Pilgrimages to India

How people are attracted to India on a different segment called pilgrims and Indology students? What is the role of Kerala in attracting this segment of people from abroad?

For many people, India is a land of spirituality. For those who believe in Punya Bhoomi (sacred land) concept, Bharath (as India is known to Indians) is the land to attain Moksha (freedom from life cycles) through any of the passages (marga) – bhakthi (devotion), jnana (knowledge) and/or karma (duty) marga.

From the period of the famous Chicago address on 9/11 of 1893 in the World Parliament of Religions, Swami Vivekananda started attracting people from the materialistic West to the Spiritual orient. This was further enhanced by eminent people like Tagore, Sri Arabindo, J Krishnamurthy, Swami Ranganatha of Sree Ramakrishna Ashram, Chinmayananda, Swami Sivananda and his disciple Swami Vishnudevananda (through Yoga) and the like.

Yoga became an international attraction and many people traveled to the Himalayas in search of spiritual tranquility or a Guru. The Hippy movement by the end of 60’s also attracted both intellectuals and youngsters towards the Asian religious beliefs.

The same segment of people, along with spirituality, is also interested in our classical dance forms, music, traditions and rituals. They are exploring, studying, researching and documenting many of these Indology subjects creating new versions of our ancient knowledge bases. It is such scientific and logical analysis into our traditional wisdom that enliven our traditional wisdom.

UNESCO and Kerala Heritage
How many are aware that 2 forms of Intangible World Heritages are listed from Kerala in the UNESCO listing? One is Koodiyattam and the other Vedic Recital (in India) with special emphasis on Jaimaniya Sama Veda tradition of Panjal village in Thrissur district.

Kutiyattam started getting good attention from both Government departments and people are attracted to its grand endurance over the centuries as a rich traditional performing art form. Still, it is a pity that not much is happening for the conservation and promotion of the Vedic recital traditions in Kerala.

Kerala Kalamandalam
‘A Day with the Masters’ is a pilgrimage to the most sacred temple of arts, Kerala Kalamandalam, giving a world class experience to the visitors, with an unique menu of presentations that bring out the grandeur of the institution. This premier cultural tourism product of the ‘Gods Own Country’ is jointly promoted by Kerala Tourism and Kerala Kalamandalam.

The tour starts with an audio-visual presentation – Saga of Kalamandalam and a visit to the Koothambalam – the traditional temple theatre. A visit and exposition of 10-15 Kalaris (teaching classes) that includes classical dances Mohiniyattam, Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi; Kathakali; Koodiyattam; Percussion instruments – like Chenda, and Maddalam; Karnatic classical Music. Next in itinerary is a presentation on Kerala Mural Painting on ‘Nrittyolpathi’, the origin of Dance. And then a visit of the Art gallery, to see costumes, head-gears, masks and jewellery. The tour culminates with a sumptuous Traditional Kerala Lunch.

Margi and others
While talking about performing arts, it is also worth mentioning other organisations such as Margi of Thiruvananthapuram, Vijnana Kalavedi of Aranmula, PSV Natya Sangham of Kottakkal, as prominent schools promoting our rich traditions to many number of students from abroad.

Yajna / Yaaga in Kerala
An expert in comparative studies among ancient civilizations, Prof Frits Staal visited Kerala in early 70’s and found our Yaga (Somayagam) as the oldest living tradition that could be continued even in the modern era without loosing its originality after many centuries. The story of a ‘man-made-rain’ after the Yagam and his documentary works on the scientific aspects of the rituals is now world famous among Indology experts. When Somayagam repeated in 2002 after a gap of around two decades, he visited by invitation and as a 72 years old veteran; his presence gave an international significance to our traditional ritualistic event.

Buddhist Connection
Historians argue that Kerala used to be a strong base for Buddhism until in the 8th century AD. Many of the temples were Buddhist Viharams and later converted into Hindu temples. It is worth making detailed researches into these aspects and if the hypothesis happened to be true, we could also promote Kerala as a Buddhist destination.

It would be interesting to note that Sage Nagarjuna, who introduced Madhyamika (middle path) philosophy in Buddhism visited and stayed in Thiruvizha Viharam temple near Cherthala, Alapuzha district and wrote a book (Rasa Vaisheshika). Sage Nagarjuna is revered as “Medicine Buddha” and one could see his idol being erected in almost all Buddhist temples around the world. He is also respected as a Buddhist reformist when the Mahayana and Hinayana philosophies were dividing the followers.

The founder of Shao-lin temple of Kung-FU in China Damo (Bodhi Dharma) is believed to be originally from Kerala!! No wonder that there are many similarities between Kerala martial arts - Kalari – and Kung-Fu.
Kerala had strong trade relations with China and the Far-East from prehistoric period itself. The same is the case with the Arabs from the middle-east. We invited every one and gave complete freedom to practice their different religious traditions in our land. Ultimately, our interest was to have a peaceful state were every one could prosper by mutual respect and a long term vision of a better world.