Oh! How I hate waiting!!
And it is not as if Karan doesn't know but punctuality is just not his cup of tea.
The sales tactics he uses with his clients have seeped into his nature. I knew
when he said he will reach plaza in 5 minutes, what it meant. I already came
half an hour late. Still I am standing here for last one hour with my third mug
of coffee in hand and the chill in the air is not helping either. Sometimes I
wonder what I spend more time with – this coffee kiosk or him.
It is Saturday and plaza is
overflowing with people, street vendors, hawkers… It is a sea of unknown faces.
Such crowd makes me think as if I don’t belong to this city. So many people and
not a single soul knows me. I exist or I don’t, just doesn't matter. Standing
alone, biding time makes me feel too philosophical and gloomy. I can sense my
irritation increasing with every passing second. I am about to push the Karan’s
number on mobile…when a voice makes me spin on my heels.
“Excuse Me!”
A lanky young boy well into
his teens, branded casuals, facial hair barely sprouting, spiked hair, a heavy duty
watch looking burlier than the wrist wearing it, I certainly don’t know him. He
is carrying a big canvas wrapped under his left arm. “Can you please help me?” “Ya,
Tell me.” I looked at him quizzically.
“Can you please hold this
canvas for a while; I have to look for few CDs.”
“Why not!” I hold the canvas;
it is a pleasant deviation from just looking aimlessly at crowd. The boy goes
down on his knees, of course not to propose me but to look for the wares the lady
on the footpath has to offer. On a sheet, all kinds of CDs are spread; movies, games,
music. The guy seems to belong to a well to do family, why is he buying pirated
CDs? But not really his fault, any new gaming CD costs Rs. 1000 upwards. No
wonder he is looking for their pirated versions that are easily available for
50 bucks or so. Ditto for the movie CDs. A Pirated movie CD costs around,
again, 50 bucks and comes with 4-5 movies recorded in it. Though the quality is
very poor and invariably one or two movies fail to oblige but it still seems to
be a good bargain. For him having his hands laid on every new game which
dazzles the fancy shelves of up-market store and watched every movie that has
been released might be quite a thing to boast of among his friend. Obviously, studies
interspersed with tests, assignments and projects every now and then and parents,
to add to it, do not allow kids to watch every movie released in theatres So
this seems to be a cool arrangement. But as already irritated I am (Karan has still
not showed up) I can’t contain myself. I tell him in very matter of fact way,
trying every bit to contain my disdain, “Look kiddo, buying pirated CDs is not
only bad, it is also illegal.” He gives me a puzzled look.
Who are you to poke
your nose? No, he doesn't say it but I can read his eyes “Bad, what is bad in
that? It saves me a lot of pocket money. And illegal! If it is illegal, then
why it is being sold openly? See those policemen, they are not stopping me. What
could be illegal in that?”
I feel as if I just got a tight slap on my face. In
our country you can’t mess with this word – ‘legal’. I am literally scratching
my mind hard to give a legitimate explanation and then…I see the canvas I hold.
“You seem to be a budding
artist, aren't you?” It is very important to heat iron before striking it. “Suppose
tomorrow you want to eke out a living out of this passion and plan to sell you
artwork. You put up an exhibition. Your audience is absolutely floored by your
talent. People unanimously declare you the best thing to have happened to art
world recently. You are absolutely buoyed by the response but your excitement soon
fizzles out when you realize that people are praising but not buying your
paintings. The exhibition slowly comes to an end, but just two-three paintings
get around to wraps . You step out of the gallery and with a heavy heart take
stroll in the market. Something attracts your attention. You are totally
flummoxed to see cheap copies of your paintings, nicely framed, being sold at
road side stalls. How would you feel?
The kiddo looks crest
fallen, his voice barely audible, “Who will buy my painting then?”
