Wang Shu, the Chinese architect is the latest Pritzker
laureate. Last year the Pritzker went to SANAA. It was the year when the committee was also considering
Charles Correa and B V Doshi. The Prtizker committee was here to review their
work. To look at a history of events, the economic slump also struck about two years ago. We all must agree that Asia did emerge as a stable economy as compared to other developed western
counterparts.
The clear focus of the entire world on Asian countries in the recent times is
very visible. But to talk of India, it began perhaps
in the '90s. India was introduced to the world through the indroduction of the liberal policies. One could perceive it as a land of infinite people, lakhs of consumers. The chain of recognitions is interesting: In 1994, Aishwarya Rai wins
the Miss World Pageant, and in the same year, Sushmita Sen wins the Miss
Universe Title. In subsequent years, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey, Priyanka
Chopra, Lara Dutta - all of them win. India suddenly becomes popular. In the midst, there was also a Chinese Miss World. They market all beauty products through
which the West re-enters India. Of late, A R Rahman wins Grammy and Oscar. Not
to demean any of the talents or capabilities that south eastern Asian region
has. But all such validation distantly seems capitalistic.
If such focus brings in opportunity, why not! On a critical
reflection, one also feels that it is difficult to change India in totality. Rather, our cultures drive others to change a lot more. The huge mass of people that we have definitely works towards our benefit.
But what does it mean for us to accept an award from a country of the West; what does it mean to accept validation of a developing
country from a developed country? What kind of hegemony are we being subjected
to? All are questions that we ought to detail out. We always wait for such recognition
from greatly progressed countries (Oscars, Pritzkers, RIBA Gold Medals, Grammys, Olympics etc). Countries which have essentially plundered a lot of
natural resource from our own lands and thrive on it today. That is not to accuse them, but to make us
aware and conscious of our own potential.
But these are such random questions and thoughts. I am sure
there is some larger mechanism that is driving the attention to Asian
subcontinent. I wonder if we must be scared or happy...
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