MATHIHALLI MADAN MOHAN writes from Hubli: Breathless chatter and cacophony have become the leit motifs of the modern Indian media echo chamber, regardless of the issue on hand. But is there any illumination when the fireworks go off in the studios? Do we know anything more than we did? Or is it all dust, haze and hype?
A good example is what has been dubbed the paryaya row in Udupi.
For close to a month, we were subjected to end-is-nigh coverage. Articles, pictures, interviews, piece-to-cameras, studio discussions, speculation, rumours, were all dished out in a dizzying flurry by newspapers, TV stations and websites such as this one. The day of reckoning, January 18, has long come and gone. Are we any wiser?
The paryaya row was and is a matter pertaining essentially to the Ashta mutt, the family of eight mutts in the temple town, who, according to a more than 700-year-old tradition established by the proponent of the dwaita philosophy Madhwacharya, get a turn by rotation every two years to perform the pooja of Lord Krishna.
The issue was whether Sri Sugunendra Swamiji of the Puttige Mutt, whose turn it was to assume the peetha in continuation of the tradition, had earned the disqualification to do so because of the foreign trips he had undertaken, which is a taboo for the ascetics belonging not only to dwaita but also to adwaita and vishisthadwaita schools too.
In a manner of speaking, it was a family matter. It was up to the family members to sort out the issue, since it involved the interpretation of the code of conduct for the ascetics.
Besides it concerned only one Brahmin community, namely the followers of Madhwacharya, since Udupi happens to be lone pilgrim centre where Madhwa traditions are followed. The resolution of the issue either way would have hardly impinged on the right of the visitors to have the unhindered darshan of Lord Krishna.
But wittingly or otherwise, the media went for the overkill and the proactive stand taken by it blew up a small matter into a major controversy, distorting it beyond imagination.
It got projected into a blazing controversy over the issue of foreign travel of the seers per se, and/or as a tussle between the Puttige seer and the venerated Pejawara swamiji, Sri Visvesha Teertha, who, as the seniormost of the pontiffs, was trying to voice the opposition to maintain the tradition.
Efforts were also made to paint the venerable nonagerian swamiji, the most visible face of the social reforms in the community, as the villain of the piece, who was trying block the Puttige seer’s ascension by sticking to outdated traditions. This was persisted with even after the swamiji made it repeatedly clear that sticking to tradition in the performance of the pooja at the Krishna temple had nothing to do with social reforms or modernism.
The upshot of all this was a public debate that raged across the State and beyond the seas, with everyone beginning to offer gratuitous advice to the swamijis.
May be the campaign was aided and abetted by the protagonists and antagonists of the Puttige swamiji. But was the media justified in swallowing everything hook, line and sinker, and allow itself to be used by the interested parties?
A few direct questions to the Puttige and Pejawar swamijis, could have put the matter in proper perspective, would have pricked the bubble of the controversy. But the media with its fetish for keeping the controversy alive was certainly not prepared to give up the opportunity, deliberately or otherwise.
When the Puttige swamiji suo motu assumed charge in wee hours of January 18, with the seers of the remaining mutts staying away, even as a couple of swamijis including the Pejawar seer ended the three-day hunger fast on the afternoon of that day, the media went to town describing the event as historic, and as a victory for the dogged Puttige swamiji.
But in reality it was not so. The Puttige swamiji has not been able to touch the idol, which was the bone of contention, and has been performing the pooja from a distance, with some colleague-seers pitching in to help him out in the performance of the duty. But you don’t hear too much of that in the media, do you?
The media has never been known to admit that it has tripped. Undeterred, it has now turned its spotlight on the efforts to bring about a written code of conduct among the swamijis. The outcome of such efforts has hardly any bearing on the people visiting the temple-town. But the media remains unwavering in its pursuit of one more headline.
Also read: Should swamijis go abroad?
Its very true, Indian Media has a callous approach towards religion, partcularly Hinduism.
Time has come to seriously think about that, and create a separate section for religion. There should be a “Editor- Religion Page”, like any other pages.
Even Western Media has created separate section, editors for religion. Alas, we are still led by Nehruvian idiots who used to confuse modernity with contempt of religion, particularly Hinduism.
>>since Udupi happens to be lone pilgrim centre where Madhwa traditions are followed
Please get your facts right.
Oh yes – makes me fret seeing the Media deriving Narcisstic pleasure after “allegedly” exposing dirty Linen of the Shri Krishna Mutt. It just seemed as if the Media had been waiting to attack the Madhwa community, which usually doesn’t make much news as it lacks swashbuckling godmen, although it has a very popular following.
I don’t belong to that community (or any other), but seeing the Media torturing the fasting Swamiji by repeatedly questioning his understanding and his notion of modernity, only shows to the level it can stoop to gain viewership.
I dont think the Indian Media can question Modernity of anyone in the country, let alone this incident. The Media is largely made-up of Middle Class population of the country and we all know too well the Mirage of Modernity sweeping this section of the society. Advancing technology and >9% GDP doesn’t mean Modernity, true modernity can only be achieved by an all-round development and change in mindsets. A big chunk of the same media either belong to that caste or this and have no compunctions in their openly displaying their allegiance towards it. Tradition and culture are different, but wrapping Narrow views under the garb of modernity doesn’t automatically give someone rights to question the other.
Wrong subject targetted by the amnestic media.
There should be no sympathy for Swamijis/Gurus/Mullahs/Reverends etc. They deserve to be roasted over hot coals. The biggest con game in the history of Human kind is organized religion. I believe that the media has a special duty to ridicule religion and it’s purveyors. Can you believe these guys? Fighting over such things as foreign travel!! Krishna must be weeping over the kind of men that purportedly worship him!!
Indian..where else is Madhwa traditions followed apart from Udupi ? Pls throw light
a highly intellectul, high profile, rational thinking writer once told me in full confidence that “the Madwas of the world unite” is the only answer to “Ee ellaa shudra mundevu”!!
Mrignayani, tell me that it isn’t the person with an Udupi in his name! :D
Andy,
Mantralaya.
Also, there are hundreds of piligrim centres scattered all over Karnataka which may be of little interest to non Madhwas as most of the places have Brindavanas of Madhwa saints – Malkheda, Kumbhakonam (TN), Sounde, Manvi to name a few.
Indian
I would be delighted and as a matter would be grateful if you can enlighten me on the temples which are run as per the traditions laid down by Madhwacharya.
Udupi according to my information, is the only temple in the country where the idol is worshipped by swamiji of madhwa maths for the past more than 700 years.
The list given in response to Indian, are the vrindavans of the madhwa saints and not the temples.
Dear All,
Before we lose our dhotis completely, can we simply get along? Many fish-eating folk from South and North Kanara were invited into the fold by the great Madhwacharya himself! This can be seen in the generally high level of intelligence exhibited by the Madhwas–aka Fish protein…heh heh..even today many Saraswat Brahmins eat fish as also the Bengali Brahmins. So take it easy and please try and get along. Thanks to one and all.
Madhwas and fish!?
ROTFL!
Saraswats got Maths of their own!
Even the vaishnavite among them don’t follow any of these 8 Maths.
DB,
‘please try and get along’
Saraswat and madhwas? or everyone? :)
‘X’ Guy,
Every one who have India their home:)