If there was a biography about you, what would the title be?
In a reflective conversation between Rakesh and his aide Shah, the idea of writing Rakesh’s biography emerges, prompting introspection about life experiences. Shah believes that recounting Rakesh’s struggles and victories will inspire others. Despite Rakesh’s hesitance, thinking his life is ordinary, Shah reassures him that the journey of overcoming challenges holds value. They conclude with Shah suggesting a title which amuses Rakesh. The discussion emphasizes the significance of personal stories in connection to broader societal experiences.
One of his closest aides once laughingly told Rakesh that he wanted to write his Biography. Rakesh guffawed. ” Are you serious?” he asked his aide Shah in an endearing tone.
“Yes,” replied Shah in a sombre tone, looking at the horizon. It was a pleasant afternoon. The sun had become balmy and winter had already said adieu. The azure sky looked stunning with streaks of clouds which were as thin as a wisp. The vagabond clouds were drifting carelessly in the sky, presenting a good sight. Yet, they were not only beautiful but seemed to convey something.
“Why,” Rakesh asked Shah after waiting for some time. Shah’s pause after conveying affirmation seemed long to him. “What made you write my Biography,” Rakesh continued and stopped for a while to get the response of Shah.
Shah was good at writing. Rakesh knew it, but was this the cause Shah expressed his wish to write his Biography? Rakesh became curious. He looked at Shah who was still staring at the horizon. He seemed lost in his thoughts and the scene. Shah did not answer, nor did he look back at Rakesh, who was silently observing him after putting his question.
“Look at the clouds,” Shah said dreamily in an audible whisper. He said, “The clouds look like a drifter, but contribute a lot to the cause of Nature and human society,” and he finished his sentence. Looking at Rakesh with a deep penetrative eye, Shah started speaking again, “A human has many things in the offing. It has to be explored and brought to the people,” he concluded.
“Was it the answer to my enquiry?” Perplexed Rakesh asked and said, “I still couldn’t understand your purpose in writing my biography,” Rakesh finished saying and waited for the reply. There was, nevertheless, a lull. Shah did not reply and kept staring at the sky. A deep scar of curiosity emerged on the face of Rakesh. He knew Shah and his nature.
Acquainted that what Shah says usually has a meaning, but his proposal to write a biography, that too of Rakesh, was something that puzzled him. He did not react back to Shah on his silence. Instead, he started enjoying the vibrant flowers and the kaleidoscope of butterflies. Both of them kept mum.
The floral heads were swinging happily. Both of them were quietly enjoying the serene environs. “See, as I said, every one of us has something unique,” Shah started saying after a long pause. “The story of struggle, frustration, hopelessness, fall and then uplift is encouraging to those who are passing through that phase,” he said in a soft but rather firm tone. Without making Rakesh wait, he continued speaking, “The story of struggle is tedious and painful. Repeated failure, the heartbreaking taunt of relatives, and their summary dismissal break a person from inside,” his voice was quivering. Shah was visibly charged emotionally.
Rakesh was listening to him with rapt attention. He, nevertheless, still was not capable of making out the reason for writing a biography. What he knew about biography was that it is a real story about a person which describes anyone and the turning points in his life. The narration can be in a story form or plain text like a documentary.
A biography is a literary account of anyone’s life depicting major incidences, life-changing experiences, struggles and coming out victorious from the ashes of difficulties and dejection. The biography is written by someone else; hence, it can be an authorised or unauthorized account, and it can be historical or about a celebrity person.
An authorized account is that which involves the person about whom the biography is being written. In such a case, authorized personal accounts of happenings are available; otherwise, they are not available to other authors. Here, there is almost no scope for the personal opinion of the writer.
The conversation between Rakesh and Shah indicates that Shah was aware of most of the happenings of his aide Rakesh. Shah wants to obtain the concurrence of Rakesh. If Rakesh grants him permission to write his biography, Shah will then approach his personal experiences that can help readers.
Shah was aware of the various ups and downs of Rakesh’s life. He has seen how Rakesh used to get frustrated with his repeated failures. He would brood silently, sometimes weeping alone. Shah had seen him wiping his eyes when he entered the lowly lit room of Rakesh and had made him realize the harsh reality of life.
Shah was convinced that the struggle stories, his rise and fall and the overcoming of Rakesh from negativities would be an encouraging saga for the youths of the current. As a writer, he knew how to show anyone’s personal story and how much needed to be divulged or hidden.
Shah also understands the inhibition of Rakesh as he is not vocal or a garrulous person. He was a simple, kind-hearted and down-to-earth person who did not add feathers to his hat. Rakesh was unable to grasp if his story would make an impact or not. As usual, he was apprehensive about the nature of his story. “There are millions of people like me. What is different?” he asked Shah.
The mental duelling of Rakesh was clear to Shah. He smiled and said, “Dear me! I have considered every point,” and looking appreciatively at Rakesh he further said, “It hardly matters if the work gets recognition or not, people like it or not. I want to do it and please allow me to take it up,” Shah concluded.
The conversation ended there, but the duo kept talking about various aspects of life. A simple man, Rakesh wanted to see a decent life for his compatriots. He was satisfied with the way things were working in his country. He was hopeful for a better tomorrow.
After having a fruitful and rewarding conversation, Shah enquired about the title of the biography and said, “This book is a biography of a person who is simple and down-to-earth, the suitable title would, I think, should be THINKING OUT LOUDLY: BIOGRAPHY OF A COMMON MAN,” said Shah. Rakesh laughed heartily. They shook hands. The sun had gone down the horizon. It was time to part. Holding each other’s hand, Shah and Rakesh came to their cars. The engine cranked, cares roared and rolled on the road.
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