Recently Mallika Sarabhai’s talk on TED stirred quite a bit of controversy among the video viewers and the comments community.

The dislike raised by many was how she presented her case and the examples she sited. While you can make your judgment viewing the talk, here are my opinions, and views I commented on the same

Hatred can be sprung from anything based on what one is prejudiced about. As a TED viewer my aim is always to see what the goodness value in each talk is.

All these talks to me are opinions of people (much like me and you) who also live in their belief systems but have come up with a point of view that is presented here

As viewers to get the best we need a mind to understand, the openness to accept and the willingness to contribute positively. Disagree if you wish, but do so on a positive note

If I were to take one thing from this presentation it is the reminder that art has a social responsibility than just entertaining a few and that our current issues of inequality and how it effects our future is more severe and should be addressed much beyond our reasoning for preserving the past.

Art is a very powerful media and often when it depicts certain issues; it can be viewed as obnoxious. Especially with an art form such as Indian dance and with a terrific performer as Mallika, the message is often passed on quite forcefully.

To some remarks that TED should take down the video I felt it will only put an end to these constructive criticism.

A talk by itself does not change the world, but when people view it, talk about it, agree and disagree with it change is initiated, within the people who comment as well as who read.

I further went on to view the profiles of many who have been agitated with this talk and I find that all spend time to make a positive change in their own way.

I would love to see Mallika Comment on these which as of this date have not happened though. This would be a great platform if she wants to bring the message to an audience outside the attendees, an audience who can really make a change, WE….

Again to the outcry of her depiction of Brahmins (A Hindu sub sect) as well her remarks of she seeing the Muslims and Minorities as the under privileged and victimized. I don’t think this is ultimately about Brahmins, or Muslims or Minorities anywhere. This is about the truth that every society has two sects in issues related to social justice, the ones with a voice and the others who are voiceless (or the unheard murmurs as you can call).

At the TED forum as people who have a voice that can be heard irrespective of our religion, caste, color, political beliefs or economical back ground, we hold a tremendous responsibility to speak for the voiceless, irrespective of what gender or ethnicity or religion they belong to.

We are the privileged few and have a responsibility to either speak or create the environment and platform for the voiceless to be heard

Examples might not be the ones every one likes to see or hear, but who here does not get the message.

As a support to the talk some one suggested her to be recommended for Nobel peach price.

Nobel Price Nomination? Though I was not against the talk and liked the presentation I felt a anything in the vicinity of a Nobel price was too over rated

I agree fully with the essence of the message she conveyed and her efforts to causes, but Nobel price? I don’t think so

Again my thought on the whole Nobel peace price factor is quite different. As the world progresses through the silent acts of kindness done by the millions and yes there are leaders who lead an effort, but giving them a recognition that is primarily for individual achievement (As the Nobel Price) would be belittling their cause not to mention the unknown faces that daily make difference in world like teachers, journalists, and the countless people helping each other.

Categories: Articles & Opinions, Opinions, Reviews, TED Videos

Tags: Art, Controversy, Dance, Mallika, TED