Mango People and their Banana Republic

Sometime dolts too utter wise words which become quotable quotes. 'Mango people in Banana republic' one such quote which will remain in public memory for very long time. People might forget the person who said these words but these 'prophetic' words will haunt Indian public for very long time. India is a banana republic. And you don't need a Nobel Prize winner to say it so , even a dolt can see it.

Let me explain to those who may not know the context behind these words. These 'famous words are uttered by Robert Vadra, the famous son in law of the famous first family of India . The Nehru- Gandhi family who is ruling India by virtue of their name, fame, wealth and bully power. When Mango man ( aam admi = common man = Mr. Kejriwal) alleged that a humble businessman like Mr. Vadra has amassed un-humbling wealth in a short period and through dubious means , Mr. Robert Vadra's repartee came with these famous lines for Mr. Kejriwal; an activist who is trying to dig corruption karmas of the politicians of this nation.


Now forget Vadra. And look at his words. Mango man in banana republic. Mango man is a simple literal translation of hindi word aam admi . Funny. But Banana republic alludes to India. And thats not funny for many patriotic Indians. Wikipedia defines banana republic as “in practice, a banana republic is a country operated for commercial enterprise for private profit, effected by the collusion between the State and favoured monopolies, whereby the profits derived from private exploitation of public lands is private property, and the debts incurred are public responsibility. Such an imbalanced economy reduces the national currency to devalued paper-money, hence, the country is ineligible for international development-credit, and remains limited by the uneven economic development of town and country. Kleptocracy, government by thieves, features influential government employees exploiting their posts for personal gain (embezzlement, fraud, bribery, etc.), with the resultant government budget deficit repaid by the native working people who earn money, rather than make money. Because of foreign (corporate) manipulation, the kleptocratic government is unaccountable to its nation, the country's private sector–public sector corruption operates the banana republic, thus, the national legislature usually are for sale, and function mostly as ceremonial government."

Going by this definition can anyone who lives in India, follows Indian politics and reads/watches Indian news channel will disagree with Vadra that India is not a banana republic?. Scams like 2G, 3G, CWG, Coalgate, Vadragate, Khurshidgate (and god knows how many scams and gates are going to hit the news line if you believe  Kejriwal's word ) is not enough proof that India befits the definition of banana republic? So why are Indians getting so irked about Vadra's words? Man is simply calling spade a spade.

If such an evidence does not convince you then look out the quotes our esteemed leader appeared in media recently.

RS 71L is small change for a minister to loot. ( if it was 71 crore we would have believed the news ) India's steel minister.

Public has short memory. Look how public has forgotten Bofors scam. This scam to will be forgotten : India's Home minister referring to Coalgate

Girls should be married at the age 16 so that gang rapes can be avoided. Haryana minister after reporting 22 rape case in the state in a month.

Most of the rape cases is consensual sex gone wrong. Haryana minister on gang of women in state

Mr. Kejriwal should stop barking everyday. India's steel minister

Earlier if men and women held hands parents would reprimand them. Now everything is done openly. It is like open market with open options. A woman chief minister on rise of rape case in West Bengal.

These are few samples of wisdom of the leaders Indians have chosen to rule, to govern a nation of billions, legislate laws that will protect people and enhance the quality of life in largest democracy of world. What do you expect to get from these people? Banana Republic!

This is a country where public money is looted openly. Corrupt is never punished. ( In sixty four years of independence not a single politician has been convicted for corruption). Law never takes its course. Honest public servants are harassed by constantly transferring them for doing their duty.

Poor are cheated by taxing them highly and rich are dolled with freebees. Justice is delayed and denied for poor and scuttled in case of rich. If a politician is found guilty he is rewarded by more positions. This country takes pride in malnutrition, Lowest birth rate. Poor health care. Poor hygiene. Corruption in every field of life. Crime against women. Name it and India will proudly tell you yes we practice that malpractice.

Mr. Robert Vadra, I applaud your courage for saying it so loudly and clearly, today India has become a Banana Republic and we are the mango people...

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/the-robert-vadra-mystery-forget-property-how-did-he-acquire-priyanka-484188.html

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-09/india/34342518_1_robert-vadra-banana-republic-facebook-account

Gods of the street-2

Mumbai is city of spectacles.
This is one of the spectacle city looks forward to live every year.

Image copyright Baiju Parthan

Translation

If you translate the word
Longing for me
I will explain
meaning of war.

Am and the Big Jerry

Disclaimer: This no review of Jerry Pinto's book Em and the Big Hoom.

“Have you ordered something through Flipkat?' my husband asked as he opened the door.

