I wonder...

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Driving home from yet another official road trip this time from Chittoor, I came across a traffic holdup and it appeared to be one of those funeral processions with loud music and noise. I was frankly shocked when I saw that it was not a funeral but a religious procession organized by a religious party. What was shocking was that several young men had put hooks on their bodies and were pulling cars and lorries on the road and worse there was a merry go round mounted on a truck and hanging from the wheel were four men suspended by hooks into their bodies. The sight was revulsive to behold and I just moved away.  The people on the road were watching the procession with mixed emotions while kids and grown men danced along to some awful songs.

I understand that penance for some involves mutilation and many other similar actions, but I cannot understand why this song was used for a religious procession.


The fact that a religious party organizes this and that penance is a public spectacle is worrisome. And in the midst of all this is the god on a chariot with people dancing the “dabban kuthu”.

Sometimes it may be better to just be still…

 

This post is not a criticism of the faith of some, it is personal but something just did not seem right in this spectacle.
 

Comments

  1. Deepa Iyer7:42 pm

    Agree! Why that song for a religious procession! Ironic

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous10:44 am

    Religious processions in India is not about spirituality it is about entertainment and hence the song! Sad but true :(

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karen Xavier10:23 pm

    I love that song... the second song, of course!
    And for the poor folks, it's just a way to let off some steam, forget the hardships in life... that's why they let loose and dance like there is no tomorrow. Read this in an article somewhere... their lives are a struggle so during celebrations they really celebrate and enjoy. It's maddening, I know...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Vadapoche9:46 am

    @Deepa Iyer: Politics has hijacked religion. : (

    @harishkumar84: True that, just hope that all that pain does not go in vain

    @Karen Xavier: the song is so deep, pity we hardly stay still

    ReplyDelete

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