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October 10, 2008

41

The Fear Within

So what is a festival about really ?

I am lucky to be in India – the land of festivals. There are a million of them here and at all times of the year. And each one has its own essence – a special context. Every community participates in all these festivals, their involvement varying with the perceived congruence of the particular festival with the religion, customs and traditions of the community.

So to come back to the question – what is a festival about ? Various answers come to mind. Celebration of a historical or mythical event. A traditional gathering of people with a common purpose. A place to sell your wares maybe …

But behind all the stated objectives of the festival – is the one important and subliminally understood objective. And that is to let go of the daily drudgery and enjoy the company of like minded and happy people. To elevate ourselves from the constructs of our daily routine and give vent to our primal need to feel joy.

And so it was during Durga puja. At least till the last year. But before I go ahead with my story – let me explain a little about Goddess Durga and her mythical essence.

Once upon a time the Asuras ( read the diabolical beings ) became so strong that even the gods were unable to overcome them. So they approached Lord Shiva for a solution. Lord Shiva in all his glory opened his third eye and conceived of a female being of immense power. She was Durga. And she overcame the strongest of the Asuras – Mahisasur. Thus the gods were able to regain control over heaven and earth.

Goddess Durga symbolizes shakti, the raw unimaginable power of goodness which can overcome the greatest of vices.

But sadly the message was totally lost on our population during this years Durga puja. Coming at the end of a series of bomb blasts and terror attacks – this years puja was a celebration of fear and not of the forces that overcome fear. Yes there was the usual shamiana with the huge idol of Durga. There were also a multitude of stalls selling food of all kinds. There was music and people danced on makeshift stages. However, among all this there was another very incongruous entity.

The gun toting law enforcement people. And they walked proudly among the revelers with their three foot guns, glaring at everyone that came in their path. And with them came gloom. More than the terrorists, the sight of commandos with their Ak-47s struck fear into the heart of every reveler.

Some said it was necessary – that the safety of the revelers was most important. Some said that it was a bit too much. But all agreed that the revelry had almost but disappeared. And all that was left was the drudgery of our common lives. It was the same policeman breathing down everyone’s neck. It was the same standing in line to get frisked. It was the same shutting down everything by the midnight hour. And most importantly it was the same fear that we felt for the past many weeks.

As the puja ended – it left a queer feeling in my mind. Suddenly it seemed that we can never go back to enjoying our festivals like we did before. As if all our senses had been over powered by the fear emanating from within us. A fear that cannot be cured by twenty policemen or one hundred commandos. The overwhelming fear of knowing that death awaits us whenever and wherever we get together in large numbers to celebrate.

The festival season has almost come to an end this year. But the festival has ended a long time ago. We are now like shadows of our joyous selves. Treading with cautious steps, awaiting our end in the form of that mysterious packet of explosives left in the midst of us. And the gun-toting policemen just keep reminding us of this fear within.

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41 Comments Post a comment
  1. Vemoannoutt
    Dec 17 2008

    Отлично…

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  2. Niltjeme
    Feb 3 2009

    Ты как обычно радуешь нас своими лучшими фразами спасибо, беру!

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  3. Attamsbreabs
    Feb 3 2009

    Огромное вам человеческое спасибо, очень актуальная заметка.

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  4. HAUNTYTHUSTY
    Feb 4 2009

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  5. prathets
    Feb 4 2009

    Ваш пост навел меня на думки *ушел много думать* …

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  6. Unpard
    Feb 5 2009

    Классно всё: и картинка ,и информация

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  7. expepleSal
    Feb 8 2009

    Я в принципе, мало, что смыслю в этм посте, но постараюсь все таки понять.

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  8. Kayaby
    Feb 8 2009

    По моему у Вас украли эту статью и поместили на другом сайте. Я её уже видела.

