Among the Not So Great

Bholanath was a treat to watch, to hear and to know

He stood all of 1m 50cm or less, solid, of fair complexion. He cut a neat figure not easily forgotten. A layer of baby fat clung to him, impartially spread all around — but not too much of it. There was not any ‘extra’ to hang or bulge unexpectedly. All angles were effaced, leaving a form of smoothness and roundness — much like a healthy toddler. Let us start at 1m 50cm — we meet a large well-formed head set on a good neck, shoulders and chest. Working downward — a beauty of a tummy, just ample enough to merge with the general contours of the bodyscape, meets the eye, without hurting, yet making its presence felt. This whole beautiful edifice was firmly set on two solid well-formed legs. (Had the Creator added a crown, a trunk and large ears, we may have had a living Nritya-Ganapati.) Bholanath had a handsome face too — a good nose, clear happy eyes, round cheeks, a smile that seemed to be perpetually playing on his lips even when he dozed! To top it all was a great ‘taak’ (bald pate) — fair and smooth as the rest of him. The ‘taak’ was ringed by a ribbon of fine black hair — looked like a bird’s eye-view of an atoll. He was always clad in a white dhoti, worn short for convenience — for Bhola-da was a good worker — and a half-sleeved shirt. This dress was discarded in the evenings. He then donned the Playground group uniform — blue shorts, sleeveless banian, half-sleeved white shirt, as well as white tennis shoes for great occasions (Darshans or Demonstrations). Then, there was the ‘ever-companion’ umbrella. It was deployed above him, a shield against sun, rain, cold, tan, and naughty boys. The skin on top was very sensitive. Some boys, knowing this, would sneak up to him from behind and blow gently on it to send a shiver down Bholada’s spine. Obviously the umbrella was not overhead, but it was not far away. It was rolled up and tucked under one arm. Bhola-da could, and would, take a swipe at his tormentor. That was Bholanath for an eyeful. To know him well would be difficult, but talk to him and you could have an earful of pleasure. There may not be much said, but much was oft repeated — like classical music — for Bhola-da was a great stammerer! This was an added endearing trait in him.

Bhola-da worked in 2 or 3 departments. The earliest I know of was the old Bindery. This was the first, original bindery, set up in the Guest House in the big room near the drinking water place (Children’s Table-Tennis Room No. 2). Many old long-forgotten sadhaks worked there. Biren Palit of long hair, probably started the department and headed it. There was also Chiman-bhai — big burly man built like a wrestler — a Malkhamb adept (he lived where I live now); Sudhir — bob-haired Sarangi and soccer player (Ashram Team, full back). Bhola-da also lived and worked in the Guest House. Bhola-da lived where is now Table No. 1 — the room was then partitioned into two. He was a children’s favourite. They came to play in the courtyard and, being ever hungry, relished Bhola-da’s “toasted bread”. This was but Dining Room bread well dried in the sun!

The Ashram Printing Press — Imprimerie — was started in 1945-46. Sometime later the Bindery was closed, rather absorbed into this Press. The workers (Biren-da, Bhola-da, Chiman-bhai) too were absorbed.