Flower and bee, lotus and sun, salt and pepper, mop and detergent and now... Cinema and Politics.
OK! OK! I accept. Its not just now but since Arignar Anna masterminded this alliance. We have had Anna, Kalaignar, MGR, Janaki (correct me folks! was she ever a chiefminister) and Jayalalitha as our state heads - all of them with a cine background. Include, T.Rajendar, S.Ve.Sekar, Napolean, Sarath Kumar in the list of people representatives. And by no means is this a phenomenon pecuilar to Tamil Nadu - Sunil Dutt, Amitabh, Jaya, Raj Babbar, Arnold Schwazzerneger and Ronald Reagan being the other notables. Now Vijaykanth is an aspirant. Lets not even get started about Rajni. Rajni's leanings can topple governments. (maybe not now - but remember he could and he did)
Add to this the bandwagon of film/television personalities who actively participate in election campaigns and making considerable difference by their presence. Personally I have nothing against a Simran or a Nagma or even a Mumtaz campaigning - I mean it is a democracy and all. But the way cine industry has become a stepping stone to political glory is truly indigestible (remember Nassar in Avvai Shanmugi asking Kamal for a acting role so he can become the chiefminister).
I can well understand if Coke or Pepsi wants Vijay/Surya, Simran/Trisha to sell their products. Do our political parties need them? And what does it say of our political parties?
Its my humble personal opinion that cine artists are way too over-rated as election symbols and more so as politicians. While I admit a Vijaykanth may be no worse than a Thirumavalavan or Ramadas - I would be heaps happier if a Vijaykanth does what he is supposed to, first - entertain. This whole thing about a on-screen hero turning into a 'friend of the needy' points out how Tamil people have been drugged with fantasising. You don't agree????
11 comments:
vote for lok paritran...
Amen to Vijay!!!
Priya! Its just a change of job I agree... and perhaps there have been cases where an actor has turned into a good politician - but that is leaving things to chance. IMHO, an engineer, even one with a doctorate shouldn't try treating patients - lives are at risk. wat say???
Priya! I have to agree with you on some accounts.
That there isn't the same relationship bet'n an engineer treating patients and an actor becoming a politician. Also an IITian may not make a good politician. Which is precisely my point. Qualification for being a leader is vague which is why every Tom, Dick and Harry thinks they are one (as against attempting to become one). But lives are at stake. I would put it this way - anyone who wishes to become a politician should have some experience in a Social organisation. It can be an NGO or anything. But doing work in the grassroots should be a pre-requisite for a politico (which is why LokParitran candidates have my absolute support and not b'coz of the IIT tag)
And while there may not be a clear cut qualification requirement there are clear cut disqualifications. Amassing wealth for private gain is on top of the list.
History bears witness to the moments of trial & turmoil when civilasations underwent an upheavel because of the anomie and it is bequeathed that is not better laws, but only better people who rise as saviours and uplift the whole society.
A leader, pioneer, reformer are but different facdes of the same personality and they would need to cherish only one dream- upliftment of the masses and in pursuing the goal they should rise above law!
And it is very sad that India is unable to produce such a saviour in this age....
I would like to quote Ralph Walso Emerson "A true man is the centre of things; where he is, there is nature. He measures you and all men and all events. Every true man is a cause, a country and an age; and posterity seems to follow his steps".
Hi,
sorry that i couldnt post reg your comments ... i rarely blog...My intrests can be well explained in Gaussian curves... I am always titilliated in the beginning but tend to lose interest very soon.
Good luck!
Priya! You echo my very opinion. I too think that screen popularity gives them an unfair edge over other politicians. You know the person; you have seen him play a saviour, a cop, a good man who uproots corruption, and bingo you have a following.
And on a tangent, someone did point out that Lok Paritran would not be so popular if it did not have the tag 'party started by ex-IITians'. Still, they are not half as popular as a Rajini or Vijaykanth.
"A leader, pioneer, reformer are but different facdes of the same personality"
I agree Aish! but my view is that an actor first and a politician as a result (capitalising on his popularity).
Let me put it this way, would a Vijayakanth be a good politician and brave an election alone (looking at his background,education and demeanour) if he wasn't a popular actor. Would he have entered politics if he wasn't a recognisable film personality? If he was SO into politics that he would have joined it if he was a glass-cleaner in a teashop then I will appreciate him. Now...nope.
What has he done as a member of the society - as an individual and not an actor? I mean all the free marriages/ free food is all fine. Is that all you need to do to gain public respect?
in conclusion, i think we need the 'better people who rise as saviours and uplift the whole society' but that better people are not ones who have been the better people on screen.
Well personally , i would have preferred CAPTAIN(lol)saab to be in a tea shop rather than in big screen...
But amongst the exisiting actors who are also active in the political arena im very sure he has been very generous when it comes to serving the society. There are hospitals and educational insti's that he has started that are pocket friendly... So i wont take that credit from him... But how good is he as a politician is a question that can be answered only when he emerges as one.....
Btw if u ever happen to check out the masses that congregates the election meetings ...can u ever spot a crowd of litterates(im not talking abt appearances here).... It's always the uneducated crowds that gather such meetings and they also happen to vote more than us... the elite crowd who know wats wrong with the party..with the system , but stay home and enjoy teh goverment holiday rather than casting a vote!
aish!
which is because there were no alternatives. What difference would it make if they voted for the DMK or the ADMK. They are pretty much the same (in terms of policy and performance...and perhaps corruption too). they are disenchanted by the system but can't do anything abt it.
and now we have LOKPARITRAN and we have some hope.
while it is almost impossible for an ordinary literate middle-class man to run for office, i am sure given the belief that there are others who can turn the tables should encourage them to come out to vote. (they have to overcome the skepticism abt wat these ppl can achieve)
every person who sits at home watching Aaj Tak without going to vote is a vote lost for a better governance. Vote for Paritran.
As for Vijaykanth!
I do accept he opened hospitals and Engg. colleges which were pocket friendly and i have to give the credit to him.
but I have a feeling that these came about only after he decided to enter politics. he has been in the field for wat, 30 years and everything he has done were in the last 5 years when his fan following became strong enuf tht he cud harbour political ambitions.
p.s. he wud have made a good tea-master
Last phrase in Heaven of Freedom by Tagore "Let my country be awake"!
Lets not even quote Tagore or Gandhi or Rajaji. They have sadly become people to remember once a year, on Independance day (and read about history text books, if you are unfortunately still stuck in school)
We need new quotes... new people.
(aish! I give it to u... we need people to wake up....yaaaaaawnnn)
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