Taming the Tiger

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">Book launch <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">ho, to aisa</span>! Oh! How green were my gills as I sat in front of the magnificent Gateway of India on a sultry summer night, waiting for the unveiling ceremony of a "photo biography," chronicling the life of one of the most controversial Indians of our times — Balasaheb Thackeray.Over a thousand awestruck people watched the super production that included lasers, especially compos-ed music, two gigantic mock-ups of the book, countless cameramen, a galaxy of movie stars, heavy-duty security arrangements... and of course, the main protagonist himself.<br /><br />The tiger was expected to roar, claw and tear a few opponents apart. Alas, it was a tame performance from a man who once held Mumbai to ransom and had mighty opponents shivering in their shoes. "The media will be angry today," he mocked, with a tired wave of his hand, "nothing happened between Sharad Pawar and me... we didn''t give you anything to write about." How right he was! That''s media for you, not just here in India but all over the world. Nobody wants to cover a "tame" event. Journos want <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">masala</span>. Action, quotes, controversies, fights. And when the event is billed a "historic" one (getting two warring politicians to share a platform after 23 years of acrimony and name calling), then one does expect fireworks. The only time sparks flew that night was when the skies behind the Gateway lit up with a display of real pyrotechnics. The crowd would''ve preferred a verbal version of the same. Has Balasaheb mellowed? Is that possible at all? I''d argue that he has. It''s entirely possible. Ironically, Balasaheb taunted his old friend George Fernandes, who the Tiger felt had wasted away after going to Delhi. Fernandes could''ve retaliated by pointing out that perhaps the same was equally true of Balasaheb himself, who''d chosen to stay put in Maharashtra.<br /><br />While Pramod Mahajan played attentive nanny to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pawar looked restless and detached most of the time. It was Lata Mangeshkar whose diamonds dazzled under the lights, as she spoke in her little girl voice about spending hours in Balasaheb''s company being entertained by his mimicry. Amitabh Bachchan sensibly stuck to a safe path by reciting his own father''s poem and dedicating it to Balasaheb. The person who was rendered completely speechless (literally, so!) was Uddhav Thackeray. His mute presence on the dais was eloquent testimony to the family equations and the real balance of power.<br /><br />There were brothers and brothers, everywhere. Brothers to the right of me, brothers to the left of me. One side Mukesh, another side Anil (lots of buffers in between), brothers on stage (well, cousins, actually), Raj and Uddhav in their respective corners, and several interested observers watching closely. Balasaheb''s sardonic wit was evident in small bursts (alas, too few of them), as he fired salvos at everything — from Indian Idol to Valentine''s Day. "This is the age of idols, there are idols everywhere... Bhandup Idol, Mulund Idol, even Baramati Idol..." Pawar didn''t blink. But he didn''t laugh either. Hmmm, noted the press. That was significant — no laughs. <br /><br />The driving force of the event, Balasaheb''s nephew Raj, decided to go the whole six yards at the presentation ceremony. After handing over the gigantic book to his larger-than-life uncle, Raj knelt down and reverentially placed his head on Balasaheb''s feet. Uddhav played "statue". Shiv Sena supporters sent up lusty cries of support, even as stupefied invitees wondered what the politically correct response to that would be: Clap or give a standing ovation? Fortunately, the national anthem was announced. And everybody had to get to their feet, anyway. As for me, I was trying hard to reach my publishers. Come on, guys. Get those lasers. Hire the Red Fort. Commission a sound-track. Opponents and fireworks? Leave that to me. No shortage of either in my life.</div> </div>