In the last 72 hours the electronic, print and social media has been seeded with conspiracy theories over Jayalalithaa's death and power capture by Sasikala and Co.
The public has been trapped into participating in these discussions without realizing that succession, power capture and gathering support has been the way of life not just in AIADMK, but in our households, professional lives and in the spiritual world. Don't you agree?
Common Denonimator
In many households it is between the husband and wife, in some it is between the father and son or mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and in a few others it is between co-sisters or between the daughter and sister-in-law, power struggle is the least common divisor. The eldest member of the family is respected by the society and is be seen as the custodian of power, while the junior members often end up taking care of day-to-day affairs with their guidance and patiently waiting for their turn. Isn't that the norm?
During her 28-year association with Jayalalithaa, Sasikala has been managing not just the household, but also picking and choosing of MLAs to negotiating with industrialists and bureaucrats. With the passing away of the matriarch, isn't it logical for Sasikala to take over as the next custodian of power and money? Why is the public led by media making a brouhaha about this natural succession?
Dravidian 3.0 - Snakes and Ladders
Our professional lives mirror the snakes and ladders game; by rolling the right numbers the winner ascends, while others end up meeting their fate in the hands of venomous snakes. How many of us have missed promotions and salary increases or transferred because who've not been his or her masters voice? How many of us have left organizations because of our managers or followed them to other organizations?
Despite being thrown out by Jayalalithaa multiple times, Sasikala pretended like Jayalalithaa to be steadfast and loyal. She sacrificed her personal life to reap bigger gains in her political life. Over a period Jayalalithaa managed to replace her mentor MGR's image with hers and altering the underlying Dravidian beliefs and principles. While Jayalalithaa strategically managed the state through bureaucrats, Sasikala tactically managed selection of ministers and controlling the fortune of the party and its coffers. With Sasikala ascending the throne, we must expect Jayalalithaa's image to the sidelined and Dravidian party moving further away from its founding principles. So, stop whining and accept change as the only constant and get ready for Dravidian 3.0 otherwise you will succumb to Darwinism.
Music and politics
It is December music season in Chennai, an occasion when music aficionados in large numbers from within and outside the city throng halls and sabhas to hear their favorite musicians. Have you ever asked how many of them truly belong the school they claim to be from? How many of them have falsely claimed to be mantle holders for a particular tradition or baani of music after learning just a song from the person? How many of them pay to get performance slots and lobby to get their awards including the most coveted Sangita Kalanidhi?
Jayalalithaa is vey much like Barath Ratna MS Subbulakshmi; she didn't mentor anyone or wanted to have a successor. In Carnatic music, though there is no formal anointing ceremony, there is tradition of giving students who accompanied them on stage and tours due rights to carry forward the mantle. The successful Sangita Kalanidhi Sudha Ragunathan ended up accompanying her guru MLV and her sudden demise, void and musical resemblance of led to her growth. Isn't that what Sasikala did by merely accompanying Jayalalithaa on her tours showcasing her proximity and now duly claiming her position to the throne? Why this media brouhaha? Instead why not let people decide if she is fit to stay in the throne?
In mutts and spiritual centers
The places where we go to worship, seek peace and shed our egos have been an epicenter of power struggle. From self styled God man Nithyananda who pretended to be a devotee of Madurai Adheenam to the two factions in Kanchi Mutt with the pontiffs Jayendra Saraswathi and Vijayendra Saraswathi and their families have all been involved in capturing power and fortune. When those who are supposed to be role models and spiritually lead the society are behind power and money, why are the public reacting adversely to mortals like Sasikala and the Mannargudi Mafia greediness?
A repeat of Dec 24, 1987
30 years ago when MGR passed away, Jayalalithaa stood by head to subtly claim her succession. Though MGR hadn't anointed his successor, but by merely using her proximity to him over the last 22 years, Jayalalithaa captured power and party leadership. The voices that resented her claim and captured slowly joined her. For the first time the leadership of the party moved from a patriarch to a matriarch.
What is happening today is a mere repeat of Dec 24, 1987. But this time around Sasikala, who was associated with Jayalalithaa for over 28 years was fully prepared. She had made her bargains and prepared the stage for smooth transition of power and leadership. By performing the last rites and accepting the flag, she symbolically communicated her role as the successor without a press conference and taken over the matriarch's mantle. So, instead of reacting adversely to Sasikala ascending the throne, understand the greediness of humans and attraction to power, patiently wait for a better version to take down the present Sasikala.
Remember, in the ecological pyramid there is a role for every creature from a parasite to a scavenger to a predator. Enjoy the show on this Animal Planet!
