Days ago I was talking with a friend about this blog. This guy is very sharp-minded and he is always looking north and west, i.e. always relating to Northern Europeans and USA while his attitude towards other parts of the world is not very open-minded in my view. I told him I of course liked the West too but my blog having like a will of its own kind of brought me to the Far East and to a continuous dialogue with the Indians and the Chinese. He said: “How can you connect to your deep Roman roots while interacting all the time with the Indians, the Chinese etc., with folks very different from the Romans, the Italians and the Europeans? It is a contradictory behaviour.”
I tried to explain to him that if I am able to rediscover my heritage thence I am also able to bring a contribution to others who are diverse and that this process is two-ways, i.e. the same thing can happen at the other side of the dialogue. He didn’t sound very convinced. So I remembered a passage by a great Indian thinker. I hope this quotation can help me explain this interesting point a bit.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Indian philosopher and statesman, wrote in Living with a Purpose (Orient Paperbacks, New Delhi, 1976, p. 9-10):
“Great classics of literature spring from profound depths in human experience. They come to us who live centuries later in vastly different conditions as the voice of our own experience. They release echoes within ourselves of what we never suspected was there. The deeper one goes into one’s own experience, facing destiny, fighting fate, or enjoying love, the more does one’s experience have in common with the experiences of others in climes and ages. The most unique is the most universal. The dialogues of Buddha or of Plato, the dramas of Sophocles, the plays of Shakespeare are both national and universal. The more profoundly they are rooted in historical traditions, the more uniquely do they know themselves and elicit powerful responses from others. There is a timeless and spaceless quality about great classics.”
“Kalidasa is the great representative of India’s spirit, grace and genius. The Indian national conciousness is the base from which his works grow. Kalidasa has absorbed India’s cultural heritage, made it his own, enriched it, given it universal scope and significance. Its spiritual directions, its political forms and economic arrangements, all find utterance in fresh, vital, shining phrases. We find in his works at their best, simple dignity of language, precision of phrase, classical taste, cultivated judgement, intense poetic sensibility and fusion of thought and feeling …. his works belong to the literature of the world. Humanity recognizes itself in them though they deal with Indian themes. In India Kalidasa is recognized as the greatest poet and dramatist in Sanskrit literature … Tradition associates Kalidasa with King Vikramaditya of Ujjayini who founded the Vikrama era of 57 B.C.”
Note. I am happy I could quote this passage. Radhakrishan has been my Indian philosopher since the first time I went to India. A great author and an excellent bridge between Eastern and Western thought. Wikipedia says “he wrote books on Indian philosophy according to Western academic standards, and made Indian philosophy worthy of serious consideration in the West”. Western-centric sentence, but interesting.
What I mean is that Radhakrishan’s inspired words can further explain (and somewhat be linked to) some ideas expressed in this blog plus explain the apparent contradiction my friend told me about. Let us try some mental linking then.
1) In my first introductory post I had written:
“I hope on comments from Western and non-Western people, since Rome and the Romans have a mediation nature that comes from the Mediterranean.”
“It is a great privilege to be born and be raised here [in Rome]… to the extent that something must have penetrated, something peculiar and worth to be transmitted, in order to be able, in our turn, to receive.”
“In this blog fragments of this special [Roman] identity are inserted in a bottle and sent through the WWW….”
3) In xntricpundits‘ nice blog (closed by WordPress, don’t know why) I was attracted by this quote taken from Jiddu Krishnamurthy’s works: “When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European, or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind … a man who is seeking to understand violence does not belong to any country, to any religion, to any political party or partial system…he is concerned with the total understanding of mankind ”. I commented: “Violence is horrible but ….to me humanity is too abstract: all of us have different roots, how can we forget these roots? I am writing here not because you are just mankind, but because you are Indian …”. Of course Krishnamurthy’s passage was focusing on tackling violence engendered by diversity.
4) In another post we had underlined the importance of reading good books and the fact that classics of literature were the best companions. Plus in Poonam’s blog (a very good place where – among other things – she fights against what she thinks is socially wrong in India, like people exploited because considered not pure) I had commented on a long list of books she provided (How Many Books Have You Read? ) and made a comparison between Joyce and Dante. This guy (or woman?) told me: “it is unfair on your part to compare two authors of different era..”. Poonam’s post on books contains a lot of discussion. I wish her really all the best, because she is a good example of young India fighting for a better future.
