Art and Agony

It is perhaps the irony of fate that some of the most brilliant and popular artists never earned the fame or money in the prime of their lives, a period when they could have 'used' it. This also brings another aspect of their lives that they mostly came from impecunious backgrounds. History is filled with the notorieties of the society that has often been unjust to the 'socially unacceptable' artists and non-conformists. On the other hand, some people may argue that if it wasn't for the hardships that stimulated the unyielding will of these artists, they wouldn't have peaked the way they did in their careers. An 'unfulfilling personal life' characterises many of these, who suffered from irascibility and faced tragedies in their later years.

Be it Van Gogh, Beethoven or Jane Austen - they had their shares of unfairness in life. While Austen did get to enjoy some of her fame, she had such a short life that seems so incredible given her mammoth contributions to English literature. Having died at a young age of 42, she created 6 masterpieces, that tell her own tale of unsuccessful personal experiences. But since she had control over her characters, she did not let them lose and share her destiny. As the character in the movie 'Becoming Jane' says, "My characters shall have, after a little trouble, all that they desire.", one cannot help but feel the subdued inner-landscape of the authoress. Van Gogh ended his life after suffering from some sort of mental depression; his last words were "the sadness will last forever." The musical Maestro - Beethoven - also died under mysterious circumstances and created trouble for himself and others in his last few years.

It is unfortunate that they could not beautify their own lives while redressing the wounds of millions.

sab kahan kuch

Sab kahan kuch lal-a-o-gul me numayaan ho gayin
khaak me kya sooratein hongi, ki pinhaa ho gayin

vaan gaya bhi mai to unki gaaliyon ka kya jawaab
yaad thi jitni duaayein, sarf-e-darbaan ho gayin

ranj se khuugar hua insaan to mit jaata hai ranj
mushkilein mujh par padi itni, ki aasan ho gayin

yun hi gar rota raha Ghalib to ae ahl-e-jahaan
dekhna in bastiyon ko tum, ki veeran ho gayin!

-Ghalib