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
http://www.biblionet.gr/main.asp?page=results&subject=aaa&subject_ID=8044
END OF PART THREE.
[CHRYSSA VELISSARIOU]
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