How many times during this trip have I heard and thought that sentence -"This is India!" -but not always meaning "bad"; the students we teach are the most precious jewels enriching our lives with delightful suprises. Last week Shakyajata suggested the most apparently ridiculous of ideas, that we should all produce some kind of 'cultural performance' for each other from our own varied backgrounds (the students have been drawn from all states of India, some not even sharing a common Indian language) - even more ridiculous, she offered that we teachers would present to the students something in return (a repeat of London's Burning was mentioned!). Days went by with not much said by the students, -but beneath the surface the seeds had been sown; -come the day - the desire to perform, the late night preparations and their hidden rehearsals emerged in a wealth of talent and a feast of delights. -songs, poems and drama; some comic; some moving; some relevant to the political plight of the Dalit's struggle; but all were strongly optimistic in the style of their hero and leader, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. He dreamt of a 'Dharma Revolution' for his people, a people oppressed by the caste system of the ancient and dominant Hindhu religion. These students believe in his dream and are each at the cutting edge:; each preparing to return to their own home communities to promote the winds of change. Their ideal is set by the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, aka the Three Jewels of Buddhism.
Last night we visited a Dharma Festival two hours drive out of Nagpur. Typical of many of the villages from which came our students, this village community had a serious history of change; from being treated as 'outcasts' and 'untouchables', they were now recovering their dignity and social rights as owner/farmers. Thanks in part to the Indian Constitution, (to which Dr Ambedkar had greatly contributed), but also to his urging for his people to escape from the superstitions of the Hindhu religion and to convert to Bhuddism. Hence our invitation to the Dharma Festival at which the guests of honour were to be ourselves(!), and especially Achala who was the key speaker delivering a Dharma Talk to the assembled villagers -all buddhists; -them gathered, children and all, under a beautifully adorned canvass; -us raised upon creaking stage, each bedecked with garlands of beautiful flowers. We were watered and fed by one farmer's family in his simple but significant farm house. We ate in his front bedroom -a stream of good food kept emerging from a distant kitchen, food prepared by a team of his family members. When we had eaten the women came out to meet us; much photography and salutations exchanged. An amazing night and worth the ordeal of driving four hours on the nightmare called India roads and traffic. This is India!
Last night we visited a Dharma Festival two hours drive out of Nagpur. Typical of many of the villages from which came our students, this village community had a serious history of change; from being treated as 'outcasts' and 'untouchables', they were now recovering their dignity and social rights as owner/farmers. Thanks in part to the Indian Constitution, (to which Dr Ambedkar had greatly contributed), but also to his urging for his people to escape from the superstitions of the Hindhu religion and to convert to Bhuddism. Hence our invitation to the Dharma Festival at which the guests of honour were to be ourselves(!), and especially Achala who was the key speaker delivering a Dharma Talk to the assembled villagers -all buddhists; -them gathered, children and all, under a beautifully adorned canvass; -us raised upon creaking stage, each bedecked with garlands of beautiful flowers. We were watered and fed by one farmer's family in his simple but significant farm house. We ate in his front bedroom -a stream of good food kept emerging from a distant kitchen, food prepared by a team of his family members. When we had eaten the women came out to meet us; much photography and salutations exchanged. An amazing night and worth the ordeal of driving four hours on the nightmare called India roads and traffic. This is India!
No comments:
Post a Comment