Glad to see you writing. I have a close friend who is writing historical novels and is sharing them with me before publishing. Unfortunately, IMO there's a bit of a mismatch between his writing style, and the periods being written about.... but perhaps that's just me. His novels are certainly entertaining, but I get a feeling when reading them that I'm watching a movie of the latest action-adventure type. There's no "realism" like in yours, which emerges through the "mundane".
I was thinking about your story again last night...
I'm not sure how common it is in Indian culture that the wives throw themselves into their husbands funeral/cremation pyres, but I have heard of it. I wonder just how many are this self-same passage a l'acte, done as the result of their husband or a significant relatives harsh words, never meant to be seriously considered... or it's opposite, like Brunhilde's self-immolation in Gotterdammurung...
The practice is now extinct. It is said that in the British time it was very common, and they had to bring out a law in order to curb it. With good success, it seems.
I think it was more or less a religious practice. Sati, as the practice is called, is eponymously named after the first wife of Lord Shiva, one of the Hindu Trinity. The story goes that her father carried out a big sacrifice did not invite his son in law. But Sati uninvited at which her father insulted both her and her husband. She couldn't take it and threw herself into the sacrificial fire. A passage a l'acte? But I think like most other such practices the practice of sati too was, well, it was a practice. One of those weird things about societies, cultures and religions ... You did it cause everybody else did.
For example, many people think that the problem of priest paedophilia in the Catholic Church may be a direct result of the requirement for priestly abstinence. And priest paedophilia became an acceptable (to the priest-community) "unwritten rule" governing the transgression of the rule against abstinence.
Now in Christianity, there are "rules" against suicide. Were there, before British times, similar prohibitions in Hinduism?
Many "practices" become "common" to a community until they are "not".
For example, once a husband dies, who (if anyone) would become responsible for a widow?
Yes, I am familiar with the narrative suggested in the first video. At any rate, I cannot imagine any Brunhilde among those who committed sati. Even though the widows in India have never had it very easy and at one time sati might have seemed like a better option. Who knows? Was the practice very common or were the numbers inflated by foreign travellers, well, I can't say. English rule did change much and not just on the surface. They 'imagined' us, you might say, and we became more and more like that. You might want to read two books on the subject, if you are interested. Edward Said' Orientalism is a seminal work, though it's more about middle East. And building on his premise but taking India as his point if focus there is a book by ...well u don't remember his name but the book is called Imagining India. Actually Said's book is a must read for any thinking person though you might not agree with him completely. I don't.
16 comments:
She is amazing. I first heard her a few years ago with the Carolina Chocolate Drops. This woman touches my soul.
I agree, she's awesome! I knew that she looked familiar, thanks for reminding me why!
Hey fj!
I have sent you a story on your hotmail account. Hope you like it.
I'll look for it!
Ah, the passage a l'acte! I LOVED it! Very cool!
Glad to see you writing. I have a close friend who is writing historical novels and is sharing them with me before publishing. Unfortunately, IMO there's a bit of a mismatch between his writing style, and the periods being written about.... but perhaps that's just me. His novels are certainly entertaining, but I get a feeling when reading them that I'm watching a movie of the latest action-adventure type. There's no "realism" like in yours, which emerges through the "mundane".
Thanks, fj! I don't perhaps say it enough, but your words mean a lot to me. Thanks again! And i wish your friend very best in his endeavors!
Please take care!
I was thinking about your story again last night...
I'm not sure how common it is in Indian culture that the wives throw themselves into their husbands funeral/cremation pyres, but I have heard of it. I wonder just how many are this self-same passage a l'acte, done as the result of their husband or a significant relatives harsh words, never meant to be seriously considered... or it's opposite, like Brunhilde's self-immolation in Gotterdammurung...
The practice is now extinct. It is said that in the British time it was very common, and they had to bring out a law in order to curb it. With good success, it seems.
I think it was more or less a religious practice. Sati, as the practice is called, is eponymously named after the first wife of Lord Shiva, one of the Hindu Trinity. The story goes that her father carried out a big sacrifice did not invite his son in law. But Sati uninvited at which her father insulted both her and her husband. She couldn't take it and threw herself into the sacrificial fire. A passage a l'acte? But I think like most other such practices the practice of sati too was, well, it was a practice. One of those weird things about societies, cultures and religions ... You did it cause everybody else did.
Was there a "built in" cause?
For example, many people think that the problem of priest paedophilia in the Catholic Church may be a direct result of the requirement for priestly abstinence. And priest paedophilia became an acceptable (to the priest-community) "unwritten rule" governing the transgression of the rule against abstinence.
Now in Christianity, there are "rules" against suicide. Were there, before British times, similar prohibitions in Hinduism?
Many "practices" become "common" to a community until they are "not".
For example, once a husband dies, who (if anyone) would become responsible for a widow?
Hmmmm.
Hmmmm2
Sounds much like the souliet women and dance of Zalongo...
Yes, I am familiar with the narrative suggested in the first video. At any rate, I cannot imagine any Brunhilde among those who committed sati. Even though the widows in India have never had it very easy and at one time sati might have seemed like a better option. Who knows? Was the practice very common or were the numbers inflated by foreign travellers, well, I can't say. English rule did change much and not just on the surface. They 'imagined' us, you might say, and we became more and more like that. You might want to read two books on the subject, if you are interested. Edward Said' Orientalism is a seminal work, though it's more about middle East. And building on his premise but taking India as his point if focus there is a book by ...well u don't remember his name but the book is called Imagining India. Actually Said's book is a must read for any thinking person though you might not agree with him completely. I don't.
Sorry, FJ. I am using my aunt' s mobile. And I am not very good with it. Hence the mistakes. :(
No problem. Thanks for your insight's. And it looks like some more reading might indeed be in order....
Sorry, it's this "Sweet Hereafter" movie that's got me fixated... on perhaps non-Platonic definitions of virtue and it's cardinal parts.
Not at all. :)
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