Bajrangi Bhaijaan

       Handling the second child is difficult or first is an unsolved question for me. The elder a fighter gets what she wants  but younger one is an expert in what is polite emotional blackmailing. Still it is not that she succeeds in eliciting yes from me every time. Last Sunday she was fighting with boredom and was little irritated. We wait for Sunday to relax but for her it’s a challenge to kill time. Her friends had gone out of station, alone she was agitated. In such a tense situation I refused to accept one of her demands sighting logical reasons. That’s it. She was in sweet anger and was beautifully crying. I as usual went to console her. She was in no mood to relent. After some time the negotiations started. She put up a compromise formula. I should watch with her Bajrangi Bhaijaan. I was terrified as movies like these are not of my choice. It would be not be less than a torture to watch it on Sunday. I had no choice. The movie started, as expected it wasn't for me. I was restless waiting for the opportunity to run from the show. My honest feeling was I was little grown up for this movie to enjoy. But she was enjoying the Bajrangi and was in friendship with that sweet innocent girl from Pakistan.

       I got a phone call. Seizing the opportunity I effortlessly ran away. I need not have to see the full movie as most of the plot could be easily imagined. The mediocre Bajrangi would be taking that girl to her parents against all the hurdles put in the way by rude system, tension along the border. That’s it. But for the details of impediments the end was almost certain, a happy ending. I think we are so used to harsh realities of life, often ending in tragedy, we don’t often tolerate realistic struggles and sad endings in movies. For the movie to be a hit the girl must reach her home in Pakistan against all odds. It is a crude, unrealistic and too simplistic a description of human problem in the subcontinent. But the movie was a super-hit. A Bajrangi, devotee of Hanumanji, a Hindu, takes the Muslim girl back to her home, enemy soil, challenging the system against all the odds, natural as well as created. It did well at the box office.

       India is a country with glorious contradictions. ‘Baby’ staring ever young Akshay Kumar built on thrilling counter terrorist plot is a big success. It’s a movie termed by Pak govt. as anti Pak that supposedly shows that country in bad light, it is also a hit. A movie with strong realistic anti-Pak bent and a movie with strong emotional content, no anti-Pak, anti enemy plot, both are successful at box office. One really wonders how come we can be so flexible in our approach that we enjoy Baby and within couple of months we enjoy Bajrangi Bhaijaan. While watching Baby one can sense the anger against Pakistan and an unthinkable triumph against terror mastermind brings immense satisfaction on faces of audience, the Bajragi Bhaijaan is immersed completely in emotions. It is an entertainment tablet with coating of humanity, the movie obviously ends with moist eyes.                                                       A closer look reveals that there is no contradiction for what looks like an anti-Pak movie, basically Baby is a counter terrorist movie. The anger is directed against terrorists and an establishment that sponsors them. It is not against people of Pakistan. Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a story of humanity. The innocent girl instantly grabs the sympathy. Her parents there are same as most people here, religious having unshaken faith in supreme power. They are not connected to terrorists, they get easily connected to people of India. On the other hand at least one counter attack on terror establishment is a dream almost every Indian has, it is fulfilled by Baby. The Bajrangi story straight away appeals to humanity. We respond accordingly. I personally like Baby for its though unrealistic but well crafted plot and nice execution. It’s a directors movie not a classic but a nice thriller. Bajrangi is not of my taste but I have no issues with those who liked it.

          The real contradiction is somewhere else. We experience moist eyes for a Pakistani girl but become devoid of humanity in killing an innocent for his alleged crime of eating beef at Dadri. Hate crime is not new in India. It is appalling to see how we all are engulfed by hatred. We only need a reason and our diversity provides enough opportunities. Then we start hating in the name of religion, caste, language. If we look around and peep into social media like facebook we find walls painted with hatred. Abusive language, vulgar comments against particular caste and religion are common. On facebook everybody tends to get judgemental and explodes on pages but interestingly through these pages of hatred you see, though weak, language of peace, forgiveness, of humanity. The voice of harmony survives in chaos of hatred.

