Re: gaddar's `comrade' Naajar is no more.
sadananda (sada@anvil.nrl.navy.mil)
Thu, 6 Mar 1997 11:46:31 -0500
>Hi! I am normally a very passive reader. But this
>interesting discussion on the importance of culture
>prompted me to post my opinions.
>
>Granted that "food, shetler etc." are very important. But,
>it is also important that we live a life of humans.
>Happiness does not come just from the above mentioned
>items. If it is so what is the difference between us and
>animals?
>Venkat
>
>
>On Thu, 6 Mar 1997 08:53:21 +0000 (GMT) "C. Kambhampati"
><shskambh@reading.ac.uk> wrote:
>
>> Agreed. But what is the point of these studies. It does not feed anybody
>> other than the people with vested interests. The maseses need food
>> clothing etc - there are millions out there who do not know if they are
>> going have their next meal. Cultural studies and cultural relativism and
>> associated studies of cultural movements happen by themselves if the
>> people are sufficient. If not all of this does not matter - culture is
>> useless if people cannot eat, live and prosper. Culture is meant for us
>> well fed humans.
My thought on poetry that preaches violence:
I also realize this may not the right topic to discuss. But as along as we
are discussing the means to make changes in the society, one has to
contemplate on what can make the right changes.
Agreed food and clothing and shelter are the basic ingredients that a human
needs. But achieving these by force or by violence from others who have it
makes us no verse than animals. Excepting few who take advantage of the
systems, most of the majority are hard working and self made and earned
what they get by hard work. Whenever I go to India, the first thing that
affects me is the stream of beggars on the street. Some are invalid and
need help. But many are also hale and healthy. One fellow came to our
house for begging. I offered him to pay him and provide food as well if he
cleans the yard. But he felt insulted to do work on the yard and refused
and preferred to beg free food elsewhere.
The violence that is being perpetuated by the Naxalites in the name of
humanity and any preaching in the name of song and dance is violation of
human decency. One wrong cannot be righted by another wrong, whether the
practice of castism then and reverse castism now, suppression of innocent
then and maddening violence now. The means with which the very cause that
they are fighting for leads to one suppression replaced by the other but
more ghastly. Burning books and blowing the police stations are not
means to cause change. It brings only more destruction. I cannot
appreciate any preaching of violence in the name of song and dance and art.
I would rather support efforts by Mother Terrassa or Volga or any other
who are providing a greater help to the masses than create more hatred and
violence in the society. The poetry and songs that preach violence are
verse than trash. One can raise emotions in the people by these kinds of
trash. But one raise reverence and respect by selfless acts to uplift the
society by bringing changes in the hearts through education. As I
pointed in my review of Volga's work, my respect for her work is not based
on the literary merit per sec. Though literature she is trying to point out
the atrocities against the weaker sex and more than that she is trying to
help that segment of society not by violence but through education. This
is what we need. A transformation not a revolution, because a revolution
will be replaced by the another.
Those of us who are blessed by education and are fortunate that we donot
have to struggle hard for a our daily bread and clothing, should do
something to help alleviate the problem. In this connection, I want to
encourage everyone to support projects undertaken by the Literacy project
being undertaken by Sri Veluri Rao. I would request him to outline, for
the benefit of everybody, some of the projects that are being carried out
in Andhra which do greater service to the humanity.
There are several Aid India Development projects being run by University of
Maryland students. Similarly if someone knows the details of the projects
that are being undertaken by Volga, I would advice them to post to bring to
awareness of the people. Sometimes what we spend for a Pizza out for a
family is enough to support an innocent child in India in terms of food and
a decent education to support herself. This is a far better song and
dance than the violent undertones that are preached by raising emotions in
the masses. Mind is very sensitive instrument. One can do irreparable
damage by these trash. There was a TV show on violence and they showed
how in Pakistan, the very young children are taught to hate Hindus. With
that kind of hatred ingrained in the innocent minds, what kind of future
citizens they are going to produce.
Hari Om!
Sadananda