To be recognized as a National Artist is to be acknowledged not only for one's contribution to the arts, for which there has to be a palpable, lasting and meaningful benefit to the nation and its citizens.
More importantly, one is acknowledged for his entire person, his entire character, considering that one is a national model who is to be emulated, an example from which to draw inspiration.
Granting that the president erred in her naming of new National Artists, that those she named were undeserving of the award. Still the reaction of the National Artists themselves to the “mistake” made them underserving of the recognition.
There was never any trace of “dignified” reaction to the “mistake.” Instead, the National Artists reacted like spoiled brats terrified by the prospect of having to share their bowl of porridge with those who “do not deserve” to sit in the table of the gods.
They began to have sleepless nights at the thought that their own recognition as National Artists would be diluted if they so much as share the company of pretenders. If that is the way they think, then they are themselves pretenders in the strictest sense.
A person truly deserving of a recognition does not lose sleep over the recognition himself. True heroes do not seek immortalization in monuments, holidays or plaques. They sleep well at night at the thought of having done a good deed in the silence of goodness itself.
Those “National Artists” who equate their honor or dignity with exclusivity are the greatest fakes and the worst mistakes. For “real artists” are at peace with themselves and are not ruffled to find themselves in the company of beggars hungry for recognition.
Perhaps, after the “mistake” of the president, all further recognition of supposed “National Artists” should be stopped. The works of true artists have truly been invaluable but the awards themselves have not served to enlighten the nation one bit.
It is time sheer artistry and great intellectual contributions stopped getting confused with their recognition. The work and the label are two different things. And it is sad that the supposed “National Artists” themselves are the first ones to get confused.