“yes. It is Jerry's book. Take the delivery” I answered from the kitchen

“ You must read it. I mean we must read it . It has been well received.....” I corrected myself as I went on talking in-spite of getting no response from other end.

Out came the book.

Em and the Big Hoom. By Jerry Pinto,

Em? and the Big Hoom?  I turned the book looking for some clues what it means. So Jerryish title. I thought to myself. Never say things which are simple and direct.

Jacket of the book was equally intriguing. Unlike Jerry

Charcoal black with delicately decorated female profile . I ran my hand over it and flipped through the book. It had dark purple edged pages . I liked it.

I don't know where I first met Jerry ? It was early 90s. Was it at poetry circle group? Or was it in Times of India office where Jerry worked as freelance writer and I was a freelance illustrator.?

My perception of Jerry, is a tall lanky guy with light eyes. Perpetually smiling , sometimes you felt he is smiling bit too much for no reason as he talked non stop. Words literally tumbled out his mouth like heap of clothes from teenager's cupboards. He had a peculiar sense of humor that sometimes bordered on darker , deeper and dirtier realms. I carried an impression of him as sweet boy who always laughed and made you laugh. A sunshine boy ; life of a party; a raconteur who entertained non stop. Oh Jerry was such a fun to be around. And yet I felt there is a mystery side which remained inaccessible to me. Jerry spoke in innuendoes. Which made me feel very uncomfortable.

Let me recount an incident from Times of India days. Jerry was working as a freelance writer and I was a freelance illustrator. I had come to office to collect an article from edit desk. I saw  Jerry  typing on his computer at the end of long desk lined with many computers. I plopped myself next to his chair since I had to wait for the print out to get ready. Naive and new to the city environment, I got talking to Jerry and told him I bought something that I don't not know how to use it. I was alluding to the oven we bought other day. Jerry stopped typing,  paused as he turned his grey eyes on me said “ let me guess what it is. You bought a sex toy!” I cannot describe my emotions at this point. Embarrassed ? Shocked? Stunned? Angry? probably cocktails of all these emotions ran through me. Then came a smile with words “ It is a joke sweetheart. I am sure you will eventually learn to use an oven”.

Was Jerry being nasty to me? Or was he going through a bad day?

In another instance, Jerry was visiting us in our home in Nallasopara a deep suburb of Mumbai.

I picked up this opportunity to show some of my art works to Jerry and an art critic friend on that occasion. Jerry picked up an unfinished work  that depicted of trousers hung on a hook and unbuttoned. Jerry looked at the work “ I like that inhibited libidinal fantasy you are trying to portray through this work.” and then he went on giving a long unwinding dialogue explaining sexual connotation of the work as he saw it.  He ended his speech with “ Can I have this work as a gift?” I was too shocked and embarrassed by his direct critique before friends and my husband I could barely divert the conversation by saying “ It is not a finished work”. ( I still owe him this work)

I felt Jerry enjoyed his uncanny ability to embarrass you with a straight face which sometimes had a childish joy of checkmating the opponent. The only way I could resolve Jerry's words would be “Oh I cannot understand Jerry Pinto'.

So when I heard Em and Hoom was semi autobiographical/ semi fictional work I decided to order the book. For me book was an opportunity to take a peek into Jerry Pinto's world. A window to Jerry's quirky attitude. And even try and understand mystery behind his 'sunshine' smile.

So did I find any of the above questions when I read the book?

Do I understand Jerry Pinto any better now?

Em and the big Hoom is a very private diary. A diary which you don't want people to ever read . It is a space where you write to understand the incident in one's life in retrospect and make sense of it. It is private meditation where you ask yourself was I right in behaving this way? Or was I too harsh and nasty to other person? Why am I so angry with people around me? Should I say sorry? Or am I mad too?

Understanding parent/child relationship is daunting task even in normal family conditions. There are some issues that remain unresolved and unexplained however loving and caring the relationship may be. So when one's mother is terminally 'mad' the task to understand the family structure becomes more uphill.

Surprisingly the book is not as dark and gloomy as jacket suggests. It neither informs you about the illness of bipolar disease. Nor it seeks any sympathy for the family who suffers along with the patient.
It is not even attempting to understand 'family' structure. Or apologetic about its sexual dialogues between a mother and son .

Jerry does not write this book for his readers. If you happen to read it 'good for you'.  Book reminds me of my the first English lesson in school. “This is Tim and this is Mini” Thats it.  Take it or leave it.
Jerry tells you story of his life with the straight face “this is my mom Em and this is my father Hoom” Em was mad and Hoom was Hoom. Now that I have told you story you can go home”. and I am Jerry Pinto.

