The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

What are the chances you would experience the entire gamut of human behavior in a span of 5 days… the probability to experience the bad and the ugly unfortunately is higher these days… but I had the opportunity to see all 3 in its glory…

The Good:

My daughter came to me and said, “Papa I have a project on Migration experience and would like to interview your colleague on her experiences”. With a delight (cos of the person she chose) I said, “sure will check with her kana and let you know if possible (her calendar is as packed as can be)”. 2 evenings later my girl got her 1^st interview done successfully and was super elated to share it with her teachers and classmates... there is a saying that goes “While a lazy person finds excuses a busy one finds time”… apparently if that busy person has a golden soul they find more than just time as shown in the sincerity, warmth and joy with which she gave the interview… all these adjectives are a reflection of herself… what gives this innate goodness to her.. is it the family upbringing, the society she was brought up, the journey of her life so far or something else…

The Bad:

An inconsequential no context email from a colleague triggered an unwarranted but expected negative response from another colleague… and this is not the first of such reaction from that person… many have given feedback before and many will do so in the future… but to what avail? why could that person not take a step back to understand the context, objective and then respond to a given situation… what triggers this “load and shoot” behavior of this person… is it the pressure of the project (one of the worst managed), an edginess from a tired mind or is that the default setting…

The Ugly:

“Can you clean the table”, came a cold voice to the person who had the task of managing our table (along with others) in the restaurant… and was doing a pretty good job as shared by others in the group… few discussions later the person asked “was I too direct”… many were quiet and a couple said “yes”… “I don’t care” came the response from the said person… sure it is obvious… what prevented that person from conveying the same message with a “please”, “help”, “thanks” and “a smile”… why this innate rudeness to others… again was it the upbringing, the society’s value system (where lack of humaneness still prevails) or a feel of entitlement (in that context)…

In the above events, I believe all the factors mentioned play a role in shaping those behaviors, but the most important factor is “self-reflection or lack of it”… do we as humans take stock of our thoughts and behaviors regularly and finetune ourselves and our core values accordingly? While we expect to be treated with respect (and rightly so) should we not give the same to others? Is it that difficult to comprehend and acknowledge?

With these lingering questions in my mind (these few days), I go back to “The Good” story to wrap it all up and usher in the festive season with positivity and hope… after all as our mythologies, history and folklores keep saying “Good will / should supersede the Bad & ugly”…

So here I go… “Tipping my hat off” to the beautiful woman (gifted with a soul few have) for making my and more importantly my girl’s week… after all it is people like you who make our lives better and sprinkle it with smile and happiness…

Our world needs more such people and I really hope my daughter adds to that count…

MY SECOND LOVE... IN WHITES, BLUE AND YELLOW…

Oct 2002, my most favorite sportsperson announced his retirement from international cricket vis a press conference at SCG. I was heartbroken. As I was bidding my farewell tears to Mark Waugh, I dint realize I was also sort of parting ways with Cricket and forming a stronger bond with ManU and Barca (Soccer was much more prevalent in Singapore then).

But then, time is the greatest healer… as few years went by, I was returning back to my alma matter through an extraordinary journey with the most remarkable man... unknowingly of course.

I don’t remember when or how it started… the early phases are a bit foggy… still was not watching too much cricket but for few (2005 Ashes series).. it was more through Cricinfo.. Then came couple of big ferocious hundreds, followed by comments from the president across the border about his mane... then the unexpected 2007 world cup loss accompanied by expected stupidity of fans / media… still it was just in the infancy phase... my relationship with the man…

Then on Sep 24^th 2007, it finally happened. Not when the last over was given to Joginder, not when Sreesanth held on to that catch as if his life depended on it (it sure did).. but it happened when he passed on the trophy to the rest and stood in that corner of the podium (his fascination with corner spots both on podium and team bus)…

That’s when I realized the enormity of it all… he was setting a new standard… on how a leader could and should conduct himself / herself… he was creating an identity not only for Indian cricket but our society in general.. a real paradigm shift was happening… over the next decade or so he kept to that promise… he brought dignity to the job.

