IT is now a year that Michael Jackson left us. And yet, many questions regarding his untimely and sudden death linger.

Over the last three decades, Michael had become a part of our lives, through his songs, dance and films. The funeral rites for Michael Jackson were watched by about a billion people across the globe. People irrespective of nationality, gender, age, caste, creed and colour used to love him.

Michael seems to have touched everybody's life, irrespective of whether they understood pop music. He ignited the imagination of music and dance lovers across the world. Nobody in the world could dance with Michael's kinetic energy. A vibrant, creative personality, his influence spanned continents, and will now span time.

A child prodigy, he had a profound impact on music during the last four decades. His passion for music will be his enduring legacy.

Michael had detractors too. Whenever there is celebrated talent and achievement, there is negative criticism and jealousy too. When you are successful, everything you do is viewed through tinted eyes.

In retrospect, much of the slurs cast on him appear superficial, publicity-seeking stunts of vested interests. Who then can blame Michael for becoming a recluse? When you are a towering public personality, a sneeze becomes a headline.

Michael became a citizen of the world. With his music and video clips, he reigned over a world without boundaries.

Here was a young man who could sway the world by singing “We are the world”. Wrong, Michael. You were the world, not we. We merely danced to your tunes.

RAJENDRA K. ANEJA
Dubai