Posted by: isolated freak July 17, 2005
Bichara Shiva Shrestha...
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" Isolated Freak, I was also glad to notice that you finally understand the difference between the "emic" and "etic" perspective and a few other anthropological jargons you tend to use so naively here in this forum; I guess your Ashu Dai's little lecture to you on the ABC of book publishing business (re: Lynn's book getting second edition) did in fact help toned down your usual denial and arrogance. I see Lynn's book, which you once despised openly so much right here in this forum, has now made to your reading list. Now, let's get beyond what you know of anthropology (or some other disciplines for that matter) besides some excerpts posted on the internet and a few introductory level books, so that we can only focus on the topic of this thread. " Emodus, I am glad you are glad. Regarding Lynn's book, I read it when I was in college in 1999, 3 years before it was relaunched by the Mandala Book Point. I was present at the book launching in Kathmandu, and even asked Lynn herself some questions regarding her intepretations. I was not convinced in 1999 or in 2002, or even today with her interpretation of Nepali women dancing during the Teej and Rishi Panchami. I asked her what made her come to the conclusion that women are showing their oppressed sexuality by dancing during the Teej festival and by wearing red. And she didn't give me a satisfactory answer. There are other interpretations too, which I didn't agree with, and thought (which i still think today) these interpretations can be challenged. Lynn's book was written in the 70s, and based on the existing social-pshycological theories then, it must have seemed right, but the social sciences have come a long way, and in the light of new development in theories and disciplines, her work can be challenged. It cannot be hold as "brahma-bakya" when talking about Nepali bahun-Chetri society. However, in Nepal we don't have the tradition of critically reviewing the books, because we don't want to make the authors angry. I do have an immense respect for Lynn because she worked in Nepal in the 70s, sounded nice, polite and didn't mind me going to her book launching (along with a friend) uninvited, and tried her best to answer my questions. But that does not mean, as a Nepali, and as a student who studied anthropology for 2 years in college cannot question her, or voice his dissatisfaction at some of her interpretation. So I started a thread called "critical review" of Lynn's book, not criticism of Lynn and her work, and her Columbia education. " First, give me your definition of culture, and then I will answer your ?why ?you people? so culturally insensitive? kinda statement. I am asking this because such populism statements can be seductive, but a culturally sensitive reader (or anthropologist) has to look beyond the rhetoric to understand what a person meant to say, and what and what does not constitute a culture. If you say bowing down to the King, Queen or Paras LIKE THE WAY SHIVA did is indeed a common culture of contemporary Nepal, you have a bigger problem to fry: you will need a couple of more lectures like the one Ashu gave you before. I would rather leave it for your anthropology reading. " Look we can disucss further on culture and other stuff, if you do not assume a condascending tone. Look either you didn't understand what I wrote or you are deliberately trying to misread me. I did not say bowing low to the royals constitutes Nepali culture. What i said was, the respect the majority of Nepal's population has towards the institution makes them engage in such displays of respect, which is neither socially expected nor required. Its the RESPECT that's a part of our culture, and this is not a result of years of manipulation as some implied and this feeling of respect makes some people bow down. Just because their RESPECT towards the institution makes them engage in scuh acts, does not mean they are coerced or they are doing it for material gain or being manipulated. This is what I have been saying all along. And I think I already had my enough dose of anthropology in school. however, if you are willing to be my mentor or Guru, you are more than welcome to. Haven't read new ethnographies in years, so reccomend me books and articles that you think are useful in understanding culture and society. " Second, as one can see, what Shiva did in fact took everyone there by surprise or at least they (e.g., Queen, Lokman S. Karki, Tanka Dhakal) look kinda awkward?but hey that?s my reading, you are free to interpret differently. My reading is that Shiva is just mimicking an emerging fashion of bowing down to the feet that I see in Hindi Musical Contests like Saregam and Antakchcheri. Bowing down in such a way to your own life-long mentor/guru is a gurukul tradition, but to mimic the similar style in a contest (e.g., musical contest, awards) and the setting where power relations do make a difference toward your upward mobility, is nothing more than a cheap strategy; my point is it takes awhile to be considered as a culture. Hence, Shiva?s bowing down should be considered in a slightly different realm than KHOKRO RASTRABAADI (raaajabaadi) tradition that the MAKARTANTRA raaj is trying to promote. " That's your interpretation and offers one explanation to what Shiva did. Yes, everyone present there seemed to be in an awkward position becuase that's not what they expected or what the protocol required. However, Shiva went further and bowed down. As I said earlier, nobody can get into Shiva's head and know why he did what he did, but I tend to see it as his display of respect towards the institution, than trying to gain something or mimicking from popular Hindi tele-shows. That's my interpretation. You have your's. And unless Shiva himself comes here and clarifies, we both are free to hold our opinions to be true. " Now that the absolute monarchy and cronies like Sharad Chandra Shah are back in the business, I would not be surprised if Sharad Chandra?s notorious ?HANUMAN STYLE? bowing (boy those were their days and now d?j? vu all over again) is being set a standard like the way he instructed within the National Sports Council. So, I am looking forward to days when you and even in-between people like Ashutosh start mimicking the same HANUMAN style bowing. Good luck! Just don?t coerce other Nepali in the name of ?culture.? " Look I don't know about Sharda Chandra Shah and his Hanuman style bowing. And like I said earlier, I am free to show my resepct to the institution in any manner I deem fit. I can bow down or kowtow to the King, and that's my business. I am not forcing you or coercing you or anybody else for that matter to do what I do. You are free to show your respect (or disrespect) any way you want. That's your individual right.
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