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| Bernard Shaw in Bombay 1933. past-india.com |
Above image: A 1933 (January) photo of the famous English author and Nobel Laureate George Bernard Shaw near The Gate Way of India on the waterfront of Apollo Bunder in Bombay (designed by Scottish architect George Witte; the structure was open to public in December, 1924. Shaw received the prestigious Nobel Prize for literature in 1925. His books and plays are popular to this day. Some of his works include- Pygmalion, Man And Superman, The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism And Capitalism, and so on. The 1964 Oscar-winning American Musical movie “My Fair Lady” was based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 stage play ''Pygmalion''. British actor Rex Harrison played Prof. Henry Higgins and British actress Audrey Hepburn played Eliza Doolittle, the poor flower girl.........
George Bernard Shaw’s was not interested in an extensive tour of India and his reason is quite acceptable. Portrayed as a distinguished figure he was against engaging in a superficial tour like an average tourist. Instead, Shaw chose to stay on board his luxury liner, "Empress of Britain," expecting people to visit him there, jokingly referring to himself as being “on show.”
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| Empress of India, //upload.wikimedia.org |
Above image: Empress of India ship; RMS Empress of India was an ocean liner built in 1890-1891 by Naval Construction & Armaments Co, Barrow-in-Furness, England for Canadian Pacific Steamships. This ship would be the first of two CP vessels to be named Empress of India, and on 28 April 1891, she was the first of many ships named Empress arriving at Vancouver harbor. Later in 1914, she was sold to the Maharajah of Gwalior and renamed in 1915. From the collection of Matthews, James Skitt, Major (1878-1970) - This image is available from the City of Vancouver Archives under the reference number Bo P430. The ship is passing through First Narrows of Burrard inlet into Vancouver harbour..........
The Indian press eagerly questioned him on various topics such as untouchability and world disarmament but overlooked asking the crucial question: why had he included India in his itinerary? Shaw’s presence in India is described as unusual, almost anachronistic, due to his reputation as a "super-iconoclast" with a unique perspective that doesn’t quite align with the Indian cultural context. The passage reflects on Shaw’s life, his knack for debate, and his use of drama and satire to influence English society. It humorously notes that while he is a natural talker, he paradoxically suggested that public speaking should be banned in India upon achieving Swaraj (self-rule).
Shaw's Persona and Expectations: Shaw's visit to India is more symbolic than touristic. His stay aboard the ship instead of actively traveling through the country is seen as an affirmation of his individuality.
Contrast with a Tourist: The reference to an "American tourist" rushing through India in eight days accentuates Shaw’s distinct approach. His refusal to conform to typical sightseeing tours and preference for intellectual interactions marks him as a man of ideas rather than mundane experiences.
Iconoclastic Nature: Shaw is referred to as the “super-iconoclast,” acknowledging his role as a critic and reformer of social conventions. In England he is against class distinctions the divide between the rich and the labor class. His visit, therefore, is presented as intellectually intriguing rather than culturally transformative for him.
Humor and Irony: The text employs humor, especially in its portrayal of Shaw’s suggestion that public speaking be made a capital offense. This self-aware irony reflects Shaw’s love for paradoxes and wit, elements that define his literary and rhetorical style.
In essence, the passage captures the essence of Bernard Shaw—unconventional, sharp, and never quite fitting the mold, whether in England or in a country as diverse and tradition-bound as India.
On a brief tour of Bombay, Shaw ran into Royal Yacht Club near the Gate way of India that was built in the place where King George V and wife landed. They were on the way to attend the most expensive show called The Delhi Durbar in 1911. Indian tax payers bore the expenses for this extravaganza. Indian rulers and Maharajahs were made to knell before the royal couple.
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| Irish Satirist Bernard Shaw. Cartoonstock.com |
Shaw who was never soft on the aristocrats and the British royalty, got angry upon seeing a sing on the Royal Yacht Club building that said, ''Whites Only''. Quite furious over the racial slur, Shaw said that it was snobbish on the part of the British to discriminate the natives in their own land of colored people.
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| George Bernard Shaw. karma-free-cooking.com |
Like Gandhiji Bernard Shaw was also a strict vegetarian and hated the people who eat animal flesh.
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