Of Himesh and History

It has been two days and I have not spoken a word. That is what happens when you live by yourself. After Friday afternoon, I said a word on Sunday night when my mother called me. It's amusing that, although I may not be speaking, I am constantly having conversations with the voice in my head.

My Instagram feed is filled with videos of Himesh Reshammiya's concert in Delhi. My former high school classmate, who works in the media, actually emceed the event. Himesh Reshammiya is a legend. The music is nostalgia. I recall that he became a sensation in 2005, when I started college, and during ragging, the seniors made us sing and enact songs from Aashiq Banaya Aapne. I love all his popular peppy songs, but there is immense sadness in his songs. Afsana Bana Ke Bhool Na Jaana. Teri Meri. Main Jahaan Rahoon. "Kehne ko saath apne ek duniya chalti hai, par chhup ke is dil mein tanhaai palti hai, bas yaad saath hai, teri yaad saath hai." He deserves a whole thesis. I have never attended a concert in my life, but if I could, it would be of Himesh Reshammiya. His music is best suited for communal singing. 

       

I spent the weekend reading and watching videos on the breakup of Yugoslavia. Earlier this year, I read a lot about the disintegration of the Soviet Union. History is simply fascinating. We can see how the events of today are connected to those in the past. Russia's attack on Ukraine today has its roots in the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. The Israel-Palestine war goes back centuries to an old conflict. Even the inauguration of the Ram Temple by Narendra Modi dates back to his life, when riots occurred in 2002 after a train carrying karsevaks from Ayodhya was set on fire, and further back to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of the 1990s, when he organized the chariot of LK Advani. 

I read a few books this year on the history of the Ram temple movement from both sides. I love history. Meenakshi Jain, who has recently been appointed a member of the Rajya Sabha, has provided archaeological evidence in her book, The Battle for Rama, that the temple existed. But the way the mosque was brought down is one of the most shameful days in the history of India. Former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar had found a peaceful solution to the dispute, which all fighting parties agreed upon. But the Congress party did not want him to claim credit for resolving the issue. So they did not support him. All this could have been avoided had politicians relinquished the greed of claiming credit. The legal case in itself is mind-bending. Under Indian law, a deity in a temple is an individual entity, and like a firm or a trust, can contest its own case. The deity in this case is Ram Lalla, and as per law, is considered a perpetual minor and needs a ‘next friend’ to represent it in court. The case is based on the doctrine of adverse possession, which comes into play when a person, who does not have the title to the property but can become its owner due to their possession, because the original owner did not evict them for 12 years. The counsel for Ram Lalla attempted to prove that the rights of idols over a property are protected forever, as they are considered perpetual minors. As such, Ram Lalla owns the land. That is why lawyers make money; they are skilled at these things. To discuss these topics, I have started another Instagram account where I will post things I find interesting. 

Last weekend, I played golf for the first time. Two of my office colleagues asked me to accompany them. I have no idea how to play, but that is how you learn. It is tiring, though, as one has to carry their clubs from one hole to the next. It was not expensive at all. Just $9 for 18 holes.

I also watched Aap Jaisa Koi. The film has stunning cinematography. Every frame is beautifully shot. I love it when filmmakers spend thought and effort in making films. The first hour is wonderfully charming, but the second half is less engaging. I am considering writing in detail about three films that have recently featured stunning cinematography—Aap Jaisa Koi, Bhakshak, and The Mehta Boys.

I don't receive many messages on WhatsApp either, but this weekend, I heard from one of my very early managers at my workplace. When he joined, he was new to the company. I helped him ramp up, even though he was my manager, as I had been on the team for a longer time. He is no longer at my workplace and has been living in India for ten years. Even though he was my manager ten years ago, he keeps messaging me once in a while. So, I felt nice that someone made an effort to stay in touch. I thanked him for it, and I was so surprised that he replied this message to me. :)

Perhaps, that is why they say, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."