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rainbowlotus
28 October 2011, 11:34 PM
As someone converting to Hinduism, I wonder if my adoption of Hindu customs goes too far. I take Bharatanatyam classes and I'm interested in wearing a Bindi to show my pride in my religion, but I don't want Indians to think I'm a culture vulture. I take pride in my own culture, but I want to embrace Hindu culture. I want to hear other forum members on when they think non Indian converts are taking it too far.

devotee
29 October 2011, 12:34 AM
Namaste Rainbow,


As someone converting to Hinduism, I wonder if my adoption of Hindu customs goes too far. I take Bharatanatyam classes and I'm interested in wearing a Bindi to show my pride in my religion, but I don't want Indians to think I'm a culture vulture. I take pride in my own culture, but I want to embrace Hindu culture. I want to hear other forum members on when they think non Indian converts are taking it too far.

I would love someone liking our culture & customs so much. Please relax ! Any reasonable Hindu can only be proud of you. If anyone thinks that "you are a culture vulture" ... it is his/her problem and not yours. Please remember, every culture and every religion has people of various kinds. You won't find everyone considerate, mature and compassionate enough to appreciate everything that do. ... But the question is why should you worry about what those people think ? Why should you allow anyone to dictate terms to you. You are not hurting anyone's sentiments ... you are not doing anything which can be called "anti-Hindu" ... so I fail to understand why anyone would have any objection to it ?

Such loose comments can be passed by some immature teenagers & people who have not grown up mentally ... but do they really matter anyway ?

OM

Eastern Mind
29 October 2011, 08:25 AM
As someone converting to Hinduism, I wonder if my adoption of Hindu customs goes too far. I take Bharatanatyam classes and I'm interested in wearing a Bindi to show my pride in my religion, but I don't want Indians to think I'm a culture vulture. I take pride in my own culture, but I want to embrace Hindu culture. I want to hear other forum members on when they think non Indian converts are taking it too far.

Vannakkam rainbowlotus: I'm with Devotee. You can never take it too far. We (the converts) whether we like it or not, are becoming an integral part of the Hindu diaspora. If we don't adopt the culture, we're basically practising a watered down version. Here in America, we can lead by example, and demonstrate to recent immigrants from the more traditional countries of Hinduism that we love the culture just the way it is. There is no need for them to Americanise it.

I think its great that you are taking Bharatanatyam, and wear bindi. I have a dear friend who studied in Chennai at Kalakshetra (sp?) school of dance, and managed to learn Tamil as well. Other than skin colour, she looks right off the boat from India. So yes, go for it.

Aum Namasivaya

NayaSurya
29 October 2011, 09:06 AM
I think it depends. How far do you wish to take it?:p

Some incarnations burn deep comfortable lines of memory...and make us inclined to certain things. The moment we see them in a new incarnation we say...YES! I love this...but why?:dunno:


I agree with the two wise Portion above me, do whatever you feel is right for you on this matter and do not worry about what others say.

If you love Sari, wear them. But, if you are more comfortable in modest slacks and clothing from your birth culture, wear that.

I like to hug people, I use both hands when I meet you...as each one of you is so precious to me....it's hard to stay standing. I also am very comfortable in my very long bell bottom jeans and modest kurti. I love sarong most of all...use them all summer with everything. So beautiful!

Those things have nothing to do with being dharmic.

This was one of my big confusions of this lifetime but I have settled it by accepting my location as a part of this incarnations education.

There are reasons each of us spawned in the locations we did and lessons there in that locations important to our forward movement.

Hindu come from many countries, the first Hindu I met was from the beautiful island of Bali. A wonderful friend with such a very rich culture from her homeland. and now Hindu even come from Newbie America, Wonderful Canada...Beautiful Brazil...Fabulous Latvia...Haute Europe..all over the world folks are finding the Truth!<3

rainbowlotus
29 October 2011, 09:58 AM
Vannakkam rainbowlotus: I'm with Devotee. You can never take it too far. We (the converts) whether we like it or not, are becoming an integral part of the Hindu diaspora. If we don't adopt the culture, we're basically practising a watered down version. Here in America, we can lead by example, and demonstrate to recent immigrants from the more traditional countries of Hinduism that we love the culture just the way it is. There is no need for them to Americanise it.