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  9. InfannaTwifs
    Feb 9 2009

    На Ваш блог знакомый в аську ссылку кинул. Оказалось ,что не зря Понравилось. Тепрь постоянно читать буду

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  10. Quieliunsuts
    Feb 9 2009

    Очень интересно!!! Только не очень могу понять как часто обновляется ваш блог?

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  11. wispKick
    Feb 9 2009

    Ага, теперь понятно…А то я сразу не очень то и не понял где тут связь с самим заголовком…

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  12. Lesmaf
    Feb 9 2009

    Неплохой пост, но много лишнего.

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  13. Frarfvip
    Feb 10 2009

    Опубликовал на своем блоге вашу статью, и напечатол там конечно-же обратную ссылку на вас. Но вот зашел посмотреть поевился ли трекбек, а его нет…

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  14. Boohessfem
    Feb 11 2009

    Очень понравилось, даже не ожидала.

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  15. Evique
    Feb 11 2009

    Автор выйди к напроду, вопросы есть!

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  16. cyncnime
    Feb 12 2009

    а вот вопросик можно? У вас время после поста указано. Это московское? Заранее спасибо!

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  17. reedeencydex
    Feb 14 2009

    вы шутите…21 век на дворе, неужели нет ничего достойного внимания, как энциклопедия.Милые мои, вот нет снега в
    гордах, это тоже тема и история, пересмотрите темы.Я почту просматриваю, мне шлют не пойми что, не знаю кто, столько мусора, может оно и нужно, но не в дневнике.Я так понимаю, дневник это часть твоей души.Нам дается право выбирать – пользуйтесь. А информация бесполезной не бывает

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  18. Largorgatt
    Feb 15 2009

    Благодарю!!!У Вас часто появляются очень интересные посты! Очень поднимаете мое настроение.

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  19. Smoonlic
    Feb 16 2009

    Спасибо. Просто спасибо, за красивые мысли вслух. В цитатник.

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  20. Kibeimmips
    Feb 16 2009

    Ты как обычно радуешь нас своими лучшими фразами спасибо, беру!

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  21. Mubcruibroli
    Feb 18 2009

    Очень понравилось, даже не ожидала.

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  22. линкомаулия
    Feb 18 2009

    Очень интересно, но все в будущем хотелось бы еще побольше узнать об этом. Очень понравилась ваша статья!

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  23. Byncnary
    Feb 19 2009

    Уважаемый автор блога, а вы случайно не из Москвы?

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  24. advivaarrits
    Feb 19 2009

    Классная статья, кстати автору хочу предложить установить от яндекс.денег фишку на сайт “Дай рубль”. Я бы дал, так сказать на поддержание.

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  25. Sergey
    Feb 19 2009

    Действительно интересный блог. Автор, не желаете ли его продать? Свяжитесь со мной – 7812один. Сергей.

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    Feb 19 2009

    Чёрт возьми! Круто!Вы Сами ответили.Беру в цитник! Смысл жизни и всё остальное. Решено.Без шуток.

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  27. Assovaboor
    Feb 20 2009

    Спасибо вам за сайт, очень полезный ресурс, мне очень нравится

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  28. emigitiaLa
    Feb 21 2009

    Классно всё: и картинка ,и информация

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    Очень интересно!!! Только не очень могу понять как часто обновляется ваш блог?

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    Feb 22 2009

    Спасибо. Просто спасибо, за красивые мысли вслух. В цитатник.

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    Feb 22 2009

    Благодарю!!!У Вас часто появляются очень интересные посты! Очень поднимаете мое настроение.

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  32. Наталья
    Feb 23 2009

    Спасибо наконец то нашла то что хотела прочитать тут.
    Кстати у меня есть рисунки на эту тему. Куда можно скинуть ?

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  33. nekpaype
    Feb 24 2009

    Я в принципе, мало, что смыслю в этм посте, но постараюсь все таки понять.

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  34. Ellenjdudlae
    Sep 22 2009

    Очень интересный блог, спасибо за инфу.

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    Oct 12 2009

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    Nov 28 2010

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