The Unbridled Passion For A Man of 7th Sense--- Mr.Sherlock Holmes

221B,Baker Street,London-- The world wide famous address of the consulting detective Mr.Sherlock Holmes.Accompanied by the physician companion Dr.John Watson and the house land lady Mrs.Hudson,this great detective with an awarded wit and sharp,keen and accurate observational skills undoubtedly creates an illusion of a real man of existence rather than  a character derived from the figment of imagination.

                 The most striking feature of this detective series is that it not only reveals the culprits and the cause of the crimes but also reveals the turmoils of human psychology,the mayhem of the world and paints a perfect picture of the society that showcases the extent of deception,revenge and greed.It highlights the Victorian society to a certain saturation extent while keeping mystery and thrills attached like an unsevered umbilical cord that nourishes the whole story throughout.

               Its the commendable talent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to have sketched such a character who towers over not only its contemporaries but also its own creator.Giving a list of in which field Sherlock Holmes is proficient in 'The Study in Scarlet'--we can happily declare that he is the man of multiple caliber.With profound knowledge in Chemistry to a master in jujitsu,from playing the violin well to having an immense knowledge in sensational literature...He is not a man,not a person ,not a drawn character but a personality.An inspiring personality who never pushes but lights the flame in heart to go for ''In search of Truth''.

           The adaptations of this great character traverse through centuries till today.Many actors have given their best as Sherlock Holmes but  Basil Rathbone  and Jeremy Brett have been considered the best in playing the quintessential character.People have loved Mr.Sherlock Holmes not because he is  an intelligent wizard rather because all his words,actions,theories and deductions are 'elementary'.

           He is not only a great helping hand to the Scotland Yard in solving the 'not-so-seemingly-simple' mysteries but he is a great social psychologist.He quickly yet accurately deduces the characteristics,recent and past history of his clients or the suspects from their diction,dressing sense,attitudes and marks on skin e.g.tattoos.

              The world and especially the genre of detective and thrillers would always remain grateful to the inspiring figure behind this towering detective characters of all times--Dr.Joseph Bell.Not to forget the  striking illustrations by Sidney Paget which gave a quick outline of how does the 'gifted man'look like.Acclaimed for his astute logical reasoning and  awing Watson and Hudson with his disguises,he the great Mr.Sherlock Holmes remains as a man of 7th sense for whom I harbor an unbridled passion.

            He is a high functioning sociopath for whom it is stupidity rather than courage to refuge to recognize danger when it is close upon us.

''When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains however improbable must be the truth.''

P.S.:The opinions expressed are personal views of writer except the facts.

The Swirling Feet

 ''Dance''.... the verb itself signifies freedom,liberation and not surprisingly passion.Today every parents want their child to attain expertise in one or the other performing arts but with me it just happened.Clutching my 'very' long skirt in both my fists I used to swirl a few rounds in my study room and there my teacher happened to notice me.He was our guest for the day and I had no knowledge about his occupation.After a few formalities I shut my self in my own little world of colours,music,books and not to forget the occasional tunes of my anklets.These anklets were the ones who somehow inspired me to dance to my hearts content and for me dance was never a practising art or a career prospective.It was just swaying with the tunes and getting lost in a world away,very far away from melancholic reality.
           My formal dancing class started on one fine Sunday afternoon.I with complete interest and attention learned all the steps he taught me.He was a great teacher and companion who not only taught me the dance steps but also taught me steps to take in this oblivious world.My love for dance turned into a passion.I used to swirl a few steps in kitchen much to the amusement of my parents and siblings.The bonding of ours over the cups of cold coffee in scorching summer,piping hot cups of tea in cold winters and learning the dance poses of ras-leela while observing the monsoon showers are etched in memory for ever not to be erased due to any malady.
            With the sweet smiles came the pal of gloom when  on one indolent afternoon he informed  me that  he has been chosen as the cultural brand ambassador of Malaysia and he is going to settle there.Tears pooled in my eyes.He wiped the lone tear that escaped my eyelids and promised me to stay in contact.That was the last glimpse of his.I was shaken to the core.I left dancing because each time I posed a pose his straightening of my wrists and fingers in perfect 'mudra,' made me remember him.I was emotionally connected to him and without his guiding presence I felt despondent.Time rolled on and I completed my studies,got a job and got married.
                  15 years have passed yet.It was the annual night of my 6 years daughter Namya and the moment I watched her tiny foot steps swirling in perfect synchrony to the tunes of a classical tune the dormant dancing soul in me rose from a deep slumber.I however supressed my urge to dance again forgetting all the pathos of my life.Because I was skeptical that how my husband and in-laws would react?? The few skeptical thoughts made my advancing foot slow down.
           It was a holiday and I had engrossed in my gardening work.Suddenly I heard the tunes of 'ghungroos' coming from a distance.I carefully listened to the tune and realised that it was none other than my  Namya who has worn my ghungroos and is swirling around the room.I smiled at her mischief of  taking out my ghungroos from the purse kept at the ennobled platform of the shelf.I looked at the aluminium made ladder stacked to the shelf door and looked at my daughter who was doing poses,pirouettes and was lost in her tiny world of  joys.I held her before she stumbled and fall flat on the floor.She smiled and kissed on my cheeks whispering  'Thank You Mumma,your ghungroos are too big to wear and dance.Please get me a pair of my size and I want to join the dancing classes held at my school.'I nodded in affirmation.I saw a glimpse of my child hood in her.
                 Randomly I took the ghungroos lying on the floor and put my foot to the tunes of 'Shiva Tandav Strotram' played on the deck.The strotram was coming for my mother-in-law's room.I swirled my feet to match the tunes of the melody forgetting my identity and the position I was in.After dancing to my heart's content for a good 20 minutes I was amazed that the dancer in me was still intact.I heaved heavily and wiped the sweat beads from my forehead.I prepared to leave the room and return to my left out work at the garden.Then I got the biggest surprise of my life.My mother-in-law accompanied by father-in-law were looking at me with shocked expressions.I felt bit shy and then I remembered that I had worn the ghungroos whose jingling sounds were enough to attract the attention of others present in close vicinity.I quickly removed them and touched them to my forehead before placing them safely in my purse.I felt short of words as to what explanation and justification to give to my in-law parents.Then my mother-in-law said -''You did a good deal of dancing.That was beautiful''. I stood fixed to ground and in an impulse gave her a tight hug.She caressed and pat my back and asked me to promise that every Sunday afternoon I would present her a show.I was elated to the core and tears threatened to spill through my eyelids.
                      Again after very long time I danced to my heart's content and that was a pure bliss.I just wish that if I could only see my dance teacher again and learn something more...about dance and life.

        P.S.;.--The characters,scene and the story are purely fictional.Any resemblance with true life and character is completely coincidental.