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The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma
Ep 315: Arshia Sattar and the Complex Search for Dharma
Feb 6, 2023
04:28:49
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Quick takeaways
- Ramayana's diverse versions reflect historical values and cultural shifts.
- Mythology studies offer new perspectives on life and personal growth.
- Exploration of multi-layered identities in modern elite families.
- Evolution of Ramayana narratives through meta-Ramayanas.
- Ramayana nuances explore duty, morality, and ethical dilemmas.
- Challenges of translating ancient texts like the Ramayana for modern readers.
Deep dives
Reflections on Time and Identity
The present moment shapes our reality, while the past remains unseen, influencing our attitudes and social structures. Our identities are shaped by both seen and unseen elements, with yesterday's moments impacting today. The podcast delves into the complexity of self-reflection, questioning the reasons behind our desires and behaviors in the context of ancient literature like the Ramayana.
Influences from Childhood and Transition to Mythology Studies
The speaker recalls childhood experiences of hearing the Ramayana, including a fearful encounter with the character Ravana. Growing up reading a mix of Western and Eastern stories, a fascination with mythology was born. Transitioning from a philosophy focus to studying mythology provided a newfound perspective on life's stories and personal growth.
Cultural Background and Evolving Perspectives on Identity
The discussion highlights the development of a multi-layered identity within the context of societal shifts. Exploring the complexities of being Muslim in a modernized elite family reveals changing perceptions of self and societal engagement. The dialogue also touches upon the historical and generational aspects of evolving cultural identities and the challenges faced by contemporary globalized elites.
Evolution of Ramayana Narratives
Ramayana narratives have evolved over time, with each version building on previous tellings. Later Ramayanas often play on previous versions, known as 'meta-Ramayanas', where the story is continually revised and retold with new twists. The acknowledgment of previous texts is a common theme across different versions, reflecting the tradition of building on existing narratives.
Complexities of Dharma in Ramayana
Dharma in the Ramayana presents a multiplicity of appropriate choices where characters often face ethical dilemmas. Instances like Rama's decision to honor his father's vision over his obligations to his mother and Vibhishan's betrayal highlighting conflicting duties reflect the nuanced exploration of duty, morality, and consequences in the text.
Interconnected Themes in Ramayana
The Ramayana delves into interconnected themes such as duty, fate, and moral ambiguity where characters navigate complex ethical dilemmas. Instances like Rama's actions towards Vali and Shurpanakha raise questions about righteousness, duty, and divine morality, offering a rich tapestry of narratives reflecting societal values and moral complexities.
Translation: A Challenging Endeavor
Translating an ancient work like the Ramayana presented significant challenges, especially in maintaining the poetic and exalted tone while making it readable for a contemporary audience. Deciding not to translate certain crucial words like 'Dharma' and 'Rakshasa' was a strategic choice to preserve their depth and meaning within the text. Understanding the text's voice, delving into its nuances, and being immersed in its world were essential prerequisites before embarking on the translation process.
Preparing for Translation
To prepare for the translation process, thorough immersion in the text was necessary. This involved reading various translations to understand different approaches, analyzing companion texts like the Mahabharata, and delving into historical contexts to visualize the setting and atmosphere of the Ramayana. The translation process required a visceral connection to the text, envisioning the lives of the characters, their surroundings, and the cultural backdrop.
Embracing Evolution in Translation
The act of translating a classic involves recognizing its timeless relevance while acknowledging temporal differences. Choosing the right tone that balances exaltation and readability, understanding the cultural impact of key terms like 'Dharma,' 'Rakshasa,' and maintaining an authentic voice of the text were crucial aspects of capturing the essence of the Ramayana in a contemporary translation.
Cherished Memories through Oral Histories
The podcast episode delves into the experience of recording an oral history with Girish Karnad before his untimely passing, highlighting the emotion-laden process of capturing priceless memories and conversations with individuals. It emphasizes the significance of preserving living memory, especially narratives related to partition and historical events, as a way to document diverse perspectives and create a counter narrative.
Celebrating Artistic Marvels and Talents
The podcast episode showcases a deep appreciation for art and literature, recommending pieces like Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' to savor the essence of jazz music, and highlighting book recommendations such as Elena Ferrante's works and 'The Door' by Magda Szabo for their profound storytelling. It also praises cinematic gems like Peter Brooks' 'Mahabharata' for its masterful adaptation and screenplay prowess.
