Are festivals just about 'mithai' and 'chhutti', or more?

With the Ganesh Chaturthi and Ramzan underway, DNA asks Mumbaikars if relevance of festivals persists. Many feel that festivities in modern times have taken over from the true meaning of the festivals celebrated in India

The festive spirit helps to forgive and forget
I like celebrating Indian festivals a lot. Especially the Ganesh utsav and Holi are my favourites as I get to meet my all relatives and friends. These festivals give the feeling of all being one and the joy of togetherness. I don't think people have stopped understanding the relevance of festivals.

We still celebrate with the same enthusiasm and fervour. I am fond of the various delicacies that we get to eat during any festivals. With time, festivals have been modified but the essence and interest is still with all festivals. The best part is that even if we have any ill feeling or grudge towards anyone or any misunderstanding, the festive spirit makes us forget and forgive, and just celebrate with joy and spread cheer. So festivals actually refresh our relationships too.
—Sujoy Bhonsle, brand associate

In cities, focus is on material aspect
There is no doubt that today people don't know the significance of many festivals, at least to some extent. There are many reasons behind it but the most prominent one is the fact that people living in the cities are too busy to have time to know in-depth meaning of festivals. Also, they focus more on material aspects of festivals, whereas in villages people still maintain the spirit of the festivals.

Parents need to explain the significance of all the festivals to the GenX. Textbook education provides knowledge, and not the real meaning of festivals. My favourite festival is Mount Mary's festival; also, it sort of kickstarts all the other celebrations right up to Christmas. Festivals are more than holidays, as they give one an opportunity to meet with family and friends.           
—Lydia Davidson, consultant

Celebrations create a sense of oneness
I look forward to celebrating festivals as they give me a break from my hectic studies and also gives a chance to meet my family. It will be quite dreadful and boring if we don't celebrate festivals. The huge variety of special food items that are an integral part of festivals, and the preparations of this brings people together which enlivens the atmosphere.

Moreover, festivals have some social motive too — it gives us an opportunity to remove evil thoughts from our minds. It brings a sense of oneness among people. Festivals are an opportunity for artists to showcase their talent. If we look closely, festivals also help the economy to overcome recession as the whole atmosphere makes it quite conducive to splurge and shop.
—Indu Mathy, student

Children learn from mythological shows
Festival time is just a time for people to take break from work and enjoy with family and friends. Many people don't even know the reason behind festivals these days. But I think TV channels have started serials like Ramayan, Krishna, Hanuman, and many more which will help to educate the youth today.

They will explain the importance of different festivals to youth and kids who have lost touch with our history, and are more inclined towards videogames and western culture. Diwali is my favourite festival; the whole family gets together. I do the main puja; my wife takes care of food and gifts. Children decorate the house with lights and rangoli. I am aware of the rituals but we do not do it elaborately like our forefathers; it's a small affair these days.
—Chandan Dugar, businessman

Important to know the meaning behind festivals
I believe a lot of good comes of celebrating any festival as it enhances peace and harmony among communities. But one needs to understand the real meaning of festivals as they are not just celebrations but have deeper meaning.

Firstly, any kind of celebration gives an opportunity to bond with neighbours, relatives and friends. Secondly, it give an opportunity for rejuvenation for people who lead a fast-paced life. Thirdly, rituals involved in a festival, like fasting purify us physically. Moreover, fasting has significance, so far as it teaches us to control our desires so that each one of us could lead a content and happy life. At the same time, I strongly feel that we should avoid bursting crackers which increases  noise and air pollution in our city.
 —Madeeha Mujawar, student

Fasting for spiritual and health benefits
The holy month of Ramzan is auspicious to Muslims all over the world. It is celebrated the day after the crescent for the 10th lunar month of the Islamic calendar is sighted. The Muslims are ordained to observe fast for 30 days and end it after seeing the new moon the next month.

It is believed that the holy Quran came into existence during this month. Prophet Mohammad, who compiled this, was chosen by God to be His messenger. His utterances were jotted down by disciples and compiled in the form of the holy Quran.
The month, during which the gates of mercy are wide open, the gates of hell are shut and the shayateen (devils) are chained up is the holy month Ramzan holding special significance for the global Muslim community.

Every year, Muslims eagerly await the month of Ramzan. Fasting and praying during the month prepares one to move closer to God. Fasting is not restricted to food and drink; it includes distancing oneself from negative attributes like hypocrisy, covetousness, falsity, backbiting and envy, among others.

The fast is mandatory for all adult Muslim men and women, the only exceptions being for the insane, infirm, sick or travelling and pregnant or feeding mothers. Those who are unable to fast should arrange to feed at least one needy person in lieu of the days missed out on fasting.

Fasting is the oldest known form of natural healing. Fasting is actually the epitome of a natural way of life and its benefits do not end at the correction of the body and restoration of health. The Quran states that a human cannot attain salvation unless the low desires are restrained.

The West is waking up to the medical benefits of fasting. Dr Alan Cott, a Texas-based physician, found that fasting treated many physical ailments ranging from migraine to high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and anemia.

A person who is fasting is not expected to use foul language, raise his voice unnecessarily, or misbehave. It was once said that the true meaning of fasting is to abstain from anything that distracts you from remembrance of God. I have loved that ever since I first read it. I think this became a shortcut for me to evaluate every situation before I get involved.Muslims must take care that Ramzan, instead, has become a season for culinary competition, gluttony and wasteful consumption becomes a period when the faithful do not only show piety and compassion but also try to send across a strong message of communal harmony among the compatriots and their poor brothers.
Firoz Ahmed, commentator on social and religious issues
(The author is a commentator on social and religious issues and the grand nephew of Maulana Azad)

Essence of festivals is diluted by politics
India has the largest number of festivals as we are a country of various religions and cultures. Festivals mean celebration, and celebration means collective consciousness where people share joy and happiness with one another.

They bring us together because as a society we like to share our joys and sorrows with others, no matter which religion they belong to. If we look at any festival, of any community, the main motto is to mingle with friends and family.

That is why people involve all kinds of delicious food and open their doors to everyone. For celebrating any festival together means to keep any kind of differences as rich or poor, religion or casteism away.

But today, even though we are celebrating the festivals there is no real feeling or purpose left. It is mainly due to the fact that festivals have now become a battleground for political war among different parties.

A certain festival might represent the domination of a certain political party which others might disagree to; and because of this people have lost the sense of bonding and the true meaning of festivals. People prefer to celebrate at their homes and have lost interest in celebrating as they used to in the past. Political colours have diminished the colours of festive joy.
B Manjula chairperson, Centre for Media and Cultural Studies, Tiss