There was no longlist or shortlist. We did not think of any candidates. Obama and Malala, Psy and the late Steve Jobs were the favourites in several other nominee lists.
The country had fallen to new lows. First the Rape, then Modi. And then came some good news. Dayamani Barla got bail.
She was agitating on behalf of farmers against transfer of fertile land to build educational campuses in Jharkhand.
A victory for the masses. Until she is arrested again on some other flimsy ground.
Just like the knight. Who feels empowered that it can move two and a half squares, but in reality fails to touch the piece next to it. The perception of democracy. The pretence of mobility.
Which is why it was compelling enough to put the horse on the cover as ‘person of the year’.
It’s not unusual to have a horse on the cover, Time Magazine has done it time and again, with reference to race horses, Hollywood beasts, and at one point they featured the wealthiest horse in the world.
For us, the horse is a reflection. Of what we’ve allowed ourselves to become prey to, of giving in to our vanities, of allowing ourselves to be held over a rein, to be kicked and ridden, and finally to be euthanized.
The horse, which allows itself to be traded, to be tamed and trained, to be used for shows and displays, to be raced against its own for the benefit of others. The vain stallion, he gets flattered when the artist puts him into each and every of his paintings, or the story teller who loves to mystify him by giving him horns and magical prowess, the loyal war companion, the quintessential pet, the magnificent hurdle jumper, so tame, that it allows itself to be turned away from its own shadow. The sacrificial horse…
So easy to flatter, so easy to fool and so easy to use.
That’s us.
The wild horse could be a wonderful animal. Left unconditioned, perhaps it would run faster than the deer in the jungle. Perhaps it would create its own stunts and jumps instead of heeding to the bar of the hurdle. Perhaps it would roam with a rabbit standing on its back. Maybe it could create a jungle court where no one needs to be king. Open the stable doors. And set the horse free.
Have a happy 2013. Power to you.
