Unassuming, unpretentious, down to earth, modest- adjectives
that are you are most unlikely to use to describe a celebrity, a singing star. So
I was in for a pleasant surprise when I met my most favorite singer backstage
at the MTV unplugged concert in Dubai- all thanks to special friends Gopika and
Dev
What do you call meeting your most favorite artist and then
getting to tell him all that you have ever wanted to? Very good fortune, I
guess. For unlike any other fan meeting celebrity here getting an autograph and
the mandatory photograph, even though they happened, wasn’t really the
highlight of the meeting. It was in fact the opportunity to see the person
behind the star, up and close.
A normal person who, like all of us, laments about the lack
of time, due to a packed schedule, to do things that he would otherwise do…
A foodie whose eyes light up at the mention of food
recommendations and who can have an animated discussion on all kinds of
cuisines…
A musician who is passionate about his work and who is excited
about presenting his next creation to the world…
An artist who is seeking inspiration and finds it various
things … some verse he heard while watching a play, for example
The heir of a musical family who guards and carries forward
his legacy with so much pride...
And last but not the least, a man with a great sense of
humor who makes you laugh as he recounts funny incidents from his travels.
And then when post the meeting you watch him on stage- he
has transformed into this rock star. One who works the audiences and has them
swaying from the moment he starts singing. He mingles with the crowds, makes
them sings with him, talks to them, makes them laugh. His voice captivates
them, charms them… and they fall in love with it.
Are the two the same- the star on the stage and the gentle,
soft spoken man behind it? You begin to wonder. And they indeed are! He has got
to be one of those special people who are exceptionally blessed. For remaining
so grounded and humble despite the super stardom that he has attained wouldn’t
be possible otherwise.
