I wish India was a Turkey eating nation, or that someone had attached a gimmick or financial sense around this festival...then Thanksgiving would have been popular by now. Alas! there is no way India would celebrate any festival that does not crop out of mythology or history or just a belief. I remember as a child when we had to write an essay on India, It would invariably begin with "India is a country of festivals." Then it would transcend from diversity to languages and religions and the usuals... I like festivals in general. But that is probably because I like anything that acts as an excuse to get together. Doing something for the sake of tradition... or routine of tradition, strictly on numbered days in a year, doesn't really bother me.
But coming back to Thanksgiving, its sad that we Indians are in a way on extreme edges. On one hand, I know how certain political/ radical groups and other Individuals I personally know have been dead against the western festivals simply because they aren't ours. Valentines Day for example is written off by two kinds of people. One who are irrationally against a western festival and two, who feel why a particular day to show love when it needs to be showed everyday. The same logic in essence can be extended to birthdays and anniversaries and definitely Thanksgiving.
Well there is a need of days to show love or celebrate life or thank people...
The ideology, which still seems to have some rationale is "when these emotions are to be exhibited everyday, why assign days to them." Yeah, this is more of a lifestyle thing. As counter parties to different relationships, we feel we will keep up the spark...speak our hearts...But life and other usual mundane things put these plans or priorities at a back burner. We do not get time to express, or end up missing the point completely... And leave alone those who are anyway introvert or inexpressive by nature. I can recall my dad being like that. Very straight face and cold, but at my birthday or fathers day or when I am returning after visiting home, I see he misses me and loves me and is very happy to see me. I would sit all day in the same room and discuss obvious- studies, career, tangibles... and years passed but never an emotion was exhibited out of chance. He needs occasions. These days serve as a to-do list or reminder to state and exhibit what you feel. Yes, we know how one feels, but say it. That helps re-establishing it to oneself and confirming to the other!
As for the other ideology, my logic against it is primarily a ' if lame is okay, so is insane' logic. If we can celebrate all other festivals which are mythology based, why not these. I have nothing against mythological or religious festivals. They reflect deep sense of ingrained faith that masses grow up with. But when those are seldom debated, why are fresh credence questioned? If we can celebrate Krishn's birthday or Ram's return to Ayodhaya then why should we not celebrate whats happening in our life today? How is karva chauth any different to Fathers/ mothers day in terms of sentiment? We are willing to blindly celebrate theories that we do not question but are not ready to celebrate love, gratitude, health and endurance.
There is another angle that my friends usually quote, which is of the pressure to make it grand. Their spouse expecting grander celebration for valentines or birthdays warranting gifts..to which I'd say..really? Now that is herd mentality and succumbing to commercialization. I would never buy a gift out of bounding of occasion but always out of fond recollection of someone at seeing something. Don't attach value to price or occasion but to the gesture. Simple and popular lesson of life, apply it.
Which brings me back to where I started. Thanksgiving. Yes I love the concept of this festival. Thank people.
I am perceived to be a strong girl.err..woman almost, specially by those who do not know me. But there are those who have been there to keep me strong. With a little help from my friends, I have done a lot. Usually this realization is not vocalized out of nonchalance or simply because it will be too cheesy...But I know I have a friend who called me fifteen minutes to 12 on my birthday from below my house to revolt against my idea of spending it alone and took me out. I know a friend who spent hours listening to me-talking-to-myself and stating the obvious when I was depressed...day after day. I know I have a friend who gave me her brand new Mercedes to drive when I got my license a week before because I had to go to another city to run a half-marathon; while another drove it for me and waited 4 hours for me to finish as he thought it will be impossible for me to drive back after a half marathon. I have sisters who practically ensured that even today, at close to 30, I never bought my own laptop or phone or ever paid while shopping with them. What do they do? Just stand by and remind you of what you already have. Make you trust yourself...know that even if you do not need support or help, you may simply require a company.
