StyleSpeak: Anthem of Pride or Insult
By Wendell Rodricks
“Let’s be a bit late so we miss the National Anthem.”
“I really like when they play the National Anthem at the movies.”
“We stand out of respect but this is really not the venue to be
patriotic to the motherland.”
“It’s really an abuse and disgrace that they play it only at select
theatres and there is no fixed rules for all the performing arts.”
“Tell me how are movies a greater art than a traditional dance recital
or a folk theatre?”
“Hypocrisy!”
“Patriotic!”
The above are some of the reactions to the National Anthem being played
at select cinema halls in Goa. Certain states like Maharashtra,
Karnataka and Gujarat approved the National Anthem in theatres. Have
theatres in Goa sought the approval of the Goa Government to screen the
National Anthem in select multiplexes in the state? Or have some
theatres taken the rule in their hands since it applies to neighboring
states.
The national website of India (www.india.gov.in) is very clear about the
rules that apply to the National Anthem.
There are two approved versions. The longer version should last not more
than 52 seconds and the shorter version no more than 20 seconds. In case
a live band plays the anthem, people should be prepared to stand for the
National Anthem by playing a drum roll of seven paces before the band
plays the anthem.
There are defined rules when the longer version of the National Anthem
can be played: At Civil and Military investitures, National Salutes,
before and after the arrival and departure of the President, Governor or
Lt. Governor at state functions, before and after the President’s
address to the Nation on AIR or television, when the National Flag is
brought out on parades, when Regimental colours are presented and for
hoisting of colours n the Navy.
The shorter version is permitted for drinking toasts in Officers Mess
and on special occasions with approval of the Government of India. Even
the Prime Minister is not accorded the playing of the National Anthem
except on special occasions. Chief Ministers of states likewise can play
the anthem only on special approved occasions.
Mass singing of the National Anthem is encouraged at schools, when
unfurling the national flag and in instances of local celebration with
Government of India approval.
The public is not expected to stand when the anthem is part of a film
and it has been left to the good sense of the people to not indulge in
indiscriminate singing of playing the National Anthem.
It is that last sentence that makes one question why some Goan theatres
can play the National Anthem prior to each film. If the semi-porn
morning or late night films of many theatres play the anthem, is it not
an insult? In the same vein of thought, is it correct to play the anthem
when twenty minutes later, Bollywood breasts and obscene pelvic hip
thrusts flicker on the screen? Or the facts that so many adult rated
Hollywood films have abusive and vulgar language liberally intoned in
every other sentence? Is this correct? If there are rules for discretion
even for the Prime Minister regarding the National Anthem, why do we
have the anthem played in a venue where the President or Governor is
definitely not present. When the National Anthem is sung, it is a
salutation to the Motherland and proper decorum must be maintained. Is
this the case when people are entering the theatre and standing with
American fast food in one hand and cell phones on hold in the other? Is
this salutation and decorum or an outright insult? To read the long list
of protesters who are against the practice of playing the National
Anthem in theatres, go to www.itimes.com. It is obvious that patriotic
Indians, young and old, are not amused at being forced to be patriotic
when the occasion and the venue is incorrect for national pride and emotion.
In March, Chandigarh Mayor Anu Chatrah was startled when the National
Anthem was played by mischievous elements midway through the meeting of
the Municipal Corporation abruptly adjourning the agenda. Further voices
of protests rose when the National Anthem was provided as a download for
mobile phones.
Apart from the National Anthem in cinema halls, is the disgrace to the
National Flag, the Tiranga. Sarojini Naidu said “Under this flag, there
is no difference between a prince and a peasant, between rich and poor,
between man and woman.” Apart from the latter, it is obvious that
peasant and poor Indians do not share standing for the anthem in smaller
cinema halls where it is not shown. It is only the rich who can afford
the rates of the high end multiplexes where rates for premium films
equals if not exceeds what most Indians earn in a day. The wealthy have
the privilege of seeing the tricolour and the anthem in air-conditioned,
red or blue velvet seat splendour.
We all would be proud to stand and sing the National Anthem on the
specific days when National Flag hoisting is encouraged. There are
merely six occasions when this is endorsed: Republic Day (26th January),
National Week (April 6th to 13th) to commemorate the martyrs of the
Jallianwallah Bagh massacre, Independence Day (15th August), Mahatma
Gandhi’s birth date (2nd October) and dates where the Government of
India approves days of local celebration, statehood and other days
important to local people. The Goan public will be happy to literally
rise to the occasion on these days. Beyond days of patriotic importance
is it not trivial to play the national anthem and show a visual of the
Tiranga before every single film? Talking of which, the size of the
Tiranga is very specific. It should be in a proportion of 3:2 in height
and width. The computerized national flag visual shown to us in cinema
halls is definitely not in this ratio. Since it is also not permitted to
fly a damaged or disheveled flag, how come we are forced to stand in
respect for a film reel with so many scratches and digital flaws?
Another point of debate is the fact that the national flag can be flown
from sunrise to sunset. How does this apply to films where the national
flag is screened flying after sunset?
The historic moment when the Indian flag was hoisted for the first time
on Red Fort in Delhi on Saturday, 16th August 1947 at 8.30 pm is
precious for us all. The founding fathers of this country who witnessed
this historic moment do not deserve the insult of the flag version we
see in darkened theatre halls and the indiscriminate playing of the
National Anthem in cinema houses today. Please let us hold in dignity
the flag and anthem of our nation. We were all moved to tears when Goan
Leander Peas cried when his moment of glory sent up the Indian flag at
the Olympics. Such moments are momentous indeed.
Let the sanctity and patriotism for the Indian flag and the National
Anthem be reserved for such moments of true Indian pride and for days of
national celebration. Jai Hind! (ENDS)
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First published in Goa Today, Goa - July 2010
