Tradition
by Shivagami
This word is beautiful, scary and fun at the same time. Traditions are reflections of US. Our Legacy.
Let me start with a simple tradition followed at most of the Indian homes.
We start our day by lighting lamps (villaku/diya/oil lamps). If you are not an atheist, this is followed by a prayer. Lighting lamps before dawn and dusk, putting a small kolam/Rangoli in front of the house and ensuring no footwear in front of the home entrance/door. This is a tradition that has been followed, maybe for centuries, to welcome the goddess Lakshmi, god of wealth and prosperity.
Kolam/Rangoli is a delight to the eyes and a welcoming feeling. Lighting lamps brightens our soul and heart and gives a positive feel to start our day.
Our ancestors followed this tradition with ease, while they used rice flour for kolam/rangolis and the rice flour would also be food to ants and birds. As years passed by, slowly traditions were modified to fit into our daily life. Now most of us use kolamavu /rangoli powder (white stone powder) to draw rangolis. I try my best to follow this harmless simple tradition rooted in me. It is not necessary for our next generation to do the same.
Traditions too go through survival of the fittest. The one which fits survives.
I mentioned traditions are scary. Think about the Sati system abolished in 19th century. Is it not scary? Few traditions are wired in our brain to be considered normal. Because we watch them in movies, we see it happening in real life, and we see it repeatedly happening, and our brains sets it as the norm.
Widowed mothers are not allowed to do kayadanum (giving away the Bride - marriage ritual) of her children. Is anyone more eligible than her? Widows are forbidden from initiating rituals in auspicious occasions like baby showers, marriages . . . In few communities’ brides' fathers should wash the feet of bridegroom, a ritual during kanyadanam. (what about the dignity of the bride's father? My opinion only.)
Traditions have not existed since time existed. Traditions are gifts of civilization for our progress. As civilization changes so do traditions, but some are here to stay because it’s the norm set by us. Even globalization is unable to forfeit many traditions because it’s wired in our brain to be considered normal. But Change will happen: change is constant.
Traditions are lots of fun, too. They are colorful, spiritual, loving and antidepressants. Lights of Mysore dasara during 9 days of navaratri, playing with colors on the day of holi, kadalekai parishe (groundnut fair in Bangalore), Food Festivals in India ..........our traditions are lots. More than I can fill here. We relish these traditions, meet our loved ones, some find the love of their life, spend time with family and friends.
In a foreign land with no friends, relatives and foes, traditions make us feel connected because you get to meet traditions which touch your feelings, feeling of not being alone and making some new friends. Traditions are a treat to our tummies, a joy to our heart, a boost to our brains, and a peace to our mind. Traditions are made by us for us.
Let’s adapt and adopt traditions that imbibe human values, that are suitable for the welfare and happiness of the society, for our next generation. This cycle has to repeat. Yesterday’s traditions don’t have to be right today and today's tomorrow.
This word is beautiful, scary and fun at the same time. Traditions are reflections of US. Our Legacy.
Let me start with a simple tradition followed at most of the Indian homes.
We start our day by lighting lamps (villaku/diya/oil lamps). If you are not an atheist, this is followed by a prayer. Lighting lamps before dawn and dusk, putting a small kolam/Rangoli in front of the house and ensuring no footwear in front of the home entrance/door. This is a tradition that has been followed, maybe for centuries, to welcome the goddess Lakshmi, god of wealth and prosperity.
Kolam/Rangoli is a delight to the eyes and a welcoming feeling. Lighting lamps brightens our soul and heart and gives a positive feel to start our day.
Our ancestors followed this tradition with ease, while they used rice flour for kolam/rangolis and the rice flour would also be food to ants and birds. As years passed by, slowly traditions were modified to fit into our daily life. Now most of us use kolamavu /rangoli powder (white stone powder) to draw rangolis. I try my best to follow this harmless simple tradition rooted in me. It is not necessary for our next generation to do the same.
Traditions too go through survival of the fittest. The one which fits survives.
I mentioned traditions are scary. Think about the Sati system abolished in 19th century. Is it not scary? Few traditions are wired in our brain to be considered normal. Because we watch them in movies, we see it happening in real life, and we see it repeatedly happening, and our brains sets it as the norm.
Widowed mothers are not allowed to do kayadanum (giving away the Bride - marriage ritual) of her children. Is anyone more eligible than her? Widows are forbidden from initiating rituals in auspicious occasions like baby showers, marriages . . . In few communities’ brides' fathers should wash the feet of bridegroom, a ritual during kanyadanam. (what about the dignity of the bride's father? My opinion only.)
Traditions have not existed since time existed. Traditions are gifts of civilization for our progress. As civilization changes so do traditions, but some are here to stay because it’s the norm set by us. Even globalization is unable to forfeit many traditions because it’s wired in our brain to be considered normal. But Change will happen: change is constant.
Traditions are lots of fun, too. They are colorful, spiritual, loving and antidepressants. Lights of Mysore dasara during 9 days of navaratri, playing with colors on the day of holi, kadalekai parishe (groundnut fair in Bangalore), Food Festivals in India ..........our traditions are lots. More than I can fill here. We relish these traditions, meet our loved ones, some find the love of their life, spend time with family and friends.
In a foreign land with no friends, relatives and foes, traditions make us feel connected because you get to meet traditions which touch your feelings, feeling of not being alone and making some new friends. Traditions are a treat to our tummies, a joy to our heart, a boost to our brains, and a peace to our mind. Traditions are made by us for us.
Let’s adapt and adopt traditions that imbibe human values, that are suitable for the welfare and happiness of the society, for our next generation. This cycle has to repeat. Yesterday’s traditions don’t have to be right today and today's tomorrow.
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