It was a fatal night. Her dark body, mesmerizing as it was stood in front of the brothers, not in reality but in thoughts. They twitched at every sway of her hips. She was born as destiny’s child and now was her chance to finally fulfill her father’s wishes.
It was the night before Draupadi’s Swayamvar. She was to choose her own husband. Yudhishthira was struggling to keep up his usually restrained self, and kept dreaming about her the whole night. Bheema would fell demons with ease, but her thoughts and the fear of not winning her made him look like a child. Nakula and Sahdeva, forever obedient to their elder brothers and wanting their good could not avoid a slight selfishness that night. It was written in the stars that she would be Arjuna’s, but that was hardly a consolation for him under the silver shafts of moonlight. The Pandava brothers for once stood divided!
Draupadi’s father Drupada was in a fix. He ‘knew’ that fate would conspire to make Arjuna the husband, but he could not be sure. Competing for the prize were also Karna, Duryodhana and Dussasana, among the finest archers the world had ever seen. And indeed on the day of the Swayamvar they would all gather as would the Pandavas in their disguise. Karna was denied Draupadi’s love as he was a ‘son of a charioteer’, or so she thought. Thus hurt would rankle him throughout his life, and would have devastating consequences. As Fate had it, Arjuna was adjudged the winner of the archery contest and Draupadi was his wife; much to Drupada and her own relief.
Draupadi would go on to divide the house of the Kurus as no one else. She added venom to a fire already burning, but the poison would end up destroying the entire house and indeed all of Kshatriya kind. This was pretty much her role, as she was born to aid Krishna in bringing about the Kaliyuga.
But has Kunti’s crucial role as a peacemaker been ignored? It was as if she intervened to stop the Pandavas themselves breaking up over Draupadi. Bheema, Yudhishthira, Nakula and Sahdeva all desired her. Bheema ended up as possibly her biggest lover, always there when it mattered. In the Kuru Sabha after the dice game, he was the only one to stand up for her dignity and honour. Kunti’s singular act was to speak out the words- “divide the alms equally among you”. Did she actually not know what the alms were?
The brothers thus ‘divided’ Draupadi equally among themselves. She was now common to all five of them. The envy of The Kauravas would lead to a cataclysmic earth-shattering war. What would have happened had Kunti not intervened? Perhaps envy would have torn the Pandavas right through. It is speculation but maybe Bheema’s Gada would then challenge Arjuna’s Gandiva. Or maybe, Bheema would have joined Karna to fight Arjuna!!! Unthinkable it seems, but then again we saw what then happened to Duryodhana and Karna. Self destruction reigned in. Amazing to think of what all could have happened, but to me Kunto remains the unsung hero (ine) of the Mahabharata War. Prudence or maybe luck ensured that she would save her own sons from strangling each other out, long before the end of the Yuga.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
T-20...Cricket or Not?
A lot is being made out of this new apparition of the game cricket-Twenty-Twenty. People are still not resolved in their conflict whether this format of the game has any resemblance to the ‘gentleman’s sport’ begun in England. I have an altogether different view of the matter. I feel that it may not be cricket but it is definitely less ‘sinister’ than the ‘gentleman’s game’.
Cricket developed in England in the 18th century. It was then played by the land owning gentry of the country. ‘Gentleman’ is in fact a very cleverly disguised term to describe the ‘idle rich’. They were people who owned vast swathes of land and had to do little work to sustain themselves as the peasants tilled the land. Only that class at the top of the pyramid could logically play a game for 5 days. Even then results were not always produced, so the game became a means to satisfy the ‘leisure’ time. In fact, even working rich like the merchants were not allowed initially. Later when they did get inducted, separate pavilions were in store for the ‘gentlemen’ and ‘workers’. And soon the game became a further propaganda for England as it was introduced to some of the colonies as a means of ‘elevating’ the local rulers. Even here a discrimination was done, as the colonies at the ‘lowest’ level were not ‘fortunate’ enough to be introduced to the sport. So while Indian Rajas became active participants of cricket, African tribal chiefs or Caribbean ‘blacks’ would never be privy to it.
