It’s an institution in Chennai that once had a very great reputation as a centre of learning. For many thousands like me who were born and brought up in villages, the very name of this college would instantly create a sense of awe and respect.
While we were studying in a Government Arts college in a town away from the then Madras, it was a matter of pride for us to say ‘I met and spoke to a student of …… college and he is now my friend’. And, the Institution really deserved all the respect and reputation as it undoubtedly stood for all the great ideals of Higher Education.
But it is all a ‘story’ now with its focus clearly shifted from imparting value based education to propagating certain ideology, if you may call it so, that it thinks is its duty to the society. We do not question the prerogative of the Institution to choose its own way of functioning. But we are at pains all the same to see the erosion in the overall outlook of the premier Institution that was till recently a symbol of excellence and professionalism in the field of education.
It all started a few decades ago. The college administration, if I may say so, started drifting away from its dedicated service in the field of education, when it indiscriminately allowed its campus to be used by outside organizations for their events and programs.
While the college did not have any role in these events or programs, the name that it carried with it indirectly lent a sort of credibility to the events and it helped the organizers earn a name for them. It was not just a case of letting out a hall; it meant ‘lending’ the hard earned reputation of the Institution as well.
A book being launched from the premises of this college would automatically earn an instant, ‘quality’ tag that it would not have gained. The administration of the college perhaps did not spare a thought in this direction. This is the point that encouraged many undesirable elements taking advantage of the ‘progressive’ approach of one of the most prestigious educational institutions of South India and the resultant ill effect on the Institution is now all too evident.
Many may feel hurt when we use the term ‘undesirable elements’; it is understandable. Our objective is NOT to question the legitimacy of their organizations or their just or ultimate aim / goal they are trying to achieve. The point here is that they inflict an irreparable damage on an Institution considered by many like me, as an epitome of all the noble ideals of higher education. This was not the end of it.
The so called ‘artists’ cause a deliberate aspersion on the originality of the Folk Arts they tend to so vocally support. They cast a mark of their own on our ancient Arts and say these Arts are the symbols of their proclaimed ideology that, I would only be too happy if I am wrong, primarily aims to spread hatred and enmity among various sections of the society.
It surely is a healthy democratic exercise to use various forms of Arts to propagate an ideology and it is in fact all the more heartening when they are used to spread progressive ideas. Nobody can have any objection if individuals or organizations or Government agencies take to the Folk Arts to create awareness among the masses on issues of Education, Environment, Public Health or on any of the social issues confronting the society. But what is happening in Tamilnadu and in India all over is that certain disgruntled individuals pose themselves as the warriors and saviours; use the Folk Arts as a shield to cover up their misguided attempts of stirring up passions and instigating the people against the functioning of democratic institutions.
The term ‘Folk Arts’ give these elements an easy access to educational institutions, government offices and residential colonies to carry their campaign of hatred to all areas which otherwise would not have allowed them an entry. The credentials, the motive, the contents of these troupes are never inquired into because they are basically artists of Folk Arts – as they project themselves.
The propagation of some of these self styled folk arts groups may have noble ideals and may serve a great social cause too. The problem is to identify and differentiate the genuine ones from those with a hidden agenda. Here again, we have to admit that use of Arts as a propaganda tool is the healthiest way of taking one’s ideology to the people.
Make no mistake – we are not against the Art form or the artists; not even against the ‘message’ of it all. It is the masked performance of certain educationists and intellectuals in the name of staging a folk arts show that is questionable.
While one cannot question the motive of these activists in a vibrant democracy, the men in charge of the institutions / organizations allowing such events can never shirk their responsibility of ensuring a decent show that does not hurt anyone’s feelings or sentiments. This rule should be applicable to every group, not favoring or opposing any particular team or troupe – of any ideology – left or right.
Educational institutions, government offices, public places and such other areas are bound to be common to all and should be allowed for use only for creating a spirit of common brotherhood. When any event with an objectionable content is allowed to be staged, the authorities who permitted to organize the event within their premises have to take the moral responsibility as well keeping in mind the consequent fall in their status as an acceptable institution to all.
In the present case of the event in the city college in the heart of Chennai, there is a definite ‘let down’ by the management of the institution which has of late been encouraging programs of this nature taking place very frequently.
The premier institution with a great legacy of a proven, excellent academic record in the past has miserably failed to maintain its highest degree of commitment to the overall development of the society and the country by means of quality education, through inquisitive knowledge and an inclusive agenda. What happened to all these noble ideals that it so eloquently stood for?
There are a couple of colleges in the city that are known for indiscipline and lawlessness within the campus and outside. We wish they slowly and steadily turn peaceful and become centres of wisdom as they used to be once. With stricter code of conduct and constant vigil and supervision, we are hopeful that these colleges would, sooner or later, reach the level of excellence as any other good institution has been able to achieve.
When we are looking forward to the institutions of higher education to be more responsible and rise up to lift the level of knowledge, wisdom and competence of our youth to new heights, it is really shocking that a well established college of great repute resorts to playing a spoil sport. It pains; it hurts; it surely disturbs our minds. Wish the current controversy helps set the records straight; the management of the institution takes steps to keep the institution back on its rails. It is good for the institution; and.., for the whole of Tamil Nadu.
What about Folk Arts and the performing troupes? It is a forceful medium. I wish the artists, all put together, consider taking the arts and through it, the message in a way everybody would appreciate and thereby they achieve their goals too.
Opinion,
Author by : Baskaran Krishnamurthy.
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