March 28, 2008
Caption ThisHumor
The following image was sent to me by email; it comes from the Times of India; I don’t know the artist or the original context in which it was printed:
Please provide a caption or title. avoiding the use of the word “kala.”
I should acknowledge that at least one conservative Hindu website has declared that they find the above image offensive. Do readers agree?
(As I understand it, images of deities in the Hindu tradition are widely appropriated and reinterpreted in the culture. They don’t have the same “forbidden” status that they do in, say, Islam. While I can definitely see how a nude image of a Hindu deity not normally represented as nude might be offensive, I think a comic or satirical gloss on a revered story from the tradition, as in the image above, isn’t that uncommon. I am, as always, open to hearing other points of view…)
amardeep on March 28, 2008 09:29 AM in Humor · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
i is in ur states stealin ur votez
Amardeep:
Ironically enough, the one context in which the word "kala" is used lovingly in Hindu devotional narrative is when referring to Krishna. Since Obama is Krishna incarnate here, should you be banning the word?
Ruchira, you're right. I was worried about the racial connotations of "kala," but maybe that's too paranoid. I'll modify the post slightly to unban "kala"...
"Flouting convention"
What the hell, TOI? That's not a photo!
Wow, thats an interesting post Amandeep. First off, lets look at the bigger picture. This artist is really trying just to rev up some controversy so he can get his name out there. Looking past that, I think its pretty offensive. I think to myself, what if Obama's or McCain's face was plastered up on a guru nanak dev ji tasveer? I would be pretty offended. I think there are aspects of religion that, even for shock value, one shouldnt reach. We have to remember, krishna and radha for some people, are much beyond two religious figures, they are one of the many forms of a formless god. So, to satirically plaster a photo like that is really doing a dis-service to the believers, and most of all, the credibility of the artist themselves.
But hey, in this day in age, anything goes. There was that artist in Paris that put a picture of Krishna's face on a shoe. Then the artist in spain that took a phot of guru gobind singh ji and used it in a comical sense.
WHAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE IS THE UPROAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OR AMONGST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO THEM. THAT WOULD BE A SHOW TO WATCH!!
"Gita-Gobama"?
yashomati maiyaa se bole nandlala
radha kyon gori mai kyon kala
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xfrkpEmoXU8
Barack Obama refers to himself as wheatish and not kaala.
Hinduism has a long tradition of taking itself lightly; often gods are made fun of. So there is no gut reaction in most Hindus against images like this one.
That said, anything that uses Hindu icons or uses affects Hinduism’s image. The image of Hinduism affects the atmosphere, in which Hindus live – an atmosphere where Hinduism is held in low regard creates doubts and misgivings and a feeling of incompleteness among its followers.
To put it bluntly this atmosphere makes Piyushes become Bobbies and makes neighbors and colleagues feel that since you follow a weird religion that there’s something a bit off with you.
America pays a lot of attention to political correctness, but it expects the norm for political correctness to be imposed by protests and activism. India is heading the same way.
So when I see something like this illustration I ask myself WWJD, WWCD, WWMD – what would Jewish / Christian / Muslim activists do.
So based on the Chocolate Jesus controversy, I would say I find this image offensive.
Dude! It happens all the time. Are you not familiar with the crucifix in urine or the elephant dung portrait of the Virgin Mary?
As far as Barack as Krishna goes, I can see the parallels. Krishna had a hypnotic effect on the Gopis although Hillary as a gopi is pretty far out there.
Controversial?
I am sure TOI is going to have a backlash, esp. with the US flag scarf and blouse :).
literal meaning of krishna in sanskrit - black, he is literally the black god.
Both Rama and Krishna are black in the ancient indian imagination. Because of more and more northern peoples invading/visiting/settling in india, they have become lighter skinned over the last 1000 years..
You know, I am not offended in the least. I just think, along with Raja @6, that it's an artist's attempt to make a splash. Sadly, this piece doesn't affect me in any direction. No rage, no reflection. Just sorta a self-evident gimmick.
Hence, I can't think of any caption, but I hope someone comes up with something good that might help the artist make some point...
