Mr.Mehra and the North

I have had the somewhat unique experience, in my short life, of being exposed to two completely different cultures within my own country. Coming from a South Indian background and being born in Madras(Chennai now), I have had occasion, to observe on a regular basis, both the people and the customs of the south. It also happens that I have lived all my life in the north, in Delhi to be particular, which, in turn, has allowed me to experience an altogether different way of living and thinking.
Going to school in Delhi the year round and then setting off on a summer vacation to Madras requires even youngsters to allow for a change of perspective and understanding. So I have, from quite an early age, been privy to this apparent difference in "philosophies" that defines the two metros. My family is a traditional, brahmin Iyer family, and going to school in DPS Mathura Road, that most ' Delhi ' of Delhi schools, only accentuated the differences for me. This upbringing ensured I imbibed a mix of what it meant to be a "Dilliwaalah" and a "Madraasi". Not that I, for a moment, hesitate to term myself a true northerner. I might have a few "tam bram" aspects to my character, but for the most past, I am as "Northern" as they come. I have embraced the "Northern" way far more naturally, and it seems to me rather more appealing .

The way of the north is to live life to the fullest, and nobody epitomizes this more than my dear neighbor, Mr.Mehra. Something that is bleedingly obvious about India is the diversity of its people, but Mr.Mehra, for me, captures what you would expect the stereotypical northerner to symbolize.
Mr.Mehra is 78 years old, and is a widower. I have known him now for the past six years, and am yet to have had a dull moment with him. His eyes still sparkle with all the joy and impudence of youth, and every word he utters is full of wit and intuition. He still works, on a 9 to 5 basis, 5 days a week and even drives himself to the factory in the mornings! The communists and labor unions are a pet peeve of his, and he doesn't hesitate to launch into a lengthy diatribe, berating their actions, at the drop of a hat. Mehra 'saab' still enjoys his whiskey and chicken, and regularly reminds me of the advisability of both of these as "fuel" to see you through life. Many a time I have seen him return, past midnight, driving his own car back home after one of his regular revelries.
Mr.Mehra loves to enjoy himself and never takes himself seriously. He is irresistible in his humor and quite schoolboyish about pulling someone's leg. Regularly advocating to my parents the need to get my sister and I married at the earliest, he will even offer to pay for our marriages. Another of his favorite teases is to rib my father about not paying enough rent for our flat, and this in front of our landlord! Quite oblivious to the embarrassment caused to both the present parties, he will have himself a good laugh and make sure the others laugh with him. He possesses an extraordinary gift for one-liners, delivered with an absolute deadpan look straight into the listeners eyes, with an alarming consistency. All in all, his life is full of zest. He aims to live it up to the end. Personal misfortunes, money matters or societal opinions have not been able to deter him from his simple quest of leading a happy and meaningful existence.

He typifies for me the essential qualities of the north, that are sorely missing in the south. A zest for life, and a perspective that you get only one shot at life, so live it well. The Southern brahmin does not know the meaning of fun, it is unheard of for people to be working beyond the age of 60, leave alone being well groomed and enjoying oneself in the evenings with a glass of whiskey in hand. The sheer conservatism and piousness of the south can be nauseating at times. They need to learn to have fun. Nietzsche wanted each one of us to dance at least once a day, if only this could be instilled in all of our dear old people of the south. How much does it take to have a good time? Mr.Mehra will surely shoot back, " Beta, if you are having anything at all, then it should be a good time, otherwise don't have anything at all."