Message and the Messenger

In an ideal world, an idea well reasoned with facts and logic should be able to persuade most if not all of its worth.But in the real world, most men and women are not inherently rational creatures but a mix of emotion and reason. So an argument is won not just on its merits but also how well it is articulated.

In a democratic system, the individual/party who can persuade a majority to vote for its policies has the power to implement the policies irrespective of its merits. So having the right message is not enough. It is equally important to have the right messenger. A good messenger is one who has ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos refers to the character or integrity of the person who is making the argument. Pathos is the ability to appeal to the emotions of the audience and make them identify with the messenger/message. Logos is the logic and reasoning of the argument supported with facts.

To sum up, for an idea to win critical and popular acceptance, both the message and messenger are important.

A tale of two heroes

The genesis of this blog came after watching the film 'Thalapathi' directed by Mani Ratnam starring Superstar Rajnikanth. The protagonist Surya (Rajni) is abandoned by his mother Kalyani (Srividya) since he is born out of wedlock. In the Mahabharata, Karna, the son of Kunti and Sun God (Suryan) is draped in a royal box and set afloat on a river. Surya is rescued from jail by Devaraj (Mammootty) and becomes his loyal friend and thalapathi (right-hand man). Duryodhana crowned Karna as King of Angada in return for his eternal friendship. Karna becomes his senapati (commander) after the death of Bhisma and Drona. Surya and Karna were both renowed for their generosity. Karna was charitable to the extent of parting with his Kavacha (armor) and Kundala (ear rings) to Indra (Arjuna's father) thus sowing the seeds of his own death. Surya clashes with his brother Arjun (Aravind Swamy) who is the collector and Karna's sworn enemy was Arjuna.

Subbulakshmi (Shobana) is unable to marry Surya for his lack of lineage and marries his brother Arjun. Draupadi objects to Karna's participation in her swayamvara on account of his being a sutaputra ( charioteer's son) and is won over by Arjuna. Kalivardan (Amrish Puri) tempts Surya to join him in return for glory and riches. On the eve of the Kurukshetra war, Lord Krishna reveals Karna his true lineage and asks him to join his brothers. Kalyani in a tearful reunion with Surya asks him to come back which he refuses but promises her Arjun's safety. Karna stands by Duroyadhana and promises Kunti to spare all the Pandavas except Arjuna. Karna is killed by Arjuna with the help of Lord Krishna whereas Surya kills Kalivardhan to avenge Devaraj's murder. Karna's life is that of a tragic hero whereas Surya becomes a redeemed hero.

The characters resemblance to the Mahabharata is uncanny. Surya-Karna, Devaraj-Duryodhana, Kalyani-Kunti, Kalivardhan-Krishna.