Yes, I was also gonna add Piss Christ as answer to Raja's comment, although, there are other more prominent recent examples of artists, religion and taking offense.
Such as, the Danish Mohammed cartoons> Beware free-thinking artists and peoples: everything is offensive to someone nowadays, so don't say or write or draw what you really think or feel or want to express. Remember, free speech doesn't include the right to offend! This, my darlings, is progress.
I'm about to scream incoherently, please to excuse, but DID NOBODY READ THE TOI CAPTION?
As seen at 11.50 AM EDT on March 28, 2008. I've taken a screenshot, which I will upload to Flickr later today.
What was that about offense again?
I see master vk at #8, but offer up this instead:
Mohay primaries mein Obama-lal chhed gayo re,
Mori nazuk kalaiyya maroD gayo re!
to the original tune.
I'm offended by the insinuation that Obama is wooing Clinton.
Screenshot uploaded to Picasaweb, image, caption and all.
Rather sneaky of TOI: if CNN were to do the old Obama/Osama switcheroo, they wouldn't be so creative as to distract you with an image like that.
I think this would make more sense if they had depicted youtube "obama-girl" as representative of americans wooed by Obama instead of Hillary. An appropriate role for Hillary would be "Putana", in light of her recent actions and considering that she is trying to offer vice-presidentship to Obama.
More info on Putana: http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-484346/Putana
6 · Raja said
This happens to Christianity all the time. I'm disappointed that
a) you didn't realize or are amazingly unaware of that
b) you got all hyphy with the tit-for-tat bs.
All caps? You needed to shout that bit?
Three cheers for competitive intolerance!
mrrrmmmmm i don't think Obama is dark enough to be Krishna
23 · Kam said
It's amusing that you said that, because I just saw him on the news an hour ago, trying to explain away more Wright-wrongs, and all I could think of was, "He looks tan!". Oh...didn't he go on vacation recently? That would explain it. :)
"Play it, Bam. Play 'As Time Goes By'."
Anna, I've only been in the bay for a few years, but that's the first time I've ever heard "hyphy" and "tit-for-tat" in the same sentence.
As for the caption; the gods must be crazy.
26 · AR said
I may rep DC with all the love I can muster from my dead, black heart, but my roots are in the yay. ;)
Barack: I think you should get out of the race now
Hillary: I will after I collect some more cash to pay off my campaign debts
Chura liya hai tumne jo [US] dil ko
Do not flame other commenters just because you disagree with them; read the commenting policy.
Please do state your views without resorting to accusations of cocaine-use or crack-smoking. There are civil ways to ask someone to clarify their comments.
To the outraged few who cite this as some sort of attack aimed at Hindus, read a book. Read a book. Read a #*!^$%*%ing book.
Okay, maybe it's just one magazine, but it's also proof that ours aren't the only deities being re-interpreted by pop culture.
Yadadamean?
Weak parallel. Obama=Arjun and Hilary=Chitrangada [link] had more possibilities, although the ending needs tweaking.
Minkey Chief, very nice!
(...It's still the same old story, A Fight for Love and Glory, A Case of Do or Die...)
KarmaByte: taking the liberty of adding some slight context:
HRC voice:
Chura liya hai tumnay jo primaries ko,
Election nahi churaaana sanam!
and later BHO voice:
Iss Jahaan ko Aik Din Dikhlaa Doonga Main...!
oh, and of course, there's this guy.
Dizzydesi, reg your comment (#10), "So when I see something like this illustration I ask myself WWJD, WWCD, WWMD – what would Jewish / Christian / Muslim activists do."
It does not matter what the Jewish/Christian/Muslim do....what does this mean to you, as a Hindu?
I disagree with some of the responses by Muslims when they are angry about a depiction/portrayal - issuing of fatwa, for instance, so I really don't think we Hindus should base our response on how the other, non-Hindus respond to a similar issue.
(Personally, this portrayal is utterly meaningless and in bad taste; I'd just ignore it).
Would anyone prefer Obama as Ganesha watching his nude mother (Clinton) bathing?
