Desicritics Author: Adithya

Chennai Test: Where The Spirit Stays Alive

Adithya — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:26:14 EST

Slumdog Millionaire, the movie, starts with a multiple choice question. One of the options is - "It is written. It is destiny."

What happened at M.A Chidambaram stadium, Chepauk, Madras turned out to be quite like it.

The cricket fans of Madras are often referred to as the most sportive and the most intelligent of the lot. Nobody thinks twice or feigns modesty before bringing up the standing ovation the crowd gave the Pakistan team after the match of 1999. The sight of a Pakistan team doing a victory march in an Indian city, speaks volumes about the power of sports. And the heart of the Madras cricket fan.

One man had his dreams turned into nightmare that same afternoon. Sachin Tendulkar, broken back or not, played a masterful innings. A typical effort from him, during an era when he was shouldering India's hopes and he was the only one. What could have been a match winning and career defying knock turned into the most excruciating and regrettable moment of his life in Test cricket. There were some, praising him for the effort and for carrying on without a soul for support. There were many, finding faults in him, for repeatedly failing to finish the job.

Sachin would later come back to Madras and score a century against Australia. It was business as usual. But the euphoria of a match winning knock was missing. The pride of a fourth innings century was missing. The chance to silence his critics once and for all was missing.

Sachin was not the only one missing all the fun. The other guy missing all the fun was the Madras cricket fan. There have been 5 Test matches played in this venue since 2002. And three One Day Internationals. One ODI was abandoned and the other had no result as only about 25 overs could be played. A Test match against Sri Lanka could not be played during the first three days. The Test match against Australia, superbly poised at the end of fourth day, with India all set to win, had its fifth day's play washed out. I still remember going to the match on fourth day, during internal exams at college, watching Damien Martyn and Gillespie grind the bowling attack. Another against South Africa was a boring draw.

The M.A.Chidambaram stadium is not used to such ordinary levels of cricket. It is a historic and famous venue for the kind of cricket played over there and for the fans of Madras. The place was just waiting to witness Test cricket of the finest quality and that is exactly what was handed on a platter in the match against England. A match where the opposition were in full control for the first four days. A match where one single session on the fourth day made a huge difference. A match where four players scored above fifty in a fourth innings of a match. Sehwag's in particular, for laying the foundation.

The script, couldn't be more perfect. Madras was destined to witness one of the highest run chases in Test history and the highest in India. The city and its fans rightly deserved the match of a lifetime, after being treated to very mediocre plays and abandoned games. It regained its glory as the best venue to play cricket on, in India.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, scoring his 41st Test century and the match winning runs, and ultimately burying the demon of 1999, was only the icing on the cake. It was written.

The North South Divide in India: Language, Culture, Prejudice?

Adithya — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:23:24 EDT

BG's little experience in a mall in Delhi got me thinking. Prejudice shows its ugly face everywhere. One of the most often discussed topic in our country is that divide between the so called South Indians and the so called North Indians. It is such an interesting topic that all those funny comments to articles in Rediff lead there no matter what the issue was originally to start with.

The nucleus of the prejudice, quite obviously lies in the language barrier. The fact that one community cannot understand the other's language leads to baseless assumptions, ridicule and fantasies. The oldest example I could remember was Mehmood making fun of the south Indian accent, way of life in Padosan. All in good humor.

So, what's this prejudice? Having lived in both the societies and been in the receiving end of both the forms of partisanship, I believe I understand them both quite well.

The Hindi speaking community looks at South Indians as backward, narrow minded and a disconnected lot of people that at times suggests an alienating behavior in ones own country. Blame it on the language. All said and done, it is indeed a fact that Tamil Nadu at least, where I come from, has been disconnected from rest of India. But it by no means gives an excuse to cultivate such pedestrian opinions about a community that is very much Indian.

As soon as you land in a city beyond the four southern states, you are branded a "Madrasi" in your school, you are ridiculed for the way you pronounce thoda. You may argue it is childish and probably a thing for kids, but everything, like charity, begins at home. If a matured twenty something has the audacity to ask a decently dressed woman, "Why are you dressed like that, you look like someone from South India", it speaks volumes about what that woman has seen and understood of India as a whole.

The people down south look at Northies as a community that places importance on show, splendor, outlook and all other things considered trivial down under. The people from Bombay and north of it are more exposed to fashion, lavish spending, highly westernized influences in daily life and an undying urge to stand out in the society. The people down south consider themselves to be leap years ahead when it comes to the topic of gray matter and achievements in education and personal lives. They speak better English, are widespread in the fields of engineering and entrepreneurship and are well read individuals. These are some of the factors where south Indians seem to think they are one up compared to the north.

The issue comes down to a debate of priorities and perspectives. It really depends on an individual's choices and emphasis on what is important to his/her life.

It may be a thing of the past but today when people move around, live in other states and countries, together with different communities of India, they realize how wrong they were. It still pains to hear about men and women like the one BG met.

