Change Has Come To India

The people's mandate yesterday wasn't all that surprising but the margins had more to say than mere numbers. Like someone told on television yesterday, the voting for once was influenced by issues other than caste and other petty mundane yardsticks that have defined electoral reactions over the decades in India.

Each of the victories has a different message from the junta to the politicians, and thankfully all of them are constructive and development oriented. Let us go state by state.

1. West Bengal
The undisputed case of a historical result, overturning a 34 year old Communist rule and handing it to a lady with stronger communist values! Yes, the people of Bengal have not forgotten their Communism, but the leaders of the Communist parties have. They have voted for the political leader who stood by the poor working class in their fight against international conglomerates. The have voted for the safer custodian of true Communist values.

The result is special because it sends out a clear message to the political parties that the true power of a democracy still lies with the people, who want to change with changing times. A political outfit that cannot reinvent itself with time is obsolete and unworthy of people's support. But the good news for the Communist party is that there is a lot of scope to change.

The average Bengali voter did not vote against the Communist for what happened in the last 2-3 years. Instead he looked around and saw how various states have emerged in the past thirty five years. He contemplated how in spite of being one of the first metro cities in the country he has had to be a passive onlooker when cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune rose to international standards of popularity and prosperity. He stared at the improvement in lifestyle of the people in most of the other Indian states and then turned back to find the same slums from Dominique Lapierre's City of Joy behind him.

At this juncture the average Bengali decided that it was time for things to change. But now what remains to be seen is how his life travels from here now that the red light has turned green!

2.Tamil Nadu
The forever underestimated population of Tamil Nadu has now shown why they would not allow that trend to continue. Elections in the state have always been a contest of freebies and bribes. The more the money and gift you offer, the more likely you are in power. But the math this time was not so simple, especially for the ruling party.

While political parties blame the anti incumbency factor for the result, the clear margin of AIADMK victory in the state indicates that the junta has come of age. Corruption and disgrace to the state is intolerable to all sections of the society- both rural as well as urban, even if the persons in question have been their ideological leaders for years together!

Also, the decades long trend of political parties trying to capitalise on the illiteracy and lack of awareness among the people from the rural areas by showing them bright prospects ad iterim in the run up to elections has backfired.

The message - the days of blind hero worship and generational loyalty to a particular political outfit are gone, and elections in Tamil Nadu like any other state will be driven by results!

3. Kerala
One of the most intellectual set of voters in the country. I believe that Kerala is one of the few places in India where a politician however old or strong is brought to his/her knees by the public at the time of elections.

A five time state minister since 1957 K.R.Gowriamma and her party's complete wash out from the scheme of Kerala politics after yesterday's election result is the latest example of the ruthless attitude of the people of Kerala when it comes to politics. Also notable in this context is the election of long time NRI Dr.Shashi Tharoor from the state capital constituency to the Lok Sabha in 2009, when the people did not allow regional sentiments (Dr.Tharoor is not a native of Tiruvananthapuram and has never lived in Kerala) to work against a bright and highly educated candidate with international exposure to represent them in New Delhi.

By offering the UDF an utmost wobbly government under the strict supervision of opposition leader Comrade VS, there is no way the government can even consider deviation from the people's expectations. Also this was probably the best way people of Kerala could show their appreciation to the clean and uncorrupt Left leader VS Achuthananthan, at the same time expressing their displeasure at his fellow partymen and disgust at the intra-party issues and problems in the left front!

The message from Kerala- Checkmate UDF! One wrong move and you're gone!

4.Assam
Keeping Assam to the end is analogous to saving the best part of the cake for the last bite! Assam is the perfect example of the change that summarises all the aforementioned messages.

The one and only message that goes out from here- Do your job impartially to the best of your abilities in the welfare of your people and you shall be voted back to power. No anti incumbency factor for performance oriented governance. This is how a progressive democracy works!

In conclusion, I reiterate my belief that the mandate of the assembly polls clearly indicate that change has indeed come to Indian politics. In partnership with the wave of anti corruption movement across the country and youth participation in nation building activities, we have a bright and development oriented future to look forward to! :)

Margazhi The Chennai Music Festival Season

I am writing this Tamil poem in English to avoid Tamil spelling errors! :P

Background-
Margazhi is the tamil calendar month (December) when the annual music and dance festival happens in Chennai. Like many other things, what began purely as a musical extravaganza has now turned into an exhibiton of social staus and richness. This poetry takes a jibe at those who indulge in these exhibitions and still call themselves 'Rasikas' (Aesthetic/Admirer)

English translations are given in italics.

