Rhymes of Bharat

The rhymes of English sound so sweet,

But the truths they conceal aren’t so neat,

With tales grim and gray,

They pass off as play,

They trick us with rhythmic deceit.

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​​In today's Indian education system, a significant portion of nursery and primary school content is still deeply rooted in the remnants of British colonial rule. One of the most persistent examples of this is the widespread use of English nursery rhymes. These seemingly innocent and melodious rhymes have been passed down through generations, but their underlying themes and messages often carry cultural baggage that is neither relevant nor beneficial to Indian children.

 

The limerick above aptly summarize the essence of many popular English rhymes today. While these rhymes may sound sweet to naive ears, the realities they conceal are far from neat. Beneath their playful surface, they often harbor themes of injury, violence, vanity, aversion to other creatures, and even morbidity. These are not the values we want to instill in our young minds, especially when there is so much more positive and culturally relevant content available.

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The Hidden Curriculum: Cultural Hegemony in English Rhymes

 

The use of English rhymes in Indian schools is not merely a linguistic choice but a reflection of a deeper cultural hegemony that persists long after the end of colonial rule. The teaching of these rhymes perpetuates a subtle form of cultural colonization, where Western values and beliefs are subtly imposed on Indian children. This can lead to the erosion of cultural identity, self-esteem, and confidence among Indian children, who may come to believe that their own cultural practices and beliefs are less valuable than those of the West.

 

Several factors highlight why the continued use of English rhymes in Indian schools can be seen as a form of cultural imperialism:

 

Cultural Superiority: The widespread use of English rhymes suggests that Western culture and the English language are seen as essential to the education of Indian children. This implicitly elevates Western cultural values above those of India, leading children to internalize a sense of cultural inferiority.

 

Language as a Carrier of Culture: "Language is both a means of communication and a carrier of culture." By prioritizing English rhymes, we are not just teaching a language but also transmitting cultural norms and values that may be at odds with the Indian context.

 

Subtle Cultural Colonization: Through the teaching of English rhymes, Western values and beliefs are subtly imposed, often leading to the erasure of indigenous cultural practices and beliefs. This process creates a cultural hierarchy where Western culture is seen as superior, further diminishing the cultural pride of Indian children.

 

Homogenization and Loss of Critical Consciousness: The content of these rhymes often promotes homogenization of thought and behavior, which can suppress the critical consciousness of young learners. Instead of encouraging children to think critically and engage with their own cultural heritage, these rhymes promote conformity to a foreign cultural norm.

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The Dark Themes in Popular English Rhymes

 

A closer analysis of colonial-era English rhymes reveals numerous explicit and hidden themes that can be detrimental to the psychological and emotional growth of Indian children. While some of these themes may have been acceptable within British culture, they become problematic when imposed on Indian children, for whom these contexts are often alien and irrelevant. Some of these themes are (Click on each of the themes to know more with examples or visit this page directly. A list of such questionable rhymes can be found here and their detailed analysis can be found here) :  

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• Colonial History 

• Establishing Socio-cultural hegemony and colonial superiority

• Glorification of injury and violence as play.

• Irrelevant socio-economic contexts of Britain

• Animal abuse and bestiality.

• Disrespect for women & domestic violence

• Camouflaged violence, torture, executions.

• Vanity and self-importance

• Racial prejudice & slave trade

• Religious conflicts and genocides

• Disrespect for other life-forms.

• Disrespect for the elderly

• Pandemics and mass mortality

• Harmful stereotypes on physical appearance

• Sexuality camouflaged

• Gore and aggressive behavior

• Imparting incongruous values

• Promotion of improper eating/drinking habits and trivialization of smoking

• Undermining contextual representations (contexts alien to the Indian experience) 

• Non-sensical wordplay lacking any constructive message

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These themes, which are often concealed beneath catchy tunes and playful lyrics, are not only culturally irrelevant but also potentially harmful. They can shape young minds in ways that are counterproductive to their development, planting seeds of fear, aggression, and self-doubt rather than fostering a sense of pride in their own culture.

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The Need for Culturally Relevant Rhymes: Rhymes of Bharat

 

Given this backdrop, there is a dire need for rhymes that reflect the rich cultural heritage of India—rhymes that can serve as a counter-narrative to the colonial-era content that still dominates our educational landscape. This is where Rhymes of Bharat comes in. 

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We don’t come to replace (lest insecurities grip those wedded to the colonial heritage) the modern-day rhymes, but rather to present an alternative. The textbooks are not our dominion—we simply wish to appeal to the good sense of a select few intellectuals who can fetter the shackles of colonial hangover and think freely.

 

Our initiative aims to decolonize nursery rhymes by replacing them with verses that celebrate India's cultural diversity and moral values. Through these rhymes, children can connect with the timeless wisdom of our ancestors, learn about the beauty of Hinduism, and appreciate the many facets of Indian life. Unlike the English rhymes that often promote negative or irrelevant themes, our rhymes are designed to nurture young minds with positive, constructive messages that are deeply rooted in Indian ethos.

 

Rhymes of Bharat not only offers a culturally relevant alternative but also aligns with the principles set forth by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of Government of India, which emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive, equitable, and culturally rooted education system. By introducing our children to rhymes that celebrate Indian values, we can help them develop a strong sense of cultural identity and pride from an early age.

 

In contrast to the grim and alien themes of English rhymes, our rhymes focus on the bright side of life, emphasizing themes such as respect, kindness, bravery, wisdom, and the beauty of everyday life. We explore topics like the environment, love for nature, devotion to Supreme, and virtues such as truthfulness, kindness, and respect—all from a purely Bhartiya perspective. These rhymes are not just for children; they are for anyone who cherishes the depth and diversity of Indian culture.

 

A Call for Change

 

The continued dominance of English rhymes in Indian education is a legacy of colonialism that needs to be challenged. Rhymes of Bharat presents a timely and essential alternative—one that is morally enriching, culturally relevant, and deeply rooted in the traditions of Bharat. By embracing these rhymes, we can ensure that our children grow up with a strong sense of their cultural heritage, free from the subtle yet pervasive influence of Western cultural hegemony.

 

It is time to move beyond the outdated, irrelevant content of English rhymes and to celebrate the rich mosaic of Indian culture through the universal language of rhyme. Join us in this movement to preserve and promote the cultural wealth of our nation for future generations.