30 Dec 2007 Sunday, 0600 hrs
The alarm sound from Vikram's watch broke the silence of the room and stops his long thought which was going on in his mind for the past 1 1/2 hrs. He realised that its 6 in the morning. He got up from his bed, had a look at Ramya's face. He made sure that he would not change his mind. He started brushing with the same thought in his mind. By the time he finished brushing, Ramya kept his juice on the dining table. He finished it within a second and started wearing his jogging kit. Ramya asked him to come back soon and not to keep thinking about it. He replied " Sure dear, I would mind my steps "
Though he took his iPod with him, he did not want to listen to any music that morning. He kept jogging and did exactly what Ramya asked not to. He thought,
he should make a decision before he returns home. He was much slower than his usual speed. He thought he should sit and think about it. Also, he did not want to sit in his usual place. He did not want any of his jogging friends to be with him. He saw the right place to be alone and to make a decision. He knew, he had decided already. He just wants to think about the consequences of his decision. He thought his popularity might get affect cos of his decision both ways. Either, his fans would go wild or just praise him for a great piece of work. He also had Ramya in his mind. Ramya had always been with his decision so far. This was the first time she actually hesitated to say yes. She in fact, convinced him not to go for it. But he kept explaining his thoughts. He remembered that She finally agreed by saying " As you wish ".Those 3 words gave him the confidence. He started jogging back. He reached home in less than half the time he took to reach that point. Ramya was happy that
he came back fast. One of the things that she loved in him. He always wanted to be fit and healthy. However, she thought he was not going to make a healthy
decision in his life. She started the conversation again. "Looks like some one has taken a decision". He did not hesitate to reply "YES".
He said that two more times. With such a response, Ramya could understand that he has taken the decision in his favour. She had to go with him. She has never been against him all these years. She simply wanted to support him in whatever he does. Photography has given him all the fame. But he has never tried anything like this one before. He has a good name and has his own fan following. There are lots of people who respects him as a human being. Ramya is afraid that he would lose all of them once he gives such a bad show. However, She knew the reason behind it. She was little proud of it as well.
While in showers, he revised all other alternatives that were helpless. By the time, there was a reminder knock from Ramya at the door. He remembered that he got to be out soon. While having break fast he really confirmed his decision and went on to implement all his plans. He called up to book the usual hall where he launches all his gallery. This time its special, its controversial. He called up his own printing studio and told them he would be coming with the CDs. Then he told himself " First time, I am spending no money on film rolls and only on printing them "
He had some animation work to be done on all the photos that he downloaded from the web site last night. He did not want to show the faces of those people.
Yes, last night he downloaded all the nude pics that he found from that popular social networking website. All he had to do in the studio was to morph the faces of those nude models. He did not want to reveal them. He did not take any foreigners pics. He wanted to show people that all stuffs are done in India and by Indian models as well. He felt bad that none of the pictures were of his style, technically. All the morphing were done in less than a hour.
Now its his time to print them. As he did that, he also printed some hundreds of entry forms and feed back forms. He knew that the feed back form would really be annoying for the visitors. But he made sure that there should be one and did not mind about any kind of feed back. He picked all the pieces and drove all the way to the usual community hall. At the entrance, he got the usual salute from the security guard. Everyone reminded him that how much of respect he has earned in the society. At least in photography circle. He was gonna try something weird now. He had to explain a lot and all his ideas to the chief secratary. He looked little convinced and more confused. He did not want to take risk. He said "I suggest you not to do this as well. Not anywhere. I'm scared that you would lose all the goodwill you had earned all these days. There are lots to achieve. You have got the skill, do not wash away that by doing this."
