Of Talent and Recognition

The other day I was watching the Oscars. I was amazed and ecstatic to see Slumdog Millionaire receive 8 awards out of 10 nominations (it won in 8 categories out of 9 categories nominated). I was overjoyed to see that a short documentary about a small Indian village girl with a cleft lip (Smile Pinky) also won an Oscar.

I was amazed to learn that the only notable American to win an Oscar this year is Sean Penn. What a day for India. It is as if the world suddenly woke up and recognized that India has talent (or is it that the world suddenly recognized that UK directors make best Indian films?) What ever may be the case, suddenly India is in news all over the world for all the right reasons. And an Indian phrase (Jai Ho) found its way into most often used jargon in the world. I won’t be surprised if it crawls into Oxford dictionary pretty soon.

Everything was hunky dory till I overheard a conversation about alleged statements by the two Indians who received the Oscars for their Individual performances. It appears they said in a televised interview that Slumdog is not even their best work and that their masterpieces can be seen in India made Indian movies (actually I concur with this statement, irrespective of whether the two individuals made these statements or not).

Actually this fact (that an Indian agreeing that “India made for India” quality is better than “India made for export”) is a deviation from norm in the country where merchants boast of “Export Quality” goods. Anyway, this is not the right site or the time to talk about this topic. So, we’ll store it in the vault for an opportune moment.

Baddhena, 13th century Telugu poet, said

Putrotsaahamu thandriki
Putrudu janminchi napude puttadu, janulaa
Putruni ganugoni pogadaga
Putrotsaahambu naadu pondura sumati

A father is elated not when a child is born, but when people recognize his child for his/her talent.

So, way back in 13th century it is accepted that one should feel happy only when outsiders recognize the quality/talent.

But, as I already mentioned, the two individuals in this discussion are abnormal. They are well known for their talent (at least one of them) even before Oscars. It’s just that the Oscars made them famous world over. Now, that highlights another question “if they are so talented why did they not receive world recognition before?” Is it that the people who select films for Oscar nominations in India do not know how to pick/present the nominations? Or is it that Indian films are not of “Export Quality”?

Only time can provide answers to these questions, until then Jai Ho.