When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European, or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind
Something that makes the net a virtual world where nobody belongs to a specific caste, religion or race – but just one identity – that of a netizen. If somebody tries to place bounds, everyone is up in arms about that. It’s sort of a sandbox, something the real world should be. Rather than saying I’m an Indian first, I should say I am a human first. However different from everyone, I am still a human being and do not forget that others are humans too. Difference is required but it should be in character and way of thinking rather than placing someone in classes like Indian, Japanese or American. Power hungry people find it easy to manipulate us for their own good because of these seeds that have been planted by those who came before them. Be united, be human, yet stay unique. Not asking much am I?
it is unfair on your part to compare two authors of different era..
Haha. One could say that you have to begin somewhere if you want to compare because however you refrain from it, you will always want to compare to find who is superior. On the other hand, what will you gain by it?
How can you connect to your deep Roman roots while interacting all the time with Indians, Chinese etc., folks very different from Romans, Italians and Europeans? It is a contradictory behaviour.
Thing is, what I find is a Roman showing his roman ways to an Indian who increasingly finds that things are done the same way but with a bit of different style. You are helping other human brethren connect with a different part of the world that rarely connects with others outside of it boundaries. I admit, I strive for European friends because I love Europe but there aren’t many who would like to connect. You are helping other humans discover that everyone else is human too, not just their race or nation alone.
Oh and there’s Sex and the City as well!
@Ashish
You said: “Rather than saying I’m an Indian first, I should say I am a human first… Difference is required but it should be in character and way of thinking rather than placing someone in classes…Be united, be human, yet stay unique. Not asking much am I?
”.
I totally agree, also on power manipulating us thru differences already seeded by time (kinda ‘divide et impera’: divide and rule).
My blog though regards Roman cultural identity, Ancient Romans and what is left of that in contemporary Romans and Italians. So this ID is the angle I chose.
The whole thing is complicated, don’t know. I mean, IF I am able to rediscover my heritage, when talking to people from different backgrounds, thence I am able to bring some contribution, some richness (my heritage) to them. In other words, my peculiar – historically localized – experiences can perhaps be of some help to them, BECAUSE we are ALL humans, we are only one species: Homo Sapiens Sapiens. Same thing can happen at the other side of dialogue: people interact with me bringing their own peculiar (and historically localized) experiences, thus creating this fruitful feedback, this dialectic ping-pong, like you and me are doing since months, my dear young Indian friend living not too far (hope I am right) from the city of marvels, Bombay.
This is why to me just being mankind is not enough and is abstract. And this is why I am happy outstanding Radhakrishan helped me clarify this to myself and to readers (I hope).
@Ashish
You give a good contribution to this topic, even tho you are too kind to me:
“What I find is a Roman showing his Roman ways to an Indian who increasingly finds that things are done the same way but with a bit of different style. You are helping other human brethren connect with a different part of the world that rarely connects with others outside of it boundaries. I admit, I strive for European friends because I love Europe but there aren’t many who would like to connect…”
In fact we both try to break barriers, you and me, Ashish (I remind my readers that you lived in Portuguese India, so you have interest for Western culture, although you are Hindu).
Well, here in West and in Italy people connect very little to what is really different. The Italian people are only starting now to open up to Europe & World but most of them are unaware of World changes.
What I am doing is in fact not well understood, even by my friends. Some are still occupied on connection between Rome and Milan (me too, it is great fun lol), or modern and ancient Italy, or southern and northern Europe, as I said, or America (which is West anyway). A very intelligent woman from Calabria (half Greek region from southern Italy) keeps saying she is reverse racist: she rejects all Italians north of Rome. Incredible, considering that great fashion genius Versace from Calabria went to Milan and won, then went to New York and won (then went to Miami and was killed: this being an accident tho). People like Versace I admire. My dear friend from Calabria, instead, I love but admire less, I admit.
I mean, the whole world is getting connected, let us face it. Same thing happens probably in India. I have seen some Indians not replying to my comments. I can understand. I am an alien. One of my schoolmates spent 2 years in India recently (he’s in love with India and thinks he even has some Indian blood, which I think is not true lol). He worked there for an airplane firm. Being the handsomest in our school – all girls totally *in love* with him – he came back to Italy disappointed, saying Indians stick together and do not mix with foreigners. My theory is he also was disappointed because Indian women did not kneel before him as they did here at my Roman school ah ah ah.
Ok, let us break these stupid barriers! People who do not understand that the whole world is connected will miss tremendous opportunities: jobs, money, fun (also sex and love, why not), great excitement, happiness, I believe.
