Culture Still Not Lost

“Mumbaikars hate Biharis, Assamese hate Biharis, South Indians hate North Indians and vice versa. The best way to conclude all this animosity is to read English, speak English and live English as I unearth no merit in saving an already lost, hybrid culture” – This is what I used to say after Raj Thackrey wrath.

Today I dare to disclose some indigenous yet ignored, long-forgotten practices which are manifestations of our great culture still emanating from the spirit of billions of Indians, in an attempt to arouse pride for the supposedly marvelous culture we inherit

1. We never refer a mother by her name. She is either referred as bhabhiji or chintu ki mummy, but never by her name. Even other mothers refer each other as bhabhiji, behanji etc. Uncles in neighborhood too call all such dignified mothers as bhabhiji but never by their name. This actually is a redolent of our culture where ladies were looked upon with utmost respect in a society. A westerner might say that this is due to identity crisis and Indian mothers have no self image at all. But if half naked, bed changing, lonely lady is having her own individuality then that is definitely a problem of perspectives.

2. Best quality ghee is referred as Desi ghee. Likewise finest quality chicken is referred as desi murga. This actually manifests the sagacity we used to have concerning our customs and native technology.

3. If AIDS spreads then let it spread but we won’t discuss sex related topics so openly with our own family members as we believe in dignity of ambience and inviolability of culture at home. Hence, when awareness campaigns urge us to discuss these things at home, they copy a west suited strategy. In west, couples kiss before their 4 year old son and cuddle as if shaking hands; so if they discuss about AIDS at dining table, it’s perfectly fine with their culture. In India, we need to follow the example of appropriate context and place. Sex was taught not at home, but since it is part and parcel of our life, our religious scripts are full of vivid descriptions of the process of sex. Favorite sex positions were taught through Khajuraho temple so that purity of mind is necessarily there. Can’t the knowledge of condoms be taught at schools through proper channels? Obviously our culture won’t permit to telecast it every now and then at a family show on TV

4. Only a sanctified mind can endeavor to deliver pure knowledge. Let me explain what I mean by this statement. Whenever we see any pundit carrying some modern accessory like mobile, pager, bike or even speaking English for that matter, we usually comment – “khaali kehne ko pundit hain” or “modern pundit hain bhai!!!” or “ab woh zamana kahan”. Obviously we don’t allege leaders of any other religion upon being seen likewise (Not even once any Christian priest or maulvi has been mocked off in any Bollywood movie). This habit actually is evocative of our age old culture where only exceedingly deserving person was considered eligible to deliver knowledge and carry out religious activities. Hence a pundit dealing with Vedic chants should not only follow celibacy or austerity, he/she should also be utmost proficient of being the only recipient. Not just anyone can become a pundit/teacher in our tradition and the concept being preached should be well riveted by the pundit/teacher himself/herself compulsorily. If unfortunately that religious leader decides to plunge into politics even for the sake of nationwide welfare, the very moment super enlightened educated society discards him/her forgetting his/her past philanthropic history.

Many of these attributes may sound awkward or unbelievable at the start, but do give these features a thought minutely, I am pretty sure you all would get what I am trying to say.