Extraaas!

One fine day, I was unwinding and watching the song “Baar Baar Dekho… Hazar baar Dekho” on the internet. The effortless lip sync and debonair mannerisms of Shammi Kapoor and ravishingly sensuous beauty of Shakila is something that keeps you glued to the screen throughout the song clip. I must have seen this song several times since childhood. And all the time, my attention has been held to ransom by the charm of leading stars of the song.

I never bothered to disturb my transfixed eyes that bathed in the glittery glamour of suave Shammi and stunning Shakila. I used to be smitten by the persona and charisma of these stars.

But this time the extras caught my attention. I noticed that their dancing rhythm and their synchronization with the tilt of the music is impeccable. They must have known that the cardinal attention of audience was the lead actors; despite that I couldn’t find even a wee bit of enthusiasm missing in their performance.  Being fully aware that applauds were all for the lead actors, they performed their act with all fire and flame.

Imagine, if these extras were not there, could we have had an electrifying song? 

On the auditory front we get to recognize only the voice of Md. Rafi but the contribution of the other musicians and chorus singers help create the magic of the music for the song and by no means this contribution is any less than the frontal visual and aural heroes.

Even after so much of hard graft, the recognition deceives these extras. I am yet to hear any Filmfare award for the extras. In life also the extras work hard to enhance the effect of the actors who are on the forefront but they seldom get the recognition that they deserve. 

I mean had we as a society been sensible to the role of extras in our lives we would not have so many old age homes in India. Had some housewife not wished to be a housewife, we could not have had so many doctors, engineers or scientists in this country. There is now a sense of pride is saying that somebody is a working mother but the contribution of a mother who is a housewife is no less in creating a human being that is beneficial for the society. Though, parents in old age should have been pivotal and integral to our concept of society, yet we have christened them extras by de-recognizing all of their contributions in our lives.

In every aspect of social life, the extras play a role that help people hogging center- stage, remain at that place for longer time. So, being extra doesn’t border on to being zilch but being extra is source to design a reach to a better world and better life. 

So…we must celebrate extras in our lives and not be ashamed if we ourselves are extras in life.

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