ART OF DYING

“I have seen two types of persons... some die silently, others die shouting… and now I saw the third kind” – from the film ‘Rang de Basanti’

When he was born on 17 February 1930 in Calicut, Kerala, the astrologers refused to cast a horoscope for him. They predicted that he would die soon. But Basava Premanand went on to live an inspirationally great life of 80 years till he died on 4 October 2009 at his residence in Podnur, Tamil Nadu.

In the 1940s, Premanand quit school to take part in Quit India Movement. He spent the next 7 years in the newly started Sri-Steila Gurukula. He started the Indian Committee for scientific investigation of Claims of the Paranormal; moved around India explaining the tricks behind miracles and superstitious psychic phenomena and founded FIRA (Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations) which has more than 68 organizations in 26 states in India. Besides authoring 36 books, he also edited the monthly ‘Indian Skeptic’ with articles on the scientific investigation of apparently paranormal occurrences.

Premanand has conducted workshops explaining about 150 miracles from different parts of the world. British film maker, Robert Eagle shot Premanand displaying and teaching many supposedly supernatural stunts such as levitation, flesh piercing and live burials in his documentary, "Guru Busters". He was given a fellowship of National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) for his efforts to spread scientific awareness.

In 2006, Premanand was diagnosed to be on the threshold of death due to extreme cancer of the stomach. Though doctors insisted on an emergency operation, Premanand went off instead to search for a contractor to build his dream project - a museum on Method of Science. He handed over the money and came back for an operation that was unable to negate the shadow of death. Yet, Premanand’s enthusiasm never diminished and the project was inaugurated on 5 March 2009 in Podnur.

As his health worsened, Premanand’s detractors began a malicious campaign that he had renounced his rationalism. The fiery sceptic called for his colleagues, Dr Narendra Nayak and Somu Rao and wrote a “declaration of attitude and temperament’ wherein he challenged the rumours and urged his colleagues in the movement to keep working for the cause of rationalism and humanism.

The news of an impeding death has frozen dreams in many a mind… people get sentimental and indulge in worrying… they look at smaller concerns, most surrounding self-interests… tough personalities slow down after being told that they possess some life threatening ailment. But undoubtedly, Premanand has taught us the art of dying… of never giving up on living!

Premanand has shown us the way to BE BETTER at the art of living…
We must move on faster with our life’s dreams when pursued by dying!

- Pravin K. Sabnis