rituals of valentine.

Finally the valentine’s day sword is off.

Over the past twenty years it has become a binding ritual. And to think  we were just married I sent over some roses and chocolates to my husband he was embarrassed by it all.

So much so, the western scholars of Indian culture  actually presented this as an paper at an international do. What bugged me was the seminar was on Indian culture, Indian representation was 3 scholars. By the way NFS was a co host at this do. I was so put off the whole nonsense that I don’t recollect the author. This was her doctoral paper presentation.

To summarize her paper was on Muthalik, how Muthalik represented the traditional Indian mentality that was not romantic it was conservative. While the  retaliatory pink chaddi revolutionary (Sic) was the heralder of the more modern, and contemporary Indian woman who was fighting for an identity in this conventional environment.

Oh! Yes, according to her the most romantic of the Indian festival was the “kawah choth” ( I am being bitchy) she meant Karwah chauth.

The temptation to rip her paper apart was no doubt very strong.

• I wanted to tell her that Karan Johar movies are not representation of Indian culture in Toto, it Punjabi culture. Karwah chauth is not celebrated in the south.
• The Indian mind until the advent of the Christian missionaries and their moralities, saw romantic love, sex and marriage as separate entities, this practice existed in the north east until they were made part of greater Indian union.
• Muthalik was a small time unrecognized politician until the media made much of him. He must be thrilled  that he is now an object of academic citation in the international scenario. A case of unknown he knelt and a hero he arose.
• That pink-innerpanter is again an publicity hungry, rootless pervert.  Clinging to  an ritual that would give you some sense of belonging is well understandable. ( all offense intended, we shall concede it)

The reason for the entire blog is here, this “scholar” has sourced her paper from TOI ,NDTV and Karan Johar movies.

May be it is time that we  do something about this, else our next generation will clearing this crap in their socio-cultural history.

Tags: muthalik, ritual, national folklore society, TOI, NDTV, karan johar, valentine’s day in India,