"No marks for guessing what his decision is going to be. Undoubtedly, he is going to reveal that he will be launching a political party. If he had decided not to enter politics, he would have just issued a statement. When he is making a show of his announcement by scheduling a date and calling a press conference, it is obvious that he is going to announce his entry into politics" said Nataraj.
Shankar and Nataraj are press reporters. Though working for different publications, both would often meet and exchange their views on current affairs and political developments.
"If he were to do so, he will go down in my esteem!" remarked Shankar.
"Why do you say so? You don't like Sowmyan entering politics?" asked Nataraj.
"It is not about my liking or not liking his entry into politics. All these years, he has been focused on his profession, taking care not to wander in other areas. Even with respect to films, he has been saying that other than acting, he knows nothing about other areas of film making and that even with respect to acting, he has a lot to learn. If he decides to enter politics, enthused by the clamour of his fans and some other people urging him to enter politics, it will go against his ethos of knowing where his talents lie and what his boundaries are. This is my view."
"It is not about my liking or not liking his entry into politics. All these years, he has been focused on his profession, taking care not to wander in other areas. Even with respect to films, he has been saying that other than acting, he knows nothing about other areas of film making and that even with respect to acting, he has a lot to learn. If he decides to enter politics, enthused by the clamour of his fans and some other people urging him to enter politics, it will go against his ethos of knowing where his talents lie and what his boundaries are. This is my view."
"Let us see what he is going to do. We will know in an hour."
The press conference of Sowmyan was arranged in a public hall. The hall was overflowing with media persons.
Sowmya began to speak exactly at 11 a.m, the scheduled time.
"Please pardon me for having brought you to this hall. I could have made this announcement by releasing a statement from my home. But, I arranged for this media conference, with a view to speaking my mind elaborately on certain aspects.
"Please pardon me for having brought you to this hall. I could have made this announcement by releasing a statement from my home. But, I arranged for this media conference, with a view to speaking my mind elaborately on certain aspects.
"I am not well-educated. If I had gone for a job, I would have got only a low-paying, mediocre job. It was my good fortune that I was catapulted into the film world. I was acting in plays staged by an amateur group of friends, of which I was a part. Mr. Narayanan, the film director, whom I hold in high esteem, happened to watch one of our plays. He liked my acting and gave me a role in one of his films. With people liking my acting, I became a popular actor and rose to become a big star. But, even today, while witnessing the acting of of several other actors much more talented than me, I often tell myself, 'I am no match to these people.' I have also expressed this feeling in public, several times.
"If I were to make an announcement that I am going to manufacture automobiles, what will people say? If I approach a bank and ask for a loan, what will the bank officials say? Won't they ask me, 'What is your expertise in this line and what is your experience in this field?' But if I act in an advertisement film, promoting a particular brand of car, and say. 'this is the best car available in the market,' no one will ask me, 'What do you know about cars?' This is an advantage of being a star! The opinion of a person like me who knows nothing about cars will carry more weight than the considered opinion of a qualified automobile engineer! This is the reason I have turned down offers to act in ad films.
"Like many other people, I have been observing political developments. I have been voting in elections. But, till now, I have not expressed my views on any political development. I have never spoken either in support of or against any political party, or political leader.
"The political leaders we see today started as political workers, rose through the ranks and emerged as leaders. The idea of an actor starting a political party and coming to power, using his film popularity, is like someone entering a house by descending on the terrace of the house on a helicopter. I believe that one should enter a house only through the front door.
"Do people ever suggest that a political leader should become an industrialist or an actor? Never! So, why do some people suggest that a film star should become a political leader? Does it mean that if one is an actor, he has the capacity to function in any field?
"If I ever decide to enter politics, I will join a political party whose ideology and action plans appeal to me the most. If I don't find any such party, then I won't enter politics. Since I am not with any political party now, it doesn't mean that I don't like any political party. It only means that at present, I have no interest in entering politics.
"One practice I have been following in my life all these years is to make an assessment of my capabilities and my position and then act in conformity with them. As an actor, I can paly any role. I may act as a king, a prime minister, the American President or even as Mahatma Gandhi. But, I will always remember that I am an actor. I believe that this outlook of mine is responsible for the recognition I have got as an actor.
"Therefore, I am not launching any political party. Like all of you, I will be observing politics and exercising my choice through my vote, during elections. I am grateful to the people for the confidence they have reposed in me. I earned this confidence by the way I conducted myself as an actor and as a human being. Continuing to function in the same way will be the appropriate response from me for the faith and goodwill people have towards me."
After reading out his statement, Sowmyan thanked everyone, by raising his hand, and left the hall. He didn't answer any question posed to him by the media persons, who followed him till he got into his car.
"Sowmyan has not disappointed me. He has gone up much higher in my esteem" Shankar told Nataraj.
"Sowmyan has not disappointed me. He has gone up much higher in my esteem" Shankar told Nataraj.
Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue
The Path of Virtue
Chapter 13
Restraint
Restraint
Verse 124 (In Tamil)
nilaiyin thiriyAdhu adangiyAn thORRam
malaiyinum mANap peridhu.
malaiyinum mANap peridhu.
Meaning:
The stature of one, who doesn’t diverge from the right path
and remains restrained, will be much higher than that of a mountain.
(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'arasiyal pravEsam' by the same author)
Verse 125 (Soon)
Verse 123
Verse 123
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