Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
NEW DELHI, INDIA, November 23, 2009: Dr. Karan Singh, Maharaja of Kashmir, governor, ambassador, minister, scholar, writer and now, as head of the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) , the 79-year-old Congress leader is behind India’s softpower drive. These are excepts from an interview.
“There are many Indian cultural centers worldwide run by private organizations, but they are on-again, off-again kind of initiatives. We want a public-private partnership. The government can’t take sole responsibility for Indian culture. It’s far too rich, varied and extensive. But a cultural center run by ICCR gives it focus and continuity.”
“We focus on neighboring nations because we have ignored the region for a long time. We share languages and culture with our neighbors. We must have good ties with them. I am keen to have closer cultural relationship with Pakistan. We also need to engage culturally with China.”
“Bollywood is in great demand abroad, though it is not always suited to our cultural centers. Why are we taking desi rock bands abroad? That’s hardly the world’s idea of Indian music? India is not just Bharatnatyam, it’s also rock and pop. I see no conflict between classical and pop. People are surprised because they think that to be a philosopher, you have to be dull and boring.”
“Globalization is part of us whether we like it or not. We have to take advantage of it and use it creatively. India is large enough and intelligent enough neither to go into a shell nor get swept away by globalization.”