It was a quiet night.
Or was it? Quiet outside but the entire family was
watching something on the television. And we were not alone. Millions of people
across the globe were watching the same programme at the same time. Suddenly,
my son got up saying ‘oh….’. Even as
we were looking at him quizzically, he said, ‘Ronaldo’s free kick pa. See now, he will stand with his legs spread
like this and look straight’. He demonstrated that and within a few seconds,
we saw a replica on our screen with that great player from Portugal, doing
exactly like how Viraj demonstrated!
It is a different issue that he couldn’t score in that
free kick and also his team ended up as a losing side. But that moment is an
unforgettable one for me. I looked at my
son with a sense of pride (though he did not know this and even now I am afraid
is oblivious to this). Feeling of a
father when he comes to know that his son after all knows certain details and nuances
which he himself doesn’t know. This feeling I am sure cannot be matched and
is unique.
Unique is that Event too which occurs once in 4 years
around this time. No singular Event is viewed with so much of passion by
people. It also has the maximum viewership. That beautiful game called as Foot Ball is a way of life for many.
Coming to think of it, this game is like our life itself. We all move towards a
goal in life. There are many impediments and obstacles in our way. But we keep
moving; moving fast. In the process, if we commit a mistake, we are penalized.
At times we are penalized even if we don’t do anything wrong. In any case, the rules of the game must
strictly be followed. Once we achieve a goal, we don’t stop and keep looking
for more. The only major difference between a game of foot ball and life is
while in the former, we don’t let the opponents achieve the goal, in the
latter, we cannot afford to do that.
Foot
Ball
also provides non-stop action, entertainment and excitement. Most importantly, it involves a lot of team
work and spirit and also inculcates a sense of discipline.
The 31 day rendezvous has come to an end and
deservingly the Title of World Champions has gone to the most
consistent and exciting Team in the World. I can empathise fully with the
entire nation of Germany (remember
how we Indians were on the 25th
June, 1983 and on 2nd Apr,
2011?). Let us congratulate the team from Deutschland and thank them for providing such great entertainment!!
Let us celebrate the victory with a German song set to tune by our Maestro!
Issh
le from Pudhu Paattu(1990) is yet another gem from the Treasure Trove. Rendered with passion
by Janaki, the song is as romantic
as the game of foot ball.
The song starts with the exquisite strumming of the guitar. It pulls the chords in our
hearts. As we close our eyes and begin to immerse ourselves in the Major scale, Janaki with her
inimitable voice starts singing in pure German. The glistening rhythm guitar sounds now and then in
the first two lines enhancing the experience.
Lo and behold! We hear Tamizh superimposed on German.
The rhythm pads join now making us
nod our heads. The guitar continues its journey but this time in the minor scale. We see the beautiful Danube and Rhine as the higher octave strings which back the vocals transport
us to the Deutschland.
Exotic and Exhilarating!
It is spiritual too as the chorus renders ‘Lead, kindly light’.
Work towards a goal with sincerity, dedication and
focus. Sky is the limit!!
This is what Foot Ball teaches us… And Life too..
