वैज्ञानिक पुराकथायें: एक पठनीय पुस्तक

अभी हाल में ही यह कृति मुझे पढने के लिए मिली थी .यह पुस्तक बहुत ही भरोसेमंद तरीके से यह बताती है कि मौजूदा कितनी ही जुगतें, मशीनों के बारे में हमारे पुरखों ने सोचा था मगर चूंकि  तब  सटीक टेक्नोलोजी नहीं सुलभ थी इसलिए उनकी सोच बस महज कल्पनात्मक  पौराणिक कहानियों के धरोहर के रूप में आज हमारे पास है .कार्ल सागन जो कभी ख्यात अमेरिकी पत्रिका टाईम द्वारा 'शो मैन आफ साईंस " की पदवी से नवाजे गए थे , ने  कभी कहा था कि अगर कल्पना की उर्वरता देखनी हो तो भारतीय पुराणों का पारायण करना चाहिए .आधुनिक विज्ञान कथाओं (साईंस फिक्शन ) में जिस तरह भविष्य की टेक्नोलोजी का पूर्वानुमान किया जाता है ठीक वैसे ही मानों हमारा पुराणकार सूदूर भविष्य के सपने देख रहा हो ...उनके द्वारा कल्पना प्रसूत अनेक युक्तियाँ और उपकरण तो ऐसा ही आभास देते हैं ..इसलिए ही अगर विज्ञान कथाओं को समकालीन मिथक कहा जाता है तो यह उचित ही है ...

मिथकों में विज्ञान कथात्मकता की खोज मेरा भी प्रिय विषय रहा है इसलिए जब डॉ .राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय की यह पुस्तक मेरे सामने आयी तो जिज्ञासा स्वाभाविक थी .आद्योपांत पुस्तक मैंने पढी और लेखक के श्रम और प्रस्तुतीकरण से प्रभावित हुए बिना नहीं रहा ...लेखक ने महाभारत और श्रीमदभागवत के महासागर से चुन चुन कर श्रमपूर्वक उन कहानियों  का संकलन किया है जिनमें मानों मौजूदा ही नहीं भविष्य की अनेक संभावित तकनीकों का पूर्वावलोकन होता हो .इसलिए पुस्तक का नाम वैज्ञानिक पुराकथायें उचित लगता है ,

पुस्तक के २६ अध्यायों में उन रोचक पुराकथाओं  की पुनर्प्रस्तुति की गयी है जिनमें कोई न कोई कल्पनाशील वैज्ञानिक युक्ति/जुगत का पूर्वाभास है .जैसे अमरता के लिए संजीवनी बूटी का प्रसंग ,मय  दानव द्वारा अन्तरिक्ष  -शहर बसाया जाना ,अद्भुत अस्त्र शस्त्र ,विमान,चिर यौवन के आकांक्षी राजा ययाति की कथा ,अन्तरिक्ष में  औंधे मुंह लटके त्रिशंकु की व्यथा ,महर्षि च्यवन के यौवन पुनर्प्राप्ति की कथा आदि ..आज इन सभी क्षेत्रों में वैज्ञानिक शोधरत हैं -अन्तरिक्ष स्टेशन तो कबका बन भी चुका ...और कोई आश्चर्य नहीं कि निकट या सुदूर भविष्य में हमारी पुराणोक्त दुनिया हकीकत में बदल जाय ...

पुस्तक बहुत रोचक है हालांकि इस अपेक्षाकृत छोटे कलेवर में पौराणिक कहानियों के अपार भण्डार से कुछ ही रत्न यहाँ संचयित हो पाए हैं ...मुझे आशा है लेखक इस दिशा में अपने प्रयासों से आगे भी ऐसी दस्तावेजी कृतियाँ पाठकों के समक्ष लाने का अनुग्रह करेगा .पुस्तक पढने की जोरदार सिफारिश है.

समीक्ष्य पुस्तक : वैज्ञानिक पुराकथाएँ 

लेखक : डॉ. राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय 

प्रकाशक: आर्य प्रकाशन मंडल ,

९/२२१,सरस्वती भंडार ,गांधीनगर 

दिल्ली -११००३१

मूल्य :१३० रूपये ,पृष्ठ -104 

Mythological Ideas for SF Story Themes: A Novel Approach of Effective Science Communication among Indian SF Audience

Paper presented in International Conference on Science Communication for Scientific Temper held on 10 - 12 January 2012 at NASC Complex, PUSA, New Delhi,India 

Author as chair person of the session on science fiction and SF dignitaries on dais   

Mythological Ideas for SF Story Themes: A Novel Approach of Effective Science Communication among Indian SF Audience

Arvind Mishra

Indian Science Fiction Writers’ Association,

16, Cotton Mill Colony

Chowkaghat,

Varanasi -221001

U.P.