       Apart from its qualification as a good movie the discussion of which I want to avoid, Bajrangi Bhaijaan echoes the voice of harmony. It touches the chord of tolerance and sings the tune of humanity. This is a thread that defines India. Those watching the movie are sympathetic to innocent girl and are moved by the agony of her parents. Their nationality, religion and terrorism sponsored by their state, in silent Indian way audience show that, do not affect the spirit of humanity. The outcome is, rather than pouring hatred on her, audience wants Hindu Bajrangi to take her, braving the odds to Pakistan to unite with family. The barrier of religion and country is breached by humanity. That it is a hit movie means it reflects the sentiments of masses. This undercurrent of harmony has survived generations and undoubtedly it is the essence of being Indian.

           The film industry has always been the best judge of this undercurrent of harmony. From Amar Akbar Anthony to Bajrangi Bhaijaan they have shown sound business sense. Equally good judge are those who want to draw political mileage using our weakness of easily throwing common sense to wind and running on the path of hatred in the name of caste, religion and language. It leads us to nowhere. The presence of these two opposing trends is a contradiction we need to understand well. The survival of undercurrent of harmony in our heart is a hope we can dream of building our modern society upon. It has faced challenges but has survived. Till the day we don’t start pouring hatred on an innocent beautiful dumb girl because of her religious origins or country of her birth we survive as India. If this undercurrent of social harmony dries then we will be competing with Taliban. 

A journey backward...

Into darkness …

     

                                      

Don't Give Up

Don’t Give Up

          Derek Redmond was getting ready on the track to have a final 400 meters burst. The years of hard-work was on the test. It was the mega show, the greatest sporting event and a medal there was a dream every sportsman lived for. Those who had worked hard for years, months and hours had gathered there and were battling it out for seconds. Derek was a front runner for the medal. All he had to do was to muster everything he had done relentlessly and run like a coherent beam of light. The winner would certainly be determined by photo finish. He just had to run, leave rest to electronic gadgets. The pistol was fired , Derek was on his way to conquer the longest distance to glory for the journey did not begin at the sound of rounds fired, it began with the first ever lap he completed when he began training. This was the last lap to glory. 150 meters into the race he felt acute pain. Pain mounted, ruptured hamstring it was.  It was difficult for him to continue. Unable to run he was on his knees. The acute physical pain was followed by unbearable emotional agony, it was clear he would not be there waving hands, watching his flag rising up to the tune of national anthem.  His dream lay scattered on the track.  He did not run but tears did. They were unstoppable.

         In the pain and agony rose Derek, once again he began his journey towards the line of finish. But this time he was not running but was limping. A new race began, he was racing against his own emotional tormenting hurdles. Tears rolling down, his body moved carrying on face severe distress, it must have been quite heavier for it also carried the burden of destroyed dream and bleeding soul. He was limping on the track, he was not alone, the companion was his unwanted baggage of physical and emotional stress. Then he had a company. A man broke onto the track. He gave a hand of support to Derek, probably that was what he wanted. The man was his father giving him much needed support. He said you need not have to run like this. Derek was not listening. The father yielded but decided that they would run together. As they came closer to finishing line the father let him go. He alone finished the race. 65000 strong crowd gave standing ovation. It was Barcelona 1993 Olympics. It’s a legend now. A famous inspirational video on youtube.  

           Whenever I watch this video I choke. Talking about it is difficult. When the dream you live for, the dream you pursue gets destroyed within seconds total collapse is inevitable. What is so touching and still wonderful about this legend is Derek proves by his own example that sports is not about winning the race but it is all about finishing it against all odds. Had he moved away from the track nobody would have raised voice against, taking it as obvious and wise decision but what nobody would have seen is the distance he would have gone backward internally.  Reverting this emotional backward journey is toughest of tasks, it seriously challenges intellectual faculty.  Derek did it by simply completing the race, though limping throughout.  In every small little step he travelled miles of distance internally that would have taken serious efforts on his part and had he failed in covering that distance he would have collapsed emotionally making even physical recovery difficult. A simple lesson he teaches don’t stop at failures for it’s a milestone. Just don’t give up. Things may not go as planned, dream may be shattered but just don’t give up. Easier said than done when win is in your stride and things go wrong. Race may be lost but spirit must survive.