Generally, the two extreme emotions in sports (and life) comes due to the unknown. But when you are the creator of that unknown, calmness and equipoise is all you can have, and he was the epitome of that. Normally heroes come during a person’s teens, but he came into mine in my late-20s. Of course, when has he ever followed norms.

To the man who showed it is possible… the man who made me tear my hair and tear up in equal measures… the man who believed and made us all believe… to the most enigmatic superstar in the world… Farewell... Hope, my daughter finds her own Dhoni one day…

Thank you, Mahi! Been a privilege!

Redemption, for us.

He got his redemption, but how about us....

On Mar 29^th, 2018 the captain, vice captain and youngest member of the Australian cricket team were subjected to public shaming (yes in 2018. Public shaming is more pervasive today than medieval times) through a tearful press conference. Twitteraties had a field day.

What demanded such ignominy and public wrath? Performing a common practise in cricketing world called ball tampering. Sure they deserved a wrap on the knuckles for the stupidity with which it was done. But what followed in terms of punishment shocked the cricketing fraternity as it was even more stupid than the act itself. They were stripped of their leadership roles (understandable) and were sent to 1 year exile. Far more heinous crime makers have gotten off with nothing.

Fast forward to Sept 16^th, 2019…. After doing his time for the non-crime, the ex-captain was standing atop the podium (world) holding the man of the series award for bringing back home the coveted Ashes. He was the Last (only) man standing, preventing a glorious end to a golden summer England cricket ever witnessed.

More than the mountain of runs he scored or the manner with which he scored them (damn he was hospitalized due to concussion and missed a game on medical advice), what really defined those 6 weeks was the clarity life was showing to the entire world (if we are not blind enough to see it).  Those 6 weeks showed that humans are the biggest scums the world has ever seen. Yes “US”, whose entire being is defined by mediocrity and self-righteousness. It is these two dangerous and “should not co-exist” characteristics that makes us feel entitled to stand on a pedestal and judge and hence ridicule everyone but selves.

We are so stupid to even realize that all those boos and abuse we threw at Mr. Smith (and others on other occasions for various excuses (you cannot reason abuses)) was not a reaction to his act a year back, but just a reflection of what we have (un)become as people and how low we can stoop to make ourselves look better. But life always finds its way towards justice. By the end of those 6 weeks all the boos and jeers were replaced by cheers and respect (Genius and will has a way to bow us all).

Another genius once said, “Those who forgive are humans but those who seek forgiveness are great beings”.

So Mr. Smith, both with his deeds and penance ensured he got his redemption (self-redemption, as we are not worthy enough to redeem him) and is on his way to try being a great human. But how about us? Are we strong enough to seek ours? These are the questions we all should be answering to ensure we leave a better society for our kids.

Cricket can and should wait

It need not be in the hands of English cricket board or their players to decide if they should return back home during this critical time. It should be in the hands of Indian cricket board and its players. Most importantly a unanimous decision should have been made by now and it’s to ask them to go back home.

Because now is not about cricket. It’s not about any misplaced sense of loyalty to your contract or any agreement between two cricketing nations. It is not even about questioning our ability to protect this English team from danger (because we sure will).

No. It’s about being with the people they should be with, their family. It’s about telling their loved ones those very same words. It’s about seeing their children run towards them with that pure and innocent smile and ensuring them a peaceful night’s sleep knowing their dad is beside.

And as for us we deserve to find the same happiness and peace too. The opportunity to close our eyes for few seconds and feel what happened in Mumbai was nothing but a very bad dream. And sure cricket (sports in general) has this extraordinary capacity to give us this getaway. Of all forms of art, sport is the one that can bring uninhibited joy to an entire nation during its worst time (as soccer did for Brazil and Argentina).

But now is not the time. Because of all the people, the ones who deserve this happiness the most would be the family of the victims. We should wait for them to join us again to be a part of this happiness. Now we should allow them to mourn their loss in peace. Give them the privacy they need, a shoulder to lean on and shed their tears. To tell them how sorry we are and will be there for them during their hour of need.