Email:drarvind3@gmail.com

Blog: http://indiascifiarvind.blogspot.com/

Abstract

Indian mythology as contained in Indian scriptures abounds in imaginative ideas. Carl Sagan was very impressed by these sources of ancient knowledge and once appealed SF writers to delve deep into Indian mythology to get original SF theme ideas. Many of such imaginative dreams of our ancestors are still in queue to be realized in want of appropriate technology though many have already seen the light of the day!

There are extrapolations, imaginative themes, and descriptions of gadgets in contemporary sf and in Indian mythology often quite alike. In Ramayana for example, there is a description of a very special kind of aero plane infused with artificial intelligence and emotions named Puspak Viman (Remember, Rendezvous with Rama by Clarke?). Puspak Viman also possesses a vacant seat always for any last minute VIP entrant! Sudarshan Chakra (a kind of revolving disc) and specially designed arrows used by Lord Krishna and Lord Rama in war fields return to them immediately after hitting the target (Guided Missiles!). Maya Yuddhaa (A kind of illusory /virtual war) as described in the epic Ramayana causes no real damage to enemy soldiers but is practiced only to frighten enemies who ultimately surrender owing to all sorts of dreadful imagery. These stories have been very popular among masses and such ideas could very well be used in modern Sf story writing with ingenuity in order to woo Indian SF audience.

A survey was made to find out such imaginative ideas in our scriptures which could be used in conjugation with modern technological developments in Sf stories so as to attract Indian audience to the genre and also to inculcate scientific temper in masses. Findings are presented and discussed.

                                                                        Introduction

There is a temptation to draw analogies between science fiction and mythology among science fiction (SF) aficionados. SF like mythological imaginations depicts a world which is contemporarily non existent and remains very unfamiliar to its readers. Science fiction (SF) has often been stated therefore to be a form of contemporary mythology (Patricia Warrick, 1978). There are indeed strange and interesting similarities in both SF and mythology. Science fiction as we know it today is largely about strange new ideas and imagery –features which characterize mythological stories as well. Only significant difference lies in the reasoned application and description of technology in SF. Myths lack such approach understandably because technology as we witness today was not in existence in earlier times. Ideas nevertheless are no less important which have been found to pave the ways for new inventions. “Ancient wisdom” could be enriched and supplemented with modern technology in SF (Brain Aldiss, 1986). Mythological ideas when complemented with modern technology could give rise to wonderful sf themes.

On the above premise a survey work was envisaged to search for ideas and concepts in Indian mythological stories for the purpose of using them in various print and electronic SF media in order to impart the intended scientific knowledge in lucid ways in targeted Indian audience. Some preliminary survey findings are elaborated and documented here. 

 There is however a caution that the mythological stories must not be taken as the incidences and events described in them having been actually happened in remote past.  They should be taken as ideas only and be judiciously used in context to present day knowledge of S&T. As an instance I must quote here an example how I used an idea from a mythological story of King Pradyumn, son of Lord Krishna and demon Sambrasur  in which child Pradymn’s age is accelerated in a ritual in order to make him strong enough to defeat the mighty and invincible demon. I used this very idea in my story entitled ‘Alvida Professor-Good Bye Professor’, (Mishra, 2001) to accelerate the aging of the main protagonist by imagined technology of growth genes being inserted in man’s genome at embryonic stage in order to accelerate his aging process and face the tough situations of the harsher future world without being dependent on the parents for a very long time. Here the abracadabra of the myth was replaced by a logical and scientifically provable technology. We know that parental care is a long time affair in humans as the children could fend for themselves only after they are over adolescent age. The example may be a guide line in using mythological ideas in similar vein and could invariably be incorporated with technologies taking clues from modern S &T. Similar approach could be employed by SF writer while dealing with the cited mythological ideas here.

 Survey Findings: Theme Ideas

  

An array of interesting ideas was retrieved from various works of Indian scriptures and related literature, critiques and commentaries. Ramayana and the Mahabharata are treasure troves of science fictional imaginative ideas (Deshpande, 2011). Such ideas were pin pointed and categorized under following themes.

Alien Worlds  

Mythological stories have descriptions of many worlds (i.e. Loka in vernacular) other than the earth viz.,Pataal Lok  (an imaginary world underneath the Earth). A description has already given by Srinarhari (2007). He has provided with a vivid description pf many worlds akin to alien words of SF fantasies. A fairy world called Gandharvalok ,  Chandralok (the land of moon); Nagalok (the world of serpents )and so on so forth. Likewise, Yaksha lok; Kinnara lok; Matsya lok (an underwater world which has mermen and mermaids: human bodies resembling fishes usually with divine qualities.) Lucid accounts of heaven and hell- worlds beyond the earth have also been given in our scriptures along with fascinating interwoven plots which may ignite SF writers to take up new story plots in light of emerging and predicted technologies though such imagined bizarre worlds are already being depicted in many SF  movies. Recent movie Avatar is a case in point where the concept of “Avatar” (the incarnation) of Indian myth has been replaced with a downloading of entire memory of a protagonist into a genetic replica of the protagonist in an alien world where he looks like Krishan of our legends.

