tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20462697.post7941795869794289081..comments2016-12-14T09:04:29.241+08:00Comments on RUPTURE AS RAPTURE: OPIUM (Vivien Tan)EricFlohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04448714995493321979noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20462697.post-92133760382215188732010-02-28T22:11:15.485+08:002010-02-28T22:11:15.485+08:00Hello, Dear Ericflo from Mactan, Cebu.
I am Ratn...Hello, Dear Ericflo from Mactan, Cebu. <br /><br />I am Ratna Lahiri, a scholar of Indo-Philippine heritage from India and I am passionate about the Philippine prehistory linked to India. I had the privilege of working with Prof Juan Francisco in Maila at the Asian CEnter. Am publishing soon, all this glory of the true Phlippine heritage to the notice of Indian people. Indian scholars woulld read easily those eastern Brahmi scripts...and perhaps even that of the Kalatagan pot, the Butuan silver amulet etc...They would also better identify the artifacts in some cases where there are Buddhist overtones. <br />For example, I have identified the Agusan image (went to the Chicago museum and got photographs from the gold room). Your blog endorses my views of a lost Filipino identity, specailly that of southern Philippines which was so closely linked to Borneo at that time. I have translated two versions of the Maranao Rama story into Hindi and the publication will shortly bring out all these connections to India...Afterwards, I will do the English version about the indo-philippine cultural exchange of ancient and medieval times- am looking for some funding to do that. When I was in Manila the Family of Mamitua Saber brought me his version of the Rama story. Prof Francisco said he had no knowledge of that version before but I have translated both from English with a Maranao speaker helping me with the Fransico's recorded version- both are a little different from the retelling, but from the same source Bai Pamoki.<br />There is so much more to discuss with you as I found it rare to have someone acknowledge the fact that the Filipinos need to be more proud of their pre-hispanic identity. I am finding it to be a rich cultural heritage, and hate it that at the time of independence no one could find a better name than that of the Spanish prince Philip 2nd...in our literature one of our ancient historians have found the name Panyopaayana, meaning the place where trade goods were taken to( almost as gifts)... I think the word Panay, Pinoy etc all come from that ancient recognition of the islands as Panyopayana...about which I am writing in my research work . <br />I yearn to find out more as this encounter with the rich Philippine cultural heritage has changed my life...a lot more needs to be recorded from the living elders of the tribes (I attended the Heritage of Man conference in Angeles city as well where almost all known tribes had attended and shown their dances and rituals etc). It is difficult for foreigners to go down south, but I was fortunate to have attended the National Historical Conference in Bongaon Tawi Tawi as the concluding speaker, and traveled with all the University students via Cebu, Marawi and Zambooanga, and then in the hold of a cargo ship to the Jolo Islands, and to Tawi TAwi. (Incidentally, Who is Vivien (I could write up some vivid cultural descriptions for her cultural tourism trips...) The True Filipinos are just beautiful friendly, caring people, distracted by the dollar at present, but steadfast in their diversity and family commitments and vibrant, all just like the real Indian people...<br />I have a specific identification of the Agusan deity, the mandala it belongs to and the text it is related to, if you are interested, please write to ...ratnalahiri@yahoo.comThammahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860192339904481867noreply@blogger.com