Now, I don’t watch movies unless they offer some motivational value besides entertainment. Two films—one from Sandalwood and one from Hollywood—remain my all-time favourite motivational movies: Huliya Haalina Mevu and the Rocky series. Certain characters on the big screen do not come and entertain us alone—they kindle latent fires somewhere deep inside our own soul. Chengumani from “Huliya Haalina Mevu” is one such character created by the right director at the right moment. Later on, during the release of “Survivor” for Hollywood’s “Rocky III” through its song “Eye of the Tiger,”the entire world saw another legendary warrior emerge—the one and only “Rocky Balboa” from Philadelphia’s tough neighbourhoods to conquer everybody’s heart all around the world. Both these warriors have one thing equally strong—the Eye of the Tiger and its burning need to “Survive” no matter what happens to them—fall down but never die!
“Risin’ up, back on the street. Did my time, took my chances,” is how this song aptly opens and defines Chengumani and Rocky’s journey perfectly. Chengumani, who is born and brought up in the forests and is elevated to commander-in-chief solely based on his personality and talent, never asks for power but gets it because of his integrity, bravery, and aptness. Rocky, ridiculed and ignored, is just an underdog boxer who makes his place through sheer grit and determination alone. Both of them validate thereby why “Greatness is never a gift—but is carved through struggle and sacrifice” because “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached” is just what all warriors have lived their lives by through all centuries past, as aptly said by Swami Vivekananda.
“It’s the eye of the Tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight,” and when Survivor croons thus: “R-o-a-r-R-o-a-r-Rrrr,” one can further comprehend the meaning of these two legendary characters. For Chengumani, learning takes place in the very woods themselves, where he is compelled to hone his instincts and react accordingly. His life-altering experience of facing and subsequently safeguarding the king from a ferocious tiger is just one episode but is also truly “living” his fears. Rocky’s landscape may not seem to match Chengumani’s but both share the same fight: to conquer one’s own fears!
Whether Rocky is battling Apollo Creed or Clubber Lang or his own self-doubt, his fight is not just against his opponents but also against the “you can’t” whispering inside his mind. This is also aptly echoed in, “Excellence is achieved only by acting upon your dharma.” Chengumani and Rocky do this because “Excellence is born in action” itself. This is also echoed by Kung Fu Master Bruce Lee: “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray for the strength to endure a tough life.”
“Hangin’ tough, stayin’ hungry. They stack the odds, still we take to the street,” is the attitude winners possess. Chengumani holds on to his ideals no matter what pressures come from palace politics and emotional upheavals. Rocky does not forget his humble beginnings even after becoming famous—as if overnight—the very fundamentals: “training harder and further and further and further and further and further.” Their lives teach us to recall the Indian fable of “the elephant tied down with a weak rope.” A suckling elephant cannot escape its strength as yet and thinks for all its life that it is held down by it! You and most of us remain held back by no one but ourselves and our own limitations! “Your habits today will shape your tomorrow,” said APJ Abdul Kalam: Chengumani and Rocky possess habits to conquer and overcome!
“Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past” is another powerful lyric that also lets us not forget to maintain our connection to our cause. Power does not corrupt Chengumani but makes his sense of obligation even deeper. Fame does not make Rocky lose his humility but makes his focus even sharper. Both warriors keep hold of their basic dreams just as Arjuna had kept his concentration only on “the eye of the bird.” It is “focus” that is “tiger’s gift”—of being “intense,” “sharp,” and “unbroken.” Steve Jobs aptly put this while advising the whole world to save its dreams from being “disturbed” or “spoiled” away by saying: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
“And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night” is very descriptive and symbolical of what leadership is all about. Leaders do not have supporters very often because they carry crosses for others to bear. Chengumani is alone in his devotion, his morality, and his righteousness even during hostile conditions. Rocky is alone under the blinding lights of the boxing ring too—gasping for oxygen, getting beaten but put rather than beaten down. Chanakya aptly put it: “A person who cannot stand alone cannot lead.”
Chengumani shows us through his character that “Courage does not always roar. It is often the quiet voice at the end of the engagement.” Rocky shows us through his character that “It ain’t about how hard you hit,” but rather “how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward” because “champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a never die spirit.” The tiger shows us through its character “Often it is not needed to go to places beyond home to gain inspiration or to learn new things because inspiration lurks everywhere closer than we realize around us .”
Ultimately, while Chengumani fights his battles deep within the wild forests and Rocky fights his battles inside his boxing ring, one realization makes both stories universally meaningful: What is at all times infinitely more significant than falling is rising; what is infinitely more valuable than comfort is courage; and what is infinitely more prized than applause is belief. The Eye of the Tiger is not something “out there” but rather a burning flame inside of each of us which simply awaits its ignition.
“So lift your gaze, steady your heart, and rise again—” With Eye of the Tiger.
Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh).
MBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management (BITS, Pilani),
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru).
Senior Professor and former Head,
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery.
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India.
My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius. I want to be a person with a bundle of experience.
My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!
My Values: Creating value for others.
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Dear Dr. Prahlada N.B Sir,
Lessons for all us through nice parallels drawn between 2 characters: Chengumani & Rocky! Your article is a masterclass in drawing inspiration from the world of cinema. At this age, even I don't have patience to sit in a theatre for hours together to watch one movie, but I'd gladly spend hours reading about Chengumani and Rocky Balboa – they're the real MVPs!
Your comparison of these two warriors is a powerful reminder that greatness isn't born overnight; it's forged through struggle and sacrifice. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, Chengumani and Rocky show us that we can rise above our circumstances, no matter how daunting they may seem.
As A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said, "Your habits today will shape your tomorrow." Chengumani and Rocky's habits of focus, determination, and hard work are a testament to this truth. They're like the mighty oak tree that bends in the storm, but never breaks.
In life, we're often faced with choices: do we let our fears hold us back, or do we face them head-on? Chengumani and Rocky choose the latter, and their stories inspire us to do the same. As Nelson Mandela said, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
I'd like to add that asserting ourselves in life requires bold actions, focus, and determination. It's like trying to climb a mountain – it seems impossible at first, but with every step, we reach new heights. We must be like the river that flows steadily, carving its path through the rocks, never giving up.
As Steve Jobs said, "Stay hungry, stay foolish." Chengumani and Rocky's stories remind us to stay hungry for success, to stay focused, and to never give up on our dreams.
Thank you, Sir, for sharing this inspiring article. Your words will surely motivate many to rise above their challenges and achieve greatness.
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