Another Coffee, Another Thought

By Subrahmanian Namboodiri

Another coffee without the essential cigarette but, I think it’s a good thing since I do plan to quit. And going by the state of my lungs, it isn’t too soon. Anyway, I am not writing this to rant about how I miss cigarettes with my coffee. This article is more about the thoughts and train of thoughts that could run through your mind when you are enjoying either one of those. And today, as I sip on my iced latte, I remember a very peculiar behavior that presented itself to me the other day. I was buried in the various layers of my lunch when a colleague at work said something about how he found the Titanic repugnant. I am not sure what triggered it; me thinks it was after a promotion about the 3D version that aired in the cafeteria.

So I said that it wasn’t that bad but it isn’t something I’d watch either. He added that the music by Celine Dion was another piece of absolute trash that would appeal only to a lesser being. I was far too distracted by the club sandwich that was on my plate and did not pursue the matter.

Now, this is a guy that is happily dating a girl, who he also loves, which is something to remember.

The setting changes and it is now another day, and the both of us along with a female colleague are enjoying a morning tea, or, in my case; coffee. The Titanic’s background score begins playing on the television set in the café and to my utter amazement, our buddy begins raving about the finer points of the movie when asked if he would watch the new version. To this eager-eyed girl, he continues to say that he loves the way Leonardo Dicaprio sliding off the plank to his death in the dark abyss was shot. It was romantic and so very ‘poetic’ apparently. And that is not all; he was surprised by my exclamatory expression and the subsequent remark, about our earlier conversation, and he brushed it aside claiming it never happened. I was genuinely perplexed.

I queried about this, rather servile change on a different, unrelated occasion. His nonchalant reply was something about appealing to the emotionally weak side of women like ‘that’, as I understood it. The definition of ‘that’ I will leave for another time. For now, we shall look at this extraordinary reversal. That he was lying to the poor sap was apparent, but the reason does not readily reveal itself. He wasn’t hitting on her since he himself has talked about how satisfied he is with his current partner, so what could possibly explain this bizarre behaviour?  A twisted form of sycophancy perhaps, could it be?

Now, this guy, is, what you could call an ‘office jock’. Popularity points to him as an example and he is, to my knowledge, a genuinely nice guy. I, I admit, am far from the popular kind and love to be by myself and maybe with a friend or two. I don’t suck at socializing but I rarely ever want to. I also am what most would call ‘obnoxious’ though I myself, would disagree. So my point is; I don’t get it. I don’t. And I am not an outraged feminist batting for the persecution of this ‘lying rascal’. I am just curious. And, another thing; do you always have to please women. Can you not be honest while still maintaining whatever relationship it is? Do they have to be praised and complemented in their beliefs and thoughts for you to have credence? I think any relationship that requires ass kissing for survival is bound for a violent (hopefully) demise.  You aren’t going to be able to keep that up for long. There will be an end to it and when it comes crashing down, you’re the one to blame. You should have started with honesty. Best policy I tell you, I know that from experience.

It is however, human nature, to conform. To abide and to please the one opposite, male or female, or the majority, is a demand by society itself. To gain acceptance, you have to be a suck up! You say something against norms or something against what a society calls sacred, you will be ostracized and called a deviant. Another Rushdie you will be. You may be right, you maybe thinking out loud, but it doesn’t matter. Literature that is nothing short of brilliant has been shunned in the favor of a few religious brigands, who probably haven’t even read the book. Artists, good, mediocre, and even the great ones, have all had to face this ridiculous brand of opinion. I am no connoisseur so I can rarely ever tell one painting from another, but I know that every citizen has every right to express as the other. The intention is often not to hurt, but to bring to light, and yet, you will be given a kick up your backside and told to piss the hell off. I won’t bother with the list, I’m sure any one of you can Google it, but genuine artists/activists/authors that have raised genuine issues have paid the price. But this is a serious situation, and if one goes by an article written by a certain someone, this social evil has been inherited by our generation too.

This kind of conformation cannot be condoned, and it disheartens me when I see a peer talk of it as a joke. This is serious, the idea is to adapt and evolve, not regress into the Stone Age.

