Melbourne developers of Ganesh vs. Hitler play express “regret” to Hindus

“We regret any inadvertent concern or apprehension about the play which may have arisen prior to its performance”, a message from Back to Back Theatre, developer of play “Ganesh Versus the Third Reich”, posted on its website, said to “concerned members of the Hindu community”.

A “Joint Statement” issued by Victorian Multicultural Commission after September 28 meeting of Theatre with representatives from Victoria’s Hindu community and representatives of Government agencies, said: “inappropriate references within website and promotional material will be amended or removed, warning notices will be produced to alert intending patrons that the play deals with the portrayal of Lord Ganesh, Hindu community representatives were invited and agreed to attend the opening of the play on Thursday night”.

It further said: “the promotional material and early descriptions of the play has created considerable concern and apprehension within the Hindu community”. The Hindu community representatives were also invited to place material on the websites of Melbourne Festival, Back to Back Theatre and Malthouse Theatre in relation to the divinity and history of Lord Ganesh.

“In our opinion, Ganesh is treated with great respect in the work. His integrity and status is never threatened. He is all powerful. Ganesh is the hero of the work and has an embodiment of goodness and greatness. The representation of Ganesh is not ridiculed or engaged in violent action in the performance…We would like to assure members of the Hindu community that it is not our intent to portray Ganesh in a way that is disrespectful.”

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that the meeting between Theatre and Hindu leaders was a step in the right direction.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that trivialization of Lord Ganesh would hurt the devotees and added that proposed collaboration of Theatre and area Hindu leaders should ensure that Lord Ganesh, which was meant to be worshipped in temples and home shrines, was not made a laughing stock in the play.

Rajan Zed argued that taxpayer funded organizations like Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria, and City of Melbourne; who supported this play; should have been more vigilant and should not be involved in projects resulting in upsetting a community group.

Zed has earlier stated that Lord Ganesh was divine and theater/film/art were welcome to create projects about/around him showing his true depiction as mentioned in the scriptures. Creating irrelevant imaginary imagery, like reportedly depicting him being tortured and interrogated by Nazi SS, hurt the devotees.

Jews have also supported the Hindus on their concerns about “Ganesh Versus the Third Reich”. Rabbi ElizaBeth W. Beyer, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada, in a statement, said: “Such trivialization of Lord Ganesh, whom Hindus worshipped, would naturally hurt the faithful, and must be avoided”.

Recently, depiction of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi on swimwear at a fashion event held in Sydney (Australia) resulted in worldwide protests. Popular radio host Kyle Sandilands recently made derogatory remarks, ridiculing Hindus’ holy river Ganga, on Sydney’s hit music station. Australian swimwear company, Sandilands and his radio station later apologized after the protests.

One of most widely worshipped deities in Hinduism; Lord Ganesh is regarded as god of wisdom and good luck, patron of learning and remover of obstacles, and invoked at the commencement of all undertakings. Hinduism is oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.