The Slow Death of Traditions: Who's to blame?

Today is the epic Mahalaya Amavasya (No moon day)… termed ‘Pitru Paksha’ (Fortnight for the ancestors; Pitru: Ancestors; Paksha: fortnight’). The preceding 16 days are observed to pay homage to our ancestors.

 

But it’s the day today that’s of special significance. For this day, Hindu tradition prescribes a feast to be prepared for departed souls. (The logic here is that one meal dedicated from the Earth can suffice them for 365 days up there; because 1 day on Earth lasts for 365 days in the outer Realms.)

It’s a great tradition, far above symbolism, as well proven are the metaphysics involved.

Not surprisingly, my mother has been at it since dawn. The feast is lunch: 4 different vegetables, pakodas, curry, basundi and what not… (Enquiring for breakfast seemed suicidal, but that’s beside the point here.)

Now…

Mom’s making lunch. She doesn’t have time. She’s a homemaker who still has got her own daily list to defeat. But like so many other homemakers, she’s managing. In the name of tradition, she is. Every year. Necessary? Necessary to stick to each item in the prescription list, no matter what? Necessary to go the whole nine yards against rising household activities?

But an even bigger issue is this…

As she battles it out in the kitchen against deadlines, and the prescriptions of tradition, a concern is gripping her harder as each occasion passes by. Less a concern, more fear: “Will the incoming generation continue upholding the holiness?’’

The answer is simple. No.

Against all the genuine logic of our traditions, we incoming generations are not inclined to keeping these traditions aglow. For reasons very evident:

We have a habit of asking ‘Why’. We want to know the logic behind customs and practices. And with answers not very forthcoming, a credibility gap has ensued.

Secondly, times are changing at a blinding pace.

And the time that we have at hand for ourselves today is at it least. Me-time is at a premium. Every entity today; individuals, couples and families; every entity leaves the house each morning to earn not just a living, but also an identity.

Putting the truths of both contemporary generations together, it’s hardly a surprise that the incoming tide of youth find themselves increasingly repellent of these traditions, irrespective of their glory and veracity.

   

But there’s hope. And I expect my senior generation to act while it lasts.

Don’t expect the political class and the system to lift a finger; they are aware, and they will only do what comes easiest to them: adapting; and modifying their strategies in response to the changing landscape.

But if the traditions are to be saved, then it is only up to the current senior generation.

What can be done? A simple take:

The senior generation needs to accept the need to dilute rigidity, and chances are bright that they’ll see traditions survive the wheel of time.

It is the inflexibility of traditions that confront the time-pressed youth, and this has put every tradition at the risk of complete obliteration. The youth are consumed folks. If traditions are to co-exist with contemporary lifestyle, dilutions must be endorsed. There must be liberty handed down.

The senior class must willingly supervise the logical bending of diktats; else the incoming generations might just completely do away with them to protect their convenience.