Iconographical Reading of Mythical Figures

This post will be regularly updated with possible readings of pictorial representation of mythical figures.

Here we go with Parshuram.

Parshuram Jayanti (Anniversary)
What significance do we find in the iconography of Parshuram in paintings? The first one is from an unknown painter in c. 1820. The seconds one is Raja Ravi Varma in c. 1920. The third is very popular on social media. (Can anybody share the source of this image?) The fourth is very recent digital painting.
If we read the belly - the stomach as the 'sign' in these images, what does it signify? The big belly is a very traditional 'sign' to signify the identity of Brahmin. Here, Brahmin can be read not only as an identity in Chtusvarna or caste but also as elite or high class or rich and happy leisure class people. What does the change from big belly of 1820 to slimmer in 1920s to the one with 6/8 packs of abs of recent portrayal of Parshuram signify? It surely is painted under the influence of modern day body building where in triceps, biceps, chest muscles, abs, and thigh muscles signifies an ideal macho-male figure. It is known to all that there is similarity in beauty pageants and these body building pageants. Both the ideal slim female figures as well as the ideas macho-muscular male figures are nothing but plastic and perfume. Then what does the change in the figure of Parshuram signify? Is it deeply repressed urge to be aggressive, belligerent, determined, assertive, and determined? Can it be said that those who are not so are more attracted towards such images as a part of wish fulfillment? Does it speak about owning aggression and disowning serendipity, calmness and sobriety? Does this iconography speak more about the urge of Indians to prove their mettle against the identity of 'soft nation'? At the time when so many armed personnel are killed by Naxals in Sukama and by terrorists in Kashmir, even though there is nothing new in it as it is repeated for several decades now, that deep urge to own aggression becomes even more stronger. Was it the similar urge among Brahmins to equate Kshatriyas that has captured the imagination in more recent portrayals of Parshuram and thus his looks are more aggressive?
At the same time, it is significant to observe that the deep desire to do something or be somebody is vented out in form of art and hence there is no urge left to do or be. So those who make or share such pictures of aggression, cannot be so or do so. The classic case is Bahubali2. See, how the people who were in search of answers for why jawans are killed, suddenly got engaged with why Katappa killed Bahubali? The film with similar macho-male figures will vent out the desire to 'be' or 'do' and again, with all emotions spent, we will be in the lap of serendipity, calmness and sobriety. The pictures, either still or moving, makes for an interesting reading when seen in the context of the milieu and moment which shaped it or are shaped by it.

Hanuman

George M. Williams ((2008). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. Oxford University Press. pp. 146–148) and T. A. Gopinatha Rao ((1993). Elements of Hindu iconography. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 58, 190–194.) mentioned that Hanuman is normally presented as 'Bhakta' / 'Sevak' of Lord Rama and is found kneeling down on his right hand side as an ardent devotee. He is also presented with Mace (Gada) and Vajra (thunderbolt) when events from his life are presented. By and large, Hanuman is remembered in popular culture as devotee, courageous, meditative yogi. Have a look at these random inages:

And then comes Karan Acharya's Angry Hanuman

This icon of Hanuman becomes so popular with the masses that you see it everywhere.

Sidhartha Bhatia wrote an interesting story for The Wire on this. Read it here.

He has made some noteworthy observations. Some of the observations are given below.

Karan Acharya's rendition of Hanuman 'image' gives completely different spin.

The image in question, done in dark saffron and black, shows Hanuman with a furrowed brow, glowering eyes and a scowl. The monkey god has very different qualities in Hindu lore but the work projects ultra machismo that fits in well with the self-image of the Hindutva oriented male. Acharya says his Hanuman has “attitude not aggression”, is “powerful, not oppressive”. Those who are displaying it with pride may not necessarily think so.

It is the kind of image that can be used and amplified across multiple platforms and could transmit just the message that . . .  'The Hindu is effete no more; he is angry and ready to take on anyone, violently if necessary'.

Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's

The young demography of India may no longer like Raja Ravi Varma's Hanuman. The angry Hanuman ticks off all the key boxes from the right-wing point of view – not only is it hyper masculine and forceful in its representation, it is also modern. This is clearly graphic art, possibly done on the computer, in a stylistic way that would appeal to a younger demographic. They may not be attracted to the soft-focussed, kitschy, calendar representations of yore that can be seen in homes and shops all over India. No self-respecting young Hindutva warrior will want to stick a work of Raja Ravi Verma on his SUV; this looks technologically advanced enough to use with pride and arrogance.

