YEAREND MUSINGS

As the year was drawing to a close, some legends such as Balamuralikrishna, Menon and Fidel Castro signed off majestically after having defied odds through their lifetime and not even giving an inkling of their imminent exit. Even as these legends who had touched our lives in one way or another was sinking in, the television beamed two memorable icons, Stanley Laurel and Oliver Hardy having the gumption to enter a mansion and let it out to third parties whilst the actual owner was absent. The tale took a twist when the owner turns up and Laurel identifies him while Hardy confines him to a cupboard in a rip roaring hilarious silent movie with the trademark kick delivered by Hardy to his chum Laurel.

This took yours truly to the first time television was viewed which also happened to be a show of the inseparable duo. In fact, this was a show we were taken to make us realize that the duo were real characters who had turned into comics and not vice versa such as Batman, Superman, Harry Potter et al. Unbelievable but true and these men have taught generations a sense of humour, inspired comedians, instilled camaraderie and may be one of the rare duo who also were converted into cartoon characters. These two figure among the men and women who have consciously and unconsciously moulded our characters, influenced our choice of words, left their indelible imprint on our gestures and form the bedrock of many of our friendships.

This led your truly to google the lifetime of the duo. Coincidence. 1926 is the year in which they came together while a revolutionary was born in Cuba. Another coincidence. They featured in a show This is your life on 1-12-1954 which is just days away as we pay this tribute. Astonishingly the duo were no more even as yours truly landed on the planet. Unlike the ones who just departed, these two touched lives even after they were gone and generations that came thereafter.

The compositions of Balamurali with the unique beginning of "Hari" or the works of Menon will also touch generations to come. The exploits of Castro will be fable for generations to come. These men did not just live life or lead life but infused life for generations and centuries. If they could do it for generations, could we not attempt at least leading our own lives rather than live life for others' perceptions? A question yours truly ponders on as another year looms large. May the humour of the irresistible duo lead everyone through the coming year 2017.