A Comparative Analysis of Khushwant Singh's the Portrait of a Lady and A Photograph

Two lessons that have been added in the first unit of the literature textbook for grade eleven, Hornbill, have both similar and dissimilar themes. Khushwant Singh's The Portrait Of A Lady celebrates the life of his grandmother, while A Photograph describes the passing away of her mother. It is pertinent to note that Khushwant Singh focuses more on the qualities of his grandmother that transcend time. He describes her maturity, spirituality, and serenity; her locks are scattered around her face like the winter landscape, mountains covered with snow. She was the epitome of peacefulness, her fingers counting the beads of her rosary, lips moving in constant prayer. Shirley Toulson's poem, however, talks more about her mother's past and her past coming together in a moment in time. The poem ends in the words, "And of this circumstance there is nothing to say at all. Its silence silences." There is a sense of emptiness, a sense of loss, and a vacuum that cannot be filled. There is poignancy in the poem.

There are, however, a few similarities between the lessons. They have as their central theme the theme of relationships, pleasant memories about relatives they have lost, and they describe a common shared past. It is interesting to note that both the lessons are portraits of people they loved. While Khushwant Singh's Portrait is a written portrait, a capsule of his memories of his grandmother, Shirley Toulson's Photograph is a picture of the mother; her memories are encapsulated in a photograph. 

Both lessons are aptly included in the textbook, as they highlight the importance of relationships and how people continue to live on in our memories long after they have passed away. While A Photograph seems to focus on the temporality of human life, "the sea, which appears to have changed less, washed their terribly transient feet," The Portrait Of A Lady talks about how even in death, there was a "peaceful pallor spread on her face." The room in which the grandmother lies is lit "with a blaze of golden light," suggesting that even in death, there is peace! It is for the reader to decide which lesson is more celebratory of the Dear Departed! In closing, it is important to remember that both lessons teach us to cherish those we love, never to take them for granted, and to uphold the goodness that exists in them!

Meet the bird that can fly 8000 miles without stopping!

The humble Godwit bird is capable of flying 8000 miles without stopping! And this is a lesson in humility for us human beings! All those human beings boasting about their endurance and strength might as well eat their own words when they learn about the godwit bird.

I spotted a large flock of these migratory birds in April 2026, and I took their photographs because they looked distinct. I was also interested in photographing Bar-headed Geese, which are symbols of endurance for their ability to fly long distances at great heights.

It is a matter of great honour to be able to host these birds, although, looking at the developmental activity taking place in the region, one wonders how long we will be able to see migratory birds in the near future. The birds were spotted in the Chandu Budhera wetland area in the month of April. Also spotted in the area were Pied Avocet birds, including the resident Spot-billed Ducks. Pied Avocet birds, too, are migratory birds that travel to the Indian continent during the winter months.

However, some of the most amazing migratory birds are Greater Flamingos. These beautiful birds migrate to India in the winter months, and they are turning large swathes of wetlands into a vibrant canvas of colours. I was lucky enough to spot what I believe to be a juvenile Greater Falmingo that was left behind by its parents. While one naturalist stated that he had spotted it a week back and that it was one-legged, a few photographs proved otherwise!

Don't Weep Over My Bones - A Poem

 

Don't Weep Over My Bones!

I was what I was, a person that lived my life.

There were those who criticised me, but I

Still lived on! I strived to my level best,

And did what I could for those I loved.

Life was a gift, something that I celebrated,

I could not, unfortunately please everyone, though

I tried! I strived and worked to the best of my abilities.

I was tired and exhausted when I came home from work.

Life was an adventure, sometimes great, sometimes not

So great. But, I could not please everyone. Now that I

Am gone, don't remember me for my faults. Appreciate

The efforts I put in, for me and my loved ones!

Don't weep over my bones, for I was more than them.

I was but an ordinary mortal struggling through the 

Times, I fell and got up, sometimes with help and

Sometimes without help. But then I did my best!

