artistic freedom . freedom of expression.
From the land that was proud to be, until very few years ago, 'the only Hindu kingdom in the world" and the "asli Hindustan" comes what is being described as the first assault on the freedom of artistic expression.
Not surprisingly, it comes in 'defence' of Hindu gods. And, not really coincidentally, it is led by a 'former colonel in the Nepal army'. That he is a upper caste warrior Chettri and the artist is an untouchable Harijan just adds a bit of historical spice to the cultural chutney.
I would not be surprised to learn that the colonel may have entirely served in the Royal Nepal army . A very Hindu Royal Army with with all its flags, insignia etc foregrounding its Hindu character as the defender of the 'asli Hindustan' that saw the southern Hindustan as Mughlan - the land of Muslim Mughals.
The issues in the incident, however, go deep Much deeper than a battle for mere freedom of expression and artistc licence in a brand new democratic nation.
Just south of the Nepali border, in what is now Hindustan, a Muslim aritst, M F Husain, was targeted for his 'nude' drawings of Hindu goddesses. Aseem Trivedi a Brahmin and a cartoonist against corruption is still in an Indian jail defending his freedom of expression in his use of Indian National symbols .
At the heart of these battles lies something that is common to all battles through the ages. Political Power. Religion, in reality, has little to do with the eternal political battles for power. It is merely used as a powerful pawn, It always has been. All over the World.
Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations' was more than just pointer to the religious clashes that would rule the world. It actually laid the cultural groundwork for the economical and political push to wars that seek control of the resource rich lands of the more than just the Middle East.
The row over a Danish cartoonists depiction of Prophet Mohammed was a product of that divide and conquer/ divide to rule policy that has always been at the heart of any colonial venture. As an Indian I can see and understand that very clearly. Religious and cultural wars are, and have always been, wars as ways of political power. power carefully constructed through cultural control.
It is the larger issues that need to be addressed and discussed. There is more to art than artistic licence and freedom of expression . The rupture between " Modern" Artists and their roots in their own cultures needs to be looked at. It is creating a divide that can be dangerous in more ways than they now understand , or even imagine.
This is just a portrayal of Western influence in Eastern culture,” Harijan said. “There is nothing to be offended about it.” According to him, the “outrageous” portrayal of Shiva or any other deity is aimed at showing how deformities have started to cripple oriental philosophies.
Karki, a former colonel of the Nepal Army, had filed a case at the District Administration Office (DAO) last Friday, demanding that the expo be stopped and the artist be arrested. “The way our gods have been depicted is totally offensive,” a statement filed at the DAO read. The statement said Harijan’s portrayal of the Hindu goddess Kali in miniskirts and Hanuman carrying a bottle of alcohol is “abuse of freedom of expression”.
http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/09/12/top-story/artist-in-death-threat-trouble-for-blasphemy/360117.html
an update : fundamentalism from another place. it all links up.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/12/low-budget-muhammad-film-prophet?intcmp=239
Not surprisingly, it comes in 'defence' of Hindu gods. And, not really coincidentally, it is led by a 'former colonel in the Nepal army'. That he is a upper caste warrior Chettri and the artist is an untouchable Harijan just adds a bit of historical spice to the cultural chutney.
I would not be surprised to learn that the colonel may have entirely served in the Royal Nepal army . A very Hindu Royal Army with with all its flags, insignia etc foregrounding its Hindu character as the defender of the 'asli Hindustan' that saw the southern Hindustan as Mughlan - the land of Muslim Mughals.
The issues in the incident, however, go deep Much deeper than a battle for mere freedom of expression and artistc licence in a brand new democratic nation.
Just south of the Nepali border, in what is now Hindustan, a Muslim aritst, M F Husain, was targeted for his 'nude' drawings of Hindu goddesses. Aseem Trivedi a Brahmin and a cartoonist against corruption is still in an Indian jail defending his freedom of expression in his use of Indian National symbols .
At the heart of these battles lies something that is common to all battles through the ages. Political Power. Religion, in reality, has little to do with the eternal political battles for power. It is merely used as a powerful pawn, It always has been. All over the World.
Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations' was more than just pointer to the religious clashes that would rule the world. It actually laid the cultural groundwork for the economical and political push to wars that seek control of the resource rich lands of the more than just the Middle East.
The row over a Danish cartoonists depiction of Prophet Mohammed was a product of that divide and conquer/ divide to rule policy that has always been at the heart of any colonial venture. As an Indian I can see and understand that very clearly. Religious and cultural wars are, and have always been, wars as ways of political power. power carefully constructed through cultural control.
It is the larger issues that need to be addressed and discussed. There is more to art than artistic licence and freedom of expression . The rupture between " Modern" Artists and their roots in their own cultures needs to be looked at. It is creating a divide that can be dangerous in more ways than they now understand , or even imagine.
This is just a portrayal of Western influence in Eastern culture,” Harijan said. “There is nothing to be offended about it.” According to him, the “outrageous” portrayal of Shiva or any other deity is aimed at showing how deformities have started to cripple oriental philosophies.
Karki, a former colonel of the Nepal Army, had filed a case at the District Administration Office (DAO) last Friday, demanding that the expo be stopped and the artist be arrested. “The way our gods have been depicted is totally offensive,” a statement filed at the DAO read. The statement said Harijan’s portrayal of the Hindu goddess Kali in miniskirts and Hanuman carrying a bottle of alcohol is “abuse of freedom of expression”.
http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/09/12/top-story/artist-in-death-threat-trouble-for-blasphemy/360117.html
an update : fundamentalism from another place. it all links up.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/12/low-budget-muhammad-film-prophet?intcmp=239
posted by Satish Sharma at
11:07
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