Ratna Venkat
ratna@indiannewslink.co.nz
At the Tenth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards held on November 27, 2018, I came across a word which I thought was misspelt.
It was ‘Indegration’ instead of ‘Integration’ and I had pointed out the typo to Indian Newslink Managing Director Jacob Mannothra, who had used the word.
A Portmanteau
He told me that ‘Indegration’ is a portmanteau, a made-up term by combining the words India and Integration, with just the ‘t’ cleverly changed to ‘d.’
He said that the idea of coining ‘Indegration’ was to denote how India or people of Indian origin assimilate or ‘integrate’ with other cultures, without sacrificing their Indian identity.
I took a moment to think about this and realised that I have been doing this all along in my Fusion dance performances, in which I have successfully merged Indian Classical Dance with other cultural art forms, producing acts such as Indo-Western, Indo-Chinese and Indo-Maori.
Two-Way Street
After hearing Mr Mannothra’s explanation, I instantly took a liking to this word but wondered whether ‘Indegration’ can also be a two-way street, in which people of other cultures can integrate with India or the Indian way of life.
As per the diagram I drew, it is interesting to see how the equation of Indegration affects those residing in the West and those in India, but in completely opposite ways.
To seek spiritual health and the meaning of life, it is common for Westerners to move to India for answers. On the other hand, it is common for Indians to go West to seek material wealth, name and fame.
International Yoga Festival
Yoga is by far the biggest contribution of India to the world, and it is often the case that when one is involved with Yoga and is a devoted ‘Yogi,’ that person inadvertently gets ‘indegrated’ with Indian spirituality, Hinduism and Vegetarianism.
The Seventh annual New Zealand International Yoga Festival held at Kawai Purpura in Albany from Thursday, February 22 to Sunday, February 25 (Indian Newslink, March 1, 2018), was reminiscent of this fact and of ‘Indegration,’ where I had opportunities to meet and interact with a number of non-Indians (mostly of European descent) who are passionately immersed in the Indian way of life, be it meditation, chanting or music.
Festival Highlights
“Embrace Your Inner Mastery” was the tagline behind this four-day event, bringing together more than 800 Yoga presenters and practitioners from different parts of New Zealand and around the world.
I was fortunate to be one of the presenters at this year’s festival, where my two dance recitals, ‘Keeping Up with the Gods’ and ‘Branching Out,’ illustrated the theme of ‘embracing my inner mastery’ of my art forms, bridging the gap between Indian Classical Dance and Yoga. This was a relationship which is as old as the creation of Yoga itself and attributed to the Hindu Lord Shiva, who is known as ‘Adi Yogi’ (the First Yogi) and Lord Nataraja (the Lord of Dance).
The Three Elements
I was also privileged to participate in some of the popular Yoga workshops that were offered at the Festival, including ‘Aerial Yoga,’ by Ximeno Tamburo, ‘Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Yoga by Maggie Langeness, and a traditional Yoga class titled ‘From Awareness to Relaxation’ by Bernardo Staut.
I am happy that I experienced Yoga on all three elements! In the Air (Aerial), on Water (SUP) and on Earth (From Awareness to Relaxation).
Even in the world of Yoga, the concept of Indegration is apparent, since the ancient Indian practice of Yoga has ‘indegrated’ with the West to produce interesting combinations that make them global, engaging and enjoyable to all; whether young or old, Yoga first timers or qualified teachers.
Going Green… and Yellow
As proven by many, Yoga is not a form of physical exercise but a lifestyle in itself.
Thus, most Yogis will mention that adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet helps in the importance of nourishing the body internally with whole foods and plant-based foods, promoting health as well as helping the body feel vibrant for continued Yoga practice.
Not only have I been raised in a vegetarian family, I have also been exposed to traditional Indian foods and herbs that have been inherent in my family and in my community for generations.
Examples include ‘Haldi’ or Turmeric, the yellow powder which we use in our everyday Indian cooking. It has now ‘indegrated’ with the West, producing refreshing yummy drinks such as Golden Turmeric Latte and Golden Turmeric Milkshake!
Indegrate Next Year!
Those wanting to experience the ‘Indegration’ of Yoga and Wellbeing in new and innovative ways can look forward to next year’s festival, scheduled to be held from February 21 to 24, 2019 at Kawai Purapura of which Indian Newslink will carry a report.
‘Voices of Sacred Earth’
Meanwhile, readers can book their dates accordingly for the forthcoming ‘Voices of Sacred Earth Festival,’ which will take place from Friday, March 23 to Sunday, March 25, 2018.
The slogan behind this Eco-Festival is “Awakening Your Inner Song,” and hundreds of people are expected to partake in a weekend packed with Ancient Earth-Based Traditions, Healing Ceremonies and Social change workshops, as well as indigenous cultural performances.
For more information about ‘Voices of Sacred Earth Festival,’ including booking tickets, please visit www.voicesofsacredearth.co.nz
Photo :
- The Indegration Process (Graphic by Ratna Venkat)
- Ratna Venkat presenting ‘Tarangam’ (Picture by Disha Utkarsh Sanjanwala)
- Priest Chandru performing the ‘Ganesh Sthapana’ at the Opening Ceremony
- Phillip and Jenny Cottingham performing Aarti as Priest Chandru chants Mantra
- Vegan Food at Prema Dining Room, a highlight
- Devotees presenting Kirtans on stage
- Nature at its best at the Kawai Purpura in Albany- A
- Prayers at the Closing Ceremony
Pictures by Ratna Venkat
