Aparna Sen in the Tehelka magazine published on February 14, 2009 lashed out against the moral polices who are guarding our “Indian culture”. She rightly pointed out at the Rigveda which questions God and also mentioned the multi authoring of our Epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. Education is definitely what is missing in the Ram Sene. With a one year course reading Indian literature, I’m sure they will change their way of looking at “culture”. Here are two must read books for them:
Abhijnanasakuntalam by Kalidasa: A play about a young girl who falls in love with a king and conceives a child with him in the process. He loses his memory and forgets her completely. Alone with her child, she knocks on the door of the king and does her best so that he remembers her again. The play ends on a happy note with the king and Sakuntala re-uniting. Apart from the story, the sleazy way it is written is what catches my attention. Passion is described using nature (bees, honey and flowers) and the physical attributes of Sakuntala are explained with no indirect references. I hope Mutalik reads it and makes his army (sena) read it as well! Having a child without marriage and that too Sakuntala being the daughter of a sadhu — well these are parts of Indian culture.
The most well known piece of Indian literature, Kamasutra is another must read for them. The book reads like a manual for love making and passion. There are chapters on same gender sex and multiple partners and the book does not talk of marriage in any way. There are chapters on how to make an environment perfect for love making and also has medical remedies to enhance sexual pleasure. Sex is not a part of Indian culture? Well, 1.2 billion population without sexual intercourse, possible?
Thankfully Narayan Murthy believes that “this (moral policing) is ridiculous. Today’s youngsters have a better value system than us.” He also was quoted wondering, “If a boy goes out with a girl, what is wrong with that?” Mutalik should answer this I’m sure, who never got a chance to commit his body and soul to a woman.
Education is definitely the reason that keeps these people away from culture. As Aparna Sen points out correctly, “To be modern, you have to know your history because what are you modern in relation to? It is important to know your own context.”
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