Welcome to another edition of Monday Truclusions! This week, Ashwin is starting us off with a few thoughts on love – in every shape or form.
It’s 14th February tomorrow, a date popular across the globe because it is dedicated to love. So here’s wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Some readers might find themselves thinking – last week I wrote about the relationship between Vedic times and modern day life, and today I’m talking about Valentine’s day. But I believe, as Indians, we accept all that is good in this world.
Spreading The Message Of Love
What could be better than spreading love in society? Going that extra mile to love LIFE, even in trying circumstances. Hence, today in my Monday Truclusions, I am going to tell you a story about divine love, and then introduce you to a truly inspiring personality, who found a way to love her life through music.
In Ovid’s narrative poem ‘Metamorphoses,’ a legendary part of Greek literature, he writes about a sculptor called Pygmalion who fell in love with the statue he had carved.
According to legend, Pygmalion lived in the city of Cyprus where the goddess Aphrodite was worshipped. Pygmalion was a devout follower of the goddess. However, not everyone shared his devotion, especially the daughters of Propoetus, the King of the city of Amathus. They disrespected Aphrodite greatly and were too proud of their own good looks.
The women were cursed by Aphrodite and as a result, they lost their ability to blush. Greatly displeased by the behaviour of these women, Pygmalion developed a dislike towards the opposite gender. His disdain grew to such an extent that he decided to never get married.
An Answer To His Prayers
During this period of isolation, he carved his best work, a statue of a woman that captured perfect beauty. In the statue, he imbibed every quality that he believed the ideal woman should have. The statue was so flawless and lifelike that the sculptor became obsessed with it and fell in love with it.
He would put fine necklaces around its neck, bring gifts for it, and find pleasure in hugging and kissing it. Soon, he grew to believe that the statue was his wife. In his prayers to the Pygmalion, in his prayers to the goddess Aphrodite, he would ask for a wife similar to his statue, but in reality, he desired for the statue itself to become his wife. One day, after he returning from his prayers, he went and kissed the statue. To his surprise, it responded and returned his kiss. That is when Pygmalion realised that Aphrodite had granted his wish, his prayers had been answered! The lovers got married and lived happily ever after.
For The Love Of Music
Now, let me tell you more about the inspiring personality I spoke of earlier. Have you heard of the pianist who doesn’t need 10 fingers to enchant the world with her music? Well, if you haven’t, meet Lee Hee-ah. Lee is a South Korean pianist of international acclaim who was born with only 2 fingers on each of her hands. At an early age, she had to have her legs amputated below the knee. Her thumb on the left hand has no bones. But, somehow, overcoming almost unreal odds, today she is a successful concert pianist.
On a trip, her mother took motion sickness tablets without realising she was pregnant. The pills may be the cause of Lee’s disability. Her mother continued with the pregnancy though doctors warned her that her baby might be born with a disability. They didn’t even expect the child to survive, but she did.
A Mother’s Strength
At the age of 7, her mother made her take up piano lessons, hoping it would help her gain strength in her fingers, and it worked! Her other reason for making Lee learn to play was that her mother felt that if Lee could master the piano, she could master anything. Something similar to what my mother thought – if I could master my academics, I could do anything.
Initially no piano school would admit Lee as a student, but finally, one teacher accepted her. But later, he too gave up on her. Then it was a tussle between the willpower of the mother – daughter duo and circumstances. It took Lee months to gain enough strength to press a single key on the piano.
Overcoming Insurmountable Odds
It was even more frustrating because due to brain dysfunction it took more than 5 years for her to master and play her favourite song. But that was not the end of challenges that Lee had to face. She was rejected at the auditions of the first competition she wanted to participate in because of her physical deformity. However, she was later allowed to participate. And the icing on the cake? She won!
Since then, she has not only won various awards but also the hearts of music lovers everywhere.
When asked in an interview, “Why do you think God gave ten fingers to others and only four to you?” She responded in an optimistic way, “That’s for the disabled. Through the music of 4-fingers, God gave me a mission to let them know. I always thank God that he did this to make use of me in some way.”
Some food for thought: When a feeling like love is so powerful that it can bring a statue alive, and create a musical maestro like Lee – Why does society still nurture feelings like hate, envy, jealousy? I can’t understand why some people say they don’t have a reason to fall in love. What more does one want than to love life, and do things that bring joy to everyone around you? Something to think about, isn’t it?
Before I say goodbye, I want to share a poem about the love that Pygmalion had for his creation, that Lee has for her mother, that I have for my mother, that I’m sure each of us has for someone special, and for life.
I wonder if there was anyone,
Made for me under the sun!
Someone to hold my hand,
And stop the slipping seconds of sand.
Just a look into your eyes,
Must make me feel blessed from the skies;
Now I feel there you are,
To heal every one of my scars;
I now know you are here,
To heal all my fear;
When my last breath is about to slip,
I wish my name is on your lip.
Liked reading this? Then you might also like to read Monday Truclusions – The Challenge Of Building Your Own Legacy.
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