About Jumbos

Two things I would  like to watch without boring is Elephants and aeroplanes , even though there is some amount of fear while sitting on it or in it . , Both has a distinct beauty and majestic look to  catch  the attention of  young and the old,  whether it is moving or not.

Sitting in the train as we cross the Kochi Airport , or driving through the length of Meenabakkam airport at Chennai our heads unknowingly turn towards the runaway to see the metal birds . I had spend hours of transit time watching the jumbos lined up for take off and to see the landing  from the first floor of Mumbai airport. Aircraft spotting is an hobby for many and many take photographs and write notes about the flying beasts .  Bangalore International Airport has set up an elevated point outside the wall for photographers to take pictures  . As the new  airport has opened  at my hometown, the arrival of  flights has triggered lot of interest with thousands of  localites  thronging the airport area looking into the sky , the sight of which still brings out the child inside them.

Elephants have majestic look, exceptional intelligence and the amazing strength. Elephants are beloved to all Malayalis and they have a huge adoration for its looks . Their importance in every aspect of the culture is reflected in the fact that the elephant is the state animal. It’s on important emblems such as the masthead of the Government of Kerala, the logo of the government transport bus which we lovingly call AANAVANDI . These gentle giants are also an important part of temple festivities. Every year we look forward for the Aana Ezhunallath  from the local temples with elephants with golden nettipattom and diety of the temple is carried over it. The spectacular parades of about 100 elephants  with umbrellas, 'alavattam, venchamaram, and necklaces at Thrissur pooram is a treat to watch . I vividly  remember seeing episodes of a highly rated 30 minutes serial “E for elephants” in Kairali TV , which was all about life and stories of  elephants from different parts of Kerala.

Even though there were some movies with elephants as important charectors in Malayalam movies , there was a hit movie based of the real life elephant “Guruvayoor Keshavan” as central Character. Guruvayoor Keshavan is considered to be the most famous elephant in kerala who was known for his devotion to lord Guruvayyorappan .  Some elders say that the elephant held his head always higher in comparison to his peers and demonstrated a weird perceptivity or sixth sense.  Keshavan was conferred the unique title "Gajarajan" (Elephant King) and a life-size statue of Keshavan in the precincts of Guruvayur temple is a  tribute to the celebtated elephant.

.Aeroplanes and elephants , its always neighbours envy but owners pride .