Some Things You’ve Just Got to See…

One of the people that I am eternally grateful to God for creating is Walt Disney. There could be nobody who has not heard of him. This post is a tribute to that great man who is a major part of my life; making me laugh, cry and sigh in reminiscence.

All, I will not say ‘most part’, of my childhood days were spent watching Disney cartoons and movies. There was no cable at our house until recently. There was only good ol’ Doordarshan. And man, am I glad we didn’t have cable at that time. It would never have occurred to us to turn on the national television once in a while and I would have missed the best of shows.

All my school days were spent rushing back home from school and watching ‘Disney Time’ from 4.30 in the evening. It consisted of a collection of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Duck Tales, Darkwing Duck, Talespin, Chip n’ Dale Rescue Rangers and what not (Donald being my favourite character). Right from the title tracks, everything was a wonder. During weekends, there used to be a movie usually, Alice in Wonerland and Timon and Pumba. It did get a little irritating though, when they started playing dubbed versions in Hindi. :(

Thinking back, probably Disney encouraged my interest in art. I remember my very first Donald Duck cartoon that looked nothing like a duck, forget Donald. I even remember this secret wish to become a cartoonist at Disney. Glad I didn’t say it out loud at home. :P

Disney cartoons came at a time when 2D animation was just beginning to gain popularity. In fact, they were one of the first pictures to be screened, the very first ones being just animated characters scampering about without any sound. They surely have come a long way since. It is hard to believe that they are merely two-dimensional cartoons that portrayed all those emotions so beautifully; the love, hate, anger, laughter… making me laugh and cry with them. I sometimes doubt if real actors could produce such emotions.

The love between Simba and Nala was portrayed so beautifully in the Lion King, that for sometime we forget that they are lions. When Cinderella sings about how holding on to our dreams can make them come true, we completely believe it. And, who doesn’t fall in love with the Beast when he dresses up to impress Beauty? We are charmed and enchanted by their sweet and polite personality so much so that we even try to be like them. It was a world where all that was needed to fix something was a smile, a song or a kiss. Then we would truly believe that everything was indeed all right.

However, I am not as amazed or wowed by their creations these days. It’s as if they have exhausted all their geniuses and are settling for normalcy. I just wish they made more classics like Cinderella, Snow White, Lady and the Tramp…

So here is to the guy who made a million faces, big and small, smile. You will be in our hearts forever. After all, what more do you need when your special someone gives you one of your favourite classics for Valentine’s Day? :)