Journalists cannot be expected to
show competence in an overwhelmingly mediocre society nor are they expected to
exhibit qualities of concern, tethered as they are to crude framework. Exceptions
are always there but you can be sure in market media these are rare. This news
piece could be from any newspaper (that it happens to be from Kasthuri&Sons
is a coincidence, probably a tribute to their forefathers and family vaginas for former life deed pathways). Their promotion
of obnoxious views is given but that they are able to squiggle in crudeness in
news snippet, where space for prejudice is limited, is undoubtedly a talent. Now
market friendly Crude woman would react by “Woman, and her husband…” crap, if
men smoke then women smoking is about gender equality. That’s how you become
darling of market, and work out service industry gigantism. The more you sell
more merrier is the world, and yes richer you are intelligent you are. In this melee
some even come out as ‘senior journalists’, something not quite unique in a
society that expertise in grading people, sensitive about hierarchy.
Mr. Gajendra is an admirable man: As a citizen I am troubled by the
protest of FTII students, it is quite unbecoming. As long as statutes don’t put
in any qualification (why haven’t they?), a political appointee is deemed qualified.
If they haven’t protested all these decades why are they now? Clearly it is
politically motivated. Are all the political appointee of high caliber? How are
people appointed to the RS? (if Mr. Gajendra has acted in cheap movies then ZK has written some serious crap in the name of art that will embarrass anyone). Undoubtedly these appointments are obnoxious mix of nepotism, sycophancy, manipulation,
corrupt practices, political expediency so on. It is in this context one has to admit
that Gajendra Chauhan is an apt choice to head FTII, though I have serious issue
with a man with squatter framework surname to head any institution. His role in
Mahabharata was well appreciated (indeed benchmark in some ways), further a
head of the institution is not for inspiration but to run the institution properly.
This blogger would like to know the attendance record of previous “inspiration invoking”
heads. Most significantly despite their claim for high reputation, Indian film industry
is quite mediocre. This also put in focus on nepotism, as to how do people get
into such institution, the selection committee so on. Crude Woman can get in
but Mr.Gajendra cannot is not because of lack of talent, nor that Mr. Gajendra
was stuck with low grade movies (which doesn’t take away his artistic skills or
potential) while Crude woman hobnobbed with the best and expertised her quid
pro quo skills, due to lack of talent. Crude Woman was in a position to manipulate
awards while Mr. Gajendra had to negotiate existential demands, part timing in
hospitals so on, as he worked hard to get foothold in a manipulative and nepotism
driven mediocre film ‘industry’.
These pretentious people cannot
decide who is talented or can they veto a political appointee, nor does the
student have prerogative to decide who should head them. Snobbish elitism and
high level manipulators may have problems but they just have to gulp it. Take it
on the chin and move on, times are changing. Decades of fattening thyself in
the name of art is over, now it’s the turn of the other side. For common people
these are just jokes. And yes FTII has been the looser for long, the lackadaisical
approach and least concern for competence has taken the toll. I read that it is
so badly managed that it has become horrible.
The only thing that goes against Mr.
Gajendra is his pedalling of stuff that promotes superstition. One wonders why
promoting superstition not against law, the channel owners looking for easy
money should be held responsible. But then how is it different from pedalling Coca
cola Pepsi or whatnot, or matrimonial columns? …water purifiers or detergents,
what is Crude woman (or small time bharat ratna fellow, he really cannot avoid
these. What a cheapskate) connection to these, that she pedal to suck up money?
All the products (some crudely exploitative) seeks to capitalise on
manipulation. Mr. Gajendra, like many political appointees, is selected by the government
in its own intelligence and reasons. He therefore must be given chance, and
must be judged on his performance as an administrator, for which he is
appointed. It is here that he should be keenly observed, and students protest
herein, in case of transgressions, will make sense. In the meanwhile any student having problems must be dealt with disciplinary actions or rusticated, as is deemed
fit under the rules. Arrogance, highbrow egotism shouldn’t have space. Indeed these
students are known for their notoriety (all in the name of art and freedom of expression, i suppose, before having produced anything at all!!). One of the earlier directors of FTII, Mohan
Agashe, had to go following students’ protests over his attempt to restructure
some courses. FTII suffers from serious mismanagement,
and interference from powerful interest groups/people. Mr. Gajendra’s
appointment is only a continuation of that, it got stuck this time as the
powerful coterie who were arbitrating benefits in the name of art/culture have
been ignored/shunted out or are aware of losing ground and easy sucks, hence
the viciousness. It only shows their depravity. Mr. Gajendra has survived
in the industry despite trying circumstances and has clawed his way to head a premier
institute is in itself something to admire despite his alleged shortcomings. He
must carry on…
PS: Crude Woman says “we don’t discriminate, hum log bhaisaab
gender sensitive type ke log hai”. ZK adds “murga ho ya murgi biriyani sabki
banegi” “it iz naturalz lawz”.