[1]
Maargazhi Vanthathu
Mazhai Pozhinthathu
Nilam Nanainthathu
Athan Vaasam Paraviyathu.

'Margazhi' has come
It has started raining
Soil is wet
And its smell is spreading

[2]
Mazhayenna thadai
Maranthida Vinai
Aninthida Nagai
Ellorum Selvom Sabhai

Rain is no barrier to
Forget some troubles
Wear gold ornaments
And everyone goes to Sabhas (venues of musical concerts)

[3]
Athu Pattu Selai Kankaatchi
Bhavya Aadambara Pothukaatchi
Ivaimel Thaan Yaar Aatchi
Ithil Isai Entha Katchi?

Its a silk saree exhibition
Lavish ornament display
Who has any control over these
Where does music stand in this?

[4]
Manju Mami Manja Selai
Chitti Mama Pachcha Chattai
Aanandanna Puthu Car
Ivai Anaithayum Nee Paar

Manju Mami's (aunt's) Yellow Saree
Chitti Mama's (uncle's) Green Shirt
Anand brother's new car
You see all these things

[5]
Sudha Raghunathan Paadum Aarabiya?
Madurai Seshagopalan Pallaviya?
Kannayum Kaathayum Moodikondu
Summa Kai Thattuvathu Per Thaan Rasana-ya??

Sudha Raghunathan singing Aarabi raga?
Or Madurai Seshagopalan rendering pallavi?
You close your eyes and ears, and
Simply clap your hands. Is this called Aesthetics?

[6]
Margazhi Vanthathu
'Isai Mazhai' Pozhinthathu
Athil, En Manam Nanainthathu
Sabhayai Nokki Sentrathu!

'Margazhi' has come
It is a music rain
In it, My mind gets wet
And is drawn to the sabhas

Thalaivar Rajni and the HR Dept

Disclaimer: This is not about Rajini nor is it a review of Enthiran/Robot. But it is a must read for everyone who enjoys a good Rajini movie. Read till the end, and ignore the management aspect if you are not interested in it, but the thought will still make sense to you!

Motivation of the employees is an important role played by Human Resource Management and Business Psychology units, and from my experience one of the best tools for motivation are Rajinikanth movies! How? Read on...

Before I go ahead trying to explain this, it is important to clarify why is it just Rajinikanth's movies. If not from others, I expect this question to be popped up by avid Kamalahasan fans at least! Well, to answer this, almost all of the standard Rajini movies are based on the same plot. The movies are all about Rajini (as in the central character) and rarely would you find too many concepts and intricacies ingrained in the storyline. (Robot/Enthiran does not qualify to be a standard Rajini movie. Padayappa, Sivaji, Annamalai, Arunachalam, Muthu, Basha etc. do)

Now lets come to the topic. Imagine a state when you are depressed beyond reason. You don't know why, but you know for sure that you are sad. (I am very sure this situation happens with most of us- Churchill called it black dog, we might just stick to 'bad mood' ) What is most required at this time? Motivation and inspiration, a feel-good reason and the ability to think beyond whatever is the cause for your gloom.

These are precisely the role of the HR team (or the work culture improvement team, as they are known in some firms) when the company is passing through a rough patch, for example the recent subprime crisis and the economic downfall that followed it with job cuts and pay cuts. Generally the HR team go about solving this problem through team building exercises or an offsite visit to curb down the stress on the employees and relax a bit, or may be go for a football game or watch a movie together to chill out!

Yes, the movie. Rajini movies are a genre of films and do not necessarily contain only Rajinikanth's movies. And watching a Rajini movie is not just a corporate solution, also a personal motivation tool. How?

