The Need for a New Bottle and Newer Wine

Why is the imperfect, Mr. Kamal Hassan, welcome into the political fray?

For the sake of Mr. Kamal Hassan, I break my own rules to write about my political viewpoints.

For the record, I have never been permanently aligned to any specific political party or political ideology, probably never will be.

Political choices, has sadly, not been out of absolute preferences, but, made out of helplessness and frustration from the best out of the worst choices available. Unfortunately, most of the times, choices have also been out of anger, the ‘political five year itch’, the anti-incumbency factor. Sometimes they have been out of a fervent hope, that the person that you vote may turn out to be a Santaclaus.

I have therefore voted across political parties both at the centre and the state.

There remains a lament and a prayer, Why does not, this great country be blessed with likes of Mr. Kamaraj? A great country like ourselves, deserves leaders like him. What makes Mr. Kamraj, a great, probably the greatest? His life is an exception to Rudyard Kipling’s observation, neither did power corrupt him nor did the absoluteness of it have any impact on him.

My political consciousness was first aroused during the emergency, where our families thought that this was the best thing that happened. Only later in the early eighties did I realize that Emergency may not be the best thing that happened. I was quite dejected, that Janatha came to power in 1977 and was relieved that Mrs. Gandhi came back to power in 1980. I supported Rajiv Gandhi during the 84-85 election.

Chandrashekar did a good job for a brief while.

I cherish Mr. Narasimha Rao’s regime for two reasons, the first, he brought this country back from the brink of economic disaster, secondly he along with KPS Gill effectively eliminated the extremism in Punjab. But he did, falter big time, on Babri Masjid.

Vajpayee, made me tilt in favour of BJP in 1999, and I was surprised how he slid out of the equation in 2004.

For a husband who was blown away to smithereens, the staying power of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi until 2004, underlined two points, Politics is power and that there were extraordinary stakes for her to stay invested in the party. The democratic foundations of a national party seem now to be hijacked by personal interests of a family, certainly a matter of national concern, as Congress represents a viable national alternative with the right leaders at the helm.

In 2010, while discussing with a friend, with connections with BJP, I had predicted Mr. Narendra Modi would come to power in the next general elections. My friend differed saying that either Mrs. Sushma Swaraj or Mr. Arun Jaitley would be ideal choices.

While I was euphoric that Mr Modi came to power in 2014, three years down the line, 'Mitron', I am concerned, that a competent adversary is India’s crying need, an adversary who can help provide the necessary checks and balances.

I wish we had plenty of more choices to exercise at the centre.

I have lived in Tamil Nadu almost uninterruptedly for the last 22 years. The ugliness of the ‘Magamagam’ tragedy hit me hard and I ended up supporting DMK in 1996. In the ensuing years, I have supported DMK, ADMK, DMDK(Mr. Vijaykanth), PMK(Dr. Anbu Mani Ramadoss). Many of them, representing the best of the worst choices.

Two people who may represent a different strain from the existing crop of politicians, for Tamil Nadu, are Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss and Mr. K. Pandiarajan.

Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, a physician, an alumunus of Madras Medical College, armed with a course in Macro Economics from London School of Economics. His work in the Manmohan Singh cabinet is noteworthy. Not only is his work in National Rural Health mission laudable, but his anti-tobacco efforts are also worth a mention. He is proud recipient of a cluster of awards including one from World Health Organization and another from the American Cancer Society, for his fight against Tobacco control. We certainly have a competent and capable person. Mr. Anbumani Ramadoss’s challenge, will be to steer himself of his baggage of “Vanniyar”(his caste) Politics.

Mr. K. Pandiarajan, an alumunus of XLRI, the first educated person to come into politics without any political background. His wealth of knowledge and experience will translate into great benefits for the state and the country. For if, Mr. Pandiarajan succeeds, it will certainly inspire other educated people to enter politics. Here is fervently hoping and praying that grace descends on Mr. Pandiarajan.

How does Mr. Kamal Hassan entry into politics augur for Tamil Nadu?

As a state we have patronised, drunkards(we have patronised them with 8% of votes during an election), crooks, convicts and hooligans, does an artist, who has spent 60 years of his life entertain us deserve this kind of mocking? I tend to disagree with the noise.

