Tuesday, March 29, 2011

TOW Admiration

This is cricket world cup time... people are getting crazier day by day...stakes are rising.... it doesn't seem to be anything less than war. Pressure on players is crossing all levels...they know their every move will be scrutinised, discussed and if needed criticised for a long time. We have raised them to a level, which is next(hopefully) only to God.

And it is not just for cricketers, we also have a special status for all celebrities... actors, actresses, politicians. I often wonder why we do this. Appreciating someone, respecting and admiring is one thing. But when something like this is done:
http://www.myfirstshow.com/news/view/998/A-temple-for-Superstar-Rajini.html
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/kolkata-fans-worry-about-god-amitabh-bachchans-health_100106734.html
http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/03/chilean-man-has-82-julia-roberts-tattoos---but-not-the-pretty-woman-version.html

ain't we in some way demeaning ourselves.

Isn't giving a mortal human God status demeaning to our Gods? Isn't piercing your body for a celebrity an insult to your body? When we say that some human is great and we attach a certain awe to it, ain't we challenging our wits?

Its great to be awesome in some field, when we see a great player or a great actor, its natural to appreciate it. But, does it also mean that they are great in all fields of life? That whatever they say is necessarily right? Why can't we consider them as mere mortals... who eat, drink, work... and are susceptible to errors.

Why do we need to peep into lives of celebrities.. what Paris Hilton does, how Lady Gaga feels or what vows Kate Middleton will make? Is it some sort of inferiority complex in our lives, which drives us to look into the lives of those better humans? Are we trying to get some thrill in our otherwise routine boring lives? What drives us to read page 3 of news paper everyday????


Tuesday, March 1, 2011

TOW Buri Nazar

Sachin always puts his right foot forward while entering a cricket field. He looks up after scoring any century or so. Amitabh has loads of rings that ensure his family's wellbeing. All serials by Ekta kapoor are numerological correct. There are several superstitions that each of us have for success. From a lucky pen to a lucky shirt to an unlucky number.... And this concept is not restricted to India only, the so-called Scientifically advanced countries have their own notions of lucky charms. We may not like to accept them, but when it comes to fate or luck, we like to keep the Gods happy...

But, there is one thing which is uniquely Indian. The concept of "Buri Nazar" or Evil eye. From "Buri Nazar waale tera munh kaala" written behind every truck to the latest in the trade "Nazar Suraksha Yantra" or "Badha Raksha Yantra". Tele marketers have found our weakness and they sure know how to tap it. The fact that we believe some people have the power to ruin our happiness by just being jealous!!! I am not sure how many of us will fall into the trap of them, but, it certainly is able to fund the advertisements. Again, we may not like to accept that we the elite, educated ones are superstitious, but we would still apply kajal on the forehead of an infant... just in case.

I honestly wonder, are Indians the only race capable of casting evil eyes on others? Ain't the kids in other countries cute or are the people more kind hearted. Or is there some "How to be evil and how to protect yourself" dose which is given to every Indian at birth? How is a concept so deeply rooted in Indian minds able to sustain itself through the centuries unless it is carefully packed and parcelled to the next generation.