Ideological racism, linguistic fascism and negationism among the Indian politicians, politicians turned actors and actors turned politicians – Baahubali becomes touching stone!
Bollywood, Kollywood – style of nurturing Ideological racism, linguistic fascism and negationism: In India and elsewhere, there have been racist, communal and casteist actors working consciously others and spreading venom through their acts and speeches that have not been recorded properly to expose their ulterior motives. Many talented actors, actresses, directors, musicians, singers and cine-experts side-lined, oppressed, suppressed and made to die unsung. Particularly, the actors with their imbibed religious fundamentalism and political ideology have been hiding them under their make-up and dress to pose as “secular”, “irreligious”, or even “atheist” and so on to fool the idiotic fans, followers and general public. Generally, these details have been suppressed, covered up and even buried as the involved wanted only money, fame and enjoyment in life till death. The Bollywood religious fundamentalists and the Kollywood Dravidian fanatics have been experts in such acts of ideology[1]. Through Dawood Ibrahim and Khans, they have got exposed in the bloodbath of Bombay blasts and other blasts. Even today, Saif Ali Khan asserts that he wanted a Muslim name for his son to reflect his culture[2]. And he justifies it, though, a historical person existed 900 years ago[3] (of different category). Of course, the Khans exploded different types of bombs. This has been going on since 195os, many times exhibited on the political stages and platforms. While the expressions, speeches and rhetorics of the Bollywood have been played down, the Kollywood counterparts has become selling literature, as such verbose became symbol of Dravidian polity. Though, some writers claiming as historians and all, and have written on “dirty words” etc.[4], they also do not reveal, as they want awards, rewards etc. from the politicians, rulers and businessmen colluding with each other.
The Negationism of Dravidian ideology of racism, fascism and radicalism: The Dravidian actors starting with EVR, Annadurai, Karunanidhi etc., the most hardcore fundamentalists with the strong belief in race, racism, and racialism; middle-path tread MGR like category and the worst rabble rousers like S. A. Asokan (yesteryears’ comedy turned villain actor, producer), Sathyaraj, Seeman, Mansur Ali Khan, Manivannan and others. Under the guise of Dravidian ideology, analytical wisdom, self-respect, atheism (read as anti-Hindu ideology) and such other bogies, the bandwagon gave out speech of hatred, loathing and extreme odium on and off the silver screen. With their “Dravidian” racist ideology, they got separated first with Andhra Pradesh and then with Karnataka and Kerala. Though, Caldwell under his hypothesis brought all south Indian languages under the “Dravidian” bogey, other than Tamil speaking started weary of such linguistic fanaticism turning into racism and hatred against people groups. Though, “Tamilnadu” was also created, it had border disputes with all the three states and they got settled down slowly. However, the Veerappan and Kaveri issues made them again keeping them at loggerheads. Though, in the case of “Veerappn issue”, the political, business, cine-world and other interested keeping quiet, the “Kavery issue” exposed their duplicity, dishonesty and betrayed. In between, the radical parties like PMK and KRV played the most hate-politics to divide people. Actors like Rajinikanth also played dual role. Thus, the hate-speech of Sathyaraj has not been surprising, shocking or something extraordinary of their rhetoric-calibre.
The hate-speeches of Sathyaraj and Nagaraj: The hate-speech of Sathyaraj has been of his own characteristic and it includes[5] – Tamilian has been a tree and the Kannadiga dog urinates on it raising its leg…..Bal Thackery already plucked the eyes of Tamils in Maharastra. ..Used vulgar words like “mayir”,………… “I am lying with my wife and not with your wife”……When Saikumar told that his favourite hero was Shivaji Ganesan, he was beaten up by the Kannadigas and insisted to say “Rajkumar” ……..“We do not speak separatism, but forced us to speak ”……..“Tamils do not require northern Rama, Karnataka’s Raghavendra, Kerala’s Iyyappan…….. ” And the counter hate-speech of Nagaraj has been[6], “I am warning you Sathyaraj…..you have no guts to speak against Kannadigas……You talked such nonsense in front of Superstar like Rajini…..remember, your Mother Amma, Rajinikanth and others have been from our state……Rajamouli also hails from our state, yes, he has given you the correct character of Kattappa, yes, the character of traitor and driving sword from the behind…….”. Here, Indians need not go into such rhetoric of hate-speeches, as they have been there since 1950s as pointed out. One would be taken aback, had they happened to listen to EVR, Anna, Karunanidhi and such others, yes, their speech would be full of vulgar words, double meaning slangs, and hate-speech against particular caste, religion, congress leader and so on. Even today, the DK categories speak in such a tone and tenor on the roads, the ladies have to pass the places quickly to avoid listening such vulgarities exceeding decency and decorum.
