A dream come true

The unimaginable has happened. An African-American has been elected President of the United States of America, where, six decades ago, black children could not enter white schools, black lawyers appearing in the SC were confined to separate areas and black musicians could not enter hotels along with white musicians with whom they played in the same band.

The unimaginable has happened. An African-American has been elected President of the United States of America, where, six decades ago, black children could not enter white schools, black lawyers appearing in the Supreme Court were confined to separate areas and black musicians could not enter hotels along with white musicians with whom they played in the same band. It is incredible but true that dark-skinned Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and their children will be occupying the office and living in the White House. The expression 8216;White8217; now seems a bit anachronistic. This historic election demonstrates that dreams do come true, including the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. that appeared a fantasy then. Remember, 8220;Our dreams are tales/ Told in dim Eden/ By Eve8217;s nightingales.8221;

The US election establishes that neither race nor colour prevents a person, who is perceived as honest and sincere, has broad views with a mixture of idealism and who is determined to restore America8217;s image, from occupying the highest office in the country. Obama8217;s victory cannot be attributed exclusively to black American voters. Obama8217;s support also came from white voters who were disgusted with the Bush administration and its policies and who were impressed by Obama8217;s determination to bring about a change, vividly symbolised in his constant chant, 8220;Yes, we can.8221; In the present environment, 8220;Yes, we can8221; may well become a popular musical number not only in the US but wherever western music is enjoyed. Mosin Menezes in Delhi is busy composing the tune with a hot tempo.

Political and economic pundits have prescribed a lot of dos and don8217;ts for Obama. Surprisingly there is no mention of the need to review the draconian anti-terrorist legislation, the Patriot Act 2001, which is a shameful blot on any country with democratic credentials. No doubt, terrorism has to be combated vigorously, ruthlessly but without trampling upon the basic fundamental right of fair trial, before an independent judicial tribunal, of persons suspected of being enemy combatants. Obama8217;s selection of Supreme Court judges, when a vacancy arises, will be watched with keen interest by all freedom-loving persons who wish the young President every success in his endeavours to make a fresh tryst with destiny for his nation.

Playing favourites

In BBC8217;s recent TV series The Visionaries, showcasing classical music composers, viewers went online to vote for their favourite musician. J.S. Bach, who won the title of 8220;the most visionary composer of all time8221;. The choice between Beethoven and Mozart was interesting. Many were impressed by Mozart8217;s 8220;capacity to touch us all, with his breathtaking range of styles8221;. To several people, Beethoven 8220;grabs you from the moment the music starts8221;. Beethoven secured 59 per cent over Mozart8217;s 41 per cent.

In the selection of one8217;s favourite author or musician, subjectivity is inevitably involved. I am fond of Miles Davis. But Dizzy Gillespie would be my choice, not only because of his tremendous technique on the trumpet but also because of personal association with him. I had invited Dizzy to a Parsi dinner at my home in New Delhi in 1986. He mingled charmingly with the local musicians and jazz fans and enthralled them with his anecdotes and by tapping jazz rhythms on his thigh. Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw are both excellent musicians. Shaw8217;s mastery of the clarinet is fabulous and he has an edge there over Benny. But Benny is my mentor because we became friends in New York in 1972 and he got me a clarinet at a 50 per cent discount with a promise from me to practise regularly, which alas I could not keep, thanks to the tedious SLPs.

The same predicament occurs in literature. Why do I prefer Keats8217; sonnets to Wordsworths8217; or admire T.S. Eliot more than Auden? There are no logical reasons. I got a first prize in elocution for my reading of Keats8217; Ode to A Nightingale. The opening lines of Burnt Norton in Eliot8217;s Four Quartets transport me to another world. Therefore, never criticise an anthologist for not including your favourite literary gem but savour those that are included.