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CHRYSSA VELISSARIOU





PART THREE
INFLUENCES OF MODERN INDIA  AND INDIAN ART ON MODERN GREECE’S CULTURE

There are many similarities in language, grammar, mythology and philosophy of these two civilizations, such numbers' two δύο '(dva-) and' seven επτά '(sapta-), the adjectives' broad ευρύς' (uru-) and 'sweet ηδύς  '(svādu-) etc. As regards the inclination of the names in the two languages ​​have dual number, unlike other Indo-European languages ​​not available. In philosophy, the Socratic Anaximander taught the Infinite as the first and ultimate strength (or Authority) and Xenophanes the one God who creates with his will alone, while in India the Upanishads are the supreme authority of the universe unlimited and unique spirit of Brahman the will which emanates or set up. And numerous other...

The world was one and it was a good sign for the future of man that, so early in history, Greek and Indian spirituality met and left such a favorable influence each other. The world today, as yesterday, requires the synthesis of both. The goods and the Wise not distinguish man from man, people by people. Citizens of the world are an example of WORLD BROTHERHOOD.

The search of the Elders of Eleatic School (Xenophanes, Parmenides, Zeno) to a reality that lies behind the material phenomena is much like the search for the visionaries of Upanishads for "that which when it becomes known, are all known." One can thus choose at random if the same sayings uttered by sages in all countries and at different times, to show that all of them belong to the same spiritual family. The performer of the Upanishads teach: "Realizing the Self» (atmaman viddhi) and Socrates said, "Know thyself."

Isokrates observes that "the Greek title belongs rather to those who share our culture than to those who have blood like us.". And Swami Vivekananda adds: "The Greeks may be foreigners, but those among them who have rooted their Wisdom is worthy of respect. When it comes to the Wisdom and the Divine, there is no distinction between compatriots and foreigners. "

Being the most eastern country of the Western Europe and due to its history, Greece was and continues to be a buffer as well as a bridge between the occidental and oriental cultures.
The Indo-Hellenic Society for Culture and Development (EL.IN.E.P.A.) is a civil, non-governmental and non-  profit-making  society that was founded in July 2003 with registration number 8591 at the Athens Court. The Society is administered by a Board of Directors consisting of nine members and has advisors and counselors.

The aim of the Society is the growth of the Indo-Hellenic educational, social, cultural and developmental co-operation resulting in the aesthetic, moral and intellectual uplift of the individual, development of the universal thought, transcultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence of the people. In order to fulfill the above objectives, the EL.IN.E.P.A. proceeds with the following activities:

Publications:
– Publishes books, dictionaries and translations on Indo-Greek and Indological subjects.
– Maintains the website and publishes photographical archives, research papers and an Intercultural forum.
– Records musical CD’s and produces scientific documentaries.
Education and Research:
– Carries out scientific research in social and humanitarian sciences in Greece and the Indian Subcontinent.
– Organizes lectures, projections, seminars and courses in relative subjects.
– Encourages introduction in teaching of the Indological and South Asian Studies in the Greek Universities.
Cultural Events:
– Organizes programs of classical, traditional and modern music performances.
– Organizes art exhibitions.
– Organizes cultural tours in Greece and India.
Aid and Development:
– Encourages the growth of the commercial and industrial collaboration as well as the establishment of the Indo-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
– Provides legal and research assistance to businessmen and immigrants through a network developed in Greece and India.
– Provides scholarships for basic education or professional specialization to financially challenged students of the Indian Peninsula.
– Provides social aid for victims of calamities, refugees, immigrants, and others in need.
Hindi songs were presented as Greek (1950 - 1965)
Although the Indian literature has not translated enough to Greece, India is known to us for its rich poetic tradition (classic epic Mahabharata, 18 odes 100,000 couplets for each song - five times larger in area than the Divine Comedy - estimated as a very important asset of world poetry scene).

I feel that the perception of Western man, completely alien to the Asian temperament and psychic origins, is a powerful obstacle to an approach and deeper connection with this kind of poetry. Characteristic of these works is simplicity (inherent in the overall spirit of the Asian culture) and the unpretentious form, images of a lively nature and the constant conversation with the natural elements personified and converse giving the appropriate transcendental material. In younger poets, though, I see there is a marked departure from the classic structures and thematic and one can recognize them the rejuvenating trend of freer glance.

The Asian field is almost completely unknown, hiding countless treasures and lessons especially for us who inhabit modern stone jungle of globalization and migration and we must find common points of reference. Apart from the need for communication and mutual understanding, which are anyway essential, there is need for learning. The emerging East with the worsening contradictions, has much to contribute to the social cauldron, ready to explode.

A cultural "invasion" of India to Greece happened in the 15 years from 1950 to 1965, full of colors, dances, music and songs. The "Trojan Horse" was the Indian cinema, which won the Greek audience with melodramatic works, full of emotion, and filled the halls. Films like the musical "Barsaat" or "Awaara" (The bum of Mumbai) and "Mother India" (Earth soaked with sweat) and artists like Lata Mangeshkar, the Raj Kapoor and Nargis charmed Greeks.

Hundred films were presented in Greece, not always the best, with social, erotic, historical or mythological themes. The songs in Indian films were not interpreted by the same actors as believed, but by famous playback singers. Top among women were the singers Lata and Shamshad famous among men was Mukesh. The composers who dominated the soundtrack of Indian films was Naushad and Shankar - Jaikishan.

What   the Greek spectators liked in most Indian films were their songs. This excited the business acumen of some popular Greek composers who remix or copied Indian songs with Greek lyrics and presented them as their own creations (officially recorded 108 songs). In this way the invasion of India and Greek music was inevitable. Surprisingly those songs throughout the Greek discography in the decades 1950-1960 although represent a small percentage of the total amount of the songs of this period became nonetheless over time, we might say, classic. They became some of the most representative "Greek" folk songs of that period. Famous examples: "This night remeinss", "my poor Heart," "A much you deserve ", etc., from singers like M. Angelopoulos, St. Kazantzidis, O. Panos, B. Palla, etc.
A book has recently released  about "Indoprepon revelation (From India exoticism in folk muse Greek) / Helen Ambatzi - Manuel Tasoulas / Ed. Path and the CD:" The Indoprepi "-" The Homecoming of Mantoumpala "- "The Song of Nargis."
Here are 3 such indicative songs with elements for each authentic Indian song (title translation, film) and the corresponding Greek (title, "composer", year, performer).
As for modern Indian poetry many books of Indian poets were translated in Greek and published in Greece by many publishing houses. You can see some of these in the catalogue below for this year’s period
http://www.biblionet.gr/main.asp?page=results&subject=aaa&subject_ID=8044
END OF PART THREE.

[CHRYSSA VELISSARIOU]


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