12-29-2003, 05:43 AM
Hello everybody. This is my very first post. I start it with a pessimistic observation.
Indian culture is doomed to change... doomed to be destroyed. You can try all you can and arrest this doom for a while, but the end is imminent. Now, don't go on to the denial mode already - this is bound to happen inspite of howmuchever we wish it to be false.
The only hope is to savage what we can before its too late. We have to take up whatever is 'savagable', guard it alone and lift it above our heads to keep it safer... and RUN!
Do not look back,
Leave the rest to sink.. rot... decay... and be replaced.
The whole of Indic culture with its unique arts, architecture, culture has already been eroded to such an extent that we do not yet comprehend the loss.
1. The Arts- Architecture.
With 5 centuries of Muslim rule, North India already has *no* Hindu architecture left to start with. What ever survives is only plain pagoda type temples with not much sculpture to write about. The Konark style temples which are an example of ancient pure Hindu architecture are now only historical pieces counting their last years to come. The art of sculpting is totally alien now to that region. Idols are fashioned out of terrakotta, even Lingams are now increasing being made of concrete of all materials.
In the South, the situation is only slightly better. Few communities of Shilpis exist, a few numbered Shapathis, -traditional Temple builders/architects survive.
The only hope here is that Rich Indian Communities in the US spend generously to FIRST, repair ancient monuments back home and SECONDLY, build new temples strictly according to Hindu principles of architecture in the States.
We cannot build new large temples, the size of old ones... So, let us atleast savage what we have left.
2. The Arts - Performing - Dance, Drama and Music.
The Only Gods/Goddesses who can dance, play musical instruments and act belong to Hinduism.
We have Nataraja, the Cosmic dancer whose Dance signifies the whole existence of this Universe - movement, rythm, change and limitless energy.
Bharathy- Saraswathi who plays the Rudra Veena (it is being lost too, this Veena)
Narada, the Sage of the demigods, who is an actor par excellence.
Where else, inwhich religion's pantheon is so rich, culturally and artistically as is Hinduism?
Sadly, Bollywood with its 'Jisms' have ALREADY killed the popular taste for Classical Dance forms. Except for a tiny minority of people who still have both the knowledge and appreciative taste for such, the vast common man has not the least interest.
Enemies of this Nation need no nuclear bombs. One crore of rupees to make a single Bollywood movie can go a long way to disturb and morph and justify the new generation's tastes for things considered too vulgur before.
One can go on and on and on.. especially if the mood is sombre like mine.
3. Dress/Cuisine
4. Etiquettes, traditions and manners
5. The Family, values and bringing up of Children.
Anyway, I think I am just complaining.. but heck, my first post needs some outpouring and now, here I am already feeling better.
Anyway, thanks for reading it out.
<!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Indian culture is doomed to change... doomed to be destroyed. You can try all you can and arrest this doom for a while, but the end is imminent. Now, don't go on to the denial mode already - this is bound to happen inspite of howmuchever we wish it to be false.
The only hope is to savage what we can before its too late. We have to take up whatever is 'savagable', guard it alone and lift it above our heads to keep it safer... and RUN!
Do not look back,
Leave the rest to sink.. rot... decay... and be replaced.
The whole of Indic culture with its unique arts, architecture, culture has already been eroded to such an extent that we do not yet comprehend the loss.
1. The Arts- Architecture.
With 5 centuries of Muslim rule, North India already has *no* Hindu architecture left to start with. What ever survives is only plain pagoda type temples with not much sculpture to write about. The Konark style temples which are an example of ancient pure Hindu architecture are now only historical pieces counting their last years to come. The art of sculpting is totally alien now to that region. Idols are fashioned out of terrakotta, even Lingams are now increasing being made of concrete of all materials.
In the South, the situation is only slightly better. Few communities of Shilpis exist, a few numbered Shapathis, -traditional Temple builders/architects survive.
The only hope here is that Rich Indian Communities in the US spend generously to FIRST, repair ancient monuments back home and SECONDLY, build new temples strictly according to Hindu principles of architecture in the States.
We cannot build new large temples, the size of old ones... So, let us atleast savage what we have left.
2. The Arts - Performing - Dance, Drama and Music.
The Only Gods/Goddesses who can dance, play musical instruments and act belong to Hinduism.
We have Nataraja, the Cosmic dancer whose Dance signifies the whole existence of this Universe - movement, rythm, change and limitless energy.
Bharathy- Saraswathi who plays the Rudra Veena (it is being lost too, this Veena)
Narada, the Sage of the demigods, who is an actor par excellence.
Where else, inwhich religion's pantheon is so rich, culturally and artistically as is Hinduism?
Sadly, Bollywood with its 'Jisms' have ALREADY killed the popular taste for Classical Dance forms. Except for a tiny minority of people who still have both the knowledge and appreciative taste for such, the vast common man has not the least interest.
Enemies of this Nation need no nuclear bombs. One crore of rupees to make a single Bollywood movie can go a long way to disturb and morph and justify the new generation's tastes for things considered too vulgur before.
One can go on and on and on.. especially if the mood is sombre like mine.
3. Dress/Cuisine
4. Etiquettes, traditions and manners
5. The Family, values and bringing up of Children.
Anyway, I think I am just complaining.. but heck, my first post needs some outpouring and now, here I am already feeling better.
Anyway, thanks for reading it out.
<!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->