"What do we do now?... Ok, lets watch a movie!" has been the general idea amongst friends and family. And luckily most theatres have been showing trailers once again...and I so love watching trailers! Better than all those ads and what nots...
The other thing I like during the movies is standing up and singing the National Anthem as the familiar tune encompasses the entire theatre.
Some time back, I went to watch 'Rab ne bana di jodi' in a Pune theatre. And something I remember best (apart from the not- so- bad movie) was that whilst the National Anthem was being played, each and every person in that hall was singing it out loud! And quite frankly, I've never heard the entire public in a theatre ever sing the National Anthem and that too loud as ever... most people just stand up, or some sing in their minds; many mumble or whisper. This was simply awesome! Go Pune, go!
Of course, I've not heard it again...but people still are heard singing softly... at least in Pune. And surprisingly, in Mumbai, it's not like that at all. And I realised that its not that Mumbaikars are less patriotic in any way... its just that they cannot sing the National Anthem as the tune is so different. And each theatre has a different version.Given the various versions of the country's song, it's no wonder many people choose to just keep mum, and let the music play as is. I mean, if one was to go by the standard tune, one has already finished singing the anthem, while the one going on in the movie theatre is still going 'jaaaaaaaaaayaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa heeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyy'. And with so much of 'soul-infused creativity' in that song, one does not feel any patriotism...I just wanted 'that song' to end- the slow motion singers were getting on my nerves!
I'm all for creative freedom, but some things are sacred and should not be tampered with. The National Anthem is one such. Also given the fact that many Indians do not remember the words of 'the Anthem at all, lets not confuse them with a plethora of tunes.
The tune of the 'Jana Gana Mana' should be standardised so that at any given point, wherever one is, one knows what that tune is and stands for. So please, spare this country its Anthem.
Posts
3 comments:
I still have not figured out how it helps to play the national anthem before every movie.
* Apoo- Well, in between there wa a poll taken by newspapers and tv channels, and if a common man on the road...anybody, including students, well educated people... was asked what our national anthem is- many didn't know. So many also said 'Vande Mataram' was the song. Most didn't know who had written the National Anthem. They could not even sing it. No one knew what are the colours of the flag and what they stand for.
There was also this 'I dont care' attitude, wherein nobody would stand when the National Anthem was being played, nobody really cared! Talk of patriotism being washed away...
Right now, at least because of it being played compulsorily before the movie, people are forced to stand and also remember the song. Which in my opinion, is a good thing.
Well it is true that many people can't really sing or know the national anthem. But I disagree on the point that a standardised version should be set, unless the lyrics or the intent of singing is not tampered with I think a few different versions are always welcome. It just shows how different people respond to the national anthem, it shows our democratic power. People should go ahead with their creative hunger with a good intent... Anyways a nice debate should be there on this topic.
Rock on!!!
Post a Comment