Nenju porukku thillaiye - Intha
Nilaiketta manithirai ninaithuvittal,
Anji anji saavaar - Ivar
Anjaatha porulillai avaniyille;
Vanjanai peigal enbaar - Intha
Marathil enbaar; Antha kulathil enbaar;
Thunjathu mugathil enbaar - Migath
Thuyarpaduvaar; Enni bhayappaduvaar ...
Bharathiyar sang,
Achcham illai, achcham illai, achcham enbathu illaiye,
Uchchi meethu vaanidindhu veezhukinra podhinum,
Achcham illai achcham illai, achcham enbathu illaiye... The above means that even if the sky explodes and falls on my head, I will not be cowed down by fear, I will not be scared, and I will fight. Bharathiyar's exhortations of Indians to fight British imperialism was successful, and we badly need an encore to save us from the cultural imperialism as practiced by Karunanidhi and his despicable coterie of sycophants.
Sadly, we live in a world where anyone who defends Hinduism is considered as a Hindu fundamentalist, and someone like Karunanidhi who loves every opportunity to attack Hinduism is considered as rational and secular!!! Long live Indian democracy and tolerance!!! Long live secularism!!! Vande Maataram.
Nilaiketta manithirai ninaithuvittal,
Anji anji saavaar - Ivar
Anjaatha porulillai avaniyille;
Vanjanai peigal enbaar - Intha
Marathil enbaar; Antha kulathil enbaar;
Thunjathu mugathil enbaar - Migath
Thuyarpaduvaar; Enni bhayappaduvaar ...
Excerpts from "Nondich-chindhu" by
Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathiar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subramanya_Bharathy
Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathiar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subramanya_Bharathy
Great Thamizh (Tamil as is it incorrectly written, widely) poet and freedom fighter Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathiar wrote a beautiful song titled "Nondich-chindu" lamenting the state of Indians during the pre-independence era, a piece of the gem sung with pride. No amount of painstaking translation in English or in any other language can do justice to this beautiful poem. With foretold caveats, I try my best at elucidating the crux of the above paragraph and the larger poem itself for the benefit of non-Thamizh readers. Let the readers be reminded that this poem was written at a time when, superstitions dominated the society and religion, womens' right were unheard of, men were scared of fighting the British by supporting armed struggle as espoused by great men like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sri Aurobindo, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal etc., to name a few. In that era of social backwardness, Bharathiyar wrote "Nondich-chindu", exhorting Indians to fight the British, attack superstitions and, overcome fear and self-doubts. Bharathiyar cries that his heart bleeds when he sees the unstable and self-doubting Indian, who succumbs to a painful and slow death. The scared Indian blames on imaginary ghosts and evil men, and lacks the guts to fight the British. And so goes the song, exhorting every Indian to look inside and tap the raw nerve to fight social injustices and the British.
Today I felt, we need an encore of this passionate song, as Indians, in particular Hindus live a pathetic life in a country, where they are supposedly in a majority. This is related to the official decree by Tamil Nadu government led by the Karunanidhi, ordering all temples in Tamil Nadu not to perform any pujas for devotees and celebrate Tamil New Year Day on April 13th, as was the hitherto custom. Temples, which are controlled by the Tamil Nadu government, have no choice but to accept the whims of a anti-hindu chief minister. To this day, I have never celebrated English New Year or other stupid foreign commercialized festivities like Valentine's Day, sticking true to my proud Indian roots and celebrating Tamils, Malayalis, Kannadigas, Andhra, Marathas, Bengalis, Punjabi's and north Indians' New Year Days, all of which fall within a few days of one another, which illustrates the closeness and the beauty of our diverse Indian culture. Let me make this clear. I belong to neither Shiv Sena nor Bajrang Dal. I am just a simple Indian who loves his diverse Indian culture. While I consider Indian christians and muslims as Indians, I hold festivities like Valentine's Day, English New Year Day and likes, with utter contempt for the materialism and commercialism they represent, and as a product of culture forced upon us by this hedonistic world. These views were not a product of any external influence, but a product of my own volition. I don't object anyone who celebrates any of these junk festivities with religious fervor, but I consider it as a waste of time.