Dear Editor,
The commercialization of festivals associated with Hinduism; sadly, with the sanction of the Government, is hurting the sentiments of this very tolerant community.
Lord Natraj danced and Lord Krishna played the basuriya, so revelry is an essential part of Hindu resonances and kathas.
The sacred texts have transposed the centuries, from generation to generation, through narration, drama, song, and dance – the Ram Leelas, for instance.
However, nowhere in our centuries-long cultural history is there precedent for showcasing the physical endowments of our Lakshmis as a celebratory aspect of our festivals – especially our religious-based festivals.
Mahalakshmi epitomizes all that is bright, beautiful, and divine in the entire spectrum of our religious landscape. But the commercialization through prostituting the spirit of the embodiment of our great mother of light has degraded the soul of Hinduism.
And this has the sanction of the Government. Many Government officials are Hindus, with the understanding beyond the normal of the sacredness of our great religion.
Then why is the Government supporting the kind of activity that creates anguish in the hearts of the devotees of the Mother of Light.
Our womenfolk are the diyas shining with radiance in our homes. Our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, our wives are traditionally the honour of our families, so why are we parading in public the Lakshmis of our nation like cattle on an auction block?
The Hindu community is feeling very betrayed by our leaders.
In this regard, if it is impossible to withdraw this programme, the Hindus would wish that the organizers, the Guyana National Diwali Committee, refrain from using the word Diwali; keep the parade outside of the period of Diwali and not have alcoholic beverages featured in their event.
Yours faithfully,
Dindiall Maraj
In 1963, I attended a Diwali fair at Thomas Lands, Georgetown. It was organized by the British Guiana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. The fair’s main feature was a beauty contest, and Janet Rajnarine, daughter of a coconut estate magnate, was crowned Miss Diwali. The then Premier Dr. Cheddi Jagan sashed and kissed her on stage and people cheered. A stranger standing next to me said, ” Cheddi musta use a whole tube a Colgate tonight befo he kiss da gyal.” The Master of Ceremonies was the Maha Sabha’s then General Secretary, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud. Just an eyewitness report.
Poppycock! i hate fanatics.
Most of the occasions, national commemoration anniversaries – independence and republic, religious celebrations, activities to mark the emancipation from slavery etc; have been used, particularly, by the PPP and PNC, for partisan and propaganda purposes.
And, the pandits, priests and leaders of many ot the organisations which promote and sponsor these activities, have been servile pawns in this process, in keeping the ‘ masses’ under control, largely, for political purposes.
It is indeed, a perversion and prostitution of these sacred commemoration exercises, through political interferrance and manipulation !
I will reference a previous letter on this matter:
http://www.stabroeknews.com/letters/promoting-a-culture-war-against-pageants-leads-us-down-the-road-of-censorship-and-intolerance/
Actually, the commercialisation the letter write alludes to has happened in all spheres of life, religion included.
These letter writers continue to speak in such foreign language that I am not sure they live in the real world….how is Mahalakshmi being prostituted by having a pageant? Is this what people actually believes?
These religious fanatics want to talibanize all religions. When will it stop. They used there warped sense of religiousity and make a mockery of Islam now our Hindu Pandits (oh I wondered how many of them are of a higher learning class) want to tell us what is moral and what is not. They are the ones who keep their mothers, daughters and sister in bondage for not allowing them to express their god given right.
Diwali for Indians means more than a celebration of mother laxmi. It is the festival of lights, it is the ushering of the new year. Come on guys do some research!!
Bunk.Does commercializing has a life of it’s own?Who is allowing the commercializing? The very people who are raising these issues.
dis is very irritateing 2 not find essays ,……………….the commercializaton of festivals