Where is the boy who asked disguised Sonu Nigam’s permission before recording his voice in the video titled ‘Roadside Ustad’? Where is the youngster who said, “Aapse haath milana chahta hoon.” (I want to shake hands with you.) Where is the young man who discreetly slipped twelve rupees in disguised Sonu Nigam's hand as he shook it saying “Nashta kiya aapne?” (Have you had breakfast?).
This young man is the real hero, I say.
Sonu Nigam agreed to participate in a social experiment. The idea of the experiment was to inspire people to take moments out of their busy lives to appreciate music. To make them notice the little miracles that happen around them everyday but are ignored because of the pace we want our lives to have. Culture Machine thought Sonu Nigam was the best person to do it. His voice is well recognized and his songs have enthralled many in India and across the globe. Having him sing at a non-descript location as a non entity would be a good way to see if people made time for listening to the same voice that has millions swooning. Sonu Nigam agreed to dress up as an old, un-kept man and sing under a tree sitting on a scrap of jute. It was a first for him too, to see how people reacted to his singing only and not the complete package of his personality and persona.
The video released on Culture Machines digital channel, Being Indian, is of roughly four minutes and forty seconds and you see people walking by, briefly stopping to listen to the old man. These are all common people, who walk the by lanes of Mumbai going about their work, earning a living or working towards making the ends meet. No one has the remotest of idea that this old man in dark glasses playing an old harmonium is Sonu Nigam, way younger than what he looks and can afford way more than what appears.
A small slate board has ‘khojta kya hai, khushiyan yahin hain’ (What are you searching, happiness is here) scrawled in chalk right next to him.
I agree. Happiness is in the gesture of my hero who does an act of charity as naturally as blinking your eyes.
You don't need to have a lot of money to help someone. You don't need to have cameras clicking away as you hand an oversized cheque and you don't need you name engraved on the bench to announce your donation. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you have, what matters is that you are happy to share it. You need to have a heart to do it and the mind to do it at the right time.
Being Indian, this was a fantastic experiment to share, and you would agree that it was this youngster, normal walking on the street youngster, who made your video stand out and represent a powerful thought today. It is this inherent goodness of people that doesn't need limelight to surface.
‘Khushiyan Yahin hain, Happiness is indeed here.