The public has been trapped into participating in these discussions without realizing that succession, power capture and gathering support has been the way of life not just in AIADMK, but in our households, professional lives and in the spiritual world. Don't you agree?
Common Denonimator
In many households it is between the husband and wife, in some it is between the father and son or mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and in a few others it is between co-sisters or between the daughter and sister-in-law, power struggle is the least common divisor. The eldest member of the family is respected by the society and is be seen as the custodian of power, while the junior members often end up taking care of day-to-day affairs with their guidance and patiently waiting for their turn. Isn't that the norm?
During her 28-year association with Jayalalithaa, Sasikala has been managing not just the household, but also picking and choosing of MLAs to negotiating with industrialists and bureaucrats. With the passing away of the matriarch, isn't it logical for Sasikala to take over as the next custodian of power and money? Why is the public led by media making a brouhaha about this natural succession?
Dravidian 3.0 - Snakes and Ladders
Our professional lives mirror the snakes and ladders game; by rolling the right numbers the winner ascends, while others end up meeting their fate in the hands of venomous snakes. How many of us have missed promotions and salary increases or transferred because who've not been his or her masters voice? How many of us have left organizations because of our managers or followed them to other organizations?
Despite being thrown out by Jayalalithaa multiple times, Sasikala pretended like Jayalalithaa to be steadfast and loyal. She sacrificed her personal life to reap bigger gains in her political life. Over a period Jayalalithaa managed to replace her mentor MGR's image with hers and altering the underlying Dravidian beliefs and principles. While Jayalalithaa strategically managed the state through bureaucrats, Sasikala tactically managed selection of ministers and controlling the fortune of the party and its coffers. With Sasikala ascending the throne, we must expect Jayalalithaa's image to the sidelined and Dravidian party moving further away from its founding principles. So, stop whining and accept change as the only constant and get ready for Dravidian 3.0 otherwise you will succumb to Darwinism.
Music and politics
It is December music season in Chennai, an occasion when music aficionados in large numbers from within and outside the city throng halls and sabhas to hear their favorite musicians. Have you ever asked how many of them truly belong the school they claim to be from? How many of them have falsely claimed to be mantle holders for a particular tradition or baani of music after learning just a song from the person? How many of them pay to get performance slots and lobby to get their awards including the most coveted Sangita Kalanidhi?
Jayalalithaa is vey much like Barath Ratna MS Subbulakshmi; she didn't mentor anyone or wanted to have a successor. In Carnatic music, though there is no formal anointing ceremony, there is tradition of giving students who accompanied them on stage and tours due rights to carry forward the mantle. The successful Sangita Kalanidhi Sudha Ragunathan ended up accompanying her guru MLV and her sudden demise, void and musical resemblance of led to her growth. Isn't that what Sasikala did by merely accompanying Jayalalithaa on her tours showcasing her proximity and now duly claiming her position to the throne? Why this media brouhaha? Instead why not let people decide if she is fit to stay in the throne?
In mutts and spiritual centers
The places where we go to worship, seek peace and shed our egos have been an epicenter of power struggle. From self styled God man Nithyananda who pretended to be a devotee of Madurai Adheenam to the two factions in Kanchi Mutt with the pontiffs Jayendra Saraswathi and Vijayendra Saraswathi and their families have all been involved in capturing power and fortune. When those who are supposed to be role models and spiritually lead the society are behind power and money, why are the public reacting adversely to mortals like Sasikala and the Mannargudi Mafia greediness?
A repeat of Dec 24, 1987
30 years ago when MGR passed away, Jayalalithaa stood by head to subtly claim her succession. Though MGR hadn't anointed his successor, but by merely using her proximity to him over the last 22 years, Jayalalithaa captured power and party leadership. The voices that resented her claim and captured slowly joined her. For the first time the leadership of the party moved from a patriarch to a matriarch.
What is happening today is a mere repeat of Dec 24, 1987. But this time around Sasikala, who was associated with Jayalalithaa for over 28 years was fully prepared. She had made her bargains and prepared the stage for smooth transition of power and leadership. By performing the last rites and accepting the flag, she symbolically communicated her role as the successor without a press conference and taken over the matriarch's mantle. So, instead of reacting adversely to Sasikala ascending the throne, understand the greediness of humans and attraction to power, patiently wait for a better version to take down the present Sasikala.
Remember, in the ecological pyramid there is a role for every creature from a parasite to a scavenger to a predator. Enjoy the show on this Animal Planet!
Enjoying the humans show on the human like Animal planet.. grown animals. Well said Chandra..
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