On Tuesday 17 Jul 2007 11:56 pm, Thaths wrote: > What do you mean your housemaid worships > the street corner mariamman!?
Thanks for throwing that one up Thaths. This is a Freudian admission of a very Hindu viewpoint indicating a particular mental picture of social status and a linking that status with place of worship. A lot of Indians with a Hindu background are unable to recognise this uniquely Hindu view of looking at people and society. For example Thaths attempt at light humor assumes the general acceptance within this social group of a "housemaid". This is characteristic of the higher and middle caste Indian. After all who in your peer group does not have "housemaid" - a female servant to perfrom the "menial" tasks that you (or or wife) cannot, or will not do. The "housemaid" in her social group is unlikely to have a housemaid to de her own housework - it is likely to be her daughter who is doing that "housemaid" work for her in her own place of residence (which may not be a house at all) Your have noticed that there is something different about this "housemaid's" preference for worship. She worships the "street corner mariamman". You presumably notice that this street corner mariamman exists because it is different. If you and your maidservant worshipped in the same place it would be unremarkable. It is remarkable only because it is different from your place of worship. There is a deep "homogenous Hindu" in Thaths that he uncovers (inadvertently?) in what he writes. That is why writing is so important, informative and fascinating. Thanks again for the gem. shiv
