Millennial attitude

April 2018,

It was one of my bestie's marriage in Berhampur, Odisha. I was part of the baraati along with my friends. The sound system of the orchestra ( we call it "band party") was good. Song was - " Bolo ta ra ra ra".

But something was different. It took us a while to realize that the song is not being played out of the music system but is being sung by the orchestra singer. Two of my friends got furious. They ran to the orchestra vehicle and warned them, " Don't sing, play from the music system/storage". When they were going I wanted to say, "let it be". But I couldn't say it.

A little later I went ahead near the orchestra vehicle. Again this time the orchestra singer was singing. The man must be in his mid 40's wearing an old suit. Probably that's the only one he had. The song was very famous jovial Odia sambalpuri song "Rangabati". He was singing as perfect as a music recorder. What fascinated me was the fact that he was singing in both male & female voice. That's a rare talent. The song is a jovial one and he was singing it in a playful voice. But his facial expression was saying a different story. He looked sad. I felt pity for him. As a creative person, the worst nightmare you could have is when no one wants to witness your work. With each rejection your self-esteem grounds more and more.

The man who is now in his mid 40's might have once dreamt of becoming a popular singer in the music industry. But life took him through a different route. Despite dejection & embarrassment, he has to sing otherwise his roji-roti (survival) ll be in danger. His competitor is a mere pen drive/memory card worth Rs. 500 or less.

We are 21st-century kids. Our quest for perfection & consumerism is killing jobs. So I kind of agree to Ms. Sitaraman's opinion about millennial attitude. If we fail to address this, no far is the day when we 'll all be replaced by machines.