Nostalgia

                                                                                                                                                                  

 

                                 When an old Hindi film song Dost... Dost.. na… raha... from Raj kapur’s film sangam floats in the background, it take me to the period of radio and its memories. Yes, radio was the only medium of entertainment then. Those who had radios at home were considered modern and luxurious. Round rotating disks on both sides of the box were for station locating and volume controlling respectively. The radio was always mischievous and used to shutdown when there was something very important going on - because of poor connectivity. Sometimes, when it was not in mood, it used to give a hissing sound. The volume was always either very low or very high. It was never smooth and cajoling. I do not know why it was so problematic and difficult to manage. Radios-news in tea-stalls and restaurants attracted more customers during that period. When cricket matches were going on, people in large number used to gather around the tea-stalls to listen to cricket commentary and scores. There were no opportunities as now, to listen to particular songs whenever we desired. It was great joy for us when our favorite songs were heard on radio. Everyone of us used to rush towards the radio, wanted to listen from close, and enjoy the melody of the songs, combined with the hissing sound in between. Binaca was a very popular programme of Hindi film songs in those days.

Whether one believes or not, it was compulsory to have a radio license then and it had to be renewed every year. So was the case with bicycle. Now the scenario is very different and offers many facilities and luxuries.

Today, music has become part and parcel of our life, and has been fused with our daily activities like jogging, walking, driving and so on. Now, we have technologically advanced televisions and music systems. With these facilities, life style today has changed completely and for the better.

Antiques and Consumerism

                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                           

  During the passage of time, from generation to generation, objects get old and mature with historical and cultural significance. If the objects stand the test of time and survive, get the distinction as antiques. The antiques belonging to a particular genre of art or fashion usually have rare beauty and aesthetic value, and command attention and high price.  These are treasured, valued and passed on from one generation to another. The value of an antique - historically, culturally and economically - increases as it gets older and older, and becomes a rarity. An antique stands as testimony for time, generations, and culture. The antiques are impregnated with narratives that have historical, political, geographical, economical, and cultural aspects. It may be of a family, or a state, or a war, these narratives take us back to the situations and conditions, in which these objects have taken shape and evolved gradually. Absorbing all the significances and values, these become cultural signs over a period of time. For previous generations, the first priority was the durability of an object and its survival, and continuity for the next generations. The people of those generations took pleasure in preserving the objects by polishing, oiling and painting every year, in the manner of a ritual - that is how things were preserved  in good condition and  were handed over proudly from one generation to another generation. Especially, the antique furniture and other objects at home give an account of the memories and stories of grand fathers and mothers, and great grand fathers and mothers, which become a source of inspiration for grand children. These antiques play an important role in constructing family narratives and building family history in a unique way.

    

                                    However, things have changed drastically these days. As consumerism has affected our consciousness deliberately, through incessant advertisements bombarded in TV channels, we have been compelled to buy things whether we need them or not. Identities in societies are formed by the consumption of products. Mass production and mass consumption have altered our life styles and values of life altogether. Thousands and thousands of products from all over the world arrive in market every day. Free trade policy has enabled every state to get its products across the world. Since the start of mass production, we have developed a tendency, that is - use and throw tendency. Between mass production and use and throw tendency, the idea of preservation of things and passing it to the next generation has been erased completely. Products enter into market and whisk away within no time, without making an impact on the consumer – their existence ephemeral. We keep buying nonchalantly another phone, another watch, another car, another set of furniture, discarding the older ones even though they are pretty good in condition. Many outlets provide to scope to market these goods as second hand. Buying- selling- buying- has become a routine affair in the present situation.  In this context, the idea of antiques becomes obsolete. Usually, it is through the objects, we recollect our memories and associate with past events and persons.  If objects keep changing and vanishing at a rapid speed, how are we going to connect ourselves with history and culture seriously? Is it possible to build family history in this situation and connect to next generations?

                 Image source: Google