Sholay, Basanti & Chidambaram

Free Thinker *

Even after 18 months many people are still talking about violence and bloodshed and a few groups are still indulging in brutal criminal acts not even sparing women and children. Heinous acts and counter-actions keep continuing. Now we are also becoming intolerant. Even ideas are not being tolerated.

Politicians, we can understand - but intellectuals - they must talk sense. Intelligentsia should have the patience to listen to the ideas from various quarters. Agreement or disagreement is bound to happen. People may criticize and discard Chidambaram’s idea of regional autonomies. His party men might have threatened him for propagating such ideas.

Journalists and Reporters have no option but to report the happenings based on the available facts and figures. Problem lies when they start adding opinions and twist the facts. A Reporter reports the bitter truth to the world (at the cost of his/her livelihood and life). But the editorials and columns may carry opinions .

‘Sholay’ which was a blockbuster film in the late 70s across Bharat . In Manipur too it had broken all previous records in Usha Cinema , Paona Bazaar showing for almost a year. That was outperformed by 'Olangthagi Wangmadasu' , a film by legendary Director Syam Sharma , which was running in Friends Talkies, for more than a year in the early 80s.

Sholay’s protagonist Thakur- both his hands were chopped off by the dreaded dacoit called Gabbar Singh. Thakur wanted to take on Gabbar and his dacoity despite his constraints. He was a daring police officer who kept troubling the criminals . Once he arrested two petty thieves who were young, courageous but good at heart. Thakur wanted to take the help from these two young men to counter the onslaught of Gabbar Singh.

The present dispensation is just like Thakur Baldev Singh who has lost both hands ( hills and valley ). Thakur has now got two top hands Veeru and Jai but the problem persists. They are now entangled with so many cases, investigations and inquiries. Perhaps they don’t to further complicate the situation.

Cases pending are in thousands, FIRs in thousands, inquiries in hundreds and numerous investigations are on. Still complaints are pouring. Only God knows when these cases will be concluded and perpetrators punished. The biggest problem for all the cases is that these are linked with extra ordinary situations when people were highly tormented and volatile (surcharged with riot and mob mentality).

During Sholay days, there was no internet, no mobile phone, only few Land-line phones were available ; in fact Gabber Singh did not have a calendar – so he used to ask “ Holi Kab Hai”. Reply came in style from Sambha, his trusted lieutenant.

Basanti was a vivacious lady and financially independent too with her ‘Dhanno(horse)’ drivenTanga. Our mothers and sisters are like her – very bold and many are economically independent. Our women folk have the courage and gut to encounter any difficult situation . We have seen it on many occasions particularly in two ‘Nupi lans’. The first ‘Nupi lan’ was in 1904 and second ‘Nupi lan’ was in 1939. Their revolts proved fruitful.

Basanti wanted to learn the art of shooting from Veeru ( the young and versatile mercenary of Thakur ). Veeru took advantage of the situation . While teaching her shooting revolver he touched her inappropriately. He could have been booked for the act. But NCW was not there then.

The role of Chachi in Sholay was again so magnificent that she had the ‘say’. She would decide the fate of Basanti. Even Veeru and Jai , all gunda-type-elements could not use their brute force. Social reality binds them too. Similarly our elderly mothers have the same status and power. They can negotiate the brute forces – they can be saviors on all sides.

If our Basantis want to learn the art of using guns and weapons – who will teach them? And if we have mentors like Veeru and Jai – who will monitor their behavior? Whether the available weapons are enough to weaponize and empower them. This should not be construed as war mongering. Just an alternative approach.

I saw many videos in which women flay the leaders. They challenge the forces. They ignore the instigations. Sometimes I feel that we have undermined the enigmatic force of our women. Our Chachis and Basantis can make the difference. Third Nupi-Lan may bring hope to both the hills and valley.

The lanterns of Radha ( Jaya Badhuri) in the castle of Thakur– won’t suffice to brighten the whole village of Ramgarh . But the sparkling light that fell on Jai might have spread and ignited the spirit to fight for the protection of Ramgarh (Manipur) .

One high-profile gentleman asked me in a teasing tone – you are on which side of the fence? I told him loud and clear that I stand for the unity of Manipur, integrity and co-existence of the people (all ethnic groups). He countered – why Chidambaram’s idea was spurned – what do you think? Ideas should not be gagged -you may agree or disagree.

Holi Kab Hai , Kab Hai Holi ! All Gabbars must be contained.