Some
days ago there was a discussion on how 'Far Right' said birthday cakes
were non traditional. There was hullabulla on the moral policeing, and
sniggers at whether chappatis should be cut instead. I am not 'Far
Right', far from it. But I understand why they have come to power.
Because of the utter inanity of the other side.
I oppose cakes and candle blowings, because what we do is being aped in villages. Every act and non-act has implications and repurcussions, and we are accountable.
I oppose cakes and candle blowings, because what we do is being aped in villages. Every act and non-act has implications and repurcussions, and we are accountable.
1. In a village a lamp is never blown out, but is reverentially
extinguished by a flower. Light is called Jyothiamma, and is divinity.
When I turn on the switch at dusk, the village people immediately lower
their head in a gesture of prayer. Such is the sense of reverence.
Blowing out lights on a cake does not fit into this paradigm.
2. Now learning from city based relatives (and I suspect TV serials), there are 'cakes' for some birthdays. A few village parents manage to afford this. Other children are learning what 'deprived' means. There are the 'haves' and 'have nots' among children - which was never the case in a village community.
The implications of every modern notion is vaster than we can guess even.
2. Now learning from city based relatives (and I suspect TV serials), there are 'cakes' for some birthdays. A few village parents manage to afford this. Other children are learning what 'deprived' means. There are the 'haves' and 'have nots' among children - which was never the case in a village community.
The implications of every modern notion is vaster than we can guess even.
Aparna Krishnan I grew
up in a city, and in my childhood have had cakes for my birthdays. Even
in the village in initial years I baked a cake on the firestove for our
daughter's birthday (and for other children also on their birthdays),
thinking it would give the children a nice time. One day when I saw the
fallen face of Nadia, I realized that
she was feeling bad - that on her birthday (I was away) she had not had a
cake ... and that day I stopped.
Shyamala Sanyal I
strongly support you and vehemently oppose all this mindless partying
that puts unprecedented pressure on the poor. One year I spent new years
eve in the village only to find fireworks bursting at midnight. New years eve has reached the village
Shyamala Sanyal In
fact where people are sensitive they oppose conspicuous consumption
like in schools in the UK. Children are not allowed expensive food and
gifts at school for birthday s. In India it is all about showing off and
outdoing each other. Children learn early.
Aparna Krishnan loss
of bearings. religious precepts - the best of Sikhism, Hinduism, islam,
taught virtues of shareing and restraint. That is not there. And
nothing else either to give bearings. So its like many mad bulls let
loose in a crockery shop.
Aparna Krishnan It
is to reduce our needs day by day, and share more and more day by day.
And to build up that network from where we draw courage to.
Zulfi Haider very
insightful...but Aparna, the problem i feel is somewhat different. It
is of our tendency to 'get stuck' to things, ideas; of comparing and
finding joy if we compare well enough. If that was the case, i will take
to the cake, and drop it the next moment
and have mangoes for next birthday, or some traditional sweet...and all
would be just fine. Sticking to tradition too is a problem, it is the
'sticking' that is the issue! Yes, i do agree to the question of
reverence towards certain aspects of life. But has irreverence not
propelled us to discover new ways, thoughts and challenge so many stuff
that were traditional beliefs and ideas. I am all for Irreverence too !
Aparna Krishnan A
tradition is a continuity. A mindful engaging with it is what gives a
civilization its structure. The ethics and beleifs are anchored in it.
An alert questioning is needed, but not a rejection. Because then a
civilization loses its sense of identity.
It is Gandhi's famous quote about how all the windows of his room will
be opens for ideas and winds from everywhere to blow in, but how he will
not get blown off his feet and will stay rooted and absorb all those
ideas.
Aparna Krishnan If the ordinary people celebrate with indian sweets or
kheer, and if our indulging in cakes creates a sense of deprivation,
let us move to kheer also.
Aparna Krishnan Or say, 'Let them eat cake' ?!!
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