Weekly Update - November 8, 2024

Novel

Miscellaneous I

After December 1st, will be pausing this series of updates on my novel, random adventures, and some nonsense, indefinitely.

I hope to resume it at some point, but I don't think it will be any time soon.

Miscellaneous II

Some food for thought today - my observations from growing up in India, learning Kuchipudi, reading kid's versions of hindu classics, some literary sources, and thinking a lot.

If you pray a lot to Vishnu, this will be a difficult read.

A demon king rules Lanka, after opening his brother's gates, and telling the conqueror from the north the secret to killing his brother. It's important to remember both Vibhishana and Ravana are rakshasas. Whether genetically (as brothers) or karmically (kidnapping versus disloyalty).

A monkey king rules the forests, after helping another king in having his brother killed. Both were Vanara princes, and Rama had unconditional support now. Having puppet kings in place makes Rama smarter, and a much better story - but it's difficult to pray to someone who chooses shastras over dharma.

Demons don't pray to Vishnu; but Ghatotkhacha learns from Krishna, despite being born to Hidimbi, a rakshasi.

I am getting the nagging feeling that what people believe in Hinduism is a case of winners writing history dharma, and narratives changing over time to explain problems.

Writers make mistakes, all the time. I think people more familiar with pop culture, and probably the younger generation, call this plot armor - a legitimate weakness in the plot, requiring more protection down the road. My cousin used to use this term.

It's not a bad thing, necessarily - when the writer realizes this, it's humbling, and can enrich the art form too. If she decides to train harder, even better.

But the perplexing thing to me is that very few people seem to think this way.

Even if I am wrong there, I think society likes to exchange truth for comfort, which can contribute to loss of freedom.

This way, like anything that's not wanted, truth dies over time.

And stories get plot armor.

Something my friend* said about the Aryan-Dravidian divide in India while I was in college made me curious - another reminder to take this as opinion, or at least lots of constructed opinion.

The difference in color is never said, but like many such things, the focus on color, eating habits, culture and language in my mind can be divided on the basis of 'colorism' in India. The focus on the quality of color in India is everywhere, from linguistic comments, to south indian comedy.

Now, color itself can be divided geographically too. At least perceptually, growing up in India, I do see northerners as more fair, and my favorite hero, as dark.

Not this guy - a 'fair' hero in South India:

But, the conqueror of laughs:

I have no idea where this concept started - it could be anything from historical oppression, leading to men focusing on labor and not looks - or it could just be plain genetics, or my imagination.

Now, how does this focus fit into my opinions on Vishnu?

Rama is from the north. He is shown as blue, and that, again, could be anything.

Krishna is dark - my dance teacher explained a verse to me as 'gold looks nice on him'. Some paintings do show him dark.

Form the God-sized wikipedia entry on Krishna:

The name "Krishna" originates from the Sanskrit word Kṛṣṇa, which means "black", "dark" or "dark blue".^[34] The waning moon is called Krishna Paksha, relating to the adjective meaning "darkening".^[34] Some Vaishnavas also translate the word as "All-Attractive", though it lacks that meaning in Sanskrit.^[35

As a name of Vishnu, Krishna is listed as the 57th name in the Vishnu Sahasranama. Based on his name, Krishna is often depicted in idols as black- or blue-skinned. Krishna is also known by various other names, epithets, and titlesthat reflect his many associations and attributes. Among the most common names are Mohan "enchanter"; Govinda "chief herdsman",^[36] Keev "prankster", and Gopala "Protector of the 'Go'", which means "soul" or "the cows".^[37][38] Some names for Krishna hold regional importance; Jagannatha, found in the Puri Hindu temple, is a popular incarnation in Odisha state and nearby regions of eastern India.^[39][40][41]

Now, this reddit post has a picture of a black girl who almost looks blue.

If Krishna really was black (yes, that black - African black), or was dark-skinned (like some Indians), then, there's a lot of room for learning.

The answers to these questions can benefit a lot of people:

Is there anthropological or genetic evidence for a dark-skinned hero worshipped in India having African roots?

And if Krishna really was a dark-skinned Indian, why do I feel Vennela Kishore will need to rely on his humor in the arranged marriage process?

Hare-Krishna, Kishore has a good sense of humor.

First section asks about dharma vs. shastra, and why people pray to Gods, when we don't like stories with bad writing.

I don't think anyone prays to Frodo, or God-forbid, Iron man.

Second sections wonders about Kishore and his market viability as a bachelor, when he is funny, a prankster, and wikipedia says 'krsna means black, dark, or dark blue'.

Maybe he is too good for 1600 gopis.

My last nagging question for you all today, starts with Ajay Devgan, and ends on Vikram.

Good and evil is a hot topic in any religion.

I am too young to remember if I saw the Telugu movie from Karna's perspective, but subjectively is always on my mind.

I liked how Ajay Devgan in Rajaneeti reminded me of Karna from Mahabharata. Ranbir reminded me of Arjuna. I thought it was smart of the director.

Nice earrings bro. Sad story, though.

This theme is present in Vikram's Raavan, too, where good and evil in terms of resistance to authority, is explored via the very sensitive topic of naxalism versus police forces.

Ten heads, and no-touch 👍

My last question is -

Does anyone else have these questions, or is it just me?

Thank for reading, and happy Friday!

*I don't think he will appreciate being quoted, or named on a public facing site, so instead I ask for a donation to Doctors Without Borders to support children in a conflict area. In his name, thank you!