Would anyone prefer Obama as Ganesha
watchingstanding guard while hisnudemother (Clinton) bathinged?"tere bina elections mein koi maza..to nahin ...koi maza nahin, maza nahin...maza nahin"
Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aPtjImR5RA
Advani dolled himself up as Rama so I am not sure what the fuss is. Maybe something along the lines of how some people reacted negatively to the international cast of Peter Brooks' Mahabharata.
"madhuban mein obama kisi super-delegate se mile, radha kaise na jale"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=872LRkujZ3E
I am assuming many of the people who seem to have taken offense to the picture are not from Mumbai. People in Mumbai, at-least the few hundreds or more I knew for 22 years odd, derided the plethora of Gods for pure entertainment. No one was spared, in fact we had categories, bappa-jokes (the elephant God jokes) et etc, Landya (muslim) jokes, paav-jokes (Catholics in Mumbai were often referred as "paavs;" which stands for a special kind of bread the Portuguese convert the Indians in Goa), Sardar-jokes duh! So get off your mighty horses people, traditionally we have been pretty crude.
All i can think of caption-wise is:
Once you go "Krishna" you never go back!
hillary singing after her ohio and texas wins :
"O krishna (obama) dharti pe aa jaa tu"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjiP3Oq8pwM
Apologies :)
If this was a certain other religion there would be riots all over the world and people would be making death threats and some young person might even blow himself up to show there anger.
But what I've seen of hindu's. They don't act that way over there religion to that level.
It is offensive. And sad.
To many Hindus, Radha-Krishna is divine and sublime. It carries the hope that
everyone may find a suitable partner and enjoy love the way it was meant to be
enjoyed. This picture is the equivalent of Osama as Guru Gobind Singh carrying
an AK-47 and riding a horse. That the artist picked these two characters is
offensive.
Why would someone do something as stupid as this? If they were after shock value
then there's a bazillion other ways to get that. I'm sure the average Photoshop monkey
can find an equally effective way to get these two together with tubgirl.com.
*This* pic probably gets him the shock value, but gets a host of angry Hindus
lobbying for its removal, too. There are other ways to kill the saap and
preserve the lathi.
Finally, it's sad that this was done by a desi. I'm sure we're smarter
(more creative) than this.
-$T
Baraas Hillarileela. Even as a Hindu, I find it amusing that the relationship between Barack and HillBill is likened to the courtship of Radha and Krishna - the two-step, the hurt and the Democrats' "friendly" war games. It's all maya, illusion, the motions of modern life, in the end signifying nothing more than play.
Minkey Chief, very clever!
If anything, Hillary already graciously asked Obama to be her Veep. So, shouldn't the seduction be the other way around? And wouldn't the Obama faction prefer Balarama to describe Hillary as Putana? Of course, followed quickly by disowning Balarama and dispatching him to Mathura, far far away from Hastinapura or Indraprastha.
Bachon,
Lighten up. It's just pure fun.
It is offensive..
to Hillary.
I LOVE this website. Below their stern condemnation (emphatically! emphasised! by! exclamations!), they've cataloged other perceived slights as a monument to their own thin skin. Hilarious stuff!
This picture doesn't offend me. But it does disappoint me that you are willing to publish cartoons that could offend Hindus but not do the same for Muslims. Just becasue one group is more vocal/violent, doesn't mean that their sentiments are more important, or justified for that matter.
Indians (this is a Hindu culture thing) have long been a self depracating bunch. We'll be the first to point out our own shortcomings and are much more willing to mock our own history and culture than other groups. The rapid rejection of religion amongst Hindus is a clear example of this. (Im not saying that this in itself is necessarily a bad thing but its reprocussions for India and its image go far beyond.)
If this was a certain other religion there would be riots all over the world and people would be making death threats and some young person might even blow himself up to show there anger.
Not everyone from that religion, just a few of them who don't always represent the billions out there.
And why am i not surprised that you always have to have a dig as in many other previous posts to that religion...always ready to bounce on that bandwagon.
I'm assuming this pic will be considered as bad taste along with the om prints on bikini bottoms that got withdrawn, and numerous ganeshes in nightclubs.
