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.

Religion is bullshit? I don't think so..

Religion has no exact definition. You can have your own definition of religion as you like. The way you define it is what makes it beautiful, or bullshit. A few months ago a friend of mine uploaded a stand-up comedy video clip in FB with the title “Religion is Bullshit”. Well, that started off a war and people started throwing bloody long comments on each other. There were two groups, first those who disagrees with that, and secondly those who supports the title.

This is what happens when people refuse to look at religion beyond the boundary set by human beings. Some says God created religion, some says religion leads to God, and some even says religion is bullshit. But I say religion is knowledge that leads to self-realization. When one starts to look at this angle, religion will be defined as a tool that is supposed to lead us towards eternal peace. What happens when one sets a boundary to this knowledge?

Knowledge is something that evolves with time and religion should be evolving too. When a boundary is set, this leaves no room for human to think and reason their actions. What happens next is misinterpretation. That is exactly when people think by shooting innocent people, chopping man’s head off, and doing all other nonsense will lead them straight to heaven. Now what do I mean by setting a boundary? Humans who say “I’m from this religion, and I will only follow my religion, learn values from my religion, and my religion is the best”, sets a boundary to themselves. What happens next is, we think that every religion has its own God. Think about it people, if it is true that every religion has its own God, why are all of us created the same way? We have the same number of eyes, limbs, our digestive systems are the same, we eat the same way (using mouth), we walk the same way and we all breathe the same oxygen. Isn’t that enough to prove that God is one?

If religion is to be described as path to God, then all religion will ultimately lead to one God. Learn to respect each other’s religion because when you insult other’s believe/faith/religion, you’re insulting yourself and your own religion. So let us not place a boundary to religion and treat all humans equally. I do believe that is exactly what God wants.

Love all, Serve all.

"You know la, Indian felasss......"

I bet that you have seen many people saying that in your daily life. Words like “Indian fellas ah…Alwaaaays like that la”, “You know la, Indian timing”, “Indians never change la macha..let’s forget that and go tanni…”, Indians drink like fish”, and all other bullshits about our own community. I used to be one of them who says that and as time passes by, I realized that there was absolutely no use of complaining about our own community. Who the heck am I to complain when I myself am not a perfect Indian? What have I “kilikiran” until now that I am complaining about my own community? Have I done anything good for this community? Do people who serve the community complain as much as I do?

As I asked myself these questions, I felt like someone is actually giving me a tight slap repeatedly (yeah, just like in the old Tamil movies). That has made me realize that it is time to STOP COMPLAINING, and START DOING SOMETHING. It’s really easy to talk. Anybody can talk about what is wrong with our community. But how many of them are willing to step forward and donate as little as RM 10.00 for a Tamil School charity program?  Let’s look at an example. There is a charity group in facebook called Sai Fund. Currently (as of 29/01/2011), there are 1366 members in it. But less than 20 people are contributing to that charity fund. Ok, maybe we can assume there are another 30 people who contribute in other terms, so that makes about 50 contributors. My question is what happened to the other 1316 members who “Like” the page? Where are they? Is it too much for me to say that they “Like” the page because their friends “Like” it too?

Come on people, RM10 per month is not much. It’s the least we can do for our community because I still feel that our children need more support than this. Who is going to help them if not us? The government? MIC? Hindraf? Any other political party? There is a small Tamil School in the estate I live. Numbers of students are around 70. Number of kindergarten students enrolling per year on average is less than 10. What happened recently is that a political party stepped forward and built a huge kindergarten for them. Then, another political party sponsored another “MUCH BIGGER” kindergarten right opposite of the earlier one. For what? What are they trying to prove? They are so busy competing against each other, showing who is better, and forget that they are here to serve the community. Are we going to wait for their help? Like I said earlier, anybody can talk, but how many can get the job done?

Let’s not wait for them to appear at our door during election. Let’s step forward and do what we can to help the community. If we can’t initiate a new effort, that’s ok, we can still support those who are already working on it. For those who are wondering where to start from, visit this link.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128857363821180

Love all, Serve all.

(The image below has nothing to do with the topic. Just for laugh.)