“not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.”
- English poet Edwin Arnold
So finally Taj made it!! On a fateful day of 7th july 2007 when India was in slumber, in a star studded event In Lisbon, Portugal Taj Mahal was declared as one of the Seven Wonders of World to the glee of 100 billion Indians.Approximately 10 crore votes alone came from India.I had written one post named Huzoor WAH TAJ! Boliye in our Wall Mag.
We had quite a bit of lively discussion as to whether Taj needs this wild publicity.I like to cite a quite interesting bit of comment from my fellow blogger and my mentor Shayon.
You know, I don't feel it's about recognition, it's more about the prestige of being officially recognized. Think of it on these lines. Everyone in your class knows that you're a whiz in maths. But nothing beats the exhilaration of being felicitated by your school's principal on annual day, for the same. Everyone knows the contribution of Raj Kapoor to Hindi Cinema, then why does he still receive life time achievement awards on every other felicitation ceremony?
Hmm..I thouht that was quite a cheesy thought!! In his words had been the Taj in the list of seven Wonders then it would have been universally recognized and people from all nook and corner of the globe namely "either a farmer in Brazil or a construction worker in Luxemburg or prolly some mathematician from St Petersburg." would have been aware of the Marvel of Marble.
Then in a quite bizarrely turn of events all our focus shifted to mobile operators and their SMS rates.So after a hearty discussion we came to naught, back to square one. Then today I chanced upon the post by Sakshi called And the Taj says "Thank you". It said something like this.......
"The Final list is out, and Taj has made it to the Seven Wonders of the world. I am sure if it were allowed a thank you speech, the monument of love would have said - That finally, people showed their love to me. Thank you India....!!!"
Well, that prompted me to scribble this post. I know it might be a overcooked topic right now..but I can't help putting my thoughts in place.
"The embodiment of all things pure, all things holy and all things unhappy."
-Rudyard Kipling
Well, now that the Taj has been placed in the list of seven wonders we being Indians have every reason to be happy. All this euphoria around Taj was created by countless ads and fervent campaigning media.Surely did it captured our imagination but for a very weak cause i.e for getting it included in the Seven Wonders List. Well, readers might be frowning at this but let me clarify that I am not against Taj being made one of the Seven Wonders because after all this is no mean feat!!But what pisses me off the way media projects it - all this brouhaha and hype.All of a sudden we see scores of music videos and ads bearing the "Vote for TAj" pleas.All we are concerned about is the recognition of Taj and we turn a blind eye to the maladies surrounding TAj.Yes! Taj is dying! Drastic climatic changes and increasing level of pollution in the atmosphere have slowly degrading this beauty and it wont be long we shall see a very dull looking Taj.How many times have we ever concerned ourselves with this sad-state-of affairs?? How many have we seen or heard "Save Taj" poll in this decade?Aren't we responsible for preserving our national monument ,our national pride?All we look for is glitz and glory.Being one of the wonders in the world is fine but that shouldn't turn out to be a lifetime achievement award for Taj.As a responsible citizen we should not only bask in the glory of out national treasure but also ensure we don't turn a blind eye to this ravishing beauty.Our future generation deserves beholding TAj with all its luster and grandeur.Well,I guess right now the Taj might be saying -" Thank for all the love and support u have given me but please have concern for my declining health."
You know Shah Jahan, life and youth, wealth and glory, they all drift away in the flow of time. You strove therefore, to perpetuate only the sorrow of your heart…Let the splendour of diamond, pearl and ruby vanish…Only let this one teardrop, this Taj Mahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time, forever and ever."
– Rabindranath Tagore
5 comments:
Hmmm....you knw, though the campaigning for Taj by the Indian Tourism ppl started like months back. It was only like 1.5 months ago, that when media ppl printed a story that Taj was nowhere in the race that the whole campaigning took up all sorts of heights. I completely agree, when you talk of Taj's dclining health. But the that is a part of the hippocracy that has been developed. If you have ever been to Agra or rather any of the numeruous places of religious and historic importance on the way from Delhi's Lal Quila to Taj in Agra, u'll realise that all of em are in declining state of health. They have about millions of visitors every year and still- the funds lack. Agra is a filthy city. I know the city, coz I have relatives there. But alas- the attitude demands that now that we have what we want who cares. The whole hooo haaa over Taj in Seven Wonders was a matter of Ego and self Esteem n nothing else. China's Great wall made it- and they are our neihbours...!!!!
Dude, first n foremost, kudos to you for hitting the bull's eye. As for your complaints against the media hype, I'd again oppose to that citing the very reason that I've been shouting about, last few days. I'd not like to reiterate myself.
Yeah, as for your call of the Taj Mahal decaying with time, yup, that I whole heartedly agree. It's true that it's high time that care were taken for this "Marvel of Marble" But then, I guess all we can do here is write petitions and blog about it, the way we are doing, now. The rest is all left to hope, hope that our words shall finally some day fall into ears belonging to someone who'll take it upto him to check for required measures.
I was surfing the net when I came across this article. After reading it, I realised that it's all a vicious circle. Someone has to brave it and come out of the circle, so as to provide better ammenities and take proper measures. Everything, at the end, boils down to the heightened corruption that is so characteristic of this country. Corruption corrudes the men, as well as the Taj!!
Hmm...have you stopped replying to comments to your posts?
The 100 facts post... hello??
i say once again "its commerce"..
i too dont like all the hype the media creates for an event ..but that's how the game is played..if you are the ceo of airtel wont u be doing xactly wht they r doin now..
there's always been music vdos to accompany an event..
there's no harm in earning profits as long as it is fair and ethics are followed..
there's some plus too in all the media hypes..
it creates awarness among the masses..
atleast ppl start discussing the hypes..
similarly as u say taj has now got the recognition and now it needs our concern..
so see thrs mass awarness, the authorities will definitely be questioned by the ppl & of course the media if the taj begins to deteriorate..
so thrs pressure on thm..
PS: i think the indian media shud become a little more mature & instill some substance in itself..
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