Tangents, the places they take me. I should be a philosopher don’t you think. Anyway, it was just a passing thought. You should think about it too. And you should smoke too. Those rising plumes of smoke are such a pleasure, sigh. These torturous days just get worse. How I yearn for the kiss of the paper bound cotton that leads my poison.

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Mahabharata

By Ameya Lonkar & Subrahmanian Namboodiri

Present day
 

I am sitting in my house alone, in front of the television channel surfing and I find nothing worth watching. I am sure everyone around here, there, everywhere knows what I am talking about. 

Boredom prevails and my mind begins to wander and travels to my childhood days.
 

The setting is a Sunday morning somewhere in the 90’s. The living room is overrun with people, people that are hastily removing their footwear at the door as they would at a shrine. They are all in a hurry, to get the best possible spot of course. After all it is important that they catch every bit of action that will unfold and hear every single word that is dropped. Everyone eagerly awaits the end of the commercial playing on screen. They are all waiting for the stentorian voice of Mahendra Kapoor to fill the room with the words - Mahabharat, Mahabharat.  And soon the sonorous voice fills the room and announces the beginning of the epic saga. Every soul in the room is listening with rapt attention. A feeling of bravado is gushing through everyone’s veins as Mahendra Kapoor’s voice booms throughout the air and I am no exception. It is due to this man’s thundering voice that the following verses from the sacred Gita are well known and so easily recognized.

 यदा यदा ही धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत, अभ्युथानम् अधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् |
परित्राणाय साधुनाम विनाशाय च: दुष्कृताम, धर्मं संस्थापनार्थाय सम्भावामी युगे युगे ||

And for the less acquainted, these words loosely translate as below:

Whenever there is decline of Dharma (righteousness), and rise of Adharma (unrighteousness);
To protect the virtuous, to destroy the wicked and to re-establish Dharma,
I manifest myself, through the ages.

  After the introductory track plays, the next is the eternal and unchanging “Samay”. Barely paying attention to the actual content that is being delivered, the delivery impresses me to such an extent. It is authoritative and deep, commanding the audience to obeisance.  Starting now, to the completion of the telecast forty minutes hence,  every chore in the household comes to a standstill as men and women alike sit in front of television set to witness one of the greatest events in history.

The ‘Mahabharat’ was, is and always will be a story of how good triumphs over evil, the fable depicting victory of light over darkness. It did not hold so much meaning for me back then, I was just happy to see the super powered arrows flying about. Shot with the intent to kill, they wreaked of vengeance. I don’t remember a lot more than the arrows, save for a few characters that were essential for the story. I clearly remember the crooked ‘Shakuni Mama’ and his various schemes to aid the ‘Kauravas’. I remember the serenity and calmness in Krishna’s voice as he guided ‘Arjun’ through the various battles fought on and off the war field. I am sure most of the nation’s Sunday mornings were spent watching this timeless classic. Apart from the actual lessons learnt, which weren’t a lot in my case, memory recalls the way this show brought together so many people. Right through generations, caste, creed, gender, it did not matter. The show spoke about qualities which are of utmost importance in one’s life; it taught us to live by our words, to respect our elders and teachers. The most important lesson was about faith. To have faith on our guide or as they called it our ‘Saarthi’. As we all sat, the important part was the bond forged across the generations. The elders got the opportunity to instruct without instructing, the lessons meant for a healthy life and we got an opportunity to bond with our parents, elders. Everyone watched, in unison, as our culture unfolded before our very eyes. Each new story taught a valuable lesson.

And today, in 2012, I wonder if there will be any other television show that could possibly create the same sort of atmosphere. Or for that matter, teach forgotten values or provide an exposure to Indian culture like this singular epic did. And I also don’t know if it was the show or the fact that we were simply more sociable back then. How many today, actually know who their neighbors are? Will we ever get together like we did in the days gone by?  I do not have answers to this, nor do I expect any from you. But time, for one, will certainly tell.

Woh samay hai, woh hi batayega

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