And i applaud hindus for not running onto streets to burn effigies for things like this if they don't feel like it...
well, i suppose if some folks find this portrayal disrespectful, one should pay heed. in this case though, given this pic originated in india and was probably crafted by someone with a more than a superficial understanding of hinduism, i would say the intent was not to denigrate or to mock. i cant even detect any trace of sarcasm or of gratuitous america-bashing. i genuinely believe this was an affectionate portrayal - the american political process set against hindu mythological backdrop.
[meta mode alert] i also think this is something of an intellectual coming out for indian media, in using hindu mythology in popular indlish writing, as opposed to the convent school tripe that smears the TOI pages [like the gosh! geewhiz! grub! garbage cia archie comics]. it ook me some time to catch on - but this is more than a convenient overlay and i believe some thought went into this. Here's my take. I believe the portrayal indicates the raslila between Lord Krishna and Radha. Krishna's Shyam-varna [I'm not getting in hte kala-shala debate] is not coincidental, and neither is the fact that Radha is occasinally regarded as the primary deity, and the shakti to Krshna. But the broader message is that there is a mating dance of sorts going on in the D-primaries and the indian media, having the benefit of distance, generally regards it positively.
chachaji, nice..
BHO is using his mojo on HRC, ab kya karegi bechari radha!
Of the people taking offense, is it on behalf of all hindus or is there something personally offensive in that? Fail to see anything offensive.. bad analogy maybe, but then what do you expect from TOI.
6 · Raja said
ENJOY THE SHOW!!
Brown_DBD, you beat me to the "Radha Kaise Na Jale" reference. ^__^
i apologize for saying 'mating dance' in my translation of 'raaslila', and in that it seemingly equated the primaries to a sexual union. it is grossly inaccurate in either case and i realize it is offensive for different reasons to different readers. so i apologize. my read of the 'raslila' in this context is more subtle but it's hard to put in words.
Thats hilarious :D
Bol Radha bol sangam hoga ke nahi. Tum meri vice president banogi ke nahi
The Liveleak Fitna (linked on the News tab) clip just got pulled due to death threats against the Liveleak staff...
Interesting to read all comments. Did you notice the stars and strips in the image?
Laju K. http://lajuk.blogspot.com
vps @60: Nice!
The answer changes from Nahin, Kabhi Nahin! to Hoga, Hoga, Hoga! :)
"I can has cheezburger?"
But it does disappoint me that you are willing to publish cartoons that could offend Hindus but not do the same for Muslims.
oh come on. you can track amardeep down. you think he wants his wife to be worried about muslim nutters tracking him down for insulting islam? the risk is low, but it's a risk. i get crap from those close to me about insulting muslims and islam because of the fear of violence (again, the probability is low, but it's a real fear). of course most people i know think islam is a nutty religion, but they're cautious about saying it publically since free speech isn't part of shariah (though it's totally cool to mock cow-dung eating hindus who worship snakes among muslims, trust me ;-) anyway, here's a photo of a koran in a pig's mouth i republished on my blog. enjoy ;-)
It is just a "cartoon" and not offensive. There are probably many other more offensive "products" for both trivial and non-trivial reasons.
this might warrant another post entirely, but what about the offensiveness of mike myers new film the love guru? the offense possibilities within that film put this to shame.
8 · master vk said
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xfrkpEmoXU8
Ann Dunham maiyaa se bole Obamaaa,
Clinton kyon gori mai kyon kala
..Clinton kyon goooori mai kyon kala
Sing along, it rhymes pretty well ;)
67 · nidhi said
Love Guru.
44 ·Suki
"If this was a certain other religion there would be riots all over the world and people would be making death threats and some young person might even blow himself up to show there anger.
But what I've seen of hindu's. They don't act that way over there religion to that level."
No need to talk in riddles, just say Islam. I think the anger of people in that religion would mainly be because ANY sort of iconic representation of the prophet/god/etc is prohibited in Islam, regardless of whether they were depicted in a good or bad way.
Is this picture offensive...
I don't know...if this piece is about the possibility of running on a joint ticket...it's actually kind of funny. But if not, then its just annoying cause then its not even witty-someone just wanted a cheap laugh.
