National Anathema


It is very comic to see movie theatre patrons struggle to keep the sanctity of the national anthem alive. For the uninitiated, all movie theatres in Mumbai, play the national anthem before any movie starts. Am not too sure if it happens with the sleazy Pyaasi Jawani kind of movie halls but I can vouch for the others (smart way of making a clean morality statement!)
I can imagine why this whole national anthem rendition started. A self appointed upholder of India’s morals would have decided that our country gets corrupted in the movie theatres. So the national anthem was the anti dote that audiences would consume before they expose their senses to debauchery
There are multiple spoilers to the national anthem. The one that comes to mind immediately is the fact that most audiences are not in their seats when the national anthem is being played, they’re still strolling in (blame it on traffic, obesity, bad signs in theatres and lack of civic sense). Some people find sadistic pleasure in crushing toes in ill sized aisles, especially in Mumbai where people do it day in and day out in local trains. So some will stop right where they are as soon as they hear the anthem go, not realizing they are downsizing someone’s toe. Some others will keep walking, though with a mix of apology and stand at attention, tough to describe but they do pull it off. Popcorn munching and cell phone buzzes have the share of the other spoilers. The icing on the cake comes right at the end when people can’t wait to sit at the end of it all. So by the time the audio is at the last ‘Jaya He’ most people have started shuffling and adjusting their seats.
I couldn’t think of a better way to insult the national anthem.

Comments

The In-Depth Blog said…
True, there's no easy way to insult the national anthem. In the name of patriotism, our "netas" enact stupid rules; but these are completely futile. Playing the national anthem before a movie - how does that build patriotism.

I also liked your point about the national anthem "being the anti-dote". The so-called political intelligensia doesn't even have the maturity to look at cinema as an art form!!

Finally, I am sure what "kind" of movies you don't watch..atleast in theaters!!
March 24, 2008 4:39 pm
Ajith said…
thanks Abhishek...the journey of the national anthem from school assembly to multiplexes is not an easily explained one, but then so aren't a lot of other things with our country!
March 24, 2008 8:32 pm
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