"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms," describes William Shakespeare.
The dead are expected to rest in peace in their memorial and are paid respects on their birth and death anniversaries. On other days, memorials are mere tourists spots, drama-free and with no press coverage. After what the world witnessed at the Late Chief Minister & Convict J. Jayalalithaa's memorial in the last 75 days, will we ever be able to look at memorials the same way? Should we believe that such acts of drama are normal at the memorial of an actor?
Moments after Jayalalithaa passed away there was a widespread discussion if she would be cremated as per her religious beliefs or buried to give her a permanent place next to her mentor MGR and have. But seldom did public realize the intention behind her burial and how the memorial would become a backdrop for political ambitions and vengeance and making the dead turn in their graves.
In the days following her burial, public thronged the venue in large numbers to pay homage to their beloved chief minister who they fondly addressed as "Amma" and they couldn't see during her 72 days at hospital. Sasikala, a close confidant of Jayalalithaa, despite being blamed for her death, visited the memorial several times in the first week to express her grief and showcase her gratitude in public eye. So, did Sasikala's repeated visits (before visiting AIADMK office and taking over as general secretary) inspire AIADMK MLAs and wannabe politicians to visit the memorial?
On February 7, O. Panneerselvam, interim CM visits Jayalalithaa's memorial and meditates for 40 minutes, draws energy, converses with his conscience and takes blessings of Amma before announcing his intent to take on Sasikala & Co. Tres dramatique! Is it normal for a dead leader to fuel ambitions for power in oppressed cadres?
For the next ten days, media camped outside the memorial unable to predict the sudden visits and continuously fed public with breaking news. The ambitious and treacherous made a beeline to get Amma's blessings before making their moves. Soon, many MLAs and MPs and former ministers switched sides joining OPS and pumping adrenaline to the evening prime time drama.
A week later, on Feb 13, Amma's niece Deepa Jayakumar shunned by Sasikala visited the memorial for the first time and announced her much awaited political journey by joining hands with O. Panneerselvam to take on the axis of evil.
What so far remained a sun down prime time drama suddenly turned into a daytime drama on February 15 as Sasikala convicted in DA case by SC of India was asked to surrender at court in Bangalore. She left Poes Garden at 9.30 am and journeyed towards the memorial to have a final conversation before serving her sentence.
Cameras panned on Sasikala as she arrived at the memorial and engaged in a silent monologue with folded palms. Unlike movies where directors, actors and cameraman plan the sequence of events and instruct actors on action, there was none around to pass instructions or say cut though cameras were capturing and relaying in live. Those standing behind Sasikala including her party men and women had no clue on what was coming.
Shortly, Sasikala's silence turned into mutter and as she lowered her knees, extended her right hand cameras caught her thump on the memorial surprising the world. Before we could analyze and process the unexpected action, she came down for a second thump. Was she mad at Jayalalithaa? Or is she taking a vow to avenge those who pushed her family behind bars? More than the flower petals showered on the memorial, Sasikala's anger, disgust and frustration made the visit dramatic and communicated the real intent behind her visit.
On February 16, before swearing in as CM, Edapadi Palaniswamy and his ministers came to the memorial to offer their respects and take blessings of Puratchi Thalaivi J. Jayalalithaa. With floor test and many more chapters remaining to be staged in AIADMKs political history, the actor's memorial on Marina will be a historical backdrop for more treachery, betrayal, disappointment, failure, victory, and greed. They may also fund raise by hosting their dramas at the memorial.
A rose is a rose is a rose! It is now clear why Sasikala decided to bury Jayalalithaa and not cremate her. Memorials should seen as a battlefield and in future we should propose cremation or sea-burial to prevent staging of dramas at memorials.
The dead are expected to rest in peace in their memorial and are paid respects on their birth and death anniversaries. On other days, memorials are mere tourists spots, drama-free and with no press coverage. After what the world witnessed at the Late Chief Minister & Convict J. Jayalalithaa's memorial in the last 75 days, will we ever be able to look at memorials the same way? Should we believe that such acts of drama are normal at the memorial of an actor?
Moments after Jayalalithaa passed away there was a widespread discussion if she would be cremated as per her religious beliefs or buried to give her a permanent place next to her mentor MGR and have. But seldom did public realize the intention behind her burial and how the memorial would become a backdrop for political ambitions and vengeance and making the dead turn in their graves.
For the next ten days, media camped outside the memorial unable to predict the sudden visits and continuously fed public with breaking news. The ambitious and treacherous made a beeline to get Amma's blessings before making their moves. Soon, many MLAs and MPs and former ministers switched sides joining OPS and pumping adrenaline to the evening prime time drama.
A week later, on Feb 13, Amma's niece Deepa Jayakumar shunned by Sasikala visited the memorial for the first time and announced her much awaited political journey by joining hands with O. Panneerselvam to take on the axis of evil.What so far remained a sun down prime time drama suddenly turned into a daytime drama on February 15 as Sasikala convicted in DA case by SC of India was asked to surrender at court in Bangalore. She left Poes Garden at 9.30 am and journeyed towards the memorial to have a final conversation before serving her sentence.
Cameras panned on Sasikala as she arrived at the memorial and engaged in a silent monologue with folded palms. Unlike movies where directors, actors and cameraman plan the sequence of events and instruct actors on action, there was none around to pass instructions or say cut though cameras were capturing and relaying in live. Those standing behind Sasikala including her party men and women had no clue on what was coming.
A rose is a rose is a rose! It is now clear why Sasikala decided to bury Jayalalithaa and not cremate her. Memorials should seen as a battlefield and in future we should propose cremation or sea-burial to prevent staging of dramas at memorials.
Wise men in the west knew such deaths cause unrest
ReplyDeleteSo they had a plan before putting Osama bin laden to rest.
Before public could realise news on Bin laden was real
They moved swift and gave him a sea-burial
Life is different in our state as people still talk to the ghost of MGR
It's time for the public to show these joker who we really are!