Refl ections, Obsessions, Perfections

P S Leela’s interesting and unusual article on mirrors titled “Mirrors and Brothers” (EPW, 8 February 2014) intrigued me and kindled many thoughts. It is interesting to know that there was some opposition to installation of a mirror in the house. It is unusual, or perhaps I have not heard of such a discussion before. Nowadays, mirrors are a part of interior décor and many would tell you to install huge mirrors because they make the room look spacious. Like the article also mentions, various experts tell us how it should be used, where it should be placed in the house, etc.

P S Leela’s interesting and unusual article on mirrors titled “Mirrors and Brothers” (EPW, 8 February 2014) intrigued me and kindled many thoughts. It is interesting to know that there was some opposition to installation of a mirror in the house. It is unusual, or perhaps I have not heard of such a discussion before. Nowadays, mirrors are a part of interior décor and many would tell you to install huge mirrors because they make the room look spacious. Like the article also mentions, various experts tell us how it should be used, where it should be placed in the house, etc. There is a hint of elitism.

When I sometimes think about mirrors in the house they produce a spooky feeling inside. It is because of my obsession with the horror genre and the use of mirrors in those films. In fact there is a horror film titled Mirrors and they have been widely used in other horror movies. One of my friends who is a Sikh normally requires a medium-sized mirror to tie his turban. I recall that he told me that once he had a heated argument with his room-mate over placing a large-sized mirror in the room. The contention was it spooked out the latter after midnight.