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, famously proclaimed that "Swaraj is my birthright". But now, I can't go to a temple in TN and seek blessings of The Almighty, as the dreaded Karunanidhi wants us to celebrate Tamil New Year day on the 1st day of the month of Thai (mid Jan.) coinciding with another important Tamil festival, Pongal. As with other Hindu festivals, Tamil New Year Day is based on Hindu astro-almanac calendar. Since Karunanidhi sees this as a product of Hindu-Sanskritic culture, which he detests, the communal Karunanidhi wants to damage the psyche of every proud Hindu. This guy has no balls to question Christian and Islamic festivities, even though neither Christ nor Mohammed had anything to do with India or Indian culture, but derives great pleasure in destroying traditions and Hindu culture that people have been following long before Christianity and Islam came into existence. I see a proud Hindu Bengali, a Hindu Punjabi, a Hindu Maratha, a Hindu Kannadiga, a Hindu Malayali and other proud Hindus, and I see a sorry Thamizh Hindu who has been perennially hurt by anti-hindu policies of DMK, and who has no voice in this so-called Secular and Tolerant country. One can follow the links below,
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080413/jsp/nation/story_9132123.jsp and at
http://newshopper.sulekha.com/newsitem/2008/04/tn-bans-new-year-rites-priests-fume.htm
We, as Indian Hindus, would certainly do well with the rebirth of say, a Subrahmanya Bharathi, a Swami Vivekananda, a Sri Aurobindo, a Chathrapathi Shivaji and many great Indians, to rekindle the sense of pride and admiration for the beauty of Indian culture, and overcome fear and self-doubts, and defend our culture from hostile forces. In a democratic and secular country, we Hindus are forced to dance according to the whims of a anti-hindu leader.
Today I felt, we need an encore of this passionate song, as Indians, in particular Hindus live a pathetic life in a country, where they are supposedly in a majority. This is related to the official decree by Tamil Nadu government led by the Karunanidhi, ordering all temples in Tamil Nadu not to perform any pujas for devotees and celebrate Tamil New Year Day on April 13th, as was the hitherto custom. Temples, which are controlled by the Tamil Nadu government, have no choice but to accept the whims of a anti-hindu chief minister. To this day, I have never celebrated English New Year or other stupid foreign commercialized festivities like Valentine's Day, sticking true to my proud Indian roots and celebrating Tamils, Malayalis, Kannadigas, Andhra, Marathas, Bengalis, Punjabi's and north Indians' New Year Days, all of which fall within a few days of one another, which illustrates the closeness and the beauty of our diverse Indian culture. Let me make this clear. I belong to neither Shiv Sena nor Bajrang Dal. I am just a simple Indian who loves his diverse Indian culture. While I consider Indian christians and muslims as Indians, I hold festivities like Valentine's Day, English New Year Day and likes, with utter contempt for the materialism and commercialism they represent, and as a product of culture forced upon us by this hedonistic world. These views were not a product of any external influence, but a product of my own volition. I don't object anyone who celebrates any of these junk festivities with religious fervor, but I consider it as a waste of time.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, famously proclaimed that "Swaraj is my birthright". But now, I can't go to a temple in TN and seek blessings of The Almighty, as the dreaded Karunanidhi wants us to celebrate Tamil New Year day on the 1st day of the month of Thai (mid Jan.) coinciding with another important Tamil festival, Pongal. As with other Hindu festivals, Tamil New Year Day is based on Hindu astro-almanac calendar. Since Karunanidhi sees this as a product of Hindu-Sanskritic culture, which he detests, the communal Karunanidhi wants to damage the psyche of every proud Hindu. This guy has no balls to question Christian and Islamic festivities, even though neither Christ nor Mohammed had anything to do with India or Indian culture, but derives great pleasure in destroying traditions and Hindu culture that people have been following long before Christianity and Islam came into existence. I see a proud Hindu Bengali, a Hindu Punjabi, a Hindu Maratha, a Hindu Kannadiga, a Hindu Malayali and other proud Hindus, and I see a sorry Thamizh Hindu who has been perennially hurt by anti-hindu policies of DMK, and who has no voice in this so-called Secular and Tolerant country. One can follow the links below,
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080413/jsp/nation/story_9132123.jsp and at
http://newshopper.sulekha.com/newsitem/2008/04/tn-bans-new-year-rites-priests-fume.htm
We, as Indian Hindus, would certainly do well with the rebirth of say, a Subrahmanya Bharathi, a Swami Vivekananda, a Sri Aurobindo, a Chathrapathi Shivaji and many great Indians, to rekindle the sense of pride and admiration for the beauty of Indian culture, and overcome fear and self-doubts, and defend our culture from hostile forces. In a democratic and secular country, we Hindus are forced to dance according to the whims of a anti-hindu leader.
