Writing on politics by CM artistes (Contd/-)

prabuddha · Post by **prabuddha** » 20 May 2014, 01:38

Some more jarring notes:

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?290744

How can a person with Saraswathi in his tongue have so much confusion in his mind?

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 20 May 2014, 07:20

Unlike his previous nonsense, this one sounds fine to me even if I do not see eye to eye with him on specific points. One can quibble about his re-definition of terms to suit his point of view but that is a debating tool everyone uses.

Elections have consequences, some good and some bad. And this one definitely has major consequences. In that context, a totally shattered opposition is a bad thing. The pendulum has swung from one end to the other.

>Will there be more bans on books, mobs at exhibitions? Maybe, but I am more concerned
>about voices becoming silent out of fear, people deciding not to paint, sing or write in protest.

Though the latter part about his concern sounds a bit patronizing, there is enough history in attempting to ban books to sympathize with the first part of the sentence. I will leave it at that for now though a lot can be written on that topic.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 20 May 2014, 07:28

I felt the same way too, VK. Nothing bizarre here...

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 20 May 2014, 13:51

This is a perfectly reasonable article. He has a political opinion and is expressing it in a democratic nation.
If you disagree, you have every right to. Just as much as TMK has to his opinion.

In fact, this article is not even provocative as the earlier one was (as VK rightly observed).

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 20 May 2014, 19:52

"Politics is the ultimate resort of the scoundrels" - George Bernard Shaw.How far is this true in India?

ShrutiLaya · Post by **ShrutiLaya** » 20 May 2014, 23:12

As far as I can tell, the reasoning of his previous article was (1) Brahmins only vote for brahmins (2) Brahmins are voting for Modi (3) Modi is not a Brahmin => Brahmins must think Modi is a brahmin.

This one is only marginally more logical. Again there is the clever innuendo passed off as facts. "The Modi camp has made its idea of Hindu clear" he says, and then goes on to wonder if all sorts of wild things will happen. What takes the cake, to me, is his assertion that "there is no Hindu culture without Islam". However, "Protecting our culture" is a Bad Thing (presumably because there is no such thing as Hindu culture).

Anyway .. the world is a big place, with room even for half baked ideas.

- Sreenadh

seema · Post by **seema** » 21 May 2014, 15:51

I see that we are back to discussing TMK and his various extracurricular activities. While I may be rubbing some people off on the forum, I think it is high time we stopped highlighting his various doings ("Vishamakara K (rishna)annan" and his antics)..

I really do wish, for the sake of aged rasikas like myself, that he would stick to performing Carnatic music (Mangalams front, back or centre, thillanas as main pieces, varnams as tukkadas, whatever have you)... rather than take on this role of becoming a political commentator and worse still, the unoffical protege to a well-known bureaucrat and political player. I really do.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 21 May 2014, 17:44

I can see your point, but one 'maybe' is that, like very many musicians, he finds himself in need of a second career!

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 21 May 2014, 19:14

Those who are against TMK writing on political matters, think honestly about this: Do you disapprove his involvement in politics or his politics? Would you still think so if he is on your side politically? Say, his political writings pleases you and warms your heart on those matters you are passionate about.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 21 May 2014, 19:44

Most of the people are judgmental of what other's do and Rasikas are no different. What difference does it make to one who does and believe in.

kvjayan · Post by **kvjayan** » 22 May 2014, 01:06

For those who can read Tamizh:

http://tamil.thehindu.com/opinion/colum ... 007533.ece#

The Hindu (Tamil) is much more secular than the English parent.

Some kind of an English version seems to be also available:

http://tamil.thehindu.com/opinion/colum ... jKH0.gmail

kvjayan · Post by **kvjayan** » 22 May 2014, 01:45

A few years ago, I happened to read a review of a book written by an "eminent historian", Romila Thapar. According to her the Bhakti movement in Tamil Nadu (Alwars and Nayanmars) was influenced by Christianity. Now, we have Sri TMK saying in India there is no Hindu culture without Islam etc. Hope we are not heading towards secular assertions like Thyagaraja Swami's works were based on gospel music, Muthuswamy Dikshitar's songs were influenced by Gregorian chants and Syama Sastri owed his kritis to Sufi saints etc. But, it won't be surprising if a few PhD theses have already been awarded on these lines.

