In a word, one world
LEELA VENKATARAMAN
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The World Culture Forum Asia-Pacific Alliance met recently in Jordan to reiterate the central place of culture in sorting out the problems between nations.
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Illustration: Tony Smith
`Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or the world as one family seems a dream in a global world where political, economic, religious and nationalistic tensions are bringing out the animal in man. The only panacea for negotiation and collaboration for civil society is cultural interaction, applying the balm to wounds, paving the way to a world of harmony in diversity. And it is with the aim of putting culture on the table, central to the political agenda, that a set of caring culture activists, under the World Culture Forum Asia-Pacific Alliance, met in 2004 in Brazil, for the first time. Like-minded artistes and individuals representing non-governmental, governmental and commercial organisations deliberated on ways of harnessing the positive energies of creativity for social justice and developing civil society.
A melting pot
Almost karmic was the choice of venue for the second meeting (December 4 -7) of Jordan's Dead Sea Area - the lowest point on the globe, with its healing waters, therapeutic soil and an atmosphere of 10 per cent more oxygen and above all, historically, a melting pot of cultures. Strewn handsomely through its rugged terrain are breathtaking archaeological legacies - the Nabataean rock-hewn city of Petra with its Graeco-Roman, Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Arab art, the Byzantine ecclesiastical remnants round Madaba where Baby Christ was baptised. Mount Nebo nearby is where Moses lies buried, this land being where he was revealed the Ten Commandments.
Simultaneous working sessions (spreading too thin the attendance, comprising mostly youngsters from colleges) imposed either /or choices. Pavan K. Verma in one of the opening sessions, eloquently outlined the challenge before legatees of old pluralist civilisations like India, where the roots of a cultural identity had to be nurtured along with creating an environment for contemporary creative energies, thus positioning itself in the present `Anglo global' world without the core identity being threatened. While issues of existentialism were common to all peoples, no human culture would refuse social justice. For this, transparent and workable mechanisms had to be found to remove the sense of being marginalized amidst some cultures, the subterranean simmering of resentment over a period of time erupting in violence. Condescension, ignorance, hostility, distortion and rejection mentioned as the causes of cultural isolation had to be replaced by positive energies. Speaking on Conflict Resolution, Sharada Ramanathan mentioned culture as the only force given unto oneself and not bestowed by another. The cultural action and reaction syndrome needed to be replaced by renaissance.
Nations in the changing geo-politics had to shed old postures while acquiring new identities. In the session on Cultural Branding of Nations, Stephen Twigg touched upon the end of the cold war, technological changes, the media, and organisations like the British Council and the BBC giving public diplomacy and soft power a central role, changing the old identity of Britain as an imperial power. Speakers referred to the people-to-people contact, with government only as facilitator. Issues like racism, religious fanaticism, hate propaganda, HIV, terrorism, which figured needed more in-depth treatment. A strong response from the floor mentioned the distortion and cultural branding, like images of grinding poverty alone representing Africa, caused by irresponsible media and journalism. Awareness is the only road to understanding one another. Interestingly even the eloquent H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji citing all the religions from Judaism to Confucianism identified India as the land of Buddhism (Hinduism had no mention)!
The usual arguments of traditional art forms being guided by philosophies irrelevant to the contemporary world and monotheistic religions alone being true were heard. But it was interesting to see some young Jordanian students walking out when the latter argument was made and to hear a Jordanian lady remark, "Why do our people talk to us about Islam? We must hear responses on Islam from outside." Articulate artistes like Sangeeta Iswaran argued strongly for traditional art forms finding new contexts in which to flourish.
Amongst the "distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features characterising a social group" (definition of culture), art expressing the subtle mind and aesthetics was a critical vehicle, for as Jude Jelly of the British Council remarked, the artist has a `porousness' with tracking beauty dissolving divisive boundaries. Theatre persons from across the globe met and generated positive energies of cohesiveness. The entire Chinese artiste troupe had come on its own, with no financial help from outside! Our own Manipuri group under Preeti Patel presenting Agni and Bharatanatyam dancer Sangeeta Iswaran did us proud. The latter's short recital picturing "Faces of Hate, Faces of Love" so relevant to the theme of the event (the mudras and moving hands with burning incense sticks attached to the fingers, so subtly suggestive of religion) based on Indonesian gamelon music was delightfully evocative as was the condensed Kadanakutoohalam tillana, concluding with the beautiful Upanishadic sloka for peace on earth, sky and for mankind.
That no Jordanian troupe was presented was disappointing. Topics allotted to delegates being constantly changed and problems of logistics with participants having to journey from Amman to the Dead Sea confused. The World Culture Forum, whose laudable objectives merit utmost encouragement, should have their own blueprint and conference agenda within which, without injuring regional sensibilities, institutions like Meccad (Middle East Centre for Culture and Development, which organised this event), could function. Only then will events fully match intentions. What could be more fitting in defining what the World Culture Forum hopes to propitiate, than the beautiful Tamil verse set to raga Bhupalam played on the gamelon and sung by Sangeeta in her item!
Oru paarvai paarthaal podum
Oru vaarthai pechinaal podum
Oru kaiyaal anaittaal podum
Oru kanam sirittaal podum
(One look will suffice, One word will do, One hand in embrace is enough, one fleeting smile is all it needs)
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