Yesterday evening something happened. Like everyday, after finishing my evening snack consisting of a veggie salad and green tea, I was about to go for my evening jog, which I do everyday to maintain a slim and trimmed figure, along with my chiseled abs. The wind was very harsh and just as I started, a price of paper flew into my face. I threw it away ignoring it. When I finished my first round of jogging (5kms in less than 10 minutes. True story) the same paper flew into my face again. Just like how Amba’s letter flew into Aamani’s face in Jambalakadi Pamba. As soon as I remembered that movie, I open and read what was written on the paper. It was a letter. Addressed to someone named Mr. PM from some middle aged person with a strange name. I had nothing to do with it. I swear. Even though this story seems ridiculously fake, it really happened. I am just sharing the contents of the letter as it is. I don’t know the person who wrote this is. I am just sharing this like how people share missing SSC mark lists and lost children/old people photos on social media hoping that the original owner finds this. Or at least Mr. PM, whoever he is, gets the message.
Dear Mr. PM,
My name is Arjun Palwai and I am 35 years old. I am married and I have a 5 year old son. I named him Micheal Velayudham just for fun. I have something to tell you. You because I feel only you can make a difference. It all started a few months after I turned 12. I don’t remember how it started but I got used to playing the flute. Whenever I was alone or sometimes even in company, all I wanted to do was to play flute. Since I did not have anyone to play it with, I used to do it by myself relying upon magazines with pictures or sometimes from songs and movies from television. English movies in star movies were very useful. After the Internet cafés started popping up in my town, everything changed and things were never the same again. I got introduced to a whole new world of flute playing by a friend who showed me in detail how and where to access videos and photos that help me play my flute. Since it was a public place, I used to memorise and once I am home, with the help of my imagination, I used to play the flute usually in the shower or if no one is at home, in the living room. I have to admit, what was available on the internet was something that can be called a treasure. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. One guy playing two blonde flutes at the same time, flutes of all colors and sizes being played in all different styles. In one rather unorthodox video, I remember 10 guys playing a single flute. I also enjoyed watching a flute play another flute. Those are still my favorite. Or should I say ‘were’ my favourite.
I never had many friends Mr.PM. Even if I did, non of them were friends that I could play the flute to or with. Our little town did not really permit us to do things like that. It was in times like that Mr. PM, those videos were my companions. Soon after we bought a computer along with a dial up internet connection, apart from 8-bit gaming and custom animation on PowerPoint, all I did was play the flute. Since both my parents were working professionals, I often used to skip school, stay back at home and continue to play the flute. I used to be exhausted by evening but like a famous man once said, a man’s finest hour is when he lies exhausted on the battle field. Now that I remenise those days, it might seem wrong but times were like that Mr.PM. When my computer crashed eventually, I remember going to the CD rental place. They used have the musical CDs (local flautists from Malayalam) at the corner. I was young and embarrassed to purchase those so I once stole a CD but left the money in that place so that I won’t feel guilty while playing the flute. You see Mr. PM, like many people say, flute playing videos and media donot mislead and spoil kids. It’s just the way it is. There are no harmful implications.
Today I am a middle aged man working in a public sector organisation. Not necessarily a bank mind you. I have a kid who I know is also playing the flute in his room or when no one is home. Who knows may be he already has someone in his life with whom he plays the flute. The thing Mr. PM is that yesterday when I tried to access one such sites, it was blocked. I later learnt that hundreds of such sites are also blocked. How could you let this happen? Don’t you live alone? What will you do in your free time? What will you do when everyone in the house goes out and won’t come back for at least 15 mins? Will you not practice playing the flute? What will happen to my child’s flute playing habit? I am sure Mr. PM you understand how this will impact the social structure. Friends are blaming me for not downloading enough material to have as a back up. I admit I was not prepared for such an apocalypse. I am sorry for trusting the convenience of modern day technologies. People also suggest me to go back to downloading from Torrentz. That reminded me of my days in college and hidden folders. You see Mr. PM, just because there is a buffet available, does not take away the beauty of an absolute BBQ where you can just pick what you need while the guy keeps refilling till you decide to stop and move on. I am talking about flutes in case you forgot.
People have vastly contrasting views on trivial things like capital punishment, women safety, communalism and Indian cricket team captains but on much more serious issue like the blocking of these sites, you should know that there is no difference of opinion. We all stand together. I also would like to add that this is not an all male issue. Even women like to play flutes. I am sure you might be aware of all the statistics by now. I am not ashamed to admit that sometimes me and my wife play the flute to each other while watching those videos and it really helps us keep our rather routine lives eventful and thrilling. There is also no truth in the statements claiming that it is against our culture. There are several temple complexes built in the ancient times, that portray gods and goddesses playing the flutes or at least showing off their flutes. Lord Krishna for example is famous for his flute playing skills. Also there is a misguided assumption that those sites have the capacity to spoil youth of the nation, posing a threat to women’s safety. However Mr.PM I assure you that that is not true. Also, to add to that, I am positive that elders who keep saying these things are ignorant of what their children do in the incognito mode. From experience I confess that infact I have never played a flute with a girl till I was married even though I starting playing it from when I was 12. Those things are mostly mutually exclusive. There are several other more practical ways to protect women which can be a lot more efficient.
You might also be aware how refreshing playing a flute can be. Each morning after playing the flute, one can happily concentrate on other things in life and be more productive in their work. This in a way helps in growth of the national GDP in a way. After a stressful day at work/school/college, there is no better stress relief method than a few minutes of flute playing. Blocking these sites will have a rippling effect on this otherwise peaceful arrangement which will have a psychological, sociological repercussions. To be frank Mr.PM, I hope and pray that this entire issue will settle down in a few days and things will go back to normal. This is something that need not be given the importance or the thought that it is being given right now. There are far more dangerous evils that one can fight against if he/she chooses to. Like poverty, rural infrastructure development, education, health etc. You can try to save and protect people who are said to be exploited due to this flute manufacturing industry by better and practical ways. Blocking these will not solve the problem. That is all sir. I bring my issue like a corpse in front of you. You may bring it back to life like Jesus Christ or take a lecture on how death is inevitable like the Buddha, whatever you do Mr. PM, please let me play my flute.
Yours faithfully,
Arjun Palwai,
Flute enthusiast.
So that’s that. Word to word I have just typed the contents of that letter. It clearly is about some guy worried about what would happen to his flute playing because some sites are blocked. Some Mr.PM is perhaps in charge I don’t know. I hope what ever his problem is, it is solved soon because I could sense the passion and love this man has for his flute playing habit. And for those who might want to see the actual letter, sorry I lost it. Lost it when I was trying to protect a handicapped person from getting run over by a lorry. This happened while I was going to an orphanage to give my monthly donations. Tough luck.
The Cannibal 