Brevity, Uncertainty and Fragility of Life!

Yesterday, the super star actress and heart throb of millions, Sridevi passed away. The media reacted with unprecedented intensity. People from all walks of life – especially film industry heavy weights – expressed shock and disbelief. Even political leaders including the Prime Minister expressed sorrow. She was 54.

On 25^th March, 2018 at 10 pm, she was at a wedding party, dressed up like a queen, vibrant, dancing with her husband, the center of attraction of the elite crowd of influential successful people in Dubai. By 4 am she was lying lifeless, motionless, draped in a white garb. No more a person but a body. The body lay there alone on a stretcher. Pictures circulated around the world on social media showing both scenes. She has 1.4 followers on twitter and her facebook fans page has nearly two hundred thousand likes. Millions around the world adored her beauty and acting prowess. Sridevi started acting at age 4 and since then she has been an acclaimed actress and ‘super star’. It all ended in a moment.

Although everyone knows that death is a unavoidable reality for every single living being, we don’t remember that fundamental truth unless we face the death of a person whom we know, love or adore. The shock is much more when we call it ‘untimely’, and ‘unexpected’.

In India this was the shocking news on February 24, 2018. In the USA, there was another high-profile death. Ninety-nine-year-old Rev. Billy Graham passed away after prolonged illness on February 21, 2018. He was a celebrity too. He was on first name basis with about 12 American Presidents and a close friend of numerous other heads of state around the world. His death didn’t cause much of a shock as it was expected for several years. He had withdrawn from public life since 2005 and was suffering from Parkinsons and other age-related illnesses.

Both these people made lasting impressions in the minds of people. Across geographies, across cultures. Legends of their generation in fields of their work. For totally different reasons, they influenced people.  One with acting dexterity and looks. Other with words of spirituality and wisdom. Some people do say that Billy Graham’s looks and voice had an influence on his popularity along with his charming, yet unassuming demeanor. Sridevi had to only say things that others wrote for her. Her portrayal of a character in a movie had nothing to do with her own beliefs or opinions. Her popularity skyrocketed automatically as more and more people viewed her on the screen. Billy Graham also reached masses through the media but his message was personal and his oratory at large meetings is what made him popular. They both created ripples through half a century or more of public life. People were keen to know their opinion on topics, reactions to situations, advices on social issues. That influence is sure to go on for several generations. Maybe, even thousands of coming generations. Time only will prove my opinion.

Then of course, there were thousands and thousands of deaths during this span of 4 days between these celebrity deaths. Young and old, able and weak died in mansions and street corners. Natural deaths and fatal accidents happened in all parts of the world. People of all sorts of hue and color, religious beliefs, political affiliations, abilities, social status. Mourned by near and dear. Reminding those around them – and all of us - about the brevity, uncertainty and fragility of life.

The reality is this moment we are in. We perceive the present. We are uncertain about the next moment. However, we have been given this innate ability to be oblivious of the fragility, so that we can carry on our lives everyday. But the wiser among us, take time to stand back for a few moments once in a while and reflect on the big picture. It will help us to be realistic. That is, make us shed our puffed up ego, look at others more compassionately and stop following others on a mindless rat race. That will help us also to enjoy the present moment to the fullest!