Subversion of the Ideal

What happens when an artist decides to create the alter-ego of a poster child from
the 90s who is the exact opposite of ideal? An internet sensation is born. Every
80s and 90s kid in India has grown up referring to the poster of Adarsh Balak
(The Ideal Child) for codes of moral righteousness right from his hair being
combed straight to his display of good manners. 23 year old artist Priyesh Trivedi
picks up this ideal child and transforms him into a devious and morally un-right
kid who offers a joint to his father, makes LSD during Chemistry lab among other
such misdeeds. This comic since then has gone viral and has encouraged the artist
to create some more on similar lines.

[Pic courtesy: http://astray.in/interviews/priyesh-trivedi]

Nostalgia aside, the immense popularity and love for this comic came from the
urban youth of the country due to its intelligent subversion tactic. Back in the 90s,
we were a generation with big dreams in our eyes the IT boom had just happened
and we were promised a bright, iridescent future. Twenty years down the line, we
are smarter, sharper and wiser. Wearing rose-tinted glasses no more, the youth has
witnessed the death of idealism through scams, bans and rapes. They have been
quick to realize that the values they grew up with have become pretty much non-
existent. Idealism is not the desirable survival skill necessary in the current scheme
of things.
Culturally speaking, Indian youth arent outright rebels. We believe in being part of
the system and navigating our way around it in a way such that we are heard out
loud and clear.
The Adarsh Balak comic parodies the current situation in India moral policing,
political ideology clashes, feminism and displays the inherent, subtle rebellious
streak thats native to youth of today. It ably holds a mirror to the true nature of
society, albeit through a humorous approach. It deftly takes on the archaic, rigid
notions of good and bad, unafraid to fight back the regressive, holier-than-thou
mentality.
Hence, the popularity of this paradoxical character, whose ways seem slightly
anarchic yet assertive. Every action of the Adarsh Balak speaks volumes about the
death of stereotypes and rigid boxing when it comes to youth. Also, making it clear
that values cannot be a template, but need to evolve with time.
This shift clearly defines the thought process of a growing section of the youth
population who do not connect with the mindlessness of political ramblings, but
question the construct of whats ideal. Heres to a brand new, almost underground
form of self-expression that addresses various pressing social issues ranging from
feminism to political ideologies through art. Through the beautiful device called
subversion. Ably assisted by nostalgia.