Kamal Hassan's bungling about 'The wonder that is Meenakshi temple".

ஊத்திட்டாருயா கமலு!

மழைக்கு கூட ஸ்கூல் பக்கம் ஒதுங்கினதுல்லனு
சில பேரு சொல்லுவாங்க.
நம்ம கமலு
சினிமா ஷூட்டிங்-கு கூட கோவில் பக்கம், அதுவும்,
மதுரை மீனாக்ஷி கோவில் பக்கம் ஒதுங்கினதுல்லனு
சொல்லாம சொல்லிட்டாரு!!


ஏதாவது கோவில் ஷூடிங்குனா ஸ்டுடிஒவிலேயே
கோவில் செட் போட்டுடுவாருங்க.


எதுக்கு கோவிலுக்கெல்லாம் போகணும்.
அப்புறம் பகுத்தறிவு என்ன ஆகும்?


This facet of Kamal hassan was witnessed
when he was called to declare the 5th wonder of India.
It was Meenakshi temple of Madurai.





It seems that he was the only dignitary from Tamilnadu
who was invited specifically to represent Tamilnadu and
was honoured to declare one of the wonders that happened to belong to Tamil nadu.


After making the annoucement, Kamal was asked to say something about the wonder.
While everyone was waiting to hear him say something on this temple,
there he was saying that he had not gone there.
He had nothing to say about this temple -
or even about any temple in general,
to impress the fact how temples are homes of architectural marvels.

He bungled well and exited in a sorry state.


Contarst this to what Aishwarya and Abhishek Bhacchan had said.
They said something good about
how our country has so many wonders worth seeing and taking pride at.


Couldn't Kamal mouth some good thing about a temple or even the place (Madurai)
which is used as an euphimism for female dominance?

Didn't he know how this temple had been a seat of Tamil cuture for thousands of years?

Should his love for a non-existant Dravidan culture
eclipse any understanding of Tamil culture that is very much rooted in Hinduism and temples?

Or couldn't he come prepared by knowing something about
all the wonders - not just Meenakshi temple - nominated from Tamilnadu?




Anyway, it gave a sickening feeling to see this man do a poor show.

It was a waste to have a Kamal being called to make the annoucement about the temple.


Thinking of wonders, the reality however is that
any temple, like Meenaskhi temple,
is the most wonderful site
helping one to transform from material to etheral relams.


No other structure, however well built
can compare with a temple in its metaphysical characteristics.


-jayasree


***********

http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/31/stories/2009033159671300.htm

NDTV declares ‘Seven Wonders’

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: News channel NDTV, in collaboration with the Union Tourism Ministry’s ‘Incredible India’ campaign, announced the final Seven Wonders of India at a function here on Monday.

The “Seven Wonders” are: the Red Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Nalanda University, Sun Temple of Konark, Meenakshi Temple, Dholavira site and Khajuraho, Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh and the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Speaking on the occasion, NDTV chairman Prannoy Roy said: “One has to travel abroad to realise how beautiful India is. It is sad that this was the genesis of starting this campaign. Each State had seven wonders. Viewers voted in lakhs and the whole exercise was the culmination of one year’s effort. Our country has 5,000 years of culture. We have to take care of our monuments that are in neglect. Respecting our heritage will go a long way in preserving them for the future generation.”

Mr. Roy said the campaign rediscovered some majestic monuments, places of worship, a mausoleum, a university – all representing the country’s rich and varied heritage.

While actor Aishwarya Rai, supported by Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe, performed to Bollywood numbers, among the audience sat her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, mother-in-law Jaya, husband Abhishek, sister-in-law Shweta Nanda, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and actor Kamal Hassan.

The initiative was taken up in September 2008 to unravel new landmarks and ancient monuments. The campaign celebrates India’s incredibly rich heritage by acknowledging the natural and man-made marvels. After the launch of nationwide campaign “Seven Wonders of India,” seven top wonders in each State cluster were declared. A top wonder was then chosen as a nominee from each State for the final list.