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| Sunday, 23 August 2009 |
| What is Navratri? |
1. The spiritual importance and the meaning of the word 'Garba'
Author: Smith Solace
Hindus, there is current perversion of our world festivals. Most of the times, forgetting the religious, spiritual and ethnic ground down the festivity of the festivals, the festivals are exclusive looked upon as pleasance and fun. If one has to obtain the unsurpassed information, then if one goes finished the newspapers to see preparations of Navaratra, then one can see from the info with photographs everyplace of different Garba classes and varied costumes, the assets of experience required for this, along with the tell presented by the curtilage in narration to the conflict of sound soilure. There is no honour of the God in the fete we celebrate whose blessings we are trying to mention. Spell defining the fete in the study of faith it is said that- suffice that gives elation to everybody is a festivity. If one sees the greet day celebration then one gift eff to ensue, expulsion a particularized age assemble an common several has started expression that, 'we do not need this fete, let us unrecorded in serenity'. Hindus, now try your selves willing to present the various malpractices in 'Navaratra' as on the ground of Ganeshutsav. Forcible accumulation of giving, articulate pollution, 'Garba' played on the strain of wrap songs, the vile diversion performed in drunk refer with salacious gesticulation, the probative increment in the number of unwedded mothers after few months of Navaratra are the different mal practices which are the warning buzzer of declination of Hindustani establishment and civilization. In prescript undertaken this extend of work the article!
In Gujarat during the Navaratra festival a lamp is kept in an earthen pot with multiple holes as a symbol of 'MatruShakti' (mother energy) and worshipped. With the omission of the word 'Deep' from the word 'Deep Garbh' the symbol of fertility in female worshipped for 9 days, the word Garbh and later Garba is currently used.
2. Cultural significance of the traditional Garba
In the olden times small - big, holed earthen pots are kept on one another in front of the Goddess on the first night. A lamp with four lit wicks was placed in the first pot and the lamp was uninterruptedly kept lit. Rounds of dance were performed around the lamp. There are two types of folk dances performed during 'Garba'. The dance preformed by the males standing in a circle singing while clapping with simple feet movement is called as 'Garbi' and the dance performed by females with delicate body gesticulations is called as 'Garba'. The songs praising Amba, Kalika, Randalmaa and other goddess are sung during 'Garba'. At that time in order to generate chivalry instruments like drum and clarion are used. Over a period of time there was dance on songs based on Krushnaleela, composed by saints, description of seasons, or related to social issues. Instead of claps and pinches there was use of instruments like Khanjiri, Manjiri and stack of lamps being used in the dance.
3. Garba means worship of goddess
The organizer of Garba program for the last 55 years Shri. Nyaas from Kolhapur in this context says 'Mother Goddess protected us by slaying the Demon. We cannot pay her back; so in order to gratify her, to please her, this dance is performed. This dance is a form of worship to please the goddess like Kirtan and Bhajan'. The priest of Radhakrishna temple at Kolhapur says 'The 'Dandiya' in the 'Garba' dance is the symbol of 'Khadag' (sword like weapon in the hand of the Goddess).'It is used to tell the goddess that 'We are doing your worship'. The Dandiya dance should be done with the attitude of being a warrior. The movement of the 'Dandiya' should be like that of the sword. At the time of this dance the song should be in relation to the Goddess. The presently ongoing form of Disco- dandiya is undesirable.
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4. The modern Garba and Dandiya pervert the main intention of Garba
4A. Unscientific: It is necessary that Garba is played with Krushnaleela, songs composed by saints played on the combined tune of traditional instruments; but presently Garba is played on the tune of film songs and the deafening sound of modern musical instruments.
4B.The indecent body gesticulations: It is necessary that certain rhythmic movements of the body occur during the Garba. But presently there is quenching of one's dancing enthusiasm by diverse gesticulations. In such dances as there is more of boisterousness, incidents of dashing each other, intentional body touching occur. In the Dandiya dance one has to gently touch the stick in the other's hand, but presently in the Dandiya dance they are struck anyhow in a forceful manner.