I don't mind the use of hindu icons in satirical pieces (and I say this as someone who considers herself a practicing hindu) but at times when it just seems gratituitous, then its irritating.
As for the person who is from Bombay-that's great if westernized indians in bombay like to mock religious figures, do what you like...but India is a large country and there's still quite a few places where people still do respect traditional religious iconography, I don't see how it'd kill anyone to be more respectful of that.
It is prohibited for Muslims to depict Mohammad within Islam. Just as it is prohibited for Muslims to consume alcohol but it doesn't matter if non-Muslims do so. The reason Muslims are angry is because the Danish cartoons were a derogatory depiction of Mohammad and by association Islam.
Some Hindus may view this cartoon as being a derogatory depiction of Krishna and Radha and by association Hinduism.
See, I think that's just funny, and Indian newspapers regularly put different celebrities into deity-like poses. These are desis making fun of American candidates, or putting them in a desi cultural-religious framework, *not* an American making fun of desis, and is meant for desi consumption, so those "what will my neighbours think of my religion now" concerns in the States hardly seem relevant.
(For a caption, how about "Sab ka dil churaya hai, bas yeh ek gori rooth gayi" - though I like Chachaji's best)
I can't see why this would be considered offensive except in the context of competitive American "so you think it's OK to make fun of us because we're a minority religion" stakes. Conservative Hindu websites and especially conservative Hindu identitarian associations in the West would probably get offended by a basic temple statue if it were made by a firang. I don't take them too seriously.
13 · Al beruni said
Thanks Al for that. And that's the only grouse I have against Ramanand Sagar's otherwise brilliant Ramayan. He had a lily white Arun Govil play Rama, instead of a strapping TDH type - Rama and Lakshmana were supposed to be over 7 ft tall with arms reaching down to their knees!
Correction. Krishna in ancient Tamizh lore is none other than Maayon or the one of Maya whoplays hide and seek with the weather, brings on storms when least expected, and is dark as the clouds. Krishna continues to be the dark one. Srinathji, Jagannatha, Panduranga Vithala, are all dark. In tamizh Karuppiah is Krishna - Kanna karyaniravanna - and Vellaichami or the white one is ParmaSivan, AnbeSivam. Nothing has changed.
There is a lot more to the Radha-Krishna romance, levels within levels, and while people paint these icons, I would be happy if they explored these themes lightheartedly. Have fun, but stay back for some more - kalakhand, kachori, and tea!
And if some Hindus are going to take offence let us not judge them unfairly. They too have a right to voice.
See, I think that's just funny, and Indian newspapers regularly put different celebrities into deity-like poses. These are desis making fun of American candidates, or putting them in a desi cultural-religious framework, *not* an American making fun of desis, and is meant for desi consumption, so those "what will my neighbours think of my religion now" concerns in the States hardly seem relevant.
(For a caption, how about "Sab ka dil churaya hai, bas yeh ek gori rooth gayi" - though I like Chachaji's best)
Could get offended? So now you want to condemn people even if nothing has happened? How openminde!Yep, you're absolutely right but if I go out & make an "As It Happened" type documentary about the life & times of Mohammed, I doubt you'd get a lesser uproar. Sure, some may be intrigued, but still mostly angry. So from your alcohol example I guess you mean that it doesn't matter if non-muslims depict Mohammed in anyway. Yes, it doesn't but it would still generate a reaction from Muslims when pulished.
This happens to Christianity all the time. I'm disappointed that
It's not the same. In the US, everyone is well aware that it IS indeed a caricature.
Anyway, this picture is not offensive, it's just meaningless. Whats the statement here, that Obama is God and Hillary worships him? doesn't make sense.
Taking the leaf out of chachaji's caption - here is Bachchan lip-syncing for Barrack
Mach gaya shor sari nagari mein aya braj ka baka sambhal teri gaghri re
In fact rightly so Clinton ask Barrack in the song - jana kya karta agar hota kahin gora.....?
Jyotsana, it's called a "hypothetical," and is a rhetorical tool. You might also want to look up "sense of humour."
