Recently in a forwarded Youtube link of the Erhard boys (educated at Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School at Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparti, Andhra Pradesh, India. Here is the link to the You Tube video : https://youtube/watch?v=D7kbc0oFQGQ) chanting the Rudra Chamakam at the White House on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhis birthday. While it was definitely good see them chanting so well, what really took away the pleasure was when I started reading the comments that accompanied the video. Some comments (Indian) were in response.to comments from others (read non-Indians).These responses were almost graciously thankful that a westerner was finally appreciating something Indian...swelling in pride. Some more, apologetic that the rest of India was reluctant to follow what Americans(my emphasis) have finally accepted about India. The comments are finally opinions and I dont have a thing about someone elses. But heres what I am thinking...so what if the Erhard brothers did chant the Rudra Chamakam so well? Does the fact that they are non-Indians make the Rudra Chamakam more interesting and holier? Or is it the fact that it is being chanted in the White House? Why does that approval mean more for Indians rather than being proud of our culture as it is? Think about this : Unless we are ourselves secure, confident and loyal to the culture of our land, how will someone else respect it? And before you run my comment down...I am referring to the true culture of my country and not what it has become.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 13:47:16 +0000
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