Bharathiyar sang,
Achcham illai, achcham illai, achcham enbathu illaiye,
Uchchi meethu vaanidindhu veezhukinra podhinum,
Achcham illai achcham illai, achcham enbathu illaiye... The above means that even if the sky explodes and falls on my head, I will not be cowed down by fear, I will not be scared, and I will fight. Bharathiyar's exhortations of Indians to fight British imperialism was successful, and we badly need an encore to save us from the cultural imperialism as practiced by Karunanidhi and his despicable coterie of sycophants.
Sadly, we live in a world where anyone who defends Hinduism is considered as a Hindu fundamentalist, and someone like Karunanidhi who loves every opportunity to attack Hinduism is considered as rational and secular!!! Long live Indian democracy and tolerance!!! Long live secularism!!! Vande Maataram.
11 comments:
Its a pity that this is happening in India. But like you said, appeasement of minority is considered being secular in India. We are to be blamed for this pathetic situation. Politicians cater to those who vote. We dont make our voices heard. We dont stand up for our own rights. It is a typical middle class mentality and all we care about are us and our family. Indian youth know more about Mallika Sherawat than about Medha Patkar. We look forward to Valentines day and not for Tamil New Years day. As long as we dont stand up and refuse to stoop any lower, we would be taken for a ride. We will have more statues for Arjun and VP Singh along with BR and Karunanidhi. That is the reason a few losers, come over to the US, sit in an AC room and complain. (am one of them)
@ Anonymous:
Very true. Someday we can go back and try our best. But until then, we can atleast keep the flame from dying in this blogosphere. Blogs are an increasingly popular way of reaching many like us. Don't you worry. Attacks on Hinduism, like this one, will keep happening all the tim, and we will get a chance someday to make a difference.
@ Anonymous:
If we can reach as many people as we can, and ensure that they don't forget this until next Lok Sabha elections in 2009, then its possible that either Karunanidhi will repeal this state law, or will suffer losses in elections and will then repeal the law, or will be voted out of power in the next state elections in 2011, and the new govt will be repeal it bowing to public sentiment...thats the best we can hope even if you live in india...
the saddest part is, the media, the most powerful entity in a democracy is totally anti-hindu...they will act like a big sissy if a govt passes anti-conversion laws, meant not to destroy an ancient culture, but will gleefully keep quiet when a govt attacks Hinduism...unless u have someone in the media to back you or us, we don't really have any chance to compete with likes of DMK... they have all sorts of media under their bag, and they are now in movie productions as well !!!
I love my language (tamizh) but I studied in an English medium, live in a society where speaking English gains you respect, work for a US-based MNC and every line I utter contains a minimum 20% of non-tamizh words; all said and done, I do mirror the sentiments of the "Bostonian" on tamizh new year day.
Traditionally a day celebrated in Madurai as part of the chithirai thiruvizha (festival) and also representing the equinox, it represents a day for tamizh-speaking/born people to respect their language. It surprised everyone that the Government (what they govern is a totally different issue) took the issue in its hands to change this day after all these years (and hence created an issue). Would it have happened for Baisakhi or ugadhi? Why the difference (or indifference as the case may be) to Tamizh and its people? When the entire tamizh-speaking population was up against it, should the Government still move ahead with the change? One wonders if the Government had no work at all and wanted to do something "creative". Where is the fundamental right that states any community which has a language and script of its own has the right to conserve it?
"thamizha thamizha kangal kalangaadhey, vidiyum vidiyum ullam mayangaadhey"
Ironically, the anti-God played God
I am not sure if my reply will fit in. Anyway, if I do have to split it, I'd much appreciate the reader's patience.