Celestial Abodes

In Mahabharata there is a story of Trishanku –a celestial body which is described to have been projected into space by one sage Vishwamitra. This looks like imaginative leap of ancestors of the land indicating that the sky could be conquered by man one day! King Trisanku, according to Indian mythology, decided to perform a great sacrifice which would enable him to ascend bodily to heaven. Sage Vishwamitra assisted him in this pursuit. But in heaven, Indra, the king of gods barred his entry, and Trisanku was thrown back to earth from the celestial abode of the gods. Sage Viswamitra in rage started creating new constellations and new forms of life and became a threat to the work of Brahma (the creator in the Hindu trinity, others being Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva a destroyer).In the tussle which ensued  Trisanku was made immortal by stopping his downward fall midway between heaven and earth. Since then he has been hanging up above the earth as the story narrates it.

In 1945, Arthur C Clarke wrote an article published in Wireless World that placing three geostationary satellites (Compare Trisanku!) above the equator would revolutionize global telecommunication. Thus a mythological idea that objects can be made to appear stationary above the Earth found a place in science fiction. In 1964, Syncom, a man made satellite was placed above a fixed longitude on the equator, and a myth became a reality when supplemented with appropriate technology. Further space stories could be based on the idea.

Space Travels

There are many descriptions of flying machines called ‘Vimans’ in Indian epics. Air travel can be traced back in descriptions of ‘Pushpak  Vimana' an aero plane which has been shown to possess even emotions.(Remember, Rendezvous with Rama by Clarke) . Pushpak Vimana also possesses a vacant seat always for any last minute VIP entrant! Idea of machines with emotions like Pushpak Viman is very curious and sf stories could be based on generation voyages in which the space shuttle remains an intelligent and emotional body.

Mythological stories depict   interstellar travels too in interesting ways. Narada a humorous protagonist and at the same time a sage with prophetic vision is often referred to as 'thrilok sanchari ' that is one who could travel in all the conventional worlds namely, the Earth, Paradise and the Hell or even to underground worlds  and may instantaneously reach to any part of the universe. Present day SF writing has a penchant for such interplanetary, interstellar travels where traveling with speed of light and even faster and going back in to past instead of future offers many amazing story plots to work upon.

War Weapons 

There are war weapons like Sudarshan Chakra - the circular disc weapon of god Vishnu which could chase the enemies to kill them wherever they might go for shelter. Sudarshan Chakra and specially designed arrows used by Lord Krishna and Lord Rama in war fields return to them immediately after hitting the target (Compare Guided Missiles!) Arrows like ‘Narayanaashtr’ and ‘Brahmaashtra’   have been depicted as weapons of mass destruction but vary in powers of their destruction and effect in different situations. They could cause instantaneous rains or fire and could even split the Earth or the sky into pieces. Countering arrows by hero protagonists could neutralize the effect of the enemy's attack. Could we work out on such ideas in light of existing technologies to provide a future world equipped with similar weapons in SF stories? Like Maya Yuddhaa (a kind of illusory /virtual war) as described in the epic Ramayana causes no real damage to enemy soldiers but is practiced only to frighten enemies who ultimately surrender in horrifying situations! Such ideas often pave ways for new technologies and would remain lively and inviting sources for SF writers.

Tele-viewing and Telepathy

Idea of tele-viewing is very well present in Mahabharata. A protagonist Sanjaya helps visually handicapped King Dhritrashtra witness the war vividly, much as if it was the live telecast of today. Further Hindu Gods have been shown equipped with powers to know what is going on the minds of their devotees or enemies. This is a fascinating idea to know what’s going on minds of people sitting opposite while discussing issues of strategic importance. This becomes even more important as language is an imperfect way of expressing thoughts .Mythological ideas as such may be explored further for a technological breakthrough to allow mind to meld into mind directly and instantly, thought into thought so that a telepathic society can exist (Asimov, 1981). Could we know the mind of a person opposite to us with the help of any imagined plausible technology? SF writers could try out such ideas.

Cloning and Genetic Engineering

In Mahabharata the birth of ‘Kauravas’  –sons of King Dhritrashtra, 100 in numbers is described to have been resulted from fetus of premature birth. An imagination what modern cloning technology has made possible! Today’s 'test tube baby' technique is a case in point. We could further explore ideas and scientifically proven technologies as such to write SF stories. .

Time Travel

There are umpteen episodes of time dilation and travel in Mahabharata notably of King Raivat who goes to meet Brahma, the creator and finds to his utter dismay that many generations have passed on earth when he returns back. Such stories amply provide glimpses of richness of prophetic vision of what ancient writers possessed and technologies emerge and could be conceived many fascinating SF stories may see the light of day. 

Parallel Universe

This concept is also found in mythology expressing an infinite number of universes, each with its own gods. A bird (crow) protagonist named Kakabhusundi in Ramcaritamanasa -an epic work by Indian medieval saint poet Tulsidas has been depicted to enter to mouth of Lord Rama, reaches to his belly and beholds many ‘Brahmand” (i.e. Universe in modern lingo.) 

