LITERESI BILENG AVANSE - boukie banane

nation building or just a diversion tactic so that racism is ignored and an anti-Hindu propaganda is
subtly and cleverly distilled?
Nuvin Ramgoolam is systematically attacked because he is a Hindu and a Vaish by the Euro-Creole
controlled press which turns a blind eye on Berenger's communalist, casteist and vaishist political
tactic. Is it in the name of 'Morisianism'? Has Nuvin Ramgoolam won over Berenger simply because
he is a Hindu and a Vaish or is it also because he is a good, charismatic leader with a clear vision and
a progressive strategy for the future? The same could be said of Sir Seewoosagur or Sir Anerood.
Ashok Jugnauth, Madun Dalloo or Dinesh Ramjuttun are all three Hindus and Vaish. Who in their
right minds would choose them to govern the Republic of Mauritius?
BACK TO THE RAINBOW
In the Bible, the rainbow is the covenant, an agreement between God and humankind. As a poet I
see it as a powerful symbol of our national identity. This was what I had in mind when I called the
rock-opera 'Zozef Ek So Palto Larkansiel'. That the colours stay separate and don't mix is good for
otherwise the result would be a bland, colourless, insipid hodge-podge. The rainbow remains in fact
a good symbol for the motto 'Unity in Diversity'. The arc stands for unity and the different colours
for diversity. But that is not the end of the story.
The concept can be perceived in at least 2 different ways. Conservatives see it as something static,
rigid and fixed. Progressive thinkers see it as a dynamic, dialectical reality where opposites reinforce
each other while at the same time conquering new heights. Recently Art Academy under the
talented leadership of Anna Patten and Sanedhip Bhimjee staged in India a new creation entitled
'Katha'zz' (Mauritian Kathak) which according to reports was a stunning success. At present Father
Alex Maca and his team are preparing an 'Afropera' (term coined by Eric Triton) called 'Rekiem'.
Artistic creation is breaking the walls. Creativity does not fuse or merge the colours of the rainbow
but rather help them to shine more brightly.
Reality will not stop changing. Whether we like it or not Mauritius is a Creole island as defined by the
historian, Professor Megan Vaughan. On this Creole island a new language has developed without
which cohesion would collapse. Our food culture has been enriched by borrowings and innovations.
We have our own music and dance. Yet the colours of the rainbow have not become dull. In fact
they are brighter. Let's not allow the ambition of a loony to destroy all this.
Recently when I publicly declared that when I rediscovered faith after a spell of serious doubt, God
took the shape of Jesus Christ in my mind, several persons asked me if I had turned Christian. They
could not understand that I could consider Jesus as an avatara. Moreover people find it hard to
understand that a person could have faith and not practise any religion.
I am a Mauritian of Telugu background who has undergone a rich voyage of discovery through
cultural miscegenation. I live at peace with myself and every morning and night I thank Jesus, my
God, for the opportunity I'm enjoying here in Mauritius, as a linguist and a poet. Incidently, that
could make me a member of what is known as General Population. An interesting thought!
48