The joy of a good grumble

The New Yorker recently carried an article by its archive editor, Joshua Rothman, on grumbling. Joshua found it intriguing that while grumbling is basic human behaviour, for some reason people appear to be grumbling more these days.
When I thought about it, the veracity of the observation struck me. I grumble, my wife grumbles, my daughter grumbles, you grumble, my friends grumble, my acquaintances grumble, the shopkeepers grumble, journalists grumble, politicians grumble. Indeed, as a television anchor is likely to grumble and enquire soon, 'The nation wants to know why so many grumble'.
It is important to recognise that grumbling is an art. Indeed, one needs to indulge in a good and wholesome grumble rather than one that is of inferior quality and akin to a mumble. Only high-quality grumbles ensure that the 'grumblee' takes the grumbler seriously.
'Grumble' is derived in part from the French verb 'grommeler', which is essentially about gnashing ones teeth and muttering under one's breath. Indeed, the muttering needs to be loud enough for the discontent to be heard, conveyed and registered. On most occasions, grumblers are known to have a following, usually known as Grumblers United or in certain sophisticated communities as 'grumblites' or 'grumblians'.
Habitual grumblers would argue that grumbling can be addictive, appetizing and hugely satisfying. On such occasions, it is referred to as 'grumbilicous' to reflect its 'delicious' quality or 'grumstuous' to rhyme with 'sumptuous', signifying consumption of a large amount of satisfying grumbling. A hearty burp follows, which in elite circles and closed groups is referred to as 'grumblurp'.
Waltair Musings is usually a good example of such edifying moments and having written for the column over the past 18 months, I can testify to the profoundly gratifying sensation that good grumbling offers. I have grumbled about everything. Only grumblers read my grumble. Indeed, I shared my grumbling in an 'open letter to CM' and then, grumbled that the CM did not read it. However, fellow 'grumblites' in Vizag accepted me as a reasonable grumbler and that was very gratifying.
Joshua perceptively informs us that we need to learn to distinguish between 'grumbling' and 'complaining', where the latter can only create a crisis. The former, on the other hand, creates ambience and atmosphere. Grumbling, in other words, is an art form of profound proportions that has its rightful place in social interaction and human behaviour.
Grumblers are competitive. A grumble evokes a counter grumble and the superiority of one grumble over another evokes considerable respect and public adulation. Some examples would be: 'He grumbled so articulately about the King Kong statue on RK Beach', or 'What a smart grumble about Smart Vizag!' Following the division of the state, grumbles have begun to assume assertive identity as 'a Telengana or AP grumble'.
Many would argue that grumbling has now become a form of communication. A good grumble is seen as reflecting the perceptive thinking of the grumbler and when it is appreciated, of the equally receptive acumen of the 'grumblee'. The grumbler-grumblee relationship is not one I am going to grumble about. Indeed, I hold it in the highest regard and esteem.
Grumblers are recognised by their physical facial expression, especially when they are grumbling. Eyebrows come together, lips are pressed, double chins often become triple and speech is delivered with grunts, deep sighs and suppressed expletives. However, as one knows, mastering physical attributes does not necessarily produce a good grumble. Expression, like many economic policies, are a necessary but not sufficient condition for human welfare.
Grumblers are not argumentative. A good grumble is not seen as a good argument. Grumblers rarely explain why they are grumbling. Fellow grumblers understand a good grumble when they hear one. Indeed, while argumentative persons can be offensive, grumblers hold a much higher social standing. In India, being argumentative is identity, as Amartya Sen, so wisely concluded. This means that you cannot have a 'grumble-ative' Indian, as it would be self-contradictory.
It is worth considering what would happen if the scattered, though widely prevalent, species of grumblers could be brought together under one roof, so that 'grumblism' could be propagated and taught in schools. Imagine how wonderful that would be and how every argument would be elevated to the status of a grand grumble! We could even envisage a Grumble Cabinet and a Grumble Parliament held together by a Grumble Constitution that is presided over by The Great Grumbler.
Grumbling is a historical fact and yet, it does appear as if people are grumbling more these days. This is because the grumble is finally being recognised and heard. This is good news. The Age of Grumbling appears to be finally at hand.
Fellow reader and possible grumbler, if you were to ask 'what's in a grumble?' I dare say you would grumble. After all, a grumble is a grumble for a grumblingly good reason.
My daughter wondered if I wrote this in jest. I grumble strongly that I have not. To the reader, I say, 'grumble along'.
(The writer is a retired diplomat-turned-writer. He can be reached at amit.dasgupta2013@yahoo.com)