Sunday, March 25, 2012

Future Past


This boy would be in his early fifties now. At Mettupalayam station, in 1970, his penetrating gaze, which conveyed sharp intelligence, caught my imagination and curiosity. In fact, I identified with him, seeing in him something of myself as a boy. What would he be now: a doctor, a soldier, an engineer, a rickshaw driver, a priest, a terrorist? Would he be living in India, or did he go abroad? Did he die? Nothing can be known, perhaps.

His face raises questions about the meaning of what is popularly relegated to the vagaries of destiny.  When we look backwards, events that occurred years ago have for all practical purposes lost the strength of their meaning in our present lives; yet they did occur. We place more emphasis on our futures, forgetting the past; while both are equally important in the passage of our lives. Somehow, the certainties of the past are less fascinating than the uncertainties of the future.

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Anonymous wrote:

About the text: 
i had not thought about this aspect of our selective focus on the future. It must stem at least partially from the illusory sense of agency and therefore power that the future allows; that it is in our control to defeat the uncontrollables that govern our existence. No amount of recolouring the past permits that comfort because we know beyond all reasonable doubt that most critical elements of our experience transpired without our volition. But tomorrow is another day.  

Thank you for causing this thought.

About the photo:
So unlike your other photographs in that it captures a dynamic slice of a public space. Yet so like your other compositions in the way it zeroed in on the boy's face and form. 
How his thoughts would have rearranged themselves on noticing a distinctive adult finding him noticeable enough. His look, an obviously intelligent one speaks of an active and articulate mind, possibly uncommon in his milieu.
What i like most is that he is absorbed in that moment, as time and with it the human world is buzzing and swirling around.
Jo bhi hai bus woi ik pal hai.
Aagey bhi jaaney na tu peechhey bhi....
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Charu wrote:

Bhai,

It would certainly be difficult to know where did that boy’s life ultimately take him. But a smart boy like him was, perhaps, thinking that I would like to be like that one over there snapping my picture, when I grow up.

If we are mostly driven by the future, perhaps it is, also, due to its being a blank canvas in our mind’s eye. We are free to sketch, erase & re-sketch and paint our future at will and to our liking.

I do not think they have; but I hope the ghosts of my past never lose meaning for me.

charu

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bhai,

It would certainly be difficult to know where did that boy’s life ultimately take him. But a smart boy like him was, perhaps, thinking that I would like to be like that one over there snapping my picture, when I grow up.

If we are mostly driven by the future, perhaps it is, also, due to its being a blank canvas in our mind’s eye. We are free to sketch, erase & re-sketch and paint our future at will and to our liking.

I do not think they have; but I hope the ghosts of my past never lose meaning for me.

charu

Anonymous said...

Bhai,

As hard as I may try; as handsome as the boy is; it is a stretch for me to see/find you or Bhupen in this boy. Sorry, no can do!

charu

Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy said...

...Ek baar yun milee, maasoom see kalee
Ek baar yun milee, maasoom see kalee
Ho khilte huye kahaan, pushpash me chalee

Dekha toh yahee hai dhundha toh nahee hai
Pal jo yeh janewala hai ho ho

Aanewaala pal Jaanewaala hai
Ho sakey to ismein zindagi bitaado
Pal jo yeh jaanewaala hai...