Everybody wants their share of fame and the strain to be seen and heard is more apparent than ever before. And fame, that elusive mistress, has always been an enigma for those on whom she does not choose to smile. The world looks for ways and means to get her attention and bask in the glory of her tempestuous gaze. Ask any child what he or she wants to become on growing up. The answer in all probability would be a want to be a famous actor/actress, Miss India, cricketer or any profession that guarantees glamour. Even babas and yogis are not immune to the adulation that comes with fame. And the common man... where will he go to for his share in the pie? In this small world, we all look for some means to massage the fractured ego and satiate the never ending appetite for self exaltation! If fame wouldn't touch us with a barge pole, reflected glory always comes to our aid.
The other day at a concert, I heard this lady sitting behind me, talking incessantly of how she knows the performing artiste through a friend. Her animated chatter at every given opportunity was driving me nuts. My exasperated looks had no effect on her, whatsoever. However, the initial annoyance turned amusing, so much so that I was all ears to what she was saying. Till today I wonder who she was because once the crowd dispersed, she became one among us. Such an exercise, I think, gives us tremendous satisfaction for the time being, unmindful of what others think. A name dropping now and then is a great morale booster! We remain undaunted in our search for that moment of triumph.
A friend of mine excitedly narrated to me how a famous cricketer had come to attend the wedding of his uncle's sister-in-law's son's friend. "Wow!" I exclaimed, presuming he was there too. He replied in negative but not before adding, "Well, my uncle told me this." He then proceeded at length to talk about what the cricketer wore, what he ate etc. And the pride on his face was there for all to see. Wherever I go I find someone who knows some famous person. An acquaintance enthused about how a famous Bollywood actor has just shifted to his friend's cousin's building.
With so much going on in everybody's life, I'm feeling left out. After all, I'm human and I too feel the need to be recognized, even if the recognition rides on others' accomplishments. I think I need to talk about the connections that some friends or relatives or any remote acquaintances have so that I can earn my fifteen minutes of fame!
The other day at a concert, I heard this lady sitting behind me, talking incessantly of how she knows the performing artiste through a friend. Her animated chatter at every given opportunity was driving me nuts. My exasperated looks had no effect on her, whatsoever. However, the initial annoyance turned amusing, so much so that I was all ears to what she was saying. Till today I wonder who she was because once the crowd dispersed, she became one among us. Such an exercise, I think, gives us tremendous satisfaction for the time being, unmindful of what others think. A name dropping now and then is a great morale booster! We remain undaunted in our search for that moment of triumph.
A friend of mine excitedly narrated to me how a famous cricketer had come to attend the wedding of his uncle's sister-in-law's son's friend. "Wow!" I exclaimed, presuming he was there too. He replied in negative but not before adding, "Well, my uncle told me this." He then proceeded at length to talk about what the cricketer wore, what he ate etc. And the pride on his face was there for all to see. Wherever I go I find someone who knows some famous person. An acquaintance enthused about how a famous Bollywood actor has just shifted to his friend's cousin's building.
With so much going on in everybody's life, I'm feeling left out. After all, I'm human and I too feel the need to be recognized, even if the recognition rides on others' accomplishments. I think I need to talk about the connections that some friends or relatives or any remote acquaintances have so that I can earn my fifteen minutes of fame!
No comments:
Post a Comment