One of the greatest dangers to our democracy is the virus of intolerance that has assumed menacing proportions. It is not confined to any particular class or community. The infection is widespread. The worst manifestation was when the prestigious Bhandarkar Institute in Pune was vandalised by bigots and invaluable manuscripts were destroyed because the American author James Laine who had made some unpalatable remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji in his biography, had worked at the institute. Sikhs are offended by certain words in the title of a movie and want them deleted. Christians want the movie The Da Vinci Code banned because they find it hurtful. Actress Khushboo faced the ire of some Hindu organisations on account of her comments on sex and virginity. Another recent incident is the complaint filed by the Hindu Makkal Katchi against actress Shreya because of her skimpy outfit, which had offended Hindu culture, whatever that means. The latest shocking incident of intolerance is the call given by the All-India Ulema Council, which has asked the Muslim community to boycott all Godrej products unless the company’s chairperson Adi Godrej apologises for hosting writer Salman Rushdie. This call has perturbing implications. What right has any person or body of persons to dictate to and intimidate any Indian citizen about his wish to invite and host a reception for a person of his or her choice because the invitee is disliked by some fanatical members of a particular community. Rushdie has not been declared a proclaimed offender. Neither the state nor enlightened Muslims should remain silent spectators. Suppose the celebrated painter M.F. Husain is invited by an Indian citizen and a lunch is hosted for him. Can some fanatical Hindu organisations taking a cue from the Muslim boycott call threaten the host with dire consequences because they are offended by some of his paintings? If these trends are not repressed urgently and severely, bigotry and intolerance will destroy our democratic social fabric. Oscar Peterson Jazz musicians do not generally receive official recognition. Oscar Peterson, the legendary jazz pianist, who passed away last month, was a notable exception. In 2005 he became the first living person other than a reigning monarch to be honoured with a commemorative stamp in Canada, where streets, squares, concert halls and schools have been named after him. He received glowing tributes from his fellow musicians. The great Duke Ellington titled him the ‘Maharaja of the Keyboard.’ Peterson’s influence was world-wide and was experienced by several musicians, including Herbie Hancock and pianist-singer Diana Krall, who cited Peterson as the reason for her becoming a jazz pianist. The 20-year-old jazz pianist Eldar Djangirov, as a boy growing up in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan decided to become a jazz musician after listening to Peterson’s records. Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, a fan and a friend of Peterson, invited him to a 2001 Ottawa event honouring Nelson Mandela. Chretien recalled that “they were both moved to meet each other. These were two men with humble beginnings who rose to very illustrious levels”.Peterson was hugely influenced by Art Tatum, who had a prodigious technique and complete mastery of the keyboard. It is said that after Peterson’s father played a Tatum recording for him, Peterson was so overawed by Tatum’s breakneck tempos that he didn’t touch the piano for a month. Another anecdote is that Peterson was playing at a night club but froze when he was told that Tatum had dropped in. Peterson played with many jazz maestros and made excellent recordings. I particularly enjoy his trio recordings with Ray Brown on bass and Herb Ellis on guitar. I was fortunate to hear him live at a concert in 2002 in Toronto. On account of his previous stroke, he shuffled to the piano. But once he was at the keyboard he gave a tremendous performance and ended the concert playing Sweet Georgia Brown, my perennial favourite, at a blistering tempo. Peterson has left us. Herbie Hancock has rightly said “no one will ever be able to take his place”.