These festivals, the days that stand for affection are the ones to be truly celebrated. Not for the sake of being righteous but to acknowledge how people in your life are important and contribute in some way or the other. As I say, Its always about the cities and the people. Be thankful and grateful for all of them and hopefully if you happen to be grilling turkey and sipping wine as an excuse, tell them... in fact tell them anyway!
But coming back to Thanksgiving, its sad that we Indians are in a way on extreme edges. On one hand, I know how certain political/ radical groups and other Individuals I personally know have been dead against the western festivals simply because they aren't ours. Valentines Day for example is written off by two kinds of people. One who are irrationally against a western festival and two, who feel why a particular day to show love when it needs to be showed everyday. The same logic in essence can be extended to birthdays and anniversaries and definitely Thanksgiving.
Well there is a need of days to show love or celebrate life or thank people...
The ideology, which still seems to have some rationale is "when these emotions are to be exhibited everyday, why assign days to them." Yeah, this is more of a lifestyle thing. As counter parties to different relationships, we feel we will keep up the spark...speak our hearts...But life and other usual mundane things put these plans or priorities at a back burner. We do not get time to express, or end up missing the point completely... And leave alone those who are anyway introvert or inexpressive by nature. I can recall my dad being like that. Very straight face and cold, but at my birthday or fathers day or when I am returning after visiting home, I see he misses me and loves me and is very happy to see me. I would sit all day in the same room and discuss obvious- studies, career, tangibles... and years passed but never an emotion was exhibited out of chance. He needs occasions. These days serve as a to-do list or reminder to state and exhibit what you feel. Yes, we know how one feels, but say it. That helps re-establishing it to oneself and confirming to the other!
As for the other ideology, my logic against it is primarily a ' if lame is okay, so is insane' logic. If we can celebrate all other festivals which are mythology based, why not these. I have nothing against mythological or religious festivals. They reflect deep sense of ingrained faith that masses grow up with. But when those are seldom debated, why are fresh credence questioned? If we can celebrate Krishn's birthday or Ram's return to Ayodhaya then why should we not celebrate whats happening in our life today? How is karva chauth any different to Fathers/ mothers day in terms of sentiment? We are willing to blindly celebrate theories that we do not question but are not ready to celebrate love, gratitude, health and endurance.
There is another angle that my friends usually quote, which is of the pressure to make it grand. Their spouse expecting grander celebration for valentines or birthdays warranting gifts..to which I'd say..really? Now that is herd mentality and succumbing to commercialization. I would never buy a gift out of bounding of occasion but always out of fond recollection of someone at seeing something. Don't attach value to price or occasion but to the gesture. Simple and popular lesson of life, apply it.
Which brings me back to where I started. Thanksgiving. Yes I love the concept of this festival. Thank people.
I am perceived to be a strong girl.err..woman almost, specially by those who do not know me. But there are those who have been there to keep me strong. With a little help from my friends, I have done a lot. Usually this realization is not vocalized out of nonchalance or simply because it will be too cheesy...But I know I have a friend who called me fifteen minutes to 12 on my birthday from below my house to revolt against my idea of spending it alone and took me out. I know a friend who spent hours listening to me-talking-to-myself and stating the obvious when I was depressed...day after day. I know I have a friend who gave me her brand new Mercedes to drive when I got my license a week before because I had to go to another city to run a half-marathon; while another drove it for me and waited 4 hours for me to finish as he thought it will be impossible for me to drive back after a half marathon. I have sisters who practically ensured that even today, at close to 30, I never bought my own laptop or phone or ever paid while shopping with them. What do they do? Just stand by and remind you of what you already have. Make you trust yourself...know that even if you do not need support or help, you may simply require a company.
These festivals, the days that stand for affection are the ones to be truly celebrated. Not for the sake of being righteous but to acknowledge how people in your life are important and contribute in some way or the other. As I say, Its always about the cities and the people. Be thankful and grateful for all of them and hopefully if you happen to be grilling turkey and sipping wine as an excuse, tell them... in fact tell them anyway!
Sometimes all that is needed is to be PRESENT there, silent or vocal...you just need to show up :)
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