His-story

Yes, we’re going to talk about history this time. But, the difference is that now we’ll be talking about a history which probably most of us chose not to study about. For quite a long time, the history of World War II became my main interest. Any documentary about WWII never failed to plant my back onto the couch with my eyes glued to the television. Now, I have turned my attention to the history of South India, also from where my ancestry can be traced back. Ok, let’s skip all the intro’s and get to the topic.

If you have watched the Tamil movie “Ayirathil Oruvan” , then probably you know which king or empire that I’m going to talk about. Yes, it is the Cholan empire. But why the Cholan and not any other dynasty? The reason for my choice lies behind the construction of the Tanjavur temple ( Tanjai Periya Kovil or Brihadeeswara temple). Trust me people, this is a magnificent piece of architecture, probably as good as Angkor Wat.

What is so great about this temple? Well, if you want to build such a structure or even something bigger than that at present, it won’t be that tough. But what if I send you 1000 years back, where there is no crane, no hard iron, no metal chain, no computers/softwares, no calculators, no drawing boards, and definitely no architects submitting design proposals for the temple. The things you have are pure solid granite stone quarry, soft iron, an army of skillful craftsmen, and not forgetting wild elephants.

  

Here are some facts about the temple that makes it a world heritage. 

1.       Construction was completed in the year 1010 AD (exactly 1000 years ago)

2.       The temple was built by The Great King Rajaraja Cholan (I) during the peak of the Cholan empire. It stands out as a towering monument proclaiming the glory of Cholan empire and their commitment to art and culture. 

3.       Built using pure granite rock, one of the hardest types of rock to exist. In modern world, granite rocks are cut using cutting blades fitted with diamond (hardest material ever known). I wonder how they managed to cut and shape huge chunks of granites 1000 years ago. 

4.       The granite rocks were crafted using soft iron (hard iron was not discovered at that time). Soft irons against one of the hardest types of rock, I guess you can image how it is like :D

5.       The temple tower (Goburam) is 66m high (among the tallest of its kind in the world). But, how did they manage to lift up huge granite rock as high as 66m above ground without any cranes or cables? 

6.       Total amount or granite used is approxiamately 130 000 tonnes, enough to build the pyramids. 

7.       The statue of the sacred bull (Nandhi) standing at 16ft long and 13ft high was crafted with a SINGLE piece of rock. How did they transport those rocks? 

The massive granite rocks were quarried using large pieces of soft iron, and then by using wild elephants the rocks were pulled on logs to the location. From then, it is up to the master craftsmen to shape the granite blocks into sculpture. In other words, the Cholan craftsmen conceived like giants, and finished like jewelers (Fergusson, True Art Historian).

Follow the link below to check out pictures of this magnificent Cholan architecture.

https://picasaweb.google.com/nayakchitra/BrihadeeshwaraTempleTanjore?feat=flashalbum#5495111499425080674

Why Indians don't eat beef?

I asked many people about that, and the only answer that I get is, cow (pasu) is like God. Well, that answer was not good enough for me and I began some research on my own. Here is the best explanation that I got from my research.

Try asking the Europeans why they don’t kill/eat horse. Well, that’s exactly why we don’t kill/eat cows. Get the picture? If you don’t, then let’s fly back to ancient India. As we all know, ancient Indians depended on agriculture as their main source of income. Their life depended on it. And that’s how the story of Indian civilization began. Without the help from cows and bulls, the Indian civilization would have been almost impossible. They were the backbone from which our ancestors shaped the civilization. When drought struck the region, people depended solely on cow milk to replace the scarcely available water. That allowed them to survive difficult times. Bear in mind, ancient Indians were very thankful towards nature, and everything that allows them to live on earth. From the soil they step on, to the sun that rises every day, everything is appreciated, and offered a prayer as a sign of gratitude. Same goes to the cows and bulls. They play an important role in every ancient Indian’s life and that is why donating a cow to another individual is considered as the highest deed in Hindu religion. That was when a bond was created between man and cow. Those days, dogs were not man’s best friends. It was cows. Thus, slaughtering them was out of the question.

I do not know if we will end up in Lord Yama’s kitchen if we eat beef or not, but I do have respect for them, and I won’t eat/kill/torture them as well. If they were not there, our civilization must have been quite impossible.

