It is with much amusement that i see the proceedings of Shiv Sena , Ram Sena and other godly Senas against Cupid struck couples on valentine’s day every year. Chasing them down the alleys, over the park and to rub salt we also have the police (the cops you know with star strapped shoulders and all..) engaging in moral policing. This cruel thamasa or should I say ghastly acts of self appointed guardians of national culture and public appointed keepers of the law sowed seeds of ” me too culturally invaded ” mania.
Yes folks I am culturally invaded .For a mallu residing in gods own country Holi the festival of spring, vasanth, fertility and what not can only be viewed as something that violates the very social fabric that we mallus have been fed with. What else other than immoral would you call the act of smearing women with colors over places that are the wrong places and drenching them in cold water outlining their bodily curves? Act of kindness??(We are celebrating its spring time of fertility hmmmm gotcha!!!!)
Holi festival during which men drench women with liquid colors and women tear off the clothes of the men. Courtesy Boston
So holding hands with someone you know, with whom you want to spend the rest of your life , exchanging flowers, cheap gifts and sipping coffee in some remote restaurant bad??? Songs and that too devotional ones praising the love of Krishna and Radha can be aired and can be talked about oh yeah I forgot they are gods in mortal avatars we nothing but measly earthly mortals hmm so we can’t… I once saw a picture of a wet pub voila!! It was too good it reminded me of Holi only difference a confined space .Lot of water gushing out from different points it was paid Holi 24X7.
I dont see much of a difference between these two photos.
As a mallu I say we stop celebrating this cultural import from the north no more smearing of colors no more drenching of water…no touching gals boys, lets form anti holi squad, make use of water cannons in dispersing them .what say eh?
Very true. It is very much not in our culture. (I am talking about Kerala)
Comment by Issac — May 20, 2009 @ 3:00 am
Yes, when we have holi conforming to our own culture, why should we have another one of alien culture. Les us stick to our own culture, otherwise we lose our century old identity.
Comment by അങ്കിള് — May 20, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
Culture is something that will evolve over years; it was not the same 20 years back and will not the same after 20 years. You can watch old movies if you are not convinced yet. Those who believe they are custodians of culture, better do a self evaluation before doing moral policing. As a citizen of India everyone should have the freedom to choose what they like to do as long as it does not harm anyone else (by definition of freedom in constitution).
Comment by Sachin — May 20, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
So, what can we do about this? clean everyone playing holi from this year?
Comment by TheAnand — May 20, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
Infact, I join completely with Sachin. Culture are somethings, that involve out of newer newer ideas, newer newer mergers etc. If we typically say that we are bound by our culture, we won’t be able to celebrate Kerala festivals like Onam- which is based on a Aryan (North Indian legend) or Christmas (which is not ofcourse anything to do with Kerala) or Eid (which is an Arabic festival) or any other things like that.
If we are bound so with Kerala culture, our mothers and sisters should not be allowed to wear Sari or Blouse, as in Kerala culture we donot have Sari, which was a North Indian dress imported. We can’t wear Pants or jeans or shirt, as its as English imported culture.
If we go with culture, the author’s name won’t carry his father, rather his mother’s brother only as surname and marriage would be declared as mere Sambhandam, as in Kerala’s culture we donot have system of formal marriage in both Hindu and Muslim community. Your father can marry N number of wives and mother can switch from one relation to N number of relations at any given minute. Rather why we adopted North Indian system of Paternal System?
There are so many things , that came from outside, so that we could enjoy the best in the current system. Culture is not a static thing. It changes in every minute. And culture evolves, only when it mixes itself with others. It depends how powerful you promote your culture to others. Englishers were very keen in promoting their culture to us, and we adopted many things. Hindiwalas also took clue from them, thus we also adopted them
Its your turn, to decide, whether you want to take that Cue or not, so that our culture also gets promoted on equal zest?
