DIFFERENT WAYS OF LOOKING AT THE SAME THING: EGOTISTICAL OBJECTIVITY
My sketches present a starker picture. Same phenomenon, different interpretations. The story is effectively told, either way. We in Gonzoom consider the story and the storyteller as equal stakeholders. This is what we mean by egotistical objectivity.
Devashish missed the deadline to send the illustrations, and I had no idea whether it was being done or not, so I spend a good part of the ensuing night drawing three sketches. Next morning, Devashish sends four illustrations, meticulously done, with scrupulous detailing. They were fancifully beautiful, even the aunties, one of them is in Delhi, will not mind the story, for they are so nicely portrayed, though, still, may accuse us of ‘mansplaining’.
I thought the aunties look too sexy. It posed an existential question: If that was the case, why would they come hunt Indian men?
Gonzoom is an expression of egotistical objectivity; to elucidate the concept I respond to my own story, illustrated by Debashish. The images make the whole liaison, at an emotional plain, look dreamlike, like Alice in 'God’s own country'. It’s more about how one feels rather than how it appears.
However, me, with a wild imagination, yet instinctively a journalist, is matter of fact about depicting the phenomenon. Darling aunties are well past their prime, but desirous, want love, ready to love, and to make it possible, they are open to some adventure, travelling to a far off country that can’t be more different. For, unfortunately, there are hardly any takers for them back home. Body image is such a big issue; fit and younger bodies make better lovers is not an unqualified truth—but is definitely a fixation.
To the contrary, here in the subcontinent, sleeping with a white woman is aspirational, akin to a medal of success or a certificate of good times. Age is a consideration, but not a barrier. Darling aunties, starved of attention, suddenly feel in vogue. The lack of experience of young Indian men is more than compensated by their zeal and zest to make love. They get to do new things, and, in the process, become better lovers. While the ‘gori’ aunties have a dream summer, get a tan in the tropical sun. Indian men, is the nature of the beast, get overly emotional about the whole affair, parting is painful.
All said and done, it’s a win-win situation. One shouldn’t just trade in goods and services, but also love, for greater cultural fusion and racial inclusion.
My sketches present a starker picture. A bare reality. Same phenomenon, but different interpretations. The story is effectively told, either way. We in Gonzoom consider the story and the storyteller as equal stakeholders. This is what we mean by egotistical objectivity.
