Black and White
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 30 Mar 2020
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service
There are many colours in nature but perhaps black and white are the most prominent. To be scientifically honest, white is a combination of different colours whereas black means their absence. However, it is common to refer to black also as a colour.
On the basis of these two colours we have genetically divided large populations of mankind — the white belonging to Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand etc.; the black peoples living in Africa and parts of India. Other peoples — those living in China, Japan, South America, etc. have skins that cannot be categorised into these two prominent hues.
The whites are generally rich, strong and domineering and have conquered the so called weak peoples of Africa and elsewhere. On this basis perhaps, we cherish and admire the white coloured people in contrast to those of the other colours.
However, the expression black and white has other meanings also. It refers to photos or films that preceded the corresponding colored entities. The term also refers to a written document in contrast to words that can be misinterpreted.
An interesting situation also exists where we cherish or find more attractive the black colour in contrast to white. How? Well, anyone who is getting old — fifty years or older finds the colour of his hair turning from black into white. Here the black colour suggests youth and the white colour old age. So there are all sorts of advertisements selling products that claim the blackness of one’s hair for longer periods of time.
This distinction perhaps is not too noticeable in the white people having white hair to start with — in such cases the people do not have black hair when people are young. I am not sure what sort of advertising is popular in these countries.
Hindi films are popular all over the world especially in the Mid East, and countries neighbouring India. These films have many scenes showing romance between the leading actors and actresses. One song became hugely popular showing the lady wearing black glasses and her lover crooning Gore rang par n tu itna ghamand kar (Don’t take pride in your white face …)
Another song, Gore gore gal par kala kala chashma…. expressing similar feelings for his beloved wearing dark glasses in the romantic scene.
This is not to suggest that romantic scenes in films can be played only with the actress wearing dark glasses. I am only pointing out the power of the expression black and white.
In today’s complex violent society power is expressed in terms of nuclear weapons and armaments that kill and mutilate large sections of people and our ecosystems. Let us confine ourselves to the non destructive, peaceful power of this expression.
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This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 30 Mar 2020.
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