Isn't this iconographic reading of the mythical figures enigmatically captivating and fascinatingly stimulating?

Iconography of Mohammad, the Messenger

Now a days, it is popularly believed that depiction of Mohammad, the Messenger in painting is prohibited and hence considered blasphemous.

It was not so in past. There are many paintings available online. More to come on this.

As of now, if one is eager to read more on this, click on these sites:

1. Here is what you need to know about how Islam views depiction of Prophet Mohammad - https://www.pri.org › stories › you-c...

Here's what you need to know about how Islam views depictions of Prophet Muhammad

2. Drawing the Prophet - Islam's Hidden History of Mohammad's Paintings - www.theguardian.com

Web results

Drawing the prophet: Islam's hidden history of Muhammad images

3. Prophet was once glorified in art - https://www.wbur.org › 2015/01/16

Web results

The Prophet Muhammad Was Once Glorified In Art | Here & Now - WBUR

And many more to come . . . . 

Memes on Internet in Ancient India

Memes on Internet in Ancient India

Time and again, one or the other Indian stands up to claim all modern inventions as either made / conceived in Ancient India or is mentioned in Ancient texts / hymns/ Psalms.
This blog is collection of memes circulated on social media about this concept that 'Indians invented everything modern world invents'.
One of the objectives of this collection is to study popular culture and not to join the bandwagon of farce created around it.

The recent fun and fury on social media is the result of speech on the Digital India given by Tripura CM Biplab Deb:

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb came up with a new scientific interpretation for the evolution of internet when he said internet existed in the days of Mahabharata as well. 

Deb, who made this statement at a public event, said: "India has been using internet since ages. In Mahabharata, Sanjay was blind but he narrated what was happening in the battlefield to Dhritarashtra anyway. This was due to internet and technology. Satellite also existed during that period." 

Your valuable comments are welcome.

(Source: Internet, Social Media and Indian Atheist FB Page)

Pandavas and Draupadi complaining to Krishna about low internet speed during Mahabharata time.

Krishna and balaram having a skype call with pandavas on war strategies. Colorized.

Not satire. The merit promoting geniuses at ShankNaad really believe this.

Nuclear launches during Mahabharat times. Colorized.

300TB pen drive used in Mahabharat times. Contains all battle techniques and systems used by Pandavas. The weight is to stop it from getting stolen by enemy spies. We can't see the data yet as it is of grade USB7.0 (Note the security of thick walls. The same technique was used in Aadhar)

With advanced security. They even streamed the war on Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg confirmed this in last week's testimony

Krishna live streamed the moment he stopped being a sexual assaulter and started helping others. The video was streamed in 8k resolution 3D using 9G technology. (Indian Atheist FB Page)

Mayabazar Telugu Movie Scenes starring N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri and S. V. Ranga Rao Directed by Kadiri Venkata Reddy. Produced by Nagi Reddy and Music composed by Ghantasala.

Maya Bazar (1957) Movie | Evergreen Song Nivena Nanu Talachinadi Video Song | NTR,ANR,SVR,Savitri

Why such things happen?

Before we try to find an answer, read what Babu Suthar posted on his fb wall. It is direct connection to the mindset which thinks in this pattern.

આપણે ચોમ્સ્કીની વાત કરીએ એટલે સામેવાળો કહે: તમે પાણિની વાંચ્યો છે? આપણે ના પાડીએ. પછી આપણે એને પૂછીએ: તમે ચોમ્સ્કી વાંચ્યો છે? તો એ ના પાડશે. પછી આપણે પૂછીશું: તો તો તમે પાણિનીનો બરાબર અભ્યાસ કર્યો હશે. તો એ કહેશે: ના. 

આપણે સોસ્યુરની વાત કરીએ ત્યારે એ કહેશે: સોસ્યુર સંસ્કૃત ભણાવતા હતા. ખબર છે ને? આપણે હા પાડીએ. પછી કહેશે: એટલે જ એમણે આટલો વિકાસ કર્યો. આપણે પૂછીએ: ભારતમાં તો વરસોથી સંસ્કૃત ભણાવાય છે. કોઈ સોસ્યુર કેમ પેદા ન થયો? એટલે એ આપણને પશ્ચિમના કહીને બાજુ પર મૂકી દેશે.

