https://csim.in/conversations/Conversations-October2012.pdf

One Saturday, while strolling at Elliots beach in Chennai, I spotted a parrot fortune teller seated on the sand. He was anxiously eyeing the crowd, probably waiting for his customer. 

I observed him for some time and hesitantly asked if he would give an interview for Conversations. 

He instantly agreed. 

I sat beside him and we conversed as if we had known each other for a long time. 

62-year-old Jayaraman, belonging to the Vedan community, has been involved in fortune telling since the age of 17. People belonging to the Vedan community were originally bird hunters. 

“My father was also a fortune teller. Earlier, I used to walk around the city, and have even travelled to Mumbai, Delhi, and Agra. Now, after getting diabetes, I only come to the beach as I cannot travel much,” he said. 

“Where did you get this parrot from? I asked.

“About four years ago, I bought this parrot from a boy near Gandhi Statue at Marina beach in Chennai. In fact, the boy did not charge me anything as he had just captured three parrots from a nest, and was more than happy to spare one for me when he learnt that I was a fortune teller,” replied Jayaraman. 

I politely enquired about fortune telling and Jayaraman was more than willing to share information.

“It is very simple and anyone can become a fortune teller. All that you need is a parrot; a pack of 27 tarot cards; and a book which outlines the message for each of the cards,” he said with confidence.

The 27 tarot cards represent the Indian cosmic system and 8 of these cards predict bad news. Each card contains the image of a Hindu deity and some contain images of a mosque or Mother Mary. 

As we spoke, Esther, 40, walked towards Jayarman and enquired the cost to check her fortune. 

“It is just twenty rupees,” he said.

Esther was convinced to spend her money here, and sat beside Jayaraman clutching her hands.

I stepped away to click pictures, and witnessed the fortune telling process from a distance. 

Jayaraman stacked the 27 randomly assorted tarot cards in front of him. He opened the cage, let the parrot out, and instructed it to select a card for Esther. 

The parrot walked towards the stack of cards, rejected a few cards with her beak, and handed over her selection to Jayaraman.

“Is this the card meant for Esther,” he asked.

The parrot chirped signaling her approval.

“Are you sure that this is what you would want me to predict for her?” he questioned.

The parrot chirped again. 

“Okay. Pray to Lord Muruga and then give me the card,” he instructed.

The parrot obediently walked towards the deity’s picture which was placed near her cage, and after prayer handed it over to Jayaraman. 

Jayaraman fed the parrot with a few grains and locked her again in the cage.

Esther was tense until Jayaraman opened the card that was chosen for her.

“You have got a very nice prediction. Your card has a picture of Goddess Mahalakshmi. You will have good times ahead and need not worry about anything,” he said adding even more positive messages.

Esther face radiated with happiness. She thanked Jayaraman and left after paying him his fee.

Jayaraman was also happy that he could convey a positive message to his first customer. 

The parrot kept chirping as if to draw my attention. 

The chirping sound reminded me of a popular comedy clip in which Vadivelu enacts like a parrot when he is captured by a fortune teller. 

Hiding my laughter, I continued the conversation.

“How long does it take for a parrot to be trained,” I enquired.

“It could take between three days or three months for a parrot to get trained. A trained parrot provides training to the new comer,” he explained adding that the white rat in the cage was a new comer. 

Jayaraman earns around 100 to 500 rupees a day during weekends, and is not certain about his monthly income as earnings during the week days are not predictive. 

“My wife is a palm reader. We earn enough to meet our daily needs. All my four children are married, and so we need to earn only for ourselves and for our grandchildren. We leave home around 4 PM and spend four to five hours at the beach every day,” he said. 

“Have you ever checked your own fortune?” I curiously asked. 

“No. I visit an astrologer instead,” he said instantly.

Speaking about his patrons, Jayaraman said with pride: “They are young and old; rich and poor. 10 percent of my predictions come true, and I have regular patrons as well.” 

Like Jayaraman, there were two more fortune tellers who were seated at a distance away. While Vittal posed for a picture, the other fortune teller was shy. 

Although most of us believe in destiny, the lives of these fortune tellers depend on the few who trust in parrot fortune telling. Heaving a sigh, I bid adieu to Jayaraman and his Salethu Selvarani wishing them luck in getting more patrons.