Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monsoon Wedding
Monsoon Wedding was a very entertaining film once I had sorted out the plot and all the surrounding sub-plots. Once I had found my bearings on the story, I quickly found myself immersed in a hectic Indian family's dilemmas of hosting a wedding for their daughter. It was extremely interesting to see an authentic Punjab arranged marriage by a middle class family. Since, unfortunately, the stereotype of India is that of poverty. But to see the wedding in full form was quite elegant and beautiful. The director Mira Nair does a terrific job of reminding you that the story is still based in the poverty stricken city of Delhi with transition shots of the slums and crowded markets of the city. I think that really helped keep the film in context with the fact that you are still in India, given that all the sub-plots would be expected from an American produced romantic comedy.
Just as a final remark, who wouldn't want to be paraded into their wedding with a marching band?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Kumbh Mela
When first hearing that this religious ceremony was the largest gathering of humans on the planet, I was astonished that I had never heard of it before. To think that over 6 million people could gather at one time is amazing! After looking into the Hindu religion, and why they celebrated this sacred event, I became very interested in the mythology of their religion. The story of why they celebrate it is very unique and different from the religions in western culture. The story goes that the Gods and Demons fought for 12 days over Amrit, which is the nectar of immortality. The Gods were chased around the world by the demons and four drops of Amrit spilled from the urn it was contained in, and splashed onto the Earth. They were said to have landed in four bodies of water located throughout India. This celebration also involves astrology and the positioning of the planets, which also corresponds to where the ritual will be hosted that year.
The bathing in the Ganges are believed to cleanse oneself of any sins committed since the last Kumbh Mela. This instantly reminded me of the Catholic practice of confession, although confession can occur at any time. Every religion has a form of purification, where someone is able to relieve themselves of any sins they have committed. I think it is very symbolic, this ritual, for the purpose it is serving. They wish to "wash away" their sins, and the ritual has them bathe in the holy water of the Ganges. I believe if I were to practice this religion I would definitely participate in a ritual of this size. But I would have to be living in or near the country. I don't think I have the devotion of some of these individuals who travel by foot from thousands of miles away to participate in this gathering. I do not see it as a superstition, since every religion has a form of this celebration.
The one dark spot of this beautiful practice is that every year people are trampled to death during the ceremonies, usually women and children. News like this really seems to take the shimmer off this ancient tradition.
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