આપણે એમને કહીએ કે પાણિનીના સંસ્કૃત વ્યાકરણના આધારે અમેરિકાના કેટલાક ભાષાવિજ્ઞાનીઓએ Optimality theory વિકસાવી. તમને ખબર છે? તો એ કહેશે: જર્મનો આપણા ત્યાંથી સંસ્કૃત ગ્રંથો ચોરી ગયા અને એ ગ્રંથોના આધારે એમને વિકાસ કર્યો. 

કોઈ અમેિરકન કાર્ડોના પાણિનીના અષ્ટાધ્યાયી પર અઠાર જેટલા ગ્રંથોનું આયોજન કરે તો એ કહેશે: છેને. હવે ધોળિયા પણ પાણિની ભણે છે.

કેટલીક વાર એ માણસ જરા ગંભીર બનીને આપણને કહેશે: જો આપણે શૂન્યની શોધ ન કરી હોત તો પશ્ચિમ અત્યારે ક્યાં હોત? એનો કોઈ વિકસ જ ન થયો હોત. આપણે એને એટલું જ કહેવાનું કે તો એ સંજોગોમાં ભારત ક્યાં હોત? 

આપણે પશ્ચિમની કોઈ કૃતિનું નામ દઈએ એટલે એ કહેશે: પશ્ચિમનું પશ્ચિમનું. ન ચાલે. આપણે એને પૂર્વની પાંચ કૃતિઓનાં નામ પૂછીશું તો એ શાકુંતલ અને ગીતાનાં નામ આપશે. પછી આપણે એને પૂછીશું: તમે એ પુસ્તકોનો અભ્યાસ કર્યો છે? એ કહેશે: ના. હવે કરવો છે.

સારાંશ આટલો જ: તમે એમને નહીં પહોંચી વળો.

Metaphors of Literature

साहित्य के रूपकों

शुरूआती दिनों में, साहित्य के लिए  'आईने' वाला रूपक ठीक है. जब हम बड़े होते जाते है तब रूपक बदलता जाता है.

प्रकाश भी रूपक अच्छा है. आइना अगर 'रिफ्लेक्ट' करता है तो प्रकाश 'अन्धकार को उजालित' करता है. मिरर एंड लैंप. 

तो फिर वो कृष्ण की बासुरी और मोरपिछ सा है. जो अपने सुरीलेपन  और मुलायमता से वास्तविकता की कठोरता से कही दूर दूर रुमानवाद का एहसास करता है. भारतीय साहित्य में युवा कविओ में यह रूपक काफी लोकप्रिय रहता है.

फिर जोनाथन स्विफ्ट को याद करे तो, वो मधपुडा भी है जहाँ साहित्यकार मधुमक्खी है और मधपुडा , साहित्य। 

ये रूपक उन साहित्य के लिए है जो मीठा मधुरा है और जीवनुपयोगी प्रकाश (मोम) भी देता है। 

तो कोई साहित्यकर स्पाइडर (मकड़ी) और उनका साहित्य मकड़ी के जाल (स्पाइडर'स वेब) से होता है जो हंमेशा किसी को जाल में फसा कर अपना खुराक बनाता रहता है।

फिर वो 'प्याज़' भी है। परख के निचे परख, न खत्म होने वाली परखे, और जब आप इसे खोलते हो तब आंखे नम हो जाती है या फिर पानी से लबालब।

फिर वो क्ष-रे मशीन की तस्वीर सा बन जाता है जो नापसंद आने वाली ब्लैक&व्हाइट तस्वीर देती है जिसकी सच्चाई से इनकार नही कर सकते।

फिर वो श्रीफल सा, ऊपर से  रूक्ष / कठोर सा पर अगर अन्दर खोल कर देख सको तो मीठा जल सा एंड मुलायम सा महसूस होता है.

फिर वो बेर्टोल्ट ब्रेख्त का हथोड़ा बन जाता है तो समाज को ठीक-थक करता है, या फिर काफ्का की कुल्हाड़ी जो  जमी हुई बर्फ को तोड़ने का काम करती है.

साहित्य तो अनेकोनेक रुपको से भरा पड़ा है.