Dear Friends,
The Oriyas are proud of 'Yangyaseni'– one of the masterpieces in Oriya literature written by Dr.Pratibha Ray, the famous novelist. The self-claimed dealers of Hindutya-culture led by RSS, its frontal organizations and few Oriya agents under the dictates of their ideological masters have begun a tirade against Oriya culture, artistic creations and tradition. Now, they have started sending their 'fatwa' onto Dr.Pratibha Ray for her novel 'Yangyaseni' like the Muslim fundamentalists treating with Taslima Nasrin. This great work could earn lots of honors and prides not only for Dr.Ray, but also for the entire Orissa. 'Yangyaseni' is considered as a unique work as it narrates the sensitivity of Draupadi character of 'the Mahabharat' (the great Indian epic) as a mortal woman with her all humanly feelings, emotions, likes or dislikes. In entire India, no other author has perceived and narrated 'Draupadi' as Dr.Ray did. That is greatness and uniqueness of Oriya culture and tradition to see the mythological characters as human beings born of earth and soil with natural limitations. Anybody can find it in the writings of Sarala Das, Jagannath Das, Balaram Das, Baladev Rath, Upendra Bhanja, Bhima Bhoi, Radhanath Ray, Gangadhar Meher, Madhusudan, Gopabandhu Das, Fakir Mohan and others. Differences in narration of situations and characters in Mahabharat by anybody outside Orissa and that of Sarala Das are proof of this. This great Orissan tradition and cultural diversity is under the attack of Hindu fundamentalists headed by their ideological mentors - a section Maharastrian Brahmins. They don't want to tolerate (or to allow) such unique-ness of Orissan culture, they are now in a mission to subjugate Oriya culture by their fixed perception and interpretations of the Mahabharat, the Ramayan and many other things.
In this subjugation mission, some of our Oriya brothers have been co-opted to campaign against 'Yangyaseni'. The VISAKIO – one of the media fronts of RSS has taken lead in Orissa. I am pasting bellow a write up by them for your reference, which says 'it was a mistake on the part of the organisation that selected the author of this book for the award ('Amritakirti').' I am afraid, tomorrow on the same ground they will denounce Sarala Das, Balram Das, Upendra Bhanja or any other among the great pillars of Oriya identity and culture, if they find unsuitable to their sectarian puposes.
Few e-groups run by NROs have become platforms for vilifying Oriya artistic creations and culture in the name of Oriya but actually serving for the dominance of Maharstrian Brahman initiated led interpretation 'Hindutya'. To quote Mr.Manoj Padhi, who moderates the OrissaTodayNetwork (an extension of 'www.hindtoday.com' run by Sangha Parivar) '--- very lucky to be born as a Hindu ---- Mahabharata and Ramayana are such master pieces and the original author's ideas have been twisted by Pratibha Ray. Fortunately she didn't do it for any Quaran related story else would have met the fate of Taslima.'
No Oriya thinks the fundamentalist Muslims are their role model like Sangha Parivar thinks to treat Dr. Ray. Rather 'Orissa' is much more above than the narrow Hindutya-badis, it has been accommodating various kinds of people (like Marwadis, Gujaratis, Bengalis, Telengas), cultures, thoughts, ways of life, religious practices and all.
I am giving bellow the discussions within 'ORNET' – another NRO-run e-group sent by one of my friends who does not want to open his identity, which shows not only minds of co-opted Oriyas in the name Hindutya, but also shows the resistance by some reasonable and brave Oriyas based in USA.
From the above writing, please do not misunderstand me as an Oriya Chauvinist.
Requesting comments from the readers and members,
Regards,
Dhirendra Panda
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:12:38 +0000
From: rm.pc52@yahoo.co.in
Subject: A comment on Oriya novel Jangyaseni
'Amritakirti' award to writer who defames Indian culture stirs up a hornets' nest Literary licence gone berserk
By Dr. Indulata Das , Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Orissa (VISAKEO)
It is true that an author has liberty of imagination. But that is meant to enhance the beauty of the ideal characters and not to disfigure them. A writer is free within the limits of truth and morality. He is not free to poison the minds of readers by writing untrue facts.
The writer of Yajnaseni may not have read the Mahabharat before writing the book and the selectors may not have read the book Yajnaseni before selecting its writer for the award.
'Amritakirti' is a prestigious award given for social reform and promotion of Indian culture by the organisation of Mata Amritanandamayee. But it was quite painful to know that the award this year was given to Dr. Pratibha Ray who has ruthlessly massacred Indian culture in her novel Yajnaseni (originally written in Oriya and translated into Malayalam) mainly for which she got the award.
