Watching the world go by

For me, ‘watching the world go by’ has been a pleasure for as long as I can remember. My childhood home was quite a large one, my favourite room being what we called ‘the terrace.’ It stood on the second floor, overlooking the road and forming a part of the facade. Three of the walls were rather low and adorned with lattice work. Surmounting them were arches that displayed wonderful symmetry. The setup provided a panoramic view of the world outside.

Even on ordinary days, there was much to see. Adjoining the house was a tank. All through the day it attracted bathers of every kind. With Olympic finesse, bronzed young lads would scamper across the diving platforms and, after describing two or more somersaults, land with a mighty splash into the turgid waters. There were those who washed clothes on the steps with a rhythmic slap-slap. Some would take dips uttering prayers; then, their wet clothes clinging to them, would make their way to the temple across the street. On the roads, cars and trucks, though not as many as today, passed by.

Making their slow way were also bullock carts and horse carriages. My heart would fill with helpless anger when I saw some of the exhausted animals beaten and made to move on.

Years passed, taking me to bigger cities. In Madras (now Chennai), the college I attended was right opposite the sea. Through the large French windows, I often gazed at the changing face of the ocean. Sometimes it was a pale blue, but could suddenly change into turquoise or grey. Watching the frolicking crowd at the shore enabled me to take part in the merriment without getting sticky wet.

By now, watching had become an ingrained habit and I found I could keep boredom at bay by merely keeping my eyes open. Also, far from being an idler’s indulgence, as well-meaning adults often told me, this was a learning-experience too. For one thing, I saw that body language could be as eloquent as speech. Even without hearing or understanding a word of what was being said, one could deduce a lot. Frantic waving of hands, for instance, indicates that the persons involved are either angry or worried. One, of course, can imagine a scenario too.

Single pedestrians have their own stories to tell. They could be going to work or returning home. There is a special delight in seeing children at play. It is also fun to watch joggers on the roads or in parks. Each has an individual style; some make you smile by exercising while walking. The watching eye will see human nature in the raw and derive lessons from it. Take traffic, for example. By keeping to the rules and practising some give and take, one can avoid hassles. On the other hand, one-upmanship leads to harsh words and ugly scenes. Isn’t life itself so much like this?

Indeed, as those who are familiar with the practice will tell you, ‘watching the world go by’ is a sure source of pleasure as well as profit!