ShrutiLaya · Post by **ShrutiLaya** » 22 May 2014, 02:16

@vasanthakokilam post#9 You are right, it's his politics (or more precisely, his beliefs) I find objectionable. Quoting the bible (to show my secular credentials!) "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" For better or worse, he is a "celebrity" and that is why Hindu publishes him. To a certain extent, he is the (unelected) representative of Carnatic Music (at least, to laymen) So we must demand, and are justified in demanding, that he think through his positions a bit more, and not say things like there is no Hindu culture without Islam. (While on this point: he should know that many of the things that the west - and therefore the world - considers arabic inventions eg. zero, algebra etc., - are actually Hindu ideas brought to the west by the arabs)

- Sreenadh

girish_a · Post by **girish_a** » 22 May 2014, 17:54

vasanthakokilam wrote:Those who are against TMK writing on political matters, think honestly about this: Do you disapprove his involvement in politics or his politics? Would you still think so if he is on your side politically? Say, his political writings pleases you and warms your heart on those matters you are passionate about.

It is not about approving or disapproving his stance on political matters. The thing with politics is that it has the effect of inducing a certain rigidity in the heart and character of someone deeply involved in it. It creeps into the character of that person, silently and unnoticed.

In a Carnatic musician, the first casualty of such rigidity is the bhaava or higher emotion, if you will, that ought to be nurtured consciously with much care.

If a musician's finer sensibilities are trampled by the emotions generated by political thought, his music will suffer.

The constant bombardment of our living rooms over the past few months with news of the intensely fought electoral battle surely has made a few of us think what psychological effect it might be having on us, on our deeper consciousness? Can it be denied that the flower of music will wither under the harsh sun of politics?

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 22 May 2014, 19:09

girish_a wrote: It is not about approving or disapproving his stance on political matters. The thing with politics is that it has the effect of inducing a certain rigidity in the heart and character of someone deeply involved in it. It creeps into the character of that person, silently and unnoticed.

In a Carnatic musician, the first casualty of such rigidity is the bhaava or higher emotion, if you will, that ought to be nurtured consciously with much care.

If a musician's finer sensibilities are trampled by the emotions generated by political thought, his music will suffer.

The constant bombardment of our living rooms over the past few months with news of the intensely fought electoral battle surely has made a few of us think what psychological effect it might be having on us, on our deeper consciousness? Can it be denied that the flower of music will wither under the harsh sun of politics?

What a nice post.. Thank you, Girish_a, what you say is so important!

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 22 May 2014, 21:21

>Can it be denied that the flower of music will wither under the harsh sun of politics?

Nice metaphor, Girish.

Democracy isn't pretty and there are indeed such negatives.

While that rigidity that you speak of exists, it need not be negative bhava wise. In fact, deeply felt emotions about the community, region and country do get reflected in songs which we perceive as Bhava.

The social commentator Thyagaraja was doing exactly that and we all appreciate the bhava that resulted from it.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 23 May 2014, 16:48

WHY?
Why as a citizen, musician should stay away from politics? Why as a socially conscious individual, musician should not communicate his own observation? Why readers and rasikas, fellow members do not appreciate musician's (in this instance TMK) communication in written text while appreciate and enjoy his communication through syllabo-melodic? Why rasikas are conditioned in mind-thinking?

TMK, a citizen of India and the World has expressed about his concerns about the continued Brahminical influence, with selective or compromised practices and its effects in the social order. Rasikas are fully aware that TMK is not the first and the last to express. Many vaggeyakaras compositions either question the practices or clearly decry the many prejudices and customs and also caste divisions.
Please understand the musician and his state of mind. As R.K.Srikantan had said in his talk at the Gayana Samaja- "Kale Balale Beku, Belagale Beku"-Art has to live, Grow and Prosper' - 'Sangita sukumararige, somarigalige, ahamkarigalige mattu havyasigalige dorakuvadalla'- One can not gain Classical music if the person who shuns hard work, work, egoistic and indulges as a hobby'. TMK, a maestro musician and is popular musician and does not have all the qualities listed by RKS.
High time, rasikas should put an end to hateful and distasteful comments in this forums.

munirao2001

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 23 May 2014, 23:57

vasanthakokilam wrote:While that rigidity that you speak of exists, it need not be negative bhava wise. In fact, deeply felt emotions about the community, region and country do get reflected in songs which we perceive as Bhava.
The social commentator Thyagaraja was doing exactly that and we all appreciate the bhava that resulted from it.

