Earlier generations our grandparents were brought up in a feudalistic society. Kingdoms and princely states, rich land owners, bonded labour and so forth. The next generation we were ruled by the British Lordship Dukes et al who had the subservient Indians serving them. So we grew up living this way of life.
In the present scenario, there are 2 aspects
1. Necessity (working couples, elders with empty nests) who need or require assistance and help.
2. Decadence. Making a statement “I HAVE ARRIVED “. & Peer pressure. Beg borrow or steal if you cannot afford it, but you want to live with the Joneses as they say.
In both cases it creates employment. As far as one maintains a balance and respects and values it’s worth.
Maybe Prasanna, by using these helps we are giving them an opportunity to earn a living too. They would otherwise be idle minds and a social menace. Again indulgence in this is very relative - what maybe indulgence for one may not be for another - with exceptions of course.
I echo subahu desai comment and take. For working women in modern Indian homes, support systems like domestic help, childcare services, or mental health breaks are not signs of privilege—they’re essentials. The dual burden of career and caregiving demands that women outsource what they can, not out of luxury, but out of sheer necessity to survive and succeed. It’s a survival strategy! This isn’t decadence—it’s the bare minimum required to stay afloat in a world where emotional labour is invisible, and the cost of ‘doing it all’ is too high!
Your article makes one ponder . We live in a world filled with inequalities.
Many women still don’t have access to credit and fresh water and face domestic abuse but we have beauty pageant shows and advertisements galore for the most bizarre products.
Millions of dollars are invested in finding new medicines to contain blood pressure but much fewer are spent in research in finding better cure for tuberculosis……the reason is the wealthy would gladly invest in new medicines for BP but the poorer find it difficult to spend on the cure for TB. A decadent society throws a few bones as charity .
This could be an argument to reinforce how we live amidst pointless bustling of processions when we are obliged to address real issues of serious matter.
On the other hand, we need to look deeply at , what is decadence.
Having domestic help, a cook and cleaner can hardly be considered frivolous as women work and need a strong support system.
Decadence is in the way we treat our helpers.
The western world too indulges whether in buying food or having help to clean their homes depending on their affordability.
Self - indulgence is subjective. My parents would consider flying Business Class as decadence but, is it so for some of us?
Destination weddings/ ostentatious and lavish celebrations , many do think generates employment opportunities. Different perspectives.
Having said that, an unwarranted attention to materialistic life and pleasures do not augur well for a society where the majority , even today , have a hand to mouth existence.
We should prioritise what matters and not sleepwalk through life .
In our own way, let’s have the courage to resist temptations even if we can afford them and stand up for those who need a helping hand
What is apparently "Decadence" may be an act due to the desire to "show off" for some. While possessing a car and engaging a driver may be a necessity for a doctor, especially a senior one, it is certainly a luxury for a bank clerk. While decadence may be an attribute for some, it is directly proportionate to affordability at least in Indian context.
In my book decadence is indulging to such an extent that it's harmful (physically and mentally) to you, your loved ones and society at large.
Affording conveniences which take care of physical routine is smart, as it releases time for creativity, analytics and introspection. It is about time management - 'Like to do vs Have to do'.
White goods, robotics and now AI for example, is about taking care of chores, repetitive tasks and tough physical activity. Thereby, releasing time for other persuits which you enjoy more and with which you make a bigger difference.
There is thin line separating affluent and vulgar display of wealth.
About Mukesh Ambani's house, I meant 268 cars, not cats. But couldn't edit the comment. Well, even if it was 268 cats, thats decadence all right! Imagine 5-star care, pool of servants, rich cat food (perhaps covered in gold leaf) and what not! Today's FC let my imagination run wild on decadence.
I liked your today’s FC on decadence. Modern instances of it that come to mind are Mukesh Ambani’s 27-storey home with 268 cats in Mumbai, Bryan Johnson’s experiments to reduce biological age, and Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Decadence goes way beyond self-indulgence to ‘I have it I flaunt it.’ My personal experience of decadence was attending a board meeting in a 7-star boutique hotel in Hyderabad some 15 years ago. The place was pure decadence and I felt actually uncomfortable those 2 days, coming back with relief to him humble home and anna-saru-palya with pure relief and real enjoyment.
My take.
Earlier generations our grandparents were brought up in a feudalistic society. Kingdoms and princely states, rich land owners, bonded labour and so forth. The next generation we were ruled by the British Lordship Dukes et al who had the subservient Indians serving them. So we grew up living this way of life.
