11.8.11

Of Bananas and Annas



The banana revolt has been silent. For years it lived as a vegetable, although it is classified as herbaceous and would probably be snogging with basil and thyme. But when the land of the bananas was destroyed this time round in a thunderstorm, they decided that enough is enough. They marched into the legislative assembly and addressed the house.

“If grapes have been appeased, then why not us?”

The hall was silent. Indeed, grapes that had been classified as vegetables were put on a pedestal. Was it the wine lobby that pushed for it? This was elitism. The bananas had begun to rot. Farmers suffered. Even in good times, the journey from farm to market could be perilous. You can squash bananas even when they are fully clothed.

The Indian Railways provides special rakes for perishable fruits. The banana has not only succeeded in this revolt but will be given special space. It’s probably a great leap forward. It is officially a fruit now in at least one state in India.

How does one react? I always thought it was a fruit. Should we celebrate that the replenishment has now got a new feather in its cap? Will people still indulge in slapstick comedy about falling on banana peels and perhaps less decorous insinuations?

The office stretches on most Mumbai streets have carts selling what they too thought was a fruit and invariably lunchtime would see someone peeling a banana and biting into it. The banana is rarely sliced, unlike the watermelon, or garnished with salt and chilli powder like the guava. It is rare to get ecstatic over a banana’s taste. But there are banana connoisseurs – they hold it up, prod it to check on firmness and even smell it. There is some magnificent secret about the spots on it that I have not been able to figure out.

I was brought up on bananas. A bunch would rest in a large fruit plate and as in some shrine one plucked it out with reverence. I have seen offerings of bananas in temples and the leaves of banana trees are an important part of Parsi weddings, where fish is wrapped in it, braised with herbs, tied with a thread and then cooked. The leaves are also used as plates in traditional South Indian functions and it is a marvel that none of the liquid falls off.

The school tiffin could not accommodate the banana, but much to my chagrin it would be placed inside the handle with instructions to the dabbawalli (the lady who carted several tiffins) to “be careful” as though it were something precious.

In our house, we also had a caramelised banana with dried coconut, not as dessert or a snack, but as part of the main meal to be eaten with – and you may screw your nose – chapatti. We have the temerity to call it keley ka saalan (banana curry)! And guess what? I love it, especially when it is slightly burnt. The flavour is sweet-smokey.

There are other bananas that lend themselves to ‘real’ food, but we have never gone there. And now that it has been recognised as a fruit, I can say that I have always been part of the movement that made it a banana republic.

- - -

You want India corruption-free? Ho-hum. Anna Hazare’s team is now pushing it. SMSes are being sent. The government wants 25 crore people to support the Jan Lokpal Bill, so Kiran Bedi has given a number. You call from your mobile. It will disconnect after one ring and your number will be registered. This is weird and as unscrupulous as any establishment buying votes. Business houses will be happy to lend a hand because they now have to get some ‘moral’ spine and shine. There are enough fancy Gandhi topis who did the rounds the first time and will sponsor such utterly ridiculous ideas.

And for those forwarding the messages from their smartphones lounging on their sofas while watching The Simpsons, just stop simpering about fighting corruption by buying people’s support in this manner. It is no different from paying the peon a few bucks to get to the bada saab in a government office.

I repeat what I have stated earlier in The Pitfalls of Populism: Anna Hazare cannot speak on behalf of the Indian population. We can throw out the government; we cannot throw out such people/groups. If they want to get public support for a legal bill, then they have to contest elections. No other way

11 comments:

  1. FV,

    I am moved to learn of your profound faith (pun unintended) in the legitimacy of elected representatives. I hope you will apply the principle in a uniform manner in all cases! I leave it at that.

    Though some might say "उसीका ईमान बदल गया है, कभी जो मेरा खुदा रहा था" (I looked upon her as God and now she too has shifted her loyalties!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. FV

    I love caramalised banana ... but the chapatti caramel is way out.

    Why is the Gandhi topi called a Gandhi topi?

    Gandhi never wore one ...

    TE

    ReplyDelete
  3. TE:

    My caramelised banana is a bit introverted, therefore the chapatti acts as purdah...yes, it is way out, but I do go out of my way.