It is not the deeply felt emotions that Girish is refering to, but the rigidity or conviction that one is right at all costs that may kill the ability to express bhAva - the only certainty in Tyagaraja's compositions is his uncertainty - which leads to the different takes he has - commentaries where he is sure, those where he is not so sure, some where he is anxious, a few where he's certain etc...each one more precious than the other. If all of them were of the same genre, spelt out with certainty, I think they'd be boring...

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 26 May 2014, 11:34

Girish
Deeply study the various stalwart Vaggeyakaras compositions. They do reflect the social and political contemporary times developments, with deep concerns. Compositions bhava or creativity did not suffer. In fact they used them as a medium to communicate their concerns and offer solutions. The quality suffers due to unethical prejudices and practices only. Any times hear the voices of the reformers, think, realize and act for the individual and collective fulfilled existence, the very purpose and meaning of life, including Art Music-Karnatik Music.

munirao2001

kappi · Post by **kappi** » 02 Jun 2014, 01:02

Kudos to TM Krishna for writing this and thanks for posting this here; else I would have missed it. My respects for him grows by leaps and bounds. He's a guy with a strong backbone.
Well of course, (majority of) the religion-blinded carnatic music community can now start barking louder at him !

kappi · Post by **kappi** » 02 Jun 2014, 01:11

rshankar wrote:It is not the deeply felt emotions that Girish is refering to, but the rigidity or conviction that one is right at all costs that may kill the ability to express bhAva - the only certainty in Tyagaraja's compositions is his uncertainty - which leads to the different takes he has - commentaries where he is sure, those where he is not so sure, some where he is anxious, a few where he's certain etc...each one more precious than the other. If all of them were of the same genre, spelt out with certainty, I think they'd be boring...

Well..How about Dikshitar and Syama Sastri then? They made compositions of more or less the 'same genre' and were 'spelt out with certainty'. Are they boring then?

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 04 Jun 2014, 12:38

rshankar wrote: - the only certainty in Tyagaraja's compositions is his uncertainty - which leads to the different takes he has - commentaries where he is sure, those where he is not so sure, some where he is anxious, a few where he's certain etc...each one more precious than the other. If all of them were of the same genre, spelt out with certainty, I think they'd be boring...

I am not sure I agree. Thyagaraja raises a number of questions in his compositions but in my view they are largely rhetorical. For some questions, the answer is clear from the composition itself. For some others, the point of asking the question seems to be to declare that the answer is moot. Where do you see the uncertainty?

Don't mean to hijack the thread. Please feel free to respond in a different thread,

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 04 Jun 2014, 19:48

Luckily Tyagaraja is not born in our time, as we have so many educated people who seek meaning and reasoning in everything we write.

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 05 Jun 2014, 11:23

Simple, that guy is bored of singing. After all, the Carnatic circle is very small with the same faces everywhere. Music is same, he tried to change, didn't work out. so, now wants to 'express' himself in politics as if he is in for it like a social cause.

Rich kid. Comfortable life. Marriage, kids. Smooth life. So, he wants some change. I cant wait to see him turn to being a communist. All rich guys start there. Or is it the other way? Guys get rich mouthing communism. I can imagine.

What he has written doesn't make sense at all. We are the fools - giving respect to a musician and reading his nonsense. Once a musician (however great he is) opens his mouth to talk, it will only be gibberish. He had better stick to singing - where he has a lot more to learn.

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 05 Jun 2014, 15:57

I wonder whether we should use this forum exclusively for music and related aspects of music. What the musicians do outside the space of music, be it their personal life, belief system, political leanings, etc. may not be a healthy branch of this forum. They do not add to 'rasika bhava', enrichment of the quality of a rasika by discussing purely music related ideas.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 05 Jun 2014, 16:14

It is not what is discussed, it is how it is discussed. Let us cry "rubbish" where we think it, but why the personal venom against certain people?

It's said that TMK has no time for this forum. I don't blame him.

kappi · Post by **kappi** » 06 Jun 2014, 00:25

kvchellappa wrote:I wonder whether we should use this forum exclusively for music and related aspects of music. What the musicians do outside the space of music, be it their personal life, belief system, political leanings, etc. may not be a healthy branch of this forum. They do not add to 'rasika bhava', enrichment of the quality of a rasika by discussing purely music related ideas.

I don't agree to this. There is no necessity to decouple a musician from his personal beliefs and his idiosyncrasies. That the enrichment of 'rasika bhava' is the only intent of carnatic music as an art form, is just a short-sighted vision (or ideology, in stronger terms) of arts, music and culture.