Thus narrates Kakabhusundi “I beheld multitudinous universes with many strange spheres each more wonderful than the rest, with countless stars, suns and moons, innumerable mountains and vast terrestrial globes …..Everything I saw had a distinctive stamp of its own universe…..”( Sri Ramcharitamaanas, Uttar Kaand ,80,1-4) Idea of parallel /alternate universes is fascinating and is the theme of many modern SF stories and many more could be written employing similar themes.

Eternal Youth, Reverse and Accelerated Aging

Story of king Yayati as described in Mahabharata provides a strange account how an aged King exchanged

his age with the youthfulness of his youngest son and returned it to him later. In yet another story the aging process of Pradyumn as described above is accelerated in a ritual in order to make him strong to kill the demon.

Discussion

Carl Sagan(1985)  was very impressed by ‘ancient Indian wisdom’  and once appealed SF writers to delve deep into Indian mythology to get original SF theme ideas.

In such myth inspired SF stories Indian audience is easily lured as they have grown up with similar mythical concepts and ideas (Srinarhari,2008) .Thus imparting of modern scientific and technological developments through such innovative approach becomes tenable (Mishra, 2010). Recent film Avatar is a befitting example which became very popular among Indian audience as it has many Indian mythological elements cleverly interwoven with its plot.

Myths generally focus on superhuman characters the way superheroes are depicted in SF stories. Both mythical and SF stories usually deal with super realistic (surrealistic) stuff. While myth is usually regarded as true accounts of the remote past (though they are actually fanciful ideas only), SF deals with hitherto non existent worlds and by that implication the worlds of future or even distant future. Presently various formats of story telling are being employed involving  mythological features to reach among greater audiences for a widespread communication across the globe .Various elements of myth could now be found in visual SF movies and television shows. The basis of modern storytelling here seems to be deeply rooted in the mythological tradition. Mythological archetypes such as the cautionary tales regarding the abuse of newly gained knowledge, battles between gods, and creation stories are lately the subject of some SF film productions. Such films are often created under the guise of cyberpunk, thrillers, action cinema; apocalyptic tales etc which are nothing but different subgenres of SF. Films such as ‘Clash of Titans’   and ‘The Immortals’   exhibited a trend of mining traditional mythology in order to directly improve a plot for modern consumption. 

Conclusion

Present work empathically indicate that  Indian mythology coupled with today’s technological breakthroughs   could give a wide spectrum from which the modern SF writer can pick and choose to create unique works of science  fiction.

References

Aldiss Brian, ‘Ancient Wisdom’, Trillion Year Spree, 1986.

Asimov Isaac., Asimov on Science Fiction, Panther Granda Publishing Ltd, 1981.

Deshpande Y.H., Science Fiction: A Bird Eye View, Science Fiction in India, Ayush Books, Jaipur, 2011.

 Mishra Arvind ,(2001) , “ Alvida Professor”,  Vigyan Pragati  ,April 2001, NISCAIR  Publications ,New Delhi ,pp 22-25.

Mishra Arvind, Ek Aur  Kraunch Vadh (Hindi ) ,Lok Sadhna Kendra publication, Varanasi, 2008.

Mishra Arvind ,Manoj Mishra  (2010) ,Innovative SF and Mythology Mix to Communicate S&T to Indian Masses ; 11^th International Conference on Public Communication of Science and Technology ,December 6-10,New Delhi ,India

Patricia Warrick, Science Fiction: Contemporary Mythology, Harper and Row Publishing Ltd, 1978.

 Sagan Carl, Cosmos, Ballantine Books, 1985.

Sri Ramacaritamaanas, Uttar Kaand , 80,1-4,Gita Press ,Gorakhphur,1968.

Srinarhari, M H (2008),Koi Mil Gaya –India’s First Science Fiction Film,http://www.concatenation.org/articles/koirevised3.html

Paper should be referred as follows -

Mishra Arvind (2012) ,Mythological Ideas for SF Story Themes: A Novel Approach of Effective Science Communication among Indian SF Audience,Pre-Proceedings, International Conference on Science Communication for Scientific Temper ,10-12 January, 2012,New Delhi,pp. 213-217.

Mythological Ideas for SF Story Themes: A Novel Approach of Effective Science Communication among Indian SF Audience

Mythological Ideas for SF Story Themes: A Novel Approach of Effective Science Communication among Indian SF Audience

Abstract  accepted for presentation in
International Conference on Science Communication for Scientific Temper

(Delhi,10 - 12 January 2012) 

Indian mythology as contained in Indian scriptures abounds in imaginative ideas. Carl Sagan was very impressed by these sources of ancient knowledge and once appealed SF writers to delve deep into Indian mythology to get original SF theme ideas. Many of such imaginative dreams of our ancestors are still in queue to be realized in want of appropriate technology though many have already seen the light of the day!

