Mata Amritanandamayi
(also Amma) is quite popular and is sometimes referred to as hugging saint for
her penchant for hugging people. It is firmly held that some mystical energy
transfer happens during this brief bodily engagement. It may be true or not is
not my concern, I haven’t met her though I have listened to her few times and
didn’t find anything remarkably stirring in her utterings, maybe because her reference is Bhakti. She comes out as
benevolent person without any malice against anyone. That she being a woman,
that too from the lowest section of the society in a frigid and uninspiring consumerist
Kerala, has risen to this level is undoubtedly remarkable. She has over the
years used her position to improve the lots of the downtrodden and the needy.
Her followers cross the boundaries of religions and regions. She has been quite
a positive presence over the years.
But in the last decade
or so her name has become some kind of a brand, and is being furiously
promoted. Well I don’t have problems with that too since the colleges (and hospitals)
running under her name do give preference to talented candidates from economically
and socially weaker sections, and the standard of the colleges are also relatively
good. It though need to be pointed out that they deal with market friendly courses, which surely has money. Why isn't the concern Humanities or Art or other important but precarious studies that find difficult to sustain in market assault. Why is Amritha so market conscious? It seems Mata Amritanandamayi is a front for big money greed.
My problem is also with the TV channel (goes by the name of Amritha TV) that is like any other crass channel on offer. Indian TV channels, with very rare instances, are muck that comes in different languages. It’s crude and meant as interludes between ads to sell all kind of crap. Amritha TV isn’t different whether in terms of exploiting children or providing space for regressive mindset, as also presenting platform for consumerism of the worst kind (there is huge stampede in India because of population). Amritha TV doesn’t challenge or provide any alternative worldview nor attempts to bear any standards on these matters. However I do recall some year’s back one program that attracted my attention from this channel was one where candidates made newsbites/reports which were evaluated by senior journalists for its skill and intent. Quite interesting that one, probably one of the very few Indian TV programs worth mentioning in this nation of more than a billion that thrive on mediocrity all the while hounded by cheap sellers. Mediocre Indian film industry (in all languages) sneaks everywhere, the one past the expiry dates (in terms of popularity) or probably not suited for anything at all are judges, some are presenters others have even start to venture into wildlife channels, while some are interviewed for their personal lives others liven us with their opinion on serious issues. It’s amazing Indians lack of standards on any matter. India’s contribution to National Geography is documentary on Champu or recently IPL!! Professionalism or even hint of calibre is no concern; it’s about having good time and buy some detergent or cola. We should be proud to be able to watch “America’s best with Americans”. Gawk at American funny home videos while India’s talents (I am told even the culture) decided by sellers who invade and barge us to fault and spent. We have children gyrate on adult songs where as adults behave like buffoons, all for entertainment so that some products get sold or atleast the black money is converted. What a mediocre society is this? Then there are small time spiritual gurus who work to assuage our conscience and make us pliable to the market. Discrimination or exploitation is none of their concern, they have packaged temple squatters traditions to the need of the market. Mediocre India seeks its redemption through sellers.
My problem is also with the TV channel (goes by the name of Amritha TV) that is like any other crass channel on offer. Indian TV channels, with very rare instances, are muck that comes in different languages. It’s crude and meant as interludes between ads to sell all kind of crap. Amritha TV isn’t different whether in terms of exploiting children or providing space for regressive mindset, as also presenting platform for consumerism of the worst kind (there is huge stampede in India because of population). Amritha TV doesn’t challenge or provide any alternative worldview nor attempts to bear any standards on these matters. However I do recall some year’s back one program that attracted my attention from this channel was one where candidates made newsbites/reports which were evaluated by senior journalists for its skill and intent. Quite interesting that one, probably one of the very few Indian TV programs worth mentioning in this nation of more than a billion that thrive on mediocrity all the while hounded by cheap sellers. Mediocre Indian film industry (in all languages) sneaks everywhere, the one past the expiry dates (in terms of popularity) or probably not suited for anything at all are judges, some are presenters others have even start to venture into wildlife channels, while some are interviewed for their personal lives others liven us with their opinion on serious issues. It’s amazing Indians lack of standards on any matter. India’s contribution to National Geography is documentary on Champu or recently IPL!! Professionalism or even hint of calibre is no concern; it’s about having good time and buy some detergent or cola. We should be proud to be able to watch “America’s best with Americans”. Gawk at American funny home videos while India’s talents (I am told even the culture) decided by sellers who invade and barge us to fault and spent. We have children gyrate on adult songs where as adults behave like buffoons, all for entertainment so that some products get sold or atleast the black money is converted. What a mediocre society is this? Then there are small time spiritual gurus who work to assuage our conscience and make us pliable to the market. Discrimination or exploitation is none of their concern, they have packaged temple squatters traditions to the need of the market. Mediocre India seeks its redemption through sellers.
Mata Amritanandamayi should
be ashamed of herself for being conduit to this exploitation and promoting crassness
in the name of entertainment. Her name is being used to suck profit in a very
wrong away (which is quite normal here, extending liquor time by few hours in
Bangalore is how freedom gets defined!! The Market media is in celebratory
mode, so are the journalists! So much is the hold of money bags and black
money). The progressive gains over the decades are being undermined and crude
nature of society is being promoted. Is Mata Amritanandamayi here to endorse
gold jewellery? I am sure she is aware of the regressive mindset associated
however liberal or emancipation pitch is given to the sell. Either she should
refrain from these and forbid her name being used or convert her channel as
qualitatively different from regular, and bring concern about context and
excellence, both these unfortunately missing in this TV channel. But then why
should we complain it’s quite normal for Indians who thrive on mediocrity.