TMK is what he is. I admire his immense courage in trying to form a new direction for our music (which is already dying with monotonic overproduction) and from the same courage of his stems out his vision on arts, culture and society and there's no reason for him to be quiet. And for me, his music is not as appealing as of many others from the past. But that he is trying to redefine his music, is an encouraging sign and i look forward to that.

As Munirao has already pointed out, all artists, starting from our trinity, echoed the societal/cultural conditions directly into their art. The extremely unique music of people like MD Ramanathan, was due to his highly unique personality and one could understand their music better, if one understood their personalities and 'personal' belief systems--which hence cannot be neglected.

Hence TMK's 'personal belief system' and 'political leanings' are indeed very important factors that define his art and that will define his art in the future. Probably the carnatic music community, that remains confined in the cocoon of 'tradition' and 'religion', is not matured enough to see that. In my opnion, TMK has risen from a 'private' individual to a 'public' intellectual (in terms of Immanuel Kant's 'private' and 'public' use of Reason) and we need more and more artists to be a part of the Public space.

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 06 Jun 2014, 08:22

Nick H wrote:

It's said that TMK has no time for this forum. I don't blame him.

Of course, he has only time to think his confused ideas and 'express' them to waste our valuable time. We read his column only because we were familiar with the guy as a 'top' musician. Otherwise, wld anyone even write about this nonsensical column?

Fame is like a bottomless pit. The more you get the more you want. Musicians, for that matter all artists want fame. TMK is an extreme case. He wants to extend his tentacles and be seen everywhere. Endless desires and a monkey mind - that's about what defines such characters.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 06 Jun 2014, 10:57

Kappi

Beautiful observations.But I do not agree with your speculation "Probably the carnatic music community, that remains confined in the cocoon of 'tradition' and 'religion', is not matured enough to see that". It is the misunderstanding and conditioning of the mind resulting in a blurred vision.
It is set beliefs and values. Interested rasika (s) should try to remove the misunderstanding and misconceptions for clarity and resetting the values system for the benefit of larger rasika community.

Ramamantra

I am shocked and sad. To end this, let us go into details. Please let me understand
1. how TMK has confused ideas and only expresses them ?
2. How his column under your reference is nonsensical ?
3. How TMK is extreme case ?
4. How did you judge TMK has endless desires and a monkey mind ?
Do not mistake me that I am holding the brief for TMK and dismiss my questions, considering it is not worth and a waste of time or at its worst, I am also raising these genuine questions with a monkey mind. If you are a serious and committed rasika, I sincerely urge you to read his beautiful and very rare book on Karnatik Music in the history, 'Southern Music, Karnatik Music story' to reap the benefits of his observations and great insights. If you are unwilling to invest your time without a change in the basic understanding, please enlighten me with your answers. At the end of our discussions, I promise to share with you, privately through email, my TMK's 51 great observations and insights in his above mentioned and highly recommended book.
munirao2001

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 06 Jun 2014, 11:28

munirao2001 wrote:Ramamantra

I am shocked and sad. To end this, let us go into details. Please let me understand
1. how TMK has confused ideas and only expresses them ?
2. How his column under your reference is nonsensical ?
3. How TMK is extreme case ?
4. How did you judge TMK has endless desires and a monkey mind ?
Do not mistake me that I am holding the brief for TMK and dismiss my questions, considering it is not worth and a waste of time or at its worst, I am also raising these genuine questions with a monkey mind. If you are a serious and committed rasika, I sincerely urge you to read his beautiful and very rare book on Karnatik Music in the history, 'Southern Music, Karnatik Music story' to reap the benefits of his observations and great insights. If you are unwilling to invest your time without a change in the basic understanding, please enlighten me with your answers. At the end of our discussions, I promise to share with you, privately through email, my TMK's 51 great observations and insights in his above mentioned and highly recommended book.
munirao2001

1. Probably you've not followed this discussion from the beginning. Sorry, I cannot repeat a long analysis that's going on here. You can read it-all the 26 or so posts-slowly till you understand.
2. Again, you haven't gone through the outlook column. No clarity of thought in his ideas and certainly no new revelations. The whole tone is divisive. Moreover, his ideas hang loosely without tying up in the end.
3. Anybody wanting to do too many things falls into such categories.
4. Same reasoning above.