I think i have found answer to my dilemma of how to understand Jerry Pinto.

Jerry is Jerry
take it or leave it.

Pussy Riot and Art of Political Performance

What is common between performance art and political rally?

Opportunism through media gaze?!!!

Take recent two instances.
Firstly the Russian all women music band called Pussy Riot which was sentenced to jail for two years for performing a protest- art against Russian president Putin. Band argued that they have the right to express their artistic view in a democracy. Rightly so.

Secondly two major political rally performances that staged violence in the city of Mumbai within gap of 10 days ; terrorizing the city for a political motive. Both the organizing parties argued that in a democracy they have right to protest against issues close to their heart. Again Rightly so.

Who is Pussy Riot? An unknown female band came in public limelight for being jailed for two years for singing protest songs against President Putin in a Russian church. This all female member punk rock band established in 2011 conducts political protests in various parts of Russia through their music and staged art performances. Although their music is hardly to reckon with and is often called childish , amateurs and cacophonic . What Pussy riot is famous for is their bizarre ways of protest performed in public spheres. Which includes setting fires to police cars, simulating sexual acts in shopping windows , disrupting public events and finally singing protest songs in church . All their acts are documented and released in public platforms like youtube and other forums by which they generate media attention. As per wikipedia "Pussy Riot’s performances can either be called dissident art or political action that engages art forms. Either way, their performances are a kind of civic activity amidst the repressions of a corporate political system that directs its power against basic human rights and civil and political liberties."

This is an instance of art 'performed as' politics. or what is called political art. Result today Pussy Riot is recognized world wide. All so called rich and famous are supporting the band members and their art.

Lets look at Mumbai rallies. On 11th August Raza academy called for a protest rally to register their protest against killing of Muslims in Assam and Myanmar. A well scripted event went violent after some incited speeches and the crowd went violent. The crowd who had come prepared with arsenal attacked police, media OB vans and public property. 2 Persons died and many police men got wounded.

This was act no 1.

Why I call it performance?
Here clearly and cleverly 'violence' was performed '. You may take any meaning out of it. Plight or might? whatever. There was no doubt August 11 rally in Mumbai was pure political performance.









Then comes act 2. If August 11 showed people's strength on street at 12000 people. August 21st rally drew crowds estimated to be 50,000 odd people. Organised by Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) headed by Raj Thackeray. Everything of 21st August party was a political theatre at its best. Right from police denying the permission and making it illegal gathering, then granting permission last minute. Thackeray's defiance. His quintessential dramatic speech which lasted for 20 minutes, (but had all the trappings of a bollywood entertainment of 3 hour movie. Paisa vasool) . A policeman offering rose at the end of the speech to Thackeray. Everything was scripted , performed and executed to perfection. People clapped. Skeptics vowed. As columnist Shobha Dey said it was a political master stroke, and with a class entertainment.

This is an instance of politics performed as art or theatre.

Result today MNS and its head Raj Thackeray is a powerful entity in Mumbai. Raj Thackeray has achieved his goal in shunting the top cop out of Mumbai and has sent the message to masses he is the NEW boss.

What seems common in both events is provocation as a strategy. Strategy that seems work perfectly through media. I do not intend to make any judgement by saying whether Pussy Riot deserved to be jailed or MNS chief needs to be applauded or condemned for his provocative stance. What I want to point out is the 'performative' aspect of a political and artistic practice which remain at the level of 'symbolism'. In today's media defined reality, art and politics are two sides of same coin. Both work on one principle.

Pure opportunism
Stage . Perform. Enjoy.

Mumbai Diary 5: Gods of the Street-1

Image courtesy
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=slumdog+krishna+image&view=detail&id=F75BBCDCF5FDA6B1345C42047EF86AA3AE91ADEF

There is a scene in the film Slumdog Millionaire. The quiz master asks Jamal the protagonist;  What does Lord Rama carry in his hands? Scene then cuts to  flashback where kids are shown playing in a dirty water tank and a group of women washing clothes nearby. One can see a mob of people approaching the slum.  Jamal's mother realizes the danger and screams at the kids to run for life. Jamal with his brother dash away not before they see their mother being hacked to death by mob off Hindus.
As they run through narrow alleys of slums they meet with a child standing in the corner painted in robin blue, hair tied in a knot raising his hand in protection. Young Jamal and his brother come face to face with lord Rama  as they run away to save their lives. Scene in the movie is very poignant and in few visuals describe the communal tensions between Hindus and Muslim during Babri Masjid riots in 92.

