Alternative view on Machel’s Hindu chant
DR VEDAVID MANICK
THE RECENT performance of Hindu chants at a Carnival fete by soca superstar Machel Montano has sparked much controversy in the public domain and, most interestingly, within the Hindu community itself. Many seem to be offended by the act while others have voiced their support for the superstar.
As someone who identifies as Hindu, I found myself in a situation where I am unable to pick a side and thus had to reflect a bit more as to why this is so.
Some Hindus have voiced dissent, pointing out very logically that the soca star’s actions were not appropriate for the time or circumstance. One ought to think and act appropriately according to the time, place and circumstance.
For example, if one were to go a wedding and sing a funeral song, or go to a funeral and sing a wedding song, such an act will be considered to be situationally inappropriate. Montano’s actions are seen in such a light because something considered sacred has been rendered in a situation regarded as profane.
Other Hindus have pointed out a seeming hypocrisy of such a view, as there are many Hindu chutney artistes who have sung songs such as Nanda Baba and Mohan ki Muraliya (both songs that sing about Lord Krishna) as chutney in chutney fetes where large audiences of Hindus lap them up, wining down low to their refrains while a beer bottle or drink of puncheon is held in one hand.
As someone who identifies as Hindu, I found myself in a situation where I am unable to pick a side and thus had to reflect a bit more as to why this is so.
Some Hindus have voiced dissent, pointing out very logically that the soca star’s actions were not appropriate for the time or circumstance. One ought to think and act appropriately according to the time, place and circumstance.
For example, if one were to go a wedding and sing a funeral song, or go to a funeral and sing a wedding song, such an act will be considered to be situationally inappropriate. Montano’s actions are seen in such a light because something considered sacred has been rendered in a situation regarded as profane.
Other Hindus have pointed out a seeming hypocrisy of such a view, as there are many Hindu chutney artistes who have sung songs such as Nanda Baba and Mohan ki Muraliya (both songs that sing about Lord Krishna) as chutney in chutney fetes where large audiences of Hindus lap them up, wining down low to their refrains while a beer bottle or drink of puncheon is held in one hand.
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