I am sure, the enigmatic Mr. Kamal Hassan, has never been able to replicate the onscreen finesse, during real time interviews. He stutters, stammers, bumbles and blabbers. He certainly seems to be ill prepared for many of his interviews. He certainly can be his own enemy.

Did we see Kamal Hassan, anywhere in the political horizon, until early 2017?

The whole state simmered with discontent as democracy went for a toss. People had to respond to the farce that was being enacted then and still being enacted now. Mr. Kamal Hassan joined the fray in a national channel first in his accented English and as confusing as he alone can be.

I guess as time went along, slowly but certainly he was taunted and provoked to enter into politics.

It is important to understand, the value that Mr. Kamal Hassan can bring to the table. I would therefore like to steer clear of aspersions cast on his personal life.

With a country where Mr. Nehru’s affairs with Lady Mountbatten are public, Mr. Karunanidhi having three wives, Mr. MGR, having two wives, we are not exactly a country of Sri Ramachandramurthy’s. For a man who has properly consummated and annulled his marriages, private lives are private lives, I do not think they should really matter to anybody.

There was no hypocrisy about the live in relationship. While I may not personally approve of live in relationship, it is an entirely private matter.

Before casting aspersion on Mr. Kamal Hassan as a person, we must also do well to know that he has donated his body for Medical research.

Mr. Kamal Hassan, first and foremost is a honest tax payer and has been honoured by the Income Tax department for setting a shining example.

So much for nobility and honesty.

Does Mr. Kamal Hassan aspire for power? Does he aspire for fame? Does he aspire for wealth?

It may be worthwhile taking at a look at the roots of Mr. Kamal Hassan’s career, to find answers for this.. The answer may lie in his long association with his ‘Guru’ Mr. K. Balachander. KB Sir, as he is affectionately called, has been one of the few directors, who spent his life time on making films which aimed at awakening the conscious of the masses. Imagine, KB Sir making Arangetram , about fifty years ago emphasizing the importance of population control. With the kind of resources at hand, I see such efforts, as a reflection of conviction and courage.

Imagine when a pupil is indoctrinated, rigorously, for years together in this school of thinking, there should be some social consciousness rubbed on to the pupil.

If one is familiar with his work, it is but natural for us to notice, that the teacher successfully relayed the baton to the pupil.

The joy of the work has been evident in his performances.

The pursuit of excellence and the amount of experimentation has inspired the entire Tamil Industry to raise the bar.

Works of art has to come from the depths of the heart and soul.

An unaffected man, can never be a true artist.

The bedrock of Mr. Kamal Hassan is the quintessential ‘Rasika’. For if you cannot appreciate the fine aspects of life, you can never express yourself as an artist.

The enigmatic Mr. Kamal Hassan has been dear to all the muses. The closest, if any in Indian cinema is Mr. Satyajit Ray, has never acted, danced and may not have sung(despite being an accomplished Music Director). 

While I believe, that Mr. Kamal Hassan may not have been very original, I am still in awe of what he has achieved.

I akin Mr. Kamal Hassan to Sabari, who tasted the fruits before sharing it with Sri Rama. Mr. Kamal Hassan savoured the best of World Cinema, ingested it shared it and help, regional cinema standards to become truly world class. We have the best in class technicians and artists. If we could only think global, we should arrive.

Would these be the traits of a power monger? Would these be the traits of a person who is aspiring for Other People’s money? Does Mr. Hassan need any more fame?

I believe Mr. Kamal Hassan has the creativity, intelligence, honesty and imagination to make some useful contributions to the state.

Political Funding is a sensitive issue. Transparency in political funding is imperative. Lack of transparency in funding, is the root cause for the nexus between the big corporates and the political parties. If Mr. Kamal Hassan can get that act right, it will be a step in the right direction.

A man who has entertained us for sixty years, the least he deserves is not be mocked at. When drunkards, convicts and hooligans can be tolerated, why not a honest tax paying citizen. Let us give him some space and time. May be the dividends may far exceed our expectation.

Mr. Kamal Hassan, It is a long haul sir. I sincerely hope that the people of Tamil Nadu can benefit from your involvement in Tamil Nadu politics. I sincerely hope that you prepare well for your interviews, articulate well and do make a positive impact.

Good Luck!!!