A decade ago, I stumbled upon a captivating cage in a pawn shop. Consuming a significant portion of the shop’s space, the shopkeeper was willing to part with it for a meagre sum. Being a sucker for bargains, I couldn’t resist acquiring the cage, despite its uncertain purpose. We often find ourselves drawn to ‘Sale’ deals, regardless of their relevance in our lives.

The cage found its place in my home, much to my wife’s dismay. Let me assure you, my wife is a skilled spotter and enthusiast of bargains. She possesses a keen eye for all things beautiful, especially those labeled as ‘sale’ items. Nearly 50% of the time, she discovers remarkable finds. As for the remaining instances… well, what can a married man say!

And so, the cage now resided in our home. Despite my better half’s vehement protests, I refused to part with it. Eventually, I settled on the next best option. I installed a hook in one corner of our balcony and suspended the cage in mid-air. No longer occupying space on the ledge, it now dangled freely. While land space may be limited, the skies and the boundless universe beyond remain open and infinite!

A few days later, my wife stumbled upon two metal birds, adorned in green, during yet another sale. Much like our previous ‘sale’ acquisitions, these birds also found themselves imprisoned in a drawer, awaiting a future purpose. These poor winged creatures, meant to soar through the skies, were now confined to captivity. Such was their fate!

One day, during a Diwali cleaning spree later that year, I discovered the two birds—somber and melancholic—in the dark wooden drawer. Diwali, a festival of joy and celebration, compelled me to empathise with these sad birds in captivity. Acting on impulse, I released one bird from its confinement and suspended it within the cage using a thread. It appeared reasonably free and content. Attempting to accommodate the other bird, the destined companions, within the cage proved futile. Thus, I mounted another hook on the wall and suspended the second bird just outside the cage.

Residing in an area surrounded by lush green mangroves of Versova, the two birds began to fly once again—one inside the cage, the other outside. Guided by the gentle breeze wafting through the mangroves, they swayed with delight, as if engaged in a dance. Witnessing their newfound freedom filled me with joy. This was art, and the installation was christened “Two Birds and A Cage.”

I would observe the birds turn and twirl as the breeze caressed their wings. My workstation, situated on the open balcony, allowed me to hear the continuous chirping of birds throughout the day. Various species thrived in the mangroves surrounding my home: parakeets, parrots, bulbuls, mynahs, sparrows, pigeons, jungle crows, hornbills, woodpeckers, kingfishers, kites, eagles, and more. When my wife and I initially moved into this house over fifteen years ago, the cacophony of birds in the early morning hours often robbed us of sleep. Yet, with time, we grew accustomed to our lively neighbours. Eventually, we fell in love with their chorus, transforming their cacophony into melodious lullabies that deepened our slumber each morning.

One morning, following a deep sleep, I brewed a cup of coffee and surveyed the green mangroves visible from our balcony. To my astonishment, the bird outside the cage had vanished! I searched frantically but couldn’t find it anywhere. I scoured every corner of the house, seeking assistance from my family and house helpers, but alas, none could help me locate the missing winged creature. I started to miss its presence, yet with time, I grew accustomed to its absence, until eventually, I forgot about it entirely.

Weeks later, engrossed in a project at my balcony workstation, a parrot emerged from the depths of the mangroves and perched on the balcony grill. It began squawking persistently, desperate to capture my attention. Despite my attempts to shoo it away, it remained resolute and refused to budge. Reluctantly, I abandoned my work and locked eyes with the parrot, contemplating how to handle this noisy intruder. The parrot stared at me intently, occasionally emitting loud squawks. Its gaze, hypnotic and captivating, captivated me.

In that trance-like moment, I felt a profound connection with the parrot. It seemed familiar, as if I had encountered it before. It dawned on me that this parrot might be the very same bird that had flown away. The green metal bird had transformed into a living parrot! Perhaps it had returned to express gratitude for being freed from the wooden drawer, embracing the vast and wondrous world outside.

The parrot shattered the spell with a final squawk and attempted to communicate with me through hisses and squeals—a language I couldn’t comprehend. Then, it spread its wings and soared back into the dense mangroves. I followed its trajectory with my gaze until it vanished amidst the camouflaged greenery.

Since that day, my avian companion has not returned.

Every time I gaze upon the art piece, now known as ‘A Bird in a Cage,’ adorning a portion of the balcony sky, I am reminded of the bird that once soared freely in the open. One bird remains within my sight, while the other lingers in my memories. The caged one garners attention as an ‘artwork,’ but in my opinion, the other—the elusive one—embodies the true masterpiece.

How often do we confine ourselves within gilded cages, seeking adoration, when we possess the choice to remain unnoticed and free in the open?

Given the opportunity, what would you prefer—the golden cage or the untamed freedom?

Perhaps the answer lies within the realm of philosophy.