First was the `hooking', wherein the computer helps one to get the sense of sound. Then the effort is to make the brain decipher the sound; I am like a child learning the meaning of each sound slowly." Gujral's great relief is that though there were cases of people losing speech after surgery, he was not one of them. "Now even if I don't regain completely or even if I lose anything, I will not have any regret for I have enjoyed the sounds."

Does he now see a change in his perception, sensibility and realisation? "Yes, naturally. Forms are of two types and it is not only the visual, for the character of the form is affected by sound too. Since I can hear the sounds now, there is a sea-change in my perception, not of the form alone but of the sense of colour and the inter-relationship of it too. Thematically, there is less and less of bitterness and sheer joy."

Kiran, his wife, chipped in, "I find him in a happier frame of mind, calmer and his paintings are more cheerful as if they are the work of a younger man. He can communicate and feels more confident. This Diwali was the best as for the first time he came out and enjoyed the crackers."

Which sound did he find more stimulating? "No particular one. I can recognise almost all the sounds of nature. I am in love with the return of sound as a whole. When you live in silence for a prolonged period, you tend to question your very own existence. One even loses sense and sanity." With a quizzical smile, he adds, "Sadly, the line between the idiot and genius is very thin."