Meera for Sale

Meera for Rs 600! Wow! It is as recent as now.

Prices on Chinese make Indian Gods have come down a great deal! Am saying this because last year, when I asked for the price of a Meera figurine, the shop-keeper near Sai Baba shrine replied with some sarcasm.

`Yeh to bahut sasta hai...', and expected me to ask how much.

`Kitna?'

`Barah Sau (Rs 1,200).'

He knew I would not buy it. No one probably bought that piece for a few months now.

And when I saw the Rs 600 label, I yelped for joy inside.

Hey, I've grown up dreaming of owning a Meera idol all my life. I am hankering after symbols here...worldly temptation. To me she is the ultimate symbol of selfless devotion, and love that has no labels. More than that, she represents strength unlimited. She questioned overdone stereotypes inflicted on women from ages. And came out trumps.

But then, those years, I heard of the price ranging between Rs 20 and Rs 40. And knew that when I got a job, I'd buy it with my own money. Even if it is a decade on, it cannot rise to such absurd amounts! I know I am hankering after symbols here...worldly temptation.

For years I did not find these statuettes in markets that I frequented in Bangalore, and even during those shopping adventures at other cities.

And when it came to the market shelves, I ran out of money to splurge on my fancies. Reality sunk in slowly over last few years, that these stunning come-back idols were not Indian, but made in China. They looked lovely yes, but I somehow still believe that if the symbol is Indian, I would rather not support an imported product to satiate my love for owning her image.

Retailers who'll stock only Chinese idols even if you ask for Indian makes, have learnt enough by now, that a chunk of their customers will not buy Chinese make idols.

So they will swear and lie to you on face, that the idols are Indian make. The shop-keeper who showcased Meera among the umpteen other Indian Gods said the same thing - Indian make.

Look close into the picture as I did. Meera's features here give away. She reminds me of Chinese heroines.