An unpardonable crime called "plans to join theatre"

5th September, 2009

The 2nd day of my video production class coincided with the Teacher's Day. But before I get into the details of the events that unfolded in the college, let me share with you the details of an important event that preceded my 2nd day class on the same day.

I,along with my uncle. happened to pay one of our relatives pay a visit in South Delhi.We were greeted with an idli-lookalike dish. I must mention here that it was pretty ok contrary to the experiences I've had during my month-long stay there in May earlier this year. Anyways, I'll not get into the details of that. Let me get to the point quickly. After being treated to that unusual breakfast, we sat down for a bit of chit-chat. The relative started asking me about the video production course I was pursuing. during the course of our conversation, he asked me how do I spend my off-days(as my course requires me to go the college only thrice a week).

Telling him about my novel and story writing tasks would have invited, which I was absolutely sure of, some very discouraging,disapproving and ugly reactions. So, I tried to play it safe and told him that I was investing in myself by trying to hone my journalistic skills by practicing writing news reports for the print and broadcast media.

"Huh. what news reports and all that crap", pat came this uglier and more disapproving reaction from him.

"Try to get some freelance work in the local news channels.Don't waste time sitting at home and practising writing news. Approach the news channels and tell them that you want to work for them even for free.", continued he giving his free, unwanted,unasked and impractical advice. Which news channel or for that matter any media organisation would keep me if I can't perform my duties to perfection. And perfection can be attained only by practice.By practising writing news reports I'm giving myself an opportunity to improve upon my language and writing skills. I ask you is that a wastage of time and energy?

"Yes, yes. I've applied in a theatre production house for a scriptwriting internship.........", said I hoping to get an appreciative reaction but was cut short by him.

"What? Have you lost it or what? theatre? Go and see those 'mad' people in the evenings at the National School of Drama or even Mandi House. Everyone there considers himself an 'artist'. They just grow their beard long;don an 'artist' outlook and consider themselves 'artists'. You want to be one of those eccentric fellows? Forget all those things and just concentrate on landing a job in the news and/or print channels.",came these expert opinions from him.

It would be an understatement if I say I was pissed off by his 'muft ka gyaan' and mashwara' and more so by the scant respect he showed for theatre and theatre persons.
But as I've had too many altercations with him already in the past which had strained his relationship with my family to some extent, I had received a diktat from my family not to get into any kind of argument with him or any of his family members.

CUT TO THE VIDEO PRODUCTION CLASS PROCEEDINGS:

My 2nd day in my video production class turned out to be better than the 1st day. I participated more in the class, at times taking initiatives to clear off doubts of my classmates(of course with the permission of the teacher) on the topics I had good knowledge and/or working experience of. It was duly acknowledged by the teacher too, who,as luck would have it, was a Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan(BVB) alumni---the same institution which I had rejected for some ethical reasons even after getting through the entrance test and news reading audition conducted by the institute. After inquiring her about BVB, I thanked my stars for not letting me into the trap of BVB, which wasn't upto scratch and was a classic case of high on gloss and low on content---exactly the way I had suspected.

Anyways, life seems to be back on track again and I'm getting a gut feeling that this course would prove to be very beneficial for me and joining this course was the best thing that could have happened with me after I ran out of luck in the various mass media entrance exams I undertook.

THANK GOD FOR EVERY BLESSING YOU'VE BESTOWED UPON ME!