Author: Sharada Sivaram
Publication: The Hindu
Date: October 20, 2011
URL: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/article2541068.ece
When my 12-year-old daughter asked me to explain
the significance of Navaratri, I embarked on a lengthy narrative of the various
stories that revolve round the festival, before summing up succinctly, "Navaratri
is a celebration of woman power, a festival of women, for women and by women."
Whether it is the exchange of vettalai paaku
(auspicious exchange of betel leaves and nut) and sundal eating sessions down
south or the myriad hues of Durga puja in the east, the graceful twirling
of women's skirts as they dance to the rhythmic beat of the Garba in the west
or the toasting of the symbolic victory of good over evil in the north, it
is a show of women's strength all the way. What can be better proof than the
fact that in all homes, during these nine days, girls are invited and treated
as guests of honour and offered a variety of accessories ranging from nail
polish to bangles to earrings and fancy necklaces, while their peer boys have
to be content with a pencil or a chocolate bar!
My hubby disagrees: "What about the burning
of Raavan's effigies in the north?" Isn't that a 'man-thing'?
"Maybe, but the cause of Raavan's death
were two women, his nemesis Sita and his home-wrecking sister Soorpanakha.
And, however powerful the mighty Ram was, he eventually needed the blessings
of Mother Goddess to pull the final trigger (or arrow) on Raavan. So, isn't
it a classic case of a woman coming to the rescue of a man in distress, I
conclude.
As we propitiate Mother Goddess all the nine
days, we are reminding ourselves that there can be no universe without a woman.
When we distribute goodies to fellow sisters, we are asserting that 'a woman
is a woman's best friend.'
The Garba brings out women from the confines
of their home and hearth and lets them have a well-deserved break, sanctioned
by religion, in an otherwise male-dominated society. When goddess Durga stands
out majestically alone, separated from her consort Siva, she is demonstrating
that a woman is a man's better half, she is capable of having her own identity,
separate from a man. It is another matter that she chooses not to.
Idols and images of the Durga taken round
in processions reaffirm what we have known all along, that the woman is the
creator, the sustainer and the destroyer and that she deserves to be worshipped.
"So, has a man no place in this scheme
of things," asks my husband.
"Yes he does. Who will chauffeur us to
the various houses as we go on our sundal collection spree, who will help
us pack and unpack the kolu stands, who will answer phone calls and doorbells
while we are engrossed in chanting the Goddess's name? For nine days, it is
a role reversal of sorts. You take the back seat, while we assume charge as
mistresses of the universe." I reply, trying to placate him.
- (The writer's email id is: sivaramsharada@yahoo.com)
