By Aparmita Das | SHILLONG:
It’s a clash of passions, where the battlefield isn’t just the cricket pitch but also the stage of melodies. In the cricket vs. music dilemma, fans find themselves torn between cheering for Rohit Sharma’s sixes and savouring the notes of Sanam and Ronan Keating. It’s a Hobson’s choice, indeed.
For those in Meghalaya, the Cherry Blossom Festival’s allure at Madan Kurkalang, Bhoirymbong competes with the roar of the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. The decision to attend a day filled with cultural melodies or witness the clash of cricket titans becomes a tough choice, reflecting the cultural diversity of choices.
The impact is evident in decisions to forego Sanam’s performance for the cricket finals. Rahul Sharma, a fervent cricket devotee, declares, “Cricket is my religion. I had a VIP ticket for day 1 of the fest which ultimately got carried to day 2 or 3, with Sanam, the artistes I bought ticket for performing today, but I can’t compromise with cricket. It’s an unwavering commitment to support the Indian cricket team…I’ve got to be there.”
The anticipation, the four-year wait, and the magnitude of the cricket event become paramount, overshadowing even the most enticing musical notes. It’s evident to cricket’s unparalleled stature in India, where it’s not just a sport but a cultural phenomenon that commands attention and allegiance.
Fairycia Mylliemngap, holding season tickets, faces a delightful dilemma: “I’m going to the fest. I can’t miss out on Ronan Keating and Sanam. Ronan Keating is someone I grew up listening to, and Sanam’s awesome. But it’s cricket we’re talking about—I can’t miss that either. The organisers are screening the match in the ground. So yes, I’ll see both.”
In the hypothetical clash of Keating’s “When You Say Nothing At All” and Virat Kohli nearing a century simultaneously, Fairycia reveals, “I’ll watch half and half. While the cricket World Cup with India in it is heart, music for Meghalayans is soul. I can’t miss any. If the organisers truly screen it, it will be a dream come true.”
In the lead-up to the India vs. Australia finals, Aussie captain Pat Cummins asserted, “The crowd’s obviously going to be very one-sided, but in sport, there’s nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent, and that’s the aim for us tomorrow.” The question lingers – will Indians truly be quiet?
The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is sure, the deafening roar of the Indian spirit will resonate not just in the cricket stadium or the Cherry Blossom Festival field but in every household across the country.