I think its great that you are taking Bharatanatyam, and wear bindi. I have a dear friend who studied in Chennai at Kalakshetra (sp?) school of dance, and managed to learn Tamil as well. Other than skin colour, she looks right off the boat from India. So yes, go for it.

Aum Namasivaya

Thank you for your kind thoughts. I'm actually planning to study at Kalakshetra. I hope this isn't weird but, if it's possible I would love to hear about her experience. Also, do you wear traditional Indian clothing? I want to start to wear Indian clothing, because I've thought that it isn't weird for a Muslim convert to wear a hijab so why can't I wear clothing associated with my religion.

Eastern Mind
29 October 2011, 10:07 AM
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I'm actually planning to study at Kalakshetra. I hope this isn't weird but, if it's possible I would love to hear about her experience. Also, do you wear traditional Indian clothing? I want to start to wear Indian clothing, because I've thought that it isn't weird for a Muslim convert to wear a hijab so why can't I wear clothing associated with my religion.

Vannakkam: I don't wear Hindu dress in public here much, just to and from the temple. But at any temple I wear South Indian style, veshti, and short sleeved shirt ... always. PM me if you want me to ask my friend or some others about Kalakshetra. I'm sure they would be open to helping you, or at least sharing experiences.

Aum Namasivaya

NayaSurya
29 October 2011, 10:21 AM
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I'm actually planning to study at Kalakshetra. I hope this isn't weird but, if it's possible I would love to hear about her experience. Also, do you wear traditional Indian clothing? I want to start to wear Indian clothing, because I've thought that it isn't weird for a Muslim convert to wear a hijab so why can't I wear clothing associated with my religion.

In islam women are forced to hide themselves and forced to stay in homes without a male escort. Hindu have no dress code forced upon them.

I don't see modesty in moderation as a dress code for one religion but a dress code of the world where modesty thrives.


Vannakkam: I don't wear Hindu dress in public here much, just to and from the temple.

Em, you are Hindu whatever you wear...even a pair of mudwaders and parka would be Hindu Dress.

Indian dress, Indonesian dress, Nepalese dress, American dress...clown costume. In every one of those Hindu can reside.

devotee
30 October 2011, 08:34 AM
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I'm actually planning to study at Kalakshetra. I hope this isn't weird but, if it's possible I would love to hear about her experience. Also, do you wear traditional Indian clothing? I want to start to wear Indian clothing, because I've thought that it isn't weird for a Muslim convert to wear a hijab so why can't I wear clothing associated with my religion.

At Kalakshetra, I hope you can find other westerners too. It is a great institute. A white woman/man studying in India is not so uncommon. A know one white lady who studies here in Varanasi in BHU. She is a friend of one of my neighbours. ... and as NS said, there is no dress code unless the School has kept any. The only criteria is that the dress should not be too revealing and odd looking so that you don't draw unnecessary attention. :)

OM

Eastern Mind
30 October 2011, 09:05 AM
and parka would be Hindu Dress.



Vannakkam Naya: Encouraging words. I volunteered (Maybe in mid January I shall regret this.) to be the snow removal guy this year for the temple parking lot. It's a small John Deere riding snow blower. So it won't be in veshti, that is for sure. But a more elderly Tamil friend did it for 8 years or so. So if he can, I do believe a Canadian born on some desolate wind-swept farm full of buffalo, 20 foot snowdrifts and igloos should be able to handle it. The only larger place worse than here is Winnipeg. Up north in Inuvik or Tuktoyaktuk ... well, that is another nasty thought altogether. At least I'll have light to see.

Aum Namasivaya

saidevo
30 October 2011, 10:48 AM
namaste everyone.

As NS has pointed out, today's cosmopolitan Hindu wears almost every sort of dress that are in vogue the world over, both at home and in public, although most temples have restrictions about clothes that are too much revealing or clothes such as the lungi. Common temple wear in India includes sari and salwar-kameez for women and pant-shirt, pajama-kurta, dhoti-shirt/upper clothing for men.

