As children, we have all read the story of the ugly duckling, ridiculed, harassed, sneered at for being a swan! Okay it is in fairy tales. In real life, it takes gigantic courage to be talented, to be a prodigy, nay, could even be a genius, underrated by the status quo which honours others not even sub par.
Let us today look at two examples. One of them is a tragedy. Better always to begin with the bad so that we can appreciate the scent of success the good grudgingly may be allowed!
Yes, let us talk of a hyper talented music director. Son of a tabla player, he was excellent at percussion instruments, be it tabla, dholak or pakhawaj. Why, before he came to the city of dreams to work at his niche, he was gifted a royal sabre in honour of his superb abilities.
In Bombay, however, he would not find work! For eight years, he was an assistant with a salary of mere hundred rupees. His music direction was so superb that "Mirza Galib" had a special show in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Prime Minister praised it.
Yet work never came his way! At last, he was the chosen one for ''Pakeezah". The film trailed so long due to causes beyond his control that he died in penury almost a decade earlier.
Yes, we are talking of Ghulam Mohammed who died without, forget medicines, food. The only saving grace in this sad scenario is that Pran refused to accept his award because the year ''Pakeezah" was released, despite its superb music, the much deserved award went to another! Some recognition at last, though post humous!
Now let us look at the rather happy ending. The Indian Women's Team won the World Cup recently. The captain bowed to him, and the euphoria included him in to recognition long long long overdue. Yes, we are referring to Amol Muzumdar. Records at the Ranaji level, wonderful at his game, excellent batsman. Yet success at last came his way almost three decades later, at least as a wonderful coach, much appreciated by his team.
Why this phenomenon of the 'unsung hero'? Why is talent overlooked, often when the most ordinary is hailed? For being in the wrong place at the wrong time? For being too straightforward? For not cozying up to those in power positions? For lacking a support system who should be the cheer leaders? For unknowingly being the soft target of conspiracies galore, for thus being consciously alienated thenceforth?For rubbing the mediocrity around the wrong way just by being far far far superior?
Easy it is to say that at last everybody does have a place in the sun! What about the opportunities snatched away right under the nose though rightfully they screamed to belong to the ignored, ill-treated talent? Late justice is no justice, right? In the final analysis, whose loss is it? Sure of the individual, but much worse is the state of affairs for existing so, for blaming the victim, thus shaming its own glitzy sheen!
Quote of the day: "The last to bloom," according to Rune Lazuli," is the strongest."
Word of the day: late-bloomer. It refers to a person whose talents or capabilities become apparent or are noticed later than is typical or common for most.
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