The same guys who are against the Kiss of Love are the ones who are on a mission spreading Kuvempu's message of Vishwamanava Sandesha. Of course again to preach is ok but to kiss is a sin in Kannada
First things first -we are not physical. Adults don't hug and kiss while greeting each other here. Grown up father, son, mother, daughter don't hug and kiss. Especially in public, adults don't do anything closer to intimacy. It is as strong as the `boys don't cry' taboo.
I remember reading when Sir M Visvesvaraya was the Diwan of Mysore in the beginning of last century and was asked to give his comments on improving Cubbon Park, he included, among other specifications, a note that clearly said "...the pathways in the park should be lit on either side but the lamp posts must not be too high and the light not too strong so that they don't disturb the young husband and wife who may come to the park in the evenings to steal some private moments, as they have no such moments in large families."
Salute to the man who had a sense of how Indian man-woman relationship works in Indian context.
However, that was then. Now the open market has made many more things open and physical display of affection is not as rare as it used to be in the last century.With the onslaught of satellite channels, relaxing of rules of film censorship and the internet, things are much more freely available than before. The current generation has grown up with such an atmosphere.Hence for the current generation it is not a big thing to kiss in public. However, at the same time they are also very aware that it is a taboo. What better weapon than kissing in public to protest against moral policing? But unfortunately those who are opposing such a protest have no idea about the basic crux of it. If you have noticed all the personalities who have come out openly condemning the idea have said "What if your wifedaughtersister is kissed?" Please notice none of them are talking about their sonsbrothershusbands kissing in public! That too even when the organisers have very clearly said it is not a free for all kissing arena...there is a misunderstanding that it is going to be mayhem.
Funnily, none of these people have come up with any protest against the vulgarity portrayed on Indian screens and on stage. These are the same people who engage in nanga naach parties. Even though cabaret and dance bars are banned, many people continue to organise nanga naach illegally and slyly. Some members of political parties who are strongly protesting against the Kiss of Love revolution are also involved in such scams.So, Kannadigas don't kiss but do nanga naach. The Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Umashree, has said it is not in our culture to kiss in public and hence it should not be allowed. The fact of the matter is she has completely forgotten her screen image, teaming up with N S Rao delivering double meaning dialogues in films after films. It has not made any dent in her reputation, instead has elevated her as being a model for women who have made it on their own.
Also, everybody is forgetting that it is a protest and not an invitation to pull any passing woman and plant a kiss. The mode of protest itself is a way of attracting attention to the point in question: why is there such deliberate tolerance of mindless moral policing? Is it ok for a group of unreasonable youth to storm a private party, trash and get away? Should there be no one to protest against such act? Should the protestors not be taken seriously? Why can't the government hear them? Ok, what may happen if the youngsters go ahead and hold the event? Those opposing say it will destroy our culture, the social well-being and demoralise people. Really? So in Karnataka we have not had any incidents of godmen molesting `devotees'? Teachers raping girl students? Close members of families taking advan tage of vulnerable girls? If you could not prevent such atrocities, what gives you the idea a mere Kiss of Love revolution will prove dangerous to our culture? There are a few people who feel strongly about the meaningless moral policing. Let them have the freedom to do what they think has a shock value and can make an impact on this thick-skinned society. Unlike the fundamentalists who take law in their hands and get into any action they think is right and terrorise innocent people, these youngsters have warned, given prior information and are standing right in their path. After all, they are only kissing not killing.
If at all there is an issue to worry about, it is this killing in the name of language, honour and any feeble reason that triggers violent behaviour. We Kannadigas are known for peace, friendship and regard for fellow beings. The same guys who are against the Kiss of Love are the ones who are on a mission spreading great poet Kuvempu's message of Vishwamanava Sandesha. It preaches universal brotherhood. Of course again to preach is ok but to Kiss is a sin in Kannada. Got the point?
The writer is a poet, playwright and filmmaker
- BANGALORE MIRROR
First things first -we are not physical. Adults don't hug and kiss while greeting each other here. Grown up father, son, mother, daughter don't hug and kiss. Especially in public, adults don't do anything closer to intimacy. It is as strong as the `boys don't cry' taboo.
I remember reading when Sir M Visvesvaraya was the Diwan of Mysore in the beginning of last century and was asked to give his comments on improving Cubbon Park, he included, among other specifications, a note that clearly said "...the pathways in the park should be lit on either side but the lamp posts must not be too high and the light not too strong so that they don't disturb the young husband and wife who may come to the park in the evenings to steal some private moments, as they have no such moments in large families."
Salute to the man who had a sense of how Indian man-woman relationship works in Indian context.
However, that was then. Now the open market has made many more things open and physical display of affection is not as rare as it used to be in the last century.With the onslaught of satellite channels, relaxing of rules of film censorship and the internet, things are much more freely available than before. The current generation has grown up with such an atmosphere.Hence for the current generation it is not a big thing to kiss in public. However, at the same time they are also very aware that it is a taboo. What better weapon than kissing in public to protest against moral policing? But unfortunately those who are opposing such a protest have no idea about the basic crux of it. If you have noticed all the personalities who have come out openly condemning the idea have said "What if your wifedaughtersister is kissed?" Please notice none of them are talking about their sonsbrothershusbands kissing in public! That too even when the organisers have very clearly said it is not a free for all kissing arena...there is a misunderstanding that it is going to be mayhem.
Funnily, none of these people have come up with any protest against the vulgarity portrayed on Indian screens and on stage. These are the same people who engage in nanga naach parties. Even though cabaret and dance bars are banned, many people continue to organise nanga naach illegally and slyly. Some members of political parties who are strongly protesting against the Kiss of Love revolution are also involved in such scams.So, Kannadigas don't kiss but do nanga naach. The Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Umashree, has said it is not in our culture to kiss in public and hence it should not be allowed. The fact of the matter is she has completely forgotten her screen image, teaming up with N S Rao delivering double meaning dialogues in films after films. It has not made any dent in her reputation, instead has elevated her as being a model for women who have made it on their own.
Also, everybody is forgetting that it is a protest and not an invitation to pull any passing woman and plant a kiss. The mode of protest itself is a way of attracting attention to the point in question: why is there such deliberate tolerance of mindless moral policing? Is it ok for a group of unreasonable youth to storm a private party, trash and get away? Should there be no one to protest against such act? Should the protestors not be taken seriously? Why can't the government hear them? Ok, what may happen if the youngsters go ahead and hold the event? Those opposing say it will destroy our culture, the social well-being and demoralise people. Really? So in Karnataka we have not had any incidents of godmen molesting `devotees'? Teachers raping girl students? Close members of families taking advan tage of vulnerable girls? If you could not prevent such atrocities, what gives you the idea a mere Kiss of Love revolution will prove dangerous to our culture? There are a few people who feel strongly about the meaningless moral policing. Let them have the freedom to do what they think has a shock value and can make an impact on this thick-skinned society. Unlike the fundamentalists who take law in their hands and get into any action they think is right and terrorise innocent people, these youngsters have warned, given prior information and are standing right in their path. After all, they are only kissing not killing.
If at all there is an issue to worry about, it is this killing in the name of language, honour and any feeble reason that triggers violent behaviour. We Kannadigas are known for peace, friendship and regard for fellow beings. The same guys who are against the Kiss of Love are the ones who are on a mission spreading great poet Kuvempu's message of Vishwamanava Sandesha. It preaches universal brotherhood. Of course again to preach is ok but to Kiss is a sin in Kannada. Got the point?
The writer is a poet, playwright and filmmaker
- BANGALORE MIRROR