The 2008 speech affects now in 2017[7]: Way back in 2008, the issues between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu resurfaced after the latter laid the foundation for the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project. The Nadigar Sangam had organised a meet to condemn the Karnataka’s government’s opposition to the project. Various celebrities took to the stage and many had slammed the Karnataka government’s decision. In fact, Rajinikanth had slammed Kannada activists and he later apologised for one of his comments which had hurt the Kannadigas. Sathyaraj had apparently targeted Rajinikanth, which had upset his fans back then. However, the actor, who is now popularly known as Kattappa, had blasted Kannadigas for the Kavery issue. Interestingly, Sathyaraj’s speech at the meet was largely ignored at that time as the heat was on Rajinikanth. The video of the speech took the internet by storm only in the recent times after Baahubali was released. It is interesting to note that the Kannada groups had not opposed the release of the first instalment of Baahubali, but they are protesting now because Sathyaraj has become a popular name with this franchise and it is the right time to target him for an apology, say Kannada groups.d called prominent Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, “a comedy character.”
The opposition to Sathyaraj by Karnataka Rakshana Vedika: It is interesting to note that the linguistic separatism started raising its head in other states other than Tamilnadu like Karnataka. The members of Karnataka Rakhsha Vedika [KRV] held a protest on 20-04-2017 (Thursday) outside the office of Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce in Bengaluru[8]. The pro-Kannada groups reasserted their demand that they will not allow the release of Baahubali: The Conclusion until actor Sathyaraj tenders an apology[9]. “Sathyaraj has just not hurt the feelings of six crore Kannadigas, he has disturbed the peace between two states. It won’t be wrong to call him a traitor. He is a Tamil actor and when he talks bad about Karnataka, the entire Kannada film fraternity should come together and condemn his remarks,” said a member of Karnataka Rakhsha Vedika. Sa. Ra. Govindu, President, Akhila Karnataka Dr. Rajkumar Fans’ Association, urged Mr. Sathyaraj to visit Bengaluru and apologise for his remark[10]. “Otherwise, the actor will be responsible for the inconvenience caused during the release,” he said[11]. Whether Sathyaraj would come to Bangalore and apologize, apologize from Chennai or does not apologize at all, it is all a game now. Ultimately, it becomes a question of money, business and profits and therefore, how, these are going to be settled down is to be watched till 28-04-2017.
© Vedaprakash
21-04-2017
[1] Of course, these expressions Bollywood, Kollywood etc., were not in vogue during those days of 1950s, but, the feeling well-known.
[2] The Express Tribune, Wanted a Muslim name for my son to reflect my culture: Saif Ali Khan, By Entertainment Desk, Published: April 20, 2017.
[3] “When I spoke to my wife about ‘Taimur,’ she loved the name, the meaning of the name and the sound of it. I am also aware that there is a historical person of the same name. But someone please explain to me why is it relevant today? Why is what happened 900 years ago relevant? Why are people still talking about that? How can that be connected to the name? I don’t understand it and if I can’t understand, I don’t care.”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1388994/wanted-muslim-name-son-reflect-culture-saif-ali-khan/
[4] A. R. Venkatachalapathy, Vayile nalla varudhu (Coming from mouth conveniently), in Kalaccuvadu, September, 2013.http://www.kalachuvadu.com/archives/issue-165/%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhzzmSnF18g
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR_-hSzNYdY
[7] Ibtimes.com, This angry speech of Sathyaraj against Rajinikanth and Karnataka over Cauvery issue now creates trouble for Baahubali 2, April 14, 2017 16:27 IST.
[8] Indian Express, SS Rajamouli on Baahubali 2 ban: Sathyaraj is not going to face any loss if movie is stopped. Watch video, Updated: April 20, 2017 8:31 pm
[9] http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/ss-rajamouli-on-baahubali-2-ban-sathyaraj-is-not-going-to-face-any-loss-if-movie-is-stopped-4620943/
[10] The Hindu, Will Katappa’s remarks prove costly for Baahubali-The Conclusion?, APRIL 11, 2017 22:48 IST; UPDATED: APRIL 11, 2017 22:48 IST.
[11] http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/will-katappas-remarks-prove-costly-for-baahubali-the-conclusion/article17932705.ece
Indology 