INFLUENCE OF MODERNISM IN KERALA CULTURE
We Keralites are a group of people who have developed a culture of our own through the ages. From the beginning itself we were ready to welcome the culture of the other people who have been mingled with us. But at the same time, our fore fathers were keen in framing a culture of our own based on Indian philosophy and Indian thoughts. Our social and family set up was such a one in which all the good aspects of alien cultures were incorporated with the high moral values of Indian thoughts.
But now with the emergence of modernism and global culture, the views of Keralites have already been changed.We are being attracted to the western style of life. change in our dressing pattern is a particular example. Being an enlightened society, we are fully aware of the need for a hygienic clothing.We are also aware of the fact that clothing will be hygienic only if we select those clothing materials suited for the environment and climate. Even though we are importing foreign made foreign suited items ignoring to choose hygienic clothing materials.
With the emergence of modernism almost all the activities have been motivated towards materialisation and marketing.We realised the potentialities of modernism. It brought about innumerable opportunities and scopes for expansion.
Change in food habits is another influence of modernism in Kerala culture.Traditional food items were replaced by artificial modern items.We are being attracted to foreign dishes. The practice of cooking is almost disappearing from modern families. In cities and towns mobile catering centres are flourishing in large numbers. dishes prepared by them are rich in flavour and artificial colours which are dangerous to body health. Frying and roasting of preserved boiled items in used cooking oil also adversely affect body health. Most of the modern dishes are the by-products of the changed food habit of the people.
Language selection in education and communication is another influence of modernism in Kerala culture. Being a social group consisting of literary people, we are fully aware of the new trends and scopes of science and technology. We are keen in acquiring mastery over the changing situations by gaining command over English and natural language Hindi. In modern education, Malayalam language is simply being ignored.Now the majority of Malayalees are not capable of uttering pure Malayalam words. This results in a downfall in literary creations which reflects adversely in morality and culture.
The emergence of micro families is also a by-product of modernism. Modern Malayalee is interested only in his own well being.In a micro family, there is no security to the welfare of the aged and disabled relatives. Absence of responsible persons for supervision in the family results in unhealthy situations. The young generation is slipping out of morality and spirituality.Shocking news of rapes, murders, kidnaps,robberies etc. are common in modern Kerala. Aged and respected ladies are being raped by teen aged boys and young girls are being cruelly raped by even veteran citizens.Morality is being eroded from the Kerala soil.
Among the youths money making is the only motive behind every activities. The relationship between parents and children is not healthy in majority of modern families. Lack of respect, obedience, discipline,simplicity etc. is also a negative impact of modernism. The young ones are not at all satisfied themselves.The consumption of alcohol, tobacco, pan parag and other narcotic items is common among them. The tendency for suicide and escapism from unpleasant situations is also common.
The husband-wife relations in many families are worsening day by day. The influence of feminist thoughts is adversely affecting the female minds. Modern Malayalee women are freedom lovers. Their careless activities and behaviour lead them to indulge into cheating and sex oriented business. The teen aged girls are shameless in exposing their body parts for advertisements and propaganda.What they want is only money and a luxurious life.
The growth of old age homes and rescue centres is also an outcome of modernism in Kerala culture. Family members are not at all interested in looking after the aged ones. They are being thrown out to the old aged homes. Day care centres and Creches are also a by-product of modernism. A different culture which lacks love and affection is growing among the young generations.
Even though modernism has the above mentioned demerits, it has brought about tremendous improvements in our economy. Employment opportunities have increased considerably in the I T oriented industries and in related fields. Attractive salaries in those fields reflected directly and indirectly in uplifting the spending capacity of the people in general.
Modern techniques in Civil Engineering succeded in solving the housing problems in cities and in towns. development of the economy buildings including multistoried flats have contributed much in solving the housing problems of even metropolitan cities.
Old age homes, Day care centres etc. have created job opportunities in large numbers. It also ensured security and protection to both the child and aged groups.Fast food centres, Mobile catering units, and other food processing centres have also created employment opportunities to a great extent.
The growth and spread of English Medium Schools enabled the youths to solve their language problems and score high marks in National Level Tests and Interviews.
Thus modernism has ts own merits and demerits. Keeping the merits to the maximum and suppressing demerits as far as possible, we can enjoy and utilise modernism for further and further expansion.
