Certain scenes cannot just be wiped out of the lore that floats nebulously around certain individuals. Think of Bhagat Singh, and who can ever forget a young martyr requesting the jailor, who came to fetch him to the ugly gallows, with "Just a few minutes more. I am about to complete reading this book. The last page and the last few lines, please." The brilliant bibliophile, who was both a committed activist and a revolutionary thinker, thus comes alive in the most cynical mind.
Think of Savarkar and can you ever forget the Marseille adventure, however much may the doubting Thomases debate the length, the breadth, the depth of the sea water near the pier? It is a totally separate story altogether that these worthies, they themselves will not be able to dive into a pool five feet deep!
Yes, the other major events matter much in the lives of these extra-ordinary individuals. And, oh, yes, there happen to be very many. Yet an iconic moment defines the magic that such lives are.
Today is the birth centenary of Sambhaji Maharaj. He, too, is one such illuminati who lived a luminous life. Which, in your opinion, is the most magical moment in his life ? True, tough to decide indeed! Many, who have known him due to the film "Chava", would say that his tragic death is etched forever in every mind.
Undoubtedly! In my opinion, however, it is his stay as a political hostage at the great ole age of nine! Till that moment, may be, he never knew a moment away from the warm togetherness with Jijabai, his grandmother. Suddenly, for political convenience that suits the Moghul demand for the Purandar Treaty, this kid has to stay as the human alibi in the enemy camp, surrounded by weapons of every kind, physical and psychological!
He survives that impossible feat! Like a prince! Absolutely royally! Learns a trick or two from the princes around, teaches them a strategy or two. Mirza Raje Jai Singh actually grows fond of the lad.
In my opinion, this stay as a young boy in the enemy camp truly made him. Thus he could survive the terrible days incognito in the return journey from Agra back to Fort Raigad, when he had often to be all alone amongst total strangers.
Sure, the gory end he had to suffer is tragic beyond words. Yet he was much experienced then, was a grown-up man who had seen many up's and down's, a few due to his own mistaken judgements. The childhood imprisonment, however benevolent apparently, thrown by the destiny at him and his father, it he braved truly like a king. Born Brave indeed!
Pratima@ Bravery is the audacity not to be hindered by failures, and to continue to walk with freedom, strength and hope in the face of total annihilation, complete disasters!
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