Village vignettes - the Vinayaka idol

The Creator and the Creation. As Vinayaka Charurthi approaches, the children run to the tank bed for clay, fashion their idol, anoint with kumkum and turmeric, and take it in worship from house to house. Sasim in yellow, is the same sculptor and inspiration.

To protect the child's pure joy in creation and effort, is to leave it undamaged by ranks and medals. As parents we need to undo our servitude to public acclaim first. I have always marveled at the village child's and adult's indifference and unconcern for any such trappings - and reallised how deeply damaged the urban mind is. In many many ways.