72 · penco said
It is prohibited for Muslims to depict Mohammad within Islam. Just as it is prohibited for Muslims to consume alcohol but it doesn't matter if non-Muslims do so. The reason Muslims are angry is because the Danish cartoons were a derogatory depiction of Mohammad and by association Islam.
Some Hindus may view this cartoon as being a derogatory depiction of Krishna and Radha and by association Hinduism.
Yaa, but they wont kill people for that.
73 · SP said
key word: probably.
where did you get that info from? any proof that right wing hindus have been offended by firangi made murtis?
68 · Topcat said
Topcat, that was a good one.
" 60 · vps" You beat me to it ;-)
41 · brown_dbd said
That was too good brown_dbd.This is best caption and most relevant to the obama clinton tussle
78 · SP said
Oh yeah! As Elvis said, "If my aunt had xxxxx she'd be my uncle," and pretty much pointless.
Unless you're MF Husain
Am I the only one offended?
This offends me not just because I am Hindu, but because I see Obama and Clinton as the faces of evil and a threat to the future of my country.
This however is not enough to turn me into a murderer like the Islamists
86 · Rajesh Harricharan said
This however is not enough to turn me into a murderer like the Islamists
you aren't anymore.
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Rukmini!"
We don't live under Sharia law or believe in it, so it shouldn't be offensive.
42 · Dercosyst said
go back or go barack?
"I am Pardesi Gori and I approve this message."
52 · DR1001 said
Oh and you forget the Shiv Sainiks and their Valentine's day (violent) antics? Granted they have not stooped to open declarations of murder, but in their violence deaths can be easily caused.
Unfortunately, I don't have a witty caption to contribute at the moment.
I will say, though, that I'm a bit unsettled by the numerous unwarranted references and comparisons to Muslims and violence... Can we not enjoy this without stooping to that level?
Hillary "Radha" Clinton watches Obama seducing undecided GOPs.
Aise laagi lagan
Hillary ho gai magan
wo to gali gali
Obaman dhun gaane lagi
"God Damn America!"
this caption in braj will suit them
Kanha Barsaane main aay jaiyo, bulaay gayin Radha Pyari...
Which translates to... Obama Come join our side, Hillbill herself is inviting you.
I was going to respond to Raja's, Catholic/Christian caps rant, but Anna brought the fire. Damn, that was hot. (No pun intended)
P.S.
I had to look up hyphy & yay in Urban Dictionary. Thanks from dropping some knowledge Anna.
(Hillary): Hai Obama, you are stealing the clothes(nomination)of my back.
"Face it Hillary. Once you go [i]Barack[/i], you never go back."
100 · Huey said
"Hillary, it could be worse. We could've been on the cover of VOGUE, instead of Lebron and Gisele."
Hillary to working class: "Sure, Obama uses his words very cleverly, but you can see he's clearly to my right!"
Hindus don't have much of a persecution complex, at least not to the extent of some of the other religious groups. That can be a good thing when it comes to trivial things like this picture, but it's troubling in other circumstances. It's one of the reasons why you don't hear too many Hindus complaining about what's going in the North-East, with groups like the NLFT.
The Ceylon Don, it's mostly Catholics/Christians who are involved in using the religious icons of other religions in derogatory ways. This is especially the case with Hindu and Buddhist iconography whether it be Hindu deities on toilet seats and shoes or Buddha images on bikini crotch areas and as garden ornaments. But one can imagine if Hindus or Buddhists did that with, say, an image of Jesus or Mary, what the reaction would be. People would be running about screaming "persecution" and "relgious intolerance."
Hilarious image. I'm actually offended by Hillary portrayed as a "beautiful gopika".
Let's hope "Hindus" don't get into the habit of getting offended at the drop of a hat.
:-) Looks like there are some jobless people whose only duty is to scan all the newspapers and images all over the world to find "offensive" and "blasphemous" images.
The comments from the site condeming i was hillarious. "This is deeply shocking to hindus", no its not its deeply shocking to some nutcases sho happends to be hindus.
My caption would be - 'Bhama Obama :)
BTW, 'Bhama is short form SatyaBhama who is known for her strong will and bravery.
