As I start crunching some keys on the pad, an obnoxious feeling of guilt encompasses me. For I am not supposed to be writing this post. Buried in eons of work, from all spheres of activity, it is high time I stop honeymooning on the Internet and get back to things that matter more at this juncture. But for a couple of very esoteric reasons, I will go on with the post.

19th March 2009  was celebrated in college as “Saree, Rose and Tie” Day. Saree, roses and ties are just plain metaphors for color, love, happiness, exuberance and elegance. Perennially captured in the clutches of paper education, its like an early nirvana for most students. To cut a long story short, most students, me included, take this day very seriously. Students come  impeccably dressed. Vibrant colours, smart ties, roses, jewellery and a wide assortment of accessories. It is a sight to behold. The average girl who sits next to you metamorphs herself into svelte, refined woman while the average guy looks less shabby and dishevelled than normal.

Now, the story begins thus. Not being a very prominent “Rose Day” catch, I decided to dress quite normally for the ocassion. Very satisfied with what I had put on, I left my place quite content; eagerly looking forward to the day’s proceedings. Lecturers got caught in the occasion and decided to mingle with the students whom they usually consider repugnant.  So, behind closed doors, in our classroom, started a “Talent Session”. Students were invited on the podium to showcase any art or talent they possessed. With the entire class cheering on with no inhibition in mind, it was an ideal platform for everyone to let their ‘arty’ hair down and have a good time. The talented people went onto the dais one after the other. Some sang melodious songs, some mimicked illustrious personalities, some did a jig, some gyrated to tunes, some cracked jokes. But most importantly, all were vociferously cheered and appreciated. After some time had elapsed, the entire class requested me to take to the stage and have my 30 seconds of fame.

I have never been artistically inclined. Perhaps because I was never exposed to art as a kid. All I did at primary school were a couple of stage plays. Everything really tapered off after that. Secondary schooling was completely devoid of any sort of song or dance. As a result, I stick out as a sore thumb at most “enjoyment sessions” or gatherings prompting people to assume that I hate enjoyment, which is pretty preposterous.

A gamut of options flashed across my eyes. I searched. Sing. No. Dance. Hell, no. Act. Could, but not impromptu, need a script. Impersonate someone. Nope. Acrobatics. Out of question. Musical instrument. No. I sheepishly muttered that I could not do anything artistic and sat down. It was a complete damp squib.

Art is really important. Performing and Fine art more so than Literary Arts. Most bloggers like me are competent at literary arts like debates, elocutions, speeches, quizzes, JAM’s and the like. But in my humble opinion, literary art is kind of a pseudo art. More like Computer or IT engineering being pseudo branches. An artist or an exponent of any art form is a very gifted person. Art gives its exponent visibilty , a solid physical presence in a gathering of people. The expression of an artist is pure, unadulterated, entertaining and soothing. The artist helps his audience transcend into a world of million possibilties and infinte opportunities. A Utopian world that everone really craves for. Literary art is brutal, oppressive, boisterous and diabolical. It does nothing but find flaws, crevices and imperfections in the true artists. It is a corruption of art. Literary arts has a fierce competitve edge associated with it. It is hierarchial. It differentiates among people, rates people on their ability. The other two forms that have discussed above are widely recognised and accepted by all as parameters of sociability.

It is not just classrooms where you need these performing arts. Performing arts form an integral part of any marriage process. Imagine a pretty normal chore of two families meeting over tea to talk about their kids as if they are some commodities to be traded on MCX. The groom’s mother always needs to know if the bride can cook, sing, dance or paint. Whether she can take sensible & mature decisions when most needed is secondary as compared to the art forms. Sense, pragmatism and sensibility is not art. It is infact an exact anti-art, if there is such a category. And where art is really the order of the day, anti-art finds it difficult to survive. Perhaps, this could be one of the reasons for the rising number of unsuccessful marriages.

A glance at the religious textures of the country tells us a different tale. In the Swayamvar to win Sita’s hand, the suitors were asked to string a bow and not perform a folk dance. Arjuna won Draupadi’s hand after giving demonstration of his dextrous archery skills. But for now, the goalposts have been changed. Rama would have had to gyrate to Himesh Reshammiya numbers to win over his in-laws.

But such trivial inconsistencies can not be an excuse or justification not to cultivate an art form. My sister is a fine dancer. It makes her more of a complete person. Social recognition aside, audience and acquaintances can relate to her form of performance. At times, even I do feel the need of an art form. Something I regret not paying enough conscious attention in developing one in my early years. Most people after enjoying a flourishing professional career will retire early to pursue their interest in painting, photography, movies, dance and classical singing. I can see myself taking up tennis, golf or bridge – something which is also very ‘anti-art’. Because I am pretty hopeless at it, I appreciate art, artists and artisans.

Art is a wonderful thing. It is everywhere around us. Everyone is an artist in their own small ways. Everyone might not be a performing artist or a fine artist. Everyone might not be able to sell their art form in front of an eager and anticipating audience. As Robert Prisig puts it in his 1974 novel, from which this article dervies its title, motorcycle maintainence is also very much an art. But conventional arts – like graphic art, visual art, performing arts reside in the higher echelons of the art society. Everyone should strive to cultivate one such conventional art. Blessed are their exponents !