With regards
Arun
Comment by Arun — May 20, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
hi
dear author, the cultural invasion who is the cause? the present generation right. ya first o from he olden times itself moral policing was there bt did nt have this much publcity(ofcourse media were nt there to pick add massala and publish) am nt supporting moral policing bt still there need some type of moral values in society else v may hav to c people ucking in the open like dogs in the moth of ‘kanni’. our society is a coservative one and i agree modernation is needed bt not everything in the name of modernization can b accepted. holy is a celebration from centuries but it dnt have a sexual aspect but today in cities if gas and guys decide to expose during this celebration who is to b blamed?? they are nt celebrating for the cultural value bt for fun and masti alone in the name of holi. chasin lovers in park cannot b accepted bt chasing them when they are half naked in public how should v take it. freedom should b there there but v shoul b self disciplined else right or wrong some one will try to impose that on us. in pubs after drinking gals dancing in shorts and tops tat are worser than bra and nt with just one guy how shoul v take it?? v do enjoy all these but wats the moral value in it??
freedom ethics and cultural values must b there. i dnt agree with moral policing but i cnt accept doing anything in the name of freedom and modernaization
Comment by blackofficer — May 24, 2009 @ 10:25 am
In your 50s you will blame Holi but in your 20s you will praise it. That is human behavior. I am in 20s.
Comment by Anand CV — May 24, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
Im also in my twenties brother.
Comment by Kenney Jacob — May 24, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
The idea here was not the bash up holi, but to open up eyes to those ppl who r killing us for celebrating V-day and other stuff right? Or am i missing something?
Comment by TheAnand — May 24, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
Taking over people’s freedom is bad anyway. But when those people are minorities things may be bitter. So those minorities should care about it. Or they have to fight against it if they think their cause is above the majorities’ cause.
Comment by Anand CV — May 24, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
Ya.. the idea was not to bash up holi, but to show that there isnt much difference between holi and valentines day
Comment by Kenney Jacob — May 25, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
I think people should be able to choose what they want to celebrate and not have society, politicians or religious leaders stuff it down their throat. So if you want Holi good for you. Christmas – hey believe in the alien dude, go ahead. Id – great, just don;t blow us up. Anything and everything has its charms – if you remove the religious stigmas around festivals, it’s all about community, family, friends & fun! Isn’t that more important than imaginary aliens who some claim visited Earth thousands of years ago?
Comment by Roshan — May 25, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
Almost every violence happening in India is in the name of either Religion/Politics. Infact there is thinner line between them. When attacks on pub and violence on Valentines day happened, Govt of Karnataka responded with “saying” they will put every one behind bars. Now see the election results: the whole coastal belt has been taken by these communalist parties. And how many behind those attacks has really been punished???
Comment by Sreekanth — May 29, 2009 @ 1:58 am
Terming holi as cultural inversion with regarding to kerala wont be right if we consider that the identity which we(keralites) have today is not purely indigenous but rather an interaction with the rest of the world . If holi is said to be cultural invasion what about number system ,i am sure many of us might not have even herd about malayalam number system.
can refer: http://www.clickeralam.org/unicode/Malayalam_ten_etc.pdf
Comment by Aravind — May 30, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
Hello Kenny, Who ever you are it is not acceptable to compare our great Holi with immoral Europeans. As you write this blog with your Photo you cannot deny the charge. Never think attacking Hindu religion is tolerable. I demand you to remove the post as soon as possible. If you don’t I am really sorry.
Comment by Shankar Vasudev — June 1, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
@Shankar Vasudev
Threat Acknowledged.
BTW I never did say anything about the Hindu religion. All that the post deals with is the hypocrisy that some religious fanatics do.
Comment by Kenney Jacob — June 1, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
@Vasudev,
ROFL…you are seriously funny! Have you ever considered joining the The Great Indian Laughter Challenge? I think you should….really.
Comment by TheAnand — June 1, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
^^
He is already sorry for what he said!
and “I demand you” to keep the post!
Comment by VJ — June 1, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
“Hello Kenny, Who ever you are it is not acceptable to compare our great Holi with immoral Europeans. As you write this blog with your Photo you cannot deny the charge.”
Deny the charge?? Eh??? What happened to freedom of speech and liberty.? Was it banned in the bhagavad geetha or the bible or koran?
“Never think attacking Hindu religion is tolerable”
People like you are the curse of the nation. Its people like you vote for varun gandhi and imbeciles like him. Who put you in charge of leading the hindus? I am a hindu. You dont represent me when you say such utter bullshit.
“I demand you to remove the post as soon as possible. If you don’t I am really sorry.”
ROFLMFAO!! (I guess you would not know the meaning. so check here http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ROFLMFAO). Anyway mister shankar vasudev. No one is afraid of you. so go to hell with your ideas and thoughts. And thanks for doing your bit in ruining the country! You def deserve a pink chaadi.!
