“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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
4 comments:
Culture is something of great curiosoty to me..the INDIAN CULTURE.! After 600 years of Muslim rule and 200 years of the British..what is our culture..my culture..WHO AM "I" ?!
Point 1. Many unsung cause for emergence of this culture, "Chintu ki Mummy" ..a) Chintu ki Mummy has names like Kalawati, Kamlawati,Imarti, rabri,lalmani, etc.. Chintu ke Papa felt embarassing upon his freshly occured migration, in mid 60's, from a remote village to a city (or KAVAL Town, do u know what's KAVAL?) to speak that thing which embarass both, Mummy, Papa and in deep future Chintu also! (Roll back in time to unearth the roots of this culture). People changed name to short and simple (British influence). One better way was not to speak the name and call only by referential note.."Chintu ki Mummy". Slowly people forgot names, or never even came to know about it ! "Chintu ki Mummy" become permanent, even with strangers.
Point 2: Jingoism. DESI IS BEST! that explains it. other things were not digestable/likable by small and feminine-hit indians. Find peace in enjoying the 'desi'.."that is the best". No resources to reach out to the far end of horizon to think of trying out that.
Point 3. Islam bans or inhibits anything sex-related. Sex..NO! 600 years of Islamic conditioning.
Point 4. Knowledge is a propriety of Brahmins!(indian culture under caste influence). Pandits can use cars. mobiles etc. For others modern things may be depraving..no Cable TV, No Cinema, No Internet.!! (ask me, personally witnessed.). Maulvi's and Pandits and Chritian Priest are know to be guilty of inciting communal events in India. And many cinema have recognised that point. Religious leaders have taken role of godmen, Chandraswami, Ramdev, and Gujrati Babas are living examples.
Dear Manish
I am satisfied with the argument you gave regarding my first point, i am pretty much satisfied. Though once again you cannot generalize. Husbands still call their wives by their names only, so your above stated logic stands null and void
Your second logic is gross ignorance of the greatest culture- The Indian culture, which is still alive only becuase of its power of assimilation. We have always adopted what is best in other cultures.
Regarding third point, Islam inhibits but hinduism not. but Hinduism believes in sanctity of environment and hence we dont discuss at home as told in the post itself
I was unable to grasp what u meant by 4th point. Even swami Vivekanand has stated this fact as a great feature of hindu society and I am basically inspired by his speech only in this particular point.as i said, think deeply and observe, you would understand wht have i tried to say
As i promised you i will read your posts/blog when we separate from Kahalgaon.
I want to add some point in this discussion
1: Until or unless we won't respect people we won't get any respect "aur jisne stri ki ijjat nahi ki use kahi ijjat nahi milti". And this is our culture and this is to be maintained.
2: About AIDS, sometime we have to give priorities above our cultural believes and about such non-curable disease,things to be discussed in open because once it infect us then there is no other option/chance left. If u see the statistics, India is the one of the country which have most of the AIDS cases. As a result we can see telecast now and than about AIDS, Breast Cancer, etc specially on DD 1 which covers major portion of the population.
3: And about pundit and all you said, now-days we can't reliy on someone, but every one have certain good characteristics, so follow their work not that person and that person should be appreciated only for that deed.
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