So, I've responded to all your questions as a serious rasika. I find it exacerbating to really begin from the beginning. Munirao, you seem to say after reading the complete ramayanam that seethaikku raman cittappa ! On a personal note, why wld you try to provide blind support to these artists who can support themselves fully well, or for anyone for that matter? Don't bother abt TMK. These characters can take good care of themselves and survive at all costs. Bother about yourself first.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 06 Jun 2014, 13:52

ramamantra wrote:Of course, he has only time to think his confused ideas and 'express' them to waste our valuable time. We read his column only because we were familiar with the guy as a 'top' musician. Otherwise, wld anyone even write about this nonsensical column?

Because we want to; because we are interested to see. because you want to. You chose to read the columns, you chose to come here and rant about them: that is not TMNK's fault, nor is the fault of the editor of The Hindu. It is your decision. How much more time have you "wasted" since reading the articles? You cannot blame TMK for that.

I have not always liked TMK's writing either. His notions of copyright were confused, and the articles on aspects of music history were of the kind that send students to sleep in lectures. In both cases, I believe that I posted my responses here.

At least both of those subjects were music-related. What is happening now is that everything he does is held up, look at what that TMK is doing now, and the brick-throwing fest begins.

If you don't like TMK's writings outside music, don't read them.

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 06 Jun 2014, 16:44

Thanx for the unsolicited advice, my friend nick.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 06 Jun 2014, 22:06

That's ok

Sometimes the best advice is unasked for!

But really, really, whilst my post was a direct answer to yours, it was more about something that is becoming a habit on rasikas.org.

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 07 Jun 2014, 07:52

Nick H wrote:That's ok Sometimes the best advice is unasked for!

That's what you think. Nice to see ppl wrapped under their own illusions.

Anyway, let's stop fighting over some confused 'celebrity' and mind our business (like you said).

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 07 Jun 2014, 23:17

Opinions - On matters that have potentially many sides, taking one side rather forcefully. True of TMK and all the posters of this thread, for or against his views and for or against him. Reasons for opinion forming are many: Passion for something, dislike or hatred for someone or something, family and cultural conditioning, playing devil's advocate or whatever! Having opinions is human.

Illusions - Forgetting that it is an opinion and crossing the invisible line to believing it is indeed the only possibility. Convinced it is indeed the reality.

Delusion - Expecting others to agree with you because of the above illusion.

So opinion begets illusion begets delusion

Keeping this mind mind will help you chill out if you get stressed out at other people's opinions and want to lash out at them.

My opinion: The above is a universal fact, you better agree with it! Now figure if that is an illusion or delusion

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 07 Jun 2014, 23:54

VK,
It could be both, either or neither in each individual's case

One difference is, we rasikAs can log in any time we like to say something, and we don't have any of the monitoring, moderating and janitorial tasks that the admin and moderators have

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 08 Jun 2014, 07:42

Let me add a twist: often even facts are opinions formed by the mind.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 08 Jun 2014, 10:23

Here is the ugly side of when music and political opinion mix:
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/shubha- ... s/15361178

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 08 Jun 2014, 11:05

. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v49gYX6 ... ata_player

the antagonism goes beyond present political dispensations.but the artist is in good hands. the hands of ,.. kabir.
well listen to this and decide.a magnificent track

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 08 Jun 2014, 12:39

varsha wrote:
the antagonism goes beyond present political dispensations.

Care to expand on this a bit?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 08 Jun 2014, 19:36

Mohan,
I can't believe that I'm reading this!
You and I, as immigrants at some point of time, arrived at two different countries. If we were treated this way, we might not have stayed perhaps, becoming part of the mainstream over the years.

I see more than one aspect to this act.

!: Totally forgetting the above-mentioned sobering reason.
2:Not respecting (at all), a citizen of the country you were born in.
3: To treat an ambassador of the arts from anywhere, let alone one from the country you hailed from in this manner!
4: Seeing this strictly from a business transaction point of view, the artiste breached none of her commitments to her engagement, nor was she impolite, rude or nasty!
5: To be charitable (ha!) to the said person, since we do not know him from Adam, those who know him may be able to say why he behaved this way. Some physical condition, like very high blood pressure? I do not want to go into other possible reasons.

Modi himself might not applaud him on such behavior

American history reminds us of the strife of immigrants (of those who did not arrive here on their own will!). In this democracy, how do we identify ourselves? As some kind of supreme homo sapiens?

