Spiritually, life is a festival, a celebration :-)

It's Indian festival season, and it's called Navratri (nine nights) in the honor of the divine feminine Devi Durga. This festival usually falls in September or October based on the Hindu Calendar. It is celebrated in different ways in different regions of India.

Anyhow, for me festivals meant more or less understanding the culture, food, gatherings, dance and fun overall. I know it will sound strange that it is religious festivals and how come I am not bringing any of those here.

"To celebrate a festival means; to live out, for some special occasion and in an uncommon manner, the universal assent to the world as a whole." ~ Josef Pieper

I have always been attracted towards the cultural aspect of it and not by any religion. I come from a secular country and hence I have always believed in humanity. As a kid growing up, I had my neighbors who were Christians - Catholics and Pentecostals, Hindus, Muslims, Sikh, Jain, etc,. My parents never forced me into any religion, in fact when my neighbor was alone I used to give company to her, sometimes read Bible for her or go to church with her. It was never considered as wrong.

Being there I have read Old Testament and New Testament and I have read Quran, Geeta, Gurugranth Saheb and all religion teaches to love one another. But I love these festivals for its main outcome where we all gather and celebrate life.

During these times, women get to dress up in Saree and being a saree lover I always love these nine days. These nine days has it's own significance for each day. And one of the days is celebrating Durga, where women play with red powder - kind of holi festival. Instead of color here it will be red colored powdered which women will apply to each other and celebrate Devi Durga. Though it is said only married women are supposed to play with the red powder but I believe every women has the right to play with this red colored powder, there is no discrimination. But yes, in the olden days people had their ways how to discriminate the windows verses married women. It's patriarchy that dictates and hence married women has more power. There is lot of orthodox believes that come with it too and some really believe and follow these. I am only scared for them for thinking and believing like this. 

When religious festivals bring us together then why fight with each other for religion? 

"Religion is like a pair of shoe..find one that fits for you, but don't make me wear your shoes." ~ George Carlin

I thought religion, festival all these are for us to come together and share the culture, food and company. So, enjoying these nine days by wearing nine different colored saree's each day based on the preference for that particular day. The best thing during these days is about the food and sweets and getting dressed up and enjoying with friends.

Life is short so enjoy every moment 😍 instead of spending time in hating each other.

~ Dawn 

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals..!

 

A festival is an event ordinarily celebrated by a community and centering on some characteristic aspect of that community and its culture.

I have probably attended many festivals mostly it would be music festivals and a few cultural ones too where you will have many different stalls, where either you can buy stuff or eat stuff or you can get an art or tattoo etc.

I happened to attend this weekend a Mosaic Festival, where it was not a music festival but it was one of its kind with the world cultural event. I have attended a few such festivals where it would be one or few cultural events from very selective countries but this one was one of its own kind. A world platform to represent all cultures and their traditions right from the very natives of this country to around the world. It had the traditional ones of each culture and the athletic style of street dance from United States. There was everything for everyone and it was not just that people could watch but yes when the music hits even you  can join and dance with their dancers. 

"To celebrate a festival means; to live out, for some special occasion and in an uncommon manner, the universal assent to the world as a whole." ~ Josef Pieper

It was a mosaic of all culture coming together on one platform where everyone was different in looks, color, race, culture and yet everyone smiled and shared one happiness of belongingness. Like five fingers that look different yet when they come together they are a power shell. Bringing all together and enjoying the each other's culture, music and dance was a perfect delicacy that was served on a platter for many and it was free.

"Festivals promote diversity, they bring neighbors into dialogue, they increase creativity, they offer opportunities for civic pride, they improve our general psychological well-being. In short, they make cities better places to live." ~ David Binder

There were food trucks which was all different kind - Korean BBQ, Vegan, Sushi and you name it. The main stage was with all the performances from noon till six in the evening, but that was not it. There were other stalls with workshops on yogic path finding balance, painting, Tai Chi, Origami, Urban dance etc. It was a full on fun for everyone. Probably, if you get bored of one thing watching too long then you can move to next but here it wasn't like that at all as you will be sucked into the colorful, cultural dance with music and so you will be wanting for more and yet you will be thinking in mind that you have so much more to cover through the workshop stalls.

