Larger than Life

I may draw huge amounts of criticism trying to convey this subject because recently I was at the recieving end when I tried to prove my point about an important personality. Yes, Larger than Life is what we see around in our daily lives and around the world as well. Since I am not a world renowned traveller or a historian or a philosopher, I will just keep my subject to my home country India and Indians. By now way this is a write up to tarnish any feelings, emotions, sentiments or demolish the structures created in ones mind that was built over the years. We Indians always believe in larger than life characters and individual worshipping is higher here than anywhere else in the world. This is perhaps why we have more Godmen in the country than Gods. In Hindu religion where you have a God for your every need in life, a God for every natural aspect you see around, it is under this religion you see the highest number of Godmen. Chritianity and Islam are also not far behind with their clergymen enjoying more powerful positions than the almighty himself among the subjects. Their voices are heard and followed strongly as if its fallen from the heavenly gates. Importance of a God is limited only to an idol or a name and under which the utilization happens. Pathetic isn't it??? Now I will draw you to another case where I was isolated for speaking my mind. Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricketers to play the game and his importance and role in the development of Indian cricket is unquestionable. Like every Indian, I too am a great fan of his who holds the breath as long as the man is playing on the field. As every sportsperson Sachin Tendulkar also grew old and as age started to catch up, performances declined. I felt he was extending his time beyond what is probable and he was not making any valuable contribution to the team. This is where the Larger than Life personality comes into play. Because of his stature and fan base and because the x number of cricket fanatics just want to see the person on screen, an oppurtunity that is waiting for the next is either delayed or denied. The reason here is not Sachin Tendulkar or his performance, the sad part is people love the person more than the game itself. It is cricket who made the man called Sachin Tendulkar, not the other way around. I do not wish to see a horrible game when I know his performance is below par just because Mr. Tendulkar does not want to retire as he still continues to enjoy the game. Enjoying your game and performing is world apart. Here the game of cricket is irrelevant, people glue their eyes on the screen because one man is playing. Irony isn't it??? Same can be said in case of films. Many extraordinary creative attempts and good movies fail to find any audience but crap movies that features a popular movie star strikes gold. Larger than life movie actors and their crazy fans have nothing to do with what went in the film. More than the movie, its only their favorite actors screen presence that is required. Result is good and out of box creative attempts gets the beating and such attempts less encouraged. Be it in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telegu or any regional film these Larger than Life stars command over the movie world. Pity isn't it????? Politics which is part of every common man's life is also not free from such charactors. Every regional party has a larger than life picture who has powers to control the moods of the followers. They have such dangerous authority that they can anytime decide the fate of any common man under their radar of operations. A perfect example would be the Gandhi family ( Not the Mahatma Gandhi family but the Nehru converted Gandhi family). The recent lot of jokers without any accomplishments under their belt still holds enviable control over masses only because Indian conscience is addicted to the Gandhi name. People idolize Gandhi over the country itself. Poor man Mahatma Gandhi fought for the country and the counrty was his priority. If only the common man put India the counrty in forefront than any person or personality we would have achieved a great deal. I really do not see this as we are a generation of people who cannot see beyond the beyond. Dangerous isn't it??? We can keep on debating the reason for this. We may also come to the conclusion of what is wrong in such an approach. What is wrong if I like a movie star, a cricketer, a politician or even the words of a Godman....it is my personal choice. Yes personal choices, we only live with our personal choices and do not care for a wider one. From our beginning we are not taught to see the broader picture. Our education system also does not allow this. I leave it to you all readers to decide. Is this concern of mine right or wrong? The subject what I have taken is valid or invalid? .......................??