Gandhi and Anarchy - C Sankaran Nair

The role of Gandhi in the Indian Independent and its strive for self rule has been unquestioned and most of the generations post 1947 had been grown with these images engraved in them through the text books and stories. Hence by and large, he has been portrayed as 'RIGHTEOUS' man and the father of the nation, a role model of many many leaders to follow. Hence, it is difficult to accept criticism and voice of dissent against such a person. Not that it is not there, but are relatively rare and go largely unnoticed.

There had been voices of dissent during his life time, but among the followers and the Indian National Congress community, that lead the independent struggle in the forefront , these voices are quelled. Subhash Chandra Bose, who split from Indian National Congress and started his own Army, seeking association with the Japanese to fight for Indian independence, the revolutionary youths of the 30s - Chandrasekhar 'Azad' , Bhagat Singh and the rest -did continue to inspire the young blood, The Communists however small and insignificant they were in the national politics,  and a few Feudal elite, who always watched his actions with contempt, did not really manage to make any dent in his Himalayan popularity and his leadership.

His active role in Indian Politics commenced with his return from South Africa in 1915 ,where he did his initial experimentation with Civil disobedience and Non-violent struggle for rights for Indians and the blacks.  Within few years, he rose to the leadership of the Indian National Congress, a role he continue to hold until death,  and announced a nation wide strike and disobedience in order to achieve 'swaraj' ( freedom) from the British. As we knew the years after the World War 1 did see major political and religious turmoil across the world. Indian politics and the freedom struggle too, rejuvenated during these years with the leadership of Gandhi. The Jalianwalla Bagh incident, the Khilafat agitation, The Civil disobedience movement lead by Gandhi, the declaration of 'Swaraj',  the rejection of Montegu-Chemsford mission, the violence that sprout across the country resulting in the cancellation of the non-cooperation movement and the three 'Anti-Violence Fast'  of Gandhi etc made the early 20s of the last century a significant period of Indian history.

Chettur C Sankaran Nair, a barrister by profession, elected President of Indian National Congress during 1897 held at Amraoti, writes his strong views against the political strategy and the ideology of Gandhi in a book written and published in the year 1922. This for all probability, could be the first book that was critical of Gandhi's views and his political leadership. The date of the publication is important to be noted. This is written during these troubled days of Indian Politics and not, as the historians have the privilege of, after the repercussions and implications of these actions are proven. It is also interesting to note how strongly the people felt at that time, and was willing to voice their dissent in open. Nearly 9 decades thence, we have the advantage of the history to evaluate Gandhi for his action and can form our judgement supported by results. Hence, these criticism, for now, seems to have been done in haste and prejudiced. But Sankaran Nair, do bring out a few significant observation on the character and the principles of the man destined to lead India to independence.

Largely attacking Gandhi's non-cooperation movements and his principles on education, swaraj and civil disobedience, Sankaran Nair looks at each of these elements through his strong view points.

The struggle for Indian Home Rule which was started with the inauguration of the Indian National Congress has many difficulties to encounter, has strong and powerful opponents and has received many checks. But its strongest opponent is Mr. Gandhi and perhaps the most severe check it has received is the adoption by the National Congress at his instance in Calcutta and Nagpur of the so-called-Nonviolent Non-co-operation.

starts Sankaran Nair in his preface. He adds, "Non-co-operation as advocated by Mr. Gandhi may be a weapon to be used when constitutional methods have failed to achieve our purpose."

While attacking his philosophy , Sankaran Nair has some interesting observations to make. He says Gandhi  " belongs to a class of thought which has attracted some of the noblest minds in this world, but in applying his the gospel of life to politics, he has shown himself a babe and his interference has been generally mischievous."

Mr. Gandhi's emotional outbursts, fasting, penances, "Sanyasi waist cloth", may carry away the emotional masses, women and students. But whether this wave of emotionalism submerged the men above named I would not care to guess.

Further on his clever religious philosophy, Sankaran Nair observes that  "The severe simplicity and austerity of Mr.Gandhi's life combined with his appeal to the principle of ' Ahimsa( non-injury )inherited from Buddists and now ingrained in Hindu life, has secured him the support of the Hindu masses and particularly vegetarians. His support of the caste system has won over the higher classes and the reactionary elements of Hindu society to his side."

Gandhi was also against most of the modern advancement of the humanities such as   Education, Doctors, Industry, Railways, Lawyers. In one of his writings Gandhi demands.

"India's salvation consists in unlearning what she has learnt during the past fifty years. The railways, telegraphs, hospitals, lawyers, doctors, and such like have all to go, and so called upper classes have to learn to live consciously and religiously and deliberately the simple peasant life, knowing it to be a life giving true happiness".

Sankaran Nair refutes his arguments with his thoughts.

His tirade against machinery and mill industries on account of the evils he has witnessed in the West, is due to his ignorance ; a little knowledge in his case has proved a dangerous thing. It is this feeling which hassled him to advocate the universal use of spinning wheel in India. This might be useful as a cottage or home industry. It might find work for some who would otherwise be idle. But he is living in a fool's paradise if he considers it a substitute for or will supplant, machinery.

Gandhi according to Sankaran Nair carries one of the orthodox religious and caste believes. Quoting Gandhi's words - " Varanashram (caste system) is inherent in human nature and Hinduism has simply reduced it to a science. It does attach by birth. A man cannot change his Varna by choice. Prohibition against intermarriage and inter dining is essential for a rapid evolution of the soul.'  -  Sankaran Nair assesses that,   "It is this caste system which has brought about the conquest of India by the Mahomedans and the Englishmen, both of whom were always supported by the lower castes against the higher. It is responsible for the large conversions to •Christianity and Mahomedanism."

Moving from the philosophy of Gandhi to the issues of the era, he examines each of the elements that constituted Gandhi's political agenda during the time. On the 'Khilafat Movement' he says, "The real truth of course is that in the case of the Khilafat agitation Mr. Gandhi and some of its most active and prominent leaders want to use the agitation to destroy the Government and not to effect a real settlement of the question". Gandhi and the political leadership of Indian National Congress  wanted to use the the general dissent in the Muslim community to their advantage combining the forces in their fight against the British.  However, on the other hand, "Mahomedan fury against the British Government ( was only)  for its failure to support Mahomedan interests in the West.", and not necessarily to do with the swaraj struggle as it was described to be.

As it turned to be, the Khilafat agitation turned violent at many places across India, and widespread riots, killing of Hindus, looting and  forced conversion took place at many places. The Malegaon incidents, the Malabar Rebellion ( Mapla Riots of 1921) and other gruesome incidents were later corrected in the history books as independent struggle, underplaying the religious agenda. Gandhi, however supported these incidents saying "you are not aware that the Moplas justify their action on the ground that at such a critical juncture, when they are engaged in a war against the English, their neighbours not only do not help them or observe neutrality, but aid and assist the English in every possible way."

Ridiculing Gandhi's call for swaraj and his promise in the 1920 Lahore Congress that he will obtain 'Swaraj' before the end of the year, Sankaran Nair observed that there is no proper planning and preparation on how to gain 'swaraj' and how to run the country post 'swaraj'. He says, most of Gandhi's ideas are too week and too premature to run such a nation, by his under developed ideas of swaraj.

Gandhi's vision of swaraj is quoted as :

"Swaraj means full Dominion status. The scheme of such swaraj shall be framed by representatives duly elected in terms of the Congress constitution. That means four anna franchise. Every Indian adult, male or female, paying four annas and signing the Congress creed will be entitled to be placed on the electoral list. These would elect delegates who would frame Swaraj constitution. This shall be given effect to without any change by the British Parliament."