Who says that cultures cannot mix and match? When you see the performance of Rajasthani dance collaborating with Ballet it's an amazing fusion that gives another perspective to creativity of art. 

"Festival of the impassioned efforts and manifold ambitions of all forms of youthful activity of every generation springing from the threshold of life." ~ Pierre de Coubertin

This festival was a great support and help to people in general, as after pandemic coming together at one place of all race and making sure of safety by wearing mask all the time and keeping safe distancing even though only vaccinated people were allowed. Everyone needed a reason to be out and celebrate and this was the best way to come together and share the humanity and healing experience.

The festival has helped people to come out and mingle with their friends and family while they are being entertained by all the talented artists representing various countries and ethnicity. I am sure there are so many artists who are impacted by this pandemic financially and this platform not only supported them but also gave an opportunity to market themselves. 

After finishing the festival with my friend I went to dine at a place and I saw there was life music in that restaurant and as the musicians were getting ready the guitarist guy I saw running and joining them - when I looked at him I recognized he was at the festival playing with the San Jose Jazz team and now he was performing at this live music event - I can only imagine the struggle they go through in this time.

"Festivals are happy places, and you don't really want to enjoy them on your own." ~ Christine and the Queens

Let's unite and come together to help each other that's what is festivals and our traditions teach us.

~ Dawn  

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Appreciation for cultural diversity is essential for our co-existence !

This weekend I had an opportunity to witness whole world under one roof at Mexican Heritage Plaza at San Jose. Kudos to the creative director, partners and producers who were successful in bringing world culture in one and half hours time, unbelievably astonishing.

"The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people"

I loved how every show we begin with a prayer it's part of the culture and here the way it was done was unique where small kids were performing Dindi, the folk dance of Maharashtra and it is a religious ecstasy - meets the purpose of prayer and the folk dance and I felt I was home :).
As I was in emotions when the entry of Congo dancers performing Denadon Africana - a flavor of Africa. Music is one such thing that one doesn't have to know the technicalities of dancing because the music does its work for you and you unconsciously dance to the tune.

I have to applaud the cute little girls performing the opera figures representing China - Ah..mazing! What a perfection in every move. It was beautiful like a bud when its flowering and as it does each petal unfolds into an amazing dance from a different country and how all these petals make a beautiful flower together.

 

There were lot of dances that I had only head about and this was a moment where one can feel the completeness of art and culture coming together. I could feel the power of humans. How powerful we are with our unique culture and that too so colorful and vibrant.

It had the dominance of Indian dances from different parts of India such as Garba, Raas leela, Kaikottikali, Chari, Bhangra, Giddha, Jhumar and I just went to the thought that in school we were told how lucky we are to be in a country where you have all four seasons and so many cultural heritage - indeed!

I am sure this is not only about India, other countries too have their own cultural heritage which we are only getting a glimpse of it. The beautiful dance Coco and Samba no pe from Brazil, Scottish country and highland dancing, Hula, Blooming waterlilies Chinese representation of love for nature, Kalilang from Philippines, Fiesta Tapatia from Mexico,  it was just amazing. How proud we human should be about ourselves. We talk about racism, why should we have any such things we have so many great things besides this creativity in arts and culture that we can make useful to bring solidarity and peace.

"We all smile in the same language" :)

I just loved the jamming session of drummers from Africa, Brazil and India - it was a classic piece!!! I felt it was short, wish the intermission could have been delayed !!! 

Hats off to Sangam Arts in collaboration with Xpressions to bring all these under one roof that too in a collaborative way where Fiesta Tapatia dancers before exiting welcome the bhangra dancers and they exit after dancing few steps of bhangra - it was a pleasure to the eyes and soul.

The more we are international the more we want to see such things where any color any race can participate and represent any culture any country - That was a true multicultural Mosaic of the Valley!

"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences" ~ Audre Lorde

~ Dawn

Discomfort is always a necessary part of the process of enlightenment...!!!

