Monday, February 23, 2009

India's vicarious joy

The whole of india is in a vicarious joy and more so for the 6 crore people hailing from TamilNadu. If someone told me that I would listen to Tamil on the podium of the 81st Academic awards 5 years ago, i would have asked "Are you out of your mind?". I am quite a liberal when it comes to views pertaining to land/origin and the like. I am a true admirer of globalization. It pisses me off when TN and Karnataka leaders say they fight each other for people's cause and stuff. Arent they supposed to settle these issues amicably, helping people of both states. But, there are some moments when your patriotism, sense of belonging to your place of origin, takes you over.

I did not watch ARR receive the award live, but, when i heard that he spoke both Tamil and Hindi there, it gave me goosebumps right away. I have watched it over a dozen times now though. A sense of belonging overtook me. I felt proud for being an Indian and that too a Tamilian, or, should i say Thamizhian. Lot of people, me included, tell the word Tamil itself in an accent the westerner appreciates. But, when i heard ARR say, Thamizh, in the right way it should be said, i felt a sense of guilt for using an accented tone when mentioning my language to a westerner.

It is indeed a great moment for the whole nation. Getting recognition in a foreign nation having different sensibilities is truly a moment to cherish. After all, Russel crowe or Brad pitt or Angelina jolie or Julia roberts, havent got Indian National awards or I doubt if they have got any British awards too. One Indian, has crossed all sensibility barriers and come out on Top.

In the midst of all this euphoria, i couldn't help but notice some people still talking about poverty porn, why this movie needed to be done by a foreigner and stuff. I can only pity them. If it was made by an Indian, for sure it would be catered to the local audience, shot in Hindi and it would never have made the impact it has made.

What makes that man even great is that he still remembers his roots and is as humble as anyone can be. I am proud of whatever he has done and I am sure he would leave an indelible mark in the world of Music surpassing anyone who is a legend thus far. One sad thing amidst all this is that we are gonna miss him even more often in Tamil music after this.

Pity him, even he has only 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week!!

5 comments:

King Vishy said...

ur point on pronunciation of the word 'Thamizh' is hard hitting :) I didnt notice it when I saw his acceptance speech video.. GREAT!

Naga said...

When I watched Rahman performing "O.. Saya" in the stage last night with number of dancers dancing with bright colors in Indian style, suddenly I had a feeling that India has taken over Hollywood.. THAT WAS THE PROUDEST MOMENT!!

R Srikkant said...

Naga:

Yes da. It is a great feeling. I couldn't get to see the full performance yet. I wished he could ve shown hollywood what he s really capable of also. How abt "azeem o shaan shahenshah.." with the same band!! :)

R Srikkant said...

Vishy: Thanks anna! It stung me as soon as i heard that speech. Decided not to pronounce our great language like some Thamizh TV hosts!!

Venkata Ramanan S said...

Thats a gr8 post Sri... I did ve those goosebumps wen i saw him sayin "Ella Pugazhum Iraivanukke"...:)

Btw..Thamizhiyan ???

'Thamizh' n "Thamizhan "...:)