A Hundred Days Of This - Day 99

 Sri Rama Navami Subhakankshalu!

Now is probably a good time for me to learn to play with the cards you have been dealt,and not crib about my situation. That is exactly what Lord Rama does, right? It is not that easy to stay away from home, especially during festivals. But the show must go on and I did make vadapappu and chalimidi (not as well as my ammamma does, but hey, it is my first time!) I know I have been away from this blog as well. Sorry about that. I guess I was emotionally attached to the concept of writing here every day and did not want it to end at all. Just like all good things come to an end, this too has to. And honestly, writing every day does get difficult, and I run out of topics to write about quite frequently. 

What made me come back today? Because there has been an issue that was eating away at my brain, and it could not be a more perfect day than Rama Navami.

You must have heard of Padmasri Bapu gaaru in one way or another if you are a Telugu native. If you have not, I urge you to look him up on the internet. I was first introduced to him by my mother when I was a child. His Budugu was the first ever book I was gifted on my birthday. I grew up into the woman that I was am today, learning about self-respect and self-esteem from his female characters. His cartoons were the only reason for me to wait for the Swathi magazine every Thursday. His art is also a factor for me to learn how to paint and sketch. And if there is any regret that I have in my life, it is that I never met him in person.

For the past few months, I have been seeing a lot of content on Instagram around Bapu gaari artwork. There are firms that are digitally printing his Rama Pattabhishekam on walls in minutes, and many clothing pages are selling sarees and dresses with his paintings on them. It is apparently the most 'trending' thing now. After being patient for a really long time, I did confront one of the "top" interior designer firms and asked if they had permission to use the pictures, because nowhere, not on a single picture, do you see the artist's signature. Neither do they mention nor give credit to the artist on any of their posts. Of course, I was given a "you do not know who we are" for an answer instead of a proof of here is where we have taken the permission for recreating it digitally. 

Sure, a lot of his artwork is available for free on the Internet, and most Telugu wedding cards use his illustrations. My wedding card had them too. Without the signature. Guilty as charged, but that decision was not in my hands, and I could not convince my parents otherwise. Taking inspiration from his work and recreating that magic is absolutely fine as long as "you give the credit to the original artist" and not mass produce it for your own profits. Yes, he is not alive anymore, and that is not a ticket to disrespect him and his life's work. This is the man who never took up painting for the sake of making money out of it. Read all the volumes of Bapu Ramaneeyam. I know handmade art and craft is a bit pricey, and not everyone can afford it. Fun fact: There are a good number of prints on Bapu Collection website available for free. Free! Most of the books and prints are priced at 600 INR or below. The same website has an entire disclaimer stating that using the work for mass production infringes on the copyright. 

The least we could do to respect the man who lived the "Nidhi chaala sukhama..." life until the end and asked to donate money to charity in return for selling his paintings is to be a bit mindful of our purchases. That sounds like a lot of moral policing, but sadly, the Telugu community is notorious for not valuing our very own people and I can see that happening every day on my feed. In the days where it is easy to put a price tag on a lot of things, please do not forget to look at the value of what you are buying. You do not need to get that "trending on the Instagram" product every single time. Not when you disrespect the creator. Think about it.

https://youtu.be/O3Err7Nw-8A?si=dZwbhqd46AhOf44L 

Watch this video to understand the kind of man he was. Look at how he himself says his art style is a result of "copying/getting inspired" by many of his favourite artists. Watch his face glow when he talks about Lord Rama. As a person who barely expressed himself in front of the media, that speaks volumes!

Time for me to watch Sampoorna Ramayanam and go to bed. And oh! I have started my next 100 days challenge. Hope I smash it too. Jai Sri Ram!

And that's Day 99 for you!