“Exactly! Who will buy your
paintings for thousands bucks, though original, when look alike fakes are available
for 40 or 50 bucks that too with a frame? Same goes for any creative art. A
producer spends millions on making a movie. When an original version is sold
over the counter, he gets his due out of it. But the fake ones being sold at footpath,
never make their way back to his pocket! How will that chap survive? How will
he make his next movie for all of us to watch? Same goes for a game developer
or an author or a painter.” My voice is gaining fervour after seeing his
expressions.
The logic seems to bore into his mind. He speaks nothing but
leaves the CDs, takes canvas and walks back. I triumphantly look around and my
eyes meet the lady’s gaze, who is now giving me a dirty look. I busy myself on
my phone and to avoid his gaze, start walking towards the parking lot. Anyway
it is no use waiting any more, Karan is probably struck up with a client.
Two months Later
I am back to the
plaza, this time with friends for shopping. Chill is waning and it is sales
time! This one is my favourite season. We are looking at all-jazzed-up windows
of showrooms and busy reading sales banners. A slightly familiar voice rings in
my ears,” Hey ma’am, remember me!” I turn to look at that boy.
“Ya! the guy with the canvas?”
“Yes, ma’am. I am with my
friends today. See, they are there.” His raised fingers guides me to a giggling
bunch of boys and girls standing at a distance.
“I want to thank you. You opened
my eyes. Now I don’t buy pirated copies. Though it leaves me fewer options with
my pocket money, but at least I am paying the guys behind them their due. You
know, I have even made a page on FB against piracy, it got so many ‘likes’ on
the very first day. It is kind of cool!” He said.
Oh! Forgive me for the smugness I feel. I know the piracy has not stopped; people are still
buying pirated CDs from that lady and other vendors around. I can see that. But
even if one person is convinced and has vowed not to buy pirated CDs and books,
it does make a difference. Doesn't it!
And hey! Crowd is not that
bad.
Wow ... I love the message here ... surely piracy is a bane to the digital world ... but then again, we can't just blame the buyers. The whole system should be changed so that piracy doesn't happen in any way.
ReplyDeleteI agree Amrit, actually Piracy can't be fully eliminated. This also a face of corruption that has percolated deep into our systems. But still if we personally resolve not to do it and are able to convince even a single person, I think it is worth the effort.
DeleteAwesome!! People don't realize the hidden cost of buying pirated stuff! Sooner or later, the cost of the real thing goes up due to less demand. Other people cannot face the financial downfall and close shop...so less quality stuff, less variety and less innovation!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Meenakshi!
I am happy you echo my sentiments,Roshni. It does hurt innovation efforts and over all progress.
DeleteThanks a lot!
a post relevant to present times ---piracy is hitting the industry and hitting hard.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly, thanks for your comments.
DeleteHi Meenakshi,
ReplyDeleteWow, that was certainly a good way of drilling down an important message. True, even if one is able to change even a single individual, it amounts to change being brought about and being delivered.
That was a good take on the prompt, in fact, a very valid and educational one.
Thanks for sharing this post. Wish you luck for the contest. :)
Regards
Jay
My Newest Blog Post | My Entry to Indiblogger Get Published
Thanks Jay!
DeleteAny movement is started from a single point only. I we personally refrain from indulging in piracy even that is good enough.
How cool! I am impressed how successfully your words had a positive effect on the unknown boy! Piracy is a like an ugly monster ,which is spreading its fangs all around.Not only pirated CDs ,every consumer article which is fake is available in the market.Medicines,cosmetics, eatables and books, all can be had on half the original price..Very well written post! By the way, did Karan reach for the movie ? Meenakshi,I enjoyed reading such a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mam,
DeleteActually I am quite average when it comes to writing fiction. Your words are really motivating.
No mam, Karan could not make that day! But he did on the next occasion, albeit late.
I am happy you enjoyed!
Nice way to get the message across, after all change begins with us... Thoroughly enjoyed the story with a message that is relevant across all ages.
ReplyDeleteThanks Reshma!
DeleteThis is not entirely fiction, It did happen.
Then all the more brilliant Meenakshi.Applause for your effort!!
