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Politics or performance art?

Rubana Huq
WITHIN
200 feet of the Banani Graveyard, there were at least 50 posters of a "valiant freedom fighter," "a haji” and the ruling party's local "ex
general secretary" of that particular thana, expressing his "deepest respects" to Bangabandhu through his deftly photoshopped smiling mug shot which could have passed off as an advertisement of Colgate instead of a token of grief. August is indeed the cruelest month for Bangalis, but it is highly unacceptable to watch a senseless parody of appeasement through local leaders sponsoring and printing the grief banners with their own names and photos in banners (which cost 1200 taka per piece), gate d^cor (Taka 50000), posters (1800 taka per 100 pieces), billboards (Taka 12000) and spend another 100-500 on purchasing gum, ropes, people and engaging a van that is on rent at the rate of Taka 200 per hour to go around pasting their items of self promotion. Is this how we grieve for our Father of the Nation? Is this how we deal with our most unfortunate closures? Most unfortunately, many of these local leaders have learnt to walk but have no sight of their end goal. There is a lack of purpose here and the need to serve the people is no longer exists in their platter. What they don't realize is that these moves don't impress the voters and these don’t secure their political lives and that, at the end, only purpose prevails and the end goal must be in sight.
Not long ago, Shahbag movement had gained a momentum. Unsure of sustainability, many seniors were advising the rebellious, dreamy bunch that the movement should have a specific time frame. The roads were not expected to remain occupied for too long; the regular people thronging to the site on their way back from office reminiscing their 1971 moments were not expected to gather forever. But then what? How could one close an awakening? How could one, in pure faith, foil their dreams and tell them that strings were being tied to them and very soon, the puppeteers would be taking the central stage and that they would soon be divided amongst themselves, inviting controversy and paling in relative oblivion...in no time.
When Imran Khan, theTehrik-e-Insaaf chief vouched for justice over the simple concept of "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan” (a 1974 Indian Bollywood film) back in February 2010, people believed him and voted 34 of his members to the National Assembly in 2013 elections. So when Imran and Dr Qadri moved towards the D-Chowk last week and threatened to march on the Prime Minister House, the
government invoked Article 245 and troops began looking after the security of Islamabad. Imran's Azadi March seems to have suffered a blow while within PTI, leaders themselves debate on whether to stick firmly to their main demand of the prime minister's resignation or be flexible. Currently PTI is pressing for just a probe to Nawaz Sharifs role in "rigging” the elections last year. On ground, the Imran march was drummed up by media support from houses like GEO, which was taken off air for 15 days a few months ago. The screen is still sensationalizing Imran's stand, while the PTI chiefs backchannel contact with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, continues.
In reality, while Imran Khan, draped
depend on stunts rather than on actual negotiation? What is the ultimate destination? One perhaps also needs to tell them that there is a thin line between politics and performing art and that perhaps, when lacking in political conviction, one ought to choose the latter.
The Serbian born performance artist, Marina Abramovic, once drove a car in a circle for 16 hours. She is one of the biggest stars in the contemporary art world who became a legend at MoMA, when half a million people visited her show, waited patiently in line for hours to sit on a chair opposite the artist and stare into her eyes. She herself sat in the chair for 7oo hours and 'sitting with Ms Abramovid' became the most discussed New York event. Today is the last day of
in white kurta and with a red/green stole draping his "kaptaan" frame stayed on top of the container, hoping that the moment was his, like many in South Asia, I stayed glued to the Geo TV screen and fed my daughter medicine which had expired two years ago. Ironically, just like the neglected Nyquil bottle on the medicine rack, rebellion must also come with a shelf life. That is the ultimate truth. Leaders must have a sense of their path, draw a route map and pledge rebellion or unflinching loyalty.
A few days, a labor leader was vowing a similar rebellion against the owner of Tuba Garments and finally concluded that she would now go to the court. The owner ofTuba had no work since May and closed the factory down, took the help of all quarters, got the bail and then finally declared closure. Instead of lobbying with specific authorities on compensation, the labor leader has opted for a muddy battleground where the route would involve giving "hope" to a few workers and somehow fuelling the rebellion and agitation and gaining advantage of a massive media exposure. Does the report card of a trade union
her being at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens where Abramovic's only tools will be herself, the audience and a selection of items that she may or may not choose to use. Upon arrival, visitors will leave their baggage behind, literally and metaphorically, and simply join the artist. Bags, jackets, electronic equipment, watches and cameras are not allowed. With every move, her audience will move with her and become the performing body, participating in art. By practice, Abramovic borders on the absurd while the diligent art critics write volumes about her. But Art is absurdly challenging and so is Politics. At the same time, it may seem equally difficult to understand a piece of art and a piece of politics. And.. .there may be times when even a performance artist will have more to offer to the followers when the performance comes to an end, while the undecided politician often gropes in the dark, marches towards uncertainty, pipes in vain and drowns the followers... himself unable to either declare war or subscribe with faith.
The writer is Managing Director, Mohammadi Group.