There are extrapolations, imaginative themes, and descriptions of gadgets in contemporary sf and in Indian mythology often quite alike. In Ramayan for example, there is a description of a very special kind of aero plane infused with artificial intelligence and emotions named Puspak Viman (Remember, Rendezvous with Rama by Clarke?) . Puspak Viman also possesses a vacant seat always for any last minute VIP entrant! Sudarshan Chakra (a kind of revolving disc) and specially designed arrows used by Lord Krishna and Lord Rama in war fields return to them immediately after hitting the target (Guided Missiles!). Maya Yuddhaa (A kind of illusory /virtual  war) as described in the epic Ramayan causes no real damage to enemy soldiers but is practiced only to frighten enemies who ultimately surrender in such fearful situations! These stories have been very popular among masses and could very well be used in modern Sf with ingenuity in order to woo Indian SF audience.

A survey was made to find out such imaginative ideas in our scriptures for using them as Sf themes as an approach to attract Indian audience for effective science communication. Findings shall be presented. 

(Reviewer’s comments) The flow of ideas from myths to SF ought to be to increase the scientific temper rather than ‘romaticise’ the past by anachronistic reconstructions of the past using present day scientific knowledge. The mythology ought to provide ideas for new scientific theories and new technologies rather than legitamising the past ‘achievements’ to the extent of dulling the present efforts. Author is advised to keep this key difference in writing this paper.Efforts should be to trace the ‘know-why’ of the mythical objects to (re) construct them in the present rather than ‘know-what’ of these objects.

Innovative SF and Mythology Mix to communicate S&T to Indian Masses

Innovative SF and Mythology Mix to communicate S&T to Indian Masses

Arvind Mishra

Secretary, Indian Science Fiction Writers’ Association

16, Cotton Mill Colony, Chowkaghat, Varanasi -221002

Uttar Pradesh, India

drarvind3@gmail.com

Manoj Mishra

Senior Faculty, VBS Purvanchal University ,Jaunpur

Uttar Pradesh, India

manjulmanoj1@gmail.com

ABSTRACT 

With the help of improvised cultural tableaux by judiciously blending sf and mythology during festivals like Durga Puja and Dussehra we successfully tried to attract illiterate Indian masses in order to communicate S &T perspectives and developments. Some model tableaux were as follows:

A. Tableau showing concept of Cloning: With the help of a mythological story popularly knows as ‘Raktbeej and Mahishasurmardini ’(Demon vis a vis a Hindu goddess Durga ) and sf extrapolations on cloning we explained the process and implications of the emerging technology to illiterate people .

B. Tableau of Biotechnology: The science fictional biotech tree akin to mythological 'wishing tree' (Kalpvriksh) demonstrated the hidden potentials of biotechnology.

C. Tableau depicting water harvesting technology: Traditional techniques of rain water harvesting and its necessity as narrated in Hindu myths notably the efforts of sage Bhagirath to bring the river of gods i.e. river Ganges on earth.

D. Tsunami Tableau : Awareness and preservation of natural mangroves is the key to safety from killer waves was demonstrated with the help of many catastrophe models as described in sf stories and myth of Lord of death i.e. Yamraj.

It was established that Sf stories with a judicious mix/blend of Indian myths could be effectively used through attractive tableaux to communicate science and technology to illiterate masses that do not have access to modern means of communication. A similar approach could be replicated in other parts of the globe.

Keywords: Improvised tableau/tableaux, S&T communication, science fiction and mythology.

Introduction

India currently has the largest illiterate population of any nation on earth. Approximately 35% of world's illiterate population is Indian and based on historic patterns of literacy growth across the world, India may account for a majority of the world's illiterates by 2020.This is also the major group of people who do not have access to many modern means of knowledge communication .This poses a great challenge as how to communicate S&T effectively to these people.

Cultural tableaux are prominent crowd attractors during festivals like Durga Puja and Dussehra in India. Thousands and thousands of people throng to behold the glimpses of cultural India depicted through these tableaux. Our endeavor culminated in making beautiful and impressive tableaux which incorporated judicious blending of both cultural elements and science to easily attract lay people and then to spread the message of science spontaneously during these festivals .While science is purely an objective exercise, science communication entails the subjective /cultural perspectives also. So unless some cultural angle is not employed the mass communication of science in India shall remain largely less effective especially to illiterate people.

Impressed by imaginative and prophetic/visionary elements of Indian mythology with which even an ordinary uneducated Indian citizen is very familiar, we devised an experimental design combining mythology and sf in order to effectively communicate S&T among illiterate masses. By carefully amalgamating myth with certain breakthroughs and future possibilities in the field of biotechnology and other scientific disciplines as narrated in many sf stories we made attractive tableaux to lure the public and then inculcate amongst them the temper and wisdom of science .

