Why invest in “fuzzy myths"?

[Guest guest]

Fuzzy myths in focus

GAUTAM CHIKERMANE

Posted online: Monday, March 06, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

 

The finance minister's tiny grant of Rs 5 crore — for Kuttiyattam,

Vedic chanting and Ramlila — is a small beginning towards the big

financing of ancient traditions that `modern' thinkers, writers and

policy-makers have chosen to ignore. So far. By recognising these

three art forms as precious, even if the prod came from the West

(UNESCO), and financing them through Budget 2006, the government has

shown that it not only respects the UNESCO initiative, but is willing

to put money where its mouth is.

 

Why is investing in "fuzzy myths", at a time when India evolves as an

economic and now nuclear superpower, important? Because part of the

self-becoming of any nation is the self-discovery of its soul. To

discover the richness, economic or intellectual, of India without

unearthing its soul and substance would be like a ship carrying gold

having no anchor.

 

 

 

According to the UNESCO (it is unfortunate that I have to quote this

international body rather than Indian scholars), Vedic chanting is

a "very powerful way to integrate body, voice, mind and our emotions

in the deeper quest for unity with the source from which sound

originates. In Vedic chanting you also practise the art of listening,

Adhyayanam. The benefits one may receive from Vedic chanting is the

experience of deep inner silence." The UNESCO declaration brings

international recognition to a universal tradition that has survived

the millennia through "an elaborately worked-out mnemonic method".

 

Kuttiyattam is a form of sacred theatre, dating back to the 12th to

17th century. It involves rituals, compositions and orchestras,

originally performed in temple theatres called Kuttampalam. Its

preservation, according to the UNESCO, "is important: for India as a

nation, preserving its national heritage; for Kerala as a state and

the language of Malayalam; and for the preservation of ancient

traditions of southern India, as expressed in Dravidian languages and

encompassing Sanskrit cultural expressions".

 

As far as Ramlila goes, no Indian — regardless of religion — needs to

be told what it is (an enactment of Rama's story), and what it does

(brings people and communities together in a common devotional dance-

drama celebration). What we do need to know is that this tradition is

dying as the medium of theatre is being undermined by the idiot box.

 

It's three traditions and Rs 5 crore today. Both need to be suffixed

by zeros tomorrow.

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