Indian Creativity

When did creativity die out in India? Was it with the invasion of the Mughals and the subjugation and repression of Hindoostani culture and population? But, suffice to say it ebbed out by the time Lord Macaulay imposed British education on an unsuspecting Indian populace, in a bid to turn Indians into clones of themselves, albeit ‘Brown Sahibs’ who blindly believed all good things followed from the West. Macaulay's Children, people born of Indian ancestry adopted Western culture as a lifestyle , displaying attitudes influenced by colonisers. Victims of civilisational faults, one can say India’s ensuing intellectual insolvency, therefore, is civilisational.

Wherever the blame lies, the damage was done and the creative flowering of India’s Golden Age ‘Gone with the Wind’, as Indians excelled in imitating their colonial masters. However, now that the Great West is tottering, faced with a talent and skills crunch, India begins to find itself once again. Creative innovation picks up, as seen from the rising number of patents being registered by Indian IT and other sub-continental entrepreneurs. While, the western style education imparted in classrooms ensures children learn by rote and are prevented from questioning what is taught. This method that prevents children from thinking for themselves and stunts creative thought, has not been successful in stubbing out Indian creativeness and innovation. Indians, despite everything continue to innovate and find viable solutions to every problem they face in life. Creativity may have taken a back bench in India, yet the Western talent crunch has once again brought it to the fore.

From Call Centre hub to Research & Development hub, Indian creative innovativeness blossoms once again, as the Indian regains confidence in himself and his culture. His services much in demand world wide, he is no longer willing to be clone of the West. He has begun to express his identity, refusing to change his name from Ankit to Andy, likewise talk with an American twang. If, David on the other end does not understand what he is saying, tough, he’ll jolly well have to learn how the Indians talk, if we are to continue to do business.

Today India stands tall, despite, a history of invasions and conquests, holding fast to its myriad diversities, once upon a time the richest country in the world turned into Third World, has turned the tables on British imposed poverty by constantly innovating to overcome shortages in life. It may have briefly lost some of its creativity; however, it continues to innovate in most every field.

Today, it is that IT geek standing out from the crowd, that independent woman walking the beat of her own drummer, that lone wolf no part of the wolf pack, the Indian who shies away from being a routine part of society, who typifies the India who has come out of the shadow of the West.

One does not have to be an Einstein to know that uniformity and regularity so beloved of the West, ring the death knell for creative innovativeness. Perhaps, that is why the West is experiencing a shortage of talent, a burn out. While, India’s unity in diversity always a fertile ground, is responsible today for India’s current success from being the back office of the world to it’s Research & Development hub, whether, in the field of IT or pharmacy!

As India begins to be itself, as pale imitations of the West fade away, as Indian tradition, ancient knowledge and lore once again find pride of place, Indian creativeness begins to flower! And, once we have done away with all things western detrimental to our people and our culture, it will be second coming of India’s Golden Age!