Hero Worship Needs To Go

Saturdays With Shivani

Hello everyone. It feels so good to be back after a hiatus of three weeks. Quite a few things happened during this time and I wasn’t sure what I should be writing on, until I decided to go with my original choice.

India recently lost two hugely talented artists; both doyens in the fields of dance and music respectively. While condolences and grief poured in abundance there was also an unmistakable whiff of dissent in the air. For one it was the growing number of #MeToo accusations and for the other there was harsh criticism on the choices she made, the stance she took and also instances suggesting an underhand bullying that nipped many a singer’s careers in the bud; all came tumbling out of the closet.

The fans countered them on an emotional level. Why now? They asked. Why can’t you let their souls in peace? Where is the respect? How can you ignore their talent? And of course, the ever sanctimonious one- talking ill of the dead is not our culture!

Whilst their talent is well acknowledged, the accusations are too grave to be ignored. Talent after all, as the dictionary defines it, is a natural ability to be good at something and a person’s actions are independent of it. The two artists were more than adequately compensated for their talent with adulation, fame (and money too) so why shouldn’t they be questioned for their actions. The fact that they aren’t around to defend holds merit but then we also should consider the possibility that for fear of repercussions, people may have chosen not to confront.

The arguments from both sides were loud and like most other trends, this one too fizzled out with time. This isn’t the first time or the last for that matter. Our society loves to make heroes out of ordinary people, puts them on a pedestal and believes with all their might that these heroes can do no wrong.

This hero worship needs to go and it can literally begin at home. To the best of my knowledge, I have tried never to shut my daughter up by saying because I said so (I asked her before writing to check the veracity of my claim). I want her to know I am human, I am fallible. If I inspire her, that’s amazing otherwise I’m sorry, my bad. She has to essentially keep questioning- be it her parents, her teachers, her bosses or anyone else. I do not wish to see her cower in fear or in awe and become blind to their faults.

We need a society that questions and criticizes. I think it is a healthy trait to nurture. How they question, their choice of words and how to handle those who disagree with them, is something we may have to work upon. For those who feel that we will be bereft of role models if we do this, firstly there are enough real-life heroes if we just look around. Besides that, we take away the pressure of being perfect that currently plagues us. Right now, let us focus on teaching our children to question heroes even if they are on the highest pedestal.

–Dr. Shivani Salil