6 · Raja said
Happens all the time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piss_Christ
Instead of fighting the speech, maybe understanding why it was done and what is behind it should be our focus.
(Yes I know Wiki is not the world's most accurate source but it was quick)
Why do you care? It was printed in Times of India; it is for Indians to decide weather it is appropriate or not. Non Indians have no business to decide what is acceptable or unacceptable in Indian society. Go bother about your own country.
#109
So, I'll remember that the next time you have an opinion about America.
i wonder if the indians have more of a problem if the deities were depicted as blacks. then, they'd probably get even more angry. these hindu gods look italian and germanic to me! they've got blue eyes and white skin. that offends me, because it sends out the message that depicting the gods with brown skin and brown/black eyes is not good enough.
i personally think that the hindus are angrier to the fact that the god is depicted as a black man vs. a white man.
Indian,
I think the blogger was referring to Hindus and not Indians and was just asking for opinions and not making decisions on anyone's behalf. :-)
But do Non non Indians have any business to decide whether it is acceptable or unacceptable for non Indians to decide what is acceptable or unacceptable in Indian society?
Oh god, i am fed up with Hindus (i am one, although an agnostic) trying to enter the "getting outraged" sweepstakes in a desperate attempt to get the world to take itself seriously. I showed it to a few people in my family and not one had even a slightly negative reaction. I think it's good to have fun with these images since they are good natured.
Now we're non-Indians? Wow, no wonder I am an American-Born "Confused" Desi!
Obama: If you quit the race by Janmashtami, I'll stop my fortnighly Satyabhama visits.
Hillary: Be my running mate, and you can have Satyabhama and all the gopikas you want. Bill has taught me to share.
M. Nam
Actually, I like Rahul's answer better. :)
I actually really like this graphic (and I am one who cringes at most appropriations/manipulations of hindu images, for what it's worth). It resonates on several levels with the political race as well as mythology, for me. There seems to be much thought put into this image, so that it doesn't read to me like a cheap joke.
101 · Huey said
LOL!!!! that is the best reaction i've heard so far! clearly he artist just trying to garner attention for himself. in fact the picture is so ridiculous that i can't imagine anyone being seriously offended. i showed to my mom and she laughed. george allen is offensive. this is not. let's get mad about something that matters, like the ongoing sexual slavery of children. that pisses me off. this is just a joke. lighten up!!
"Gori ki na kaale ki,
nomination hai superdelegate waale ki,
mud-slinging karein,
issues fudge karein,
janta ko ullu banane waalon ki,
ho-o-o."
Boston_Mahesh, are you kidding me? The name of Lord Krishna is translated as black in Sanskrit and he, like most other God-figures in Hinduism, are depicted with black murtis sometimes. There are paintings in which Lord Krishna is presented in blue and that colour is used to signify his infinite and transcendent nature.
I couldn't agree with you more, Pravin. It's usually some of the Hindus who have been exposed to the general political correctness that surrounds matters of religion in the West that start acting up when these trivial things happen with respect to Hinduism. I can appreciate the fact that they care about real matters of Hindu persecution sometimes, for example, with the ethnic cleansing of Hindus and some of the native animists that is happening in parts of the NE, but this is just silly.
It looks like it is just meant to be a politcal cartoon and nothing more. The artist(s) who probably made it is/are probably Hindu themselves and it is not offensive to me. Maybe someone might find the American flag used as a sari blouse and scarf offensive, though.
Palab:
I like your argument and your benefit-of-the-doubt. However, i noticed that in India, the people there are quite sensitive of depicting the gods as being Anglo-Saxon and not as a brown Indian. Even Krishna these days is losing his blue-tan: http://www.lordkrishna.info/wp-content/krishna11.jpg .
I hate seeing Hindu gods depicted with whitish skin and blue/gray eyes and brown hair. It seems as if Christians are depicting their God, Jesus Christ, as having darker and more semitic features (as he should be depicted since he was a Western Asian). Another words, Jesus is getting depicted as being more brown and rightfully so.
