The result is non-entities and talented people are often thrown together in the same space sending out highly confusing signals… but who cares? The reason is simple. The respect for an artist’s endeavour is not the reason for his/her being a celebrity. The ability to successfully fill media space (what’s new, hot ‘n’ happening!) or splash out in the colour supplement of a popular mainline publication, is. This has led to a frightening celebration of mediocrity.”
Respected editor, publisher, film & theatre critic Samik Bandopadhaya provides his very own, evolved take. “The media – for its own vested interest – continues to create, project and glamourise a particular constituency, which, it believes, are the people who matter. They are the stars; they are the celebrities. I find this whole representation both fake and phony, because, while there will always be the tabloid-hooked, sensation-seeking crowd, there continues to be an entire and vast minority who disagree. They (collectively and fearlessly) root for the true-blue creative animal. Incidentally, these people are not all Kolkata-based but are spread across West Bengal, in small towns, schools, colleges and universities”.
Bengal’s celebrity filmmaker – revered in Bollywood and admired globally by lovers of good cinema – Rituparno Ghosh winds up the debate in characteristic fashion. “I think everyone will agree that art and culture has, traditionally, existed and thrived on patronage. Once it was royalty. Today – in whatever form (editorial, corporate house) – it’s the sponsors. There was a definite spirit of altruism that drove the earlier generation. They were not necessarily painters, poets, dancers or musicians but they genuinely wanted to further the cause of creativity and arts, in their own way. That has changed.” He also points to consumerism as a major factor in this tilting of the scene. “When commodities are transformed and glamourised to brands, suddenly a status factor comes into play. I don’t want any biscuit – I want Britannia. I don’t want any shoe – it has to be Nike or Reebok. I don’t want to eat at any old place – it has to be Sonar Bangla, Taj Bengal or Oberoi… By the same token (whether I understand its nuances or not) I must have a Bikash Bhattacharjee, Hussain, Souza, Raza or an Anjolie Menon painting on my wall. “Sad but true…”
What is your take, dear reader?
Respected editor, publisher, film & theatre critic Samik Bandopadhaya provides his very own, evolved take. “The media – for its own vested interest – continues to create, project and glamourise a particular constituency, which, it believes, are the people who matter. They are the stars; they are the celebrities. I find this whole representation both fake and phony, because, while there will always be the tabloid-hooked, sensation-seeking crowd, there continues to be an entire and vast minority who disagree. They (collectively and fearlessly) root for the true-blue creative animal. Incidentally, these people are not all Kolkata-based but are spread across West Bengal, in small towns, schools, colleges and universities”.
Bengal’s celebrity filmmaker – revered in Bollywood and admired globally by lovers of good cinema – Rituparno Ghosh winds up the debate in characteristic fashion. “I think everyone will agree that art and culture has, traditionally, existed and thrived on patronage. Once it was royalty. Today – in whatever form (editorial, corporate house) – it’s the sponsors. There was a definite spirit of altruism that drove the earlier generation. They were not necessarily painters, poets, dancers or musicians but they genuinely wanted to further the cause of creativity and arts, in their own way. That has changed.” He also points to consumerism as a major factor in this tilting of the scene. “When commodities are transformed and glamourised to brands, suddenly a status factor comes into play. I don’t want any biscuit – I want Britannia. I don’t want any shoe – it has to be Nike or Reebok. I don’t want to eat at any old place – it has to be Sonar Bangla, Taj Bengal or Oberoi… By the same token (whether I understand its nuances or not) I must have a Bikash Bhattacharjee, Hussain, Souza, Raza or an Anjolie Menon painting on my wall. “Sad but true…”
What is your take, dear reader?
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Outlook Magazine money editor quits
Don't trust the Indian Media!
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