It creates curiosity in the reader to know the truth and mystery behind the selection of such a person who has denigrated all the great and ideal characters of the Mahabharata. A few examples will give an idea as to how the sublime characters have been pulled down to the nadir and how the writer left no stone unturned to blacken Indian culture.
Bhima, in the Mahabharata, is known for his ardent love and sacrifice for his mother and brothers. Among the five husbands of Draupadi, he was perhaps the most dedicated one. But the same Bhima has been portrayed as an extremely selfish and intolerant person. He was so mean that he used to retain Draupadi on the pretext of pain in his stomach when she was supposed to stay with another husband. Bhima of Yajnaseni was so cruel that he would not mind killing all the Pandavas including Draupadi if the latter did not concede to his wishes (p. 115; Yajnaseni; Oriya).
Yudhishthira in the Mahabharata is the embodiment of righteousness who would sacrifice everything for upholding and establishing dharma. But for Pratibha Ray he was an unscrupulous man who stood outside the hut and spoke loudly to his mother that they had brought unique alms that day. He knew it well that his mother would tell them to share whatever they had got. It was a heinous conspiracy of Yudhishthira to share the would-be wife of his younger brother, whom he could not have otherwise got (p. 59; Yajnaseni; Oriya).
What to speak of the character of Draupadi, who in the said book is almost a psychic patient and has no control over her mind. She falls in love with someone today and is engrossed in some other's thought the other day. .
India has a glorious tradition of dedicated women who venture to confront even the God of Death to save their husbands. But see how Pratibha Ray has portrayed her Draupadi! When Draupadi of Pratibha Ray heard that she was going to marry all the five brothers she was so upset that she wished to see all of them dead and turn into ashes (pp. 6-8; Yajnaseni; Oriya). What a portrayal of an ideal Indian woman, who wants to see her would-be husbands dead even before marriage!
It is a known fact that in the Mahabharata Draupadi herself denied marrying Karna during the swayamvara (Mahabharata 1.86.22). But Draupadi of Pratibha Ray is mad after Karna throughout her life. She was so infatuated with Karna that even if the latter called her 'a prostitute' she was not angry with him but cursed her husbands instead (p. 153; Yajnaseni; Oriya). Draupadi of Pratibha Ray often expressed that Karna would have been her suitable husband (p. 211; Yajnaseni; Oriya).
Draupadi comes under the group of 'sati' women for whom husband is God. Such women do have devotion towards God but they never think of seeing God as their husband or extramarital lover. Their love in the physical or mental plane is meant for their husband only. But Pratibha Ray portrays Sri Krishna as an extramarital lover of Draupadi. It was not devotion to God but a human love towards the mortal Krishna. She used to see Krishna in her husbands. There are many objectionable statements and ascriptions about the relation of Draupadi with Krishna, which goes against the story and the moral tradition of India. There is a nasty imaginary description that when once during his visit to Indraprastha Sri Krishna was sleeping on the bed, Draupadi stood by the side of the bed the whole night (p. 219; Yajnaseni; Oriya). Even a woman of common family would not do it.
It should not be argued that an author has the freedom of imagination and hence the depiction in the book under reference should not be criticised. It is true that an author has liberty of imagination. But that is meant to enhance the beauty of the ideal characters and not to disfigure them. A writer is free within the limits of truth and morality. He is not free to poison the minds of readers by writing untrue facts. Is an author, while writing a story about Ramayana, free to write that Sita was the wife of Ravana?
The book Yajnaseni is full of untrue and immoral facts. For example, when in order to avoid the great ensuing battle of Mahabharata Sri Krishna persuaded Karna to leave the Kauravas and come to the side of Pandavas by disclosing that he was the eldest son of Kunti, Sri Krishna, according to the writer of Yajnaseni, offered the crown of the would-be kingdom along with the freedom to enjoy Draupadi (p. 391; Yajnaseni; Oriya). And surprisingly the same 'Draupadi of Pratibha Ray' who wanted to see her would-be husbands turn into ashes at the very proposal of her marrying more than one husband did not have any reaction to this sinful and shameless proposal that Karna shall have the freedom to enjoy the married Draupadi! She obviously had no objection to this offer. One wonders as to what extent the Indian culture has been denigrated and the minds of the readers poisoned
The Mahabharata has been conferred with the status of dharmashastra. Are these contents of Yajnaseni the contents of a dharmashastra or a papashastra? Is it Indian culture? If this is our culture then what about the advice to see others' wife as mother (Matrivat paradaresu)?
