It was the third day of the 5th
Mumbai International Queer Film Festival (or Kashish as we all
most lovingly call it) which was being held at the magnificent
Liberty Cinema at Churchgate from May 21st to 25th,
2014.
In between screenings there's a
breaktime of about 15 minutes. During one such recess, all delegates
stepped out of the theatre and came out into the outer waiting are
for some fresh air. I made my way through them and chose to sit on
one of the many iron benches lining the building compound as I
browsed the festival booklet handed out to each of us, figuring out
the schedule of films being shown that day.
Out of nowhere two middle aged men,
dressed in plain, simple clothes came and sat next to me. They were
talking to each other as they approached the bench and from where I
picked up their conversation, they seemed to be intrigued by the film
festival and were discussing it amongst them. By their style of
talking and their mannerisms, I realized they were straight! They
spoke in chaste Hindi. (However I would be translating their
conversation to English for better understanding.)
Lets call them M01 and M02.
M01 (pointing at the theatre building):
“You still look confused to me, you know, about this festival”
M02 (staring at the queer crowd
outside): “Hmm, I don't know what to say...”
M01 (turning back to M02): “Okay, let
me tell you a story. You know, when Lord Rama won Sita's hand in
marriage in her Swayamvara (an ancient practice of choosing a
husband, from among a list of suitors, by a girl of marriageable age)
many of Sita's girl friends were heartbroken as Rama was believed to
be an ideal man who would make for a perfect husband. Every girl
wanted and desired to be his wife. And so, they walked up to Rama
during the ceremony and complained about their bad luck. They wanted
to know what shall happen to all the love they had for him. Rama
smiled at them and ensured them that he will reincarnate as Krishna
and come back to love and marry all those girls who loved him. The
womenfolk left happily. But it is said, there were some men too, in
love with Rama and who were now sad to lose him to Sita. They went up
to Rama too, and confessed their love. Once again Rama smiled and
promised them he will come back in another avatar as a regular man
and will be your partners and soul mates”.
And while continuing.... M01 said:
“Look at these people around you now,
don't you see God in them?” … then he continued further,
“tell me what are we (assuming the straight world) all fighting
for? We are fighting for living everyday, for jobs, with our better
halves, with brothers/relatives for property, with kids and what not,
yet so unhappy. You know what these people are fighting for? Love!
Yes you heard me, EACH ONE OF THEM IS FIGHTING FOR LOVE. And despite
being denied for that, they still look happy and content with their
lives. If they don't get their rights then who should? We should definitely learn something from these people who are
fewer in number yet positive!”
Its a true story/happening and is not fiction in any part.
No comments:
Post a Comment