Festivals are just turning to be names of holidays - invariably
meaning a day-off for a sleep that can compensate for a full week’s work and
probably a movie after you get dizzy sleeping the whole day. Does Diwali and pongal
even mean anything to us nowadays?
It all started when my brother and me decided not to burst crackers this time when mom and dad wanted atleast a few for the sampradaya.
What actually is Diwali sampradaya?
Enlightment from a recent vishaka hari’s concert – Krishna
fought Narakasura, freed the 16,100 ladies from his prison (eventually ended up
marrying them) and his return to dwaraka was celebrated with lights. Probably there were no crackers at that time.
Thanks Krishna :D
By the way, shifting to the next issue – with the risky
environment which is many-a-times life-threatening, child labour which is now ‘reportedly’
reduced - are we the ones who are actually
feeding these companies ? Those workers there definitely aren’t putting
through blistered and burnt hands as a service to mankind but sheer food ! What
difference are we making by shunning crackers?
Whatever it may be - I’ve just lost the interest and already
seeing so many around in my boat - Raise
your hand if you are in the league !
And finally, wen I see these sweet boxes, my mind flies 10 years
behind – I see grannies of our family sitting together discussing the sweets to
be made, rolling dough, mommies at the frying pans and we getting the privilege
of tasting the freshly fried yum-yums :D I only laugh wen we buy sweets and
even worse…just mix up from different boxes and give it again to few more. Makes
sense? I think no!
An interview featuring Nasser is worth mentioning. It was shot by a
local tele channel and was not broadcasted for the reason that he vehemently
refused to wish pongal wen he was asked to do so. ‘‘All pongal means is harvest
for the farmers- what are we gonna do sitting in the couch, eating sweets and
wishing pongal to each other? When the farmers are actually suffering from poor
returns ?”. Makes sense
J
Lets probably get all the negative thoughts out of our
minds, fill it with light heartedness and share love with family and around and
celebrate a festival the way it should be
J
It is ofcourse a delight to see all the paatis making sweets. Today, somehow we have lost it partly because its the woman in the family who has to single handedly pull the whole show. If the family is ready to enter teh kitchen to work, then its fine. Else, pay some sweet stall :).
ReplyDeleteLoosing interest is obvious when we grow up but moreof all we got to think the ill effectz of bursting crackers.
DeleteWith demand for firecrackers swelling during Diwali, children are forced to help manufacture hazardous firecrackers in several villages.
Anyways that’s nice blog from yu aggrevating people to think the only bad effects in return of bursting crackers..
Well the days are changing.. Now every sec means a penny & not a thing to cherish.. So gone are the days of making things together, having fun , teasing, playing, laughing n all that.. Now happiness is packed in a box & people try all odds to buy that.. albeit ending in vain.. D only way is to see d brighter side & smile.. as we always do :) Nice writing Ashwin.. Kudos.. One humble request --> POST OFTEN!!! ( Ur posts are so seasonal , like the festivals themselves :P )
ReplyDeleteAn interesting perspective on how our traditions have evolved over the years. There is a phrase “Times change and we with time”. Modern day celebrations are more commercial and significance of the festival has been lost over the years. Long gone are the good old days.
ReplyDeleteThis article has got the fine quality to be posted in any of the leading magazines and I dnt think if i have got the ability to make a comment on it....simply awesome
ReplyDelete