I had the most exciting day today. E—wait I am not being methodical about this account. I was in bed with a cold and my dad was looking at his phone, lying down beside me. I took to staring at his phone and had a very interesting time. Then he got up and started whispering so quietly and I heard some words. Art exhibition…surprise…August. I asked sweetly, “Nana, are we going there today?”. He was under my charming spell now. “Yes sweetheart that’s the surprise that I promised you”. I jumped up and squeezed Nana tight. He was caught off guard for a second but then hugged me back in return. We quickly showered and made for the front door.
Once we were there, we got out of the car and Nana walked confidently ahead of me. Then I told him he looked like an over-confident reporter and he resumed his normal walk. I suggested that I could draw whatever I saw and he agreed. The MNS (Madras Naturalists’ Society) was a group where volunteers and members plan activities to create awareness on nature. This was an Art Exhibition (which took place in Youth Hostel)- part of the MNS’ plans. We glanced at some lovely pictures of birds and animals by students who drew expertly and I was mesmerized. They were so colourful, and I started to wish I could colour and paint like that.
Nana started talking to a gentleman with a moustache who I learnt was Mr. Elumalai, Nana’s friend. We introduced each other and as I started talking to him, I realised he was a very pleasant person. He showed us a cube and it was fixed in such a way that if you keep turning it inside out you must spot how many animal pictures were there. It was riveting and enthralling. The Art Exhibition was marvellous! We even saw different types of shells! Huge corn shells, dotted seashells, striped ones… Some 12th grade students who were also volunteers explained about global warming and climate change to us and how that affected nature, which was so interesting. During the Covid-19 they couldn’t very well set up a campaign to save nature- instead they communicated using art. It was all about how to save nature.
Mr. Elumalai introduced us to a person, with whom I chatted with while Nana and Mr. Elumalai caught up with each other. He shared all his knowledge with me, and I was fascinated. Well, he was taking me to have lunch in the Exhibition, but Nana stopped him and said very politely that we had lunch waiting for us at home. We said goodbye and Mr. Elumalai gave me a lovely gift and we stepped into the car, waving. And now, when I reflect upon it, that was quite enough excitement for one—yawn—day. Goo---yawn---night!
Yes, those people over there toiling to retain nature so that young kids who travelled and settled in Bolelocho can come back and really enjoy what was reclaimed and to be amongst the woods and valleys and off course with bugs and birds too. I heard that one Bolelochian time travelled to earth to access the situation here. Hopefully I think she got impressed and would join the force.