Darkness Dissolves, Radiance Emerges! A View—Kunal Roy
It is simply a sacred continuation of the most auspicious Kali Puja. Diwali. Fondly known as the " Festival of Lights". Observed in the various parts of the nation and transcends all the maverick boundaries of caste and creed to promote an unbridled hedonism and harmony. The primary purpose is to wipe out the darkness and hail the blithe spirit to redefine the divine intention of the Queen of the universe.
The mythology dates back to the time when Lord Rama returned Ayodya with his spouse Sita and brother Laxman after a span of fourteen years. The first time when Diwali was observed in Ayodhya to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Lord Rama vanquished and killed Lankeshwar Ravana, rescued his spouse Sita from Ashok Vatika and returned to his birth place, where Laxman , his younger brother was also there to accompany him on his journey back to the roots!
The immense celebration of Diwali carries a philosophical message that no matter how dark and ignorant the night is, the dawn will surely break to witness the sun in the blue bathed sky and chirping of birds. The " brilliance" serves as a beacon amid the surging waves of ego and ignorance.
Diwali is not confined to a single day. It begins from Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi and ends in the core celebration of the festival for a divine guide and faith! Innumerable rituals are followed to welcome the holy steps of divinity. Besides, love, affection and harmony rule the roost.
Beyond the traditional practices of fire works, rangolis, burning of incense , shimmer in the sky and divine ecstasy, there is a profound symbolism - illuminating the inner realm and driving out the evils of greed, envy , anger, ego and obstinacy! The occasion attempts to awaken the soul for a divine purpose!
In recent times a new law has been enforced, which banishes the burning of crackers and indulges in noiseless fireworks. Moreover, eco friendly celebrations have acquired a considerable importance now. The reason is simple. Awareness, Consciousness and Sustainability. Celebration is a must story, but the responsibility ought not to take a backseat if we really want a " balanced " social fabric.
There is a huge scope of growth and expansion for those who are deeply engaged with the ethos of the festival. This is the commercial angle of the festival. On the other hand, distribution of sweets and sharing of delight cement the bond between the social members. The warm touch, the soulful gratitude and the renewal of life - the preciously hidden ingredients of this timeless celebration!
With the passage of time, the celebration of Diwali has undergone a sea change, without sacrificing the conventional trait of the occasion. Under one single roof ( without any grain of ostentation) people gather together, share their emotions , hover an elegant smile around the lips and display humility in the accepted sense of term!!
Dr Kunal Roy
( Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Communication, George Group of Colleges, Kolkata)
Illumination dispels the darkness,
Hails the sprightly spirit
To live with the God and Goddess,
To seek the shower of blessings
To purify the heart and soul
Get rid of all the pains and sufferings
Torment us time and again!
It is Diwali,
Celebrated first in Ayodhya
When Lord Rama returned
With His spouse and brother!
A longish span of fourteen years!
Separated and United,
Vanquished and killed Ravana
after a battle of eighteen months!
Discordance dissolved into oblivion,
Harmony returned and redefined,
A new dawn break after the thick swath of night!
Multitude rejoiced,
Open arms hailed Sree Ram,
Ayodya was decked up with thousands of lamps,
Spread the radiance far and wide,
A magical spectacle!
The hour passed by,
The legacy thrives with an amazing aplomb,
Rangolis are made,
Foster the essence of creativity!
Clay lamps are placed zig zag,
An elegant pattern
To beautify the ambient air!
Worships are there,
Prayers are sent to the heaven,
Fireworks enhance the festive ethos!
A night of remembrance,
Comes once a year,
To fill the heart with an inexplicable delight,
Like the brimming river of Tennyson!
There is no dearth of pristine purity,
The rambling firmament,
The priggish boreen,
The tacit thoroughfares,
The vivacious nature ,
All dance to the tune of celebration!
No dejection,
No bouts of grief,
No pricking solitude!!.
21ST OCTOBER
HAPPY DIWALI
Dr Kunal Roy
( Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Communication, George Group of Colleges, Kolkata)
Comments