SUGATA SRINIVASARAJU writes: If one has been following the media in Palestine and the Middle-East, post-Yasser Arafat, the one question you notice cropping up almost like a refrain in a song, in all contexts of crisis, is: “What would have been Arafat’s reaction? What would have happened were he alive?”
I feel there is a similar question asked here in Karnataka, whenever the state faces a crisis that tests its nerve and character: “How would have P. Lankesh reacted if he were to be alive?” The colossus that he was, his contrarian, lateral and sometimes anarchist views were awaited, respected if not always followed.
In the context of the Cauvery debate that is now consuming the state I would like to point to the brand of Kannada nationalism that presently surrounds us.
It is, to say the least, governed by a shrill sub-nationalistic pitch, very different from Lankesh’s well-defined cosmopolitan nationalism. If our political class had followed Lankesh’s brand of nationalism perhaps they would have escaped the situation they are currently in—of no reaction or comments and facing a constitutional dead-end.
It has been nearly a week since the final award of the tribunal was declared, but not one politician worth his salt has said anything beyond mouthing inanities likee, “We will react only after we have studied the 1000 page-report.” When have our politicians actually been short of words and when has there been such conspicuous silence on such a major issue?
Over the decades, the political class in Karnataka have come to occupy an unrealistic perch on the Cauvery issue, climbing down from which now, when the award is not entirely to their expectations, is clearly seen as political suicide. And what were their expectations? It is difficult to say, because the issue has always been submerged in the din of rhetoric.
At present, Kannada nationalism, sadly, is at its reactionary best. There is a symbiotic relationship between this brand of foregrounding regional identity and Fascism or even Hindutva. It ignores the liberal and sensitive pursuits of our history and tradition.
Another variety of nationalism that is competing to replace this is also not very gratifying. It is to reject the cultural reality of Karnataka and view it as a convenient unit of administration or a modern political entity. This nationalism operates on abstract ideas, which escape the familiar route of language and culture. This model has been shaping up with the surge of the IT industry in Karnataka.It is interesting to note here that recently IT chieftains had even suggested that Bangalore, the state capital should be governed as a Union territory.
But Lankesh’s nationalism envisages Karnataka as a turf of multiple realities. He re-imagines Karnatakatva as one of the authentic forms of protest against global monoculture that is developing as a result of growing capitalism.
Lankesh’s engagement with Kannada culture was unique and probably the most significant in modern times. He never once invoked the past to create pride in Kannada. He made the language seem it could handle all the concerns of the present. He never treated the Kannada language like an artifact; he plucked its idioms from across its many dialects and wove them into a new hope. The rough edges were his triumph.
Francois Mitterand, Steffi Graf, Sanjay Gandhi, Greta Garbo, Sonia Gandhi, Devaraj Urs, B S Chandrashekar, Nazir Sab, Veerappan and Rajkumar could all co-exist in his columns. He made them all gel well in the mental landscape of a person who knew only Kannada. His writing was an unstated experiment in the process of keeping a cultural space open and healthy.
But the current polarisation of debates and reactionary responses only create a delusion that one’s culture is an immaculate domain devoid of any influences, while only the contrary can be true. The anxieties of influence is there at all times for all cultures, but cultures also have a way of appropriating and absorbing influence to nourish themselves.
It could be a new grain, a new vegetable, a recipe, a musical tradition or an abstract idea of coping with famines and plagues, cultures are more open and flexible than most of its interpreters think they are. This is what, week after week, for twenty long years, Lankesh tried to say. He was deeply engrossed in a face-to-face dialogue with Kannada culture through his Lankesh Patrike, and never once did he try to be its spokesman to the outside world.
It now appears like a well-executed cultural mission, but it was the most spontaneous thing to happen in our cultural history this century. His iconoclasm had an unstated cultural goal and dynamics. A time has come when we have to reclaim or recover this vision that Lankesh saw for our culture.
There may be problems with the final order, we may need to seek clarifications from the tribunal, there may be a legal battle necessary and even a legislative intervention. But, is there a need to foul-mouth a linguistic community, create an environment of fear, shutdown Tamil channels and banish poor Tamil-speaking labourers from our borders?
We seem to be speaking of the final order like the US-influenced Iraqi justice system that put Saddam to the gallows. As if it was an order delivered overnight without giving us the right to represent our views. The truth is that we have done it for 17 long years and at the end of it, if we perceive the order has not been in our favour, then we should ask ourselves if we presented our case effectively.
The political class cannot exonerate itself of this responsibility. Lankesh, if alive, would have reminded our political class of its responsibility. He would not have spoken with the casualness and indifference of a Girish Karnad, but would have engaged our people and the opinion-makers and he would be heard. Nobody would have burnt his effigies and slippered his portraits. That was the moral power of Lankesh and Lankesh alone.
