Fieldwork is the root of archaeology. Mao Zedong in his memory narrated one episode of his childhood. His mother had a beautiful garden. When she fell ill she told young Mao 'she is not worried about either her age or her illness, but she is worried about what would happen to her garden. Young Mao said to his mother "Don't worry mother, I will take good care of your garden."
True to his words little Mao worked hard in the garden from dawn to dusk. A month later his mother was shocked to see the poor condition of the plants. All the plants had dried up, the flowers had withered. She asked, "What were you doing". Mao began to cry, he had worked so hard. He said to his mother. "I took great care. I used to kiss each flower. I would clean and wipe off the dust from every leaf-I don't know what happened. I too was worried as the flowers kept withering away, and the leaves became dry."
His mother started laughing. She said, "Don't you know that the life of the flower is not in the flower and the life of the leaf is not in the leaf."
"The life of a plant is hidden in the roots beneath the ground. If the roots are not taken care of, the powers and leaves will die no matter how much you care for them. By taking care of the roots, the flowers and leaves will get nourished automatically. For the flower come out of the roots and not the other way round.
Unfortunately, after the 80s archaeology in India is facing the same situation. No one is interested in its roots, everyone is trying to nourish leaves and flowers with the hope to get a rich harvest of fruits.
Making this Mao story as a guiding factor, I accepted the job to explore. Tansa Valley, as it involved extensive fieldwork. I thought if I explore this fertile region today, and bring to light the hidden heritage, someday some enthusiastic research scholar will be able to research and write in detail about the discoveries. I know field work in archaeology requires a very hard and disciplined life, away from home set at this age but as Osho said, "A creative person comes into the world, enhances the beauty of the world-a song here, a painting there. He makes the world dance better, enjoys busier, loves better, and meditates better. When he leaves this world, he leaves a better world behind him. Be creative. Don't be worried about what you are doing- one has to do many things- but do everything creatively, with devotion. Then your work becomes worship."
And I think I had followed this teaching and have been fully rewarded. This reward of fieldwork, in the form of a book, is before you. Heritage enthusiasts of the area, including Mumbai will come forward not only to save the priceless relics of north Konkan from total disappearance but will also to save the fast-dying tribal art and architecture. This will be my reward.