There will come a time (sooner than later), when this city/nation will stand up again even more strongly and continue with its life. That’s what resilient nations do. We will do so too with indomitable courage and a smile on our faces.

That would be the time for cricket to show us its face and take us on the promised getaway.

It is with this message we would like to send KP and co back home for now.

We would want them to come back when they feel ready mentally, as we still have some unfinished business left on the cricket field. Only when they are at peace with themselves they can be at their best. And this flowering Indian cricket team led by Dhoni (the potential face of modern India) deserves no less than a best fit English team to compete with. And off the field they will be welcomed back as our guests and be a part of this country and its life during their stay.

Because this is what India is all about. It’s a land of opportunities, mystical beauty, diverse culture and more importantly hospitable people with right priorities.

GOD’s DARK KNIGHT

For 158 years, they did not see even a single quarter loss. Not even during the rail road collapse of the 1800, the great depression of 1930s and the collapse of long term capital management. Then one “not so” fine day, they filed bankruptcy and went bust. Yes, on Sep 15th 2008 Lehmann Bros shocked not just the financial community but the entire world.

So were similar downfalls seen among many an elite from all walks of life (too often in sports). Individuals like maradona, ronaldhino, agassi (even though his redemption makes him an exception to the rule), kamalhassan and plenty others with extraordinary brilliance and genius at their very disposal have gone through this cycle, inexplicably and invariably.

BUT WHY????

This is the million dollar question that’s been analyzed every single time such failures are seen in public. And every time one predominant and omnipotent factor is being identified as the root cause behind this phenomenon. But alas there has been no solution found out for the same (for a reason never will be).

So who/what is this ever surviving malaise that’s destroying people/organization that once seemed indestructible. How, when and where does it germinate, spread its wings to make people soar higher and higher (human are so ignorant they never see it coming) and eventually cuts down their flight and brings them back with such a force that leaves them as dead as possible.

When a man/woman/organization is beginning to find their foothold in their respective fields, this little embryo makes its first appearance in their womb (human mind). For every forward step taken by the human, the little devil takes 2 steps. But it’s so slick and stealthy; human mind is not able to capture this growth. So by the time humans attain success in their life (or some think they do), this medium of destruction takes over the mind so completely, they are left clueless as to even contemplate what happened let alone to find ways to prevent it.

It makes them 100% blind (cos it’s not the eyes but mind that’s blinded), it knows exactly what it is doing and how it is gonna go about its tasks. It never comes alone or in the same form. It camouflages itself behind various masks like pride, arrogance, over confidence, disdain for others and many more.

Every one but the affected mind is able to see it and some soulless souls surrounding this mind (under the deceiving cloak of friendship) feed this little virus every now and then (with the sole aim of destructing the person) and enjoy reveling in the predicted outcome, the downfall from glory.

The souls that are pained to see this destruction (because they are the genuine friends and well wishers) of the concerned are unable to let the person’s mind see the pitfall and hence the possibility to avoid it. This is cos the virus that’s so bloated now, does not want the mind to listen to the truth and recover from the fall into ever deepening abyss. And as with every thing there is a breaking point. These friends who becomes so hopeless of turning the situation around, leave the affected for good in search of respite and sanity (you cannot blame them for this).

During all this time, the virus manipulates the mind to stay in ignorance, by making them blame everything and everyone around but themselves. They get so locked up inside this darkness, they are either not willing to come out of it (scared to see the truth) or as in many cases are unable to come out of it. At this moment the bastard pretty much hits the final nail in their coffin and seals their irrecoverable fall into the abyss (deservedly so).

Because for the survival of humanity and continuous prosperity of mankind, this stealthy little devil called EGO is the darkest of all creations by the GOD himself.

SLOW BUT SURE DEATH OF THE GREATEST MIND IN INDIAN CINEMA??

Let me make one thing clear upfront. This piece is not about the biggest crap called dasavatharam that sadly slipped out of the most brilliant mind of Indian cinema. Nor is this about how it became as successful as it did (any trash is appreciated by simple minds when they are deceived to believe it’s a masterpiece).

