On the Oscars, Celebrations, and Attitudes
I penned down some thoughts on the Oscars, the celebrations, and the subsequent criticism of Indian attitudes.
This comes in the wake of hearing a number of intelligent people comment on our attitude.
May be very random and unstructured. So, basically, standard disclaimers apply.
Since the time Slumdog got nominated for several International Awards (including the Oscars!), I've had the opportunity to listen to and to read a number of thought provoking discourses on why our attitude is all wrong, on why we are still behaving like a 3rd World Country with 1st page splash news coverage, and even on why do we need to be so 'desperate', 'insecure', and 'servile'.
Let me try & make an audacious attempt at explaining our behavior!
Throughout the various stages of our evolution, be it during our 'Sone ki chidiya' days, our during our colonised years, our during the present stage of a possible revival; India has always been a country marked by loud expression of emotion.
We've always celebrated with gusto at the thousand or so festivals every year and at at the cricket matches. We have cried our hearts out over films, and even while reading stories as kids. Hero(ine!) adulation is an integral part of the Great Indian culture.
We've always liked it large!
The teeming millions of the country find a symbol of hope in the achievements of any public figure. His or her exploits are identified with by every teenager who aspires, and by every elder who still desires.
Cinema and cricket have always been ways to connect the multiply divergent diaspora together by common sacrosanct threads. Vicarious pleasure would be the appropriate term.
And, of course, the world shall always listen to, and history shall always be dictated, credibility shall always be awarded to the Powers that be Therefore, this instance appears no different. It is not really as much about a 'slavish' mentality as about a very natural state of existence for humanity at large.
The Oscars are byfar the most celebrated film awards anywhere. And, this one marked several firsts for our Great country. Of course, recognition (or the lack of it) of Indian sensibilities at western award functions would bring us to a different level of debate altogether.
Now, I come to my favorite point.
Given the times we live in, with fear, mistrust, cynicism, and negativity, all around, any opportunity to feel a little happy, rejoice, and enjoy should be very welcome. Therefore, instead of questioning the ways of our revelling, and instead of trying to 'ape' western sensibilities by being a little more subtle in our methods, let us just be ourselves!
Let us revel in our own singularity. There is, really, no country like India!
The world may laugh calling it ostentatious, but can they inspire the same amount of wild joy in anything that they do, as we can in a Holi day out?
Celebrate, India, Celebrate!
P.S. : Congratulations, Rahman, Russel, Gulzar et al!!
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7 comments:
The point is that Indians love each other (doesnt matters what they say but the do love every other Indian) and when u love someone u r bound to be happy by the success of that person. The west considers us as a third world/ a country through which they can reach the roots of taliban / a country with which they can stop the unstoppable growth of china etc etc. let them be.
On the contrary I personally feel that slumdog millionaire should not have won oscar for best movie considering the other brilliant nominations
The Oscar winner is often not considered to be the best film by many. (eg : Crash(chosen over Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Munich etc), Forrest Gump(chosen over Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption).
It made interesting reading when someone pointed out that the Oscars reflect the general mood in America. Personally, I was glad "Slumdog" won.. but it was more because it was Danny Boyle's movie than anything else. I love "Trainspotting".
@Sumit,
True, my friend. The one uniting thread that holds the many many Indias together (Every 100 kms, the country and its people completely change!) is the bond of love that we all share. Let this love grow, spread and shine in even greater measure!
As for the award itself, yes, there were brilliant nominations all around. But, something must have appealed to the sensibilities of the jury(& it is a considerably well represented and erudite one at that!) to the extent that the movie swept the awards!
However, the post isn't really about winning or losing. Its about criticism on our being happy about it! As I said, any opportunity to rejoice, and celebrate should be welcome. Doesn't make sense to rationalize and ask people to sober down and show subtlety! Let the Happiness flow free, and flow eternal!
:-)
@ Ayaz
Interesting to see you posting a comment and not having posts on your Blog! I may just have competition in the laziness department!
Yes, indeed, the concept of 'Best' Film is subjective. You never know, what clicks to which part of the audience. One of the many reasons that make cinema as beautiful as it is! The examples that you gave make a lot of sense in illustrating your point.
And, as I said to Sumit, my thoughts were not so much about the movie than about attitudes!
Another interesting point that somebody pointed out after reading this writeup: People go wild over football clubs that have no Indian presence at all. But, they are quick to point out that Slumdog is technically, not even Indian cinema! Such are the ironies of life!
@kp
kya farak padta hai.. maine to philosophical note pe bola tha.. which inturns is the purest form of BC. :)
Kudos :P
I was actually planning on doing a very similar blog last week, then i observed these echoes :P
The world is happy when you echo with them, and narcissuses are happy being singular :)
Can't we tread the golden mean to be the golden bird again?
@ Pramath
Indeed!
Golden bird et al. A childhood favorite!
I see that you possess a natural gift for Marketing! Imperium and Narcissus in the comment above stand golden testimony to that ability! :-)
And, kudos! Yet again!
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