Methodology

Improvised tableaux were made on themes like cloning, trans-genetic crops, water harvesting technologies, tsunami etc with the help of professional and skilled artisans and were exhibited in Puja Mandap(earmarked places for tableaux exhibition) during the festival seasons . A feedback response was obtained from the people who visited these tableaux in order to ascertain the utility and importance of this innovative endeavor for popularization of science in eastern belt of U.P. Feedback forms drafted with aim to an easy comprehension by target groups contained 10 objective type questions covering a broad range of issues related to science communication. The analyses of feed-back response were done.

Results and Discussion

Science fiction as we know today is all about strange new ideas and imagery, i.e. the same elements which also characterize mythological stories. It's for this reason that SF/F buffs are usually tempted to draw analogies between science fiction and mythology. Both science fiction and mythological imaginations at times, anticipate scientific and technological developments. It is in the very nature of sf that it usually deals with the non-existent social set ups, technology and gadgetry, etc. making the genre quite analogous to myths since the latter is also known for its depictions/descriptions of imaginary things and people.

Indian mythology as contained in Hindu scriptures abounds in imaginative ideas and human values. Carl Sagan was very impressed and inspired by these sources of ancient knowledge. He once appealed sf writers to delve deep into Indian mythology to get original sf theme ideas.

Quite interestingly there are extrapolations, imaginative themes, and descriptions of gadgets often in contemporary sf and in Indian mythology alike. For example, Puspak Viman--a special kind of aero plane which possesses a vacant seat for any last minute VIP entrant! (Remember Rendezvous With Rama by Clarke?) Sudarshan Chakra (a kind of revolving disc) and arrows used by Lord Krishna to kill enemies returned back to them just after hitting the target (the same concept as in guided missiles!). In Maya Yuddhaa (some kind of virtual war) as described in the epic Ramayan while no real damage is done all enemy soldiers get frightened and surrender owing to horrible virtual projections and imagery of all sorts! Trishanku--a celestial body which is said to have been projected into space by an ancient sage Vishwamitra. An imaginative leap of our ancestors which indicates that the sky could be conquered by man one day! This legend in Indian mythology that Trisanku is hanging in the sky between the heaven and the Earth, though regarded as incredible, has fascinated one and all since time immemorial. Now we all know about the Lagrangian points which are the five positions in an orbital configuration where a small object affected only by gravity can theoretically be stationary relative to two larger objects (such as a satellite with respect to the Earth and Moon). In 1945, Arthur Clarke also wrote in an article published in Wireless World that placing three geostationary satellites (Compare Trisanku!) above the equator would revolutionize global telecommunication. A mythological idea that objects can be made to appear stationary above the Earth found a place in science fiction. In 1964 the first Trisanku (!), Syncom, with the generic scientific name geostationary satellite/geosynchronous satellite was placed above a fixed longitude on the equator, which explicitly justified the power of prophetic vision inherent in Indian mythology.

It was showed for the first time that science fiction can effectively teach science to lay people who do not have access to other forms of communicative broadcasts. Peggy Kolm has referred to this innovative approach in Biology in Science Fiction and also mentioned that in the U.S. there seem to be some teachers who are using science fiction books and movies - both with good science and with bad science - to teach basic scientific concepts.

In our study sample about 70% audiences were from villages and 20% were from slums of town/city surroundings and remaining 10% from small settlements who thronged to see the S & T tableaux erected/shown during the festivals. Tableau shows in question were significant in disseminating S & T knowledge intended for the target audience and were also useful in dispelling many orthodox beliefs as was evident by the replies recorded. Majority, i.e. over 90% viewers replied that they were having many misconceptions before observing these tableaux. 70% of the target viewers were of the opinion that the tableaux were most effective form of science communication for them. Only 20% had access to broadcast media i.e. Radio, T.V., cables etc. Majority opined that folk/cultural/traditional and public relation and interpersonal contacts were more effective for them to comprehend S&T related issues.

When audience were asked that whether they were convinced to help spread further the spirit of science, their responses were affirmative and they told that were fully convinced to spread the scientific knowledge in society after seeing these tableaux. When they were asked which scientific subject was more useful in their opinion 60% told it was biological/ medical Science, 15% were in favour of agricultural sciences and equivalent number of participants voted in favour of environmental sciences. Other remaining groups constituting 5% each opined that Earth/Physical Sciences and general sciences were more useful to them.

Acknowledgements

Authors express their grateful indebtedness to National council for science and technology communication ( NCSTC) for providing financial assistance to Shri Dwarikadhish Lok Sanskriti Avem Vanaspatiki Vikas Sansthan to conduct the aforesaid activities under the project entitled ‘science communication through cultural media’.

References

1. Peggy Kolm ,Using Science Fiction to Teach Science in India, http://sciencefictionbiology.blogspot.com/2007/06/using-science-fiction-to-teach-science.html , 2007

2. Patairiya Manoj ,Balancing between facts and fantasies ,Indian Journal of Science Communication ,Vol .7 (1) ,January –June 2008

3. "India has the largest number of illiterates in the world", Rediff, 2007-11-21, http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/nov/20illi.htm, retrieved 2009-11-27.

