In transit: from fun to folly

Rubana Huq
Published : 11 Dec 2010, 06:14 PM
Updated : 11 Dec 2010, 06:14 PM
December 10, 2010
4:30 pm:

After all, the nerve to be on stage is not something everyone can handle. Therefore, I commended her for her spontaneity and spirit, irrespective of the diction and delivery. Her marathon stamina alone deserves kudos. Even the reporter on the field, being the breathless one, entrusted to talk about the slightest knot of Shahrukh's scarf, the "nachanachi" references was entertaining enough for one lazy Friday afternoon. That poor soul also had to go around interviewing the important sponsors and their guests who were obviously occupying the prominent spots in the audience. By the way, there were 23 sponsors including an educational institution that has lately been lauded for their contribution in the academic field. All is understood as long as the end goal is justified. I am sorry but I don't think even Machiavelli would agree with the end, let alone the means.

The screen was being bombarded with ads and sneak-peaks into the teasing pre-Shahrukh moments. There were a few sought after advertisements which promised to take us "beyond the horizon" of air travel. I couldn't agree with the tagline more as it aptly related to our economy which is anyhow poised to take off on uncertain wings while the ground beneath our feet smells of corrupt practices and evasions.

We run too fast, hide too quick, and blush too late.

There are too many events to watch out for today. While the Nobel ceremony begins at 1:00 CET and is likely to clash with the King Khan event, I am wondering which one to watch. But thanks to the new media, I can watch the Nobel on the 13" inch computer screen by streaming the internet live, I can have the television screen glaring at me through out…

I want to watch more of this joke and dissect it at a later hour tonight.

7:45 pm:
The show has gone from bad to worse. We are the lucky ones enjoying the circus while sitting at home and yet complaining of the ads, the band and the bad coordination. My heart goes out to the audience who paid, painstakingly got ready for the event and then had to bear the "jusht-a-minute" introductory speeches by organiser who carried the burden of a gold medallion heavier than what his shoulders were ready to bear. Come to think of it, giving in to the pressure of his "home" ministry, he even had to usher his jolly wife in and make a substantial mention of his only son.

8:25 pm:
The third dance performance is on. We are all wondering whether the King will actually perform more than two numbers. As much as we are familiar with Hindi, the smoke is subsiding and gradually many of us sitting together are realising that perhaps we are a bit too close to Bollywood for comfort.

8:34 pm
Rani Mukherjee is on and Bollywood has finally taken over.

Twenty-five thousand cheering for the King Khan now!

Rani is too sweet with her West Bengal 'ch's stressed; she is charming.

The King is on stage and is being the spirit that he always promises to be.

10:55 pm
Om Shanti Om…

Thank God it's over…

Shahrukh Khan is truly a legend and the organisers could have done much better. But, to put it very bluntly, did we really need to watch granddaughters and daughters on stage, right beside the dancers wearing next to nothing?

Bangladesh takes pride in moderation tempered by religion and an ideology fiercely fed by our thirst for freedom. This should never be forgotten. True we love watching Hindi movies and enjoy item numbers, but I bet that majority of the people in this country today are feeling uncomfortable not having grieved enough for the Narsinghdi tragedy and for not knowing much about the seized ship with 25 Bangladeshi crew onboard. I am certain that while there were 25,000 people swaying with Hindi beat and tune, there were also a handful who reflected on the Nobel committee handing the Peace Prize over to an empty chair while the violin played in the honour of Liu Xiaobo, who's serving an 11-year term in a Chinese jail. Instead of a packed stadium falling prey to the shameless display of corporate pull of advertisement and promotion, I am doubly certain that given a chance, the same people would have reflected more on the obvious truth of the day: mostly morons have money these days.

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Rubana Huq is Managing Director, Mohammadi Group and CEO TV Southasia