But 'swaraj' was a dream, not to materialise in any near future ( as we know it now). Sankaran Nair ridiculed - "Thus Swaraj was to come on September 1-1921, October 31-1921, December 13-1921. At the Congress in December, 1921, Mr. Gandhi gave up fixing any date for the attainment of Swaraj."

Similarly, the civil disobedient movement of the Non-Cooperation Movement also had its own pitfalls. While most of his demands were based on his belief in the 'ahimsa' principle, the workers and general public not necessarily imbibed the same principles in their action. Wide spread violence across the country was reported ( a huge list of incidents given as annexure) forcing Gandhi to withdraw the agitation and he had gone for indefinite fasting at least on three occasion. An idea marred by poor execution. His call for non-cooperation "involving the community in chaos, disorder and possibly violence. The country has had only a vear's training in his (Mr. Gandhi) counsels of non-violent resistance— far loo short a period for his countrymen to imbibe his spirit, in a manner worthy of his teaching."

For instance, the boycott of schools and colleges have not succeeded and even persons, of known and undoubted loyalty to the cause, complain that the action of Congress workers has caused more harm than good. They concentrated too much on the disruption of existing institutions and less on the creation and maintenance of new one on " national " lines. They forgot that a student cannot be left idle in the street and that, if the Congress must call him out, it can only be after it has provided for him a good substitute.

The whole movement of non-cooperation had to be called off in the end as " he under-rated the forces of evil, and that he was obliged to pause and consider how best to meet the situation."

He also question Gandhi and Congress in the way they handled the Punjab issue ( Jalianwala Bagh ) and the boycott call of foreign goods ( he narrates an incident where the dresses were pulled off the ladies humiliating and molesting in public, the boycott of Lawyers and other institutions, which are all come from immaturity and improper understanding.  Or in other words about the general anarchy the whole movement caused.

Chettur Sankaran Nair lived long enough to see the outcome of these agitations, but he died much before the country received its independence. His words probably were harsh and venomous at times. He might have been prejudiced and by the time the book was written, he was already knighted and was cooperating with the regime, not giving up the idea of independence. Hence his views and methods were radically different from that of Gandhi (" for the simple reason that I believe that Mr. Gandhi is honest in his self hypnotisation. I believe he does not really know what he is doing") . That displeasure, probably resulted in this book. This book, however, is significant in the history of Indian independent, which provide and alternate view of some of the incidents, which otherwise was known to us through the official statements. This also shows light, albeit critically, to the life of Gandhi in his early years of Indian Politics. Gandhi himself would have progressed from these days both in his strategy as well as personal leadership, learned from the mistakes and experiences.

Nearly half of the book is in the forms of appendix , to substantiate his points and to give weight to his arguments. The note made by Anne Besant, on her visit to Calicut during the Malabar Rebellion, the address of the Viceroy to the nation and Gandhi's self defense at the court were some of the best among the many that were compiled and included at the end.

I would not say, this book is not compelling enough to shake the confidence of a man on Gandhi or on his personal life principles. But it does give the glimpses of the century long independent struggle and few pitfalls in its execution. It also give a non-conditioned ( by time and influenced by out come) view of the history. I am glad that I read this book.

----------------------------------------------------------
Gandhi and Anarchy  ( 1922)

C.Sankaran Nair

Tagore & Co , Madras

286 Pages
-----------------------------------------------------------

Shah of Shahs - Ryszard Kapuściński

Shut in his hotel room, being the only guest in the entire hotel, with the outside world completely in chaos, the city of Tehran under the control of the revolutionary forces, with the rumors of the escape of Shah, the ruler of Iran,  Ryszard Kapuściński, spreads out  few photographs, and few notes that he collected or written, to rebuild the story of a country of the poeple of Iran, as the country witnesses one of the significant days of their history ( and of the world) ,  the 1979 Islamic revolution of Iran. Iran, a country in the world news ever since the beginning of the 20th century ( probably before that as well),  continued to be the in the discussion well into the new millennium. Kapuscinski's book on the Shah and the last days of his regime, goes beyond what is obvious to the very basic realities of Iran, or any country that goes through such strong and violent reaction against their oppressing leaders.

Iran for decades, have been in the news often for reasons not in line with the western world's perspectives and prejudices. Their relationship with the western world was always in turbulent waters since the beginning of the 20th century.  Ahmad Shah Qajar, the last Shah of the Qajar dynasty,  was overthrown in 1925 by Reza Shah Pehlavi ( initially a soldier in the army of Qajars).  Qajars were aligned to the British, who used Iranian borders to launch their attack on the newly formed Soviet Union after the Bolshevik revolution, trying to destabilise the communist regime. Soviet Union responded by attacking the Iran and annexed some of the provinces, and later provided support to Reza Shah  Pehlavi through the Cossak Regiment, who seized power and became the Shah of Iran in 1925. However, his regime could not withstand the World War II turmoil after an Anglo-Soviet invasion, for his alleged alliance with Germany. The invading powers forced Reza Shah to relinquish his powers and replaced him with his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1941.A Rule, the last of the regime by Shahs, ended in the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

1951 saw the next big turmoil in the history of Iran, when Muhammad Mussadeq, the elected President of the country, made a move that angered the big powers of the world. He nationalized the Oil. In an obvious reaction , the World powers managed to over throw the Government,  forcing Shah to remove the President and imprison him.  Mussadeq was soon declared 'persona non grata' and managed to remove his existence from all walk of life. Mohammad Raza, however lost the ground with his own people. The general resentment and a wrong step irking the anger of the clergy, paved the way for his downfall, resulting in the 1979 revolution in Iran.

All these are available in various notes, reports, books and history texts. We can form our own interpretation and judgement based own your continent, your social and political shifts and religious believes. What makes reading Kapuscinski's book different  ( not only this but the rest as well) is his insights, and his extended knowledge and his comparative analysis gained through his experience. While he does not sound to be judgmental, his ability to put across the various aspect from the eyes of those who are at the receiving end, makes the book a great read.

Unlike the other two books I read, this is not a reportage and commentary of his observation, but a reflection of his contemplative thoughts. There is no action oriented sequences of the events, but largely follows through random notes and photographs, and his collection of ideas through various meetings. With each of them providing the catalytic trigger, he examines the events and social conditions that culminated in the elimination of the existing regime, and the formation of the Islamic Republic under the guidance of the Shiite clergy, lead by Ayatollah Khomeini. The looks at the Shiite life style, the conflict with the rest of the Islamic sects over 14 centuries, the ethnic tribes suffered various invasion forced to live under oppression for many centuries, the conversion of Zoroastrian believes to that of Shia from the religious angle, to the power of oil and while the country has abundance of wealth through the "liquid gold', the population in the villages continue to use dried cow dung as fuel, the manipulation of the Western powers in the politics of the region with the eye on the oil, the struggle of a Shia state surrounded by Sunni populated countries, the sociological significance of the Iranian people largely formed due to these external factors and similar other topics which usually does not figure in the historical texts make it a worth while read.

Kapuscinski is one of my favourite writers. Despite being a journalist, he seems to be able to get across his thoughts and ideas beyond the lens of a typical paperman. And the method of delivery differs each time. While this book is very informative and insightful, personally I liked the 'Soccer War' and 'Imperium' more.

