In this world which is full of superstitions, it would be
hard to believe that some of the greatest things have started with an anti
climax.
Amitabh Bacchan- whose baritone voice charms even a kid now-
was rejected by AIR way back in late ‘60s when he applied for the post of
Newsreader. Reason? ‘Your voice is not good and not suitable for this position’.
Albert Einstein was branded as a slow learner and a boy with
low IQ in school.
When Rajinikanth first appeared on the screen, the sub-title
card carried the words ‘Shruti Bedam’.
I can quote many more from history but let me stop here and
focus on what happened today.
The batsman, who was making his debut was at the non-striker’s
end.As the bowler delivered the ball, the shining red cherry slipped from his
hand and disturbed the bails with the non-striker being out of the crease.
Technically, he was out. But the ‘sportive’ Aussies did not appeal and all the
players on the field had a hearty laugh. What a ominous start to a career of an
opening batsman!
This young lad then massacred the bowling striking the ball
to all the corners and making the Aussies chase leather. At the end of the day (literally
and figuratively), Stark and Clarke must be really wondering as to why they did
not appeal when ‘technically’ he was run out.
All left handers have an innate grace and elegance. In fact,
that is why I love left handers. Shikhar Dhawan is no exception. All his shots
today were classic cricketing shots. What one liked the most was the way he
fearlessly stepped out showing absolutely no signs of any nervousness. The
single he took to complete his hundred showed his adventurous streak.
No doubt it is a great day for Indian cricket and I, on
behalf of this community congratulate Dhawan on his stupendous achievement and wish that he surpasses the 287 scored by the
Englishman Reginald Foster and even records his triple century, a record which
will surely remain undisturbed for centuries to come (pun intended!).
Now, go back to the first line in the post.
Most of you know that the career of the greatest film music composer too also
started with anti climax with power going off the moment recording started and
to top it all, nothing getting recorded on the tape even after the power was
restored due to a technical snag. Therefore, I find it appropriate to dedicate
a song of his to Shikhar Dhawan. I am sure he too will like the song, though he
may not understand the language for music has no boundaries.
This rare gem ‘Alai alaiyaai’ from ‘NaaLai unadu naaL’(1984)
is another beauty in Pahaadi by the Pahaadi Master.
It starts with the guitar and the claps with the keys
jumping with joy. Dhawan walks to the crease.The Pallavi-in the voice of Uma
RamaNan- sings about the aspiration, desire and the dream of the young lad even
as he proudly wears the India Cap.
The Trumpets blow.It is like his exquisite cover drive. The
bass guitar smiles.It is like his on- drive. The stringed instrument sings.It
is like his leg glance.
Each and every line in CharaNam flows like the clear stream
denoting his fluent straight drives.
The unusual sounds from a new instrument in the second
interlude are like the reverse sweep while the shrill flute and the strings symbolise
the occasional edge and the lofted shots. The sudden change in the rhythmic
pattern, with chatushram changing to Tisram and playing exactly 28 Tistams, typifies
the grace, elegance, class, beauty and above all the guts of the young lads.
Yes, two young lads, one who as a 32 year old made his debut in 1976 breaking
all conventions and shattering all records and winning the hearts of millions
of people and the other, a 27 year old
who made his debut today and who will surely break record after record and make
all cricket lovers love him!
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