Radika, ah beggin’ yuh

Apr 12, 2009 Features / Columnists

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The Parrot loves music. Let me put that in perspective; I like good music. I am not oblivious of the cliché, “one man’s meat is another man’s poison” as it relates what’s bad for me may be good for someone else. Taking that into consideration, it may be safe to say, at least in general teams, that people have a sense of what can be considered as good as opposed to what’s bad. Of course the classification of what’s good or bad is relative to one’s likening.

There is fallacy in assuming that someone will like what you adorn. However, life has a way of finding compromises in an effort to allow pleasing and bringing of some joy to others. One such scenario has to do with finding that so-called perfect gift for that special someone regardless of the relation.
Some, well maybe a vast majority, will say that experience in knowing the person for which the item is being bought helps to easily facilitate such purchases. Given all the scenarios, I would admit that I will be the first to say that general knowledge of someone helps in easy decision making for gift purchases. In other words, experience is vital. For other situations, the occasion allows for general concepts.

Experience is not vital for such purchases, but for life in general; it helps to guide and shape lives and for impartation to those without. In a relationship, it is crucial in the nurturing and sustaining of it. The experience of being together over time helps to chart the way forward. In any relation, there will be challenges. However, the experience will help to sincerely determine if a compromise can genuinely be achieved in challenging relationships. This can work if there is a mutual intention to salvage and save it. Whilst difficult, it’s not unachievable if maturity prevails.

Sometimes, some may argue in all cases, this is the missing factor, which eventually leads to aggression and unfortunately, physical harm. The circumstances that can lead to such situations are numerous. Domestic violence has been occurring for centuries. This does not in anyway bring justification. The question is why is it still prevalent? It is not confined to one class of people or poor societies; it is prevalent in all.
The best of experts have postulated on reasons and law enforcement and other related agencies have been empowered to deal with abusers. However, they come into play after the fact; after some form of abuse has occurred or, unfortunately, death. It is a known fact that many, if not most, cases of domestic abuse never reach the desk of the related authority.

Many measures have been made available to help deal with domestic violence. Many lost lives as a result of constant abuse. Many have been charged. Many have been prosecuted. Many have asked for no action to be taken. Many are still being abused despite the best efforts to have it curbed. Why then would people continue to abuse others and being fully aware of the consequences? Why would people endure abuse knowing and being aware of measures to provide assistance? The answers are not as straightforward as we may believe. Every situation has its own complexities; some of which are taken advantage of by the abusers. With the best of intentions to eradicate domestic violence, the efforts will be challenging for all societies.

There are of course options for those at the receiving end. But, in many cases, it becomes interwoven in the complexities of that situation. This is unfortunate and some warnings, some not subtle, have been presented in songs. What I have discovered, and this is my opinion, is that these songs serve one purpose; it’s a gyration aid. These serious messages are basically ignored and even with or without imbibing of alcohol, those “hooked” move their body rhythmically and meticulously to each and every beat.

A prime example is the recent “Radika” (all four versions), which has dominated homes and bars. The husband made accusations, the wife replied, the paramour had his say and the husband replied to the wife’s reply.
If the song (s) is reflection of a real situation, then it is clear that many things went wrong in the relationship. I am not going to take sides. However, the point is that having been together for sometime, there would have been signs of cracks in the relationship. These would have been spotted with experience, which could have led to some form of resolution given maturity. Whilst the popular song has been providing entertainment, one can only hope that if, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, people can relate to it, then, let it be an impetus to seek resolution in an effort to avoid physical abuse. Whilst the song may not be to my liking, I have seen countless others being gratified by its rhythm. Herein lies my point on good or bad taste.

That aside, the song (s) has achieved much in commercial entertainment. Let’s hope that in the effort to curb domestic violence it would achieve similar results. However, totally aside, I think the song is fast becoming distressful to the ear. It is heard everyday, everywhere, even on Good Friday it dominated. But then, others will argue if it is effective why complain. It has seemingly become the most preferred item on the musical landscape; it’s Radika all day; Radika for breakfast; Radika for lunch; Radika for dinner and Radika for all other snacks in between. Given the circumstances in the songs and having seen worse scenarios resolved, for the sake of my ears I can only wish that Radika and her husband can genuinely and not for anyone to be endangered, find some way of resolving their issues so that, if possible, they can “mek up”.

I am not in any way suggesting that this be done if abuses will continue. What has happened through the songs is that Radika and her husband are washing their laundry in public. While this may have its advantages in terms of helping others, currently, my eardrums are being challenged. So, if possible, a resolution can be found, I humbly ask for exploration. Please, Radika, ah beggin’ yuh; at least for my ears. I can’t take it anymore. Squawk! Squawk!

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