Nostalgic Homecoming for Gundert’s Descendents

Herman Gundert statue inThalassery

by SUCHETH  P R

Thalassery: For German  scholar and pastor Albrecht Frenz and wife Gertraud Frenz, Thalassery is like a  home away from home. They have been drawn to this heritage town again and again  for several years, where their great great grandfather Hermann Gundert spent years and contributed immensely for the growth of Malayalam lexicography and journalism. The Vedic Sanskrit scholar Albrecht Frenz, who has compiled books on Jewish Malayalam songs, wall paintings of North Kerala, Madhubani art and historic documents on Malabar says: “My life is for India. I have been engaged in activities for fostering cultural bonds between Germany and India.” Scaria Zachariah, Barbara John and K K Marar have extended their assistance to Frenz in different ventures.

    Frenz, Gertraud and other two members of the Gundert family - Herman Shaber and Mary, who were here on Monday to take part in the 199th birth anniversary of Gundert, were in an exalted mood enjoying how the younger generation of the town was honouring their great great grandfather. “Gundert is not a prominent figure in Germany as in Kerala. He is known there as the grandfather of Nobel laureate Hermann Hesse, the most widely read writer in Germany,” says Gertraud, great great granddaughter of Gundert. They are a bit concerned that the studies in language and literature occupy only a second place in Germany today, compared to subjects like computer science or business studies. “Even our attempts to form a Honorary Chair for Gundert in Tuebingen University turned futile owing to fund crunch as government is focusing more on science,” says Frenz. Daughter of Frenz couple Margret Frenz, who is heading the Hermann Gundert Society in their hometown Stuttgart, however, tries to strengthen the historic bond with Malabar with her research on Pazhassi Raja.

   Frenz said that Indology, which was once a major branch of study in all German universities, has now been

concentrated to South Asia Institute, Heidelberg, alone. Albercht Frenz, who is also a keen observer of the state of political affairs in Germany and India, said that the ideology of sectarianism has no place in contemporary Germany. Hitler and the theory of Aryan hegemony have few followers among the new generation. “There are a few pockets of neo-Nazis who are trouble makers. They are only small groups

of unemployed rural folk who are always engaged in antisocial activities. However, media give them undue importance and their activities are getting sensationalised,” Frenz says. Frenz and wife are proud as people from about 175 countries are living harmoniously in Stuttgart. The art forms of all these nations will be performed during the ‘Summer Festival’ held every July. This unity of diverse cultures is the message that Germany tries to convey to the world, Frenz said. 

    Marxism has almost been uprooted in the land of Karl Marx. “No philosophy or political ideology has any influence on the new generation. Mere individualism and the drive for comfort and money rule the people. Right or Left wing politics do not exist and a coalition of different parties comparable to Indian scenario holds the administration. If the Marxists could gain five per cent of vote share, they could have a say in the Parliament. However, their vote share is limited to below two per cent now,” Franz said.

The New Indian Express