Danseuse Shovana Narayan will explore the meanings of dharma, adharma and whether the two can meet at a lec dem
When emotions and passions run high, when an environment is created that seems to call upon acceptance of a single way of thinking, then the doors open to eruption of violence. Humanism takes a back seat. It is here that the area of performing arts bridges the gap of understanding and essays humanism and in the words of director general of UNESCO Irina Bokova, it opens a ‘vision to the entire human community, providing a humanist response to globalisation and crisis that aims ‘at the safe guarding of social cohesion and the preservation of peace’. Thus the International Dance Day calls for understanding of human responses, of harmonisation of the extreme emotions within and of appreciation of different cultures and thought processes.
It is this very concept that has been exhorted in traditional Indian education system but which has been lost sight of. Appreciation of ‘vividhta’, that is of multiple viewpoints is the essence of the Vedic saying “ekam sat vipraha bahuda vadanti”, meaning the ultimate truth is one but the wise call it by different names and that there are multiple paths to reach it. Mulling over different perspectives on any given subject has always been fascinating. The way viewpoints change in varying circumstances and environment has led to several authorships on a particular given subject. This forms the basic foundation of the unique seminar cum performance Festival series Vividh Mat: Perspectives.
This year the issues that will see discussions from various points of view are, one, what is meant by dharma and adharma and two, ‘can the twain meetIJ’; Isdharma for one not adharma for anotherIJ The difference between ethical and non-ethical, and the difference between right and wrong may change according to circumstances. Opinion is mobile and has infinite latent multiplicity inherent in it but yet it enjoins in substance and spirit.
Does this lead to a clash between the inherent multiple nature of opinion and the unitary nature of truthIJ In the field of margi system of dance, would adoption of certain tenor of another dance style be considered adharma but has this not happened over the years in the evolution of various dance forms itselfIJ In terms of human behaviour, Mahabharata provides a fascinating array of experiences and conflicts of opinion and human emotions. Karna was known for his integrity and valour yet his bitterness about whether life had been fair to him or not created a war within him. In spite of all sacrifices made by him throughout his life, yet it seems that he what mattered to him most was to be somebody that he was not. Similarly Kunti’s actions right from her rejection of her first born son to her begetting her other sons, her silence on her utterance that led to Draupadi’s marital situation and her behaviour in wooing her first born not to fight his half-brothers can be viewed by some as ‘ethical’ actions and vice-versa. Where was she, Karna asks in pain, when he, despite being noble born, had to face the ridicule of society for being brought up as a lowly person’s sonIJ Why should he turn against his benefactor, the Kauravas, who not only gave him shelter but also respect and honourIJ
Viewpoints and behavioural patterns change in the need for survival and maintenance of a social group or social order or the individual’s existence as also it may or may not be necessary for two diverse opinions to meet. Importantly, even while never meeting or running parallel to each other, peaceful co-existence can only happen with healthy respect for and acceptance of differing opinions around us.