             This is a highly inspirational video. Derek received standing ovation from the crowd but what is missed easily is the father who shares track with his limping son and near finishing line lets him go alone to finish. He must have lived the dream of his son so was he with his son in his moment of pain. When he joins him on the track persuading him not to run while limping he was a caring father who was concerned more about injury that the medal but when he gives support to his son and moves along the track he becomes his caring friend who understands his spirit of finishing the race. And when finally he leaves Derek to cross the finishing line alone, he shows terrific emotional stability and maturity for this one act gave Derek an opportunity to sense satisfaction in moments of misery. The father shows us how to live dream of a son. The attitude of Derek appeals to me and so also of his fathers. And his fantastic act of leaving him alone allows Derek to regain self confidence.  

      My feeling is that under the shadow of don’t give up attitude of Derek a sweet little but equally enthralling act of his father fades easily. Living the dream of children is a difficult task. So often the parents thrust their dream on sons/daughters. They usually want children to live their dream. Many parents with sincerity and honesty feel that they are better judge of future of their children. What probably begins here ends at the parents obsessed with what their son/daughter should become.  Derek’s father shows us how to live the dream of his son, provide necessary support emotional as well as physical but at the same time remain detached. Sensing this boundary is difficult but Derek’s father shows it with great simplicity. At the final moment he lets him go, he didn’t get carried away by the support Derek was getting from the crowd.  I wonder how many fathers in India would be able to pleasantly detach at such moment. But they should for the simple reason that it’s not their innings but of sons and daughters. The spirit of finishing the race against odds must be induced in them, parents must lend a supporting hand, and refrain from being the carter to carry them to end.

          In a country where we think it’s natural for father to expect from his son to fulfill his dreams, live up to his expectations this video could be an eye opener but I really wonder whether fathers will take anything for them to ponder over rather most would prefer to showcase this as an inspirational video and would expect sons and daughters to show never give up attitude in adverse situation when the dream is in peril. But the real question is whose dream?

         I find myself part of the two races one in which I am destined to run in my day to day life there I see myself as Derek for whom everything didn’t go the way he wanted but still was determined to finish the race and another that has just began in which my daughters are destined to run. The terrific attitude of not giving up of Derek is an inspiration for me to stand in the first race but the sensitive and mature approach of his father is a lesson I need to learn to deal with the second race.

         

The Trance

      The Trance 

              An opportunity to go to a classical music concert is hard to come by at Chandrapur. Recently I had the one to attend. As advertised the first was by Phil Scarf and other one was by a well-known singer Anand Bhate on the same day. To be honest I have little knowledge of intricacies of classical singing but I like the rendition, enjoy the semi-classical music which often is part of such concerts for it often is the choice of majority. In that sense I belong to majority than the minority with unchallenged knowledge of classical music. Whatever my plans as the date came closer it became clear that I would be able to attend only one and that too the second one. This was quite embarrassing for me as it would require me to enter the concert hall in the middle of the concert. I always hated this for two reasons one it’s no good being late at the concert and second I consider it a disturbance in the concert.

     But I had little choice so I decided to skip initial concert of Phil Scarf and be part of second one. As planned I reached the venue at given time. The plan was to enter during the interval between two concerts. As always for me, I am not destined to follow plans, not always at fault but then the situation so often turns against me. I was at the entry gate expecting a break but came to know that the first concert started late and is likely to take another hour to finish. In dilemma as what to do I started peeping in to check for the possible entry without creating the disturbance. I just managed to take a seat just close to the door and tried to shift to the concert mode. It didn't take much time for me to tune in. He was playing Saxophone, a western instrument but it was Indian classical music coming out of it. A handsome man he was completely immersed in playing the Saxophone. I was also lost in the world created by him. That was a great experience, I was enjoying it.