He simply got up and said "thanks for the suggestion, and yeah, thanks for those caring words" He left with a smile on his face. He decided that he would do this in his own studio. He drove back to his studio. He had to clear a lot of things to give space to all pieces. In the end, he had to reject few odd pieces from the list, so that there would be enough space for the people to roam around. He wondered whether people would be roaming around on seeing all these nonsense pieces. He had to finish off all these things before 1500 hours. So that he would start spreading the message. One of his employees went around places to start spreading the news about his upcoming New year special Gallery. In fact, this time it was much hyped than any other of his shows. Usually his show never required any such hype. However, people did not bother about the hype. They were simply scheduling themselves for his show as they did for his any other show.
31 Dec 2007 Monday, 0600 hrs
Again the alarm broke the silence in the room. This time, He was sleeping without worries. He woke up and left for his morning jog. As soon as he came back,he called up and made sure everything was set at his studios. He was so busy with this, that he did not spend much time with Ramya. He thought he would go for a long trip once everything goes well. He knew that the trip would please her. He needs one break as well. While he was thinking about it, He got the first WISHES through an SMS. One of his friends had seen the ad in a web site and responded immediately. His fans are excited and are completely surprised as this was an unexpected show. There were no talk about his gallery as he had put up one just few months ago. He started receiving calls in his studios, close fans were unhappy that he did not tell them about this surprise. He could not answer them. He simply said sorry.
1st Jan 2008 Tuesday , 0900 hrs
People were very curious about two things. One, Why he did not put up in his usual Hall, and the next, why no sample pieces are put up outside his studio also in none of his Ads. There were many other professional photographers who had arrived as usual. They were surprised to see the feed back form this time. He had never done that. Except for his first public gallery show.
Once the hall was open, people started getting in. And they were shocked to see each and everything they had seen. Some wise fans could understand that he has a point this time. Still they were disappointed that they had this kind of show at the beginning of a new year. There were lots of elder fans for him. They were all totally ashamed. In fact, he had many aged people as fans. They thought they had been following a bad guy's art so far. He was not in the hall till now. He started getting calls in his office already. Some people had called up press, to witness such a nonsense. They were so eager to fill the feed back form. One 78 yrs old lady had filled it saying "I had travelled 250 Kms just to see all this. I have nothing else to say. I will never come out to any such show." She was supposed to be the best fan he has ever had. He always said that. Because, she had travelled every time he had put up his show.
Press people wants all the model to be called and to be sued along with Vikram. Finally he came out of the office and told the press people to have a
conference along with his fans in his own studio.
There were lots of obvious questions from all sorts of people. He did not answer any Of them.
Then he started explaining everyone one ...
" I would like to apologize everyone for such a beginning of this new year. I know many people must be angry and I would like to tell you all that none of the photographs were taken by me. I was really terrified like you all, when I saw these things in my own PC. Yeah, I could see these things in one of the famous social network website.
I saw one of the feed back forms, I have always respected her. She is the eldest fan. She said she had to travel around 250 Kms to see these nonsense things. I will tell you one thing respected madam, You grandson and granddaughter need not travel all the way to see all these things. They are just one click away from this nonsense. I tried a lot of way to protest against this in the same website. This website is one of the best of its kind in bringing old friends in touch and bringing lots of alumni meets in schools and colleges. One of the successful network websites of its kind. So I thought of bringing many people to my side by sending lots of messages. I did not get any response at all. I emailed many of my friends, they were all too busy for this. They were not bothered about this at all. I could understand their busy schedule. But I was unable to leave it like this. So I decided to bring people to my own studio. I know none of my fans will leave this easily. I know no followers of any art would take this easily. That's when I decided and had taken a high risk. I am very sorry
once again. Now, I know, whom all of you would target at. I hope everyone would show the same anger to the other powerful i Media. You all can definitely make some difference. I request you all to forgive me once again for using all of you and your valuable time. Thanks for being kind to me so far. I expected a lot of violence than a formal press conference. I love you all. Thanks and don't let your anger go away so easily. "
After his speech, there was absolute silence. Then it broke when that old respected woman fan applauded with her soft and old hands.
20Th Jan 2008 Sunday , 0600 hrs
This morning, there was no alarm sound to break the silence. Vikrams were getting ready for a trip to Goa. :)