4. "India has a third of world's illiterates", Times of India, 2004-11-09, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-has-a-third-of-worlds-illiterates/articleshow/916814.cms, retrieved 2009-09-20.

5. Mishra Arvind, SF Signal Mind Meld, What is going on right now in the international sf/f scene that anglophone readers might be missing out on? http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2009/07/mind-meld-guide-to-international-sff-part-ii, 2009

Paper for consideration in 11th PCST

अवतार :मिथक और भविष्य की प्रौद्योगिकी का संगम!

अभी अभी अवतार फ़िल्म देख कर लौटा हूँ -बच्चों ने आज मेरे जन्म दिन पर यह मूवी दर्शन मुझे बतौर उपहार दिया! हालीवुड की इस फ़िल्म को लेकर कई दिनों से काफी हल्ला गुल्ला  मचा हुआ था और बनारस में तो कल कई हालों  में इसके शो का  हाउस फुल था -टिकट के लिए मारामारी मची थी ! यह विज्ञान कथा फिल्मों के प्रति बढ़ती रुझान का संकेत है ,यद्यपि इसके पीछे एक सुगठित प्रचार/व्यवसाय   तंत्र काम कर रहा है ! अफ़सोस है यह फ़िल्म भविष्य  ( 2154 ई) के एक एलियन सभ्यता से मुठभेड़ की कहानी है -दोस्ताना मिलाप नहीं है जिसके आईजक आजिमोव  एक बड़े पक्षधर थे! यह खनिज संपदा से उत्तरोत्तर श्रीहीन होती  भविष्य की धरती की कहानी है, जब एक दुर्लभ खनिज अनॉब्टेनियम की खोज के लिए अमेरिका से एक सैन्य अभियान के तहत अल्फ़ा सेंटोरी तारा मंडल के ग्रह पैन्डोरा पर एक सैन्य कुमुक भेजी जाती है ! वहां की यात्रा में ६ महीने लगते हैं!अन्तरिक्ष सैन्य यात्री यह सफ़र विशेषीकृत बंद प्रशीतित कक्षों में समाधिस्थ अवस्थाओं में पूरा करते हैं !

पैन्डोरा के मूलवासी उस स्थान को नहीं छोड़ना चाहते जहाँ से उत्खनन के जरिये वह दुर्लभ खनिज निकाला जाना है ! केवल सैन्य कार्यवाही ही एक मात्र विकल्प लगती है और परियोजना के पीछे लगे धन्ना सेठ इसकी इजाजत दे देते हैं ! मगर एक जैवविद महिला वैज्ञानिक मूल वासियों को समझा बुझा कर उस जगह को छोड़ने के अपने एक प्लान को भी आजामाना चाहती है जो सैन्य अभियान के मुखिया को महज एक बचकाना और हास्यास्पद प्रयास लगता है ! जैव वैज्ञानिकों और सेना के आकाओं में यह संवाद हीनता मानो विज्ञान कथाओं की एक पुरानी और  जानी पहचानी परिपाटी सी बन चुकी है . तो योजना यह बनती है कि किसी बहाने से कुछ ऐसे घुसपैठियों को  स्थानीय मूल निवासियों के बीच भेज दिया जाय जो उन सरीखे ही हों और उनमें घुलमिलकर भेदिये का काम कर सकें और  उस खनिज -समृद्ध जगह से उन्हें  बिना प्रतिरोध विस्थापित होने को राजी कर सकें !मगर ऐसा करने में बहुत खतरे हैं ,क्योंकि वे बहुत आक्रामक हैं ! तो तय यह पाया जाता है कि उनकी ही तरह हूबहू दिखने और आचरण वाला व्यक्ति उनके बीच भेजा जाय ! इसलिए उनका डी एन ये और पृथ्वी वासी नायक के   डी एन ये के मिश्रण से नायक का ही एक नया "अवतार" बनाया गया और उसमें नायक के मस्तिष्क की कार्यात्मक प्रतिकृति इम्प्लांट कर दी जाती  है  ! अब नायक को एक जगह प्रायोगिक बक्से में रखते हुये उसके मष्तिष्क के सहारे उसके अवतार को संचालित करने के काम को अंजाम  दिया जाता है !यह  अवतार उन मूल वासियों के बीच घुसपैठ बनाने में सफल तो होता है  -पर एक मूल निवासिनी के प्यार के पचड़े में पड़ कर अभियान का  विद्रोही भी हो जाता है  और उन मूल निवासियों की रक्षा को समर्पित हो जाता है  ! जैवविद की इस योजना के असफल होने पर सैन्य कार्यवाही अपरिहार्य हो जाती है  -मगर धरती वासियों को मुंह की खानी  पड़ती  है  और वापस धरती पर भागना पड़ता है  !नायक का मूल रूप भी अंतिम साँसे लेता है मगर अपने अवतार में अपनी चेतना सदा के लिए मूल वासियों को समर्पित करके !

