Begum, Choti Tara, Maya

November 15, 2015.

9.10 a.m. Bright Tadoba morning; a stillness. Maruti Gypsy was rolling by the Japanese Accident Spot. A tigress strolled across, some 15 ft. away from us, moved forward, turned, smelled a teak leaf, legged towards our Gypsy before stepping into the wild; from behind a bamboo grove, a sambar deer protested the deed as the tigress had made a kill of its kid; guide Yogesh and Ganesh sited a hint of the act; we were alone with the tigress; we were quiet for long, Vidya, Ganesh, Rama and me; then the silent moments dripped away. None has yet named the strongly built three year old tigress, a few have spotted it, said Yogesh; me named it Begum. At the Tadoba gate there is a wall cartoon: An astrologer examining the palm of a visitor, predicting: Nobody can assure you a tiger and that is the fun of it. Yes, astrologer. Tadoba or Taru the adivasi god, namaskar. On the afternoon outing, at the Jamli meadows, driver Diwakar heard a deer bell, a langur cackle; switched off the engine; Gypsies rolled in; sighted collared Chhoti Tara striding the meadow, back and then forth, her territory; wish there was something more comfortable than a collar round her neck; sure, scientists have to know all about Chhoti Tara to form their theories, lasting at best a day; me believes an animal cannot be predicted; wonder, do we need all the know-how; she rolled on the forest floor, triumphing with her tail up; a crowd of deer started on a run as Chhoti Tara went across the meadow, Oooming, Oooming, Oooming ..... the lighted 3.30 p.m.afternoon; a nervy baby deer moved back and forth; Rama wept for the baby; some 30 vehicles shut down; camera shutters firmly lipped; Chhoti Tara impressed; she crossed the road; the Gypsies turned for her; but the Lady said no more; the two hour show was over. Ganesh was busy into tasting his shots. Friday morning the guide bent his ears to sambar and deer notes; the Hanuman langur pitched in from a high on a teak tree; at Pander Pauni 2, we waited with many others; from behind a Canter, Maya darshan came in, yet again at 9.10 a.m.; the head came first, then the Memsaheb,  Maya Memsaheb, in full view, about five feet from me; she walked past her awed admirers, for a moment Ganesh came off the lens to appreciate with bare eyes; went past to turn straight into a forest track; stepped into a meadow where her two cubs were waiting, presumed the guide. Guides were one on a single fact: Maya enjoys admirers. Maya, Maya hi hai. Tadoba .... Begum, Chhoti Tara, Maya...Khuda Hafeez.

Begum

Choti Tara

Maya

Maya - Bye