Tribute to Sundar

The gates to Perfection in the Head World have been shuttered now for some weeks. The proprietor, Sundar Dalton who managed the business for many years was unable to keep his barbershop open recently due to a long struggle with illness. Last night he succumbed to his ever mounting burden and slipped free of his earthly suffering.

For those of us who were aware of just how much he was increasingly forced to endure there is now a clear sense of relief, that his pain is at last no more

What is also certain is that he is now embarking on just the next phase of his life’s journey. One that he, like us all, started lifetimes ago and with each new challenge we hopefully move and progress ever forward.

Sundar, who was a devoted student of Indian Spiritual Master Sri Chinmoy was confident that his journey was being shaped and guided by his teacher. A way, that recently was certainly not easy, but now most certainly free of any and all earthly woes.

My description of Sundar cannot come close to describing the dimensions of his intellect or the warmth he cheerfully provided as the hangout spot for his many friends who relished in his companionship and tea more often than they needed a trim. The door was always open and the tea steeping in the pot.

In later years the neighborhood also used the store to receive their packages, that at times by sheer volume interfered with the cutting of hair and the drinking of tea.

Among other things Sundar did was spend most mornings helping at the lunch counter next door when they opened up each morning. As well he was responsible for selling Sri Chinmoy’s books, helping out at the weekly 2 mile race and at most other marathon team events.

One could add in here as well his dedication to his personal fitness through swimming and running but more importantly was the devotional routine he followed on a rigorous daily basis right up until the end.

When the sign was designed for the shop many years ago he was asked what decoration he wanted. I remember that the use of the wise owl was a given. It fit perfectly with a barber who knew so much about so many things and was always so willing to share the wisdom of his knowledge. Though to be clear, along with tea, and unambiguous facts, there could also be conversation that drifted into the realm of gossip and opinion. He was a true barber at heart after all.

His absence from behind these now shuttered gates will be sorely missed by many. His extraordinary capacities and tireless generosity will create a vacuum on the strip of little blue stores that cannot be filled. His presence and personality slipped effortlessly into the gaps and crevasses of so many people who like him hungered for truth and yearned for fulfillment.

His name, Sundar was given to him many years ago by Sri Chinmoy. In Bengali it means beautiful. There is no more fitting description of him both inwardly and outwardly than that.

The following is a quote from a story written by Sri Chinmoy after a half marathon race was held in June of 1983

“At the finish line I was sitting in the car. Sundar came up and told me of his deplorable performance with such sincerity and soulfulness. There was no false modesty — only sincerity and soulfulness. I was so proud of him. How I wish all the disciples, when they don’t do well, would maintain this kind of cheerful and soulful consciousness!”

Sri Chinmoy, Run and become, become and run, part 14, Agni Press, 1985

Sundare Basi BhaloSundare basi bhalo
Sundaratama antare mamo sundare dip jwalo
Sundar aj akash batas sundar mana pran
Jibane marane mileche amar sundar sandhan

Translation

O beautiful One,
Do kindle beauty’s lamp
In this aspiration-heart of mine.
Today everything is beautiful.
The sky, the air, my body, vital and mind,
All are beautiful.
The birth and death of my life
Have discovered Eternity’s Beauty today.

 

10 thoughts on “Tribute to Sundar”

  1. Thank you for writing this beautiful piece, Utpal. Sundar was a dear friend to me and I will miss him dearly.
    Tears are running down my cheeks while writing this.
    He was such a kind soul.

    I don’t actually recall how we became friends, but I always enjoyed his company and of course a cup of Earl Grey at the Barber Shop.

    He was an excellent tour guide through the island of Manhattan for me and my parents when they visited the 3100 in 2010.

    Another fond memory is watching the FIFA 2006 World Cup at his place, while I was in NY for Father’s Day.

    I think our friendship started with him inviting me to join him for a swim at the Y on Parsons.

    In 2016 Oneness Dream Choir visited Ireland and Sundar told us very vividly at Trinity College how he met Guru there – we even went to the same lecture room.

    And he most certainly helped me to improve my english speaking skills over the years.
    After all, he used to work as an english teacher in Paris.

    May Peace be with him!
    Purna-Samarpan

  2. Thank you, Utlal, for this excellent tribute to a fine and generous soul. One could hardly wish for a better brother and friend over the years. He will indeed be missed.

  3. Hello, I think I knew Sundar many years ago (1972/3) in Dublin where he introduced me to meditation. I think his name was Graham though not certain. I wonder if you could confirm so that I might share sad news with mutual Irish friends. Best wishes and thanks, David

  4. Many thanks Utpal for such beautiful tribute and photos. Sundar was such a person! If there was a place to sit or even to stand up, we were welcomed, with tea of course. In perfect French or English, we could quickly notice the level of knowledge and class he had.
    We miss him so much… the books that he would so generously prepare and leave on his Porch. The mail received for us… The unique teas… What a person, what a sweet person.
    All gratitude to our Guru and to Sundar. And best to all, now that he is not with us any more! I can imagine him and our Master together now, enjoying tea…

  5. David you are correct in recognizing Sundar as the person you once knew in Dublin where he attended Trinity. No one made tea nor was quite alknowing as he

  6. Noticed this belated-now- Sundar was so widely knowledgeable so few of us are- once i asked him to somewhat test, asked “any country in the world which did not have slavery’- without any hesitation he said “India did not practice slavery’ also he knew the world history few of us can match-and the hospitality with all the different teas and cookies – set an ideal example to serve and share – a true spiritual brother – and thank you Utpal for the tribute you have offered. – shivaram G

  7. On our first day at secondary school in 1961 we walked round and round the front quad, talking about “The Lord of the Rings”, & we became firm friends. We hitch-hiked together to Venice in 1966, sleeping out at the base of the Campanile. I bumped into him after hitching to Istanbul in 1967, when he was sharing a room with the poet Brian Patten. Later he met a beautiful French girl hitching in Morocco, whom he introduced me to, and who subsequently became my wife and the mother of my children and the grandmother of my grandchildren. I am distraught to read of the death of such a beautiful soul.

  8. Like Tony Knox I knew Sunda(Graham) Dalton alt school and then at Trinity College Dublin.i only found out about his demise in 2023! Splendid fellow as everyone says and it turns out a considerable athlete. In college I tried playing squash with him but his co-ordination was terrible. I guess marathons suited him. Extra likeable and generous soul. Can anyone say what his suffering was? Sad.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *