When the East met the West . . .

India is a land of cultural heritage. Did I say, IS? No, India actually WAS! Fine, the following thread is a vent out for me, and of course, some elderly people as well! Though not a thing is mentioned offensive anywhere, with all due respects, I would take no offense against me from my Non – Hindu / Non – Indian Friends!

All of us, or most of us, would have a Grand Mother, whose eyes would twinkle upon seeing her Husband and obviously, a grandfather, who would be smiling sheepishly, seeing his wife blushing! There was love in the family. A love that was soft, A love that was the pride of the couple and a love that gave happiness even when lust had died out! There might not be enough money, No Cars with Air controllers, No four wheelers with Moon slide and leather seats, No Yamaha FZ bikes with alloy wheels. Still there was happiness. Happiness and bliss prevailed with a bullock cart and / or a TVS excel, a Concrete and Brick home, a kitchen garden and with more than a couple of kids. No Skype, No IMO, No facebook, All Nos. Yet, the emotions were so real!

There was language heritage, be it Tamizh or Sanskrit or Hindi! Chanting OM, going to temple festivals as a BIG Family, Knowing all the relatives of yours, doing household chores ( a form of exercise, you know!), appreciating Yoga, Understanding the richness and righteousness of Indian Indigenous medication forms like Sidha, Ayurvedha and so on, was actually a routine for them. Quite normal ! No conferences, No special classes, No internets, No Jack or Peter to authenticate the righteousness of Yoga was needed, No Harvard University special team of professors needed to validate the “Thoppukaranam” that you regularly put for vinayagar – as the bestest form of exercise, No Huan Tsu / Chan wing to take classes on herbal medicines; yet, the ITK (Indigenous Traditional Knowledge) was powerful, respected, practiced and yes, was also transferred! (Forget about the Indian ITK being stolen, that’s a separate story, you know ! Like that of neem or Turmeric! ). You have also music therapies, Raagas to cure your ailments, as well (Which is not seen in Bass/Pop/jaz/heavy Metals!)

When the western people started invading, researching and realizing that “This is the way of life, as mentioned in Sanadhana dharma, this is how one must live” and all that, Indians – we Indians, have started imitating the western culture, letting go off, our moral and ethical values. We are now modern Indians, who would appreciate the cultural differences across the globe, who would fall hard easily for the western habits ( to show that we appreciate!), who would eventually forget our origins at the Roots of Mother India! The luxurious, sophisticated, Dollar Richness has lured us so much that, we have Dollars with us – Indians becoming America – residing – Indians @ NRIs, everyone in the family are almost independent or self-dependent, emotions have become Emoji’s and Emoticons, Parents getting appointments to talk to their “Kids”, every one needs a privacy(That was named Loneliness, earlier, Though!), no idea of who are your kith and kins, marriages are contracted businesses, education is imparted by concerns and institutions, a cold doctor with lots of knowledge to handle a human body with flesh and skeleton – at the hospitals, online datings, and what NOT ?!.

Though we have begun to witness the giant tree called Mother India, being chopped off and being planted in other continents, she is still surviving because of the few last roots earthed, deeply deeply down here! Let us branch out, but not chop the branches off the tree and make India a snag!

Lots of Luv,

Riya.

PS., Thanks to Ramanan Athimbher for an interesting chat about Vedhas, Hindu/Indian Culture. Thanks to Madan Karky Lyrics / Srinivas Music / Srisha and MSV – The Harmonium Thatha’s song from the Album “Srisha’s Siragadippen”. Thanks to Sivaraman Ramachandran – Siva mama’s ideologies and discussions on hindu Culture and GODly stuffs. These were few of the  main reasons for me to write, as always!