Nital - Crystal clear

          Nital - Crystal Clear 

Today after a long time, I watched a movie (Marathi movie) ... Nital (means Pure, Clear), which really touched my heart. A film by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar. It was so touching movie, which made me to think twice about the so called norms of the society. I thought I should really share my thoughts with you...It’s not a film review or critics or appreciation. But it is like a retrospection of what we are and what we pretend to be. 

Nital, which literally means transparent…one can see the base….so clear. It is a portrait of inner beauty, the inner self, which is hidden beneath the obviously visible outer coat-skin.

This is the story of a doctor (Neeraja), who is young and intelligent, ready to take in her life with full enthusiasm. But for Neeraja, the protagonist, the things are not as smooth as for others. She has vitiligo, white patches in her skin, on her face especially. After passing through the internal turmoil since her childhood, Neeraja has overcome her inferiority complexes. But the outside world is not as ‘human’ as it should be. When Neeraja enters into the very high class marathi family as a doctor, just a fear of her entry into thier home upsets these well educated people. For outside world, this family is a role model of ethics, traditions, culture and philosophy. But, when they realize the embrassment they might face after accpeting this girl, they just behave like average people with tremendous burden of customes and traditions of the society. As a film, it has happy ending...but it is much more than this..

        In our life we always wear one 'mask'. 'Mask' which is acceptable and appeal to many of those who are living around us. Recognition and respect are the driving force for wearing this mask. We usually like to be defined and characterized by this mask's properties.  When we start thinking about how to talk with other people in order to please them or to fit into the world's norms; we at that time stop talking to self. We create an image in social life which we cannot see in front of mirror. Our identities become split.      

        Social life and philosophy for social life is only restricted to social life, it never touches the personal life of human. We set very biased norms for our social and personal life. In social life we have nothing to lose except our image, but in personal life our desires, wishes, love, affection and wealth everything are at the stake. When we arrive at the entrance of home, we swiftly change the role and remove the mask. 

        Life is full of surprises and shocks. Our life is restricted with stereotypes of the world. We are not ready to come out of those stereotypes. A socialist, who is opposing the caste system in public life, unknowingly tells his/her son to marry a girl who is from same caste as his. If by choice or by judgment you are making the decision then its accepted. But, intentionally making such decisions is ridiculous. It’s not about castes, education or economical level or social level, it’s a question of basic acceptability. Are we open minded enough to accept these sudden shocks and surprises? Especially shocks...Because everyone loves surprise. 

        I too cannot confidently claim to be an exception to these set norms and format of the society. But, let’s try to bring synchronization in our thoughts and activities. Let’s try to be 'Nital -crystal clear' - touch the base of life. 

  --- Omkar Khare