Sixties is Sixty!

On the verge of turning 60, I have to say that life was less complicated during my formative years of Sixties and Seventies. Not for me alone, but almost everyone. This is not about the childhood or adulthood during those decades. The speed of life was much slower for everyone. There were no balance sheets, no ‘smart’ employees to manage, no targets, no ambitions, no office, etc. for me. In school too, it was less complicated. We did not have the too many parental expectations, to be able to recite one small poem before dad’s friends was enough to be viewed as a smart boy. The fashion, food, holidays were less complicated too. You knew exactly where your next holidays would be… in granny’s village. Not to say that the change is for good or bad. But it has happened.

Today, we would celebrate the decade of sixties. That I was born wasn’t the only great thing that happened during those times. Scarcity gave birth to awe-inspiring projects. The visionary leaders did not let the country go the Pakistan way! Surely, we also took loans, but those were used wisely. The seeds for future growth were sown.

Globally also there were things happening, counterculture in US or Europe brought with it the cultural revolution. Fashion, Mini Skirts, Sexuality, Drugs, Music…. Things changed. The Beatles, Bob Dylan and gang changed the music. Youth was in the forefront. Everything was within the reach of a common man. Atleast in India, the voice of middle class was heard for the first time.

Surely, the decade had its unsavory moments like the assassination of Kennedys, The Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Coups across the world, etc.

In India too, we had some problems. We witnessed two wars and 3 PMs. The Congress Party had split. Poverty/prosperity related issues were really acute. There were other problems also.

But there was a brighter side. And it was the people. For the first time we have the world events impact us positively. Our youth was adopting fashion, food, music, language, etc.

Our elite class was not behind. Our films were telling their own story. Our music was world class. Bollywood was a force to reckon with in India and across the world.

It was Bollywood that did the trick for us. From setting up of FTII to Mughal-e-Azam to Late Mr. Shammi Kapoor, Hema Malini they not only entertained but also taught us valuable lessons in history, geography, culture, inter-personal relationships, economics and more. The music and musicians of sixties were a legend. People still think that decade produced the best music. Khamoshi, Teesri Manzil, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Gumnaam. All very legendary music. 

Infact, the title song of Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai sums up the mood of nation in that decade

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