Monday, October 07, 2013
Wonder
It’s close to 7 pm. The sun has long set,
leaving the middle of the ocean pitch dark. Save for one light- which
ironically, is at the bottom of the relatively shallow ocean floor. The setting
would be ideal for a lost-at-sea-shark-attack story, but this is not one. Far
from it.
Within moments, the divers go down to light
the ‘camp-fire’. A set of incandescent LEDs pointed up at the surface. Not to
be outdone, the dozen or so boats let loose their surfboards, fitted with an
equally powerful set of LEDs. Suddenly, it’s a veritable Las Vegas down there. The
moments-ago dark and silent ocean is buzz-feed of activity. There are these flashing
bubbles rising up to the surface, taking on different forms of light as they leave
the divers’ breaths to make their way to the top, their journey often cut short
by a waiting snorkeller’s arms of wonderment. Drawn to the light like moths,
plankton of all shapes, sizes and colours start hovering about. The orchestra
is almost set, the supporting cast have taken their places. The audience waits
with bated breath.
And then comes the grand entrance. The stars
of the show. Manta-rays over 1000 pounds large, with wingspans over 12 feet. Graceful
as ballerinas as they execute one musical somersault after another. The snorkelling
spectators can only gape with wonder at their intimidating jaws, their sheer
presence and their uniquely patterned underbellies. They’re so close- an
outstretched arm would leave an indelible print. There is no music, but the
silent symphony can be heard more clearly than any sound. There is no
choreographer, but then co-ordination is for humans, not ethereal beings. And with
a dark-blue setting, vision obfuscated by shimmering bubbles and silvery
plankton, what could better qualify for other-worldly.
Life sometimes has very subtle ways of
reminding us of the enormity of it all and our relative insignificance. Sometimes
however, the message cannot be more highlighted. Floating on the ocean surface,
I take the classic step back or hundred feet view of the world. I find myself
staring at a group of people floating in the middle of the Pacific ocean, a
faint glow when all else is dark, and 1000 pound creatures gliding somewhere
beneath it all. If ever there was a time when I had any doubt on the wonder of the
world we are lucky to live in or on the magic that exists for those who care to
seek, those moments are forever eradicated. I’ve apparently had this epiphany
before, but this time truly, apne hone par mujhko
yakeen aa gaya.
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