IF NOT THIS, WHAT IS FESTIVITY ?

 He weather is wonderful, a gentle breeze is blowing, somebody is playing a tune on the Surbahar, (a string instrument, a little bit like Sitar) some more people are accompanying on pakhavaj,  I am in the company of friends whose heads are nodding rhythmically to the tunes, occassionaly they open their eyes and raise their arms in appreciation of the mastery of the musicians. One teenaged girl is arranging some of the 200 odd `diyas ‘ lit in front of the stage . Interspersed with potted plants, the diya’s are kept on a `jaali’ made with red bricks.  A hundred flames flicker with the breeze and create a delight for photographers. The atmosphere is beautiful, even idyllic.  The setting is `other worldly’. 

I am not dreaming, All this is not happening on a posh house boat in the backwaters of Munnar and I haven’t paid a fortune to be here. In fact I have paid nothing, zero rupees and zero paisas to partake these pleasures.

I am in Viraasat, the 15 day annual cultural bonanza in Dehradun and have been lucky to get a seat in the third row from the stage. The performing group is Sh. Gundecha, the leading pakhawaj player of India.  The girl who is arranging the Diyas is a volunteer like dozens of others who are helping to organize this Jamboree of an event. It brings together Painters, singers, musicians, dancers, craftsmen, poets and many other performers of different hues and nationalities. No wonder the venue is bursting at the seams. It has become an annual habit for the ordinary citizens of Dehradun and a complete addiction for the `Culture Vultures’ of Dehradun. It is no surprise that performer after performer congratulates the people for being Quiet and patient.  Congratulations Dehradun, you have won a place in the hearts of performers who really appreciate an appreciative audience.

I have often written that cities have a character much like people. This annual event makes Dehradun  a much culturally aware  and learned city.  It graduates to be counted in the list of  capital cities  as it grows taller every year with the completion of the event.  It has given us all  a chance to listen to a Galaxy of Performers at Virasat including many Padma honour holders and also Bharat Ratna’s.

Viraasat is organized by some crazy individuals who I am told beg and borrow money to organize this festival, they then beg the artists to perform here at reasonable prices. Then they beg the thousands of people who come to listen to the top performers of the country (and from abroad). They beg the people to not litter the venue, keep their mobile phones switched off and to remain seated during performances. (Lately they also have to beg some individuals to not disrupt the proceedings who are saying that local artists are not included).

Organizers please continue to be crazy, please continue to beg and borrow, we the audience promise that we shall behave, even pay a small entrance fee,  Sponsors please keep your Purse strings loose for making these events possible. Weather gods , please be kind as you have been this time. Protestors, join the fun and be a part of this movement, or become national level performers to be included. 

The primary purpose for writing this piece is to thank the organizers who no doubt think at some point that organizing Viraasat is a thankless job.  The media has stopped writing about the effort it takes to organize it because its regularity gives the impression that it all happens in `auto’ mode. 

I can speak for myself and maybe for some others too, that year after year, we enjoy the music,  the lights, the candles, the mela (fair) like atmosphere, the food, the handicrafts and the general `everybody wins’ sort of mood. Thank you very much organizers, you just made my year.

This for me is Diwali. If not this, what is festivity?

 

 

Param Jigyasu

published in GP on the 31st oct 2013