It’s so heartening that now virtually every family member (father, mother, siblings) has a day allotted when they’re recognized and celebrated for the sterling qualities they’re supposed to possess. On Father’s Day, even one’s ‘Old Man’ or ’Pops’ as some Senior Dads are sweetly addressed by their progeny, stand a chance of getting some honour as do younger one’s with tech savvy teenaged kids who are real netizens ! Because it’s the day for honoring one’s father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. This year, it happens to fall on Sunday, the16th of June.
So what’s special about this guy called ‘Dad’ that must be talked about. I’ve read a line that kind of explains it – “ It’s easy to be a father, difficult to be a Dad’ which seems to convey that despite being the ‘Family Chieftain’ he tends to remove the hierarchy gaps and treats others as independent units. More than that, daughters, long after settling into domesticity often claim Dads are their real ‘heroes’ and sons strive hard to move out of their big shadows and attain the respect that they once earned. Many of us, now grand-parents, haven’t been able to figure out what makes for a real ‘Daddy Cool’ ! Lives of great men do provide us role models but there is no one size that fits all and in the general scheme, ‘Fathers’ being only human, come in many shades with all their achievements & failings !
Also, there’ve been film-makers and writers who provided us with lovable ‘Screen-Dads’ and many of us found our own fathers in them. A big favourite of our times was ‘Dadamoni’, thespian actor, Ashok Kumar, who’d essayed many a memorable ‘Father’s role’ and more so in films of Hrishikesh Mukherji (like Aashirwaad and Mili etc). I’d chose the fun-loving and affable character he plays in ‘Khoobsoorat’ (1980) as most endearing. A powerless Family Head subservient but loyal to his wife, the matriarch and the family that she controls with discipline. He joins hands with new entrant Rekha in a cultural uprising against his wife’s strict regime, to ensure unfettered joy (‘nirmal anand’) for all ! .
While Hollywood movies have had their share of immortal fathers on their big screen (including the many wonderful versions of ‘Father of the Bride’), one film that overwhelmed for its adorable humour & pathos was Robin William’s ‘Mrs Doubtfire’(1993) that became a super hit across the globe. It’s the story of divorced actor without custody of his three children who tries every trick and decides to get entry into their house disguised as an elderly housekeeper to be able to spend time with them. Robin in an unforgettable role,makes you laugh and cry in his amazing portrayal as ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ !
Let’s not be judgmental. Most Dads are ordinary men who turn weak with love & emotional ‘atyachar’ but become protectors, heroes for their loved ones when challenged ! Happy Father’s Day to us all !
(PS : Picis of our Dad with Dadamoni at his residence in Mumbai in 1979-80s )
Working on Living 