The Ramayana is not one book, but a living text with countless versions across languages, each reflecting the values of its time and place. Arshia Sattar joins Amit Varma to share her insights from decades of study. Also discussed: the art of translation -- and our search for dharma. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out 1. Arshia Sattar on Amazon, Open and Wikipedia. 2. Valmiki's Ramayana -- Translated by Arshia Sattar. 3. Maryada: Searching for Dharma in the Ramayana -- Arshia Sattar. 4. Lost Loves: Exploring Rama's Anguish -- Arshia Sattar. 5. AK Ramanujan on Amazon and Wikipedia. 6. Wendy Doniger on Amazon and Wikipedia. 7. Alf Hiltebeitel on Amazon and Wikipedia. 8. 300 Ramayanas — AK Ramanujan. 9. On Hinduism and The Hindus — Wendy Doniger. 10. Yuganta — Irawati Karve. 11. The Loneliness of the Indian Woman — Episode 259 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Shrayana Bhattacharya). 12. The Loneliness of the Indian Man — Episode 303 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Nikhil Taneja). 13. 'I Have a Dream' (video) (transcript) -- Martin Luther King. 14. Whatever happened To Ehsan Jafri on February 28, 2002? — Harsh Mander. 15. The Gita Press and Hindu Nationalism — Episode 139 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Akshaya Mukul). 14. Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India — Akshaya Mukul. 15. The Shah Bano case, the Sati at Deorala and the banning of Satanic Verses. 16. 1968: The Year that Rocked the World -- Mark Kurlanksy. 17. The Rooted Cosmopolitanism of Sugata Srinivasaraju — Episode 277 of The Seen and the Unseen. 18. Girish Karnad on Amazon and Wikipedia. 19. Understanding India Through Its Languages — Episode 232 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Peggy Mohan). 20. Wanderers, Kings, Merchants: The Story of India through Its Languages — Peggy Mohan. 21. Early Indians — Episode 112 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Tony Joseph). 22. Early Indians — Tony Joseph. 23. Who We Are and How We Got Here — David Reich. 24. Nissim Ezekiel on Amazon, Wikipedia and All Poetry. 25. The Seven Basic Plots — Christopher Booker. 26. The Long Road From Neeyat to Neeti -- Episode 313 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Pranay Kotasthane and Raghu S Jaitley). 27. Sansar Se Bhage Phirte Ho — Song from Chitralekha with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. 28. Episodes of the Seen and the Unseen on Mughal history with Ira Mukhoty, Parvati Sharma, Rana Safvi and Manimugdha Sharma. 29. Tales from the Kathasaritsagara -- Somadeva (translated by Arshia Sattar). 30. The Second Game of Dice -- Amit Varma. 31. Range Rover -- The archives of Amit Varma's column on poker for the Economic Times. 32. Critical Theory and Structuralism. 33. The Missing Queen -- Samhita Arni. 34. Ramcharitmanas (Hindi) (English) (Wikipedia) -- Tulsidas. 35. Krittivasi Ramayan (Bengali) (Wikipedia) -- Krittibas Ojha. 36. The Kamba Ramayana -- Translated by PS Sundaram. 37. The Odyssey and The Iliad by Homer. 38. David Shulman on Amazon and Wikipedia. 39. Narendra Modi takes a Great Leap Backwards — Amit Varma (on demonetisation). 40. Bimal Krishna Matilal on Amazon and Wikipedia. 41. Dharma: Dimensions of Asian Spirituality -- Alf Hiltebeitel. 42. Understanding Gandhi. Part 1: Mohandas — Episode 104 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Ram Guha). 43. Understanding Gandhi. Part 2: Mahatma — Episode 105 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Ram Guha). 44. The Origins of Evil in Hindu Mythology -- Wendy Doniger. 45. Raja Ravi Varma. 46. Shoodhra Tapasvi -- Kuvempu. 47. Ludwig Wittgenstein on Amazon, Wikipedia, Britannica and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 48. The Art of Translation — Episode 168 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Arunava Sinha). 49. The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale — Episode 311 of The Seen and the Unseen. 50. The Life and Times of Jerry Pinto -- Episode 314 of The Seen and the Unseen. 51. RRR -- SS Rajamouli. 52. The Girish Karnad Podcasts: The Rover Has No Fear of Memories -- An oral history enabled by Arshia Sattar and Anmol Tikoo. 53. This Life At Play: Memoirs -- Girish Karnad. 54. Kind of Blue -- Miles Davis. 55. Elena Ferrante on Amazon. 56. The Door -- Magda Szabó. 57. The Mahabaharata -- Peter Brook. 58. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, The Phantom of Liberty, That Obscure Object of Desire — Luis Buñuel. 59. The Unbearable Lightness of Being — Philip Kaufman. 60. The Line -- An Apple Original podcast. This episode is sponsored by CTQ Compounds. Check out The Daily Reader and FutureStack. Use the code UNSEEN for Rs 2500 off. Check out Amit’s online course, The Art of Clear Writing. And subscribe to The India Uncut Newsletter. It’s free! Episode art: ‘Searching for Dharma’ by Simahina.
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