NOSTALGIA

 NOSTALGIA

Nostalgia is a silent domain in every one’s life. Not that it is to be held back for self. But it can not be shared with every other person except with those who were associated with a happening. Unlike several other experiences which possess the value of advice, nostalgia does not serve the younger generation much. With all its irrelevance to the general public at large, nostalgia holds a place of pride in one’s mind. Human attitude is to share experiences.  In trying to recall the past, elders may earn the wrath of their own descendants as a worthless set of gossip mongers. Even the most articulate do not escape this label for the earnest attempt to share. Sharing the glimpses of nostalgia has to be discrete and occasional, or else it may turn bitter. If there is one thing that is enjoyable even in secluded privacy without any one around, it is nostalgia.  The dominant impact of nostalgia is helped by the very age of the incidence. It assumes a value which the holder alone knows. Greater value accrues to nostalgia which is chronologically older. Every incident in one’s life has a potential scope to turn nostalgic later. If only we recall the past, we can realize how much we remember in quantity and vividity. Ironically we tend to forget more important things and retain certain things for no specific reason. But, both good and bad are held in store while the human mind enjoys “replaying” the good.

What causes this?       Like many other phenomena related to the mind, nostalgia seems to be a human trait and   has no specific link to the intellect. It seems to exercise a hold on every normal human being. It is indeed amazing, if we consider whether we ever made any attempt to remember any of these instances that “reappear” instantly.[ De javu] The more we try to decipher, the more enigmatic it grows in our mind / brain. It gives the occasion to recognize the immense potential that the human brain has.                                There does not appear to be a definite reason for an event to turn nostalgic. In fact, even on a frail connection some items become memorable. So, it is all the more intriguing as to how our memory classifies to recall items not-so-important by our own reckoning. The logical inference is that memory can store items independent of desire. The dimensions of the phenomenon are even more amazing.  Many happenings that have no link may get associated in a fabric of nostalgia. One can quote umpteen examples in favour of this statement. One word recalls some person, one famous utterance recalled takes us down the memory lane quickly reassembling the entire array of things related to that event; a single photo image makes us relive our past, one particular voice readily pulls out from the depth several connected anecdotes, Old handwritings bring a doubtful delight of “have I done this?”, letters of the deceased carry the value as lone reminders. Old institutions stand as edifices that evoke a respect that is universally silent with a parallel feeling “ how would I repay this glorious system?”

There is an entirely different and vibrant sphere of nostalgia. That is a world by itself. I doubt if there could ever be any exception to it. That is the domain of old cinema songs. I have heard from people of various regions that old songs evoke a powerful emotional response and never seem stale. The adage “familiarity breeds contempt” has no validity here. The familiarity is so perfect that every perception stays focused. You drop decades in age, your mind takes you to that age of yours, recalls the entire company you were in, and brings forth an appreciation of the past which was not this enjoyable then. The appeal for the past seems to be rather common for most experiences. What possibly is the reason for such a common response?  I am unable to right away peg the reason.

It could be that simple things of the past have been suddenly lost in a sea of complexities. Where are our old friends? Are they all dead? They also have the same questions on us. All are living in their own fetters of life.  The innocent childhood is gone. The unselfish college days are continents behind. You are amidst unrelenting competitors. We are competing for an unknown target without a perfect aim. If the target is evading, the route is evaporating. We just have no idea of what is in store. It is a picture of gloom, but for the nostalgia. I do not intend maligning the present life. But the harder future would render this present memorable later. So, nostalgia is a tonic for the sagging mind to rejuvenate. Old contacts are more enjoyable. Old is gold. Value addition seems to have a time-dependence. Honestly, to live the present we need the past. If the old memories were to wipe out- say after 5 years, we would all be studying for the same degree, forgetting every thing. Now it may appear a fantasy. But, a life devoid of memory would dissipate all relations and commitments leaving us sheer living things without bondage. So much for nostalgia. None feels depressed at the nostalgia. Rather some pleasant feelings grip us for at least a while. Thus, recurring reminiscences add that essential “life” to our lives. Obviously nature has built in us a local facility called memory that works at no extra cost. Keeps our activities appropriately coordinated. Had it not been for this, we would be isolated with no scope to interact. After all, nature has provided the best for every situation. Though old, memory stays fresh than the person holding it. What a gift to all humans, with the value of a treasure.     

This write-up on nostalgia is my glorious tribute to that silent store

.                                                                                                                   Prof.    K. Raman