Another opinion says that, a cow can be compared to a mother. They are as gentle as a mother towards her children. Well, I think that is quite obvious. For those who doubt that, maybe you should pay a visit to the estate I live, and I’ll take you on a tour. A baby grows by drinking mother’s milk. Then, after growing a little bit, they live by drinking cow’s milk. So, now do you understand why a cow can be compared to a mother?

Many Indians (doesn’t matter Hindu, or non-Hindu) do not know this. So, please do spread this news to them. As far as I know, many Indians eat beef because they don’t believe it’s a sin. But, it’s actually more than religion, it’s about culture.

 If there's any other opinion on this topic, do share with us :)

Interlok and Malaysian Indians

As the topic suggests, there are two subjects that we’re going to discuss about. The first is the controversial novel, Interlok which was made as a compulsory textbook for BM SPM students, despite the usage of certain words that has put the Indian community into boiling soup. I have a few questions in my mind that no one has able to answer until now. First question, why is the government still defending its decision to continue the book’s usage as textbook even after it has created dissatisfaction among its people? Second question, is it very hard for the government to just switch to another book since this one created so many controversies?

Let’s take a look at some reviews on this topic from the link below. There is one particular comment that I would like you all to read. Take a look comment number 15 from above.

http://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/the-interlok-controversy/

“Let the kids be ‘educated’ that this is a very, very unsavory word especially when applied to others who are demonized and ostracized just because they are different…..”

So that was how they tried to defend the book’s usage. If I may use a simile here, I would say that that statement would be something similar to giving guns and bullets to the people, and telling them not to FIRE. What a silly way to defend Interlok. I think that students do not even know the existence of that “P” word until some “smart” people introduced the novel. For those who have no idea what’s the big deal about it, Yes, it is a sensitive word for Indians. If they think they can educate students that way, then why not teach the “F” word, and then “educate” them on why they should not use it? Sounds very “smart” right?

Now when u read the same comment (comment no.15 from top), the author also says that we need to monitor the teachers who teach that subject. That is another “smart” thing to do, isn’t it? Which teacher? Come on, we’ve seen many, and I mean MANY, teachers throwing out racist remarks, and still can get away by just saying “I didn’t mean that. What I was trying to say is…..bla..bla…bla, and people have misunderstood”. What happens next? They get transferred to a better school, and CASE CLOSED.

http://blog.thestar.com.my/permalink.asp?id=16270

http://www.indianmalaysian.com/sound/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=1532

http://www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com/2010/08/17/umno-racist-teacher-will-again-to-let-off-the-hook/

Visit the links above to refresh yourselves with “History”.

Again, what does not make sense to me is why should government still go ahead with the book, and then, so-called “monitor” what comes out of the teacher’s mouth? If I had the authority, I think I will just remove the book’s usage, replace it with another less sensitive book, and save the effort in monitoring the teachers. In that way, students are happy, teachers have nothing to worry, and no one gets offended. Doesn’t that sound more effective?

“Don’t make an issue out of it? It’s in history and culture! However, when used in a literary work, it can and must be exposed as it is”. (Refer comment no.9 from the first link)

Ok fine. It’s in “History” and it is a fact. But, is there any need to bring that up when this society is slowly moving towards a caste-free society? Isn’t there anything better in History that they can bring up? Like I said earlier, that “P” word, how many people knows the existence of it, especially non-Indians? Now that it has been included in their textbook, everybody knows. Good job!!! The “smart” people have done it again. Now, go ahead and talk about unity that you’ve just broken.

Now, let’s talk about Malaysian Indians. They’re all angry. Erupting like a volcano. Roaring like a lion. But what I do not understand is, why are they angry? Is it because the caste-topic was brought up by the book, or are they angry just because they don’t like to be called a “P****h” as they are from a different caste. Now, that puzzles me. This is a sensitive topic, so let’s put aside the differences among us, and look at it as a general issue. Personally, I believe that the caste-system is no longer applicable in this modern world, and I don’t like it when the topic is brought up among our younger generations. I believe that it should be forgotten as it doesn’t serve its purpose anymore. To those who are fighting for the right reason, I salute you!!

Finally, a suggestion to the authorities. If your intention is really to foster unity among the future generations, then create a novel with an Indian, Chinese, and Malay as the lead character. Portray the new Malaysia that we all want to see in future through that novel. For once, consider the sensitivity of people from other races. If it doesn’t hurt you that do not mean it won’t hurt others.