Breaking free from the shackles of mind: What freedom means to these renowned personalities

Heena Mehta

Today India celebrates its 74th Independence Day amid Coronavirus scare and while we are not free to step out, celebrate and rejoice physically in a group as yet, the pandemic cannot take away the freedom of our soul.

Freedom in today’s perspective acquires a different meaning for different individuals.

Freedom to hone and develop our skills, freedom to choose the work we want to do for living, freedom from servile attitude, body shaming or even giving away our happiness for others. Freedom is to value not only your own independence, but also respect others’ choice.

On that note, Top Lead India spoke to a few celebrated people from different walks of life who have created niche for themselves in their respective fields to find out what their ‘Idea of Independence’ is and what ‘Sense Of Freedom’ means to them.

Varsha Das, an acclaimed author, art critic and former director of National Gandhi Meuseum, Delhi describes Independence as a way of life where we live with dignity and also allow others to live with dignity.

Freedom from servile attitude

“It is a life of social and personal responsibility. You can value independence only if it demonstrates personal discipline and one’s duty towards people around. You liberate yourself from servile attitude and have respect for all in the society. The real meaning of Independence can’t be understood in isolation or by running away from one’s duties and responsibilities,” explains she.

The gifted theatre, TV and film actor, Delnaaz Irani finds sense of freedom on stage while performing for live audiences. Irani describes theatre as her first love which has laid her foundation as a confident actor.

“The feeling is beyond explanation when you perform for theatre enthusiasts. When you do what you have always dreamt to do, the feeling is automatically liberation,” asserts she.

The talented actress credits theatre and theatre goers for instilling in her the confidence and for fine tuning her performances. “I enjoy along with the audiences. Stage gives me sense of pride while performing for the viewers. The spontaneous feedback elates me, liberates me and motivates me to do better unlike TV or films where retakes are allowed,” says she.

Freedom to choose your favourite workout

Many may not know that Delnaaz also enjoys dancing and walking a lot. Even during the lockdown period, the actor did not hesitate to wear her dancing shoes and take up walking just to enjoy some ‘me time’.

“Most of my friends and family members suggest me to join a gym being on the heavier side but I reject their suggestion and in fact prefer participating in those activities which content me and give me immense pleasure both as an actor and a person. Dancing is the best way to shed a few kilos and to unwind the stress and so is walking. Who doesn’t want to be in the lap of nature? Freedom or independence lie in taking up those works which don’t burden you up and give you enough space to create a better version of you, “opines she.

Freedom is choosing your happiness

A well-known Marathi stage actor, writer and performer, Sushma Deshpande has been performing her solo piece for more than 30 years, ‘Vhay, Mi Savitribai’ (Yes, I’m Savitribai) which depicts the life of the social reformer Savitribai Phule.

Deshpande who has taken the commendable works of Phule across many parts of India, through her one-act play, feels that real happiness lies within ourselves. Whatever you bring outside reflects what you feel from inside. If a person is happily doing what he or she has always dreamt to do, then he or she is independent in true sense.

The actor expresses disappointment at the plight of rural women who are reluctant towards finding joy in their own lives. The actor who also has the credit of featuring in Marathi film ‘Ajji’ further opines that she aspires to reach perfection through her theatrical performances. With every stage performance, an artist gets better and tries to seek perfection to enjoy from within.

Freedom to question

Actor, filmmaker, theatre director, and communications consultant, Avijit Dutt, dons many hats. With films such as ‘Jolly LLB’, ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ and ‘No One Killed Jessica’ to his credit as an actor, this Delhi-based jewel enjoys a steady passion for theatre. Dutt pours his heart out and defines what ‘Independence’ and ‘Freedom’ mean to him. “Theatre questions. Engages to inquire. Both the practitioner and the audiences. So at a time like Independence Day one questions oneself. Can we take Independence for granted and breathe, in the certitude of ‘all is well’?,” questions Dutt.

Dutt further mentions, “The very notion of freedom brings up two questions of from what and whom; since the when is already a given on 15th August 1947. Freedom from a foreign power was fine. But do we really celebrate this freedom by habit or do we really mean it? If it was freedom from foreign dominance, then yes we have it but the fact is we still struggle for the freedom to voice our views and exercise the rights given to us by the Constitution. So even at the eve of Independence Day I wonder when we will be free of the narrow fractured view of our civilization. So that answers ‘the what’ but ‘the whom’ is still to be defined. Maybe to wake up in a new dawn that would allow us to debate, discuss, deliberate without being labelled anti national”.

Freedom from fear, violence and discrimination

Mrs. Archana Kaul, Secretary, Srijnatmak Manushi Sanstha, Delhi NGO, has a different take on Freedom. “Freedom is that one thing that we all take for granted. It’s only when have faced its loss, craved for it and struggled for it do we realise its worth. It guarantees our life, its liberties, all of which stem from our need for a life liberated from any colonial rule or bondage. Swaraj or self-rule, is as valid for the country as for one’s self. As a woman in today’s world, having seen the world sufficiently, I think there is a crying need for freedom from fear, violence and discrimination. Whatever our age, we are living under a shadow. Legal provisions are not enough to see its guarantee,” explains she.

Kaul further states that there is another freedom, away from the needs of body and mind and that is of the neglected soul. We have to be uncluttered and free to give a hearing to our inner calling that goes beyond the needs of self, family and work requirements. Maybe it also helps guarantee freedom for another, less free than me.

True freedom is to be able to freely gain knowledge

Mrs. Neelam Thapliyal, Treasurer, Srijnatmak Manushi Sanstha, Delhi NGO, has an artistic way of dealing with unprivileged kids since many years. Thapliyal who has been teaching kids various forms of art and craft feels art or any other form of creativity gives wings to the artist and transforms them for the better.

“True freedom is to be able to freely gain knowledge and develop one’s own potential and strengths. Art servers this purpose to the fullest as it is a medium of exchanging our thoughts in a most beautiful and effective way. This leads to social development and connects to our deeper self. It helps to evolve, unite, and is a true expression of being human. For this kind of true freedom, we definitely require freedom of expression,” says she.