“Water” and Distorted Perceptions about Hinduism…
A letter written by Vrndavan Parker to the “Seattle Weekly” “regarding their review of (Deepa) Mehta’s Hindu-Bashing hate film ‘Water.’” In the preface to the post on Yahoo-Groups, Vrndavan said that there was a lot more to say on the matter but for the 250-word limit.
Reproduced below:
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To:Seattle Weekly
Dear Editor,
The statement “But the light it casts on Indian traditions is decidedly dark,” is accurate. This isthe goal of Mehta’s films.Katherine Mayo’s 1927 book “Mother India,” was a betrayal of her friend, Gandhi. Calling her book,”…a Sewer Inspector’s Report,” “…a sensational book designed to create contempt for India and justify the continuation of British rule.” Though the controversy led to the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, Gandhi rejected the idea that such social ills were authentic Hindu tradition.
Similarly, Mehta’s films highlight extreme cases as Indian culture. The term, ‘Rich Evil Brahmins’ is an oxymoron. To be a Brahmin means to be humane and live simply. The Brahmins are why 85% of India is still Hindu. The British made all efforts to destroy this Brahminical influence over India. Mehta is continuing this agenda.
Hinduism represents humanity’s most ancient, largest and ongoing cultural sequence and oppression is unsustainable. India has a billion people…(It) is preserving Tibetan culture. Hinduism is the fertile ground of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and only India hosts all 73 schools of Islam*.
To learn about a culture we contact those from that culture. Yet when voices hostile to a tradition are accepted as authentic, hate, hostility and extremist views are nourished.‘Water’ represents the antithesis to Hinduism. Mehta’s views are unjust extremism. Its as if she found someone’s trash and concluded that everything about that person is trashy. Mehta intentionally casts a dark light in order to demonize Hindus.
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I do not think anyone could have put it better – B Shantanu
* Of the 128 countries where Jews lived before Israel was created, India was the only one not to have persecuted them
yes, VP is right. I don’t understand Deepa Mehta? She is one more example of Hindu, who dont show respect to thier own people and Country? What she is describing in Movie has not been witnessed by any. It may have happen somewhere at some tiny place but not everywhere in India. These are the people who likes to keep image of India low for their own Interest. They want material to be sold. By the way which country don’t have dark side of religion and culture? every Country has dark side. Once on Internet I was reading about King Henry and about that period, they use to execute their wives only for small reason of adultry. Execution was so popular in England. But they have burried their bad past. And indian woman did “SATI” in past is still a news. Why Indians have pain in stomach to burry all past that is bad?
really !! may be u morons should shout after watching the movie honestly…
Joy,
what are you trying to say? and pl. stop insulting other readers…surely you can use better language.
Shantanu,
That was a good letter.
Kinda similar to my comments in sulekha blog “Quit India” by Brat Gaba. [http://bratgaba.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/01/quit-india/comment/564919.htm ]
And the “morons” screamed…Joy to the world…
[how do you watch a movie “honestly”, or “dis-honestly” for that matter???…
Karigar, your comment is spot on and deserves a wider audience.
I am reproducing here. Hope you dont mind…
*** Comment from Karigar***
Here’s a quick dissenting note (released into the black hole of blogdom…)
Regardless of the unwise behavior of the Pols/Leaders who added Firewater to the “Water” by giving her more publicity than she deserved, IMO she’s more anti “traditions” or whatever her pet peeve is, than pro widows, or whatever her hot favorite “cause” is.
Movies like this may not do much to elevate the Indian Public’s consciousness about societal ills (Being that they are made for Goras & us coconuts), but they do create Strong Stereotypes that are difficult to break out of.
Yup we know we have “Water” happening in all our homes, don’t we? Sure…
The Indian abroad (or ones interacting socially or otherwise with Westerners) bears another burden in his already burdened psyche when “Water” or Despa Mehta’s movies are made the fulcrums on which conversations are leveraged….
Meanwhile Despo Mehta waltzes around as some “saviour” , “Artist with conscience”…an award or two.
Celebrate? Not me…