For my Urdu Ustaad it really does. For the uninitiated lot, let me introduce my Ustaad. Mr. Ibrahim Durvesh, the octogenarian phonetician in Urdu who lives almost nameless, in a small 150 sq. ft. kholi close to JJ hospital. He has actually worked with the likes of Mehdi Hassan.My fascination for Urdu (almost entirely due to Ghazals) sparked me to check out this option. In the true Modern day MBA style, he said that he has a unique “7 session course” to learn Urdu (includes writing, speaking and appreciating).
“Somebody is actually claiming to teach Urdu in 7 sessions??” I just jumped at the prospect. Actually, the ROI calculation was too compelling for me to say “no”.
Before I move to the central theme of the article let me credit him for the honesty. At the end of 7 sessions I could even dare to pick up an Urdu newspaper and read the headlines at least. It’s a different issue that I have completely lost touch due to the lack of practice. :-)
Urdu is a fascinating language. The emphasis given to phonetics is simply amazing. For instance “Z” can be pronounced in 4 different ways (Guttural, Palatal, Aerial, Labial and some intermediaries) or how “Gh” of Ghalib is a guttural sound while “Gh” of Ghadi is an Aerial sound or “ph” of “phool” is a dento-labial sound etc etc.
He pointed out at multiple occasions, that film stars don’t even accurately pronounce the Urdu words in their dialogues. He would squirm listening to them and would complain to me “pronunciation is life to Urdu, how can they ruin a beautiful language like that?”
Umrao Jaan’s remake is a testament to mediocrity that is rampant amongst the cinestars.
Over the last 3 years, on being initiated to Hollywood movies by my mates (dear and near & flat and batch), I have realized to my amazement, the seriousness with which great actors do their homework for films. How Robert di nero would actually drive a cab in New-York for a few days before starting Taxi Driver! How he would actually work on his physique to suit the character’s life in Raging bull”!
Look at what our Blue boys are doing in South Africa vs. the Kangaroo Kids in Adelaide. Actually, we fail to admit that even at their peak they were not close to being world’s best.
I can give multi-million more examples (Indian Economy vs. China, Polity of this country), but think will rest my case here.
I think we have become a society, infected with mediocrity which invariably leads to incorrect judgments on what we call success.
So, does it really matter? Well if this doesn’t, then what does?
5 comments:
A very thought-provoking post Amogh...i do agree that we seriously do lack role models who enjoy all the success and attention due to their work ethic and quality alone and not merely by virtue of there being bad quality competition or just pure luck!
I mean, for every Vinod Kambli or a Sania Mirza that we have, who are happy enough to rest on their existing laurels and believe that have already reached the pinnacle, we also have a Rahul Dravid or a Vishwanathan Anand who quietly go about doing their job in a steadfast, discipined & pro manner. For an SRK or a Fardeen who now acts on the big screen as if its just another 30 sec commercial, there is also an Aamir Khan or Shreyas Talpade (too early to judge but he's a star!) who give every second on screen an hour or preparation! But yes collectively, we just don't imbibe the fundamentals that needs to precede flamboyance...case in point, as you mentioned, the entire Aussie team vis-a-vis out Indian bunch. But the guys who put in that extra but in addition to the native talent that they possess to get noticed, albeit by a mere few who can understand them :). Also bad role models set a wrong example cos there are many who believe that substandard uality is enough to take you right up there, and hence the lack of effort or intellect percolates down!
Could'nt agree more with you Chandru. Infact, people like Lance Armstrong, Andre Agassi are in someother league completely. Actually ignorance on the part of audiences is also to be blamed for this. If people are more aware of what these world class sportspersons made of, probably we would give a fairer rasponse to Sania and the likes.
We like to focus on flashisms....not substance. Unfortunately democracy sometimes hands power and vocal chords in the hands/throats of people who r not fit to discern right from wrong. Long term benefits are shelved away for instant gratification. smae thing applies in sports also. it's a cultural thing. politer word for this phenomenon would be flair but i would like to call it irresponsibility. rather than go with percentages, we like to go with razzle dazzle, hype etc. freedom sometimes can be a stiffling sometimes as we have to put up with people who really don't deserve their star status.
that country is going to the dogs...any other country would have capitalized on our culture, intelligence, natural resources...but we've just become, as you say, one haven of mediocrity...like Ajith put it in a post on his blog : we're great at coming up with excises for failures and mediocrity...
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