Presence of 'god' in midst of riot scene in a metropolitan city like Mumbai may look surreal and even 'bollywoodish'. But believe me, it is not. If there is one thing that dominates the streets of Mumbai are gods. Gods of all kinds. Gods of all religion, sects and cults. Every day some god, saint or Guru occupies already busy roads of Mumbai to parade his or her power on the streets of Mumbai showcasing the strength and popularity of his or her sect.


Here are some random examples that show some 'small gods' appearing on the streets of Mumbai.

In the midst of business district in Mumbai's fountain area I stumbled upon lord Shiva and Rama standing next to the car and blessing you for few coins. Bahurupiyas  or traditional impersonators  as they are called are part of the village landscapes who often migrate to the cities in search of jobs and living. And impersonating gods is best way they can entertain you to earn money.

But gods just don't turn up in person. They appear in every form. In stone. on sanitary tiles .  wall graffiti's. Stickers. Posters. banners you name it and a god image is omnipresent in Mumbai city like no other city.

Let me introduce you to Kumar. I met Kumar  right outside Churchgate station. As  a runaway kid, Kumar  loved  Mumbai's freedom but he could not forget his hometown of Madurai. Overtime he visited his hometown he brought a god along with him and stuck to the wall which was also his shop. He lived on the streets and conducted his business as shoeshine boy. What attracted me to his shop is his gods that were neatly perched between  colourful shoe laces.

And then you have those god posters who rub space along with film stars and other popular images.
One comes across many vendors like these who conduct their business in Fort area just around the national gallery of art.

This is Asif. Asif sells god stickers. He is a muslim boy but sells images of Hindu gods. He inherited his business from his father, who died all of sudden and left Asif the eldest of 5 children to bear  the responsibility of looking after the family. His whole business is contained in a small inverted umbrella. When I asked him why an umbrella?, his reply was "municipality staff confiscates wares of the vendor. Moment he comes to know the Municipality staff are coming he can 'shut his shop' quickly. It is simple logistic issue.

Take this migrant worker in UP. who came to city with just clothes on. Set under a tree wondering how to make a living. First thing he did was to set his gods who were just stone. Smooth river stones. Which are worshipped as  shaligramas or lord vishnu in anionic form. He began his business as barber . Today along with his barber shop he sell all paraphernalia of gods.

These are few examples of  'small gods' of 'small people' who live on the streets Mumbai. I call them small gods because the power they wield is minuscule. They are everywhere but not so visible. Like their patrons, they are trying to survive. Like their patrons most of them are migrants.

But streets of Mumbai are taken over by two major gods. Lord Krishna and Lord Ganesha. In my next blog  I would like to discuss the two major festivals Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi that take over the streets of Mumbai

Between a rebel, cigars and art exposition :Cuba Diary-2

“Welcome to Cuba”, said the emigration officer finally, as she stamped my passport after taking tad too long to scrutinize my papers. Hungry and dead tired after the 20 hour long haul flight I was beginning to get anxious.

Immigration formalities done, I pushed through the exit door and out of the airport to join my fellow artists. And there we were with a sense of triumph clearly written on our faces as though we had conquered the first stage in a battle to reach that mysterious island nation soaked in the aura of the celebrated rebel Che Guevera, and shunned by the world for its political leanings towards socialist communism. Our group is visiting Cuba to see and experience the 11^th Havana Biennial , a biannual exposition of contemporary art from around the globe. Sightseeing in Havana came as an added bonus to this purely cultural field trip.

Tucked between the south east of United States and eastern cost of Mexico, Cuba is a tiny island state in the Caribbean Sea. The history of Cuba is a saga of repression and struggle for independence , under various colonial rulers culminating finally in its liberation through the people's revolution led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevera in 1959.

With its emerald green landmass fringed by the tranquil sea, and its bright sunny air filled with sounds of latin music and cha cha cha, Cuba obviously is an ideal global holiday destination. But Cuba in 2012 lives in dream time, untouched by global economic hustle and bustle, sans neon signs and electronic ringtones . As our coach approached old Havana city ((Habana Vieja) we could feel the clock winding back to the Sixties. Two hundred year old colonial buildings encrusted with the patina of time standing tall and proud welcomed us. Classic American Chevies from the sixties rolling down the main avenue as people stroll leisurely in idyllic plazas on a week days enthralled us. And with folk musicians strumming foot tapping rhythms on the guitar to spanish folk songs gives the feeling that you are on the set of some multimillion dollar Hollywood period flick.