They not only need to open their minds, but also take a look at themselves. Maybe wearing Manish Malhotra and sitting inside Cafe Mocha for hours is more important to her than wearing Naidu Hall and flipping through J.K. Rowling and Thomas L. Friedman inside Landmark. The perspectives differ with individuals and not with communities. At least not anymore.

Thoughts on IPL

Adithya — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:07:11 EDT

There was a time when the excitement of a cricket match was natural. People drove around on the roads of Bombay with the Indian flag draped around them, their cars etc. This was even before a victory. It was around 2003 and it was the World Cup. It must have either been India vs Pak or India vs Australia. Heck, I gave up on my board exam and invited friends, bought snacks and waited for the match to begin.

Cut to 2008 and we have contrived excitement all over India. I just don't understand why so much of marketing and propaganda is going into this. Forget BCCI's revenge on ICL, BCCI's show of might or Lalit Modi's whims. Why is there a major build up to everything concerning IPL? Why didn't it just stop with stars purchasing teams and becoming owners? I did like that joke of Saif in an awards function when he said, my friend here(SRK) was not allowed to watch a cricket match and so he bought himself a team!

Thankfully people watching IPL on CBN are not subjected to the countless ads. Or so I hear. I have watched, probably, 10 overs of IPL so far. I read about it here and here. Why is Sivamani there in the stadium adding to all the frenzy? I can understand if I see SRK in Kolkata or Preity Zinta in Mohali. You cannot see Mukesh Ambani often because he has a proper job. The other owners have a job that requires them to show their face at regular intervals. Let's not even get into the whole cheer girls thing. Why are these people being such a dramebaaz? Like someone remarked, if a sport resorts to cheer girls dancing, singing half of the time, the sport must be really shallow. I liked Ramachandra Guha's comment on it though:

"All the organisers are doing by making scantily-clad white women dance in front of huge crowds is to stoke the base voyeuristic and sexual insecurities of the Indian male. It is revolting, appalling and shows the game in very poor light."

I am all for T20 cricket but then it's neither being played nor marketed the right way. It's good fun. Things take a turn in a matter of a ball. The T20 world cup showed how exciting it can be and it also showed how bowlers do have something to play for. But then having a league with players worth millions, we have a strong batting side hitting sidelined Indian players all around the ground. Add to this Sivamani, Washington Redskins cheerleaders, Bhajji slapping, Sreesanth crying and countless brands laughing their way to the bank.

A friend compared IPL to league football and said we could do with something like that in cricket. That is so illogical. Mukul Kesavan points out beautifully. It is very pedestrian and it highlights ignorance when you make such a comparison. League football celebrates football in all its splendor and glory. It's proper ninety minutes of play. Not a toned down version like T20. They don't try so hard to market themselves. Don't tell me they don't have to. They never did. I'd watch Real Madrid play Manchester United at Old Trafford rather than Mumbai Indians play Chennai Super Kings. That is until they play proper cricket and inspire me to give up my board exam and invite friends home. On the pitch, that is. Not on Royal Sundaram stand with Vijay, Nayanthara and Sivamani!

On a completely different note, some of those marketing minds at work are truly gods. You can't help but like this. Truly remarkable people at work.

Satire: The Anatomy of a Desi Grad Student

Adithya — Sat, 2 Feb 2008 00:37:09 EST

Every year, thousands of students leave India to pursue higher education in the United States. The trend that caught on in the mid to late 80s, has continued till date. They are not the same- each and everyone. Once you discount their country of origin, they come in different shapes, sizes and attitudes.

Here is an attempt at classifying them, their motives, aspirations, and theirway of living.

Disclaimer: Everything expressed here is completely my opinion and my observation. If it resembles you and I know you in person, you need not be the one to have inspired me first. The use of “he” is just a matter of choice. It doesn't mean I am speaking of men only. This is an attempt to look at everything on the lighter side and if it doesn't bring a smile on your face, I consider myself to have miserably failed! No offense to anyone. On any basis. And I do NOT claim to have seen it all!

The Americanized Grad:

He is the graduate with the traditional American Dream glittering in his eyes. He is not necessarily interested in what he is doing. His sole priority in life is make money, make it quickly and live the American way of life. He was probably groomed for this right from his childhood. A job, a green card, the possibility of being advertised as the American bridegroom take him to his pedestal.

The I-don't-know-what-I am-up-to Grad:

He has no idea what he is doing here. Either he is overwhelmed by the efficiency of the education system in America or he is going through a major culture shock. Or even worse, both. He ended up where he is because it was the best option for him or at least he was told so. He loved the prospects, the possibilities but is caught unaware by the stark realism of his position. You cannot always blame him for that though.

The Rote Topper Grad:

He is the guy completely used to the rote system of education back in India. He was either born that way or simply forced by his parents to become that. He crams his way into a good university for MS or PhD only to realize his way of functioning would never work in America. But owing to his hard working nature, he quickly adapts and gets into the groove. Thank god for that!

