10-10-2006, 10:07 PM
In the early part of this decade there was an op-ed in the Telegraph from Kolkota that lamented the rise of Punjabification of India and the decline of the Bengali norms which were prevalent pre-Independence. Punjabization was defined as loud music, ladies dancing at barat etc. Gradually I noted that this was an all Indian phenomenon not just confined to West Bengal and even India.
Last week I was watching a Telugu movie that showed the principal actors in an engergetic version of the bhangra. Then I realized that the Bengalization was a double dhimmification- fron Islamic and Victorian British rulers. The Bengalization is a response to the prim and propah Victorian British mores.
I noted in my recent trip to Hyderabad that Kali puja also called "bonallu' was very prevalent and supported by the people and the politicians. It was not like that 30 years ago when Hyderabad and Secundrabad still were under the grip of the Nizami and the British standards of behavior. Now its the rural folk who have come to cities that have brought their culture and are asserting themselves.
Folsk, Dont get hung up on Ravish personal mores but his message. He is noting the passing of an era. That is important.
So all these things that Ravish is noticing are a result of de-dhimmification. Who knows where it will lead? But as Tagore sang "Into that heaven of freedom let my country awake!"
Last week I was watching a Telugu movie that showed the principal actors in an engergetic version of the bhangra. Then I realized that the Bengalization was a double dhimmification- fron Islamic and Victorian British rulers. The Bengalization is a response to the prim and propah Victorian British mores.
I noted in my recent trip to Hyderabad that Kali puja also called "bonallu' was very prevalent and supported by the people and the politicians. It was not like that 30 years ago when Hyderabad and Secundrabad still were under the grip of the Nizami and the British standards of behavior. Now its the rural folk who have come to cities that have brought their culture and are asserting themselves.
Folsk, Dont get hung up on Ravish personal mores but his message. He is noting the passing of an era. That is important.
So all these things that Ravish is noticing are a result of de-dhimmification. Who knows where it will lead? But as Tagore sang "Into that heaven of freedom let my country awake!"