In the same Mahabharata during the teaching of Gita Sri Krishna vouchsafes that He descends to the earth from time to time to establish dharma: Dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge (Gita 4.8). ls it the way 'Krishna of Pratibha Ray' was establishing dharma?
Obviously, it was a mistake on the part of the organisation that selected the author of this book for the award.
The writer of Yajnaseni may not have read the Mahabharat before writing the book and the selectors may not have read the book Yajnaseni before selecting its writer for the award.
The book gives wrong .picture about our shastras also. For example, the writer on one occasion says that it is Kshatriya Dharma to enjoy a married woman by kidnapping her or by defeating her husband. It has the approval of the scriptures (p. 364; Yajnaseni; Oriya).
But ironically the writer of such an unholy statement, which insulted the whole woman race, got the 'Amritakirti' award from a holy organisation.
(The writer is a renowned literary figure of Oriya language.)
(From Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Orissa, A/16, Kharavela Nagar, Bhubaneswar.)
Manoj Panda <pandamanoj@hotmail.com> wrote:
> mahAbhArata has a much elevated message for the generations to > lead a peaceful and harmonious life. All the characters in the > great epic exist in every human being. It is a practical book > of sAdhanA of which Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the crest jewel. > > The thoughts represented in the book yAngyasenI are from a > very narrow perspective. Certainly it doesn't portray the > great message the mahAbhArata. The real intent of the great > book of mahAbhArata is distorted. Through the jugglery of > words the divine character of Draupadi is misrepresented from > an extremely selfish point of view.> > The scriptures are there to apply their essence in personal > life to transform one to a better human being. The women have > very high places in sanAtana dharma. Some distort that to gain > cheap sensationalism. That needs to be discouraged. Dignity of > our mothers, sisters is our dignity. > > Literature is simply not juxtaposition of good words. The > ingrained thoughts which motivate the society to better itself > are the hall marks of a good literay piece. Very few satisfy > these stringent guide lines. Some give lop sided views of > noble intents to gain popularity on the plank of "to be just > being different by hook or crook". And this is a dangerous > trend for a progressive society. > > Thank you! > > humble regards> -m >
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:28:35 -0800 (PST)
From: Leeta Mohanty <mleeta@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Ornet] A comment on Oriya novel Jangyaseni
To: Manoj Panda <pandamanoj@hotmail.com>, myodisa@yahoogroups.com,
ornet@lists.cs.columbia.edu
Cc: rm.pc52@yahoo.co.in
Message-ID: <7661.65930.qm@web50907.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Good literature is very difficult to come by and that's the
reason why literary figures are held in such high esteem in a
society. When I read Jagyaseni a couple of years back, I felt
like Wow! Now I can claim that ORIYAS AND THAT TOO "A Oriya
woman" has created a contemporary masterpiece. I was awed at the
subtle yet masterful handling and interpretation of characters
without any malice towards any character, yet giving each of
them such individuality and humanness, only a sensitive and
original writer can generate. I maynot be very knowledgeable,
but as a citizen, I condemn such disgraceful and spiteful words,
whoever has written it.
It is ok for people to have different points of view. But, such
mass-emails are not desirable.
I apologize if I am hurting any sentiments.
Best Regards,
Leeta Mohanty
From Manoj Panda
Thanks for your note!
Creativity, free thinking etc. are assets. Those must be practiced. But one should never forget their objectives.
When the river flows within the embankments, it is a blessing. But when it jumps those bounds, it creates havoc.
Creativity within the bounds of nourishment of minds is sine qua non of a prosperous and harmonious environment.
You mentioned about "Yogah karmasu kaushalam". This is a gem of a sentence from Gita. It means that Yoga is the "kaushaLa"
or technique of doing work. Yoga means union with the Source. That doesn't mean that yoga has to be conducted
in a quiet place only. The Blessed Lord is teaching Yoga to Arjuna in the midst of the battlefield, the highest environment
of restlessness. That is the objective of Yoga i.e. always be united with the Source and know the origin of restlessness and
maintain calmness, composure, sanity through out. In the battlefield of life one has to use the technique of "Yoga"
to be peaceful and blissful.
Everybody has a choice. As the writer exercises his/her choices, so also the readers. But the ultimate outcome is
how far we have succeeded in making us happy, blissful and harmonious.
The objectives of the scripture are to create harmony not the discord. There are a lot to learn from the mahAbhArata.
If somebody wants to use this to write some cheap novels and express some unfounded feministic views in the name
of creativity which serves as the obliteration of the same, who is to be blamed.