Many times we follow certain tradition because we grew up watching others. As we understand sometimes we do ask questions and sometimes it doesn't bother anyone as part of tradition it's more of celebration and social engagement hence it doesn't come out as a question as why do we follow this norm.

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought" ~ John. F. Kennedy

My story about 'Durga Puja', is somewhat similar to that. Even though born in a Keralite family (Kerala, in South India), I grew up in Pune (in Maharashtra State) and that gave me the exposure to diverse India. The people, food and festivals and traditions. I always felt I am privileged as I got the opportunity to be part of every celebration or festivity whether it belonged to East, West, North and South India - I had friends and their family who had these traditions and festivals that they maintained and celebrated and I just merged with them.

It's with the same spirit I enjoy all festivals here in USA as well. "Sindur Khela" is where every year I look forward to attend as part of Durga Puja, and my thoughts and understanding was limited to as it's part of Durga Puja and it's a fun game. Being a feminist, for me Durga is a symbol of girl-power and every girl must feel proud of being one. It's interesting how we start reading about these when we have to explain to our non-Indian friends about these festivities. 

As I read about it, it totally changed me. My excitement and enthusiasm somewhere vanished. My heart started questioning why do I call this a celebration when it's not something that every women can enjoy?
At the same time Durga Puja and Sindur Khela is all about power of womanhood. If that is true then why every woman is not allowed to participate in Sindur Khela?
Why unmarried, widows and divorcees are not allowed to be part of this Sindur Khela, aren't they women? Aren't they powerful? 

"Tradition is an explanation for acting without thinking" ~ Grace McGarvie 

These thoughts really crushed me and made me feel dejected. In the name of Durga Puja and Sindur Khela it's again the hypocrisy of manhood that is celebrated in the veil of womanhood. The male dominant society created another tradition which seemed like for women to socialize, celebrate and pray for the happiness of husband and children. Shouldn't that be the same for the husband too? He should also pray for his wife and children's happiness so why not men has any traditions to follow? How do we justify single moms or widow moms? Don't they also want their kids to be happy and safe?

"Myself worth isn't determined by others"

Marriage and sindur is all about men and about their manhood. It's not about women celebrating themselves. 
I am an ally at the LGBTQ community and I believe in equality in every respect and this is something against my belief. Hence something all these years I rejoiced getting decked up and getting colored in red sindur and socialized with friends and others has made me to think.

I don't think there is sindur khela for me next year because I don't support something that discriminates any human being at any level.

I have though seen and witnessed some of the divorcees participating in Sindur Khela in the events that I have attended and it only made me happy to see that but my real thoughts are with those who are barred from participating in Sindur Khela. In their name, I decided not to enjoy anymore such traditions.

If we believe in all traditions then 'Sati Pratha' was also a tradition that was followed in ancient India and one should follow that too, isn't it?

I think we all must question these traditions just like how we question our constitution because things have to change with time and for the betterment of the human beings and our society. Otherwise, unknowingly we are supporting discrimination and we must not give wrong message if we are sure that we don't support it.

"Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated"

Now, I am only going back and thinking about those moments where without any idea my heart was enjoying the celebrations and festivities with friends and family...and someone from inside says, 'It's okay because you didn't know about it'!

"Sometimes your heart needs more time to accept what your mind already knows"

~ Dawn

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” - Maya Angelou

It was a mesmerizing evening and an emotional one too. Being emotionally connected to dance and music it has always knocked me out by reminding my roots. Probably that was the reason that I got opportunity to support Sangam Arts, which believes in Arts and Music that will bring every human close and be in harmony.

I had an idea about Mosaic America, more over working closely with Usha Srinivasan the founder and president of Sangam Arts, I know her dream is to bring multicultural arts together on one platform. But to watch the performance really gave me goose bumps. I felt it's so beautiful that no matter which part of the world you come from, music is alway soothing and it brings out your emotions very well no matter what language you speak, what kind of food you eat or for that matter what color your skin is. 

For the first time I felt human civilization is so rich in arts and music and if we use this for our benefit this world would be a better place. I feel more proud to be connected with Sangam Arts for this one reason that it's not only about dance forms and music but it is also about people, culture and oneness.