PS
Roman chatter-box will end up with a theory: deep civilizations tend to close-up they being sort of *complete* in themselves. I saw it in France and I felt sorry since they seem to decline a bit. I saw it in Russia so much (plus they sort of hate Western Europeans – they being Eastern Europeans – because we were the capitalist enemy who won. But they are not declining. Oh no, big surprises coming from big Russian bear, I believe).
Saw it not in Germany, a special case, such a *great* people, unlucky history, we discussed this.
I see it in Italy, tho many Italians (from south and north) are open and incredibly *active*. Italians have tremendous genes and will not decline easily, I think, problem being what happens in whole Europe).
I see it in India, but, like here in Italy, only one part is open and really on-the-go, simple difference being the active portion there is *H-U-G-E* compared to ours.
This is about to change the world.
I have few questions:
1. When did you come to India? Where have you been in India?
2. Have you read any of Kalidasa’s works?
3. How did ya get inspired to read about RadhaKrishnan?
And thank you for saying so good things about my blog. It is flattering.
And xcentricpundit’s blog has been suspended by wordpress. It is no longer available. 
My blog though regards Roman cultural identity, Ancient Romans and what is left of that in contemporary Romans and Italians. So this ID is the angle I chose.
This is why to me just being mankind is not enough and is abstract
Oh yes, I’m not saying to forget your [well basically this is to everyone] identity, but it should be I am a human first, then a roman rather than I am a Roman. We need to be humans. Of course we need the quirkiness of each region, without them it would be a dull world. It’s because of weirdos or our weirdness that we find life interesting. If everyone followed rule, it would be dull. Be unique but be human.
The whole thing is complicated, don’t know. I mean, IF I am able to rediscover my heritage, when talking to people from different backgrounds, thence I am able to bring some contribution, some richness (my heritage) to them. In other words, my peculiar – historically localized – experiences can maybe of some help to them
Which is what you are doing. To me you are helping me to learn the ropes of life. For a student, theres a ton of information.
my dear young Indian friend living not too far (hope I am right) from the city of marvels, Bombay.
I was born there [or to be accurate just 4 stations of out the city], moved to Goa, moved back. It’s smelly and pollution reeked. Thats just me who likes the mountains and a village life.
I have seen some Indians not replying to my comments. I can understand.
You wouldn’t find me that way. I’d pounce on you. I’m the exact opposite of that, especially if the commentators from Europe or South America.
deep civilizations tend to close-up they being sort of *complete* in themselves.
Noble gases?
only one part is open and really on-the-go, simple difference being the active portion there is *H-U-G-E* compared to ours.
India is still mired with medieval age rituals and taboos. We will have to break the shackles and its good to see people like Poonam standing up for people’s rights.
Have a great day Man of Roma! Eat loads of Pasta!
@Poonam
>1. When did you come to India? Where have you been in India?
My first time in India was at the end of the Seventies. Well, actually it was my honeymoon, in Bombay and from there to Goa, a couple of weeks. It was winter, climate excellent, we both adored Bombay, also ex Portuguese Goa, of course (we hated the Western drug weirdos there tho). We returned to India maybe 1-2 years later. We stayed there one whole month, August, terribly hot though we didn’t mind being so young. I remember we buying monthly train tickets so we could travel by night (sleeping in a wonderful Raj-type-of-flavour train) and each morning coming out the train in a new station we saw new wonders. Amazing. From that year we *always* went to Far East for vacation. We in fact got also back to Bombay, then Rajastan and Jaipur, we saw Taj Mahal, New Delhi and up north Srinagar in Kashmir, where we slept in an elegantly furnished houseboat full of oriental carpets. And a little mouse who jumped on my wife by night… it was fun.
> 2. Have you read any of Kalidasa’s works?
No I haven’t. I quoted RadhaKrishnan’s passage on him because it further explained what I wanted to say and I trust him if he says it is an Indian classic.
>3. How did ya get inspired to read about RadhaKrishnan?
First magic time in Bombay I found this old old man with glasses – he looked so deep – who sold books in a tiny bookshop. Asking him what I could read to understand India’s culture, he replied so slowly…and gave me 3-4 coloured little books from Orient Paperbacks. This way I met RadhaKrishnan. Back in Italy I bought “A cultural history of India”, Oxford Press. The section about Hinduism was written by RadhaKrishnan. I lost this book…:-( maybe but I have notes I wrote at the time.
>thank you for saying so good things about my blog. It is flattering
I am just saying what I think. I always do.
@Ashish
>Of course we need the quirkiness of each region, without them it would be a dull world. It’s because of weirdos or our weirdness that we find life interesting.
Ah ah ah ah, you are really something!
> Noble gases?
