ICCR will discuss the Indian roots of Picasso, Chaplin and Presley – but did they forget Superman, Da Vinci, and Santa Claus?
These clips from 'Goodness Gracious Me' should remind everyone.
Superman was Indian because really, where else can a man run faster than a train?
In the BBC sketch comedy Goodness Gracious Me, Sanjeev Bhaskar's character is often seen educating his children on the Indian origins of famous people.
Now the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, in collaboration with Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad-Bharat, is holding a three day seminar titled "International Roma Conference and Cultural Festival" to discuss the Indian origins of well-known people like Pablo Picasso, Elvis Presley and Charlie Chaplin. It seems they were all Romas.
A January report on the conference in the Times of India says, "The conference is being conceived on the principle that people of Indian origin could be treated as Indian diaspora."
Is staking a claim to these artistes part of the plan? "The purpose of this seminar is to create awareness about Indian origins of Roma community. Origins of eminent personalities like Picasso, Presley and Chaplin would be discussed," Indian Express reported, quoting ICCR Director General C Rajasekhar.
According to Bhaskar, Picasso's Indian-ness is evident in his portraits. "One nose here, and ear there. Go to Delhi."
Britain's royal family is quite similar to an Indian joint family.
And Santa Claus with his big belly, bad suit, and long beard couldn't be anything other than Punjabi.
