The Politics Paradox: Love it, Hate it, or Escape it?

I just returned after voting for assembly elections which happened in Karnataka. This week my days mostly revolved around discussing politics, engaging in hot debates, and roaming the streets late at night for the major part of the league: T-1 day before the election (iykwim $$$), and it was all about POLITICS.

I'm a fan of the writings of renowned author S.L.Bhairappa. His way of writing style encompasses the lives of ordinary people, blending politics, religion, human values, society, science, art, and mythology in a simple, easy-to-read manner that allows me to effortlessly dive into his books. Today I wanted to switch into weekend mode with a movie from my list of "To Watch movies" and sat at midnight to dump my thoughts on this page. Most of the time, I find solace in either talking or venting to friends or writing, as it helps me find clarity.

Matadana (ಮತದಾನ), is a 2001 movie, based on a book written in the 1960s. It's a story that revolves around the lives of clever politicians, a doctor with positive ideologies, a powerful woman, and an honest contractor who ends up in tragedy after he helps a minister during an election. Despite being created in the 1960s, Bhairappa's vision for the future still resonates today. While all the characters in the story have their own significance, the character of the contractor - Ramalinge Gowda played by Anant Nag, resonated with me the most. Why? - Because I have spent most of my life around such individuals, like my father. I know how life can change from prosperity to misery with just one election. Just as the election in the movie alters the course of all the characters' lives, a similar election changed the trajectory of my entire life.

"Those who lost, just don't lose the election but a lot more including their ego, fortune, future,...and many more"

While I kept watching the movie, or while I was traveling back to my native to vote, numerous questions about politics flooded my mind. I now live in a metro and work at a flat-structured corporate org, I realize how little politics I have to encounter on a daily basis. I make decent money and come from a not-so-backward community which indirectly puts me in a position of privilege. A lot of peers around me end up staying far from politics, and we say "I hate politics". But, how much of it is untrue, and how close we are all knit in this world around politics - we fail to recognize.

Delving deeper into this thought led me to a dead-end, with no clear answer in sight. Should we engage in politics? Should we participate in all the games involving money, power, and manipulation? Or should I simply say, "I hate politics," stand in line to obtain a passport, and fly off to a distant land, far removed from all the political chaos? (Isn't the whole visa process itself a form of politics, after all?)

I still have many more thoughts and rants on this topic, but for now, I will bring this to a close. I'll be back with more political drama some time in the future. In the meantime, I recommend adding this movie to your "To Watch" list.