Author: Kalyani Sardesai
Publication: Indian Express
Dated: August 29, 2007
URL: http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=253075
Introduction: Group of 24 women and tabalchi
from Satara to perform rituals associated with Maharashtrian bride
Even as the month of Shravan brings in its
wake the festivities of Mangalagaur observed by married Maharashtrian women
in all their finery, this organisation's enthusiasm for the tradition is taking
it all the way from Satara to Dubai - to showcase a slice of the rituals and
beliefs that form their roots.
Sumantai Bhide, president of the 12-year-old
Jagruti Mahila Mandal, said, "We have been conducting the Mangalagaur
festivities for over a decade now. Last year, businessman Shrikant Kale who
was visiting from Dubai, was so impressed that he extended an invitation from
the Dubai Maharashtra Mandal to conduct the festivities for them." So
come October, a group of 24 women and a tabalchi (tabla player) will head
to Dubai for four exciting days.
Mangalagaur, tradition has it, is an avatar
of Goddess Parvati - an embodiment of purity, strength and a happy married
life. So, every Shravan, a Maharashtrian bride is supposed to venerate the
devi by day and keep her awake by night - through traditional songs, dance,
games, gossip and fun - for five Tuesdays in a row. The ritual is supposed
to be conducted every year, for the first five years.
"These days who has the time for such
traditions?" wondered mandal treasurer Supriya Bhide. "But they
are a treasure trove of our cultural heritage and the younger generation should
be aware of them. In these jaded times, how desperately we need the reassurance
of certain loved customs. This ritual has its origins in the fact that girls
were married off pretty early in olden times. Since it wasn't easy to call
on one's mother or exchange confidences with their girlfriends too often,
it gave them the perfect excuse to meet, bond and share confidences and jokes
about in-laws and such," she smiled.
The attention to detail is evident in the
carefully co-ordinated trousseau of sarees and jewellery. "We will be
wearing the traditional nine-yard nauvari in three colours - yellow, blue
and rose - as nothing else comes close to replicating its sheer elegance and
femininity," elaborated Ragini Joshi. "All our jewellery will be
typically Maharashtrian - kudis for the ears, mangalsutras and thushis for
the neck, the nath for the nose and painjans for the feet. The idea is not
only to give our audience a taste of home, but also to apprise the younger
lot of the significance of every little ritual," she said.
Continued Sumantai, "Apart from our usual
repertoire, we have included some song and dance numbers of indigenous communities
such as the Dhangar, Koli and Dhindi tribes, as also a lavni presentation."
And in this way they'll recreate home for
people who have never seen it or left it behind sometime ago.
