Mumbai: Western musicians, artists and pop culture have been growing in popularity in India for a while and Indian artists and vocalists have been celebrated in other countries equally, but while every culture and genre has something unique to offer, the self proclaimed guardians of Indian culture seem to have a problem with any cultural exchange.
The latest to join the ranks was Dr Subhash Chandra, who after recently stopping Pakistani tv shows on his channel Zee Zindagi, expressed displeasure with the Coldplay concert in Mumbai. He tweeted saying he was saddened seeing the young population drinking, smoking and dancing at the concert, as he wondered if they knew ‘Rabinder’ Sangeet.
I was saddened to see our youth smoking, drinking wine & dancing in COLDPLAY my question do they also know Rabinder Sangeet & other cultural
— Dr. Subhash Chandra (@subhashchandra) November 20, 2016
Aspects & Indian art forms? It's high time we make our own cultural heritage COOL for our youth which is better than Coldplay
— Dr. Subhash Chandra (@subhashchandra) November 20, 2016
While the media baron went on to educate people about the rich culture of our country, he seemed to spell Rabindra Sangeet as Rabinder Sangeet and this was enough for Twitter users to have a field day with Dr Subhash Chandra.
@subhashchandra that's rabindra sir not rabinder!! #rabindranathtagore
— Santosh Gupta (@Insert_Smiley) November 20, 2016
@ShoaibDaniyal And he said "Rabinder" . That's sacrilege!!
— Spandan Pandey (@SpandanPandey) November 20, 2016
@subhashchandra @LangaMahesh pic.twitter.com/u1H5i9cZPQ
— N33R4J (@_N33R4J_) November 20, 2016
@subhashchandra I propose we call you Subhash Chander from today. #RabindraSangeet #WhoIsRabinder
— Rita Bhattacharjee (@ribhattacharjee) November 20, 2016
What exactly is 'Rabinder' Sangeet , Dr. Subhash 'Chander'?Do enlighten those misguided youngsters who drank and smoked while Coldplay-ing.
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) November 21, 2016
Love how in Zee Cine Awards people dance to 'Rabinder Sangeet" to preserve culture https://t.co/XT0LBogZvb
— Joy (@Joydas) November 20, 2016
Meanwhile Subhash Chandra did respond to the criticism on the micro-blogging site, and defended himself by saying that his first language was Hindi and not English.
All those pointing my typos, I wish to tell you humbly that my language isn't as good as yours,does it mean I've no right to raise my point?
— Dr. Subhash Chandra (@subhashchandra) November 21, 2016
In or At! Hindi is my first language and not English & I’ve no shame in it rather I’m proud to have an Indian language as my first language
— Dr. Subhash Chandra (@subhashchandra) November 21, 2016
Just because I come from Bhartiya School of thoughts, does it make me less ‘modern’? Remember, western culture does not make one modern
— Dr. Subhash Chandra (@subhashchandra) November 21, 2016
And I’m not playing the victim card, I will keep raising my points and you have every right to like, dislike, hate or contradict it
— Dr. Subhash Chandra (@subhashchandra) November 21, 2016
While he asked if being weak in English made him less “modern”, we wonder how people’s connect with their culture can be questioned on basis of their appreciation of Coldplay and their choice to drink or smoke?