DeleteWOW POST!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant story that leaves a strong message in the end. But, it is very difficult to control piracy...Each day, millions of youths around the world download music and movies off of the Internet.The epidemic of unauthorized downloading has also been cited by the record and film industries as being the prime cause for crores in losses.Piracy can never truly be eliminated – it is going to keep hurting the artist!:((
Great post, Meenakshi!! All the best~
Internet has proven to be a bane for music and film industry in a way. Movies are available even before their release. It is my little effort to emphasis that individual efforts do matter.
DeleteThanks for appreciating!
Sadly, Meenakshi, he had a stake in not buying. Otherwise would he have listened to you? How many people have anything to sell like this boy did? There's got to be another way for people to see reason.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, not many people will buy my reason, not everybody I can convince. But that doesn't mean I stop putting in efforts.
DeleteTo be honest years ago even I was tempted into buying two books (pirated) from a street vendor. But then I realized my folly (though at time I never knew in my wildest dreams that some day I would start blogging and write about it). Now I discourage everyone around from doing so.
i think piracy cant be washed out completely just like that.. even it gets restricted in future, it will surely have the traces in this corrupted world. and we cant help living with that too. Indeed a good message pointed out and a well written wow post.. :-)
ReplyDeleteA Rat's Nibble
Thanks a lot for reading, I do hope creative world is free from clutches of piracy one day.
DeleteBrilliant post with a message, well narrated. Actually Crowd is not that bad afterall...
ReplyDeleteNot at all! Thanks Aparna, I am glad you liked the narration.
DeleteBRILLIANT.. I am taken aback.. Meenakshi, you did write this brilliantly.. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.. I found it very unique.. I don't know what the message is(actually you mesmerized me with the writing), but I loved the writing. I love it when I learn something from anything.. and you know what, I did just that.. Thank you so much....friend.
ReplyDeleteJust when I thought my narration got pushed to the backbench by the theme, you brought it out from the shadow. Actually, I never thought I could narrate a story in convincing style (that's the reason I don't attempt this genre). Thank you so much for your generous words. They did enough to boost my confidence.
DeleteA very interesting take on the WoW theme for this week. Not only have you delivered a positive message that is relevant to these times, but you've also narrated an enjoyable story in the process. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Meenakshi,
DeleteI am happy you liked the narration as well as the message.
Yeah, piracy in any form is not justified. It's really a good thing you have made aware of a budding youth about the effects of piracy. Nice read, a beautiful narration. You are one of the few writers who have flow of language and unique style.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sir, for appreciating my effort.
DeleteWow! That made a great read!
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Meenakshi:)
Thank you for reading and for wishes.
DeleteVery well written. After reading the initial few paragraphs, couldn't guess the post would be on piracy :)
ReplyDeleteI am still a student of creative writing. My apologies if it disappointed you.
DeleteThanks for reading.
That sure was very noble and hope that everybody takes the cue and kills piracy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deepak!
Deletei am definitely not someone who can say, "ye, stop piracy!"
ReplyDeletemay be will write a post on that, someday.
p.s. - picture quality is not always poor.
Why!!! I would like to read your post.
DeleteAnd about the picture quality - may be.
Thanks for reading.
That was interesting and exhilarating to read. I am not sure how many of us know many talented artists spend their days in penury even as the bootlegged copies of their arts flourish. Excellent job and a very well-meaning post.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much USP, coming from you, it means a lot.
DeleteA very good story on important issue Meenakshi! Kill piracy, it saves many lives.
ReplyDeleteThanks Valli, though there is no easy solutions to this problem, but still it is worth a try.
DeleteNice and very relevant....because of piracy all film and music people have been facing heavy loses...piracy is not just limited to CDs, nowadays illegal downloads are rampant in internet too causing a great nuisance.
ReplyDeleteAgree Nandini, today only I was explaining to my daughter why downloading songs from internet is bad.
DeleteThanks for reading!
Nice Meenakshi. Piracy is surely not the way to go with.
ReplyDeletegood one!
ReplyDelete