4C. Absence of piety: 'Garba' is a form of worship of the Goddess. Thus, it is mandatory to safeguard piety while performing 'Garba'. The feeling of devotion that one has while worshipping a deity should also be fostered while playing 'Garba'. However, in the present times, people are seen to wearing gaudy and revealing costumes for Garba! Thus, it has become a medium of show and pomp, rather than that of fulfilling spiritual pursuits! People performing Garba mostly comprise of drunkards in large numbers. Also, people perform it with their footwear on. All these malign the sanctity of the festival.
4D. Sexual Attraction: In recent times, young boys and girls who are sexually attracted to each other consider 'Garba' a medium to come in contact! This results in immoral acts. After performing 'Garba', these boys and girls loiter on the roads instead of going home. Police Officials report that, such youngsters leave their homes under the pretext of 'Garba' and indulge in drinking and misbehaving on the streets. A Gujarati periodical brought out the shocking news that there is a significant rise in the incidence of abortions by unwed mothers in Mumbai and Gujarat, a few months after the 'Navaratri' festival!
4E. Commercial nature of 'Garba'
4E 1. Collection of Funds - A source of 'earning' money !: In the name of 'Garba', donations are demanded in some places, based on the size of residential flats in the colony, that is depending upon the standard of living of the donor, e.g. in Vapi, Gujarat, in one of the years, Rs. 1,500/- & Rs. 1,000/- respectively were collected from residents of 3 & 2 BHK flats in a prestigious colony.
The entry fees for 'Disco Dandiya' vary from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 1,000/- per day. In cities like Mumbai, popular actors and actresses are invited for 'Garba'. To participate in such a 'Garba', one has to pay a huge entry fee. 'Garba' organisers earn rupees 25 to 30 crores of rupees through this medium. People who accumulate wealth through wrong means have also viewed 'Garba' as a medium of earning money.
4E 2. Garba Organisers lead people into gambling: In some places, there is a practice of awarding a person who purchases entry tickets worth thousand of rupees for playing 'Garba', 'Dandiya/Disco-Dandiya', as a lucky winner, with gifts worth Rupees 5,000 - 10,000/- on lottery basis. 'Garba' Organisers fill their coffers by taking advantage of the faulty attitude prevalent amongst general public to 'get rich overnight'! Many such Organizers attract 'Garba' and 'Dandiya' lovers enticing them with expensive cars as gifts. Thus, they indirectly encourage gambling habits prevalent in the society.
4F. Failure of politicians in curbing malpractices: Malpractices prevalent in 'Garba', which have an adverse effect on Hindu Dharma, are on the rise. These can put an end to Hindu customs, traditions and cultural values. Despite all this, the politicians whose duty is to put an end to such practices remain passive. Politicians, with a view to safeguard their political interests, allow people to do whatever they desire, instead of guiding them on the correct path. During the festive period, rules prevalent with regard to noise pollution and morality are given a backseat. Although these are well-known facts, both, politicians and the administration ignore them. Hence, the judiciary has to interfere on such issues.
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5. What do we achieve through the modern 'Garba'?
On seeing this pitiable state of 'Modern Garba', a question that come to mind is, 'What do we achieve out of all this?'
5A. No benefit of the Divine principle: As a matter of fact, the purpose of 'Garba' is to acquire the grace of the Goddess through her worship. However, nowadays the malpractices prevalent in the name of 'Garba' result in failing this objective.
5B. Rise in spiritual pollution ('Tama' components): There has been a rise in the 'tama' component and reduction in the piousness of the Navaratri festival due to incidences of looting of devotees, immoral activities that take place in the name of 'Garba', etc.
5C. Loss of future generations: Festivals and religious celebrations are the best available opportunities for impressing values of loyalty to Dharma (Righteousness) and the Nation. However, the ongoing 'Garba' celebrations do not facilitate this. On the contrary, they result in impressing wrong values! |
posted by Saransh_S @ 10:34  |
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