The Indian NOTION of Beauty

 

The usual predominantly western notion of “Beauty” is that it is:

1. Superficial

2.  In the eyes of the beholder

3. Sentimental / Subjective

4. Commodity

5. All human beings desire beauty

I unapologetically disagree with each of them and say;

    1. Beauty is the Deepest and Primary human need. History is full of cases where empires were lost; where people killed themselves for beauty. To say beauty is superficial is gross under rating.

    2. Beauty is not “in the eyes of the beholder” because the eye is just an orifice and the perception happens in the mind. Not only that Eyes are not the only organs which make us feel beauty. What about the beauty of music, of fragrance, of aroma, of touch and of taste?

    All senses convey the feeling of beauty

    3. Beauty is essentially objective. It’s general principles are universal. A thing of beauty is joy forever and joy for every one everywhere. Who will say that rose is not a beautiful flower? It is existence of variations and some people’s preference for certain variation, depending on their individual socio-cultural conditioning. That does not mean that it is purely subjective.

    4. Beauty is not a commodity:

    No one doubts that beauty enlightens the soul. Most religions believe god is in the soul. Thus commercial commodification of beauty amounts to commodification of god. This is real absurdity.

    5. Beauty is basic need:

    All human beings hunger for beauty. It is innate nature of not only humans but all beings. Therefore, like hunger, it is the primary need of the body and a primary need of the soul.

    Human beings are sustained by beauty hence they deserve beauty and not just desire beauty.

 

15.06.2022