To feel what I am talking about one must watch these performances that Sangam Arts brings to the valley. Its not only a dance and its performance, its about the costumes, its about the cultural impact that these artists bring live into performance when they all are local here. It brings joy when you see a kid who is growing up here, going to American school and yet when she performs Bharatnatyam she understands the expressions and then she brings it in her performance - I felt thats commendable for a kid to grow here and still bring that impact of Indianness while performing Bharatnatyam and if I say this was the same for other performers as well. The Flamenco team made me feel like dress up like that and do some dancing if not a complete one at least the tap on the floor with those shoes that they were wearing. Even before my desire go further, I see Chinese Dancers, such cute girls with their gymnastic moves and dancing with their props umbrella - made me feel like dolls dancing around. I was mesmerized by the Contemporary Dance where the costume were so good and flowy that it did bring that empathy feel and for a moment I was lost. 

There were many moments when I wanted to take pictures and I didn't want to. Because I was getting lost in there somewhere ...in the dance, thinking of those countries, people and the places out there and then my eyes filled up with emotions - what are we all here expecting? Only love and peace then why its so important to know what color, cast or creed we belong to?
Not to mention Folklorico, Bharatnatyam, the musicians on Sitar, Haitian Drum, Pipa, Oud, Mridangam and Dandiyaraas...! It was a meet and greet of culture, music and arts - all on one platform bringing people together across the globe.
Does it matter what we do or how we do as long as it brings a smile in everyone of us? I felt for the first time as human we can do so much with the talent around and be proud of what we can do than whatever is currently happening around the world.

If you believe in peace and harmony and if you believe culture, arts and music is what brings us together then you must support the vision of Sangam Arts. Please do like this page and supports us.
Lets be the example and lets make this contagious around the world.

"I think.. if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts."

~ Dawn

"Remember this December, that love weighs more than gold!"

It’s been very busy month for me with the release and then supporting the production. But then it's that time of the year for planning your Holiday Parties and family gatherings and I would like to wish you All….

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love” ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

May this holiday season bring all the near ones closer to each other to add more love and peace upon this earth.

Happy Holidays ~ enjoy with food, drinks, gifts and lots of fun but make sure you are all safe and sound.

“Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day.”

Weekend was a bit relaxing for me. I had a bit of drive-thru at the near by place in the Bay Area.
Through out the street all I see was Mexican flags. People have plastered the flags to their helmets, cars, self and what not! But all my confusion was …is there a match going on as I always thought that the flag is used to support a specific country and this was a very similar situation but I was not able to make out which game that was … lol

“You don't stop cheering because you've grown old - you grow old because you've stopped cheering”

It reminded me of Caribbean festival times in Toronto…I used to enjoy a lot good summer weather (not like what we have here in the Bay Area where its still cold)! BBQ, good Caribbean food, music and over all the cultural celebration with people around the world!!! I have always enjoyed these festivals and believe me I have not missed any whether its Greek festival, Irish or Caribbean, moment of celebration was never missed :)

“If I need a cause for celebration
Or a comfort I can use to ease my mind
I rely on my imagination
And I dream of an imaginary time.”
~ Billy Joel
This morning I came to know the Mexican flag was all about “Cinco de Mayo” (Spanish for ‘5th of May’). This is a regional holiday in Mexico and primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla. It is not an obligatory federal holiday but it commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over French forces in the battle of Puebla on May 5th 1862.
This date is observed in the US and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
Some people think it to be Mexico’s Independence Day which is not as that date is Sep 16th which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

“Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood.”

It seemed quite a good stunning celebration as I saw people with loud music, food and drinks around sharing with people.

Around 5th afternoon I see margarita at work with Corona beer as part of celebration – wow! Isn’t that amazing!!!

It’s celebration moment and the more it’s merrier so let me wish everyone
A great Cino de Mayo!

“Fly free and happy beyond birthdays and across forever, and we'll meet now and then when we wish, in the midst of the one celebration that never can end.” ~ Richard Bach