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

“A Picture of many colors proclaims images of many Thoughts.”

Today is Holi – the festival of colors and now a days it has only remained in Greeting cards and memories!

“Memory is a child walking along a seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things.” ~Pierce Harris

I remember, as kid I used to look forward for this day. We used to dress-up for this day so that even if the colors don’t go off it was okay!

Deepu my childhood friend used to come home to invite me and we used to run to his place where every year his father was able to throw the water balloon on me! No idea but he was smart enough to hide and throw it through the bedroom window! His mom, who is a shy lady was never shy at that time and she used to have her hidden tricks to make me drenched in the water color.

“We do not remember days; we remember moments.” ~Cesare Pavese

There used to be lots of snacks and sweets and we all used to just rush on it and after that Deepu and along with his two sisters we used to have fun till noon!

“I have played hell somewhat with the truthfulness of the colors” ~ Vincent van Gogh

Holi is a moment when people go to any extent to play from decent colors to dirty games and Deepu always used to protect me from such incidents!

Deepu, a childhood friend who later became my classmate till we were in 12^th grade! And all those years our routine about playing Holi was never changed. I guess it has not changed even in my mind though there are so many changes now in the ritual and celebration of this festival!

Happy Holi to all and I spend my holi by remembering my childhood memories with Deepu and his family :D!

“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

I miss you Deepu!

“Pleasure is the flower that passes; remembrance, the lasting perfume.” ~Jean de Boufflers