[Jonquil's Journey] Stranger than fiction

[Jonquil]

A couple of weeks ago I was asked if I wanted to go to India.  That's the equivalent of asking whether ducks like water.  It's a no brainer but nevertheless, I was humbled by the question and assumed they must be joking. 

Manjit was on the other line.  I met Manjit in Wembley at a Temple for Shirdi Sai Baba in February.  We said 'Hello' and Darshan our mutual friend, told me he made films.  I didn't see him again until a few months later, when somehow or other it was agreed we would collaborate to document stories about Baba.  

John Lennon once said "Life happens when you're busy making other plans."  Certainly for me, this is true.

In January I was in Shirdi and wrote an article for 'Namarupa' magazine about Baba.  I met Vaidya who helped me gain access and meet prolific people who could share some interesting stories.  He asked me back then, "Why don't you make a film about Baba."  My little (big) voice inside, just thought the task too daunting.  How could I possibly do justice? 


I let the question die but without willing it, people kept asking me, why not make a film about Shirdi Sai Baba?

Then without any real thought or desire, Manjit and I met to film a man from Nigeria who was a devotee of Baba.  He had an interesting background, especially as he was brought up Muslim in Africa.  How did he become a devotee of Baba?  I was instantly intrigued and saw the potential finding similar, surprising stories.

It's probably true to say actually, Baba was Muslim and in the ancient tradition, known as a Fakir.  Today however, it's mostly Hindu devotees that celebrate His blessings.  


A few months later and Manjit is on the phone to me, "I think it's important to go to Shirdi for Guru Purnima.  There's a large group from Germany, Japan and US that will be there.  We could get a lot of material."


Guru Purnima happens once a year on the full moon, somewhere between July and August depending on the Luna calendar.  It's a day to honour the Guru. 


"Yes."  I say, already rocketing out of my seat.
"I think you would really help with the group and getting access to their stories."
"Wow!  Yes, I will do whatever I can.  I would love to be there for Guru Purnima, wow what a blessing.  I can't believe it."  Etc Etc, I probably went on a bit here, exclamations and all..
"Don't worry about money JQ, you will be taken care of."

Manjit is a family man.  He comes from Gujurat and moved to Kenya when he was a child.  The strange coincidence is he knew Darshan, (previously mentioned in other blogs) from his childhood days, growing up in Kenya.  They went their separate ways for twenty odd years until suddenly unexpectedly, Manjit bumps into Darshan at the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Wembley two years ago.  Neither knew they were in England.

Suddenly I was rushed off my feet, planning the trip.  Trying to contact the large group from around the world to hope they would allow us to film them.  It was tricky.  They were initially reserved.  Understandably.  Who knew what kind of documentary we were making?  They had a right to protect themselves.  However, Manjit gave concerns, "There's no point going unless we can film the group."
"I think it's going to be OK."  I said but didn't know for sure.  I wasn't the one booking the tickets.

I got my visa just in case then I got an OK from the group and told Manjit to book the flights.  "Lets go."  I said.  "Baba Malik."  Malik is a term of phrase, meaning in Urdu - God's doing.  It seemed to me that Baba was drawing us in, like a sparrow on a string.

Then I had a dream and it was all in Shirdi and we were there, filming.  So I called Manjit and said "Hey, I've had a dream about Baba and filming in Shirdi, we've just got to go and let things happen.  It will all work out."

There's just one thing.

Another unexpected situation, although this one wasn't so easy for me.

Darshan had told an Italian lady called Roberta, to contact us.  She was wanting to go to Shirdi and we arranged to meet in Mumbai and travel together to Shirdi.  I invited her and Manjit to my flat and we met.

"I want to share with you."  She began.  'Oh dear'  I thought, this isn't a 12 step AA program where we sit and 'share.'  I thought we were going to just discuss logistics, bus timetables, places to stay etc.

"I'm on medication.  I have bi-polar."  She went on a bit about it.

And sadly in the process, she lost all my sympathy, empathy, humanity or whatever.  It's not to misunderstand the terrible outcome this disorder has.  I have a friend who suffers with bi-poloar, she was like a sister to me but she's been in bed for years.  Another friend, dear Jonny who threw himself off Beachy Head this year, had bi-polar.  God bless Jonny.  He was so funny.

But here lies a difference and where I think society grants people, who basically can't own their own shadow, a handful of pills for attention and a feeling of being 'special.'  Am I cruel?  Probably.

It's like being part of a group.  "I have bi-polar" is the equivalent to, "I buy Loubountin shoes."

For three hours Roberta talked and talked about her needs and wants and needs and wants, finally I said, "OK, I'm going to Shirdi to make a film about Baba and I'm going to be busy.  If you want your own room, best you get on to it straight away."

She replied, "I've been admiring your shape Jonquilla, are you pregnant?"

I thought, 'well if you don't have bi-polar, I'm sure going to give it to you!'

And here lies the beautiful synastry between folk.

The following day I phoned Manjit, he says "At least we know now."
Thank God I thought, I wasn't the only one!
"What am I going to do if I sit next to her for six hours to Shirdi?  She's going to exhaust me."
"We'll tranquilize her."  He replies.
"Now your talking about another movie Manjit!"  I reply.


Who knows what kind of film we'll make or what kind of experiences will happen.  There's an upside and bound by it, a downside but always a learning.  Life is like wading through mud, during the most spectacular sunset. 


Om Sai Ram 






  

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Posted By Jonquil to Jonquil's Journey on 6/26/2012 01:55:00 PM

[Anita Taheer]

Just know, that there are huge scams in India involving Nigerians. They'll promise you stuff, ask for a 'small' initial amount and then leave you high and dry. 

Take Care.

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