The women are revered in the sanAtana dharma. The harmonious relationship between man and woman nay with all beings is the
foundation of peaceful and prosperous existence.
If any means is used to break that, that should be opposed vehemently. Let the Truth prevail, the Truth which
is harbinger of peace and harmony.
Wishing you all the best!
humble regards
-m
To: myodisa@yahoogroups.com; myodisa@yahoogroups.com; ornet@lists.cs.columbia.edu
CC: pandamanoj@hotmail.com; rm.pc52@yahoo.co.in
From: BijoyMisra@comcast.net
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:21:11 +0000
Subject: Re: [oDiA samAja] [myodisa] RE: A comment on Oriya novel Jangyaseni
Dear Manoj,
Possibly in that case you will have difficulty with Sarala Dasa's
Mahabharata.
On Monday evening I was in a concert in local New England Conservatory
where a jazz guitarist was featured with his drummer student. It was
the student's 60th birthday anniversary (Boston.com might have article today).
The guitarist, a Zen practitioner, interpreted meditation with a sonorous symphony.
Some Hindu sadhus might have difficulty with such a concept. It was
a beautiful evening and a feature of extremely creative efforts. I had lovely time
with all people gathered.
Yoga is not out there, yogah karmasya kaus'alam.
It's not what Sri Bhagavan saying, it's empirical.
Creativity is not confined to a person, gender, land, people or time.
We must throw away dogmas and anything that confines human freedom.
We must be creative and celebrate creativity. It's the call of the soul.
I rate Pratibha Roy's work in the same tone as Sarala and Gangadhara,
though not in same scale. Upendra would not exist if Brahmins would
burn him. Buddha would not exist if Vedic people destroyed him.
In recent times, Tulasi Das won't exist since he rendered Ramayana
for people. Bengalis tried to throw away Jagannatha Das since he wrote
in Oriya. A creative work is made for history, not for raw critics.
Religious scholars can cite books, a Rama or Krishna shows new ways.
Best wishes,
Bhaina
We are very lucky to be born as a Hindu because we can suspect or twist our master pieces at our will.
Mahabharata and Ramayana are such master pieces and the original author's ideas have been twisted by Pratibha Ray. Fortunately she didn't do it for any Quaran related story else would have met the fate of Taslima.
Having said the above, we should appreciate that unlike prophetic religions, Hinduism has given amount of liberty and flexibility to its writers.
The author should have written a disclaimer that "This is an art of fiction" and no relation with the characters of original Mahabharata.
Time change, so are people and their views. But the sanity of original epics should not be twisted to hurt few people's sentiments.
Manoj padhi
On Jan 30, 2008 11:44 AM, <ornet-request@lists.cs.columbia.edu> wrote:
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: A comment on Oriya novel Jangyaseni (Leeta Mohanty)
2. Re: [oDiA samAja] [myodisa] RE: A comment on Oriya novel
Jangyaseni (Manoj Panda)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Manoj, From your several comments, it appears to me that you have not yet Read the book. Please read it with an open mind. It's mythical. It's a psychoanalysis of Draupadi. It's a couragious, difficult and intricate literature beautifully rendered. It's abstract. It's different than what you call mocking paintings of which I am aware of and did protest. Please take time to read the book and we might discuss passages. Best wishes,Bhaina (Bijoy Mishra) Quoting Manoj Panda <pandamanoj@hotmail.com>:
> > Sun rise is beautiful but snow storm causes inconveniences and misery!> > For a Sthitaprajna both are the same but for the rest two are distinct.> > In a relative world good and bad have their own places. But lately it has> been a habit of many to mock at scriptures without understanding their true> messages. And opposition to that you term it as dogma. So be it. >> Poisoning the divine eye of a woman is no literature. And you call it > creative!! Yes, it is creative, but only to promote disrepect to the divine> messages conveyed by the mahAbhArata. >> Do you call portrayal of Mother Saraswati in naked form in full public view> by an artist is a creative art? Do you want to consider it as dogma, if> somebody opposes it? Is that kind of liberated art be praised? >> We live in a civilized society, Bhaina! >> sanAtana dharma has given the highest pedestal to women. And if somebody> poisons that divine eye through fictious imaginative lurid tales, you call> them as creative art...how fair it is? >> Let the essence of sanAtana dharma not be disfigured in the name of > creativity.> Let not the so called uncivilized liberation blind the eyes of people with> negativity. > Let not the ugliness of distortion shroud the beauty of harmony and peace.> > Thank you!> > Humble regards> -m __._,_.___ *****************************************
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