Artists, particularly poets, are considered the softest of a nation’s constituents. For, most of the time what they say hardly matters, and who cares what they do or don’t do? Prod them enough, stamp on their pride, threaten their very existence, and this very soft putty will transform into reinforced steel.
A chill ran down my spine when a young friend of mine, sat me down and made me watch a YouTube kavi-sammelan (gathering of poets) just the other day. The words that flowed out of the mouth of this balding, middle-aged poet were anything but soft. They felt like hot magma flow—angry words of a man who can easily be called the conscience-keeper of the Nation...for what else are writers for? Writers do not just speak for themselves.
They are the voice of the time and situation. And if these words are any indication, then the times they are in is changing. Sample this by the world famous Urdu poet and Bollywood lyricist Rahat Indori:
Agar khilaf hai hone do, jaan thodi hai; Ye sab dhuaan hai aasman thodi hai; Lagegi aag to aayenge ghar kai zad me; Yahan pe sirf humara makan thodi hai; Main jaanta hoon ke dushman bhi kam nahi lekin; Humari tarah hatheli pe jaan thodi hai; Jo aaj sahibe mansad hain kal nahin honge; Kiraydaar hain zaati makaan thodi hai; Sab ka khoon shaamil yahan ki mitti me; Kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai
And more...
Abhi ganimat hai sabr mera abhi labalab bhara nahi hu; Wo mujhko murda samajh raha hai usse kaho main mara nahi hu; Wo keh raha hai ke kuch dino me mita ke rakh dunga nasl teri; Hai uski aadat dara raha hai, hai meri fitrat dara nahi hu.There are umpteen poets in history who have persuaded and charged up the fallen and the wounded to get up and rise against an invading enemy or a ruthless tyrant. We have our own Chand Bardai and so many others.
This constituency of poets and writers is ‘silly putty’ only so long as it has not been needlessly needled and prodded and humiliated and cornered to be hardened and refuses to take it anymore. Once they harden, their words turn powerful, perhaps more than weapons.For what are words? Words are purpose, intent, design and malice if used in the wrong way. Words are also resistance, resilience, rejection if used the right way.
Words are flowing. Both ways.
On other platforms, the battle is far bloodier even if couched in witticisms, sometimes even macabre humour. In trying hard to portray Congress V-P Rahul Gandhi in a negative light, people who trolled him mercilessly, actually kept him alive, bringing him into notice each time they cracked a joke on him. Such words from thousands of troll handles had malicious intent behind them. But, as is with words, they can flow both ways, and soon this very negativity began to script Rahul’s comeback.
The anger against the present dispensation is brewing and rising. It is palpable and cannot be ignored. When you can’t deliver on promises you made, you have no right to be malicious. People are getting impatient with the government’s social media campaigns against the Gandhis. It is not getting them anywhere. The nervousness is showing. While our Prime Minister is sometimes in battle fatigues (rallying support for 2019 using the army as a prop), at other times he is seen in religious gear with chandan smeared on his head, bringing out and waving the Hindu identity flag for the general election.
At times he rakes up long-gone issues such as the Bofors, at times he drags people like Robert Vadra to the table.The Ayodhya temple was lit up with the fire of millions of rupees,. This money could have saved the lives of children who die in large numbers in infamous Uttar Pradesh hospitals. All this symbolism for 2019. But, there is no talk of progress. At all! Words are flowing. Both ways. The anger is bubbling.
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