We are living in the era of postmodernism where there are multiple identities being recognized – traditional, modern and beyond. Amidst all these, the increasing identification and assertion of individuality is a new development, though it's continuation of liberalism only.
In this context, the traditional culture of festivities is being enriched by a new trend of asserting individual festivity accepted by all concerned. Birthday is such a new fad not only among kids or youngsters but across the age. After all this date is not determined by any Brahminic tradition or astrological calculation, but one`s own contribution to festivity in one`s social circle. It`s another matter that some over enthusiast couples plan birth of their babies on some predetermined dates 'say' on birthday of baby`s other siblings or some special day like Gandhi, Subhash`s birthdays or on their own birthdays to make it special.
However, there are some people who defy all these and decide their own date of birth during school admission or matriculation which stays for whole life. This section confuses its friend circle about his/her birthday and escapes the mandate of birthday party by juggling between these two dates- original and manufactured. Besides, there is also a section who really does not know about it`s real birthday, off course unlucky one like our village brethrens,orphan bandhus and slum-living unprivileged folks. They will typically choose Independence day, Republic day, Gandhi Jayanti and even 1st January etc. to sound good.
Now, thanks to compulsory birth registration which will no way give freedom to coming generation to manipulate age as the existing and previous gen kid did to take advantage in job application or otherwise. Guardians having eyes on civil services for their children must be eyeing on 1st august which is the “lakshman rekha” to decide the age of eligibility, so an advantage/disadvantage of 1 year for falling after/before this could be taken.
The birthday conundrum has generated a lot of interest/ excitement in new generation. For them from gift demand to proposal to mend relationship to take new resolution to what not are being marked on this date. So, a special date owned by an individual to engineer one`s social relationship.
The very social media sites like FB, WhatsApp etc. have just hastened this process of self-owned festivity. One wakes up taking mobile in hand opening barely one eye sees these sites where messages like “ help mr./mrs X celebrating birthday” will pop up to force one to react. One likes/comments/messages immediately to earn brownie points by being first to do or so. The "Birthday Boy/Girl" gets involved so much in replying in physical as well as virtual world that day that his/her birthday`s good amount of time goes in counting likes and sensing the depth of comments whether it's casual type wish or deeply thought or copy-pasted…
For some this awaited day takes preparation of weeks beforehand. S/he will keep on reminding known one gently or sometime forcefully,” Aren’t you forgetting some special day coming?
I have always been afraid of my birthday, firstly due to thundering bumps bumping on back by roadies friends, secondly, due to pressure of party to be thrown for gluttony friends who will not settle for smaller one. These guys will not remember a nationally or internationally important birthday to correct in MCQ exam but will keep on revising generously friends' date of birth to not miss the party. But these guys will be really missed when one will be alone in far flung areas at newly posted place where nobody will care for your birthday.
I am not sure about emerged “cake culture” -when it started in India- but now its deep penetration reflects the booming businesses around birthday celebration. The decreasing expenditure in religious affair due to increasing secularization of culture is now shifting towards birthday, valentine day etc.In this context, Neo-Marxists may call it a newly increasing grip on culture of developing countries which is shaping market economy in favour of capitalist class. Iranian scholar Jalal- e- Ahmad underlines such increasing influence as “westoxification: a plague from west”.Similarly other sobriquets “occidentosis”, “westruck”, “euromania” etc. too indicate same obsession for western culture.
Nevertheless, one may debate about the way of celebration whether by cutting cake or by worshiping "satnarayan swami" followed by distribution of “chana amrit”, the very idea of assertion of individuality as birthday celebration can`t be refuted calling it as west way . An individual is the smallest minority which must be preserved as article 29/30 of Indian constitution proclaims ,so, is the assertion of individual`s culture.
No comments:
Post a Comment