Reclusive artists : The need for space

Why are people reclusive? Generally the pressures of the world get to the sensitive people like artists, writers, painters easily. By nature, they are curious and have a point of view. The realities at times are too crushing and the sensitivity unless channeled the right way, hurts the soul, the inner vulnerable self. It is then very important to have a proper defense, to build walls so that all that is precious and vulnerable is not affected by the negativity and meanness of the world. And trust me, I come from a country where we call ourselves civilized but we only understand the language of power. We pretend there is no glass ceiling, it is there - as thick as a brick. The power plays are sapping. Insecurity rules. Hence power rules. At least in places where there are no clear guidelines to manage talent and merit. No wonder then creative tribe seeks friendly environs which help them nurture their art. And for the world they come across as snooty recluses.

It is very important to protect one’s sense of self and to nurture one’s art. The pressures of being in a spotlight are always daunting. Being watched like hawk, being pounced upon for every little perceived offence one gets nauseated. The ones who do not know how to say ‘Back off’ the right way, like me suffer the most. A place which is inspiring, nurturing, soothing is a necessity for creative pursuits. You need to shut the world off completely. And then you have to be ready to face the most ridiculous rumors and malicious gossips that will be circulated - as you try to retire into your heaven- by the nasty ones who really can’t get around you anymore because of your defense. You need to be tough. Have strong walls ..Or the negativity of the world will get to you.


J.D.Salinger, the famous author chose to live his life away from the madness. Thomas Pynchon, never made public appearances. Bill Watterson is the artist behind the beloved comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, he retired in 1995 and he truly withdrew from public life. Cormac McCarthy is an author who is widely considered to be one of the greatest living American writers. For many years, no one in the literary community knew what he looked like or where he lived. Emily Dickinson is remembered as one of America’s greatest poets, but during her lifetime she was a notorious recluse, almost never leaving her house or even her bedroom The musician Syd Barrett who started with rock band Pink Floyd was a recluse. At the time of death, many fans of his believed that he had been dead already. The director of 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, and The Shining, Stanley Kubrick did all of his work from his secluded manor house in England. One famous story about him states that when adoring fans would knock on the door of his house and ask to see him, he would pretend to be the butler and inform them that Mr. Kubrick wasn’t home. While this anonymity allowed Kubrick to work in peace, it also allowed impostors and wild rumors about him to flourish. And that happens. The outrageous reactions when one gets , when one is simply trying to claim his or her life from public domain are very often very hostile. It is all a power game again.I'm watching budding actor Prateik Babbar, who is very private, gets bad press consistently..let's see how it unfolds for him.

Unlike many people who are driven by (normal, primal) urges of greed, stardom and visible success, some people really want to live their life silently with sanity. It is a pace - an intellectual and personal plain where public opinion doesn’t matter and you are driven for the sake of being driven ..you want to achieve and be good and excel because you truly want to push boundaries. There is this need to get better. It is an internal craving and has nothing to do with the world outside. You listen to yourself, and for that you silence the voices that distract you. You cannot saunter through life, you need to be focused to get to the place where you want to be. And that..won’t be easy. And therein lies the fun. The tussles between the circumstances and your orientation - the challenges and the work required to develop your capacities to overcome them. And the journey is fascinating to say the least.