Loud and clear
More than the argumentative Indian, we are characterized by our quality to be loud Indians. We do not let go of any opportunity to be loud. Be it birth, death, festival, wedding, anything on this planet, it is meant to be celebrated with the customary dance drama. So, we have loud music playing at parties that go beyond midnight. Bhajans playing from early morning to late at night are a normal occurrence if you live in Bangalore or for that matter anywhere in India. And oh, no point in complaining to the cops. Yeh, Bhagwan ka maamla hai, after all! Swalpa adjust maadi :).Firecrackers are burst for umpteen festivals, cricket wins or some totally frivolous reason. If you are faint at heart, then some of the loud bombs may end up sending you to the Emergency Room.
Have a cellphone, will talk… loudly! — seems to be a common mantra these days. Also, have you noticed the really loud ringtones on cellphones ranging from aartis to latest movie hits in all languages. Maybe the owners wish to ensure that if you are not remembering your God, this will be an opportunity to amend your atheist behavior. The most annoying phone calls are the ones overheard in movie theaters, hospitals and schools. Despite glares from others, some people persistently continue to chat nonchalantly on their phone. I have seen a gentleman take a call in an airplane when everyone is supposed to switch off their phones. Come on, rules are not meant to be followed! Don’t you know who I am?In the train, on the bus, during meetings, during walks, and in the park, the ubiquitous cellphone and the loud talker are omnipresent. So much so that we have a portly neighbor who ensures that when he has to blast his employees/clients, he comes out of the house and uses choicest language loudly so that all within a mile can hear him! And another neighbor, a lady has no qualms in yelling at the risk of bursting her lungs. To add to our horror, she always keeps her windows open for that Dolby sound effect.
So, whether someone is sick and ailing or just plain disturbed, there is nothing much that one can do but grin and bear it. And, I have also noticed that, in general, our kids are noisier. Is it because, we have become immune to all the noise pollution around us? Have you seen how the teachers and mothers yell at their kids (including yours truly)? Is it because the child will not bat an eyelid otherwise? Whichever way, we are very happy with all the noise that we live with.. Talk loudly and yell no matter where and for what reason! This is our desi-bel at its best.
The right to make noise may not be a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of India, but we seem to be doing a great job of claiming it happily and wholeheartedly :).
Rachna says 
Leave a reply to vinayak Cancel reply