Here is my reply. Please do let me know what you think.
New Years' Day! Tamil, Kannada or English is a special day for many reasons. Start of a new solar or lunar cycle, the re-alignment of the earth with respect to the stars, and a wonderful occasion for calendar makers to peddle their wares. Science and economics apart, the day has enormous emotional significance. Whether things take a turn for the better or worse, people have come to hope that the New Year "showers its blessings" upon them. A time for festivities, forgiveness, shedding off the past, looking forward to the future - a better life and a better world. You'd hardly find a lot of people brooding when they celebrate their New Year.
And as with all things human, we have relied upon time honoured traditions to guide us in establishing the right time for festivities. The position of the stars back to their reference points for the learned and whatever the Gods decide for the less fortunate. But the fact remains that few, if any, among us have a clear idea as to why we celebrate the day when we do. Each of us have our interpretations, but I don't think anybody who deduced the logic behind those astronomical calculations (or how the Gods move!!) have survived the ravages of time. Doubtless our great land and this wonderful earth have produced brilliant mathematicians and logicians who have figured out the truth and if some of those great people happen to read this, I would much appreciate their views. However, the fact remains that the majority of the population don't know and probably will be ignorant for some time to come. Just as some logic determined the nature of the second, our Puranas of yore talk determined the base unit as the 'nimisha' - which I believe means 15 blinkings of the eye. Whose eye? No one knows. The former had its say in the solar calendar and probably the latter determines the Hindu calendar to some extent. The question of logic now boils down to a question of definitions. And I'm sure both of them are based upon regularity in Nature rather than some random whim of Julius Caesar or the Saka kings of India whose calendar we follow to this day!
In a country like India, with its myriad hues and colours, religions, cultures, traditions, festivals and tongues, it is no surprise that the New Year is bound to have some ambiguity. Unlike the other festivals, the New Year is perhaps the only one that is based upon science and logic. We have enough Gods and their victories to justify the others. But the New Year remains the benchmark upon which these other festival dates are decided. Being an indigenous religion, the non-English New Year(s) that is celebrated in India is bound to have special significance for the majority Hindus. Logic and science apart, it has tremendous emotional significance. Psychiatrists would probably attribute it to familiarity and the belief in the predictability of the fact that we have a reason for joy. Logically speaking, a major change in the predictability of joy is bound to be accompanied with a sense of fear - however small - of loss. It is the same feeling that causes a child to cry in the arms of a stranger or when the management introduces some radical change like night-time hours rather than day-time hours at work. But, like all such changes, we, as humans - rather than as Hindus, Muslims, Tamilians or Kannadigas - learn to adapt. Logically speaking, the shift in the Tamil New Year's day will affect the first year and after that, it won't matter anymore.
But, if cold logic was what ruled humans, then I guess we will have to give some credit to Hollywood's predictions about human life on earth in the next 10-20 years. It is one thing for somebody to present a valid reason and argument for change, it is quite another to impose change without any sense - logical or otherwise - behind the move. And we are not talking about night-time hours or strangers. We are talking about imposing a change on millions of Tamilians world-wide. I wouldn't go so far as to question the sanity of the honourable Chief Minister, but I would definitely expect, a reasonable explanation for the change. And no, I don't think it is right for anybody to blindly accept such imposition when the reason is not good enough or insufficient. Not having followed this news from its start, I don't know if any such explanation was given or not. But judging from the outcry - well, at least a heartfelt shout from a quarter or two - I'm guessing that all is not well with the CM's explanation.
