Srinagar: At 77, Farooq Abdullah looks frail. There are creases on his faces and his cheeks are no longer blood-red. He needs help to climb and get off the podiums from where these days he stirs aam aadmi emotions among people who come to listen to him. In sun, shade and rain, they seldom fail him.
His son Omar Abdullah is 43, energetic, suave and waxing eloquence yet slightly stiff when it comes to making connection with masses. Unlike his dad's grounded persona, a part of Omar is still the Essex boy, raised partly in England. On his day, very few can match his communication skills. How many times have we seen him rip his opponents in television prime time debates? Or giving flawless presentation in cosy surroundings?
Omar fits the description of a top executive, maybe even in a world class business house, but the father runs away with being a politician par excellence. The NC patriarch can run down anyone with his charm and wits.
Omar is now done both roles, that of a honcho and a politician. But it will take him some time to be a neta. He started his career as an executive in a five star hotel before taking a plunge into Kashmir's turbulent politics. Like the scions of many big political families in the sub-continent, he inherited politics from the dynasty, his grandpa legendary Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and dad Farooq.
In age senior Abdullah is more than three decades older to his son but the difference in their demeanour and art of running politics is much more.
The father is rooted, attached and a proverbial desi. The son is far removed from ground realities. No matter how hard he is trying, he looks detached - a videshi.
And that is so apparent in their politics and rallies. Like a magician who wields his wand artfully, senior Abdullah holds the attention of his gathering all the time. His attire and lingo are carefully chosen and helps him to make a strong connection. He is a rustic in villages, a Gujjar in tribal lands and thorough-bred urbanite in cities and towns. He wears all the hats with elan.
The three time chief minister remains the biggest crowd pullers in Kashmir. He has earned it by equally inviting praise and vitriol.
Abdullah has lived life king-size and often jumped the gun. As a first-time chief minister in 80s, he pulled out of his security cavalcade to manage traffic, snatching the whistle from a beat cop who struggled to discipline commuters in Srinagar. And the motorbike ride to Gulmarg with Bollywood actress as a pillion.
Nonetheless, he has been able to retain his support structure.
These days, Abdullah is invoking Gods to strike a chord with village folks. His speech often veers around the welfare of cattle and crops of the villagers.
"The sun is out after a long time. Go out and work hard in your farms. He will reward you," he shouts, looking mystically in the sky.
Like a moulvi he then raises his hands and prays for the well being of people, their children, chicken, ducks, trees, paddy fields, fruits and economy. "The tourists are coming. Now is your time to earn."
And his friendly banter with elders and womenfolk in the crowd. "I thought you have died. I am surprised you haven't but good to see you. Allah will bless you for another 20 years," he shouts at an old man who gets visibly excited.
Next minute, he turns sombre.
"I am two short of 80. I am no longer young. One day I have to die. So I have to prepare for that."
An avid golfer, Abdullah does not mind shaking a leg or rendering a favourite song in a function. His photos with Bollywood actors and videos of singing bhajans have invoked sharp criticism in Kashmir.
But he cares least.
Unlike his father, Omar is more of Gen Y politician and a no-nonsense guy. His bane could be that he has opinion and a strong one on almost everything under the sky. His tweets reflect less of Kashmir and more outside. He is candid, emotional and many say impulsive. One would recall how he actually resigned when PDP's Muzaffar Hussian Beig levelled the sex taint allegations on him in J-K assembly.
Omar is as passionate about bikes, cars and electronic gizmos as he is about his tweets and snaps. He likes adventure and is game with river rafting, snow-boarding and skiing. Sometimes he is more eager to break news on twitter than electronic media reporters.
He is fluent in both English and Urdu but when it comes to getting down to the level of a rural Kashmiri and speaking his language, he more or less struggles. His speeches are mostly in Urdu which runs parallel to the lowest denominators.
Naturally, he is quite the antithesis to his father. While Farooq is informal and speaks from his heart, Omar is cautious and wants to be politically correct all the time. Farooq can slip into the shoe of a common villager and share laughter. Omar will enjoy a laugh from a distance.
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