Satyam writes that Rushdie wrote that Malayalam is the only ‘palindromic’ language word in the entire world !

‘Palindromic’, which has nothing to do with Palin the politician from the US, that was fighting for the post of President, is a word that means, a word that reads the same both ways. Front and back. So Malayalam is the one such language word in the entire world that reads the same both ways !!

Fascinating is it not !

Still reeling from the after effects of last night and the grace and dignity shown to me I give you below, yours truly at the event - traditional and all ….

The ‘dhoti’ and the top were a gift from the organizers, which I thought appropriate to wear and the ‘angavastra’, the gold lined silk draped over the shoulders are the respectful presentations from Mohan Lal and Mammootty, as an honored gift. And the last picture with the smile on their faces as hold the mike is because I had just started my speech of thanks by speaking a few words in Malayalam !

” Keralatiley ella malayalikalkum, ende namaskaram” !!

To the people of Kerala and the Malayali speaking, namaskar ! My respect ful greetings with folded hands !

The respect and dignity that they accord me humbles me to an extent that I am unable to fathom or understand. I am but an ordinary individual that gets glorified through the medium that I work in. My medium needs recognition, needs the dignity and the respect, not me. If there had been no medium there would have been no me. So I respect the profession that has given me the opportunity to be a part it, and created for me a vehicle that I am privileged to ride from time to time.

The Hotel at Kochi (Cochin) is a heritage sight and it is a delight to be able to observe and enjoy some of its glorious past. The typical Keralite architecture, the low sloping roofs, the wooden floorings and the banisters, the large and elegant wooden pillars that hold up these enormous and beautifully structured buildings … all such a joy to behold. The concept of the ‘aangan’, or the courtyard is a favorite of mine. And if I ever build another house, that would be my first priority. It is such a prominent feature in most homes in the South and in parts of the North, particularly Uttar Pradesh. It is a space which is private and personal yet open to the elements. And that is its greatest attraction.

The Award season has started with a vengeance and every other day there shall be hectic calls and invitations to be present at them. There shall be that frenzied speculation on the winners and the losers and the hopefuls and the disappointments. And soon when the season is over we shall all get back to doing what is best for us. There shall be rumors and gossip on who got what and when and why. There shall be heated arguments on the results. Theories of conspiracy and intrigue shall be thrown around. And then all of a sudden it is all over. Rewards are such a funny business. Not just here in Mumbai and its film industry, but I am certain in every institution that builds up to award individuals. The desire and the yearning of being ‘officially’ recognized as being better than the others is such a universal human behavior. Once fallen prey to it, it can actually destroy your mind in believing that that is in fact the truth. There could be no greater falsehood than that. I believe each creative input has its own immense merit and dignity, one that can never be replaced by another. An individual, an institution an organization may think otherwise and long may they live to do so. But the merits that come to each individual personally when he indulges in the craft of creation, cannot be understood or surpassed or compared with another. Creative comparisons or gradings are odious. Each act of creativity is a masterpiece in the eyes of the creator, and that is what needs to be respected. Winning an award does not and never will, make me a superior actor. No jury or judge shall ever have the capability or the capacity to pass judgement on and give merits to an artist in comparison to the others in the creative field. We and only we will know what our true worth and merit is. The blood sweat and tears that we shall shed in our drive for creative satisfaction shall be the reckoners, not any other. How can they ? Unless they are willing to shed their own !

Awards and their history have a long association with me and I shall someday share with all the EF my experiences. But some other day.

Till then, good night, shubh ratri, shabba khair and may the Almighty bless you all …

Love

Amitabh Bachchan