In 1982, UNESCO declared Havana city center as a world heritage site. Marvelous colonial architectural styles ranging from spanish colonial structures to art deco prove the point as we walk through alleys crisscrossing Plaza de Armes, Templete Palace of Generals, Cathedral Square, Plaza Vieja and the famous Hemingway's “Bodeguita”. Our English speaking guide, a chirpy Cuban lady Ms Miledes insisted on taking us to Hotel Ambos Mundos for a refreshing drink of Mojito . “American Nobel Laureate Earnest Hemingway stayed in this hotel overlooking the Malecon bay seeking inspiration for his writings” she filled in the details for our touristy interest. Mojito , is a cocktail made of chilled white Cuban rum with crushed fresh mint leaves and a shot of lime works like magic potion on a sweltering hot day.

Later as we moved through cathedral square, sounds of latin drum beats and dancers accompanied by flower girls and acrobats on stilts greeted us to usher in a carnival mood. “Tourism is very important for us and thats why government promotes cultural entertainment and crafts in these areas ”, Ms. Miledes explained.

Years of international embargo has left its imprint on Cuban economy. And tourism is an important money grosser for the country. Strange as it may sound, Cuba has a dual currency system. A tourist currency called CUC. One CUC is equal to a US dollar and can only be transacted only in Cuba. The local currency called Peso is meant only for the inhabitants of Cuba for local transaction.

As you enter the Vedado region one notices that this is the cultural heart of the city with hotels and contemporary art galleries and museums jostling for space along the cobbled streets.We took a quick look at Museo Capitanes Genrales built in 1791 and considered to be a perfect example of Cuban architecture under Spanish rule. Museo de la Revolucion, Museo Nacinal de Bella Artes, Museo de Artes Decoratives are few among many museums in the city that tell the visitor about the cultural history of Cuba.

Life in Havana is incomplete without art, music , dance and its famous Havana Club rum. Song and dance is so much part of the Cuban DNA that in every nook and corner musicians and dancers will try to entertain you with their bouquet of songs . You intuitively hum to the tune of popular songs following the hypnotic beat.

Ms. Miledes had reserved a table at a 'paladar' which are private restaurants famous for good food and ambience. We have been consuming more or less the standard cuban diet of chicken, rice and potatoes for a while. By now some of us were beginning to yearn for other cuisine and flavours. Cuba is certainly not a place for hardcore foodies. Like everything owned by government so is hotels and restaurants . However paladars are exceptions to this rule and these private restaurants take pride in serving their guests. The guava pudding served with a cheese slice served as dessert made us forget all the gastronomic dissatisfaction we had suffered so far.

Visits to Cigar factory and Rum factory are mandatory to complete the Cuban experience. Here every cigar is carefully hand rolled, quality tested and labeled by workers. A poster of Che with a cigar clenched in his mouth looms over the workers who are busy grading the best tobacco leaves from the stacks piled next to them. Each cigar goes through as much as 15 quality checks before it is sent to the market.

Che Guerra , one of the principal architects of free Cuba, better known as 'Che ' is synonymous with Cuba. whose iconic likeness is popular among the youth in every part of the world through posters and tshirts , has his final resting place in Santa Clara, a central province of Cuba. Santa Clara is a three hour drive from Havana . The Che memorial has a massive statue of Che holding a gun leading the way and is an inspirational figure to every Cuban child. Che actually means "special friend“ explained Miledes while recollecting how every Cuban school going child vows to be like Che. A small museum dedicated in memory of Che and the fellow soldiers who fell along with him fighting war in Bolivia lies beneath the memorial.

By now we were familiar with areas like Habana Vieja, Centro Habana and Plaza de Revolcion where most of the biennial art exhibits are installed. Centro de Arte Contemporaneo Wilfredo Lam is the center which conducts this event biannually with a mission to integrate the ancient cultural heritage of Cuba with its contemporary art practice. Art from the biennial was displayed in public spaces like Gran Teatro la Habana which is the most celebrated opera house in the city and open spaces like the promenade of Malecon and Miramar beaches . Facades of buildings and Museums are roped in to display art that raises questions about contemporary life and culture.

If you need a break from the fast track of modern urban life, then Cuba is a perfect destination to head for. You can once again experience that era when there was no information overload, no conspicuous consumption, no junk food, and no technology tangles to stress you out . People are genuinely warm and friendly and live contented lives with basic amenities. But one wonders how long this 'innocence ' and the old world charm of Cuba will remain and live on ? Things are changing slowly but surely. “Progress ' and 'development' is knocking on Cuban shores.

http://www.timescrest.com/life/between-a-rebel-cigars-and-an-art-exposition-8245

This travelogue of mine was published in Crest, Mumbai edition of Times of India dated 30/06/2012