Grand-izing all and sundry
This guy wrote a children's book and an albeit famous one and focussed on Native Indian people and their folk lores. For 10$ one can see his house, where he slept, his chest, his collections, his wife's sewing machine, her slippers, their rest room, etc etc. And of course one could take an audio tour to go around his house.
That guy helped his brother kill some outlaws and survived it. So we get to see the "intact" remains of the place where one of the good guys stayed in, the window he saw the fight from, the bed he slept in, and of course the shop from where this other photographer viewed it all. All this, with the pictures, audio tour, 3d movie, settings, mock shoot-outs and a newspaper for 20-30$
Then you get to see the art of coconut breaking, pig roasting in leaves in sand, how a performer enjoys his act as a king, his royal path where civilians are pushed aside, his laws, his wife, etc.
A song and dance affair with food in tow and reception at the entrance based on how much you pay. Flower garlands, coconut beads, shell necklaces, pictures, and the list goes on.
Do we appreciate the documenting ability, or are we too gullible and willing to empty our pockets for every person who is famous in every area we visit?
What if we did this form of documenting in India - what if with every Tipu Sultan and Shah Jahan, about 100 more king's lives and their living places were shown with audio tours to the denizens, rather than ruins of a Jahaz Mahal or a Hindola Mahal, where the hallways whisper a forgotten lore, and leave the rest to your imagination.
What if!!
Think every custom in every state showcased by the hotels and the cultural centers, wrapped around with grandeur and a dinner thrown in to the public for say 1000-2000Rs.
Imagine!!
Documentation - Where does it start and where does it end - do we fit in ? Benefit ? do we even like it or ridicule it ? or do we watch in awe as it all goes in, out, everywhere.
Food for thought on a glorious rainy Friday evening. Need a hot tea and plateful of pakoda to think it out further :-)
posted by rads @ 2:38 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I am definitely for the public discovering bits of history in everyday surroundings....that for me makes life worth living and makes me feel connected to where I live. And no, it would be ridiculous if it was just the kings - as I walk into the massive wholesale sabzee mandis in India, I'd love to see an interpretive display of how the place is organized, and where food was sourced from historically, and how all that changed. Of course, THAT would be difficult research!, but fun :) And yes, I would pay extra to see where my food came/comes from rather than pay for plastic packaging and random air-conditioning
We indians just dont seem to like documentation at all. I too have often wondered about lack of detail in our history(though in mythology we are pretty equal with greeks). Like with Caesar there is so much detail about his life whereas Ashoka's life is hardly known before the Kalinga war.Even after that its known for only the spread of Buddhism. Forget ashoka, that was more than 2000 years back. We dont even know if Akbar wed Jodhaa?!
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