First thing, all Rajini movies are about 'the Rajini', all other characters are facilitators for Rajini to be Rajini. (Wow! Thats four straight Rajinis in a single sentence!) Yeah, and the second thing is that the common plot for all the Rajini movies (and most of the Amitabh starrers during one period of time) would read- Rajini goes into a bad state (poverty, cheated, mental discomfort etc. as the case may be) either at the beginning or as a consequence of something that happens in the movie, and rises up to be successful overpowering all his enemies (physical or spiritual)

Now, this is as much as saying that the plot of almost all Indian movies is that the hero falls in love with the heroine and after lot of struggle, the feeling turns mutual and they live happily ever after! Not really! Rajini has certain elements that make this standard plot inspiring.

1. His acting-
Undoubtedly the most important feature. Rajini looks and make the character look one among us. The way he portrays the characters makes us feel in unison with his character. And the looks, he is not the most handsome actor in the industry. On the contrary, like malayalam actor Sreenivasan says in one of his movies- 'This guy is darker than me, must be shorter than me too..yet he is a superstar!' That is the thing. His not being 'the fair six footer six pack hero 'makes him closer to people's heart and this in addition to his natural portrayal of the role is the only justification for the frenzy fan following he has. His fans, almost all of them, do not assess him. We do not assess God, do we?

2. The style-
Now that we have faith in his role and consider the character one among us, let us move on to the next best thing. The style! The way he wears his glasses, or how he lights a cigarette, or how he pulls down the swing with his shawl- Superb! 'Wow! Wouldn't it be amazing if I could do it too!'- this is the natural amazement that anyone would have! Now this lifts your spirit. Gives you that motivation. The ability to see yourself in his place now defines your mood.

3. The mass appeal-
Rajini never fights alone (I know this contradicts his 'Singam single-a thaan varum' punchline, but what I mean here is the large number of well-wishers the character accumulates over the course of the movie) He always has the backing of friends and well-wishers, the common people from the streets! This makes him a hero- a public hero to be preicse! Now who does not want to be a hero, and make his/her family and friends gleam with pride? And since you are already seeing yourself in his character, you are now going to be a hero too! Would there be any better way to put your problems behind you and feel inspired? 'Now its not 'your' fight Thalaivaa, its OUR FIGHT!'

4. The cause-
You are now fighting a crusade (with Rajini of course). It is important for you, the public hero, to feel motivated to achieve the goal. The goal- it plays a role too. Have you noticed that Rajini movies are all about fighting a public cause. Be it poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, corruption, goondaism, terrorism, black money etc. , these are all issues that we see in day-to-day life and firmly in tune to our conviction (reiterated by the daily chaos in our lives) that life without these social issues, would be much more comfortable and happier. So naturally, when you are fighting the sad state of your life with the right motivation, you feel better. You feel the transformation within you and you are energised to think beyond your present state of mind into a bright future in the better world that you are building for yourself. (notice the 'you' s in the sentence, the feeling of self-importance is the stepping stone to motivation)

5. The victory
The epitome of achievement! 'Vetri kodi and the sikaram! ' The feeling of un-explainable joy and satisfaction of having made a difference. Its a feeling nothing less than bliss! And the stylish way in which Rajini achieves it with all the punch-dialogues and stunts (yeah, they deserve a special mention. The stunts too have an important contribution in making you feel happy with the way things are going). And at the end of the movie, you are there in the winners camp with your own battalion around you in the theatre and what a feeling is that! There would hardly be anyone who would still be sulking after the whole 'Rajini treatment'. The biggest thing that you must not miss in this is that your brain was relaxing all this while, and your heart was driving you, your desires, your ambitions and your thoughts!

The impact of Rajini movies on your mind are something similar to a psychotic hypnotherapy. Have you observed how the person takes you to a world, special to yourself, designed with the most aesthetic creations by YOU! This makes you feel very comfortable and then you dispense your negative thoughts (problems) into the unknown ocean that you created. Some practitioners use the concept of driving up your negative thoughts to a point and feel them being absorbed by the white light.

In all these cases, what you do is create your happy territory, convince yourself that you exist there, and that all your problems are solved. And most importantly gain courage and motivation out of it to fight your physical or spiritual problems in anticipation of being able to reach your personal utopia at the end of this struggle!

In Rajini movies, things are no different. He always ends up building the society you ever wished for. And the placebo effect of the product is mysteriously high, and undoubtedly makes you feel a lot better and more confident to live life the king size! And that is why, the whole experience of a Rajini movie is not just entertaining but also rejuvenating, motivating, inspiring and literally hypnotising!