Krishna Luchoomun
Maha Shivratri is celebrated every year in Mauritius with great devotion and fervor, but unfortunately, this year’s celebration was rocked by a series of controversies. From the outset, to dispel any communal reflexes, I would like to point out that I am Hindu by birth.
This Maha Shivratri began with a terrible misfortune, we mourn each of our young men who lost their lives through sheer recklessness. They are surely continuing their spiritual journey, dancing with the gods in the sacred abode of Shiva. A very similar accident happened last year, and although this time the authorities adopted a series of rules to ensure the safety of pilgrims, it did not help much. Representatives of some Hindu socio-cultural groups forcefully emphasized on local television that these were only guidelines, implying that there would be no sanctions for non-compliance. It is well understood that the government cannot act decisively due to its ambiguous association with religious groups, which it must always “kares dan sans du pwal” for obvious reasons. But truth be told, neither the government nor socio-cultural groups can be held responsible for what happened, everyone must exercise a minimum of common sense, particularly when it comes to safety.
Certainly, sociocultural groups are essential in a multicultural society like ours, recognition and appreciation of their contributions to the overall cultural life of a society is fundamental. They should, however, be concerned with the promotion, preservation and enrichment of the culture, customs and traditions of their respective communities, while striving to build bridges between cultures. But, without interfering in politics. Unfortunately, in Mauritius, though a secular state, this is not the case. Religious/socio-cultural groups are not to blame, all successive governments have fostered this unhealthy situation.
Coming back to this year’s Maha Shivratri, expressions of disappointment and discontent have flooded social media and the press over the carnivalesque trend of the celebration, with all shapes and colors of ‘kanwar’ accompanied by bhajans and mantras modified to disco beats.
Targeting the youth, the criticism fortunately comes from people of Hindu faith, expressing the lack of respect towards our religion and our traditions. For them, giving new shapes and colors to Kanwars and remixing bhajans with new rhythms is extremely vulgar, unspiritual and irreligious. In short, no room for creativity and innovation when it comes to religion and traditions.
If our pilgrims had to brave dark nights and mosquito-infested swamps, crisscrossing densely forested and muddy highlands for days to fetch water from the Ganga Talao as in the 19th century, the year of the first pilgrimage, they would surely not carry big Kanwars of all colors, and certainly not accompanied by remixed bhajan music and twinkling lights. The simple absence of modern facilities and new technologies would not allow this.
A lot has changed; Postcolonial Mauritius is today a free country celebrating 56 years of independence. The world itself has experienced drastic political, economic and social changes, with rapid transformation in the 21st century driven by technological advancements and evolving societal norms. All of this has inevitably influenced life on our small island with changes in our economic model, our social behaviors and cultural values.
Are the criticisms aimed at our young people justified? Why should they build Kanwar like in the past when everything has changed? Why should we resist a contemporary musical rhythm? Is disco music really that bad?
Culture is not a static or fixed entity. Rather, it is dynamic, constantly evolving in response to changing circumstances, it adapts, evolves and responds to external influences. “There is nothing permanent except change,” said the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. Change is the only constant that exists, alluding to the ever-changing nature of the universe and all its facets. We must embrace change rather than resist it. Aren’t Shiva’s powers of destruction and recreation used to destroy the illusion and imperfections of the world, thereby paving the way for beneficial change? In resisting cultural change to varying degrees, we must also allow it to evolve, maintaining its coherence while adapting to new circumstances, like a living organism that nurtures a complex balance between preservation and evolution.
Our youth are going through an identity crisis following the rapid changes that have occurred in recent decades. They seem lost, overwhelmed by daily stress, anxiety, fear, anger and sometimes even trauma. Clinging to religion among Hindu youth is a source of social and cultural revitalization; the physical renewal of their living environment, to improve their social well-being and guarantee sustainability.
They find joy, solace, personal growth, self-esteem, appreciation and recognition of their skills by actively participating in Maha Shivratri. They devote all their energy to the creation of kanwar which begins months before the festival itself. A team building experience in which, in most cases, many families or the whole village are involved, providing the space, food, equipment, etc. Participating in the making and transporting of Kanwar during the festival is a powerful means of catharsis for them. The experience of different rituals serves as a channel for emotional expression and spiritual connection.
The amount of love, dedication and creativity put into making Kanwar is simply amazing! They are not artists, architects or engineers, but their level of creativity is simply incredibly impressive. The ideas they express in the Kanwar, the composition, the choice of materials, the expression of the characters, the correct proportions, the color palette they choose, the rendering of the background sometimes enhanced with light and smoke are simply remarkable!
Music and dance are an integral part of Maha Shivratri, it is the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and on this day Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of Tandava, symbolizing rhythmic creation, preservation and destruction of the universe. In some parts of India, this festival is celebrated with dancing and music all night to keep Lord Shiva awake, while pouring water and milk on him to lessen the effect of the deadly poison that he had consumed to prevent the annihilation of all life and creations. There is therefore nothing irreligious or disrespectful in dancing and singing mantras to a new tune that tickles the neurons of today’s youth.
Strict regulations and unconstructive negative comments blaming the youth will only discourage their participation in this spiritual quest. Religion and spirituality provide opportunities for youth to engage in the process of meaning-making, develop values, and engage in virtuous reflection, ultimately contributing to develop a moral compass, which assists in navigating life’s complexities and challenges.
Discouraging them and preventing them from expressing themselves with innovation and creativity would be a serious mistake and would only breed negativity. Not all aspects of culture need equal protection; some traditions may be harmful or outdated. They certainly need to be dispelled, but we must discern and choose wisely. It is a blessing that elders share their wisdom, but the youth can also contribute new ideas. Together, we must bridge the gap through dialogue and allow culture to breathe and transform. In this dance between preservation and evolution, let us celebrate both the ancient and the novel, weaving a vibrant tapestry that honors our past and embraces our future.
I completely agree that there should be strict clear rules regarding the size of any structure permitted on the roads for the safety of all road users and that loud music should be regulated, but as this spiritual festival adds colour to our multicultural island and spreads a flavour of spirituality in the air around the island, we can all try to accommodate each other, courtesy and empathy go a long way. Pilgrims must respect basic safety rules and be respectful towards other road users. Not to consider the road as their exclusive property simply because it is their religious festival but to try to show consideration and give priority to other users who go to work or have their own daily tasks.
On the other hand, other road users can, wherever possible, show a little patience, compassion and understanding to support the pilgrims on this spiritual journey. Patience and kindness are two virtues that enhance our relationships with others and ourselves.
Maha Shivaratri celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, wisdom over ignorance and the eternal dance of creation. This allows us to free ourselves from the shackles of negativity that poison our minds and paint our outlook with dark colours. Let’s create space for positivity, growth and healing; qualities that we are endowed with as human beings. Art, music and dance are profound forms of human creative expressions that bring culture to life. Their innovations advance culture, challenge norms, and spark dialogue for a better society. Let us all tune into the rhythm of the cosmic dance, let us dance with the gods within us to create a better Mauritius.