Sanjai Velayudhan's Blog - Posts Tagged "kerala"
Theyyam-Dance of the Spirits
Sometimes, one realizes that one has to love their land of birth 'warts & all'. Kerala is no different-its a great place however, it has warts too. And warts can't be hidden with layers of make-up or unconditional love (physical or psychological).
The caste system was enforced in Kerala with particular harshness. The so-called lower castes lived a desperate life.
Theyyam was an outcome of this desperation. People created fierce and vengeful gods to strike fear in the minds of their perpetrators. Games people play!
Theyyam was dismissed by missionaries as Devil-dance without realizing that it carried a million meanings. For me, Theyyam is nothing but 'Theatre of the oppressed'. You can read the story of Theyyam, the fierce spirits in the pantheon and human aspirations in 'Dance of the Spirits'
The caste system was enforced in Kerala with particular harshness. The so-called lower castes lived a desperate life.
Theyyam was an outcome of this desperation. People created fierce and vengeful gods to strike fear in the minds of their perpetrators. Games people play!
Theyyam was dismissed by missionaries as Devil-dance without realizing that it carried a million meanings. For me, Theyyam is nothing but 'Theatre of the oppressed'. You can read the story of Theyyam, the fierce spirits in the pantheon and human aspirations in 'Dance of the Spirits'
Women
There is a lot of attention to the state of women in India. It is perhaps the proliferation of media and its easy availability through social media that is making all the difference.
The question I ask is has the state of women improved in India? Maybe improving chances of employment and slow yet firm creep of modernity has made a difference. Yet, the fundamental power structure that defines the relationship between the sexes has endured.
What took centuries to calcify would take at least decades to soften isn't it?
The many women characters in 'Dance of the Spirits' are depicted as strong ones yet like Maria, they ultimately fall victim to the 'system'. Till its women aren't treated equally, can India claim to be a free country? That's an open question indeed!Dance of the Spirits: A Novel
The question I ask is has the state of women improved in India? Maybe improving chances of employment and slow yet firm creep of modernity has made a difference. Yet, the fundamental power structure that defines the relationship between the sexes has endured.
What took centuries to calcify would take at least decades to soften isn't it?
The many women characters in 'Dance of the Spirits' are depicted as strong ones yet like Maria, they ultimately fall victim to the 'system'. Till its women aren't treated equally, can India claim to be a free country? That's an open question indeed!Dance of the Spirits: A Novel
Kerala
Ain't Kerala one of the most beautiful places? yes, no doubt. Its greenery, beaches, forests & quintessential
'Ayurveda', everything is attractive.
However most people miss the shadows. It is famous for black magic and sorcery too!
Humans have a strange fascination for spirits, demons and other 'dark' forces. In fact without the alleged existence of these beings, gods and their celestial companions find no reason to exist or any relevance.
Strange are the ways of the human mind. Isn't it?
'Ayurveda', everything is attractive.
However most people miss the shadows. It is famous for black magic and sorcery too!
Humans have a strange fascination for spirits, demons and other 'dark' forces. In fact without the alleged existence of these beings, gods and their celestial companions find no reason to exist or any relevance.
Strange are the ways of the human mind. Isn't it?
Women & Goddesses
Sometimes, I wonder 'are men inherently afraid of women?' Is that why they try to dominate them, hurt them or 'possess' them? Strange isn't it? He grows up learning much from his mother, sister, aunt and other female members of the household as much as he does from men.
Then why this contempt? men sometimes exhibit diametrically opposite behavior-treating real women badly but venerating and worshiping mother goddesses. Irony!