Generally, Hindu clothes are meant to be flowing--not tight--so it allows circulation of air and prAnic energy. Silk is found to be spiritually conducive as it balances the subtle energies. Since conventional silk from the silkworms is considered against the principles of ahimsA, and is frowned upon by Hindu religious teachers, a variety known as ahimsA silk is becoming popular these days. The banana fibre fabrics are also catching up.

The Indian sari was originally very long and was worn with many fleets that allowed free movement of the legs. It was further worn in what is known as the madisAr style that has a parting at the legs. Fashion trends have today brought down the sari length to 5.50 metres with minimal fleets, and these can't be worn in the tucked-in style, so the salwar-kameez variety has become the favourite dress for Hindu girls and young women throughout India, both at home and in public.

How did the Indian clothing look in the ancient days? Some links:
http://www.hindubooks.org/sudheer_birodkar/hindu_history/life.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ancient-indian-fashion-facts.html
http://ancientwonders.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/ancient-clothing-of-india-women/

Ref:
http://www.innervision.com/silks/Pages/benefits.html
http://www.ahimsasilks.com/
http://www.thebetterindia.com/135/ahimsa-silk-silk-saree-without-killing-a-single-silkworm/
http://www.aurorasilk.com/fabrics/Ahimsa_Silk_Fabric.html
http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/28/stories/2007022818050500.htm

charitra
30 October 2011, 10:48 AM
Do try to get some scholarship for your futurecollege years in India.
If you live in Saudi Arabia, Iran and even in some Indonesianprovinces, wearing a scarf isn’t a voluntary option, I mean even for hindus andothers at that. Meeting some muslims talking sweet in Detroit is quite a differentballgame altogether, they suffer from ‘global denial syndrome’ and never subject themselvesto any serious introspection the way hindus do, just keep away from the mostviolent faith on earth for your own safety.

I can citemany examples on when islam goes ‘too far’ though. Please Read below.

Pak Hindu Challenges CompulsoryIslamic Studies

PTI | Rezaul H Laskar| Islamabad | Oct 29, 2011

A Hindu boy has fileda petition in a Pakistani court challenging a rule that stipulates a studentmust have a certificate in Islamic studies to be eligible to appear forentrance tests to medical colleges.A division bench of the Sindh High Courtadmitted Sagar Ladhani's petition yesterday and provisionally allowed him toappear in an upcoming test for admission to an MBBS course.

In his petition, Ladhani challenged the rule that studentshave to study "Islamiat" at the O-level to get an equivalence certificatefrom local education boards to appear in entrance tests for admission tomedical colleges and institutions.The bench headed by Chief Justice Mushir Alamissued notices to the federal and provincial Education Secretaries, Inter-BoardCommittee of Chairmen, Dow University of Medical and Health Sciences, NationalTesting Service and provincial and federal law officers to submit theirresponse to the petition. The court adjourned the matter till November 15.Ladhani'slawyer Farough Naseem told the court that his client had completed his O andA-levels from the University of Cambridge through a local private schoolingsystem.The subjects of religious studies prescribed in the O-level syllabuswere "Islamic Religious Culture and Islamiat" for Muslim students and"Religious Studies and the Bible" for Christian students.

There was no subject in the O-level curriculum for studentsbelonging to other religious minorities, including Hindus, Naseem said.WhenLadhani approached the Board of Intermediate Education to obtain an equivalencecertificate, he was told it could be granted to him only if he had passed thereligious studies course at the O-level. Naseem said Ladhani was unable toapply to the Dow University of Health Sciences as the education board declinedto grant him the required equivalence certificate.The admission test would beconducted on October 30 and Ladhani was informed on October 4 that he shouldhave taken ethics or religious studies with other mandatory subjects at theO-level for obtaining the equivalence certificate.

The lawyer said the ethics examination was scheduled for May2012 and if the condition was not relaxed, Ladhani would lose an academic year.Heasked the court to direct authorities to allow Ladhani to sit for the admissiontest.The court, after hearing the federal and provincial law officers, allowedLadhani to appear in the test provisionally.