-------------------------------------
Shah of Shahs ( 1982)

Ryszard Kapuściński  ( translated from Polish by William R Brand & Katarzyna Mroczkowska-Brand  1985)

Penguin Books

152 Pages
--------------------------------------
 The Millions, Wiki , Esquire

A Brief History of Smile - Angus Trumble

There isn't a day without one seeing a quote related to smile in the social media or in your mail box, being shared by one of your friend. It is also said that one of the most used symbol in communication, these days, are the yellow circle with two dots and a curved line,  appropriately called a 'smiley'.  The flexing of the facial muscles ( apparently 12 of them) which are below the nose and above the jaw, is supposed to be one of the 'strongest non-verbal communication' in the world, transcending regional, cultural and linguistic barriers.

Amgus Trumble, an Australian, living in the US as a curator of art, discusses the topic of smile, starting from his area of expertise, moving to sculptures, religion, social , health & beauty and literary settings. Having invited to address a convention of dentist, he thought about the dentists observation of the teeth with regards to beauty. A discussion, triggered his interest in the subject of smile, resulting in this entertaining book.

Being an art curator, his immediate reaction begins with the form of his convenience and expertise. Starting his discussion with the representation of smile or smirk in the paintings of 18th century Dutch and Flemish masters ( Frans Hals's Laughing Cavalier ) , the discussion moves to one of the most celebrated and discussed smile of the world: that of Monalisa. Categorizing smiles into six varieties, 'decorum, lewdness, desire,mirth,wisdom and deceit' detailing the aspect of various observations on smile, Trumble smiles his way through our mind.

Darwin's theory on the smile of the new born baby, the use of black paints on the teeth by the Geisha, the blissful smile of Buddha ( there is no mention of the 'laughing Buddha' statues), the Cambodian sculpture of Jayavarman VII the God-king,  the use of lipstick and lip liners as enhancement methods, the dental improvement to the smile, the 'need' of smile in the photography, various use of smile words for a pleasant photograph ( Cheese is the most popular, but  "lesbian" - yes photographer Cecil Beaton , "money"-in Australia,  "patata" meaning potato in Spain, fax by Czechs and the Japanese use of the English word "whisky" ), the various etymology of smile through many many languages and culture ( myle, smale, smyl, smylle, smyll, smill, smoyle , smoile ...) are covered with his characteristic humor and witty anecdotes. 

This isn't a scientific book or a sociological book in the lines of Desmond Morris',  and not necessarily the most comprehensive study on this subject. It did trigger a larger internal discussion within me, reflecting on various other representation of smile and related aspect within the eastern cultural and art forms. The facial paintings of Kathakali artists ( elaborated red colored enhancement for the lip giving a permanent  smiling expression) , the 'sad/happy dual of theatrical masks, the thin line separating a smile and a laugh, among various other things.

A quick fast read, with some interesting facts and more curious observations. From the seductive smile of a prostitute, the deceit , the smirk and the grin ( with a negative connotation to it) , with or without the display of the teeth ( with reference toThe Rules of Christian Decorum and Civility of 1703) , the upward curve of the lips ( apparently only 67% of the people curve their lips while smiling) , the changes in the eyes ( the twinkle) , the grin from animals ( cats, dogs and primates) and many more such smiley aspects makes this an informative book.

 ------------------------------------------
A Brief History of Smile ( 2004)

Angus Trumble

Basic Books

226 Pages
-------------------------------------------
USA Today, The Age, Meta Psychology, Spirituality and Practice

Uncentering the Earth - William T Vollmann

“He was a scholar of Polish birth
  who stopped the sun and moved the earth.”

Nicolaus Copernicus, born in Poland, worked for the church for over 40 years, died in 1543 supposedly after suffering from a stroke. His earth shattering contribution to the scientific world saw light the same year, in Nuremberg , in the form of the book ""The Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres", which declared that earth revolved around the Sun and the center of Universe is not Earth as the world was made to believe. This, considering the time and era was significant . A belief of over 2000 years, supported and upheld by the church, was shaken by someone from their own ranks. The magnitude of this declaration has to be understood, that this was done even before the invention of Telescopes ( which came in nearly 100 years later) and the theory of gravitational forces ( almost 200 years later).

One of the significant breakthrough in the science is the shift from Geo-Centric Universe to Helio-Centric universe. The triumph of scientific truth over 'religious truth', did not happen without its own martyrs and other sufferers. The 'golden words' of Ptolemy, which ruled the world of astronomy for over a millennium, had to give way to the new discoveries and thinking by some of the master minds in the Europe. Copernicus, a clergy by profession, did work with the available knowledge, with significant credit to Ptolemy himself  ( he was remarkably close and accurate in many other aspect) to shift the center away from earth to 'some place near the sun'. Others followed him later advanced this,  Kepler ( with his theory on planetary motions) , Galileo ( new discoveries with the invention of telescope) , Tyco Brahe (with geo-helio centric system of compromise) and Giordano Bruno ( burnt alive) to name a few.

This was no mean achievement. The religious community was very strong and organized. However wrong was their decree, it was forced and followed. A geo-centric universe, which suited their thinking was thus the dictate and law. Copernicus, did understand this power and the control of church and the dangers he is getting into. Thus, he did not publish his writing until his death, the first copy reaching him on his death bed, and thus did not see his theory gaining acceptance among many radical thinkers. What is remarkable is the accuracy of many of his calculations. One should keep in mind that these feats were achieved even before the invention of Telescope and Newton's Law of Gravitational Forces. Both of these significantly helped to help in the progression of the Copernican theory of helio-centric universe.

 While on this subject, it is interesting to compare with the progress in astronomy in India in early days. It was said that 'Aryabhata'( 5ht Century AD) and other South Indian Mathematicians and astronomers are already working with a Sun-Centric universe. While there were difference of opinion, unlike their counterparts in the west, they were not subjected to torture of extermination by the religious or ruling powers. But, it was Aristarchus, 3rd Century BC, who supposed to have proposed a Sun - Centric universe at first.

Volmann split his book in the same sequence as the book of Copernicus. Examining each volume ( six of them), calling each of them as his 'exegesis',  he derive comparison to Ptolemy  ( Almagest - the bible for Geo Centric Universe)  and Aristotle's efforts ( who believed that the earth was a sphere , observing the eclipses) and the importance of Copernicus's results. The approach is not scientific and he does not bombard the reader with difficult mathematical formulas. Coming from the literary profession, the approach has been in the same line. Having said that, whenever he attempts to bring in few scientific and mathematical calculations or theorem, it is not sounding very convincing. But on the whole, he manages to re-create the works of Copernicus, to the new readers by appropriately summarizing the text, by clearly referencing this to the prevailing decree , by reflecting upon the impact of these revelations in the world that are both ancient and current with the help of expert commentators.

People looking for the biography of Copernicus, or the history of scientific progress of the world will find this book inadequate. This is mostly set up as a commentary on the book that shook the world, through the writing of one of the well known writer in English. Books on science by non-scientist are curious to read. One, they tend to be speaking the language that is relevant and appropriate to those not qualified to understand the nuances of the subject. If the attempt is by someone who is known for his literary works, the expectation is rather high. William Vollmann's book on Copernicus, the commentary on the Copernicus's "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres" is thus did create the initial interest as a reader. The attempt to focus on his work rather than the person, did impact my enthusiasm, to some extent, but Vollmann did manage to get through pretty good in the end.