फ़िल्म की दृश्यावलियाँ -इमेजरी जबरदस्त है -आधुनिक कम्पयूटर एनीमेशन से तरह तरह के चित्र विचित्र जीव जंतुओं की निर्मिति तो बस देखते ही बनती है -मानो अनेक मिथकीय चरित्र जीवंत हो उठे हों -रामायण काव्य काल के  भालू बन्दर ,विलुप्त डायिनोसोरों की अनेक कल्पनात्मक प्रतिकृतियाँ  ,एक अपरिचित से वातावरण  के हैरत अंगेज  पेड़ पौधे और वनस्पतियाँ चमत्कृत करती हैं -कई मिथकीय चरित्रों के कल्पित अल्ट्रा माडर्न /भविष्यत  रूप -गरुण सदृश भीमकाय उड़ाकू जीव हमें माहाभारत और रामायण काल के परिवेश में मानों ले जाते हैं ! इन दृश्यों को देखकर तो मानो अमेरिकी विज्ञान कथा लेखिका उर्सुला ली गुइन  की यह उक्ति कि विज्ञान फंतासी समकालीन पुराकथाएँ (मिथक ) ही हैं चरितार्थ लगती है!

अवतार फिल्म की  एक ख़ास बात है इसका नामकरण -और वह भी  भारतीय मिथकों से ही लिया गया है ! किसी विराट चेतना के एक अंश के रूप में धरती पर अवतरण ही अवतार का प्रगट होना है -हिन्दू मिथकों में दस प्रमुख और गौण अवतारों को लेकर कुल चौबीस अवतार अवधारित है -महज एक अवतार अभी भी भविष्य के गर्भ में है -कल्कि!  चेतना का पूंजीभूत पृथक अस्तित्व ही अवतार है -फ़िल्म का नामकरण अवतार चेतना के ऐसे ही प्रोजेक्शन का  अवधारण करता है जहां मूल व्यक्तित्व तो कहीं और हैं मगर उसका अंतरण कही और भी पुंजीभूत हो सकता है,मगर वह संचालित अपने मूल रूप से ही होता है.जैसे हिन्दू त्रिदेवों के एक देव विष्णु हैं जो अपने मूल रूप में तो क्षीर सागर में शयन  करते हैं मगर वहीं से अप्रगट ही  धरती के अपने अवतार की लीलाएं संचालित करते हैं   -फ़िल्म में नायक   का एक ऐसा ही अवतार भविष्य की वर्चुअल प्रौद्योगिकी के चलते कल्पित हुआ है ! और विज्ञान कथाओं की उस परम्परा का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है जिन्हें साईबर पंक कहा  जाता है -कम्प्यूटर जनित आभासी दुनिया  और मानव चेतना का युग्मित रूप ! फ़िल्म के लड़ने भिड़ने के दृश्यों में  भारी भरकम साईबोर्गों (मनुष्य -मशीन का मेल ) का भी खूब दृश्यांकन हुआ है !

ताज्जुब है अभी भी हालीवुड में साम्राज्यवादी /औपनिवेशिक श्रेष्ठता बोध को प्रदर्शित करने वाली फिल्मों का बोलबाला है -एक शांत  प्रिय देश पर एक साम्राज्यवादी दादा किस्म के देश का अधिपत्य जो हमें  बर्बर ब्रितानी आक्रमणों की याद दिलाता है अभी भी हालीवुड का एक स्थाई कथानक भाव  बना हुआ है -और वही प्रवृत्ति धरती और अपने सौर मंडल से दिक्काल की बड़ी  दूरियों  तक भी अक्षुण बनी हुई है  -क्या मनुष्य कभी नहीं सुधरेगा ? पैन्डोरा पर धरती वासियों का आक्रमण भी एक ऐसे  ही कथानक का विस्तार है और इसलिए बासी सा लगता है ! क्या पैन्डोरा वासियों से अन्य कोई मैत्री /कूटनीतिक संवाद कायम करने की सोच पर फ़िल्म नहीं  बन सकती थी ? क्या युद्ध ही अंतिम विकल्प है मानवता के सातत्य के लिए? हम युद्ध के बदले  शांति को क्या हमेशा के लिये दफ़न कर चुके -मगर क्या कीजिये बिना भयंकर मुठभेड़ /युद्ध के दृश्यों को फिल्माए फ़िल्म पैसे कैसे बटोरेगी ? आखिर इनका अंतिम मकसद तो व्यवसाय का ही हैं न ?

मैं फ़िल्म को पांच में से ढायी स्टार देता  हूँ ! और वह भी जबरदस्त दृश्यों के फिल्मांकन के लिए! भारतीय मनीषा के लिए फ़िल्म में कुछ ख़ास नहीं है !

समीक्षा के लिए यहाँ और यहाँ भी देख सकते हैं !

लेखक , निर्देशक : जेम्स कैमरॉन

कलाकार : सैम वर्दिगगटन, सिगोनी वीवर

समयावधि  : 162 मिनट 

विधा :  विज्ञान फंतासी

ट्वनटीयेथ सेंचुरी फाक्स प्रस्तुति