Navratri/Navratra.’

In Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated with lots of devotion, getting together of friends and families and singing to glory. In other parts of India its fasting time and in Gujarat its Gharba and Dandia time…..In Delhi the beheading of the evil headed Ravana at the Ram Leela grounds takes place on the Vijayadashami   day….

This is the time to invoke the power of Shakthi within you by meditating on the Universal Divine power of Shakthi, celebrate the power of womanhood and rejoice the victory of dharma over the evil pulls within oneself.

I recall, during my childhood, this Navarathri festival is something we used to look forward to....1) Schools closed and 2) different varieties of 'Prashads' offered during this time in our neighbourhoods.....especially the 'Sundals'....

‘Kolu’ - a display of toys and artefacts with topical themes across homes during this period-no two Kolus would be similar/identical…the preparations would start at least a week earlier with the women folks at home putting together their ideas of what and how things should be displayed and converting their imagination in to reality….of course the men and the boys would extend a helping hand in putting up the stands and fixing it up to withstand the weight. In our home, these toys would be taken out from the 'paran' a kind of loft or you can say 'mezzanine' floor...these toys are kept in 'trunk boxes' in safe conditions....climbing on a ladder to the 'paran' itself would be a task and with not much of light, groping and getting the trunk without getting injured....

The fun starts from day 1 when the neighbours and friends in the vicinity start paying visits…well dressed and with excitement written on faces…mostly women….men stay at home as this is considered 100% a women thingy….The invitees, necessarily have to sing and mostly it would be Carnatic ‘keerthanas’ to invoke the blessings of the Divine Shakthi and also showcase their talents…..and many a times ‘match making’ would also happen. The aspiring to be MSS, MLVs et al....and most of them, due to their good coaching in Carnatic, would be excellent....

The boys would also dress up well to get noticed by their beloved ones and can be seen running around assisting the women at home….

From 5 to around 8 it would be fun n excitement time every day for the 10 days….one has to give company to the sisters and aunts at home when they go for the visits to the neighbourhood…..and in the process not only fill their stomachs but also their hearts and eyes with the divine ‘Prashads’ and the lovely n fully decked up girls…..Bonding  at its best….with the neighbours….

And of course, there would be also ‘gossips’ on what’s happening around and who is eyeing who kind of stuff….

For the students the ‘Saraswati puja’ day is very special as all their school books and things connected with their study would be kept in the ‘prayer room’ not to be touched for a full 24 hours….no pressure to study and do anything….mind you there used to be no internet or computer….or TV….so just play the whole day, eat well and keep eating……

Now a days, I feel, Kolu has become high tech and more of a formality than spending quality time…..And the ‘Prashads’ are mostly  by your caterers/Krishna n Grand Sweets….very few indulge in making things at home….and there is pressure to shoot and post on social media....and when you receive one, you have to immediately press the 'like' button...

Mani Ratnam and ARR westernised the whole ‘Kolu’ singing in Alaipayudhey and later ARR in ‘Kandukonden Kandukonden’…..

And many have forgotten the ‘concept’….primarily to get-together…and rejoice…..and know the neighbours well and bond better…..children are stuck with their home work and loads of tuition et al…..the Puja holidays were done away with, in TN....villages are no more the same...the 'serial' factor, YouTube, OTTs...T20's...and many a places only the seniors living alone with their children either in other cities (employed/studying) or overseas...  The place where I stay now, ‘Kolu’ is kept at the lounge and every day one family would do the ‘puja’ and offer ‘Prashad’ made at their respective homes….

Those who are reading this….My advice is to re invent....bring back the tradition…..use this occasion to visit friends and relatives and spend time with them….meditate….make ‘Prashad’ at home and in plenty….distribute….Sing and dance….enjoy these 10 days and most important….on the ‘Saraswati Puja’ day-avoid browsing and WhatsApp….spend time on prayers and meditation….and pass on your love to the fellow souls…..If you are a musician just deep dive in to it….or just listen to soulful music….And above all, hold on to the traditions....Our land is blessed with divine power.....inculcate this habit in to our children....today is just the second day of Navratri....if you havent done anything this year till now, pl start from today or tomorrow....

May Goddess Shakthi bless you and all your beloved ones with her choicest.

Jai Mata Di!!!