SONGSOPTOK: We would
like to start this interview with your opinion on the theme of our current
issue. Do you think that cultural heritage has a role to play in modern
society? Why?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: Cultural
heritage is the essence of an individual. A child is shaped into an adult both
physically and mentally by the cultural environment in which it ius brought up.
So the theme is definitely very judiciously chosen.
SONGSOPTOK: How would you define cultural heritage? In
your opinion, is it something tangible or intangible? Or is it a combination of
both? If so, in what way?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: Of
course it combines both the aspects. As our mind, attitude, views are honed by
our cultural heritage, our appearances, attires, accessories are also dictated
by the culture of our guardians, whether natural or adopted. As that is the
basic definition of cultural heritage, the environment in which we grow up
encompasses our cultural heritage.
SONGSOPTOK: In the country and the society you live in,
do you think culture and cultural heritage are important? In what way?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: In any
country or society these are factors affecting all the steps of life from birth
to death. So this is obviously a very important issue.
SONGSOPTOK: What, if any, are the outward manifestations
of this heritage in the day to day life of the society you live in?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: Every
aspect of our daily life reflects our cultural heritage. From the way we greet
the morning , to the way we go to sleep greeting our near ones would reflect
the way we have been brought up. Our hygiene, attires ,appearances, vocabulary,
all reflect our cultural heritage every moment.
SONGSOPTOK: Is culture, in its different components,
taught or learnt? Should it, for example, be taught to children? Or is there a
different way of transmission of cultural values to future generations?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: Yes,
culture is taught actively. But I think, culture is more astrongly learnt and
absorbed by each individual child from its respective environment, and that has
a stronger effect on its personality and mental make up.
SONGSOPTOK: In your opinion, can culture be equated to
tradition? Or do you believe culture is actually a living thing that tends to
evolve over time?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: Culture is partly tradition, but rest of it is
built an individual's inherent mental ability and unique perspective.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that the increasing importance
of technology and mechanization of modern society play a significant role as
far as cultural heritage is concerned? Does the word ‘heritage’ have any
relevance to the society you live in? Can you please give us some examples to
illustrate your answer?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: Technology
is omnipresent. Now we have added " ggod morning " "ggod
night" greetings to our social medias like Facebook and whatsapp too. Courtesy
has also become technical.
SONGSOPTOK: What, if any, are the impacts of your own
cultural heritage in your very personal sphere? If you live in a multicultural
society, how would you analyze the interaction between different cultures?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: My cultural heritage is compiled of Tagore,Shakespeare,
Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, AJ Cronin, Dickens,Reader's Digest etc on one hand
and Vaishnab Padabali, kathamrita,all
bengali authors from Bankim chandra, Sarat chandra, Girish ghosh, Dinbandhu
Mitra, even Krittibas, Kasidas onthe other, which trailed along till the
current times. My medical sciences and cosmopolitan school never clashed in any
way with my love for spending happy hours in the Puja Room,playing with
SONGSOPTOK: Do you believe that you have to stop being
traditional – that is, give up some of your beliefs and practices in order to
be ‘modern’? Or do you think that there is no incompatibility between the two?
What is your personal experience?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: There
is nothing truly traditional or modern.
These are all relative terms. We should only be concerned about the dignity we
gift to our fellow beings and ourselves in every day life.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you believe in ‘cultural imperialism’?
What is your personal experience? In this context, do you believe that the world
is increasingly becoming mono cultural based on the principles of the modern
society?
SONALI MUKHERJEE: The
inherent tendency of man, from time immemorial, was to mark any body different
from him in behavior, dress, language pattern etc as enemy, and to destroy
those persons. Previously they killed,ate,burnt, beheaded those . In so-called civilised times attacks were
rationalized, verbal, moderate, due tyo cerebral inhibitions. Now we are
reverting back to animal patterns of primitive times as more and more substance
abuse and bwild behavior is being promoted in the name of liberalisation, or
globalization.
DR. SONALI MUKHERJEE:
JOINT SECRETARY INDIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (BEHALA BRANCH: KOLKATA), IS A
MEDICAL PRACTITIONER BY PROFESSION. SHE IS ALSO A POET AND WRITER AND A
CLASSICAL DANCER.
We
sincerely thank you for your time and hope we shall have your continued
support.
Aparajita Sen
(Editor: Songsoptok)
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