"Culture: the cry of men in the face of their destiny."
Albert Camus
Its been an umpteen number of times I've heard people talk about our culture, traditions, heritage, morals.But apparently I've never been able to understand till now what exactly is meant by this culture and why is it so unique to us?
Our country has a very rich history, with various eras of progress and advancement. There have been periods where people have been seduced by our richness and blinded by our greatness.We were once called the golden bird. Science, art, architecture,literature all have flourished during our glorious periods. We, unlike some past civilizations have survived and advanced. (In this sense I can understand Nehru's initial dissillusionment with China.)
The very recent attacks by the Ram Sene and then the comments of its chief, Mutalik and some non saffron politicians (Rajasthan CM Gehlot), " This is not Indian Culture, this is pub culture), shows some very disturbing trends occurring in the society. The warnings of Mulathik about they marrying off couples on the coming Valentines Day and the violence and the harassment we have witnessed in the previous Valentines Day by the Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena forces, does make me question what culture are these people talking about. What kind of moral values are these people talking about when these self claimed custodians of morals and culture engage in violence with absolutely no respect for women.
Amartya Sen has talked about an exotic India that has been a beacon which has attracted multitudes from foreign lands. We have had a great spiritual past, where numerous saints and seers have talked about the mysterious forces of the world and have attempted to decode it in the Himalayas and forests. Our spirituality has sought to provide solutions to the beleaguered people all around the world. It is believed that the Indian way of life is often determined by this underlining spirituality. The beliefs and the values given by the various literatures are the guiding principles by which we humans are supposed to lead their lives.
We are a diverse nation with a mosaic of faiths and beliefs. Akbar and Ashoka were considered the pioneers in nurturing a diverse society. But the growing intolerance today in some sections of the society is really alarming. Even our actions like the closing of the "Karachi Sweet" shop in Mumbai shows where our irrationality and intolerance is leading us.
We seem to have forgotten we are the land of the Kamasutra. Why then so much intolerance at the mere sight of young unmarried couples even holding hands?What is so wrong in expressing love publicly? Why so much anger and anguish at the sight of women wearing noodle straps and tank tops and jeans? Where in our "Indian Culture" is it written that women should be attacked? Our society perhaps has the largest number of goddesses who we worship, Laxmi, Durga, Kali to name a few, but still there seems to be a discontinuity in our beliefs and our practices.
Since when has social mixing been deemed anti- Indian. If these anti-nationals have their way they will end up by talibanising our country. When liberal regions like Mangalore and Mumbai witness such events it really is a scare. What is wrong if women choose to wear what pleases them. Perhaps sari can be the most sensuous dress . Should we now even have a national dress for them? Traditions are fine, but modern thought is about looking at wider and newer horizons. Our society should be the ideal blend of modern and tradition.
Today it seems our culture has become a sore wound. Anything contrary to the personal views of a few seems to harvest only hatred, and against the "Indian Culture".
"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too."
Voltaire
Albert Camus
Its been an umpteen number of times I've heard people talk about our culture, traditions, heritage, morals.But apparently I've never been able to understand till now what exactly is meant by this culture and why is it so unique to us?
Our country has a very rich history, with various eras of progress and advancement. There have been periods where people have been seduced by our richness and blinded by our greatness.We were once called the golden bird. Science, art, architecture,literature all have flourished during our glorious periods. We, unlike some past civilizations have survived and advanced. (In this sense I can understand Nehru's initial dissillusionment with China.)
The very recent attacks by the Ram Sene and then the comments of its chief, Mutalik and some non saffron politicians (Rajasthan CM Gehlot), " This is not Indian Culture, this is pub culture), shows some very disturbing trends occurring in the society. The warnings of Mulathik about they marrying off couples on the coming Valentines Day and the violence and the harassment we have witnessed in the previous Valentines Day by the Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena forces, does make me question what culture are these people talking about. What kind of moral values are these people talking about when these self claimed custodians of morals and culture engage in violence with absolutely no respect for women.
Amartya Sen has talked about an exotic India that has been a beacon which has attracted multitudes from foreign lands. We have had a great spiritual past, where numerous saints and seers have talked about the mysterious forces of the world and have attempted to decode it in the Himalayas and forests. Our spirituality has sought to provide solutions to the beleaguered people all around the world. It is believed that the Indian way of life is often determined by this underlining spirituality. The beliefs and the values given by the various literatures are the guiding principles by which we humans are supposed to lead their lives.
We are a diverse nation with a mosaic of faiths and beliefs. Akbar and Ashoka were considered the pioneers in nurturing a diverse society. But the growing intolerance today in some sections of the society is really alarming. Even our actions like the closing of the "Karachi Sweet" shop in Mumbai shows where our irrationality and intolerance is leading us.
We seem to have forgotten we are the land of the Kamasutra. Why then so much intolerance at the mere sight of young unmarried couples even holding hands?What is so wrong in expressing love publicly? Why so much anger and anguish at the sight of women wearing noodle straps and tank tops and jeans? Where in our "Indian Culture" is it written that women should be attacked? Our society perhaps has the largest number of goddesses who we worship, Laxmi, Durga, Kali to name a few, but still there seems to be a discontinuity in our beliefs and our practices.
Since when has social mixing been deemed anti- Indian. If these anti-nationals have their way they will end up by talibanising our country. When liberal regions like Mangalore and Mumbai witness such events it really is a scare. What is wrong if women choose to wear what pleases them. Perhaps sari can be the most sensuous dress . Should we now even have a national dress for them? Traditions are fine, but modern thought is about looking at wider and newer horizons. Our society should be the ideal blend of modern and tradition.
Today it seems our culture has become a sore wound. Anything contrary to the personal views of a few seems to harvest only hatred, and against the "Indian Culture".
"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too."
Voltaire
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