Classic: It's a word used by many in a loose fashion, to an extent that when something goes unexpected, one muses aloud "classic!" The reason behind I bringing up Classic is after Khush initiated a conversation chain in his blog which is inviting a healthy discussion on what is to be called a Classic. This is my piece.

To all who says, it is for the critics to say which is classic or not, I would ask who IS a critic? In the Hollywood movie "Mona Lisa Smile" this question is covered (not answered) rather cleverly by the character played by Julia Roberts. She (An Art Professor) says showing a picture of a rather crudely drawn cow, that this was considered to be a classic. When students raise doubts she continues saying that it was so considered by her mom. Ms.Robert's character had drawn it when she was a child.

So presuming that argument holds true, I can say each one of us is a critic. But then why is opinion of yours and mine not as valid as someone in New York Times? The difference lies in our clout. The exact reason why KB is better read and valued than Frozen Sun! Because KB is far better in whatever we both are doing (blogging!) So unless the critic is proven we can't hold someone as a true critic. But how do we prove someone as a critic? That becomes subjective. Therefore the best answer is to consider the mass population as the critic and leaving it to time to blow the final whistle.

Lissome Lady (http://Lissome.rediffiland.com): The true test of a classic is 1) its universality and its ability to sustain interest in all ages and at all times. Most classics deal with universal human emotions and dilemma so they never fade. Exactly the way classic songs, music, art never fade. It is for all times. Eternally fresh. 2) A classic grows on you, you can read it at different stages in your life and u will pick up new interpretations like a changing kaleidoscope it captures endless hues and combinations. 3) It can be set to any time and the questions it asks and the answers it seeks will cross all barriers of class, culture, and time. The core philosophies will defy differences. 4) The language, the structure, the thoughts and words never pale with time, they exemplify ideas succinctly, they describe situations with an ease and economy that thrills, they disturb us, make us wonder about ourselves, our nature, our relationships, our growth... a classic is forever.

Frozen Sun: What if, when someone reads a new book certified by many as a "modern classic" but does not want to consider it as Classic? He may have a definition of classic in his mind in confirmation with his own views, perceptions and prior readings. And suddenly one day this book is thrown into his lap which may not fall into his pre set definition of classic. But the question arises… Why should one stick to the dogmas and stay with the same definition of a classic? Why can't the definition itself be modified?

Subodh Deshpande (http://ssa.rediffiland):  Whenever something is [created] (I preferred to use created instead of written) it's part of literature and is compared with itself, the previous works of its author, with the works of authors of the same era and also with previous literature. The value of that new addition is thus tried to be adjudged. And may be defined as a contemporary classic.

Frozen Sun: Only time will tell if a contemporary literary work is truly worthy of being called a classic. Just as Galileo is deemed as a genius now and a non conformist atheist then. A classic is more of an idea that spans across time rather than being contained in the covers of the book they are written in. That's how Omkara makes Othello a classic. Not because we all still read Othello in its original Shakespeare words. I doubt how many people after 1980s has read Shakespeare in original; but are still aware of his greatness from other sources like maqbool etc… That's how a classic is made. Its greatness lies in its ability to unshackle the chains that binds it to his physical form.

So words do not matter. (Othello and Alice in wonderland are both classics) The tunes does not matter (Beatles and GnR are both classics especially when Metal/Heavy metal is invading English music genre). It is because they all did something which others did not. They thought of something (past, present or innovative) and expressed it in a physical form to present it to the mass. The "classic" idea later took off leaving the form behind.

Only time will tell if one of our contemporary books will be called a classic by our kids. We can wait.

Lissome Lady: The core idea, philosophy is what makes it classic. To transcend barriers of time place culture and to still move audiences!

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Frozen Sun

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