Authors of the land’s scriptures that date back to an era of undetermined vintage, lyrics in the land’s different languages attributed to composers of long past, biographers of eminent persons of their times, novelists, essayists, of ancient frescoes, poets, painters, sculptures, playwrights, columnists, Statesmen whose speeches have been saved for posterity and scholars commanding respect in society serve as virtual positive guides to later generations on the nuances of leading life with a sense of fulfilment, portraying their lifetime achievements in multiple pursuits focussing on doing good to all life forms including humans, plants and the speechless species — animals, birds, insects. On the other hand, narratives of innumerable episodes in the land’s epics as well as events recorded by chroniclers over many centuries throwing adequate light on misdemeanours of human beings serve as negative guides to successive generations. The term Guide reminds readers of the writings of Mysuru-based author R.K. Narayan (1906-2001) about his 1958 novel by the same title describing transformation of a Tour Guide from being a protagonist to a Spiritual Guide, subsequently becoming one of the greatest holy men of the country.
We owe it to the anthropologists for scientific study of humans as well as human behaviour and societies in the past portraying the norms and values cherished by them. Grasp of their scholarly writings enables the Tour Guides to enlighten the visitors to various monuments with professional thoroughness.