Comment by Sidharth Vijayan — June 1, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
I’m with Shanker.
” I (also) demand you to remove the post as soon as possible. ”
And I wont stop there. I demand you jump over buildings, spin web and save the world. As soon as possible.
Comment by Jeffrey Jose — June 1, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
lol…Each time i read that i cant literally stop laughing at the threat!! Im seeing this first time online on a blog!!
Comment by VJ — June 1, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
” I demand you jump over buildings, spin web and save the world. As soon as possible”
Now i am ROFLMFAO!!
Comment by VJ — June 1, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Who taught him how to use a computer?? lol..
Comment by Sidharth Vijayan — June 1, 2009 @ 7:33 pm
I am a Hindu…I don’t think the article was intended to degrade any religion… its just a way author has tried to bring into light the hypocrite few who cause hue and cry without a clear head and create problems just for the sake of it.This article is for those stupid attention seekers.
Comment by Priya Q — June 1, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
Dear Shankar Vasudev,
You sir, are a jerk, idiot, and the village retard, if you think you have the b@lls to threaten someone’s freedom of speech. This country if free because we stand by our beliefs of equality, and our rights to express our views.
Shankar Vasudev, opinions are like @ssholes, but you seem to be rather perforated with your views, so I will consider you to be a bit on the challenged side and dis-regard the tone implying violence and possible assoult on lone women who cannot protect themselves.
So, tell me Shankar Vasudev, were you molested as a small child? Did some ‘aunty’ touch you in-appropriately? were you deprived of mother’s milk?
If that is not the case, may I suggest you pull your head out of your perforated ass and see the real light.
It shows holi as a harvest festival, the way it is celebrated. A time when you can young ladies can maul young men, and generally put a couple of wet t-shirts on display.
Young men then consume bhang/marijuana and get stupid/drunk or just normal depending entirely on individual make-up.
Dear Shankar Vasudev, get rreal. Try getting laid. You might actually feel better too.
Rabid-ly,
Another Indian
Comment by Another Rabid Indian — June 1, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
Blinded by religious fanaticism, infused by communal thoughts and above all, a mind as tiny as, well, as tiny as tiny can get. I hope that sums up Shankar Vasudev. Either he read about Hinduism from the back of a bubblegum wrapper or from the mouth of Varun Gandhi.
Comment by Rahul Pisharody — June 1, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
We should celebrate. You are at the level of Salman Rushdie or MF Hussein. If only we could get someone to issue a FATWA against you.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — June 1, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
” I demand you jump over buildings, spin web and save the world. As soon as possible”
LMAO!!!
Comment by TheAnand — June 1, 2009 @ 9:43 pm
That guy would see the Green Goblin’s cruel attacks in those colorful powders. The rare kind of guy who doesnt want to be in the middle of an Axe commercial.
Those colorful powders were present in memorable tender/wild moments in (Hindi) films. You respect them by flinging them at will!
Comment by jesvin — June 1, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
Here comes a real hypocrite..
Seeing exactly what he wanted to see! Classical…
Its not difficult to see that its because we have these morons like Shankar What? only that jerks like Bal Thakkarey and co could cast his spell on some pockets of society.
And such cheap and childish threats, it would make a cow laugh..lol..:)
Get a life..
Comment by scorpiogenius — June 2, 2009 @ 2:47 am
@Shankar Vasudev
The post has nothing to do with attacking Hindu religion and your favorite leader Varun Gandhi. I request you to read the post completely and thoroughly. Calling Europeans immoral will be a pretty bad idea. There will be moral and immoral ways of life with respect to their culture. They do not follow your culture does not mean they are immoral. Also the way of threatening was somewhat childish. It was as cute as 3 year old coming with a toy gun and threatening to kill. You need to watch lots of movies to gain some style.
@Another Rabid Indian
Please do not attack anyone personally. Let us discuss about the issue in a positive way.
@scorpiogenius
“Seeing exactly what he wanted to see! Classical…”
Perfect!!!
Comment by Sachin — June 2, 2009 @ 9:14 am
lol. this is getting funny. i do not find anyone bashing up any religion. afer all how many people really know what holi was meant for! haha. and yea, even valentine’s day in college is just a way to bunk class and make merry. with girls ofcourse.
