Shantadevi, Tendulkar and sacrifice

By John Cheeran
P Shantadevi has nothing to do with cricket or Sachin Tendulkar. Yet I bring up her name to illustrate a point and pain.
Shantadevi is what you would call a character actress in Malayalam movie industry. Someone, who has excelled in Amma (mother) roles in the last 10 –15 years in Malayalam movies, Shantadevi has a legendary past in theatre too.
All that matters little.
I recall a television interview with Shantadevi from last year where the interviewer asked Shantadevi Amma what a sacrifice was it for her to act in the past. Especially during her theatre days.
I was struck by her honest answer. Shantadevi said “Enthu thyagam mone. Avaru vandiuym kondu varum, njan pkoum, stagilu kerum, Paisa vangum, thiruchu porum. (What sacrifice, my son.. They will come with the van. I will go and be on the stage. Take the money and come back.”
Shantadevi’s already cracked voice rams home the point. To talk about having made sacrifices as a performer whether on stage or at the wicket is bullshit. There are no sacrifices involved there. No giving of your heart and soul there.
You perform and survive. No room for claptrap.
When will Tendulkar stop talking about his sacrifices for Indian cricket.
May be Tendulkar should learn what humility is at the feet of that Amma who lost her son long ago.