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I’m traveling from Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) to a town called Pune and I saw this sign advertising an upcoming movie on the road. In case you can’t see the photo clearly, it says, “Married 2 America! A single minded fight against the forces of corruption” It’s meant to be a caution to Indians to resist western influence–America in particular.
I too, agree with the sentiment of this sign. When I landed in Mumbai, one of the first things I noticed was how much more western India had become since my visit last year. It was disappointing, to get out of the plane and into the streets and see that many things that make India unique, had disappeared. While I could see some people dressed in traditional clothing, for the most part western clothing had replaced the beautiful, graceful clothing I so admire and enjoy wearing. The streets that once teemed with bikes, old fashioned Ambassadors, hand pushed carts, goats, dogs and even cows, have become much like a western metropolis. Freeways and roads are filled with Mercedes, Toyota, Fords, BMW—I may as well be at home in New Jersey. For quite a few years I have seen signs for McDonald’s (although McDonald’s in India sells Aloo Tikka Sandwich and a Lamburger, instead of using beef), Subway, Pizza Hut and many other familiar fast food joints. Thankfully, there is no Walmart or Target–yet. The Indian parliament vehemently opposes any Walmart store in India and BJP leader, Uma Bharti has publicly promised to set fire to any Walmart that opens.[1]
At the same time parts of India have not changed. Despite the use of texts, Facebook and phones, there is still a high value placed on face to face/human relationships. People still respond to each other with respect, even if they are angry. The food still tastes fantastic and the people are warm and helpful–even in big cities like Mumbai which according to Indian standards is supposed to be one of the rudest city in the country.
But I noticed that while India does embrace some of the better attributes of both western and eastern culture, it also adopted some of the worse aspects of the west. The one that bothers me the most, is a decrease of concern shown to family and community needs. Instead there is an increased emphasis placed on the self and personal satisfaction. The lack of civic responsiblity is very quickly evidenced by the presence of litter in just about every city and town.
More importantly and sadly, many Indians have embraced materialism and greed. Even though the middle class is growing at breakneck speed and India’s superrich class is rapidly increasing, the amount of money that is given away by Indians is pitiful. “India is now home to 57 billionaires, according to Forbes, and a multiplying number of millionaires. Despite difficult economic times around the globe, over the past two years, India’s 20 wealthiest individuals have doubled their combined wealth, according to Bain & Co. However, India’s superrich have been relatively slow to give. Bain & Co.’s 2011 India Philanthropy Report found that India’s wealthy are giving away between 1.5% and 3% of their yearly income. The number marks an increase, but still pales in comparison with the 9% donated each year in the U.S.”[2]
The prize for the most disgusting example of a superrich dunce, with absolutely no sense of civic responsibility, has to go to Mukesh Ambani of Mumbai. He is building the world’s first billion dollar home. It will have a number of idiotic and selfish features including a health club,(which is actually good, because a few of his family members could benefit) a ballroom, parking garage and a cinema. The worst part is that I have seen this structure and it is without a doubt, the ugliest building I have ever seen. Which just goes to show—you can’t buy good taste.
The movement in India to resist the influence of the west is admirable, but instead of focusing on changing the names of cities or resisting the commercial influences, more emphasis should be placed on educating the average Indian to resist adopting the more western notion of putting personal needs above the needs of the community and encouraging Indians to return to their original value system which not only sets them apart, but is one of their greatest strengths.
Mostly Fiction, 1998-2010
A few years ago I read a wonderful book called The Book of Salt by Monique Truong. In this novel, a Vietnamese servant named Binh recalls his experiences of living in French colonized Vietnam. His employers are the writers Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. There comes a point when the writers presume to narrate Binh’s life story for him. Upon discovery of this Binh becomes enraged, “My story, Madame, is mine. I alone am qualified to tell it, to embellish, or to withhold…the story, it belongs to me.”
