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OBJECTIONS TO MADONNA WARRANTED?

I note with some amusement in my local paper that the World Vaishnava Association speaking for all Hindus wants Madonna and MTV to apologize for her wearing a Vaishnava tilak while dancing sensously and wearing a sheer top. I know that the Satguru probably does not approve, either. I would like to address this in relation to American culture and the Hindu movement in general.

First, the World Vaishnava Association is most likely part of the vast co-opting of all things Vaishnava by the ISKCON devotees. Considering their rejection of status as part of Hinduism (as noted in a recent edition of HT), to now claim that they represent all Hindus becomes rather self-serving. Having been at public events where the teenage female children of ISKCON devotees come dressed in saris tied well below the navel, wearing tops that leave little to the imagination, I suspect that they may need to consider themselves before they lecture others.

Second, the mere association of the body with any symbol of Hinduism is not of itself disgraceful. For that I only have one word: Kujaraho.

Last, I have a difficult time with recent protests over the use of Hindu symbols and depictions of deities in popular western culture. I do dislike the inaccurate representation of Hindu symbols. If a symbol is to be used, let it be used intact, without modification. If the content of a product, such as an album of songs, has no representation of spirituality to reflect what they put on the cover, then I would question such use of a symbol or deity. On the other hand, I've been much impressed by the number of times I've heard songs, or seen films or TV shows that show or touch on some aspect of Hinduism. Explained or unexplained, these things begin to provide a positive awareness of Hinduism in the western consciousness. I believe this to be a good thing that behooves us to enlarge upon whenever possible.

I watched the replay of Madonna's performance. To tell the truth, her breasts don't matter much to me--they've been exposed so much in so many places that they are practically public domain. I suspect that she may have begun to explore outside of her own religious upbringing (remember that she has offended many Catholics and Protestant Christians during past performances) and we can only hope that through this exploration she may come to some spiritual enlightenment.

We should not be petty in our reaction to Madonna, but graciously invite her to learn more if she is so inclined.

Charles L. Griffin, Jr.
(Lifetime subscriber of Hinduism Today)