Thinking about The wedding...just reinforced what I've always believed - people need these kind of events as Spirit-Lifts. I know the state of the world economy is worrisome, and there are many more people without food, clothing or shelter than with, and yet, for a few fleeting moments one felt raised out of one's self...Cynics and gloom-and-doom prophets must have had a field day trashing everyone and everything, but at the end of the day, I do believe, it was the spirit of the common, very ordinary people that felt lifted... . Many had come from other cities and countries and camped overnight (some for days), around Westminster Abbey, thousands lined the streets along which the various processions moved, millions around the world, far, far removed from British Royalty, watched on tv. Everyone had only one thing in mind - they wanted to participate in this fairytale wedding of Kate and William. (Do we ever lose our fascination for fairy tales?) For one brief moment, they shared something beautiful and glorious, heard the most ethereal music, and were a part of history. It was a great Spirit-Lift. These are the people who went to sleep with stars in their hearts...
It is the same emotional response that we have towards our own erstwhile royalty. Why did we spontaneously refer to Gayatri Devi as Rajmata right to the end? Why has the coronation of 12 year old Sawai Padmanabha Singh caught the fancy of the public? Why do we, given a choice, want to stay in palaces-converted-to-hotels? Why are we enthralled by the magnificent forts the Maharajahs built? Why do we spend so much time, money and energy on our puja pandals, why do we celebrate our National Days with so much pomp and ceremony and fanfare?
These are all Spirit-Lifts...and...we need them...