Re: reference to caste in tyAgAraja kIrtanalu
Bapa Rao (brao@pollux.usc.edu)
Wed, 15 Apr 1998 10:51:54 -0700 (PDT)
This discussion is similar to the debate that often crops up over
Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, which is full of anti-jewish rants.
One argument that I have seen in connection with MoV that might apply
to Thyagaraja kritis is to leave the references in to remind ourselves
that life is not black and white: just because someone is a saint or
a great composer doesn't mean that they don't have flaws, and we needn't
be heartbroken (though it is a natural reaction) that someone whom we
idolized has turned out to be imperfect. The other, related argument for
enlightened folks is that leaving these things in is a reminder of
where we have come from, and where we might still go if we are not
watchful.
There are equally good arguments for leaving the references out, but I
won't make them. Isn't it ultimately the singer's choice?
My personal views.
Bapa Rao