Comment by Prasanth — June 3, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
adding on. i agree bajrang dal and such organizations are wasting time and effort by looking at petty matters like v-day when there are worse things like forced conversions happening in every part of the country. hope they start looking at this.
Comment by Prasanth — June 3, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Any culture which is threaten by invasion is certainly not embracing and open to world cultural society. Different people celebrate many festivals in their own way, but that has can’t cast its spell on the reverence festivals’ sacred motives. Many people celebrate diwali by playin cards and many people celebrate it by doing pooja. I don’t know if u termed Holi as cultural invasion in a sarcastic tone.
Comment by Neha Bagoria — June 4, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
i’m a resident of UP. I hate Holi for the bad experiences i’ve had. PPl do take advantage of the festival, and whats grim is that they are the ppl u r supposed to trust a s family. I’ve had a bad experience , so i know. And it shattered my belief in trusting the ppl i shud otherwise feel secure around.
And for a record everyone hates Ram Sena/Shiv Sena- a bunch of frustrated Hooligans who cant fix their lives and crib about ppl living theirs. They are the ppl who give india a bad name and shud besent to asylums for all the crimes they do, and the kind of socially disruptive behaviour they show.
But i do not agree that U as a Mallu to give a regionally-biased excuse to do all that. We all hate it! All the Indians to be precise!!
We are all united against the pests of our society. And if u r trying to raise the voice against them then atleast dont do what they do- DIVIDE!
Comment by XtensvSoulSrch — June 5, 2009 @ 2:08 am
Dear Author,
There seems to be a disconnect in the ideas that you have about Holi. Holi is celebrated as a Hindu festival so any Hindu be from Punjab or Kerela will celebrate it if he wants to. Just like people celebrate Diwali all over India, or lets say harvest festivals which is also celebrated all over India and is known by different names. There is no regionalism to it. Its like any Christian will celebrate Christmas be in USA or Scotland. The moral policing issue that you have raised is definitely a valid point and any girl who feels she has been violated in the guise of celebrating holi can approach the police. No one’s stopping her. Everyone knows men take advantage of the festival Holi to evetease women. Its no unknown truth nor its too difficult to understand. As far as Krishna Radha songs are concerened, its more in the line of devotion and spirituality than simple romoe Juliet love song. If you have read about bhajans, sufi devotional music, they all talk about being in love with God. Radha Krishna love stories & songs are on those lines. By saying all this I am not however defending the Shiv seniks or the rightwinged parties but only trying to say that it makes more sense to do your homework properly before writing anything nonsensical.
Snigdha
Comment by snigdha — June 6, 2009 @ 10:14 am
Holi is a North Indian celebration…dear…. And Holi and Hinduism are not related like Christmas and Christians. Holi for Keralites is just like Onam for you.
Can you find any instance of holi celebration in Kerala, 15 years ago ? Pure cultural invasion… i would say… hi hi….
Comment by Kenney Jacob — June 6, 2009 @ 10:21 am
Great Post!
There is indeed hypocrisy on part of “saffron” brigade when it comes to Valentines Day.
Kenny as per your logic, isn’t Christmas also a “pure” cultural invasion on north Indians ? as 15-20 years ago there was no Christmas celebrated in North India except Christian community in Delhi.
Comment by Mudit Tuli — June 20, 2009 @ 10:43 am
My only objective was to expose the hypocrisy. I dont think of any peaceful activity as an invasion.
Comment by Kenney Jacob — June 20, 2009 @ 10:48 am
this is a really good post…exactly what i was thinking about…damn these stupid “clubs” in northindia who wants to ascertain valentines day as immoral who reacted with such violence against those in the “i hate ” communities in orkut..well where has the right of free speech gone to ?
Comment by jibin — June 27, 2009 @ 10:13 am
A very stupid post. The only thing constant in this world is change. Culture is the most volatile thing in this world. We are not in the gulf where sexes are separated by law. We are in India where anybody can be with anybody,anywhere. We wrote the Kamasutra for ourselves. Now, the west respects it but not us. When the muslims invaded they us brought with them their culture which keeps both the sexes apart from each other. So, we have developed a conservative culture as a result. Now, we have to go back to our roots in which everyone is equal and there is no segregation of sexes. Woman’s beauty must be admired and respected. Thats what the shastras do and we see in all the temples. Lust is bad,but not love. Not the natural urges of human beings.
Comment by Anoop — October 5, 2009 @ 3:18 am