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Roles we Play


When I saw the above picture of Narendra Modi in the latest issue of India Today, what rushed to my mind instantly was a Malayalam film song Veshangal Janmangal… Life is a series of roles dressed up for the occasion. There are different costumes for celebrations and mourning, and there are people who can shed one and move into the other instantly. Are your smiles genuine? Do your tears mean sadness? Or, are they all costumes that suit the occasion?

Are you just an actor who plays certain roles? Is the entire cosmos just a gigantic theatre for you? Where can we find the real you beneath all the costumes you keep changing day in and day out?

Have you relinquished dharma in favour of cravings? Truth over expediency?








 

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  1. Yamini MacLeanAugust 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM

    Hari OM
    "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage..." what what comes to my mind with these images... YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 2, 2025 at 5:09 PM

      At least one thing is certain: the man reminds everyone of something. Shashi Tharoor was reminded of a "scorpion on Shivling" and got into trouble.

      Delete
  2. Jose D. MaliekalAugust 2, 2025 at 11:52 PM

    During my Epistemology classes, leaning on Heidegger, I used to tell my students that you are king on the stage, when you have lost yourself, no more George or William, names and identities, by which you are known. There is a loss of self-consciousness, to gain a heightened consciousness, through the loss of self. In the case of the PM, he is self-conscious all the way and all the time, he is dressed up as someone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 3, 2025 at 11:09 AM

      Isn't our man too much of a narcissist to ever reach that sort of un-self-consciouusness?

      Delete
  3. Liz A.August 3, 2025 at 2:09 AM

    He does play dress up a lot, doesn't he?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 3, 2025 at 11:09 AM

      Absolutely. I'm told that he changes his dress at least four times a day.

      Delete
  4. Pradeep NairAugust 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM

    Pandit Nehru once said, we all have a 'public face' and a 'private face'. That's very true. Applies to most people, if not everyone.
    (My latest post: Kerala in monsoon: A road trip)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM

      Yes, to most people. But in the case of our Prime man, there seems to be infinite faces.

      Delete
  5. MR R F SmithAugust 8, 2025 at 2:56 AM

    India has an amazing history. There have been leaders from the left, and right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalAugust 8, 2025 at 9:21 AM

      Very colourful history, yes. Right now the colour is saffron, but without its sanctity.
      By the way, I went through your magazine and loved it.

      Delete

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