3 Ideas : Natural Dyes, Indian Languages, Festivals Animation

DYEING

20th Century is the period of human history when science and technology has progressed in many areas and explored many frontiers, created many synthetic products. Towards the end of 20th century, since large scale use of many products over a large periods have been observed, some of the undesirable side effects have also been seen. Massive researches are therefore undertaken to reduce side effects by changing the processes and also by exploring use of natural products with modern scientific and technological methods, for consistency and reliability. One such product is NATURAL DYE! The one developed by TIFAC and Alps Industries is such a type. It is not just going back to older methods of dyeing. It is modern but uses the usual vegetable wastes like fallen leaves, flowers, used tea leave, etc...

Results are wonderful and add great value addition to the clothes be it mill made, handmade, cotton, silk or woolen. The technologists behind it is Prof M L Gulrajani, IIT, Delhi. I had spoken to him recently also. He will be happy to help anybody to set up plants to produce Natural Dyes.

FESTIVALS : ANIMATION

Everyday my wife or I tear off a small page from traditional calendar (very popular one in Tamil Nadu). It contains 365 small about 8 cm x 12 cm size papers - one each day. Tamil month & date, English month & date, some national notes as applicable, every day's traditional notings of Amavasya, Prathamai, Rahu Kal, etc... Importantly almost every day carries notes about functions in various temples of Tamil Nadu. It brings to one's attention to those festivals (some times somebody could have seen or read about), the mythology and legends behind them. Some like Madurai Meenakshi Temples are very famous; but it covers all important temples almost every day.

I was wondering whether some investors and/or entrepreneurs who like to make a good business model around 'CULTURE PRESERVATION' or 'CULTURAL TOURISM' etc... would like to make good animated films or cartoons including some video clippings of actual festivals, of the town etc., it can open an entire new area. If done well, it can become like NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC OR DISCOVERY CHANNEL.

I am aware there are whole lot of linkages from tying up with the temple to collection of authentic legends, finding out knowledgeable people including those who are living with such events for generations, creating images, having right music, shooting films, script, marketing etc... Also release them at right dates.

The entire venture can pay off eventually. But officially the funding has to be some angel funding or just outright philanthropy. Also perhaps some govt. funds (or culture etc).

What I have suggested here need not be restricted to Tamil Nadu or the temples. Even without necessarily specific temples, there are many colourful events in different parts - but these are functions followed over centuries e.g. Rakshbandhan, Karva Chauth etc in the north; Varalakshmi Pooja at homes in South etc... One should explore North East India also. Also various tribes.

My suggestion is that don't wait for any single mega project. Start off in a small way, then market. May be five or six groups in India (even from outside India) may try. Then you all decide to complete out or join up into a major venture.

INDIAN LANGUAGES

Most of the knowledge bases of today and especially those which can earn you good money are all available in English. Of course Russians, French, Japanese, Koreans, Germans, Dutch & Chines create most of these in their own languages and learn English in the side. Many knowledge transactions in the Hi Tech Israel are in Hebrew. In Taiwan in Chinese.

In India most high value modern economic activities and governance systems depend on English or solely in English. It has its advantages.

I am not against English. In a way I would like Indians to pick up English and other foreign languages like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Arabic, Spanish etc. Even if possible, some African languages, Persian etc... But it is not good to forget our own languages - mother tongue or the local language of the place where you grow up. India resides in its languages. I don't like the word 'regional' languages or vernacular. All are Indian languages. Even the dialects are Indian languages. As Einstein said 'Imagination is more important than Intelligence'. You will acquire intelligence through English knowing science, economics, finance etc. But Imagination is tied up with emotions - your inner feelings and pictures. All of us acquire these from our childhood in our languages. Our cultural mooring and foundations of our feelings are in our languages and the idioms and metaphors connected with those. That is why our Indian movies are dominating Indian minds; our food tastes don't leave Indian palates!

Presently India is in the follower state whether in economy, industry, science & technology, or business management - we follow the Western developed economies. We want to catch up. Fine! After catching up, if you want to lead, you require creative thinking! That will come from imagination, which works best in a language environment you grow - which your family uses - neighbourhood uses - where your legends, festivals etc. are tied up!

Therefore, make it a practice to develop speaking and reading capabilities in one Indian language - keep reading, speaking (even modern subjects; even with support of English words). 'Indlish' is not enough. Indian language with some mix of foreign words is fine. I have seen many in ISRO and other places. Those who are good in Indian languages perform very well.