      Suddenly I realized that not all were in complete tune with the concert. A man two rows in front of me was restless. One couple of rows from me was busy with mobile not on the call but must be facebook or Whatsapp. I lost the focus as two three persons passed by close to me. I as usual cursed them for the disturbance. It was never a comfort zone for me, people causally moving in the concert. I consider it an insult to the artist. If an artist is performing, giving his best then we must be patient with him. If the rendition fails to strike the chord within you still you must appreciate the efforts, must remain patient. We, I think must understand that no artist however lesser known he may be, ever wants his concert to flop. Unfortunately for a reason or two it may at worst fail to get the audience within its embrace but it is not a reason enough to create disturbance in the concert. My observation about this is that such disturbances are not only common but they find a way through in a concert irrespective of the performance or rendition of the artist. They are created usually by those who have least regard for the art and the artist. There is a claim from those who don't mind creating a disturbance like this that the artists are also thoroughly professional and would never give 100% in a city like Chandrapur and they also don't make much fuss about it for they are used to it. I don't know the how true it is but it makes me uncomfortable as I consider it lacks decorum, smells of arrogance and complete disregard for the art. Whatever I was in the midst of a performance by a western artist on western instrument but the rendition was Hindustani classical. Saxophone playing Indian music.

   The disturbance melted away, I again focused on the performance. It was a great. He was lost in the musical magic created by his own imagination. His eyes were closed, mind completely immersed in the musical web he was weaving. I was mesmerized not just by his performance but by his honesty with his music. He was all into it. It seemed he was in complete disconnect with the world outside. His world was different. He was taking the audience with him there. There was no forceful attempt from him to take the audience but rather he was inviting us in the beauty he was seeing, experiencing. The concert ended, the audience erupted in appreciation. I felt enriched by this new experience.

    From next day onwards I lost myself in my routine, college -lectures -students back to home. Classes though part of routine always remain new for me maintaining a kind of uncertainty. No two lectures of mine are same, what I feel, when measured on parameters like fine tuning with students, level of understanding, expression and most importantly satisfaction of teacher himself. Every lecture in that sense is unique. A new experience, a new chapter in personal improvement, a small step in the direction of personal goal of becoming a good teacher. As I believe I always learn from every lecture, over the entire session this translates into what I learnt something that will help me grow as a better teacher next session. Thinking this way every lecture is a challenge.

       It was a pleasant morning. My preparation of the lecture was elaborate, mood was fantastic and when I entered I found students equally fresh. The stage was set for a good lecture. I began the lecture. The lecture was really going well. Students were receptive. I felt that they were enjoying the lecture. There was serious discussion coupled with small bursts of humor. I was in good flow, enjoying the teaching and suddenly from the left corner I noticed a disturbance. One student was trying to tease the other sitting by his side. I just ignored his behavior as an aberration and continued with the lecture. But he was restless, in funny mood. He was trying to pull other fellow into his fold who was resisting him. My irritation grew and finally I lost my patience. I asked him a simple question based on what I was teaching. He was completely out of tune with the class. As expected he failed to answer, was duly punished. I ordered him to leave the class which he did. I continued but the link was broken, I found it very difficult to pull myself back to same tuning.

      I finished the lecture but what could have been a very good lecture turned out to be no so good. My regret was one out of fifty fell out and damaged the beautiful frame I was building. Once I lost the link it became difficult to recreate the lost mood. I still managed to teach well but then that special element was missed. I was in my cabin, alone thinking about the lecture. How just one student who was not interested in my lecture disturbed the whole class and myself? But he was within his right to lose his interest in my class once in a while. In a slightly different perspective I failed to keep him interested in my class, my fault in fact, but he was punished for the simple reason that I was in command.

      Thoughts just crowded, kept on coming, don't know how but for no reason as such I remembered the concert. I started comparing my lecture and the concert. Phil was playing saxophone there, I was in my lecture. He was in trance. He was in a way cut off from the world outside. The audience was in the magical web of his music he had created. Those who couldn't connect, they of course were few, were unstable but so focused he was he could easily disconnect with those not connected to his world. His trance was not affected by those who created disturbance. Their movements disturbed me but not Phil. He had managed to deliver his best isolating the disturbance but my lecture was spoiled by one unruly student. I did try to enforce discipline but the end result was I could not isolate my lecture from the disturbance. That artist was in total consonance with his music I don't know where I stood.

     What made it possible for him to isolate the world around him rendering his performance unaffected by the activities of the audience? The answer I think he had unified his soul with his music, eyes closed, the world outside was shut, those who like enter the world inside, else remain outside… simple. That was the trance I envy. Wish one day I will have my soul in my lecture, with eyes wide open students will sail with me on the intellectual journey, the world inside will have no effect on it by any challenge outside. The trance ...I dream of attaining one day in my lecture...The trance I am ready to wait for till...