Ecosystem

Introduction to the Concern

‘Considering our numbers, how is it possible for us to create an ecosystem where our children can learn and express their bhakti in the Lord in pure Indian art forms?’ But these are not his original words. He actually wrote: ‘We are what, 20-30 people max. Are we going to change the ecosystem?’ This was the genuine concern of one bhakta. But as Muktiveda says, ‘Whether we are many or few,’ and the Lord knowing our limitations also told, ‘When two or three bhaktas gather together, I am amidst them.’ So, number is not a prerequisite to create any kind of ecosystem.

Starting at Home

This should begin at home. Children should learn and practice from there, by learning through errors. From where to begin? I would highly recommend telling them to speak only in their mother tongue. It is a tragedy not only in several bhaktas’ homes but even in wider society that most of Gen Z cannot read and write in their mother tongue. The worst scenario is that in several homes they speak only in English among the children and also parents with children. As this is a long-time cry from so many experts and scholars insisting upon the importance of using the mother tongue to be rooted in one’s culture and tradition, I need not elaborate further on this.

Example of Language Loss

But one example is sufficient here to point out the great loss to the future generation for which only their parents and seniors alone need to be blamed. One time when I was visiting my friend’s home in Erode along with his wife, we three watched an interesting Tamil program called ‘Patti Mandram’ [a unique genre which is in Tamil tradition from historic times] where one important topic from Kambaramayanam was debated. While watching, Saradha said, ‘This is one area in which we deprived our children. They cannot understand such a rich part of our Tamil tradition. Though they can speak Tamil and even manage to read slowly, they cannot write or even pray in Tamil. This is going to be a great loss not only for them but to the entire future generation. I feel very bad about it as we parents alone are responsible for that.’

Positive Examples

But I am happy that there are so many families where children not only speak in their mother tongue but can even pray in it. I know one bhakta family in Singapore. All the children can speak, read, and write in Tamil. When one time I asked one of the children to pray, the way she prayed brought immense joy to me. Because there was no trace of any Christian influence in any form. Though it would take more words, I have to explain further about it as I cannot keep that joy within me. When that girl prayed, in simple Tamil, not knowing what to say further, she abruptly ended the prayer saying in Tamil, ‘Avalavudaan’ = ‘that’s all.’ Oh, the immense joy that one word brought was so great.

Secular World and Language Proficiency

But what is going on in the secular world is mind-blowing. The way Tamil is used, practiced, and promoted particularly by the same Gen Z is amazing. They can talk on any topic from any Tamil literature, be it ancient or modern. Some of them also specialize in one particular field. Give any topic, within a few seconds they can spontaneously write a poem, that too with pure Tamil, even with poetical grammar or in any modern form. Their oratory is amazing. We cannot stand close to them. I cannot say about other regions in India. In this, Tamilians are unique and their love for their land and language is unique both in the past and at present. This is not limited only to Tamil Nadu. Wherever they go, they keep this legacy. So many families moved to other parts of the world for various reasons, still strictly practice the rule of ‘Only Tamil at Home.’ I have witnessed when one of my nieces who lives in the USA came to visit my mother. Her children, [my mother’s great-grandchildren] can easily speak to her in typical Tamil Brahminical Tamil. The same is with so many Sri Lankan Tamils. Surprised by this, when I asked my niece how this is possible, she said, ‘we strictly told our children, when you enter the home, no English. Only Tamil, that too Tamil Brahminical Tamil.’

Importance of Mother Tongue

Sorry to dwell on one topic about the importance of the mother tongue. As this is my favorite topic and even my open agenda to promote, I won’t hesitate to emphasize this again and again.

Model to Begin With

But this could be one model to begin with. All the Thirukkural, and other Tamil poems [from Naladiyar, Kondrai Vendan, Moodurai, etc.] I learned not by reading them, but by hearing them often from my parents using in their talk with us. When we do any mistakes, our parents, particularly our father, won’t say much but simply quote one Kural and then leave it. My mother won’t hesitate to use famous Tamil songs to express herself. Though I would take extra words, still it is interesting to leave some record about it. We lived in Vriddhachalam in a thatched roof house without a proper door to close. Simple bamboo planks were tied together and used as the door. There was no safety at night. When one of our relatives came and asked about it with much concern, my mother sang the lines from a then-famous Tamil film song, ‘Kadu Ranik Kotayile; kadavuhal illai. Ingu kaval kaaka kadavul andri oruvarum illai.’ = ‘In the Fortress of the Queen of Forest there is no door and there is none except God to give protection.’ Even in her old age when she lived with me in our ashram, when frustrated about her life and longing for death, she used to sing, ‘Inda nadagam anda medial yetanai naalamma; inum yetanai naal amma’ = ‘How long this drama will be enacted in that stage and how many more days’ [from Palum Pazhamum]. The slokas and mantras and Tamil bhakti poems that she can quote and chant are mind-blowing. I need not talk about my father in this area. He was a mobile encyclopedia when it came to quoting from ancient Tamil literature and also slokas and mantras in Sanskrit. He never learned them through text but orally from his elders. Most of the Tamil poems that I quote I learned only by listening, not reading much. The influence of the mother tongue is so deep that if you hear it one or two times, it will automatically get registered in your brain, particularly in poetic form.

Creating an Oral Tradition

So such oral tradition is one of the best ways to create such an ecosystem at home. Parents spending time to read literature in the mother tongue, watch cultural programs, and listen to classical music, etc., could produce such an ecosystem. But now personal phones with headphones and individual choice and freedom have restricted such an atmosphere at home. But instead of counting all the hurdles, we have to think about the alternatives to overcome them. And many are doing it.

Role of Mandali

This should also echo in Mandali. We should encourage small group satsangs [weekly or monthly] where discussions will take place in that regional language [like Tamil, Telugu, or Hindi] and children should be encouraged to participate and contribute. As I have already mentioned how that girl in the Singapore Tamil family will sing one Carnatic Music piece that she is learning. For me, that is the highlight of our Satsang. I tried this several times among the Hindi-speaking people but except for one time, it never happened.

Conclusion

I can go on giving examples and new points. But there is no need as all bhaktas are mature enough to understand. But mere understanding and longing are not enough. It should be implemented at a micro level, beginning from home. Not only Charity begins at home but every human value as well.

Several times I am dismissed as overcritical and a fault finder. But I am not criticizing anyone, this is my concern. And if I am not practicing and finding the benefit I cannot promote it as well. But I never give up that easily. Even if misunderstood and dismissed as overcritical and hegemonic in my attitude and approach, I won’t mind being misunderstood and even ignored. But I will keep doing and saying what I believe is correct. The one reason for even writing such a long response to a short but very important point of creating an ecosystem and lack of number, is to leave a written record that, at least there was a minority, insignificant and unheeded voice that echoed from the background of the mandli should be there.

‘…for there is no restraint to the Lord to save {or create an ecosystem} by many or by few’ [I Samuel 14:6.]

Gurukulam

17-6-2024