Nice metaphor …Yes, I am convinced of that… only, noble gases must not get conceited and must react with other elements, even tho it can be contrary to their nature lol
> India is still mired with medieval age rituals and taboos. We will have to break the shackles and its good to see people like Poonam standing up for people’s rights.
I agree totally. Only, as I have told you before, pls do KEEP the good things of your heritage. Dark ages or ancient stuff do have their great sides. I know u Indians will not just imitate plastic West. Every great civilization cannot but stick to their identity. Actually the world is desperate for HELP and DEPTH.
Anglo-Saxon civilization has given HUGE contribution to humanity, I admire them and love them, but, as far as my views, we need to proceed further, we need deeper & more meaningful life patterns.
Indians are that deep. You dear Ashish seem the other face of Poonam: you like Indian village life (like me, who retired in a small place), she is probably a city girl (in New Delhi, maybe, I lurked) fighting for modernizing social wrongs.
I can marry you both ah ah ah ah ah
PS
Poonam: this is an example of Italian silly blunt kidding ..
[...] Man of Roma ponders on the most unique is the most universal. [...]
@Manofroma: I have spent very little time in Bombay. But I am going to Bombay and Goa end of year (this month end). But I know Goa is going to be different than Portuguese era. There is a Shayam Bengal directed movie about a Portuguese family in Goa that I have watched. It is called Trikaal.
When I return, I will write more about it. Any recommendations about what I should see there.
Yes, Kalidasa’s work is a classic. I was just curious if you had read it.
And yeah, I am city bred. Been in town though while in school. But never lived in village. I have been to village for visits. My visits are though memorable.
Poonam: Don’t go for the movies, as far as I know Goa is still the same – a sort of lazy coastal town isolated from the troubles of the rest of the country.
I suggest you visit Vagatore and Anjuna beaches, Old Goa, Mapusa and Bondla. [Dudhsagar waterfall etc. are there too.] Try to take the bus tour of Goa.. its superb and finishes at night on the Miramar beach in Panjim on a boat!
It’s become commercialised more now, but thats only in the cities.
@Poonam and Ashish
Glad to hear Goa is still the same, more or less! I adored those beaches, probably the best in the world, and of course the Portuguese people (though I was more attracted to the Hindus, more different than us…after all I went to India to see the real thing, the Indians, not half European Goa people lol).
I found my old notes of that trip. Dunno if they make any sense now. “People in Goa feel different from other Indians, they feel more European. When one is in fact strolling along the streets of Panaji (Nova Goa) one gets the impression of being in Portugal, Spain or maybe South America. Men have small moustaches, women have Portugal grace, hair with some flower plus arranged in a roll or chignon at the back of their head. Some people and women you cannot distinguish from Europeans or Brazilians. This middle-aged guy in a shop, a shoemaker, told me they have mixed feelings towards the Hindus and are scared to be invaded by huge Hindu masses….”
I am staying at Candolim beach. So Anjuna and Vagatore should be near by. Mapusa is also nearby. But where is BOndla?
I want to indulge in all sorts of activities there: paragliding, snorkelling…which are the places to do? Do all beaches have that? And what else can one do in Goa?
@Poonam
>where is Bondla?….
Ask Ashish about it. I was there maybe 30-35 years ago….
>I want to indulge in all sorts of activities there: paragliding, snorkelling…which are the places to do? Do all beaches have that? And what else can one do in Goa?
Ask him lol (and meet him…why not, if u can?)
Bondla is half a days journey from Mapusa [I lived there]. It is a wildlife sanctuary.
paragliding, snorkelling…which are the places to do?
I don’t know about that. I was about 13 when I left Goa so no go there. You can search the net. However I do think Vagatore has that.
And what else can one do in Goa?
However if you are a history buff and would like to see some portuguese architecture, I think you’ll be pleased. The Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa and the surrounding city is superb. As for Mapusa, there isn’t much except the city and the bazaar [if it is the same.]. If you can, go and see Dattawadi, my old school is there. 
Drink, enjoy.
and meet him…why not, if u can?
Nope, she can’t. I haven’t been to Goa in like seven years!
[...] MoR. Of course, and he was all but nuts. He started humanism. And when later Machiavelli returned home he used to take off his dusty clothes and after cleaning himself and wearing a decorous attire he entered his library to have dialogue with the minds of ancient men. He asked questions. They replied. It was not anything bookish. These Renaissance men were looking for inspiration. They seemed to look at the past but they were preparing the future. Something not easy to understand today. It was this New Learning who empowered Europe. My method post explains in detail my view of dialectics. The importance of classics is also explained here and here. [...]