Editors Note by Yamini Reddy

From the Hijab issue to the elections in UP, religion has become a tool for propaganda rather than a means to a spiritual journey. What does this mean for the arts which are so closely knitted to religion in India? And where do the arts stand in the middle of all of this? The terms ‘Art’, Culture’ and ‘Religion’ are often misunderstood and misused.
Even the government at a policy making level fails to make a clear distinction between the three terms. Government funds are shifted around to suit agenda, culture funds are diverted towards promotion of religious and political activities, arts often neglected in the promotion of culture activities.
As a modern Indian, where we often assert our cultural power, we need to understand its true essence. Only then will we be able to harness its true power not only for government planning but also for individual growth and artistic creativity.
But first we must decode the terms ‘Culture’, ‘Art’ and ‘religion’. Doing so will give clarity as to Who we are? Where we intend to head? and How we intend to do it?
By definition:
Culture – Denotes the customs, ideas, beliefs, etc. of a particular society, or country, etc.
Which includes everything from the way we greet a person to our belief in marriage and death.
Religion – The belief in a god or gods and the activities connected with this.
The way we pray, the gods we believe, the rituals we practice.
Art – Any activity or product done by people with a communicative or aesthetic purpose
Something that expresses an idea, an emotion or, more generally, a world view.
Clearly all three terms are distinct, yet there is an invisible thread of spirituality that runs through them all. To understand the terms in more depth, I spoke with celebrated Diplomat-author Shri Pavan K. Varma author of the “Great Indian Middle Class, ‘The Great Hindu Civilisation’, ‘Adi Shankaracharya – Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker ‘. His insightful interview answered many of questions and reservations about the relationship between the Arts and Religion.
We have on-board our team’s young writer Shreyaa Suresh who has delved deeper into spiritual connect between arts and religion by exploring the Bhakti movement in Indian dance. Renowned Kathak dancer Aditi Mangaldas who is known for unconventional works in Kathak has also shared with us about how she moves beyond religious iconisation in her dance choreography.
In our Unravelling Kuchipudi section, we bring to light how the Kuchipudi Bhagvatalu as early as 13th Century B.C. used the art form to bring social change by representing the atrocities endured by local society.
Hope you enjoy reading this issue. We would love to hear your thoughts about how you would like to explore this subject further. Write in at yaminireddyofficial@gmail.com.
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-Yamini Reddy

– Yamini Reddy