I very rarely go to movies these days. Imagine coughing up 150 bucks for a movie like Black&White!! I wouldn't watch it the second time even if Ghai saab offers me 300 for the endurance test. I am still wondering how it could get a tax relief. Anyway, that aside, even before the movie started, the national anthem was played by the multiplex owners. And before the anthem started, a message was flashed saying, “Please respect the national anthem and stand up." And I reluctantly got up and endured the one minute rendition. You think I should not made that comment? Let me justify myself.
I studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya. So that would imply that we used to sing the national anthem everyday after the Assembly. And if I keep aside my KV allegiance, I am pretty sure it is the practice in all most every school of India. After the anthem is over, the school pupil leader would say, school viserjen' and we used to say Jai Hind. That has endured till today. So much of indoctrination that every time I listen to Jana gana mana, I involuntarily shout school viserjen and Jai Hind at the end.
Another momentous occasion was on the day of Gandhi Vardhanti. At the time of Gandhiji's death, a Siren would go out in the town and all the students would observe one minute's silence. I was told that electric supply would be off for a minute. And that all trains too would stop for a minute. I have no idea how much of it is true but that is the image with which we were brought up. For us, it meant that the nation would come to a stand still for that minute. As we entered higher classes, the 'silence' became voluntary and self imposed. So, once we were in the cricket field. When the siren went up, all of us freezed in our position. Batsmen in hi s stance, bowler on his runner up, fieldsmen in their ensemble poses. Apart from being fun, it was our interpretation of the nation coming to a stand still. Time moved on, the number of times I listened to the national anthem came down drastically.
And then, I saw for the first time, commercialisation of our anthem. While watching K3G, the familiar song is played out on screen. The whole of the auditorium sat. Except for a motley 3-4 people. Not that I have any regrets or misgivings.
Later, very recently, while we were watching a rather pathetic play on patriotism, the national anthem is played out. All of the audience stood up in the midst of the boos and we stood up until the anthem was over. I saw an ad wherein the anthem is played inadvertently on the radio and everyone who is listening to it gets up and stands in respect. I am told it’s a brilliant ad, the brilliance eludes me though.
I don't want to be held ransom for a song. My argument is that there should be an occasion for everything. We go to a movie hall or anywhere with an intention of having some fun. And suddenly, the national anthem is played. And the first thought which comes to my mind is, oh no, not again.
One might argue that it’s only for a minute and that we should unquestioningly stand up and respect it. But why? Why should I always prove my patriotism and allegiance ? Especially when the rendition is a commercially spruced up version. Shubha Mudgal going on and on with the raagas while we are shown Bofors guns and kashmir on screen. Why should I stand up? What if Sunny Deol suddenly becomes patriotic and decides to play JanaGanaMana ten times in his movies. Are we supposed to stand up every time. And I am willing to bet that no one is going to stand up unless a written message pleading us to stand-up is explicitly showed.
I think it’s high time that we stop expecting people to wear their patriotism on their sleeves all the time. There is a place and time for everything. Please don't commercialise it. And yes, we don't have to be reminded our duties towards the nation every now and then.
Tailpiece: :Like a good Christian would say, "Don't take gods name in vain" !!
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@andhrasvilas: Completely agree with what you say in the last para. :-)
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@V-s-Gopal: You have aptly summarised my views. :-)
@KrishnanBala: Sir, where is the occassion for the anthem to be played ? I am afraid i fail to see the contempt. Why are we so afraid that we will forget. Why are we so insecure about our own patriotism? And about 'To die un-sung and un-honoured' it would be such a pity if I consciously live for somebody else so that they will sing or honour me, all the more so, at my funeral, when absolutely nothing matters, it would be such a waste of my life. :-(
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Hi SupriyaD, It is precisely this rhetoric that I guess patriotism is being substited with. Ok, lets play the anthem everywhere. MithunDa and Sunny Deol will play it ten times in thier movies, the saas-bahu serial in each episode,in pubs and bars, lest we forget. Lets get Himesh Reshamiya to remix the anthem too....will make for great consumerism.
