Masakui Rungsung | The India Week: The best of Indian culture in Kingston

I WILL, even before I realise, soon be completing three years in Jamaica. Never for once had I thought that I would fall in love with a place so far away from India and would effortlessly refer to it as my second home. Besides the welcoming people and, of course, the familiar weather, there is something else which endears Indians so easily to this beautiful island country. Her rich culture.

Back in India, there is hardly anyone who hasn’t heard about Jamaican music and cuisine. You would be surprised to know that there are Indian artistes playing Reggae music! In fact, Sunsplash in the Indian state of Goa boasts of being the biggest Reggae festival in South Asia. Top Caribbean Reggae artistes have performed in India in recent years. Then, there is the world-beating Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and the rum, connoisseurs of which are aplenty back home.

A MYSTIC CONNECTION

Bob Marley and Rastafarianism are also well known in India. Bob Marley’s granddaughter Donisha Prendergast, an actor, filmmaker, poet and activist, has said, “Sharing energy with the sadhus (ascetics) on the riverbank in Varanasi was parallel to the experience of being with the Rastaman in Jamaica. There’s an old connection between these cultures.” May I join her and call it ‘a mystic connection’. On a personal note, I was thrilled upon discovering that my residence in Kingston shared a common boundary with Bob Marley’s home, now a popular museum. At the risk of repeating myself, if culture was the parameter for bestowing superpower status upon countries, Jamaica would, without a doubt, appear on top of the list.

Jamaica has also showered the same love and affection on Indian popular culture. Many Jamaicans I have interacted with have been mesmerised by Bollywood movies or Indian soap operas. They have cozied themselves in the homes of Jamaicans. Put your hand on your heart and tell me also, isn’t one of those busy Indian restaurants in Kingston your favourite weekend haunt!

SHARED COLONIAL PAST

For me, and you can join me, there are two reasons for this mutual fascination between Jamaica and India. The first is our shared colonial past exhibiting our vehement desire to decide our own destiny. It was the Jamaicans who showed the world that the British Empire capitulates, during the first Maroon War in the early 18th century. For its part, Indians fought the British bravely during the first war of Independence in the 19th century. The exploits of Nanny of the Maroons appear similar to Rani Laxmi Bai of India, who was martyred while fighting the British. In the 20th century, as Marcus Garvey lit the flame of revolt against racism and white supremacism, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar fought for the rights of the downtrodden in India. There is some evidence to indicate that Dr Ambedkar followed Garvey’s actions and works closely. I consider myself lucky that I witnessed the president of India unveiling the ‘Ambedkar Avenue’ in downtown Kingston.

The second reason for the attraction is that the Indians have themselves played a huge part in shaping the Jamaican culture as we know it today. The Indian indentured workers who came to Jamaica in the 19th and the early 20th centuries established banana farms, increased sugar cane production, introduced the technology of rice cultivation in Jamaican swamps, and monopolised the cultivation of vegetables and flowers. Mango, Jamun (wild cherry), coolie Baer (plum), kamranga, tulsi (holy basil), neem, and bargad (banyan) were also introduced in Jamaica by Indians. Curried goat, rice, roti, and vegetables are Indian foods that were adopted by the Afro-Jamaicans.

RASTAFARI AND THE REVIVALIST MOVEMENTS

The art of making jewellery, particularly from gold, silver, and copper, has a huge Indian influence. The Jamaican language has also absorbed a great deal from Indian languages. The Indian influence is also visible in the Rastafari and the Revivalist movements in Jamaica.

As India celebrates its 77th Independence Day on August 15, the High Commission is bringing the best of Indian culture to Jamaica though the celebration of ‘India Week’ from August 11-15. The first two days will witness a dance workshop by an Indian dance choreographer and dancers for anyone interested. Yoga and meditation sessions will run side by side absolutely free of cost. Sunday, August 13 will witness a mega medical fair (the 28th in the series) at Victoria Mutual Building Society in Kingston in partnership with Allkare Pharmacy, Andrews Memorial Hospital, Indian community doctors and Indian pharmaceutical companies. Running from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., the fair will provide free doctor consultation, tests for sugar, syphilis, HIV and cholesterol, eye and dental check-ups, as well as free medicines.

BOLLYWOOD EXTRAVAGANZA

A ‘Bollywood Extravaganza’ showcasing Indian song and dance is planned at the Jamaica College on August 14 at 7.30 p.m. Interestingly, to give a collaborative colour to the show, male dancers will be auditioned and trained to be a part of the Bollywood Extravaganza. It is a free event, and all are invited upon pre-registration to secure entry pass/ticket. The week will conclude with an Independence Day reception on August 15 at The Little Theatre, 4 Tom Redcam Avenue, followed by a repeat performance of the ‘Bollywood Extravaganza’ for special invitees. I would urge you to please follow the High Commission of India social media handles for more information.

I hope to see you all shaking a leg or consulting a doctor, or better still, meditating with our yoga guru on one of the ‘India Week’ days. Let’s drink more on each other’s cultures, the glue undergirding the strong Jamaica-India ties.

Masakui Rungsung is the high commissioner of India to Jamaica. Send feedback to cons.kingston@mea.gov.in