If these lines were to be my epitaph, do read these

Lines and think, I was just like you, in life and in

Sleep. For life is just a phase, or is it so? But hope

Did dwell in me. And I write these lines for you!

For we all share in the same end, Dust to dust,

Ashes to ashes, and all it ends in memories so

Vague, etched in the minds of those we loved, or

Those who hated. Remember me if you like!

For where I end is where you you end, the true

Destiny! We all live a short life, but one that might

Be blessed, or not so! If you remember me, then

I salute you, for bones may crumble but memories don't!

From Me From Me - Lines from Beyond Time

For Me From Me By Rabindranath Tagore

From Me From Me

A Simple headstone if you must

An Arrow pointing to the dust

Saying, "There lies a man."

No name, please, for passers by

Let them wonder who I was.

Some liked me, others not

But what I was is what you got!!

In my life, I gave my all.

Many bent, but I stood tall.

Don't waste time on empty tears

I enjoyed all the years.

Maybe sometimes the path was rough.

I tripped and rose 'cos I was tough

Never bothered about the shove

In return, I offered love.

Love lies in the mind

And, like they say, love is blind.

It doesn't matter what you do,

As long as your heart is true.

Never bother what people think,

You're here, you're gone; in just a blink.

So stranger, as you pause awhile

Stop and give a little smile

What I am now is what you'll be!!

Lucky if you're a memory.

These lines touch me whenever I visit the old graveyard in Civil Lines, Gurgaon. They speak from beyond time, and they seem to be among the most powerful lines I have read! They speak loudly of life and death. The lines don't mince words, nor do they gloss over life.

These lines are inscribed on a gravestone in one of the oldest graves in Gurgaon. This is the reality of life, dust to dust, ashes to ashes we end up in. These lines are inscribed on a gravestone, and what touched me is that the inscriber did not want his name on it. Whenever I visit this rather ancient graveyard in the civil lines, I am transported into another world. We recently buried our mother, Mrs. Ivy Lal, a very strong and spiritual lady who passed away at the ripe age of 86 years. She started her prime life in Ethiopia and was the anchor of our family. But what touched me most were the words on another gravestone. While most of us slip into nothingness, a few of us are remembered, and, sure, in this short life we live, lucky are we if we are remembered! 

The lines on the gravestone state, "Don't waste time on empty tears." In any case, She/He lived and "enjoyed all the years". People will speak all things about you, but it doesn't matter as long as "your heart is true". So as a stranger, "Stop and give a little smile" for "what I am is what you'll be! Such powerful words state the reality of life and death. I don't really know who the author of these lines was, but all I know is that the lines spoke to me from beyond the grave, beyond time, an inspiration and an advice for all of us who live!

This post is a tribute to the person who dared to write these lines on his gravestone! Well, indeed, this poem was written by Rabindranath Tagore in his poem, "For Me From Me."

Celebrating the Easter at the Church of the Epiphany

Today, we celebrated the day of the Resurrection with great joy at the Church of the Epiphany, Gurgaon. It was a day of renewed hope for all those who were present. The celebration of Easter marked the end of the Lenten season. The Presbyter in charge, Revd. Prateek Pillai reiterated the theme of the Lenten season when he spoke about the need to be Christlike and to imbibe the qualities of humbleness, service, and forgiveness throughout one's lifetime.

In his message to the faithful, Revd. Prateek Pillai reminded the gathering about the message of renewal brought about by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He talked about how Mary Magdalene might as well have been the first Apostle who was the first to spread the news of the Resurrection. He described how two disciples rushed to the tomb to check on the remains, only to find it empty except for some cloths. He also described how the Apostle John was given the duty of looking after Mary as his mother, and Mary the duty of being a mother to John.

It was indeed a joy to see that the church was packed to its pews with the members of the congregation. There was an atmosphere of joy in all those who were present. After the end of Mass, there was a fellowship get-together in the church lawns where everyone exchanged pleasantries.