I have not stayed for more than six years in Tamil Nadu - but I am a Tamilian and if it is one thing that I do know about Tamilians it is that most of us are extremely passionate about our public figures to such a point that our emotions cloud our sense of objectivity. So far, the oppositions that I have heard to this move have only been from people outside the state. I agree, between the Puratchi Thalaivi and Kalaignar, there is precious little room for anything else other than mass hysteria from one quarter or the other, but after all, TN still has an IIT, a PSG and Anna University and a reputable number of colleges - centres of academic excellence with logical thinkers, intellectuals and persons of National and International repute. It has such wonderful temples that are as old as the history of India. It is the birthplace of many Azhwars and Nayannars whose poignant works can neither be enacted on screen nor be rivaled by the foremost of Tamil story-writers today. It is the birthplace of such reformers and intellectuals as Valluvar, Bharathiyar and Rajaji. Adi Shankara, himself, established the Kanchi Mutt which is a centre for philosophy in its own right. Too Brahminical and high-caste for the majority of Tamil Nadu to follow? But hey, the Tamil New Year's day isn't about high and low-castes, it is not about reservation, it is not about quota, it is not about Temples, Churches and Mosques. The key word is 'Tamil'. And no, it is definitely not about literates and illiterates. Education doesn't mean going to a school and blindly accepting what is taught. And no, it definitely doesn't mean that you are 'un-cool' because you seriously feel and think about the change in the Tamil New Year's day. There is absolutely nothing wrong if you want to celebrate St. Valentine's Day or you want to party through the night on December 31st. But please realize that just because you are a party animal with a whole bevy of girls are your beck and call, doesn't mean that you shouldn't raise your voice against unfair and unreasonable imposition with regard to our tradition and culture. Of course, a lot depends on what is viewed as "unfair and unreasonable imposition" and inaction could possibly mean indifference. A sign of modern times? Well, perhaps not. It may also show that you have probably never learned the beauty and significance of tradition and culture. One of the greatest strengths of Hinduism is that it gives you the freedom to imbibe and adopt different cultures and ideas. But just because you have a sponge that will absorb water doesn't mean that if you hollow it out you will get space to absorb more.
This is my stance and probably I will not have many who will agree with me: Accept the shift in the New Year's Day but only if the person advocating this can make his or her case and prove that what we have been following all these centuries is incorrect. Don't blindly oppose the move because it seems politically motivated. It may very well be, but as a concerned citizen, you have to let the man make his case. If he doesn't, then demand one and if he still doesn't, then you are under no obligation - as an individual - to tow his line. In this particular case, temples and other institutions supported by the government have no choice, but you definitely have a choice. There is no law that states you are committing a crime by celebrating a festival on a different day than the official line. But please, just because you have a choice, don't think that you should take such moves lying down. Please do not think that festivals and time-honoured traditions are blind superstition and un-cool because you do not get pizzas and cola but rather thayir vadai, avial and other "high-calorie, oily and fatty" food and you are expected to prostate before your family deity and elders and eat a traditional meal with family.
Interestingly, I wonder how much of a reaction would this have triggered if the person declaring this shift was the Kanchi Acharya or a well-respected and popular scientist...
@ Anony2 (I suppose you are different from the 1st Anony)
I don't feel aggrieved because it is just a simple calendar adjustment. I feel it is an open attack on a tradition which could set a bad precedent for whatever Karuna has in mind. I wouldn't give a damn if english new year is changed to any other date. It has nominal significance to me, as its just an international convention to me, just as metric system of measurements. While I wrote this post with lots of passion and anger, I tried to guess why Karuna would do such a thing, that led me to the next post I wrote Monday morning. The fact that he banned quoting "panchangams" in temples on April 13th, gave me enough hints that Karuna is upto his favorite pass-time of attacking Hinduism, as panchangams, is based on the perodicity/regularity of the evolution of planetary objects, as all of us have said. I am not surprised by his antics as karuna hates anything that talks abt planetary motions/destiny (only the Hindu ones, as he wudn't say a word against similar christian/islamic calnders/conventions) , but horrified by what more he is going to do. On top of this, a very reliable source from India, my fiancee, confirmed that karuna did talk abt attacking Hindu traditions in his interview to Sun TV few days after april 13th, falling back on his favorite rant that Hindu scriptures and traditions rely mainly on Sanskrit which is a product of north india, blah, blah and more blah... I couldn't find a video of this interview on you tube when I searched a few days back...but I strongly believe in my source...