 ------------------------------------------
Uncentering the Earth  ( 2006)

William T.Vollman 

 Phoenix

295 Pages

-------------------------------------------
Universe Today, Bookslut, NY Times

Music Criticism: Principles and Practice - R Satyanarayana

I have been following the south Indian Carnatic classical music for a while. For the past 7-8 years, I am attempting to writer some of my concert experiences in a blog, more as a reference than being a critical review. Because I have no formal training in the music, all that I could do was to cover the superficial aspect of the concert from a 'rasika's point of view, than to do an in depth critical and analytical view of the music that was presented to the public. I had a correspondence with one of the leading artist in Bangalore, around 6 months back, and while discussing on the subject of concert review, he said, this form of  hasn't been explored to the fullest with the current generation of writers and press. We were to discuss this aspect at length, but it hadn't been materialised until now. In the meanwhile, this book was recommended to read.

R Satyanarayana, a leading musicologist with a number of highly acclaimed books and lectures under his name, is also a musician, a Veena exponent. His articles on various aspect of music has been very popular. He has been awarded by the Sangeetha Nataka Academy in 2009 among various other recognition. His scholarly research and publications are largely on the aspect of creativity in music and the interpretation of various schools of music and his study of umpteen manuscripts. However, in this book, he decided to look at the aspect of music criticism for a detailed study.

The book, as the title says, is divided into two parts ( or three with a study of a composition at length). the initial part looks the music criticism in its principles and the key aspects of music criticism. The second part is largely a collection of critical essays on music by some of the stalwarts in the scene, which provide the testimony of the theoretical aspect that was discussed in part one. The second part ends with a critical analysis of a composition ( SrI subrahmaNyAya namastE in kAmbOji by Muddusvami Dikshita').

Art Experience

"The primary concern of the music critic is understanding and explaining, interpreting or commenting upon musical experience".  Experience for a grown up person a complex and multilayered, says Satyanarayana. It is dynamic to multiple factors. It has both conscious and subconscious state or the describable and undescribable content.  The  knowledge or awareness element is derived from sensory sources. These are then structured into definite patterns shaping their awareness. All conscious experiences are referential, its either external or internal. This experience is objective..from 'object to sensory organs, to the mind and to the soul is the progress of the perceptive experience. However, art experience if non-referential. Art experience results form 'contemplation' ( charvana) of the imaginative situation created by the artist.  Artist contribute his power of creative activity. The listener ( connoisseur ) offers his share of imaginative contemplation , sympathetic understanding and feeling which are akin to the artist  ( sa-hrdaya) and reproduces the art product within himself, before sharing his experience with the rest of the world.

Sri Satyanarayana, uses a vast of references from the ancient texts and scriptures and establish the connection of art experience and aesthetic value associated with art. He compares the tradition both in the Indian context and western context. While the western form of aesthetics are largely taken as beauty, the Indians use a much more complex word ' rasa' to describe the same. Aesthetic experience is conditioned by both objective and subjective elements. Moreover, aesthetic elements focusses on the feelings and emotion rather than reasoning and intellection.

The most important responsibility and duty of the art critic is to develop, propagate and sustain good taste in the arts in the members of his society. Taste may be defined as a faculty of mind by which it perceive beauty. While taste can widely differ from person to person, it may be possible to enunciate some fundamental criteria for good taste for the art in general. The ideal of art experience that the artist's practice of the art and the connoisseur's response to it.

Art Criticism

Criticism can be defined as a skill involved in evaluating , reviewing or judging the quality of a literary or artistic work which includes the implicit and explicit interpretation of the meaning and value of such art form.  There fore aesthetics, art philosophy and art criticism together constitutes one single system of thought. A critic can improve the scope and quality of his criticism by exposing himself continuously to the aesthetic experience of his choice.It helps him to develop insight into the nature of the art as well as to the working mind of the artist. A work of art is significant in many ways, it is a reflection of aesthetic ideals, concepts and imaginations of its author, the representation of the cultural milieu of its time and the social demand and aspirations of the society. Art criticism is always contemporary and relevant. Art criticism ( for that matter the art form itself) can not escape from the 'cultivated' versus 'mass' conflict.

History of art and Music criticism in the West and India

Moving on from here, he discusses the aspects of music criticism in the West and in India. The music criticism in the Europe begun with the raise of new world of creative composers, in the 17th century. Germany, once the breeding ground for composers were again lead the way in the musical criticism. Germany produced numerous journals on music in the last quarter of 18th century, which not only published the new compositions of Mozart, Haydn and Beethovan, but also the first criticism on them. In the later centuries, the field of music criticism improved over the years shifting from the romanticism to the aesthetics and creative techniques. This period also produced the "composer - critics" in the field. Composers like Wagner, who wrote critical essays mostly for boosting or defending his own compositions. Tchaikovsky was the music critique for Gazette of Moscow. As is the case today, there were conflicts between the critic versus the artist /composor. For eg comments like' the immoral profession of music criticism should be abolished" ( by Wagner himself) were regular against the critics. Many literary bigwigs of Europe were also noted for their music criticism. Play Wright  George Bernard Shaw produced some excellent , often witty, critical essays on music.. Anatole France and Roman Roland were few other writers who contributed to the music criticism scene. In the US, this was caught up in the second half of the 19th century and for now, they surpass the Europe and other parts of the world as the centre of musicological and historiographical scholarship.

In India, the art criticism can be linked to as early as the time of Bharatamuni. He is the earliest known authority on the model of art criticism. His writing ( naatyashaastra) covered all aspects of the performing art and was the pioneering effort in this aspect. On the subject of music, the first known writing is the 'Sangeetha Ratnakara (AD 1230) of Shaarangadeva, describing the qualities of the composer, the performer and the percussion artists. Various other writings in Sanskrit and other Indian Languages covers various aspects of the music, dance and craft forms over the years.

Musical Forms

Musical form is central to all music activities - composition, performance and experience. The process of musical criticism there for consists of analysis of the musical form and its structure.  Art is created when form emerge out of symbols signifying beauty under trained and rational workman. Indian music by and large are textual , comprising of word ( pada), tone(swara)  and duration (taala). They are lyrical or poetic based compositions. Few forms like mallari, jatiswara and rare cases thillana are without meaningful words ( they use unintelligent syllable for rhythmic pattern).   As a consequence there are very few instrumental compositions in Carnatic music. In the recent past a few instrumental performers are trying to experiment with this aspect, creating compositions suiting their style while adherence to the grammar of the raaga or scale ( the western styled notes popularised by Madurai Mani Iyer, the 'raagapravaaham' seen in the concerts of violin duo Ganesh and Kumaresh are few examples, apart from the mallari usually played by Nagaswaram vidwans).

The music forms of Carnatic music can be summarised into 16 style : geetham, swarajathi, jatiswara ( without saahitya) , varnam, kriti, devarnama, ugabhoga-vachana,padam, javali, pallavi, ashtapadi, daru, tarangam,tillana,raagamalika and shlOka.  In this the kriti, which typically written and performed in 'pallavi', 'anupallavi' and  'charanam' (PAC) format contributes to the majority part of the concert.  From the musical form we move to the presentation form as the artist choose to align and structure his repertoire to be presented to the audience within the stipulated ( stated or assumed) time.

The Music critic

The criticism is the process of translating and grading the aesthetic experience, in line with its impact it created in the critics mind. The musicians task is to create with music and the critics role is to re-create the same experience with words. Critic means to judge, but in the real sense he functions in the role of an interpreter.

