post about a fellow "blogger"...keep writing more this year Rakesh

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  11. Interesting people is what is the best thing about blogging for me :)

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com/

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  12. He sounds like an outstanding personality with passion for travel! You lovely described about him and added thorn to his crown.

    My best wishes to your brother and friend as well :)

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    1. And that's precisely who he is, Jeevan! Thank you so much for your good words and kind wishes.

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  13. That is some chap. We all need a dose of a friend like that in our lives. To keep perspective. Sometimes you forget what you are doing it all for. It's nice for someone to put it out there for you. Bon Vivan Sadho!

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    1. Yes, indeed, some chap really! And i, am a better person that i know him.

      Thank you, AJ.

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  14. Was just going through all the new comments, just want to say one thing, guys, I'm seriously overwhelmed. So much of love. :)

    Rakesh, you've made me some kind of superhuman here!

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    1. Sadho, this comes late, nevertheless, better late than never i suppose! :-)

      I guess i merely stated the facts as they are :-)

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