Kiran: Kiran K Karthikeyan wrote, [on 3/9/2009 1:44 PM]:
>> Shoba (who lurks on silk) has a point. Exactly what is "Indian culture"? >> I am equally puzzled by the subsidiary question of "what is India?" (for >> the moment, we will ignore the otherwise equally important issue of >> "what is culture?" while we address the above two...) >> >> Thoughts? > > I think we've already given in to the Mutaliks if we find ourselves > trying to answer that question. Firstly, I was trying to draw a distinction between Indian culture(s) and the "Indian culture" that is oh-so-conveniently trotted out as an excuse for the various lumpen elements in the public sphere. Secondly, I don;t understand why _seeking to understand_ either Indian culture or "Indian culture" is in itself a capitulation or a victory for the Mutaliks. So, while I agree entirely with > The question is not what defines > Indian culture, but what gives you the right to impose your > interpretation (or your sub-culture) of it on others. I still disagree with the viewpoint that seeking to understand what defines Indian culture (or what makes it such a convenient excuse for enforced groupthink) is in itself a bad thing. Do you really not see the irony here? Udhay -- ((Udhay Shankar N)) ((udhay @ pobox.com)) ((www.digeratus.com))
