The monkey does not just rank 9th in the 12-animal Chinese Zodiac but also is a prominent symbol in the lore and arts of various Asian religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism. Experts, from Glen Dudbridge to Wolfgang Mieder, have been debating whether China's mythical character Sun Wukong was inspired by Hanuman of the Indian mythological epic Ramayana. While these debates remain inconclusive, the two monkeys have evolved into very distinct popular characters. And there is no denying their close cultural connections.

The Journey to the West and Ramayana both have been made into many films, TV serials, animations and operas, making the Monkey King a venerated figure even for younger generations. This provides the two neighbors an important constituency that should represent a combined symbol of rising China and India-a monkey is surely benign compared to a dragon (a popular symbol of China) and agile compared to an elephant (which symbolizes India).

In his book, Views on India, China and on the Shores of Red Sea, published in 1835, Robert Elliott talks about of how he was startled to see monkeys, despite their value, being worshiped in India and how "two young (British) officers who fired at a monkey were drowned in the Jamuna (river), in the vain attempt to escape from the range of an exasperated multitude pursuing them to their destruction".

Things are no different today and killing a monkey is still not seen as a solution to the monkey problem in urban or rural India. And as the Chinese version of monkey goes global with preparations for grandiose and colorful celebrations in China and overseas, it can also become another symbol of China's cultural connection with the rest of Asia. Hence, the monkey can become one of the many elements helping China and India come closer.

The author is a professor at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)