The world is yet to hear the stories from many other Binhs. When India, the Pacific Islands, the countries of Africa and other lands were colonized the world saw them—their natural resources, foods, culture, language, value systems and governments, only through the eyes of the colonizer. Things were seen from the western point of the view. Coffee and chocolate became known as European specialties and tea became an English drink. The crown jewels in the Tower of London while drawing loud “oohs” and “ahhs” from tourists, were taken from India during the British Raj. The jewels can only be seen from inside their European settings. The British Museum and The Louvre hold treasures such as The Kohinoor Diamond, Elgin Marbles, Benin Bronzes, Rosetta Stone and The Seated Scribe—the list of such thefts is longer than anyone can compile. These treasures can only be seen in surroundings that are foreign to their origin. If these works of art were returned to their rightful owners, would they become less artistic? My appreciation of art is greatly enhanced when it is seen in its country of origin. Anyone who has seen Italian art in Italy, Egyptian art in Egypt or Kenyan art in Kenya would say the very same thing.
Many would say to let sleeping dogs lie and that one can’t undo the damage of the past. The debate over the return of stolen artifacts goes on. But I would argue that this discussion is only a symptom of a much bigger problem:
The word does not yet recognize or acknowledge the Binhs of the world. It can only hear their voices when they are presented from a western point of view.
For example, there was a huge mass appeal for the movie Slumdog Millionaire. A movie that portrays the brash and often ugly life of poor Indians—written and directed by two British men, Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy. It was an entertaining movie, but what bothered me the most, was that it was shot completely from a western perspective. While I sat in the theatre it was amusing to hear the “Indian” and “American” reactions. During particularly graphic scenes, the Indians laughed and the Americans gasped in horror. An Indian would not have created the same movie. At the same time, movies such as Water and The Namesake directed by Deepa Mehta and Mira Nair barely created a blip on the movie radar. These two films gave an infinitely superior and authentic view of India than the Danny Boyle perspective. It was interesting when The Sixth Sense, directed by M. Knight Shyamalan, was passed over at the Academy Awards for best picture and best director. Instead American Beauty, a rather pedestrian movie about a tiresome middle aged pedophile, won an Oscar in both categories. Perhaps the Academy was not ready to see America from an Indian-American perspective.
Literature seems to be coming along at a better pace. Indian English writers such as Rushdie, Adiga and Roy who write about life in India have received global acclaim. At the same time, many do not. Rohinton Mistry is a prolific and beautiful writer who writes about real life in India. All of his books including A Fine Balance have been passed by for any awards. R.K Narayan wrote many magnificent short stories and novels but many who call themselves well-read cannot recall one of his works. It was most distressing to learn that Yann Martel, a Spanish writer who had not had much success in the literary world, had won the Booker Prize for his novel Life of Pi. He chose to tell the story of an Indian boy named Pi Patel. Pi is born in India to parents who are from Tamilnadu in South India. An Indian would have never given life to such a character. Any Indian will tell you that it is almost impossible for a native South Indian to have the last name of “Patel.” Patel is a distinctly Gujarati name. Martel uses India as the backdrop for his novel, but fails to provide even an authentic Indian name for his protagonist.
Indian music and dance have only recently become popular due to artists who have reinterpreted these traditional beats and rhythms to complement their own music. Artists like Jay-Z, uses Indian artists in his music. He worked with Punjabi MC to produce a huge dance hit called Beware of the Boys. Timbaland also uses Indian singers, words and music in his song called Bombay and another called Indian Flute. Missy Elliot’s hit Get Your Freak On is written on an addictive beat with rhythms and instruments used in traditional Indian music and Sean Paul’s single Get Busy was on the billboard top 100 for 23 weeks. In this song Paul uses a sound called Diwali. It is a bhangra infected, hand clapping rhythm and sound that is heard all over the US dance floors. Sean Paul also uses samples from Indian artists in his song, Shout (Street Respect). It seems that even Indian music must be heard through the ears of a western artist before it is deemed valuable.
While it might be difficult to turn back time and undo the damages of colonialism, it is important that all of us as consumers and lovers of art and music seek to find and appreciate those artists that provide the most authentic and genuine voice, keeping our ears and eyes open for all the Binhs of the world.
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