He continue to describe the role of a critic and the need to be truthful to the music and not the performer. A music critic faces many a problem as the art form unlike painting, sculpture or architecture are not fixed in time or space.  A music that is delivered ( especially to Indian music) can not be repeated exactly. While we can record and listen the same again, it can not reproduce the same ambience, same state of mind and same cohesion of all that contributed to the experience in the same way. Hence memory plays an important part in the perception and appreciation of the performance.  There for the concept, principle and rules of aesthetics vary for music over other forms of art. There is also this subjective-objective dilemma. While criticism is largely subjective ( based on the aesthetic experience), under the guiding principle, it is important to have a balance of subjective and objective element.

Sri Satyanarayana says ( in detail)  the moral obligation of the critic should be, first and foremost, to the music itself, followed by the listener, the composer and then the performer. He also list down the qualification of a music critic.

• he should possess a knowledge of technical and theoretical principles of music
• knowledge of history of music and music scholarship
• general education coverving as many subjects as possible as cognate with music
• able to think clearly and write lucidly
• an insight into the workings of creative imagination
• have an integrated philosophy of life of his own.
• an endless curiosity and willingness to learn
• should know his own limitations and limitations of his profession
• a mythical superman ( who combines in himself at the same time the qualities of total absorption, yet distance, consonance with musician yet critical acumen)
• avoid being a cultural broker, a mere translator, or a public relation agent
• evolve an aesthetical theory of musical experience.
• should not fall prey to temptations of money, influence and power.
• insight into the creative states and mood of pre-expressional and expressional phases of the performer
• more than livelihood, it must be a way of living, a commitment , a dedication
• sensitive to the artistic values of the medium
• must have a command of language adequate to express his ideas

The second part of the book looks at the practice of music criticism in India, largely on the carnatic musical arena. Indian Musical criticism developed into the current state largely during the mid 20th century. The newspapers , as can be imagined, lead the way by publishing brave, venturesome critical reviews with little or no encouragement from the public or music fraternity. From the nascent stage of musical reviews , this has now grew multi folds with regular reviews in almost all the leading dailies and few limited musical journals ( shruthi magazine, for example). These reviews included portraits of the musician, critics on music criticism, views of the artist on music critic, reviews of the performance itself ( both live and recorded) and reviews of music books.

The rest of the pages is filled with notable reviews from the established critics in South India ( and a few from West as well, in which the essays of George Bernard Shaw were awesome) - Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra- appeared in various publications.

Critical essays of E Krishna Iyer, N R Bhuvarahan, BRC Iyengar and concert reviews of SVK, Subbudu, Ranee Kumar, S V Seshadri and Interviews of artist and critics 'Gowri Ramnarayanan', of artists T N Seshagopalan ( who was very critical on the critics) , K S Mahadevan a book criticism by Sulochana Pattabhiraman , On a music sabha (  Mysore V Subramanya on Chowdiah Memorial Hall) were few notable inclusion. The section concluded with a brilliant study of the music of Gangubhai Hangal by Sri R Satyanarayana himself.

The last chapter is spent on the critical analysis of a musical composition. While we see lesser study in this aspect, with most of the musicians prefer to perform the well established compositions, I was wondering why wasn't there any serious study done in this aspect of the music criticism. The only critical, usually with admiration and praise, study of the new composers and their compositions are limited to the lecture demonstration by one of the performer, who uses this to sing and introduce the creative aspect ( historical background) of the composition, rather than the creative merits and demerits of the product. Sri Satyanarayana chose a well known composition of Muddusvai Dikshita, in kAmbOji ( Sri Subramanyaya Namaste) to introduce this aspect of critical stud

A first of its kind book, dedicated to musical criticism is treasure for the likes of me. The highly informative and deep understanding of the aspect of art and music in the initial part is not only scholarly, but a very well thought out presentation. The second part is not as dense and elegant, but it provided ( some of them at least) a better understanding of the subject that was discussed in the part one. Despite the abundant use of Sanskrit words ( with English equivalent), inevitable due to the references to the ancient texts,  this was very readable and easy to understand. The structure, the language used, the examples and references were appropriate. A few spelling errors that crept in could have been avoided.

A great reference to creative writers and those writing about arts in general and on carnatic music in particular. I am expected to do a better job with my writing armored with new understanding of this genre of writing.

------------------------------------------
Music Criticism: Principles and Practice (2006 )

R Satyanarayana

Vidwan R K Srikantan Trust

277 Pages
-------------------------------------------
The Hindu,

സ്വധർമ്മം അഥവാ സമ്യക് ജീവിതം - S.Rajendu

It was about 15 years back, when I read an article about 'Shivapuri Baba' in either 'Samakalika Malayalam' or 'Mathruboohmi  ( my memory fails me). Later after my marriage, I was given to understand that 'Sivapuri Baba', is one of our ancestor on my father-in-law's side. Under the new revelation, I did read that article again and the only thing that caught my attention was the mention of his age. It was given that he died ( or ceased his bodily existence) at an age of 136.  His name came up multiple times in discussions and each was only to add to the amaze one had on some one who lived in the Himalayas and lived till the age of 136.  Sri Matampu Kunjukuttan, in one of the evening discussions, did mention the book written by an Englishman, John Bennet, on the life and messages of this saint titled "Long Pilgrimage". I haven't been able to get a copy and read the book, but was following various short writings that appeared in various magazines and news papers. The interest rekindled again, after another relative of mine had been to Kathmandu and visited the 'ashram' of the spiritual guru.

Sivapuri Baba, born as Jayanthan Namboodiri, in a well to do Namboodiri family near Kunnamkulam, Trissur district. Afrer initial days of wandering, he achieved the 'enlightment' at the shores of Narmada, later he too 'sanyas' from Sringeri Mutt  and named himself as 'Govindananda Bharati' as was the custom. It is since then he started his journey, covering 6 continents, largely walking ( except to cross the seas). He seems to have met with the Queeen Victoria at least 18 times and was one of her spiritual advisor. Other dignitaries of his connection include the then US President Theodore Roosevelt, Wilhem Kaiser II of Germany, writer George Bernard Shaw,  and legendary Leo Tolstoy on whose farm Baba spent nearly two months. Inspired by the guru, Tolstoy had written a short story "The Three Questions", the translation of the same is given at the end of this book ( the story can be read here). In the year 1930, he settled in the hills of Nepal, near Kathmandu at the age of 103, lived there until his death at the age of 136.

Rajendu, had not written a biographical or spiritual study of the sage, as most of them are already available with us. The book is a collection of question and answers. Numerous questions on the way of life, the truth and so on, and Baba's answers to them is collated, summarising the messages of the saint through his answers. The rest of the book, alternating with each chapters of 'questions and answers" are the memoirs of various people who acquainted the Guru and had been his disciples since then. This include the Sri Lankan Tarzie Vittachi , Y B Shreshtha's discussion with the merchant Manadasa Kuladhara, who is considered to be the first of his disciples in Nepal, an Australian doctor (Miens?) and Huripman  an American traveller. The experience of each of them are no different from the rest of the people who visit him.

Baba's messages are no different from the other sages. As expected, they are about the way of life, living in the paths of Moksha, finding the way to the lord however long it takes. You will realise once you have found your way and that will take you to the paths of Gods. He says, for a spiritual way of living, one need a body that can withstand the demands of the life, hence it is important to care for the body, the encapsulation of the inner. The oneness  with the Almighty is possible only if you constantly seek the ways of God.  He add, one need a Guru to direct him towards the path. Only a few masters ( Ramakrishna Paramahamsa or Ramana Maharishi to name a few) managed to attain the 'sakshatkaram' without the help of a Guru. For common man, it is essential to have a guru to guide him and correct him in his quest of attaining spiritual sojourn. It is also said, that one a person is ready to receive, the Guru will find him.