Now the game has changed beyond that. Commercialization has made it possible for cricket to become a sport of mass popularity in countries of the Indian sub-continent. Players are being drawn from different economic classes. Twenty-Twenty in such a scenario becomes an extremely democratic form of the game. It ends in about three hours and thus suited to people busy in their lives and working to meet their various needs.
So yes, W.G. Grace may be turning in his grave to see the world’s eyes resting on the Indian Premier League at the height of the English summer, yet we have to understand that the world has changed and cricket has to evolve accordingly. The gentlemen who developed the game were never so gentle after all.
Cricket developed in England in the 18th century. It was then played by the land owning gentry of the country. ‘Gentleman’ is in fact a very cleverly disguised term to describe the ‘idle rich’. They were people who owned vast swathes of land and had to do little work to sustain themselves as the peasants tilled the land. Only that class at the top of the pyramid could logically play a game for 5 days. Even then results were not always produced, so the game became a means to satisfy the ‘leisure’ time. In fact, even working rich like the merchants were not allowed initially. Later when they did get inducted, separate pavilions were in store for the ‘gentlemen’ and ‘workers’. And soon the game became a further propaganda for England as it was introduced to some of the colonies as a means of ‘elevating’ the local rulers. Even here a discrimination was done, as the colonies at the ‘lowest’ level were not ‘fortunate’ enough to be introduced to the sport. So while Indian Rajas became active participants of cricket, African tribal chiefs or Caribbean ‘blacks’ would never be privy to it.
Now the game has changed beyond that. Commercialization has made it possible for cricket to become a sport of mass popularity in countries of the Indian sub-continent. Players are being drawn from different economic classes. Twenty-Twenty in such a scenario becomes an extremely democratic form of the game. It ends in about three hours and thus suited to people busy in their lives and working to meet their various needs.
So yes, W.G. Grace may be turning in his grave to see the world’s eyes resting on the Indian Premier League at the height of the English summer, yet we have to understand that the world has changed and cricket has to evolve accordingly. The gentlemen who developed the game were never so gentle after all.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Carrot and the Stick?
It is that time of the year now, when we look back on yet another season of great football. We are gearing up towards another Champions League final and looking forward to the summer internationals. However, we knew all along that this summer would be different. In addition to the movement of players from one club to another, we will also be able to witness perhaps one of the most high profile summers in managerial appointments. Football has become very tactical, with the spontaneity of previous more innocent ages missing. The manager has to now make all important decisions. He is saddled with enormous pressure from top and bottom. Thus club owners and chairpersons are extra cautious in appointing the right person.
Sven-Goran Eriksson has just become the first high profile sacking. But then we also hear Frank Rijkaard getting the boot. Eriksson is someone whose methods have bored us, while Rijkaard’s teams have given all true football fans the real joy. Yet there is somehow a feeling that Sven is the unfortunate one. Rijkaard’s job was anyway on the line. We had been looking forward the whole season to see who would get the job amidst this merry go round of managers. The final appointment of Josip Guardiola is in many ways an anti-climax. Big names were touted like Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Luiz Felipe Scolari. But as we take a look back at Guardiola’s career, we can somewhat gauge this perplexing appointment. Guardiola is a Catalan true to heart. The blood of Catalonia runs in his veins and at times of trouble he might just about be the one to salvage a little pride for Barcelona Football Club once again. He was the Barca captain supreme, a natural leader of men and someone who would anchor the team together. The likes of Figo and Rivaldo may have enchanted the crowd more but his toe crunching tackles in the middle of the park were equally important. He has no experience at the top level of management, but has done well at the youth level helping bring the likes of Bojan Krkic and Giovanni dos Santos.
Guardiola’s appointment somehow takes me back to Real Madrid’s appointment of Jose Antonio Camacho a few years back. Real had just ended 2003-04 trophy-less, and needed the local passion and flavour. Camacho was deemed the right man. Yet, Camacho left within a few weeks at the start of the next season. Real were mired so deep in trouble that, that even he could not rescue them. Barca have similar problems, though they admittedly have an owner who is ready to sell the top stars if the team improves.