Filed On: Oct 29,2011 14:47 IST
http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=739822

rainbowlotus
30 October 2011, 12:49 PM
At Kalakshetra, I hope you can find other westerners too. It is a great institute. A white woman/man studying in India is not so uncommon. A know one white lady who studies here in Varanasi in BHU. She is a friend of one of my neighbours. ... and as NS said, there is no dress code unless the School has kept any. The only criteria is that the dress should not be too revealing and odd looking so that you don't draw unnecessary attention. :)

OM

I'm actually black american. I have never met or heard of black Bharatanatyam dancers before.

rainbowlotus
30 October 2011, 12:53 PM
namaste everyone.

As NS has pointed out, today's cosmopolitan Hindu wears almost every sort of dress that are in vogue the world over, both at home and in public, although most temples have restrictions about clothes that are too much revealing or clothes such as the lungi. Common temple wear in India includes sari and salwar-kameez for women and pant-shirt, pajama-kurta, dhoti-shirt/upper clothing for men.

Generally, Hindu clothes are meant to be flowing--not tight--so it allows circulation of air and prAnic energy. Silk is found to be spiritually conducive as it balances the subtle energies. Since conventional silk from the silkworms is considered against the principles of ahimsA, and is frowned upon by Hindu religious teachers, a variety known as ahimsA silk is becoming popular these days. The banana fibre fabrics are also catching up.

The Indian sari was originally very long and was worn with many fleets that allowed free movement of the legs. It was further worn in what is known as the madisAr style that has a parting at the legs. Fashion trends have today brought down the sari length to 5.50 metres with minimal fleets, and these can't be worn in the tucked-in style, so the salwar-kameez variety has become the favourite dress for Hindu girls and young women throughout India, both at home and in public.

How did the Indian clothing look in the ancient days? Some links:
http://www.hindubooks.org/sudheer_birodkar/hindu_history/life.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ancient-indian-fashion-facts.html
http://ancientwonders.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/ancient-clothing-of-india-women/

Ref:
http://www.innervision.com/silks/Pages/benefits.html
http://www.ahimsasilks.com/
http://www.thebetterindia.com/135/ahimsa-silk-silk-saree-without-killing-a-single-silkworm/
http://www.aurorasilk.com/fabrics/Ahimsa_Silk_Fabric.html
http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/28/stories/2007022818050500.htm

Thank you so much for all of this information about saris. I hope to be able to buy some soon

Eastern Mind
30 October 2011, 01:01 PM
I'm actually black american. I have never met or heard of black Bharatanatyam dancers before.

Vannakkam: Then you can be the first! A pioneer in the field. I just hope future audiences come to see you as a great dancer, not just as the first African American bharata natyam dancer. :)

Aum Namasivaya

devotee
30 October 2011, 09:29 PM
I'm actually black american. I have never met or heard of black Bharatanatyam dancers before.

Oh, how our mind works in a conditioned manner ! We tend to equate a foreigner with a white person ! I am sorry. :(

However, it hardly matters what color you are. The important thing is how much interested you are.

OM

Yava Dari
30 October 2011, 10:17 PM
I'm actually black american. I have never met or heard of black Bharatanatyam dancers before.

Here you go: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100926/spectrum/main8.htm

The above article talks about a South African Bharatanatyam dancer. I had read about an African woman who had performed in Bangalore. I'll post the link if I find it.

http://www.narthaki.com/info/intervw/intrv116.html

This is an interview of an African American Bharatanatyam dancer.

All the best. :)

rainbowlotus
31 October 2011, 05:14 AM
Here you go: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100926/spectrum/main8.htm

The above article talks about a South African Bharatanatyam dancer. I had read about an African woman who had performed in Bangalore. I'll post the link if I find it.

http://www.narthaki.com/info/intervw/intrv116.html

This is an interview of an African American Bharatanatyam dancer.

All the best. :)

Thank you for this information! I wonder if there are any woman performers. It's so beautiful to see all cultures interact and respect each other. :)

Yava Dari
31 October 2011, 11:24 AM
I wonder if there are any woman performers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX6I1nQZb0Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9UyWWiBEdM

These videos have woman performer. So now we know there are Bharatanatyam dancers of African origin :).