A creator's dilemma

Hi,

A friend of mine - maker of movies of the classical type (the likes of Fellini and Kurasawa and a lover of Dosteovesky's works) - met me recently. I know him personally and also know the hardships he underwent to earn a decent living.

It had been quite some time since I met him (close to 2 years). When I met him I was glad to see his thoughtful face gleaming with the customary smile. He told me that he is doing a movie now, packaged neatly for the current film goers. It would mean that he had to dilute his stand from a maker of movies of a different genre. What he told me made immense sense. All his previous works had relevant messages for today's society, but were packaged in a manner that most film-goers would find it difficult to consume.

He told me that as much thought lies in making things consummable, as in coming up with things - be it a movie, a speech or even food. I could not agree with him more.

My friend went ahead and quoted Van Gogh:

"Since two weeks ago, I don't do anything but painting, from early in the morning until the night; if I keep up to this working rhythm it will cost me the health, unless I sell some of my works."

Van Gogh had to sell his paintings for a living. But he could sell only one of his paintings. The sole buyer was none but his own brother. His talent did not have an audience. My friend said that a creator thinks ahead of his time and it is not the society's problem. The onus is on the creator to make his thoughts consummable. It is this endeavor my friend has started. But, it would be tough for him to retain his self in addressing to the masses.

I wish him the very best in his journey.

Thanks

Vijay

Things that come handy

Hi,

Reading helps in many ways. Especially, for guys whose brains would creak (mostly brains like mine) when they think, reading comes very handy.

I had a few bright eyed trainees seeking project advices from me. I could not help them much in the areas they sought my advice. But I could advise them on the mindset they need to possess to complete their project. I urged them to innovate - within their areas of specialization and to leave a mark of their own.

The Blue Ocean Startegy (a landmark work on innovating even when you have a stale mindset) and Siddhartha (by Herman Hesse) came handy to help me make the advice more tangible.

I read these stuff quite some time ago. But, I could not help but congratulate the things that reside deep inside, yet surface when when you are in need.

I do not know how this gyan helped them in their project. But, I am sure it would have tuned those young minds to think differently.

Thanks

Vijay

Krishnan from Madurai

Hi,

This week, I laid my eyes on an article that appeared in the local newspaper. Krishnan, an executive in a star hotel, sees a mentally diabled person eating his own waste. He gives up his career and takes to feeding such people in Madurai.

I spoke to him today morning. He sounded very energetic and his voice reflected a lot of pride in what he does.

I got reminded of the following words of John Gardner:

Men of integrity, by their very existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we can live above the level of moral squalor. We need that belief; a cynical community is a corrupt community.

Thanks

Vijay