Changing Trends of Diwali Celebrations
Ways of life change as the wheel of time spins. How we perceive and celebrate festivals is no exception – it also undergoes a change with every passing year. Back in 1990’s, Diwali celebrations comprised of getting your house cleaned and whitewashed before Diwali, donning on new clothes, lighting clay diyas or multicoloured candles, enjoying sweets and meeting friends, neighbours and relatives. In 2010, in a span of twenty years, quite a lot has changed. Whitewashing has given way to choosing from a plethora of expensive paints for your house. Branded clothes have replaced new clothes and electronic decoration has dethroned the traditional diyas and candles. Wherever they are used, it is their modern avatars- artistically shaped diyas, Chinese lanterns and aromatic candles. Sweets are being gradually replaced by chocolates and cupcakes and people have little time and patience to meet friends and relative, let alone neighbours. However, on a closer analysis, all is not lost. The essence is still there. Only the flavour has been modified in accordance with a free market, consumerism and globalisation. Pujas, sweets, parties, gifts, shopping, facials at the mohalla beauty parlour, resplendent lighting — all the wonderful elements that made this festival sparkle are still alive. What's new is their 21st century avatars. For instance, Diwali nights at the mall, designer room and wardrobe makeovers, botox facelifts, baked confectionery and gujiyas and sugar-free gulab jaamun... The essence is there, but the flavour has changed. People are short of time these days. They have everything else except time. This has led to the erosion of homemade delicacies. The brilliant taste of the sweets of a particular home was a reflection of the uniqueness of that particular household. But now, thanks to readymade items, every house looks the same. The easy availability of almost anything you crave in the shop round the corner is certainly taking its toll on cooking at home. It seems an era is passing with the older generation. Back in 1990’s, people celebrated Diwali more out of faith. It was more serene, more pious. But now, it's commercialized. It's more of a show. Diwali, now is more often seen as an opportunity to prove to others that our social status and purchasing power is better than others. Also, people these never forget to compare, without realizing the fact that the relationship is more important than the petty disparity in the financial status of their neighbour, friend or relative. Also, earlier people made it a point to perform Diwali Pooja in their house. But now, a new trend is arising. Although, the takers of this trend are few but perceivable. This trend focuses on spending the Diwali weekend away from home like a holiday. It’s a festival dude, and not simple another holiday. Also, these days people are resorting to gambling in a more fashionable way-casinos and poker. Folks, gambling is gambling, whether in a casino or in the backyard of your house. However, there a large number of people who perform Ganesh puja & Mahalaxmi puja and light candles. Some of them also take great pleasure in making Rangoli outside their home. However, at some places traditional rituals are beginning to give ways to the overwhelming influence of cosmopolitan culture. There's an increase in people's buying power. They now want to buy products which are new and modern. Also, these days it is assumed that gadgets are the 'new gold' for consumers now. Laptop buying seems to be a new craze these days. Desktop computers are only to be seen in organisation and educational institutions. At home, everybody prefers a laptop.Online shopping has emerged very strongly these days. Twenty years back, nobody would have thought that if one didn't have the inclination or the time for some market hopping, then one day all one needs would be a plastic card and a Net connection to get 'Best Diwali Deals'. Crowded marketplace, the traffic and the parking nightmare are reasons enough for the emergence of online shopping. So, we can observe that quite a lot has changed in two decades. While we celebrate Diwali in the modern way, we must not forget our roots. Modifying a ritual for deriving more enjoyment out of it is fine, but in the process we must take care that we do not modify it to such an extent that the original one is hard to recognise. More on Diwali
Bookmark
|
