Generation gap was a word I once heard during an English class session sometime in the eight grade. It didn't take me much time to realise what it meant cause when you are a teenager and you have amazing levels of energy coupled with a little tinge of rebellious behavior towards anything, especially rules set by parents, this was one term that both generations always lingered on.
Children would blame their parents for not accepting new cultural influences and parents would blame their kids for being stubborn and for ignoring tradition. But somewhere in the middle of this great war of words, there seemed to be a sudden shift. It was as though one generation decided to put down their guns and follow the other. The "Adults" found wisdom in the adage: "If you can't beat them, join them". Now, the adults never gave up and they never raised the white flag but instead they marched alongside their rebellious counterparts (without being noticed). This later turned out to be the best strategic move in the history of psychological warfare.
It was around this time that the world of technology had reached soaring heights and there came a need for understanding the working of one basic instrument/medium - The Internet. Some parents despised it for its complexity. Others hated staring at an empty screen which offered none of the wonderful soaps that only Indian television could offer! But in time they learned how to deal with the ever changing world of technology. They finally did what their children wanted them to do - Embrace new culture. And now all of a sudden, there seemed to be no more reasons to fight. The need for war which run through the veins of every budding teenager could not find a suitable outlet. It was concluded that the eternal war had finally come to an end.
But now there seems to be a new evil force lurking on the Internet. Making their way through the defensive barricades that the younger generation had set up for years. As I sit here helplessly in front of my computer, I am forced to make a choice and to face it alone - Should I accept the friend requests that my uncle, aunt and grandma have sent be on Orkut and Facebook.
As I walk along this tightrope, I know my days are numbered!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
A Tribute to the King of Pop
I am an avid music buff and I listen to practically every artist on the planet. But no one has ever made an impact on me the way Michael Jackson did. I still remember the first time I listened to him, I was 8 years old. I couldn't stop myself from tapping my foot to every beat. I couldn't stop my little body from swaying as I watched a man move so fluently to the music. I was mesmerized. I always look back to that moment as the moment that changed the way I saw music. I made sure I collected as many of his music cassettes as possible and that was no easy task when you stayed in a remote part of South India.
In the summer of 1995, I was lucky enough to grab hold of the 'History' series which consisted of his most famous songs over the last decade. His songs were a rare mix of both simple and profound lyrics which instantly caught my attention. Songs like "They don't really care about us", "Stranger in Moscow", "Heal the world" would always be playing on my little cassette player which I bugged my Dad into buying me so that I could listen to what Dad would describe as "a man shouting all the time".
He revolutionized the music industry. His electrifying live performances were and still are the greatest moments in music history. The "Moonwalk" became his trademark and it is something that I still find mystifying. Each move was done with effortless grace that sometimes it was hard to believe such things were possible to be performed by a human being. I am yet to meet someone who has not heard of Michael Jackson. I know villagers in South India to whom the western world means only one thing - Michael Jackson. I am sure no one shall attain such immortality.
Like all famous celebrities, Michael Jackson did have his share of controversies. But imagine living a celebrity life all the way from the tender age of five. Throughout the the mid 1970s all the way to the mid 1990s, he was the most celebrated artist/performer on the planet. He was always under pressure and he dealt with it in the best ways possible. Celebrity status was pushed on to him and he never got a break from it.
But in the midst of his recent tragic death, I wish for once the media would celebrate his fantastic career (which spanned more than three decades) rather than still cling only to the controversies that scarred his career over the last few years.
Irrespective of what people say, Michael Jackson shall always remain an icon to me. My childhood role model. The man who changed my way of thinking forever. I hope he finally finds peace and I am sure the Gods shall greet him with open arms. I am also sure that no other artist will ever be able to set new standards which are in par with his.
I would like to end this post with a song that was Michael Jacksons message to the world and to the world's children:
In the summer of 1995, I was lucky enough to grab hold of the 'History' series which consisted of his most famous songs over the last decade. His songs were a rare mix of both simple and profound lyrics which instantly caught my attention. Songs like "They don't really care about us", "Stranger in Moscow", "Heal the world" would always be playing on my little cassette player which I bugged my Dad into buying me so that I could listen to what Dad would describe as "a man shouting all the time".
He revolutionized the music industry. His electrifying live performances were and still are the greatest moments in music history. The "Moonwalk" became his trademark and it is something that I still find mystifying. Each move was done with effortless grace that sometimes it was hard to believe such things were possible to be performed by a human being. I am yet to meet someone who has not heard of Michael Jackson. I know villagers in South India to whom the western world means only one thing - Michael Jackson. I am sure no one shall attain such immortality.
Like all famous celebrities, Michael Jackson did have his share of controversies. But imagine living a celebrity life all the way from the tender age of five. Throughout the the mid 1970s all the way to the mid 1990s, he was the most celebrated artist/performer on the planet. He was always under pressure and he dealt with it in the best ways possible. Celebrity status was pushed on to him and he never got a break from it.
But in the midst of his recent tragic death, I wish for once the media would celebrate his fantastic career (which spanned more than three decades) rather than still cling only to the controversies that scarred his career over the last few years.
Irrespective of what people say, Michael Jackson shall always remain an icon to me. My childhood role model. The man who changed my way of thinking forever. I hope he finally finds peace and I am sure the Gods shall greet him with open arms. I am also sure that no other artist will ever be able to set new standards which are in par with his.
I would like to end this post with a song that was Michael Jacksons message to the world and to the world's children:
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