Khushwant Singh and Living

No, this one is not about longevity, though Khushwants' life certainly has a tip or two on this aspect. My fascination with this man is the "Khushiness" ( Hindi for joie de vivre) that he exhibited in the public domain. My earliest remembrances pertain to the Illustrated weekly which, within months of his stewardship, became the most sought after magazine in the early sixties if memory serves me right. Since then, close to  half a century Khushwant dominated the literary scene in India. 

In a career that also included politics and  law, besides journalism, Khushwant lived to the "full" - the Frank Sinatra type of fullness-

"I've lived a life that's full

I have traveled each and every highway

And more , much more than this 

I did it my way"

The debate on the purpose of life , of atheists and theists ( and agnostics as Khushwant was) would continue over generations. For me the crunch time is when the end is nigh and you  get the opportunity to reflect on 60+ years ( if He decides on me sooner rather than later), not as a report card , but as a journey traveled over time, how am I going to "feel"? With death minutes away , this analysis at one level is weird. However, even presently, with time sometimes hanging heavily and uncertainties on the family front looming large , I am increasingly ruminating on the lessons from the past. I empathise with our Bollywood machos staring at me from their  TV commercials asking "Have I made it large?"

For me the largeness is not from a wealth or  materialistic perspective. The question to myself is "Have I had a satisfied existence?" I think that is a fair question. Having achieved the pinnacle of evolution, with a discriminating mind, with an intellect that can create , with feelings of joy and sadness, how satisfied am I as a homo sapien, in the utilization of  mind, intellect and feelings? The more I ask myself this question, the more I am convinced that satisfaction depends largely on my impact on others. In my view Hitler led a "wretched" life , his megalomania and personal hatred dominating his life, rather than the wellbeing of people. Khushwant on the other hand must surely be satisfied having spent everyday of his life in the midst of people , be they a small group in his later years , or a huge reading class during his novelist and journalist days. 

That is what Khushwants' life teaches me. His ability to socialize, to mock at himself, the never ending collection of jokes to keep others merry, his finding meaning in the humdrum of daily existence so well portrayed in his columns ( Only a Khushwant could think of "With Malice to one and All" as his column title!), are qualities that point to  a life well spent. A report mentions that he had his daily evening meet on the very night he passed away!

Khushwants life also teaches me that it is possible to keep Family a private matter. How many know that he had two children , and that his wifes name was Kawal ( thank you Wikipedia!). Compare this against the dynastic tendencies in even a first time MP or MLA in our country! 

Perhaps a Scotch a day ( or a cigar for Churchill) has a link to longevity. So be it. For me Khushwant symbolises the way life must be "lived" - in the midst of people , in bonhomie, with merriment and Bindaaz ( when is that word going to make the Oxford?).

Thank you old Sardar....and agnostic as you are, I believe you still are present amongst us in your books, columns and jokes. Yes Sir, Khuda Hafiz...        

         

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