July 26, 2015 (Shuddha Ashadha Shukla paksha Dashami, Kaliyug Varsh 5117)
Recently Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal (BMM) had organized its 17th convention between 3rd to 5th July. In this convention they staged a Marathi one act play titled ‘|| Om Kutraay Namah ||” which caused denigration of Hindu Holy Mantra and Deity Datta. The title of this play is making a mockery of Hindu Dharma and the sacred Hindu mantras of worship. The actor of the play also makes sarcastic comments about dogs resting at the Holy feet of Deity Datta.
Alert Hindus notified Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA), about this misuse of Hindu Mantra and denigration of Deity Datta. Accordingly, Forum for Hindu Awakening wrote to writer and director of the play, Mr. Rohit Bhopatkar and members of BMM, but there has been no response from them. (The letter explaining the denigration is published below)
See the advertisement at below link:
http://bmm2015.org/cultural-programs/north-american-programming/om-kutraay-namah/
We request devote Hindus to appeal lawfully and peacefully to stop this denigration. We also suggest you write and request them to stop this denigration.
Writer’s Email id: rohit.bhopatkar@gmail.com
Email ids of members of BMM:
shailesh.shetye@bmm2015.org
ajay.dandekar@bmm2015.org
suryawanshi@yahoo.com
namitadandekar@yahoo.ca
achaughule@gmail.com
info@bmm2015.org
gopal.marathe@bmm2015.org
shashikant.panat@bmm2015.org
vidya.hardikar@bmm2015.org
- Please see below the email sent by FHA to the writer & director of the play, Rohit Bhopatkar:
From: Hindu Awakening <appeals@forumforhinduawakening.org>
Date: Sat, Jul 18, 2015 at 8:56 AM
Subject: Complaints regarding Marathi play ‘|| Om Kutraay Namah ||’
To: rohit.bhopatkar@gmail.com
|| Shree ||
Namaskar,
We at Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) have received complaints from devout Hindus regarding your Marathi play titled ‘|| Om Kutraay Namah ||’
We would like to bring to your attention how the title of this play is making a mockery of Hindu Dharma and the sacred Hindu mantras of worship. Mantras have the Name of God due to which the mantra becomes full of Divine Energy and Divine Consciousness. The title of your play makes a mockery of a mantra by adding the word ‘Kutra’ (which means dog) in it.
According to Hindu Shaastra, a ‘mantra’ refers to a collection of letters which assists in the acquisition of favourable circumstances and also vanquishes obstacles. A mantra is not merely a union of letters but a representation of inner energy. In one of the scenes, where the actor is reciting the mantra aloud, the audience laughs. This trivializes the sacredness of chanting mantras. It would hamper the development of their faith in the recitation of mantras which is an important spiritual practice.
The actor of the play also makes sarcastic comments about dogs resting at the Holy feet of Deity Datta. The four dogs represent the four Vedas of Hinduism. Deity Datta liberates one from the problems caused by deceased ancestors and provides protection from negative energies and distress. But in this drama, if Deity Datta is portrayed as a helpless and vulnerable Deity, how would audiences be able to develop faith unto Deity Datta and worship Him?
By misusing Hindu mantras as in the title of your play, not only it hurts the sentiments of Hindus but it also sets a wrong example for others and society will be deprived from knowing the importance and significance of Hindu mantras. The name of the play denigrates Hinduism and this incurs spiritual demerits not only for the creator of the play but all those who participate in it.
While your play is addressing the problem of many stray dogs in residential areas and the ignorance of local authorities in handling it effectively; the message could have been conveyed without involving any spiritual aspects like using a mantra or referring to the worship of Deity Datta.
Hence, we urge you to consider the above points and change the insolent title ‘|| Om Kutraay Namah ||’ of the play and remove the derogatory remarks made against Deity Datta and thus maintain the sanctity of Hindu mantras and traditions. Hinduism has a lot to offer the modern world and we want children and adults alike to be able to understand and study it without it being misrepresented. You can take one positive step towards ensuring that Hinduism, including Hindu Deities, Holy symbols and rituals, does not get disrespected by changing the denigrating drama’s name and the contentious dialogues in your comedy on YouTube.
Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) is a nonprofit organization that strives to awaken society to the unique spiritual science behind Hindu Dharma concepts and practices, to motivate people to live and preserve them, and to facilitate the spiritual progress of humanity. One of the ways we do this is by addressing misrepresentations of Hinduism and campaigning against malpractices done in the name of Hindu Dharma. For further details please refer to our website http://forumforhinduawakening.org/.
Awaiting your prompt action and reply.
Sincerely,
Forum for Hindu Awakening
- Please see below the email sent by FHA to members of BMM:
From: Hindu Awakening <appeals@forumforhinduawakening.org>
Date: Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Subject: Complaints regarding Marathi Play at the BMM 2015 convention
To: shailesh.shetye@bmm2015.org, ajay.dandekar@bmm2015.org, suryawanshi@yahoo.com, namitadandekar@yahoo.ca, achaughule@gmail.com, info@bmm2015.org, gopal.marathe@bmm2015.org, shashikant.panat@bmm2015.org, vidya.hardikar@bmm2015.org
|| Shree ||
Namaskar,
We at Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) have received complaints from devout Hindus regarding a Marathi comedy titled ‘|| Om Kutraay Namah ||’, which is going to be performed during the 17th BMM 2015 convention between 3rd to 5th July.
We have reviewed the advertisement of the above mentioned play at http://bmm2015.org/cultural-programs/north-american-programming/om-kutraay-namah/ and would like to bring to your attention how the title of this play is making a mockery of the sacred Hindu mantras and symbols of worship. There is spiritual significance for chanting the Hindu mantras and the divine symbol “Om”. There is spiritual energy associated with chanting of these mantras which helps a seeker to progress spiritually. These mantras are not merely a collection of letters, but the combination is a representation of inner energy.
By using the Hindu mantras loosely as in the title of your play, not only it is hurting the sentiments of Hindus but it will also set a wrong example for others and society will be deprived from knowing the importance and significance of the Hindu mantras. Hindu mantras and symbols of worship such as “Om” are not meant for mockery and entertainment, but a true seeker achieves spiritual progress by regularly chanting the mantra in the original form.
We urge you to consider the above points and replace the insolent title ‘|| Om Kutraay Namah ||’ of the forthcoming play to avoid denigration of Hindu symbols and maintain sanctity of Hindu mantras and traditions. Hinduism has a lot to offer the modern world and we want children and adults alike to be able to understand and study it without being misrepresented. You can take one positive step towards ensuring that Hinduism including Hindu holy symbols and rituals do not get disrespected by replacing the denigrating name of your comedy on your website.
Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) is a nonprofit organization that strives to awaken society to the unique spiritual science behind Hindu Dharma concepts and practices, to motivate people to live and preserve them, and to facilitate the spiritual progress of humanity. One of the ways we do this is by addressing misrepresentations of Hinduism and campaigning against malpractices done in the name of Hindu Dharma. For further details please refer to our website http://forumforhinduawakening.org/.
Awaiting your prompt action and reply.
Sincerely,
Forum for Hindu Awakening