This might be the first of its kind book on Shivapuri Baba, where the importance is given to his messages. There is no analytical view or deconstruction of his life and messages. The book is fairly simple and an easy read, though the essence of his message keep repeating pages after pages. One realise that the essence remain same, who ever the sage is and whatever is the form he prefer to deliver. The book has a brilliant preface by Rajendu, which in reality is the only piece of his writing in this book.

------------------------------------------
സ്വധർമ്മം അഥവാ സമ്യക് ജീവിതം (2011 )

S Rajendu

184 Pages
-------------------------------------------
 Times Of India, The Hindu, Shivapuri Baba I, Shivapuri Baba II

Mastery - Robert Greene

"Mastery is not a function of genius or talent. It is a function of time and intense focus applied to a particular field of knowledge."

For those who are familiar to Robert Greene's books, this will be an extention. I have liked reading the previous three books and that prompted me to take this up for read. What I like in his style of writing is the way they are organised. Unlike the typical management, business or self help kind of books which are too verbose to my comfort, Greene writes in a style which is more subtle and with examples from personalities which are well known in the fields of their own expertise. After a brief narration on the chosen one, he links the points of discussion effortlessly , giving possible 'reversal' angle as well.

This book, supposed to be the resulted from the previous three books. He noticed the similarities in the way the 'heroes' he studied and described went about in their life to be what they are known for. The path, method and progress can be constructed in to a structured model.  Continuing his work on this aspect of their life, Greene came about the theory on "Mastery".  From the life of some of the masters of yester years and by interviewing some of the celebrities of current ( living) generation, the books comes out with the steps that can be generalised in the path to mastery. 

the evolution of mastery begun with the primates. The human brain started developing, differentiating themselves from the animals in the early stone age. The improvement in techniques of hunting, the use of stones and woods , shaped to assist the hunt might be the earlier significant steps towards the 'evolution of Mastery". The social intelligence came in much later, thus making human a much more evolved species. We continued to develop and horn our skills to achieve greater levels of mastery over the generations.

There are three steps in the life of any work / task or learning. The first is the acquaintance phase, where one need to get acclimatized to the surroundings , the task and the people. The second phase is that of apprenticeship where you start learning the skill. It is during this phase of 'life' you strive towards mastery. It's often painstaking and laborious. It demand commitment and dedication and most importantly guidance. The post mastery phase is the phase of 'creative output' , which is the reflection of all that you are learned and practiced over many many hours or years.

Greene summarizes the path to mastery into 6 steps, detailed into different chapters.

Discover Your Calling: The Life’s Task

Submit To Reality: The Ideal Apprenticeship

Absorb The Master’s Power: The Mentor Dynamic

See People As They Are: Social Intelligence

Awaken The Dimensional Mind: The Creative-Active

Fuse The Intuitive With The Rational: Mastery

Citing examples from the lives of Mozart, Charles Darwin, Einstein, Goethe  and new age masters like V S Ramachandran ( neuro sciences), Daniel Everett ( Linguist) , Paul Graham, Yoki Matsuoka ( Artificial intelligence and robotics) ,Freddie Roach( Boxing) and many others, each chapter elaborate into the nuances of the respective aspect of mastery.

While there are questions raised on some of the practicality of the aspects, the overall suggestions are pretty interesting. Fairly easy read, and engaging through out. No jargons or 'registered' phrases. Dense, but not as rich as the the other books : there are no side notes nor any microprinted quotes. But, a good read nonetheless.

---------------------------------------
Mastery ( 2012 )

Robert Greene

Profile Books

336 Pages
---------------------------------------
Wiki, LA Times

Abundance : The Future is Better than You think - Peter H Diamandis & Steven Kotler

The world economy is at a stand still, and many countries are struggling to stay afloat, marred with economic turmoil. The terrorism continue to be a major cause of concern around the globe. The prices of essential commodities are raising, the oil price is at a high never before with no signs of easing. The doomsday predictors are on the prowl , as every news that comes out  are of cynical in nature. The population is increasing and after all these years, there are many around the globe who continue to live in pitiable conditions, and in poverty.

Among these disturbing news, here is a book comes with "abundance" of positive news. Peter Diamandis along with Steven Kotler, brings out a book, dedicated to the technical advancement of the world over the last few decades and predicts that these advancements will help us to see through the explosion of population and the ever increasing demand for resources. He starts his book with the tale of Aluminum. In the early days of Roman empire, guests were honoured by serving them food in vessels and plates made by Aluminum, while the hosts were to be content with golden or silver plates. Aluminum 3rd largest element in the crust of earth was one metal extremely difficult to extract, well, until late 19th century, until the electrolysis process was developed. Look at the Multi fold in reduction in cost of production, supported with its availability, making it one of the cheapest metal in less than 100 years.  He cites many such examples, in cost of communication by the exponential growth in mobile communications technologies, the spread of electricity, the overall reduction in poverty in the world, with enough data to prove his point.

Instead of getting bogged down with the negative thoughts and the propaganda, he urge us to look at the possibilities of creating a time of abundance. Abundance is not an idea, but a way of moving forward.  Discussing the concept of his idea of abundance and the exponential growth experienced in technologies post the second world war, he set the discussion to the future . In a model of "Abundance Pyramid"  he puts "Food, Water and Shelter" as the basic needs. While this is obvious and looks like an election propaganda of the political parties, he gives us some direction in achieving 'abundance' in these areas. The second tier is build with "energy, Education and ICT(information and communication technologies)" and the top of the pyramid consists of "Health Care and Freedom".

Only 3% of the water available in this planet is usable by humans. The vast sea covers a large part of them and many are hidden in large glaciers of the poles. The available water is not safe enough to drink. With the improvement in technologies and the continuous campaign by environmentalist, we have started showing progress towards improving the quality of water and develop newer and cheaper methods of desalination of sea water. It is also important to note that water related health issues causes deaths of large number of human apart from the amount of money spent on medical expenses. An improvement in the water distribution will not only reduce the health risks, but will also ensure these money can spend for other welfare measures.

On feeding 9 Billion ( expected population by year 2050), he put forward many advanced technologies in farming, including vertical farming, use of genetically modified crops , cultured meat, synthetic biotechnology, poly culture, new modes of aquaculture and many similar ideas.  How will all these be possible, and what drive these changes ? He cast his bets on two parameters , one on Do it Yourself Innovation or on the power of small groups and the second on the new breed of 'techno-philanthropists'. The strong social movements, the emergence of small groups of individuals all around the world, speeding up these movements and on the other hand, the financial and moral support provided by the newly wealthy individuals ( Bill Gates and co..) pumping the financial power need for such an endeavor.

The energy needs are also discussed at length, but largely around the renewable energy. The amount of solar energy that earth receive is good enough to supply enough energy for the entire world. One of the issue still holding this explosion of energy abundance, is the restraint with regards to storage of these energy. With the newer technology emerging in the battery like flywheel should bring the much needed improvement in this area. Education is the next agenda, which empower the populace and thus reduce the explosion of  population and in the need for the additional healthcare need.

While all these looks possible and very much within reach, what they do not cover is the limitation of these technologies. His bet on technology advancement to come to the rescue, is too optimistic and single focused. Some of the other aspect of this he does not discuss or avoid discussing. One of the key issue of the imbalance of the living conditions can be attributed to the greed of select people. The entire wealth of the world is controlled by 1% or less of the world. Thus creating a huge imbalance in the distribution. A better distribution of the resources among the world is one of the first step towards self sufficiency.  The greed for control, to have single ownership of the entire resources of the universe. The entire book only discuss the increase of production of essential commodities for a burgeoning population, but no discussion in reduction in consumption. One part of the world continue to consume everything with abandon, while the other side of the planet struggle for the essentials of life.

