Kamal’s thoughts, on Independence Day
On the occasion of India’s 60th Independence Day, I chanced upon some of Kamal’s thoughts on the Indian flag and patriotism in general.
Every year I hoist my National Flag in my terrace and sing my National Anthem. This habit was to let my children enjoy the same naive patriotism that I enjoyed as a child. It has become a habit.
The flag solicits a certain emotion like the insurance company symbol or the medical symbol or the Red Cross. No symbol is worth the cloth it is printed on if it empowers dictators or facilitates division. I, by mindset, would like to stretch borders. I think patriotism as per lore is quite ridiculous and impractical. I am a dreamer who dreams of a war free silk route. When that happens we can proudly and legitimately call America as nephew Sam. We will then be the big uncles by any global standards.
Read more on the site of Flag Foundation of India, established by Naveen Jindal.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:53 am
Man! Only One guy in tamil cinema can talk like him.. simply awesom Hats off to u Mr Kamalhassan! Jai Hind!
Cheers
Kris
August 24th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Amidst all the platitudes that celebrities habitually mouth on such occasions, these are among the most interesting thoughts from a film industry person I’ve come across. And it takes some gumption to prick the bubble of our collective complacency in such matters. As someone once said, the true essence of patriotism lies in challenging what others do in your name.
Jai Hind!