At every bend in recent political history, politicians rode the Cauvery wave in the Mysore region to win votes and now when they suddenly cannot use the issue anymore, they face the difficulty of going back empty handed and facing their constituents. Because their old rhetoric is no longer valid. On the other hand, if they had only prepared their constituents to the idea of sharing the yield of the river, perhaps they would not have been in the situation they currently face.
As long as the political class in Karnataka views the Cauvery dispute as a rights issue of an upper riparian state and not as an effort at equitable sharing of water within the constitutional framework, the resolution of the dispute will remain a far cry.
A brave article. That too in times of turbulance.
We have seen the ‘happy smiling (agitating) faces of Film artists and the minister who chose to join the protestors when he was stranded and left with no other option’, the torn posters of Girish Karnad, ‘the black paint walahs who keep the city hoardings ‘clean’, the blackout of Tamil channels, the shortage of Mysooru Mallige which is grown less in Mysooru and more in TN, statements like Tamilians create problems wherever they go quoting Srilanka etc….
What’s the solution?
The solution is to be more honest and look at the loss for Karnataka.
Are politicians geniuses? …”It has been nearly a week since the final award of the tribunal was declared, but not one politician worth his salt has said anything beyond mouthing inanities likee, “We will react only after we have studied the 1000 page-report.” When have our politicians actually been short of words and when has there been such conspicuous silence on such a major issue?…” Sure it takes some time to digest the award report to make a comment. When the Tamilians are crowing about having ‘won’ the contest, surely that is a red rag to the Kannada bull:)
I think GK knows he made a mistake’ you cannot trivialize an emotional issue of a serious wrong to Karnataka. I am sure Lankesh would have gone ballistic and written strongly about rejecting the award.
Has the writer lost her senses? …”As long as the political class in Karnataka views the Cauvery dispute as a rights issue of an upper riparian state and not as an effort at equitable sharing of water within the constitutional framework, the resolution of the dispute will remain a far cry.” Wow what is the issue then? If the Tamilians regard watering the crops during summer months more important, our politicos can only respond in kind. Watch this space–if the Tamils crow too much it will only widen the rift between Tamils and Kannadigas.
sudden outbursts of kannada pride,kannada nationalism during crisis periods are essential , it sends clear signal to so called IT BT CZARS, HINDIWALLAHS who are desperately trying to snatch bengalooru from kannadigas. karnataka bundh has brought about a unified karnataka.
‘Sugata’ matthu ee title bareda editor hagu bareA ‘secular’ janagalu, ‘secular Kaveri neeranna manegey bidisikollali; nammanthawarigey, “Kaveri’ hindutva neeru saaku:)
Sugata,
I too would like to congratulate you on shedding the fortitude of Outlook and coming open with your ideas to a much more open media.
Ofcourse, unlike your Outlook article this article is much bigger in scope- encompassing Cauvery, karunaada ethos, karunaada realities, genius of lankesh and other sundry ideas.
However, in addressing the core issue of Cauvery, in both this and the Outlook article, it would have been much more enlightened and prolly more Lankeshesquely direct, if your articles had been based on details and the specifics – tmcs, sq areas in catchments and usage, geophysical facts, conservation histories, a contemplation on the implication of the award, not to mention political power realities and political histories – an approach, that to my surprise, many a Karunadigas(not just kannadigas) have taken in expressing their dissatisfaction with the verdict.
But you have chosen an abstract, vague and dare i say, brahminical, argument based on civilizational attributes, that, strangely, even took refuge in tangential middle eastern politics, not to mention rajaashraya that is assured in establishing a faux equity, and usage of terms like sub nationalism (of the shrill kind), fascism and ofcourse, lest we all forget, Hindutva. ‘coz these very people spilled their hearts out when tsunami hit TN and not to highlight that it prolly escapes your attention that the most radical view in all the hoopla was that of a Muslim group, which after due deliberations over Friday prayers, mind you, concluded that secession from India was the way to address Cauvery!!!
Tarlesubba awarey!
Nimmanthavaru irodindley nam kadey maley belay aagtha irodhu!
Vishwasa Irali
Kukke Subba
Chennagi bardhidheera TS . oLLe uttara ..yinnu hechi hechu barli.
Namalli yaake yee ** SO CALLED* Buddi jeevigalu .
they think they are above all these regional issues and protests .
read all the analysis/reviews of these English Journalist …regional bagge
mathadokke yeno ‘LEVELLU’ .Kannada , belgaum,Kaveri Vishya bandhaga
yeno Balanced view Kodtheevi antha bari Sarcasm yiruthe.