Anyhow, such shabby (to say the least) treatment of an artiste makes us hang our heads in shame

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 08 Jun 2014, 20:44

I think all the remarks on TM Krishna are totally unfair.Being an educated person,he can freely air his views and in fact his interest in other aspects are noteworthy.
So many articles appear in the media and TM Krishna's article is one among them.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 08 Jun 2014, 21:06

sureshvv. will do in a whille.travelling

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 09 Jun 2014, 00:25

mohan wrote:Here is the ugly side of when music and political opinion mix:
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/shubha- ... s/15361178

The most amazing thing about this is that nobody hit the guy! No need for charity, arasi.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 09 Jun 2014, 00:54

Nick H wrote:The most amazing thing about this is that nobody hit the guy! No need for charity, arasi.

Yes, I wish I had been there with my mafia connections

Jest aside, this kind of intimidation of an artiste (irrespective of their opinions) is disgraceful. X(

Having a difference of opinion with Modi does not make one a bad Hindu. This is the kind of dangerous position that every democracy should strive to condemn.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 09 Jun 2014, 01:14

Nick, Mahavishnu,
Yes, yes, yes, 'SiRumai kanDu ponguvAi' --said BhArathi.
'SiRumai' means small-minedness, pettiness, meanness, crassness and more (there, I'm venting my feelings!).
And all this happened in a place of worship (not new though, when you think of zealots).

"Let that righteous indignation in you crest like a wave on facing such a thing" [-x , mahAkavi said...

My understanding is that it happened before the concert. What could be worse?

Once again, it speaks of the artistes' grace under fire.

harimau · Post by **harimau** » 09 Jun 2014, 05:07

mahavishnu wrote:
Having a difference of opinion with Modi does not make one a bad Hindu.

You are indeed correct.

Having a difference of opinion with Modi makes one 'The Hindu'.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 09 Jun 2014, 07:16

sureshvv.here we go
it is a surprising facet of political commentary in india that the ease with which modi has reached where he is now ,is still not analysed fully.
few recognise that he is his own man and shows little of how it works .
in one stroke he has reined in all the big mouths of bjp , proved that he has moved ahead in areas where rss has remained static,sent shivers down the spines of govt employees , and put responsibility ahead of power .
it will not be long before the forces that put him where he is now , rue their fate .my central govt br in law had to swallow his pride in not getting the seven day grace period between postings.he was also given the notice that his work may be a six day week shortly and casual leave cut by a fourth.
shades of becket. ? and the predicament of king henry who learned to live by hating becket for the rest of his life ?

maybe.maybe not. probably the romantic in me reads more in modi than what will happen.
but I am certain that the rabble rousers - like the committee member - will not be able to their dirty work under a saffron flag.

and that is why I believe that the common man in india was wise enough to steer away from coalitions and take a risk with clesr majorities.
so this is what I meant suresh.
shubhas leaning towatds kabir is more than a decade old .which has made her music more charming.
kabir is likely to appear more and relevant for our times of confused secularism and I will not be surprised if the answers to bjps problems lies more in his dohas than the exact spot where rama was born.
and that is why I comfort myself that she is in good hands.modi has started acting out his role with an aura of responsibility that is so reminiscent of the scene of richard burton (as becket )doing the unthinkable in front of the hardliners who put him in that place.
misplaced hope ? blame it on the luxuriant landscapes that bombard my senses ad I drive through karnataka and chat up with some very ordinary folk who feel they are still connected to the man they voted for .even aftet thr elections.
I wont fret about her problems with the hardliners.for kabir had fought them all his life
must have murmured to herself .panditj vaad vadanthi ....
sorry for the long post .but these are the most exciting times , and hope they are not sullied by brainless brown shirts nay halfpants

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 09 Jun 2014, 08:15

Varsha,

Whatever Modi might have been earlier,he is showing signs of governance after a very long time.The laST TWO DECADES OF ADJUST AND SOME HOW CONTINUE IN POWER SEEMS TO HAVE GONE.Of course you cannot expect miracles.the UPA-II being worst government in the history of India.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 09 Jun 2014, 18:25

kvchellappa

You said "Let me add a twist: often even facts are opinions formed by the mind". Your twist, really. It is often, the truth are opinions formed by the mind, but are not facts. Truth can contain a variant or modification. In fact variant or modification is impossible. If one person's opinion, even if it is not a fact, accepted and endorsed becomes the truth until such time some other person's opinion changes it successfully. Reality in twist, is this.

munirao2001