The Go Getter Grad:

He is someone you have to give it to. He knows what he came for, where to find it and how to get it. He leaves no stone unturned in achieving his targets. He is very matured in his work, does things systematically and ends up with flying colors. He is the first to arrive on US soil, get the first on campus job, first to grab that internship and more often than not well placed after graduation. He is someone every graduate would probably look up to.

The Misinformed Grad:

There are plenty like him. He thought America is nothing but girls, rock music and sexy cars. He probably still thinks so. It is possible that America failed to surprise him. Generally, there are two categories. Either he enjoys that charmed life even after arriving, thanks to super rich dad and/or light coursework or he is stunned by the expectations America has in store for him. More often than not, its a good thing and he stands up to it. There is a lot at stake after all.

The Fairytale Following Grad:

Everyone wishes to be like him. He may be hard working. He may be plain lucky. He arrives and quietly conquers everything. He chooses the right courses, secures a summer internship, gets a full time position, manages H1b and rest is history. But there can be another kind of a fairytale. This version belongs to that plain lucky one. He takes the easiest course/degree possible, walks through it, experiences most of the things America has to offer and more or less lives a charmed life. There is a theory that states a large chunk of this "he" is a "she". No offense. Taking nothing away from her. She is just blessed!

The Perennial Scholar Grad:

He is the perennial scholar who topped the exams back in India and has always been every teacher's blue eyed boy. He started the groundwork for his MS or PhD way back in his first year of college. By the end of the fourth, he had topped every second semester, published a handful in international journals and secured an MS or PhD with financial aid in a university of his choice. Once there, nothing surprises him and he feels at home. He thinks he was always meant to be there. Quite rightly so.

The Geek Grad:

To a normal person, he may come across as one of the most confused people around. Everything in life seems trivial to him. He doesn't plan much ahead. His ambition is to complete the challenging project due next week. He, like the perennial scholar, thinks he is meant to be where he is. And he is right too. At the end of the day, he loves what he is doing and ironically, he is the most clear headed Desi you'll ever find.

Sachin Tendulkar for Bharat Ratna?

Adithya — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:15:32 EST

Indian news channel CNN-IBN has kicked off a debate. Are there personalities that are worthy of being awarded the Bharat Ratna? India's highest award has eluded an Indian's grasp for the past seven years.

One of the names that cropped up was Sachin Tendulkar. Is Sachin worthy of Bharat Ratna? Though the awards have been conferred on people who are old and have long done India proud in the past, is it justified to give the award to someone as young as Sachin?

I think it's totally justified. If you've decided to give it to a sports personality, age is the last thing that anyone would worry about. So, the question is, "Is Sachin worthy?"

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is probably one of the very few Indians who is worthy of Bharat Ratna. He has been playing for the country for the past 18 years and even today, every Indian heart skips a beat when Sachin misses a delivery or misses a century. No other Indian batsman would command the amount of respect and admiration that Sachin commands from his fans.

For a long time it's been Sachin Tendulkar who has shouldered the responsibilities and pressure of the Indian cricket team. Cynics will argue about his match winning capabilities, his ability to bat under pressure etc. But I don't think it's wise to do so. Sachin has been the greatest thing that ever happened to Indian cricket. A lot of matches that have been within India's reach, irrespective of the outcome, have been so thanks only to Sachin. It is quite disgusting and depressing when many of us count his success in terms of what he has done for the team.

"Commit all your crimes when Sachin is batting. They will go unnoticed because even the Lord is watching."

Thats what a banner read in the Sydney Cricket Ground when Sachin scored his 38th test century. In a country like Australia, where they play their cricket hard, only one man is loved and respected for what he has done. Long before a VVS Laxman, there was a little lad named Sachin Tendulkar who scored a brilliant century on the fastest track at Perth and captured the heart of Australians. The standing ovation he gets in overseas matches is something very few batsmen have managed. He has played more Test cricket abroad than home and has a fantastic record in both. What more, five people in my Google Talk list had the above quote as their status message. I haven't seen anything quite like it ever.

There is a saying in Tamil which goes "Pakathla irundha, arumai theriyadhu". It loosely translates to,"When something is close to you (or belongs to you), you fail to recognize its worth". It's something like that when it comes to Sachin Tendulkar and us Indians. Only the Bret Lees and McGraths of cricket will be able to appreciate a Sachin Tendulkar. It's quite sad on our part as Indians. But it's true. That's the reason there is no harm and no two ways about conferring Bharat Ratna on Sachin Tendulkar. He literally fits the award. He is indeed a Jewel of India.

Here is an article, on the same lines, that appeared in The Hindu in March 2004. It's an article by Nirmal Shekar. It is so articulate that it really moves you and makes you see what Sachin is all about. If you are a Sachin fan, you should read it. If you are a Sachin fan and living in Chennai, you should HAVE read it. If you are one of those cynics, you'll probably help yourself by reading it:

In my book or blog or anywhere for that matter, there is nothing as worthy of celebration in Indian sport as Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.