Adhe TN nalli yenadru yee thara Regional Chauvinism pradarshana maadidhre….Bala Mudhirkondu yirthare….
Yellroo ANNA thindhre…yaake yivrugaLu( ** So called ** Budhi jeevigaLu ** ) HESGE (crap) Thinthare ???????
Yelli KP, Sunaad ,TSN , TSS etc etc etc …..Dayavittu nimma Anisike haagu
Yee Horatakke ‘Bembala’ soochisi …
Cauvery flows through Karnataka and we can do whatever we want to with it – Stupid argument
Cauvery flows through Karnataka and we have a right to it – Fair argument
We have been shortchanged by the Tribunal – Debatable
Whatever the argument, the point is that we have to look for constructive ways to go forward. Fact is that we are bound by the tribunal to release only a little more water than what the interim award did. We have also been consistently releasing more water than even the current final award.
So can we please stop the breastbeating and get on with life? I haven’t yet read of any protestor telling us exactly why this award is a bad one, just that it is. How many acres will have no water? How many families? People? Where are they?
If we figured this out, the best solution would be to find ways to address real grievances that those people would be facing. Getting that information would also be the best argument in a review petition, if our government gets around to doing it.
The sad thing is that we get emotional about issues when it is a clear head that is required.
Ree G3rdStage
Nimigey Kaveri neeru baruttha illa bari borewello?
yaawa prapanchadalli iddhira neevu? Thumba strategy haakbedi devru—march madtha iro jana ella gut-level feelings ittkondiroru. Statisticians alla. Figured Out, argument, strategize, optimize ivella namige artha agolla!
Gokulam 3rd Stage …Neevu emotional alla antha gothaythu.
Yeega neevenu Kith haakirodhu swalpa heLi?
Bari Baryokke baruthe bai hodhagella maathadbedi .
OK, Neeve Swalpa VishleshaNae Shuru maadi mathe Charche maadona.
Naavu kannadigru yen gotha ……
Kaiyalli Kisiyakke agolla …Bari bai daasaru aste .
Kaveri protests are not just for KRV ( Karnataka Rakshana Vedike) , Kannada senae, Vatal Paksha agenda . Avarella protest maadlilla andre
Ondhu Dhina nimge TOILET PAPER GATHI …amele Baayee ( Mouth) thoLkollokke neer sigalla…Holsu hodyathe aste .
Naanu nodthayidheeni yella dodda dodda ‘MEDHAVI’gali…dodda doddadhaagi Kith Haakiro ‘Journalist’ …obbaru bayalli Kaveri nyayadhikarana theerpina bagge VishleShaNae kelilla.
Thu nimma Janmakke …Dhikkara virali
DG
Yinnu wasi hakanna yee bikanasi panditharigey! Yenu swalpa nallili neeru banthu antha vadha madakke hontavarey!
ree doddi buddi,
adyeno artha aagalla andralla, artha aagade iro vishaya yen swami adralli? hogli artha aaglilla antane itkollona……swalpa kootkondu yochane maadidre yella clear aagatte. swalpa try maadi
ree DG,
taavu adyen kithaakideero, naanoo adanne kithaakirodu. emotional yelru aagtare swami….ondu yet kotre naayinu kachakke baratte……aadre munde yenu anta yochane maadbeka bedva?
Adike G3rd stage….neevu yen maadbeku antheera? janagaLU
TV nodkond koothko beka …athava namgeen neer yilladhe yirvaaga nodkoLonna anthara??? Neeve heeLi
Yee thara mano bhavanae yirodhikke Kannadakke , namma rajyakke yee sthithi bandhidhe.
tarlesubba! fantastic reply! adEnO heLtaralla… “(if the need arises)… the devil will quote the scriptures…” anta.. haage ee sugaata(adeMtha hesarO.. athava ‘hindutava’da numerologyiMda kalushitagoMDiruvudO??)… asambaddhavaagi maataaDakke EnU aadhaara illadE iddare, papa lankeshna balipashu maaDbEkittEnO… thoo ee medhavigaLa janmakke.. lankesh hesaru togoMDu hEthlaaMDigaLa thara baritare.. lankesh must be turning in his grave…
namge iro options nodbeku. Tribunal award change aagalla. SC adanne helatte. TN centre mele iro influence namdakkinta bahala jaasti. idu sarino tappo, avara influence jasti, namdu kadime annodu fact.
bus, bike scooter suttu raste mele kootkondre yaarige labha? kopa bandaaga haagella madana ansatte. aadre, idara madhya tale kalkobaardu. first of all heege madodu tappu…adara mele, namma asteene sudodu bere.
mundina daari yenu annodanna namma so called “leaders” torisbeku. idakkinta dodda problems na face maadi mundakke bandideevi naavu kannadigaru. kopa taapa iddaga solutions huttalla.