He decided to dish out this junk in its crudest form even before he started working on this painful (in every sense of the word for every one concerned. Mainly for poor souls like me and my brother who grew up admiring this man) journey for the last 2 yrs.

Any one dare say that the man who gave more sublime movies than the whole industry (except Malayalam industry during its golden time) put together does not know that acting in 10 meaningless roles with masks all over his face and in certain roles even hands and every visible body parts (genuine and successful attempt to deprive his fans of those heart wrenching emotions they are so used to seeing) in a soulless 3.30hrs of torture is implausible, inconceivable and more importantly totally unnecessary.

No this column is about this dangerous slow but sure death of this great mind. The reasons and the process which is leading him to this self crucifixion (btw you’re taking the lives of millions of fans along with yours). This cancer has been struggling so hard to show its head once in a while during the last decade with pretty decent success ratio. But of late it seems to have won its battle as there seems to be no fight from the man himself to avoid it from reappearing. Or is his body and mind more than willing to accept this cancer to grow faster and serving as a medium to its deplorable appearances.

What could be the reasons that are dragging him to this abyss?

• His fear that he is getting old and wasted too much of his time doing meaningless work – He was a self confessed forced actor.

• He is too brilliant with too much ideas to share and hence putting too much on the plate

• None around him is courageous enough and honest enough to tell him he sucks when he does (after all its after the death of his beloved ananthu and separation from his ex wife this cancer is succeeding even more in its appearances)

• His misplaced (not entirely) belief that he is the vehicle to move Indian cinema to the world class level (honestly he is the only one capable and he was half way there in realizing it during 90’s)

• His growing meaningless obsession with the technology and grandeur with which he wants to project his ideas – he is a self confessed sucker for applause and desire to die in limelight

• Or his realization that he needs to stoop this low to reach the mass market and make money for his dream project marudanayagam (after all dasa had the biggest of openings in recent memory)

• Self indulgence and too much love for himself. But then which artist is not narcissistic. It was this self indulgence that gave us Pushpak, Guna, Thevar Magan, Kuruthipunal, Apoorva, MMKR, Mahanadhi, Anbesivam, Virumaandi and HeyRam.

I believe it’s a combination of the above mentioned factors and many others I may not be aware of. But the biggest factor and the most dangerous of all is “He is getting too big for himself”. His ever bulging ego is not letting him see that he is all wrong. He is beginning to believe he is bigger than the art. He thinks being in every frame of the movie would over power the most basic element of any good cinema called story/script/screenplay.

His misconception that grandeur is what eyes see instead of what mind seeks. His films in 90’s were grander than any of the grandest movies he might have presumed to have dished out. Technical brilliance lies in the tautness of the screenplay, the vision and execution of the story, the direction of the events, camera work, dialogues, background music and the synchronization of these major entities to produce a seamless product called good cinema. This is what made his Kuruthipunal one of the most technically brilliant movies of all time (and it had performances to behold).

In one of the interviews he did few years back when the interviewer mentioned that “He is a Genius” the genius replied back saying “When you are surrounded by mediocrity even ordinary is considered as Genius”. He was both right and wrong. He sure was and is surrounded by mediocrity but he was not ordinary. But am afraid he is becoming one. His statement then, rings very true now.

So I sincerely believe its time for him to take a step back and think hard and honestly about all these if he is sincere in creating good movies and as a result take Indian cinema forward. It’s critical to give Ego the space it deserves and only deserves. Nothing more. Because this ego does not need second invitation to sneak up on you and kill you before you realize of its existence.

Before he released Dasa, he promised this movie would not insult the people’s intelligence. I am not sure which audience he had in mind, but if am one of them it definitely insulted mine. And am sure plenty others too. We are not that stupid. So if you have decided to let the cancer continue to grow please tell us so. That we are not allowed to assume that class, substance and intelligence will be a part of your movies anymore. Even though it would be a bitter pill to swallow we know you are not cheating us or stabbing us in our back.