To his credit, the book gives some key thought on the repercussion of these technologies falling in the hands of the criminals. For every positive development in the innovation, there is a dark side of it being used for activities of sabotage.  In an ever increasingly interconnected world, it is much more simple to access any data, any device, any individual by hackers. There is already existing worries about the leakage of nuclear secrets being available with the terrorists.  Cyber Crime, Bio-terrorism, the increasing dependency on the AI/Robotics making human redundant and unemployed etc are some of the possible outcome of these technological advancements in the coming decades.

In general, what this book achieve is to give us a different perspective, a perspective that tells us that while the future looks bleak supported by data and analysis, it is possible to turn the course and direction. All it takes is a bit more planning and focus. The universe provide us with enough and more. The language is positive and full of energy, it also propagate the confidence that the book stands for. Thus it is a fast and engaging read. Most of the data and analysis moved to the end of the book in the form of appendix , thus not hampering with the flow of the reading.

--------------------------------------------------------
Abundance - The Future is Better than You Think (2012)

Peter H Diamandis & Steven Kotler

Free Press

400 Pages
------------------------------------------------------
 NY Times, Wall Street Journal,  Wiki Entry, Official Page

Re-Envisioning Socialism - Prabhat Patnaik

Capitalism, considered to be a 'self-driven, self-managed, self-acting  economic order as envisaged or described since the time of Adam Smitth, and spontaneous , as added later by Oscar Lange. However, the recent incidents seems to have been shaking the fundamentals of this belief as the leading capitalist economies of the world are witnessing stagnation and many are struggling.  The question has been "What next?'.This had been the leading economic  system of the world since the end of Feudal days, notwithstanding the attack for a short period in the form of Socialism. However, the future is gloomy and the quest for alternate has to begin.

This book, a collections of essays published between 2005 - 2008 , by Prabhat Patnaik, a left thinker and political economist, looks at the topics concerned to the contemporary Capitalism and the relevance of 'Socialism' in the future. Though it seems prophetic ( these papers were all written before the sub-prime crisis and the recession that shook the world), it does look at some of the issues of the world of capitalism, through the eye of a leftist -economics. It, there fore, has a pessimistic view of the current economic world, and trying to find an answer through the envisaged 'new world order' driven by the principles of Socialism.

His argument centered around two major factors. One is on the 'Capital' itself. He calls this as the "International Finance Capital' which through the controlling hands of the neo-colonising powers, try to decide on every socio-economical and political transactions of the world.  To its credit, Capitalism triggered giant leaps in productivity and the progress of society post the second world war, where the measures like labour productivity, employment rates, welfare measures were at the best. This period called "Golden Age of Capitalism" continued over two and half decades, attracting lot more economists in favour of this system.

"The boost to demand created a strong inducement to invest and hence rate of growth unprecedented in the history of capitalism. These were accompanied by high rates of labour productivity growth, resulting in high rates of growth of real wages. These together with social security measures induced by few Social Democratic Governments, made capitalism appear as a humane system."

The contradiction within the system, soon become evident as the period of de-colonisation  ( large number of countries sought independence from the European colonial powers post the second world war) is paved way to the globalisation and the new phase of imperialism( he seems to have meant no political or military control, but control through economical order) order for the control of natural resources.

"Emergence of the globally mobile, international finance capital, there comes into being a 'global financial community'. This community, presiding over vast amount of money capital through its control over banks, and using the capital for diverse purposes as industry, speculation, real-estate business, and buying bonds, including foreign governments. "

"The process of capital accumulation can be conceptually envisaged as occurring in two distinct and alternate ways" a) Accumulation through expansion  b) accumulation through encroachment.

*

One of the key aspect of the modern capitalism is about the freedom of individual and the democratic order , that is the political choice. Patnaik, argues that ( repeatedly through out the book) that under the capitalism, the individual is treated as an 'object' or as a resource. The 'objectivisation' of the individual according to him is one of the perils of the capitalists order.

The basic point is the incompatibility of authentic democracy where the people are the political 'subjects' with capitalism where they are the object.

It is interesting to note observe the aspect of democracy in this light. As may be noted, the electoral choices in many advanced countries tend to limit the option to a few streams or to two in the case of US. More so, it was known that the democratically elected representative in general are 'the representatives of corporates ( read 'International Finance Capital') in most of the capitalist countries. The case of India is no different, where 80% of the post independent India was ruled by a single family, albeit democratically elected. It is said about the newly liberated or de-colonised countries in Asia and Africa, it was the bourgeois elite, who filled in for the evacuating European power, and not the representatives of the people.  On the other side, we see the individuals in  political power ( in the communist countries, especially China),  gets into the area of industry and business, a 180 deg shift from the capitalist democracy. 

"All the traditional virtues assigned to the bourgeois order, namely democracy, political choice, individual subjectivity and hence freedom, paradoxically, are conspicuous by their absence within this order. And the basic reason for this lies in the fact that in bourgeois societies economics drives politics, and that economics is marked by spontaneity rooted in 'objectification' of the individual."

and elsewhere he quote:

 "The phenomenon of globalization, which many have seen as a means of expansion of freedom and democracy, has the exactly opposite effect, at least in countries like India with functioning democratic institutions in the post colonial era : of constricting the democratic gains already made by the people." 

He summarises :

"The mans of attenuation of democracy in a bourgeois society are several :

1. Ossification of state where the bureaucracy and the standing army become the core of the state apparatus

2. Fragmentation of people into ethnic, linguistic or religious groups

3. Denial of meaningful choices to the electorate

4. Inculcation of insecurity among people

5. Deliberate promotion of the mindlessness among the people by the media and the peddlers of popular culture

"Ideological projection has the advantage that it can use the already existing, substantial racist prejudices in the metropolitan countries. Racism has always been a part of imperialism, Even when it has been driven underground under the weight of democratic assertiveness."

*

Rooting for a new world order, he says it is time for an order in line with the socialistic thinking. Notwithstanding the earlier experiments and its deduced failure, the situation which the world is today and the future of capitalism, does demand a new deliberation on the possible new thinking in this direction. He says,  "the prospect of such a deepening associated with a transition to socialism are much brighter in todays context, even as the material condition for such a transition are becoming more favorable because of the very phenomenon of globalisation".

"The theory of socialism however grew out of the philosophic, historical and economic theories elaborated by the educated representatives of the propertied classes, by intellectuals. Since the theory of socialism stands on its own; since the class analysis upon which it is based has a general ( though concrete) applicability not circumscribed by the class configurations of a particular society or set of societies ; in short, since it constitutes a method of scientific analysis of any society, it has a universal applicability, irrespective of how close the societies in question are to a socialist revolution."

If the demise of capitalism will be triggered by its own internal contradictions, whose signs are already seen,  there has to be a few changes that is witnessed within the same system. He says , most of the ""working class struggles within capitalism could at the best produce trade union consciousness among the workers but not revolutionary class consciousness."

 "The case for a revolution in 'modern times arises from the fact that capitalism as a mode of production is not only based on exploitation, but in also a spontaneous, non-malleable, non-reformable system."

According to him a failure of finding an alternate political and economical order which will grow out of the current capitalism, will yield to the strengthening of the destructive elements in the society, thrived and fuelled by anti-capitalist sentiments, taking shapes in the form of terrorism.