In the present scenario, there are 2 aspects
1. Necessity (working couples, elders with empty nests) who need or require assistance and help.
2. Decadence. Making a statement “I HAVE ARRIVED “. & Peer pressure. Beg borrow or steal if you cannot afford it, but you want to live with the Joneses as they say.
In both cases it creates employment. As far as one maintains a balance and respects and values it’s worth.
Excellent observations!! Thank you.
Maybe Prasanna, by using these helps we are giving them an opportunity to earn a living too. They would otherwise be idle minds and a social menace. Again indulgence in this is very relative - what maybe indulgence for one may not be for another - with exceptions of course.
I echo subahu desai comment and take. For working women in modern Indian homes, support systems like domestic help, childcare services, or mental health breaks are not signs of privilege—they’re essentials. The dual burden of career and caregiving demands that women outsource what they can, not out of luxury, but out of sheer necessity to survive and succeed. It’s a survival strategy! This isn’t decadence—it’s the bare minimum required to stay afloat in a world where emotional labour is invisible, and the cost of ‘doing it all’ is too high!
Thank you for providing the perspective of a career woman such as you.
Your article makes one ponder . We live in a world filled with inequalities.
Many women still don’t have access to credit and fresh water and face domestic abuse but we have beauty pageant shows and advertisements galore for the most bizarre products.
Millions of dollars are invested in finding new medicines to contain blood pressure but much fewer are spent in research in finding better cure for tuberculosis……the reason is the wealthy would gladly invest in new medicines for BP but the poorer find it difficult to spend on the cure for TB. A decadent society throws a few bones as charity .
This could be an argument to reinforce how we live amidst pointless bustling of processions when we are obliged to address real issues of serious matter.
On the other hand, we need to look deeply at , what is decadence.
Having domestic help, a cook and cleaner can hardly be considered frivolous as women work and need a strong support system.
Decadence is in the way we treat our helpers.
The western world too indulges whether in buying food or having help to clean their homes depending on their affordability.
Self - indulgence is subjective. My parents would consider flying Business Class as decadence but, is it so for some of us?
Destination weddings/ ostentatious and lavish celebrations , many do think generates employment opportunities. Different perspectives.
Having said that, an unwarranted attention to materialistic life and pleasures do not augur well for a society where the majority , even today , have a hand to mouth existence.
We should prioritise what matters and not sleepwalk through life .
In our own way, let’s have the courage to resist temptations even if we can afford them and stand up for those who need a helping hand
What is apparently "Decadence" may be an act due to the desire to "show off" for some. While possessing a car and engaging a driver may be a necessity for a doctor, especially a senior one, it is certainly a luxury for a bank clerk. While decadence may be an attribute for some, it is directly proportionate to affordability at least in Indian context.
In my book decadence is indulging to such an extent that it's harmful (physically and mentally) to you, your loved ones and society at large.
Affording conveniences which take care of physical routine is smart, as it releases time for creativity, analytics and introspection. It is about time management - 'Like to do vs Have to do'.
White goods, robotics and now AI for example, is about taking care of chores, repetitive tasks and tough physical activity. Thereby, releasing time for other persuits which you enjoy more and with which you make a bigger difference.
There is thin line separating affluent and vulgar display of wealth.
'Well to do' must 'Dwell and then do' !
Typical Kunzru analysis. Thank you!
About Mukesh Ambani's house, I meant 268 cars, not cats. But couldn't edit the comment. Well, even if it was 268 cats, thats decadence all right! Imagine 5-star care, pool of servants, rich cat food (perhaps covered in gold leaf) and what not! Today's FC let my imagination run wild on decadence.
Very well articulated. When referring to your comments I will say 'well known industrialist'
I liked your today’s FC on decadence. Modern instances of it that come to mind are Mukesh Ambani’s 27-storey home with 268 cats in Mumbai, Bryan Johnson’s experiments to reduce biological age, and Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Decadence goes way beyond self-indulgence to ‘I have it I flaunt it.’ My personal experience of decadence was attending a board meeting in a 7-star boutique hotel in Hyderabad some 15 years ago. The place was pure decadence and I felt actually uncomfortable those 2 days, coming back with relief to him humble home and anna-saru-palya with pure relief and real enjoyment.
Thank you Lakshmi.