Sadly, most of us havent learned enough sanskrit to try to understand what the scriptures say. But the panchangams predict many astronomical evolutions accurately to a great extent, might as well add to stunning proportions. It will be extremely hard for anyone to prove why we should change it. Even if the greatest scientist from IITs or TIFR or IISc tries to give an argument, it would be very veyr hard to accept his/her argument, for simple reason that being the greatest mathematician doesn't necessarily mean that he/she is the best person to comment about changes in tradition. Every religion has some good things and some bad things. I agree that every religion has to undergo some reform to conform to modern society. But I don't agree that this change in our tradition and culture is warranted. What we need is some expert on religion to comment about this, and not someone from the ministry of religious affairs (or whetevr it is called). If Karuna enlisted the help of Tamil scholars, we would like to know what is their credibility in sanskrit, how well are they respected, whether they are DMK party members, how unbiased/objective are their arguments etc.??? Sadly, you will not get answers to these or any other pertinent questions...
If following proud traditions is superstitious or if considered stupid, then why is this logic not applicable to other religions??? What if jesus christ or prophet mohammed is a figment someone's imaginations? what if the enire bible or quran was written in one day by someone who was terribly bored??? how can anyone prove these things? I have no problem against atheists like karuna, as long as they don't attack us the way he is doing it now. He has every right to say that there is no god, just as I have every right to say there is god. But I don't attack him by passing laws/decrees that will prevent him from uttering a word against the existence of god.
On the whole is this the most pressing issue on Karuna's mind? He once asked if building a temple for Lord Ram in the place where Babri Masjid is the most important issue for Hindus?? Why is the same logic not applicable to him now? Doesn't he have any other problem to resolve?
Basically, Karuna has banned chanting/invoking panchangams in temples on April 13th. I have no idea if I would be arrested if I ask a priest to pray for me and my family and my country. What if I perform a mass prayer with thousands of people?? Would that be defying a government order?? Isn't worshipping my god my fundamental right???
On a personal note, I thank Anony1, Vijay and Anony2, for taking time to express your views here on something we all feel passionate about...
I fear that someday, if non-hindus are in majority in tamil nadu (which might not be impossible given the christian conversions in TN), they might find all Hindu traditions redundant, and ban every or most of the traditions... Am sure Karun will still be alive to execute that proudly, even if it takes 100 years... :-)
@ Anony2:
I am not opposing valetine's day or english new year, but i consider it as a waste of time. One reason is they are primarily a product of christian culture which is alien to me. But the most important reason is "economics". I will have to write a post expanding this, which I will soon. These festivities are absolutely necessary in western countries, but definitely a waste of time for countries like India that has no christian roots to start with. Also, this is a personal choice not to celebrate. I would rather have festivities every month celebrating cultures of various Indian states rather valentine's day/mother's day/father's day or english new year. I consider it as disgrace that someone from a differnt culture tells me to be more appreciative of my wife/my mom or dad on certain days... again, this last view is very personal... but my post on "economics" of these festivities is my prime reason for making fun of these festivities when celebrated with great pomp in India
Atleast, celebrating culture and tradition of various Indian states will help Indians to integrate better !!!
It's very sad to know that something like this were to happen for us hindus. In my opinion, this is one of the most stupidest decision to just move a day that's celebrated based on hindu calendar and panchangam, to align with Pongal day. I mean wake up people...how can a person who's so passionate about our beautiful language would do this? this is insane...its about time we have to join forces and do something about it....i know...we keep saying that we would fight back but i guess we never do...and this has led to the dominance of others over hindus. do we blame the previous generations? yes, and we are accountable now for this pathetic situation. let's fight for a good cause. this might instigate someone to boost their confidence and find a solution for this.
@ kanna:
I totally agree with you, that we should take this issue up and not lie down forever...but how do we proceed? we would need a movement that is supported by a political party or by the media, to sustain interest among the masses. We enjoy support of none in this regard. My hope is that if we keep the flame burning, alteast thru blogs, someday, some politician might see some mileage that he can derive out of this, and will take up this issue. Basically, we have to pimp a politician by raising awareness, and coninuing protests thru blogs, as we can't expect any newspaper/media to highlight problems of Hindus...
Along with "reservations", this is a big issue. But right now everyone seems to be concerned by inflation, especially of the food and gas prices. With the elections round the corner, thats a valid concern...its upto us to make "attacks on hnduism" as a ceoncern as well...
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