    Incidentally, shrikhand with poori is quite a common delicacy, so please make peace with my roti-shoti.

    Re. Gandhi topi, I suppose it is because usne topi pehna diya.

    ReplyDelete
  4. F&F:

    I moved that my cheez moved you. My views on Anna have been the same from the moment he began his 'team' effort. I do believe in the legitimacy of what is constitutional. And the Indian Constitution has provisions for faith, whether is is religion or faith in barbie dolls.

    Though some might say "उसीका ईमान बदल गया है, कभी जो मेरा खुदा रहा था" (I looked upon her as God and now she too has shifted her loyalties!)

    In response, I will quote a ghissa-pitta shair:

    "Khudi ko kar buland itna
    ke har taqdeer se pehle
    Khuda bandey se khud poochhe
    bataa teri raza kya hai" :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Farzana,
    On a serious Note - we might be looking at a new kind of activism. Call it "Facebook Activism" if you want to. This activism essentially appears to be "let me continue with my life and lifestyle and yet support" kind. Somewhat convenient not exactly demanding emotional and physical energies. So what that there is lack of depth in this activism ? Kinda Sorta fashionable with our consumerist middle class. Try comparing it with JP movement in seventies, or for that matter what was inspired by Narmada Bachao Andolan in late eighties and early nineties. The current "Andolan" hardly matches in depth of political analysis. Tragedy is - progressive forces are down and sullen in demeanour. Hazares are filling the space. Much as the cost of issues raised by Medha Patkars.
    Cheers,
    Mahesh.
    p.s. : Have a Nice Weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. FV

    Will do anything, agree to anything ... keep that shrikhand away from me.

    And btw, in response to Mahesh, I would like to tell him that there was a time when I believed in Mr. Galliano's Circus, went looking for the Magic Far Away Tree every morning and thought that Enid Blyton was queen of the universe.

    TE

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mahesh:

    Everything has now got to be dumbed down...is this not why we see Twitter and Blackberry revolutions? I am truly confounded, and even Medha Patkar had to make some supportive sounds. Swami Agnivesh has already had some differences, and this is the whole point - there is no unified front. The reason I mention electoral process is because, besides the examples you mentioned, even the Jan Morcha had to become the Janata Dal to make the public support tangible and be accountable.

    On this issue, unfortunately, there are few takers on our opinions. It is nice that we agree to agree!

    PS: Have a good one too, or two.

    TE:

    Thanks. I'm starved of agreements.

    Re. your response to Mahesh, are you trying to say that he is looking for a mirage? Do you think it is possible for me to replace Enid Blyton? Put in a good word, do!

    PS: Not speaking on Mahesh's behalf, but just adding my millions-worth.

    ReplyDelete
  8. FV,

    Here is that url again; 'TE' got tagged onto the end of it.

    http://tinyurl.com/3ucdm4p

    Should work, now.

    My comment was in response to the idea of "Facebook Activism". The real world does not live on FB.

    If "Nightmares" is not up at Jehangir or at Louvre, you could sell or gift it to me - or mail me a digitised copy. Yes, some of the demons I know live inside me!

    TE

    ReplyDelete
  9. TE:

    I figured about the FB revolution...much like a mirage, isn't it?

    Re. 'Nightmares', it's not even on my wall but may play a role somewhere. I don't have a digitised copy. Is this not a digitised one?

    Internal demons are less colourful but have many more shades.

    ReplyDelete
  10. FV

    Here's another of those Facebook revolutions:

    http://tinyurl.com/3exx3tc

    He even talks of an ATM generation.

    'Nightmares' doesn't right-click and set as screen saver. So, do look for it!!

    Enid Blyton ke post ke liye sifarish ho sakti hai ... but big brother Anna is watching.

    TE

    ReplyDelete
  11. TE:

    I love being part of ATM revolution. Who wants to look at bankers?

    "Nightmares" does right click on my comp. One nightmare recognises another...

    Humne sirf Enid Blyton ke post ke liye sifarish ki hai, uske royalties ke liye nahin!

    ReplyDelete

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