"The question may well be asked: why should we bother about these issues which were debated so long ago by people long dead and gone ? ".....  "But if these issues are shut out of the terrain of discourse , then anti-imperialist praxis will continue to take the destructive and unproductive forms, such as terrorism, that we see before us today."

*

His points on higher education is something worth considering in the Indian Context.   According to him the current higher education system in the country is aimed at producing what he called 'organic intellectuals'.  It is known that " global capital, after all, is keen to employ Indian skilled labour not out of charity, but out of hard economic calculation.

Ways of producing  Organic Intellectuals of the people can be undermined by the context of globalisation, via the overwhelming need for, and the apparently tempting prospects of, producing what can almost exclusively be called skilled foot soldier for global capitalism."

While it is essential to have a state control on higher educations, the ability and capacity of state to make this large transition in short time is now exploited by the business, giving way to a large number of private institutions to come up, only filling in the demand for quantity, compromising heavily on quality, for lack of trained and skilled teachers. This in turn, is justified by the demand and the reputation of  the State run/managed higher education institutes. On the other hand, even these institute, ended up producing highly skilled 'organic intellectuals' for the world market, seldom being available for the need of the country.  Thus he says, the higher education agenda should have a strong Indian reality .

 "Modelling our institutions after Harvard and Cambridge, which would entail copying their curricula and syllabi, would there fore necessarily means sacrifying to our great cost, the conceptual frame work and the perspective . Quality does not come from aping others. Some of our finest institutions, which indeed have acquired global attention, have done so because of their systematic refusal to ape others, and their strong connection with the Indian Reality.................

*

The argument for capitalist economy also comes from the argument on the overall improvement of the life, measured by the absolute GDP and eradication of poverty. It is now been clear that despite all these years, we are far from achieving these objectives.

"Even when the rate of growth of output gets pushed up, as in India and China, the rate of growth of labour productivity gets pushed up as well, so that labour reserves remain unexhausted and income distribution continue to worsen.

We also see continued systematical destruction of he peasantry in the under developed countries, mostly driven with a propaganda of improving efficiency and competitiveness in the world market.  On one side, the ever increasing 'urbanisation' takes away large areas of cultivation, converting them in to urban land for housing and industries.

"What is remarkable about the new phase of imperialism is that it justifies the adoption of neoliberal policies, which is a euphemism for bringing countries under the hegemony of international finance capital in the name of 'eliminating poverty'. State-sector assets are privatised in the name of improving efficiency, which is supposed to usher in faster growth and eliminate poverty; state assistance to peasantry is done away with in the name of making peasantry adjust better to the market opportunities opening up, so that it can experience higher growth and hence reduce poverty...."

These steps in countries like India seems ot have produced an opposite effect. "In fact income deflation has taken its toll on the peasantry to a point where even simple reproduction of peasant economy is no longer possible in countries like India, as is evident from mass suicide of peasants." . The statistics put the count of peasant suicide near 200000 over last 10 years..

On his arguments for the new order he says, "The tendency of capitalism as a social system is to dispossess the vast mass of the peasantry. The alternative social system that a transcendence of capitalism must bring about , should be one that defends and promote the peasantry instead of making it destitute."

*

As the growth in the traditional capitalist world slackens the 'Financial Capital' has to look at other ways of survival. Hence, the need for looking at other frontiers towards accumulation of resources ( capital enhancement through encroachment)  and business.  Which saw the raise of new type of colonisation, by finance capital themselves, or by capitalist states sponsored by the finance capital.

"As the Golden Age of Capitalism passed, not only did the growth rates of the world capitalism plummet, unemployment in the advanced capitalist countries approached double digit figures and remain stuck there, the absolute real wage rate shown a virtual stagnation, the tendency towards decolonisation got reversed, with imperialism making a determined attempt to reappropriate the worlds natural resources, especially oil, for itself.

These expansion of the capital, often called as globalisation, interestingly had gathers a lot of support around the under developed world. On one hand, it gave a momentary increase in the flow of capital, technology and reduction in unemployment, despite the real increase in wages. However, in this excitement to attract capital and creating job opportunities, each of the under developed economy compete with each other, thus constantly bringing down the wages, even if the productivity is increased

In summary the aspect of Capitalism can be made under these seven features

a) International Finance Capital

b) The capitalist state

c) Curtailment of public investment

d) Slowing down of growth in the capitalist world

e) Crisis of petty production

f) Expropriation of land from peasants

g) Systematic attempt at recolonization of the world

*

The case for Socialism is explained under these lights focusing on the aspect "International Finance Capital" and the 'Objectification of Individuals" and 'true democracy'. He re-iterates,

"The case for socialism is that it alone creates the condition for human freedom by overcoming this objectification, for which a necessary condition is social ownership of the means of production."

and

"On the contrary, socialism, which aims to overcome the objectification of the people in bourgeois society, is alone compatible with democracy; it alone can create the conditions for the full flowering of democracy".

However, this subject is often dealt with taboo by all. For the capitalist thinkers and supporters any discussion in these lines of social and individual aspect or about humanisation , is immediately identified and associated as communist or leftist thinking. Once marginalised as leftist, it is easy to discount its effectiveness and its open discussion in public. The effective use of religion and race add to the alienation of these thoughts. On the other hand, the 'traditional leftist' ( there are exceptions, Of course) refuses to look at the past and make the necessary changes in the ideology with the new world realities and the potential hazard in terms of destructive tendencies.

"Devalues the theoretical endeavour on the left and discourages creativity. The attitude becomes : Since Marx has said everything of importance that is there to say, what more can I say except finding more evidence of his correctness."

As a social order, one need to see what drives the people to work ?  " In feudal society, people work because of the pressure of customs and tradition, backed by force ( punishment or starvation). In the capitalist society, people work because of the existence of the reserver army of labour, which acts as a coercive disciplining device. If you are not measuring up to the expectation, you are dismissed and someone else takes your place." Patnaik gives the example of the old Yugoslavian method, which work around the peer pressure, which is far from convincing.

"The socialist agenda therefore remains as relevant today as ever. The choice before us today, is between socialism and barbarism, between a solution where the predatory imperialism remain locked in perennial combat with equally ruthless groups of terrorists, thus threatening the very survival of our civilization."

The essay on "Destruction of thought", which might stand on its own in this collection is one which need a lot more discussion. One of the aspect of the modern living, with the overdose of information, which is controlled and manipulated, has its direct impact on free thinking.

"Thought in my view, is informed by social energy and is meant to stimulate social energy aimed at changing the human conditions. Thought is not routine ; thought is context-transcending. Submergence within the empirical reality is the denial of thought.

My knowledge in economics and politics is zilch. Hence, my understanding of these subjects discussed at greater length is constrained by my incompetence. While, he dwelt in detail about the current scenario of the Capitalist Economy and its internal conflict ( lack of growth, the need of survival, the competition within) making it no more an attractive regime with longevity, I for one do agree with him on finding the next alternate. However, I did not find his arguments for the socialist society as attractive and convincing.  What was impressive was the prophetic nature of the book. Very intense book, demands a lot more attention to the aspect and points of discussions. Though I am not in agreement with all his arguments, I found them very informative. Despite it's left leaning ideology, one must read this book, for the shear power of its arguments.

-------------------------------------------

Re-Envisioning Socialism ( 2010)

Prabhat Patnaik

Thulika Books

271 pages
------------------------------------------------
Frontline