But I sincerely hope it would not be the case. I hope that there is a turn around to the current trend. If not for hope this world will not wake up in the morning smiling irrespective of how the previous night ended. I hope that turning for good would be through Marmayogi (I hoped the same before Dasa too. I am afraid I will hope the same after marma too even if it fails me again. After all I also want to wake up the next day smiling)

What hurts us poor souls (who are not as blessed as he is and hence made to thrive on the happiness sprinkled on us by his movies) as much is the fact that the most talented and brilliant mind is willing himself to settle for a quickie in a whore house when he is being gifted the opportunity to have the most passionate and sublime love making of all time.

So please don’t force us to live on memories. It’s too painful to endure now and we have no option but to put up only with those wonderful memories when you leave this world for good.

So please don’t do it to us, the people who have grown up looking up at you, your talent and the courage to stand for what you believed in and lived for. We all deserve better (it’s your fault to pamper us with providing one masterpiece after another). Cinema deserves better. Most importantly you deserve much better than what you are giving yourself. I am finding it difficult to see it any other way.

Because my beloved Mr. Kamalhassan can’t you still see it – After all “YOU ARE THE CHOSEN ONE”

A STROLL IN THE PARK – OR SO IT SEEMED

He was ambling along at his own leisure. Very much aware of the surroundings and circumstances, so sure of himself and the end result. He was savoring every second of it (not that he had too many seconds on hand either). And so were the millions of people watching the stunning show unfold in front of their unbelievable eyes. The people (not just ordinary men and women, but ex champions, journalists, coaches and even the poor competitors) were unable to even figure out the enormity of the sublime and yet the simplest action being performed. Human mind is not programmed to comprehend the occurrence of certain things. One such thing happened for the shortest span of time imaginable at Beijing Olympics on Saturday 16th 2008 10.30pm.

If only any pair of eyes, in the entire stadium or watching it through any electronic medium possible, had the ignorance or temerity to shift theirs a few meters behind the man on show, they would have seen the real truth. 6 other gifted pairs of legs toned to near perfection by 4 yrs of extraordinary practice, struggle and determination to succeed were pushing each other with all their might and energy as though they were running for their life. In a way they were. They would have started the race in search of glory and limelight and 50 m into it they were running away from the same. They were all looking for an end to this trauma and would have prayed for the earth to swallow them all in a flash.

Because the man in front was making a mockery of them all and everyone who had been a part of the beacon of all track and field events in the past. He literally left his opponents in wake with no apparent effort. It looked as though he had a secret dealing before hand with the almighty himself on how it would turn out for him.

By the time it was all over (btw there was still 20 m to cover before the finishing line) he was so relaxed and confident that he turned his head either side as though to reconfirm the fact that it was a one man traffic and was beating his chest in celebration.

What enabled him to do what he did that night? When every other world class runners were either too anxious or down right scared of the situation, his demeanor showed as though he was getting prepared for a stroll in the park. For heavens sake when his main compatriot was shaking and shivering all over, this guy was dancing to the music being played in his head. To me victory was sealed right at that moment.

That’s what a 21 yrs old mind free of fear and complemented with bizarre natural talent can do to people and others surrounding it. He has not experienced the failure of the past nor does he know what it feels like to be a part of all this. After all this was his first Olympic event. So in the end there was no inhibition nor were any doubts allowed to creep into the mind.

Post race when he was asked how he prepared himself for the day, his answer was pretty much similar to his race itself, quite extraordinary and out of the text book manual. He told to every stunned reporters and media person that he slept well into the noon, had chicken nuggets for lunch, slept again and had his second session with the chicken nuggets.

That’s what he was doing the whole day (including the race). He was having fun (In every sense of the word). And for every one who were lucky enough to witness it (except his co runners) what a fun ride it was. It was mind blowing, breathtaking and out of this world fun. In short it was ultimate bliss.

All these doping people and cynics of this world are out there trying to do their job to ensure it was done in fair manner. Let’s hope it was. We don’t want our myths to be shattered the way it was when that smiling angel from USA was branded a fake. Let’s hope he is clean. The competition deserves him to be clean and more importantly that race deserves him to be clean.

Because ladies and gentlemen what Usain Bolt did that night was 9.69 seconds worth of pure gold.