And I would like to know who are the 'WE' you are referring to when you say 'we are fighting for our freedom', especially w.r.t. NE. We are fighting to restrict the freedom that somebody else is seeking.
I guess we have fallen into a perfect trap of raging tempers, jingosim and rhetoric which is generated everytime someone is forced to prove his allegiance/patriotism towards his country.
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Sorry for the delayed response Suresh, I am glad the supreme court is on my side in this instance and rightly so, I guess. :-)
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Hi Museman...
Your post made me walk through the memory lane and recollect a few things. Even I used to feel is it necessary to display that we respect and exhibit the patriotism. When I was a kid and I used to step on my books (especially the maths text book.. man I hate it) knowingly or unknowingly, I was forced to take it and press it against my eyes and sometimes kiss that also. When I asked why do we need to do this all my friends with raised eyebrows used to scream and say that's God. Now this raised another question that every thing on earth has God in it and in that case my shoe too so shoud I keep pressing it against my eyes every now and then... Finally I had to be contented with the reply my mother gave me... A tight slap..
Certain things in life go without logic.... They are meant to be observed, followed. However if we need to maintain our identity and integrity as a nation and be proud Indians and not great NRI's then these things are very much necessary... Or else the day isn't too far off when the youth of tomorrow say "Hey Dad! cool dude. If I smoke and drink before you that doesn't mean I dont respect you, I need not display it every time before you... or a wife tell her husband... "Look honey If I sleep with someone else that doesn't mean I don't love you... You are in my heart but I need not display that by sacrificing my fun in life...
However I do agree with you that the national anthem shouldn't be commercialised and there should be a relevance whenever it is used. It really hurt me a number of times when I had to hear the national anthem buzzing as a ringtone in railway stations, markets and public toilets. Also when the cars are backing up......
Finally I appreciate you speaking your sense and being authenticate and not looking good... All the best....
Andhravilas...
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Dear Sir,
In a country like India, ever plagued by divisive and seperatist forces, from north to south , west to east and where not a drop of tear is shed for umpteen of my brothers slaughtered on the border where they keep vigil in the most hazardous terrain, if any Indian feels it painful or agonising to stand up when ever the national anthem is played, then I am extremely sorry for the conempt shown.
" Breathes there a man with soul so dead,
Who never unto himself has said,
This is my own, my native land,
Whose steps haven't returned from a foreign strand.
If there breathes one,Go mark him well,
For him no funeral pyres swell.........
............................................................
............................................................
To die un-sung and un-honoured. ------------WALTER SCOTT.
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Hi Museman,
A very well written piece. Humourous, sarcastic, realistic, logical, didactic etc , all in right proportions! I enjoyed the humour most. The point is well made - don't force us to indulge in the National Anthem frivolously in cinema houses, and at other inappropriate places at inappropriate times.
vs gopal
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I agree. And I might come across as very right wing to you - but NO - reminders are imp mostly because were such suckers for forgetting - LEST WE FORGET.
I dont understand how much freakin effort it takes for young bones to get off their backside when the National Anthem plays in theatres?! And yes - notice the cap. N and A.
Indians have taken their freedom lightly. It came at a price.
We dont give a sorry shit about our soldiers - and we included first our power brokers. The little reminders should stay put because we are fighting for our freedom on our borders - and thats from all the sides - NE, Kashmir - everywhere - as I write this comment.
I hate the *let me be my own person - urban culture - old is by gone* attitude most young people have started flaunting lately.
Yes - they should like hell play the National Anthem in cinema halls - schools - everywhere. Its Nationalism - and I am freakin proud of it.
Thats to say that youre a product of KV - and I'm - of a missionary school - but does that matter?
Anyone who has a problem can come into the theatres ten minutes late and be sent to war with the strike forces WITHOUT a bullet proof. They're so much for personal freedom and space.. then go fight your own war!!!!!!
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National Anthem needs to be respected. I agree with you that just standing for the National Anthem for namesake in the name of patriotism is hypocricy. Even the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held it not compulsory to stand for National Anthem. It depends on the emotions of respective persons. Pride for our country can be expressed in many ways.
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