Ironically, Indians are depicting their gods as being more and more white. One day, Krishna is going to one day wear horned Viking helmets and Jesus is going to start wearing a turban.
121 · palab said
" people there are quite sensitive of depicting the gods as being Anglo-Saxon and not as a brown Indian."
come on, that's a bit ridiculous...most photos of hindu deities tend to look like desis...I've never seen one that looks "Anglo Saxon," especially Krishna. The closest thing you'll get is a white marble statue. And even then, his facial features look indian. It's more common for a temple to have a black statue of krishna and white marble Radha. And in South India, he's straight up black granite (as are all the deities in the temples)
Only worst imagination.
124 · boston_mahesh said
Ironically, Indians are depicting their gods as being more and more white. One day, Krishna is going to one day wear horned Viking helmets and Jesus is going to start wearing a turban.
121 · palab said
This is how Krishna is depicted. The murtis at Puri Jagannatha are carved of wood, and stand well over 7 ft tall. My mother tells me it's the nicest Krishna she has seen, ever. At a lot of multi-murti mandirs in the US, you can see both Srinathji and Jagannatha and his siblings in murti form. This is the traditional depiction of Krishna. This hasn't changed, and is not about to. Even the blue Krishna is more of a steel blue, like the dark rain clouds. Very different from the blue of Shiva as Neelakantha or the one with the blue throat.Here is Srinathji of Nathdwara and a number of other renditions of the guy here and here are Balabhadra (aka Balarama), sis Subhadra, and younger brother Jagannatha aka Krishna
http://lh6.google.com/anuradhakumaresan/RmhOTWCIK7I/AAAAAAAAAXE/06z2d3Ydb1k/9.jpg
Here's a pic of a European-looking goddess. I suppose that this could be factually accurate, since Krishna, a black guy, has a white girlfriend, and you know what they say about black men! Just kidding.
However, if it offended you that I referred to krishna as a "black man", then you've fallen into the "white-is-superior" trap.
I find myself offended by the Europeanization of Hindu gods/goddesses. Why couldn't they be depicted as having curly hair, flatter noses, and brown/blacker skin?
The statue is made out of marble. It's going to look 'white'. I've visited temples around the US and in India and I haven't noticed this 'Europeanization' you're referring to and looking over some of the responses here, it seems like most of the other posters haven't either.
I already pointed out that Lord Krishna's name is translated as black in sanskrit. I should add that Kali ma's name is also derived from the feminine word for black in Sanskrit, so it seems to me that you're argument is somewhat moot, unless, of course, you can provide valid support for your unsubstantiated assertions, rather than posting arbitrary images from Google.
Rahul,
As usual, you crack me up (88, 91, 94...)
Munira
http://religion.beloblog.com/archives/ganesha.jpg is a pic of a brown-haired, white-skinned, and blue eyed ganesha. Last I checked, elephants have dark gray/black skin and always black eyes.
If you do an image search on Google for "marble Krishna", on the first page, there are 18 images of Krishna. Only one of the images is black, and the other 17 are white. Here is the URL: http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=marble+krishna&btnG=Search+Images
Moreover, many of the white images of Krishna, a black-skinned god, has him with blue eyes. What's up with that? How come he can't look like Tupac? I'd pour out my liquor just to see a dark-skinned, brown-eyed, Krishna. Or at this point, I'd get a tattoo of the word "Thug Zindagi" on my chest for a dark-grey, black-eyed Ganesha.
Without a doubt, this European idealization of Hindu gods is just another manifestation of India's inferiority complex to European/Western people.
129 · palab said
I already pointed out that Lord Krishna's name is translated as black in sanskrit. I should add that Kali ma's name is also derived from the feminine word for black in Sanskrit, so it seems to me that you're argument is somewhat moot, unless, of course, you can provide valid support for your unsubstantiated assertions, rather than posting arbitrary images from Google.
Radhika: "Whatever happens when he's with other gopikas, let me just say, I am honored, honored to be here with Krishna"
Wow. Anything made out of marble is going to look white. It doesn't matter of it's Krishna, Jesus, or Zeus.
Once again, posting arbitrary images from google or from random blogs doesn't amount to making a point.
Your point