G3rdStage Awarey
Saar neevu Malgudi passport gey apply madbidi; Kanditha sigutthey!
gokulam 3rd stage avarey,
nim ‘defeatist’ vedanta togoMDu tippEge esiri…
yaaru tamma aasteena suDtilla. suTTare commercial aastigaLanna suT haaktaare illa kongara aasteena suT haaktaare. adu nirantaravaagi eraDu tingaLu naDedare… ee narayan murthy, premji anthavarigella bEdi shuru aagatte.. moor varshadiMda.. “naavu bengalooru bittu hOgtivi… chinage hOgtivi, hyderabadge hOgtivi, madrasge hOgtivi…” anta oNa pratishTe merita baMdiddare…
aa gosumbegaLige yaavaaga tamma ‘business’gE grahachara baMtu ee teerpiMda aMta gottaaguttO aaga avarey behind the scenes kelasa maaDi kEMdrada mEle ottaDa tartare… india pakistan war aagOdanna lobbying maaDi nillasdOru… avarige idEnu dodda vishayanE… baayalli nimshakkerD sali “ethicsu githicsu” anta ‘gimmiksu’ tOrsO boLi maga murthy ella kaDe muchkoMD karnatakada para kelasa maaDtaane..
namma kayyalli irO juTTu naavu upayOgisabEku…
and SC En heLatte annOdu namma chinte alla… naLe bengaloorige bengaLoorE hatti uridare matte 1991 thara, En kisiyatte kEMdra sarkara? presidents rule taratta? tarli. taMdaroo yaavudaadaru obba koMga dhairyavaagi officege hOgO paristhiti iratta? bonded labour thara kelasa maaDsi abhyasa aagirO ee murthy angadi thara nooraru angadigaLu aaga En maaDtare…
idella saadhsakke yaavdO mallu maalikana big bazaar mEle eraD kallu biddarEnaMte. beeLali. allinda muMdakke avanuMTu, avana insurance company uMTu. nimagyake adara chinte.,,.
illa karnatakakke aagirO anyaya nODkoMDu maneli haalu kuDidu soMpaagi nidre maaDtirO kongara manege kallu biddare, nimagEnu chinte? ella karnatakada oLLEdakke.
Sisya Awarey
Bahala chennagi thiluvalikey heliddheera!
EE Gokulam III Stage anthawarigey ivella thiliyolla!
Malgudi Passport Feature athwa ‘vaishista’
ECNR Page
Emotions Check Not Required (ECNR)
Yaakendre, aaw Malgudi pranigaligella ondhey ‘sattha feelingsu’
nimdu olle kathe ri sisya…..cauvery vivadakkoo, nimge murthy/premji avara meliro kopakkoo sambandha yenu antha gottaglilla….sisya annoru guru sthaanadalli nintu nimma jnaanana swalpa udurisadre namma bhagya
btw, defeatist vedanta aagakke illi “victory” du chances yenu antha neeve swalpa heltira? kallu yesdkondu, bus, bike scooter ge benki hachkondu tirgaadidre yaarigri “victory”? bus ella num ksrtc, bmtc du; bike, scooter ella num janadde…..heegiddaga nammavarige nashta illa anno nim business brain ge namo namaha
yillivargu asto yistu shanthi reethiyalle nedithayidhe….swalpa yellru summne yiri …kaadhu nodona.
yinnu vayvidhyamaya prathibataNae hora baruthe
Sugata’s article in Outlook reads like what Karunanidhi would have written if N Ram wanted one for his Chennai Based Chinese National Newspaper. Sugata has explained to the country that Karnataka is grumbling and advised us to gladly focus on the pluses. I praise your loyalty that hasn’t made a effort at equitable reporting even in the third generation.
Sugatha baredhiro article na avare mechhabeku illa tamil nadu mechhabeku illa andhre girish karnad mechhabeku. ee SU SU ge astu guts idhre mandya dalli bandhubittu ee upanyasa madali. Ellaru kannadigara bai mushsodhakke try madthare varthu tamma buda takkondirodhanna nodkolodhilla.
If Late Mr Lankesh were alive and if he had read this article he would have busted Mrs SU SU. please dont try to bring his name in middle who is no more. He has served the kannada field till end. And he wouldn’t have supported this tribunals decision.
Mrs SU SU has taken the refernce of Late MR Lankesh, coz she has no guts to say the above things of her own.
And finally, no kannadiga will agree or respect or follow the stupid things like this article. No matter if it was said by Late Mr Lankesh.
agree with dr ramesh