729. The Book Release Function

The book release function was arranged in a grand manner. The the book written by Professor Sundaram was to be released by Navalar Padmarajan. Navalar, meaning a great orator, was the title given to Padmarajan, in recognition of his oratory skills.. 

Newsreporter Ganesan, who was attending the function, told his friend Mano, who was sitting next to him, "Professor Sundaram is a great scholar. He is a renowned researcher too. But, they have invited an ignoramus to release the book written by this scholar!" 

"Padmarajan isa reputed speaker and you call him an  ignoramus!" replied Mano, laughing. 

"One cannot become a scholar by getting a name as a platform speaker. Padmarajan has become a popular speaker just by making speeches without any substance, but somehow succeeding in making the audience laugh. His speeches might be relished by a mediocre audience. But, he is not qualified even to sit near Professor Sundaram. One should blame the publisher for getting Professor Sundaram's book released by a populist platform speaker like Padmarajan!" fumed Ganesan.

The function started.

Padmarajan released the book and then spoke praising the book and its author. The audience relished his speech and conveyed its appreciation through laughter and ovation. 

After Padmarajan had completed his speech, Ganeshan said, "It is obvious that this man has not read Sundaram's book. But, he has cleverly managed to hoodwink the audience by saying something general about the subject of the book. He has succeeded in putting on an impressive show!" 

"Did you not observe how well his speech was received by the audience?" asked Mano.

"That's what I just said" quipped Ganesan.

The chairman of the meeting announced, "Now Mr. Sundaram, the author of the book, will say a few words about his book."

Sundaram stood before the mike. After remaining silent for a few seconds, without knowing how to begin, he said, "First of all, my thanks to all." 

He kept shifting his feet, as if he could not stand firmly. He paused for a few seconds and continued, "What made me write this book was..." 

By that time, many in the audience had lost interest in listening to him and started chatting among themselves. The words uttered by Sundaram, did not reach many people in the audience, his constant shifting of his body might have amused them, though.

"I am not able to make out what he says" Ganesh told Mano, in disgust. 

Sundaram concluded his speech after a few minutes and sat down.

"If we ask this audience, which has listened to the speches of Padmarajan and Sundaram, 'between the two, who is a scholar?' most of them would mention the name of Padmarajan. But we cannot blame them for saying so!" said Ganesan, feeling sad. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 73
Knowing Your Audience

Verse 729 (in Tamil):
kallAdhavarin kadai enba kaRRu aRindhum
nallAr avai anjuvAr.

Meaning:

A learned person, who fears (to speak in) the assembly of good people, will be considered inferior to a person with no learning.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'puththaga veLiyIttu vizhA' by the same author.) 

Verse 730 (Soon)
Verse 728