http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/a ... 318621.ece
A movement is not wrong by itself( response to RSR's post in some venemous thread). But a movement should deal with criticism and respond to it and not hide behind adhyAtmism and great people of the past who might have done some good. That is what I meant by saying - a movement is in political public realm!
Institutions must face this too!
Next target is Rukimini Devi Arundale
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sankark
- Posts: 2338
- Joined: 16 Dec 2008, 09:10
Re: Next target is Rukimini Devi Arundale
From that article
On the one hand was a movement to abolish the devadasi and on the other was the discovery of a figurine that politically reified the dance, gave it antiquity and transported it 5,000 years back and made it ‘national heritage’.
Devadasis were universities of extraordinary artistic knowledge, but here was a call for the erasure of their art
Forget whether Bharatanatyam is 5000 years old or 2000 years old or 5000 years old continuum that has morphed and transformed into what it is today.
The thing that author seems to have failed to realize is - devadAsi's arts knowledge alone shouldn't have perpetuated devadAsi systems ills. So the movement/act AFAIK is to get rid of the ills of devadAsi system (almost like bonded labor, sexual predation and a semi-moral concubine system. again what it had become but not why/how the entire devadAsi system started) So the failure is on preservation of the lore and continuation of the fine arts lineage rather than the abolition of devadAsi system per se. Unintended consequences?
Secondly "Caste is toxic and intelligent artists should actually be asking for its annihilation." What is Menon doing in his name? Apparently a subcaste of Nairs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menon_(subcaste) Why isn't the author taking the first step towards the annihilation?
On the one hand was a movement to abolish the devadasi and on the other was the discovery of a figurine that politically reified the dance, gave it antiquity and transported it 5,000 years back and made it ‘national heritage’.
Devadasis were universities of extraordinary artistic knowledge, but here was a call for the erasure of their art
Forget whether Bharatanatyam is 5000 years old or 2000 years old or 5000 years old continuum that has morphed and transformed into what it is today.
The thing that author seems to have failed to realize is - devadAsi's arts knowledge alone shouldn't have perpetuated devadAsi systems ills. So the movement/act AFAIK is to get rid of the ills of devadAsi system (almost like bonded labor, sexual predation and a semi-moral concubine system. again what it had become but not why/how the entire devadAsi system started) So the failure is on preservation of the lore and continuation of the fine arts lineage rather than the abolition of devadAsi system per se. Unintended consequences?
Secondly "Caste is toxic and intelligent artists should actually be asking for its annihilation." What is Menon doing in his name? Apparently a subcaste of Nairs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menon_(subcaste) Why isn't the author taking the first step towards the annihilation?
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Sachi_R
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: 31 Jan 2017, 20:20
Re: Next target is Rukimini Devi Arundale
Any study of Hindu scriptures will clarify that the caste system was conceived on the basis of aptitude and propensity (GUNA and KARMA). The vehemence in writings like Menon's points to the core evil in Hindu society: Bend, break, bond, take, anything you wish to have, an opportunism with scant regard for truth and justice.
These writings, instead of extolling nobility and goodness in people like MSS, make out a case for hate and discord in society. Nothing good can come out of such an attitude.
These writings, instead of extolling nobility and goodness in people like MSS, make out a case for hate and discord in society. Nothing good can come out of such an attitude.