The recent plight of Barcelona F.C. in many ways offers a very good case study for modern management. Frank Rijkaard was one of those modern track suited managers who would come to the training ground and play with the boys. A sense of camaraderie existed between the players and the coaching staff. This went well at the club’s peak but once problems started, Rijkaard had little power to avert the situation. A great player he was who would teach the boys, but he was never one who could wield the stick alongside the carrot. Clubs like Manchester United have produced one great team after another in recent times is to a large extent because of the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson who belongs to the old school and keeps a belief in the distance between him and the players. Two years back Barcelona were on the brink of immortality before this self destructive streak set in. Ronaldinho was on his way to try and be a Pele, but he has suddenly been found considering himself bigger than the club. Frank Rijkaard’s managerial credentials were certainly on a high till mid 2006 at the team he had built right from scratch, but now all big clubs will consider twice before offering him the post. His man-management skills have certainly taken a beating.
Ultimately we all cry out for him and his team. In 2006 we thought this was going to be the best team for a long time to come. Barcelona was playing superb football and watching them was a delight. It was Total Football reinvented all over again, art at its highest. Yet now they perish. Perhaps now they need the stick of Guardiola much more than Rijkaard’s carrot.
Sven-Goran Eriksson has just become the first high profile sacking. But then we also hear Frank Rijkaard getting the boot. Eriksson is someone whose methods have bored us, while Rijkaard’s teams have given all true football fans the real joy. Yet there is somehow a feeling that Sven is the unfortunate one. Rijkaard’s job was anyway on the line. We had been looking forward the whole season to see who would get the job amidst this merry go round of managers. The final appointment of Josip Guardiola is in many ways an anti-climax. Big names were touted like Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Luiz Felipe Scolari. But as we take a look back at Guardiola’s career, we can somewhat gauge this perplexing appointment. Guardiola is a Catalan true to heart. The blood of Catalonia runs in his veins and at times of trouble he might just about be the one to salvage a little pride for Barcelona Football Club once again. He was the Barca captain supreme, a natural leader of men and someone who would anchor the team together. The likes of Figo and Rivaldo may have enchanted the crowd more but his toe crunching tackles in the middle of the park were equally important. He has no experience at the top level of management, but has done well at the youth level helping bring the likes of Bojan Krkic and Giovanni dos Santos.
Guardiola’s appointment somehow takes me back to Real Madrid’s appointment of Jose Antonio Camacho a few years back. Real had just ended 2003-04 trophy-less, and needed the local passion and flavour. Camacho was deemed the right man. Yet, Camacho left within a few weeks at the start of the next season. Real were mired so deep in trouble that, that even he could not rescue them. Barca have similar problems, though they admittedly have an owner who is ready to sell the top stars if the team improves.
The recent plight of Barcelona F.C. in many ways offers a very good case study for modern management. Frank Rijkaard was one of those modern track suited managers who would come to the training ground and play with the boys. A sense of camaraderie existed between the players and the coaching staff. This went well at the club’s peak but once problems started, Rijkaard had little power to avert the situation. A great player he was who would teach the boys, but he was never one who could wield the stick alongside the carrot. Clubs like Manchester United have produced one great team after another in recent times is to a large extent because of the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson who belongs to the old school and keeps a belief in the distance between him and the players. Two years back Barcelona were on the brink of immortality before this self destructive streak set in. Ronaldinho was on his way to try and be a Pele, but he has suddenly been found considering himself bigger than the club. Frank Rijkaard’s managerial credentials were certainly on a high till mid 2006 at the team he had built right from scratch, but now all big clubs will consider twice before offering him the post. His man-management skills have certainly taken a beating.
Ultimately we all cry out for him and his team. In 2006 we thought this was going to be the best team for a long time to come. Barcelona was playing superb football and watching them was a delight. It was Total Football reinvented all over again, art at its highest. Yet now they perish. Perhaps now they need the stick of Guardiola much more than Rijkaard’s carrot.
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