WHERE SHOULD MY ASHES GO...?

One of finest actors of old times, Shammi Kapoor passed recently. The “Forefather of Rebels” wished his ashes to dispersed in Dal lake of Shrinagar, so it was done.

Shammi’s image in our generation’s mind, comes from Chitrahar songs. The TV had recently gone RANGEEN and all family sit together to watch it around 8 PM. Shammi’s evergreen songs from An evening in paris, Kashmir Ki kali, Teesri manzil etc were regularly repeated . It was hard to believe that lofar kind of his style overjoyed my father, when the same tried by brother was strongly desisted.

Anyways… His last wish reminded me of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. I heard that He wished to his ashes should dispersed over lands of india “The BharatBhoomi” and so was done with help of airplane. It also reminded one short story by Fredrick Foresyth in which a heirless tycoon, when detected with cancer, sells all his property to purchase load of platinum. Then the precious metal is turned into coffin. All of this was done with due secrecy. Then he make his will that his body should be cremated in sea, in a particular coffin kept in his garage. This way, he ensures that he keeps all his worldly wealth with him, even after mortal life. Perhaps Shammi and Nehruji also wanted to keep all there wealth forever with them. What their  wealth was, I wonder.  

Taking the easy one first, I thought of Nehruji. Son of a wealthy lawyer, he spent his earlier life in roads and jails. Later he rose to thorny throne of power. In Personal life, he had very few things to cherish. Wife died and daughter divorced, sitting at home. He must have found solace in making India a cohesive and prosperous country. So, India and its land was the final choice to get associated forever. His soul will rest there in peace. So, he asked for it.

It also leads answer to Shammi’s case. His biggest hit movies were shot in Kashmir. His iconic “Zulfo ka rang sunhara” ends with his falling in Dal Lake. This song might have been ringing in his ear in entire life. He may have kept white beard below his bald head, but that handsome boy shaking head and singing romantic songs would have appeared every time he looked into mirror. He must have spent good time around Dal Lake, with his wife Geeta Bali mimicking his filmy Andaj in real moments. He cherished those memories of Kashmir, and Dal Lake. He knew his soul will rest there in peace. He also asked for it.

These great men, achieved peak of their respective field. They rebelled, made own path and succeed. But there last wishes make me to think. In this life, while we endlessly battle with Bread, Blackberry, Bureaucracy and Biwi, do we possess some cherished memories? Do I have real passion for something or have associated  with some place that gives my soul final rest. Do I really have strong sense of association with any of world offerings? If not, didn't I wasted  my worldly existence this long?   

This world may or may not remember me after my demise, but I ought to remember some of its offerings. i don't want to leave this world empty-handed. So, in my remaining existence, I’ll strive not only to achieve, but also to enjoy, associate and relish. To depart with such memories deep in my soul. 

So friends, my ashes shall not go to Allahabad, it will be somewhere else ….!!

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By Manish Singh                     ritumanishsingh@gmail.com