Global
warming has started taking its toll in the least expected scenarios. The
increasing cases of pachyderms going berserk and killing people during
temple festivals (poorams) in Kerala is a direct result of increasing
heat conditions.
Among the most beautiful geographies in the world,
Kerala is definitely one that is going to be most affected by this
global phenomenon. Shape of land and its long coastline make it
particularly vulnerable to the vagaries of nature. And when weather and
geography of a place is affected for long, the cultural aspects must
also undergo corresponding changes. A rigid attitude on the part of
people against such natural challenges that are beyond human control can
only lead to deterioration and destruction of society. People of Kerala
(Malayalees) face the immediate prospects of a major adjustment in vital
elements of their culture to withstand the impact of Global Warming.
Kerala is blessed with an abundance of forest and forest wealth
including wild animals. In addition to the high density of human
population, it is also home to a large population of domesticated
animals. Perhaps no other state in India has so many of elephants
domesticated for helping man in heavy works. The widespread usage of
such domesticated elephants in temple festivals must have originated as
a remunerative engagement for them during off-seasons when there is not
much of work for these giants which are costly to maintain. But now it
is difficult to imagine any festival in Kerala without the presence of
at least a few decorated elephants. As one of the top ten tourist
destinations in the world, Kerala is the land of backwaters, elephants
and Ayurveda for all the tourists. But it is time to change. We can
ignore the ghastly scenes of domesticated elephants tearing apart human
beings like pieces of paper only at our own peril.
Elephant-less Poorams
Images of ‘Trichur Pooram’ with scores of decorated elephants amidst an
ocean of humanity swinging to the tunes of dozens of drummers brings
pride to the minds of each and every Malayalee. Aggressive marketing of
the tourist potential of God’s Own Country has brought such images to
every nook and corner of our world, and thousands of tourists flock to
Kerala every year in time for this mega event. Time has come to
disassociate the legendary ‘Trichur Pooram’ from the magnificent
elephants. When temperatures are raising it is a great risk to parade
such unmanageable creatures amidst tens of thousands of people. It is
not only a direct threat for the humans, but also unpardonable atrocity
against speechless animals. As the icon of Kerala festivals, Trichur
Pooram provides the right choice to trigger a cultural reform which has
become inevitable..
Live elephants must give way to their robotic look-alikes. The presence
or not of live elephants does not affect the overall conduct of Trichur
Pooram and all fans & well-wishers will soon get adjusted to such a
change in keeping with the need of our times. It is not only the duty
but a right of this grand festival in the cultural capital of Kerala (Trichur)
to take the lead in such cultural reforms. Festivals must reflect the
essence of our happiness and rituals the symbolism of our reverence to
the all powerful Almighty. Sparing elephants the ordeal of standing
still for hours together in hot sun (which is getting hotter every year)
and taking positive steps for prevention of loss of precious human lives
will only make Almighty happy. Descendents of Adi Sankara can feel proud
in taking the lead again. Reforms indicate vitality and religious or
cultural reforms are signs of liberal thought in action. During these
times of rigid fundamentalism, it will only highlight the openness of
Sanatana Dharma once again.
Temple Robotics
Every opportunity has multiple dimensions and it is up to the prudent to
use it sensibly. Replacement of live elephants in temple festivals by
their look-alikes will throw up a vast opportunity for development of
robot elephants. Religious rituals which are often divorced from science
and technology are seeking a direct help in this regard. Indian Robotics
is getting a golden opportunity to bring Science & Technology for direct
use in religious and cultural affairs. At least a portion of the vast
amount of temple wealth can be diverted for development of technology in
our own country. Our ancient rishis were not only good in theology but
in science too. Thus it will be a return to our old glory if electronic
& IT engineers can also become a part and parcel of our temples.
Robotics is one of the most wanted technologies in the present day world
and it is indeed a God-sent opportunity if its development gets
sponsored by the temples of Kerala. The usual exhibitions associated
with Trichur Pooram can become the showcase of our developments in
robotics every year. Mimicking of elephants can become a good short term
objective for the competitors in this field and scope for further
developments in the field of robotics are endless. Healthy competition
is a component of all temple festivities and the same spirit in the
field of ‘Temple Robotics’ (robotics for use in temples) will definitely
place Sanatana Dharma in the forefront of modernity once again.
Animals are not integral to any current ritual that is part and parcel
of Sanatana Dharma. In very olden times, there might have been animal
sacrifices and related bloodshed, which were believed to be forms of
sacrifice. But our rishis soon realized that proxy sacrifice is no
sacrifice and true sacrifice lies in sacrificing one’s own comforts or
life. Ishwar is equally present in everything, and killing or harming
anything else, even symbolically for one’s own benefit is useless and
counter-productive. Thus no elephants are must for any temple ritual or
festival, and are to be avoided if it is a torture for them. Robotic
elephants can easily take the place of these loveable animals and yet
provide the same level of entertainment to our festivals. In any case,
our festivals are our identity and they must go on.
May 4, 2008
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