Saturday 28 January 2012

Friday, January 27, 2012 to Guyana

Chutney Show
 
Gainesville, Miami, Port-of-Spain, finally Georgetown, Guyana.

Going through four airports this day left little time for walking.  It was hard to find some spunk out of the day, except for reading about conversations our Guru, Srila Prabhupada had with people in 1968, some of which interviewed him on radio in the Bay area of Frisco (San Francisco).  Apart from that if there was anything that was a little arousing, spunky or spicy about today then there was a mere mention of “chutney” by a Guyanese man whom I met on the plane.

“Chutney” is a common condiment, possibly pickled, could-be-tardy and maybe dragon-like hot preparation. It’s often used as a dip for savouries and is common in the south-east Asian communities. It can tantalize or kill depending on your conditioning.

So this one man, whom I met, who recognized the robes said, “yah know, we need more people like you to give the alternative to our young folks. In Trinidad and Guyana they are so much exposed to these Chutney Shows.

“Is it a new cooking show?” I asked innocently.

“No!“ he said, ” you can imagine what is.”

“Oh, you are talking about sex in your face”

“Yeah, and most of the lyrics in the songs talk about encouraging rum consumption.

“Not Ram, but rum?” I asked.

“Yes, exactly!”

I suggested that we fight fire with fire; that we, as a pious society entertain with enlightenment; we give the youths of today enter-light-en-ment. Give them song, dance and drama. Do it light but with a subtle smack.

“Light their fires” with a message of bhakti (devotion) and make their chutney taste disgustingly, bland and flat.

I told this gentleman that I write, direct and produce devotional plays that attempts to insert Shakti (spiritual energy). He seemed happy that someone is working on bringing the young under a spiritual banner. I let the gentleman know that I have come to Guyana before to engage youths in performance. On this trip, I will be leading some chanting sessions with some teenagers. This is also just the best engagement for them. With kirtan chanting you have it all- sweet and sticky, spicy and hot, cool and chilled. And it is for everyone.

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