Shivaay aims too ...Page 4 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine River of life ....Page 3 DIWALI : The festival of lights Safe Diwali Prof Dr. R.D Gupta ll the Hindus celebrate Diwali with great joy by way of small gathering of family members. To Ahonour this, they adorn their house worshipping places (Home temples) with beautifully decorated diyas, lights and rangoli. Illumination is an integral part of Diwali festival. One is tempted to use a wide array of he festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness or good over evil and its cious metals like gold or silver. Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways including the electric lights available in the market as these seem con- celebration traditionally includes lighting lamps, candles and lanterns on goddess' footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi, and shops and work places are dec- Tdoorsteps, housetops, temples and buildings. Bursting of firecrackers is also an orated, symbolizing them as a source of sustenance and prosperity. In villages, cattle are venient than traditional diyas. But by using diyas one inherent part of the festivities-the light and sounds from the crackers are believed to adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. While can reduce the electricity consumption and support the scare off evil spirits and contribute to the festive atmosphere. The festival celebrates in general, sweets and fruits are offered to Goddess Lakshmi in most Indian states. potters whose livelihood depends upon on its business. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity and Diwali marks a major shopping NARAKA CHATURDASHI Diyas are also biodegradable. Apart from illumination period in the countries where it is celebrated, especially India. While the cen- of homes the lighting of skies with fire crackers is an tral theme behind the festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the reli- Naraka Chaturdashi, also called Choti Diwali, marks Day 2 of the celebra- expression of obeisance to the heavens for attainment gious significance of Diwali varies widely in regional mythology. tions. According to Hindu literature, the demon Narakasura was of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. In the northern part of India, the festival is celebrated to honor killed on this day by Krishna or his consort Satyabhama. Some Rangoli is an intricate design made on the floors of the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother legends also state that the demon was killed by Kali. In some living rooms and country yards with brightly coloured Lakshmana from exile of 14 years after Rama regions of India, the day is also known as Kali flour, rice or sand. However, opt for ecofriendly natural defeated Ravana. In the southern states of Chaudas and is allotted to the worship of colours. These can be easily made from the things avail- the country, the festival is celebrated as Mahakali or Shakti. Rituals typically start the day that Lord Krishna defeated the early in the morning, with people in able at home which are free from harmful chemicals. demon Narakasura, while in the west- many regions taking a special oil bath One can obtain different colours by mixing things like ern region Diwali marks the day that before performing minor pujas. turmeric with rice flour of fine wheat flour (maida), ver Lord Vishnu, the Preserver sent the The puja is performed with oil, million, sugar-beet roots, paste, dried and crushed rose demon King Bali to rule the nether- flowers, and sandalwood. Lord petals, dried and powered orange peel, dried and gourd world. In some regions of India, Hanuman is also worshipped leaves of mint, coriander or fenugreek and cinnamon the festival is associated with the on this day and is offered powder for preparing rangoli. One can even make com- legend of Yama and Nachiketa. coconuts and prasad made of plex rangoli using flower petals of various hues. It also In the west and certain northern sesame seeds, jaggery, rice fills the surrounding with great fragrance. parts of India, the festival of flakes and ghee. Diwali also marks the start of a new Diwali festival remains incomplete without sweets. Hindu year. While primarily associ- LAKSHMI PUJA While sweet shops are decorated with stocks of various sweets and savories, which are often prepared using ated with Hinduism, Diwali also The third day, the day of the has historical significance for cer- Lakshmi Puja, is the main festive artificial colours, extra sugar and all natural ingredi- tain other religious communities. day. People light lamps, candles, ents. One can make some of the sweets at home- It marks an important event in and lanterns, and offer prayers to basin/wheat flour/rice flour laddoos, coconut /peanut Sikhism-the day the sixth Sikh Goddess Lakshmi, Lord burfi, kheer, gajar halwa. While purchasing the sweets, Guru Har Gobind freed himself and Ganesha, GoddessSaraswati, one should be sure of no-adulteration in the ingredients some Hindu Rajahs from the prison and Kubera. Goddess which are used at home. of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir. In Lakshmi, who symbolizes Now a days, customer preferences are clearly chang- Jainism, it marks the nir- wealth and prosperity, is vana or spiritual awakening ing and it becomes evident from the changing trends in believed to roam the earth on of Lord Mahavira in 527 distribution of gifts. Many people now demand dry Diwali night. The most B.C. Significance of Diwali fruits like kernels of almond and walnut. Both these dry Festival Diwali is undoubt- auspicious time for the fruits are a good source of fat which is mostly in the edly of great religious and spiritual significance to Hindus and other religious commu- puja is decided when form of mono-saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturat- amavasyatithi prevails during pradoshkaal or the evening time. Mothers, who are seen nities like Jains, and Sikhs and some Buddhists that celebrate the festival. The religious ed fatty acids respectively which are found good for significance of Diwali varies regionally within India though the core theme remains the as an embodiment of the goddess, are revered on this day. This is also an important day for socializing, and people visit their friends and relatives and exchange gifts. heart. Thus consumption of these fruits act as source of same: victory of good over evil, of right over wrong, and of the light of higher knowledge medicines. Apart from this, now it is the time to bring PADWA OR BALIPRATIPADA dispelling all the darkness of ignorance. On this day, people pray to the Goddess change to the gifts too. Go in for natural gifts like art Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Along with Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha- The day after Diwali is celebrated as Padwa or Balipratipada, and it marks the begin- work, wind chimes, silver coins, silver idols of Goddess who symbolizes ethical beginnings and is considered the fearless remover of obstacles- is also venerated. The other gods and goddesses worshiped on the day include ning of the VikramSamvat calendar in Western India and is considered the New Year Lakshmi and Shri Ganpati Ganesha or gifts of some Saraswati, who embodies music, literature and learning and Kubera, who symbolizes Day in Gujarat. According to Hindu mythology, Bali Padwa commemorates the victory homemade sweets, cookies or cakes. book-keeping, treasury and wealth management. In the eastern states of India, Goddess of God Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation Vamana, defeating Bali, and pushing him to the Although Diwali without crackers is unthinkable for Kali is worshipped instead of Lakshmi, and the festival is called Kali Puja. The Five Days netherworld. The celebrations of the day vary according to regions. A common practice many of us yet try to rejoice as some eco-friendly crack- of Diwali Celebrations Diwali is a festival that spans five days in many regions of India, in north India is to play the gambling game called pachikalu (dice game), which is ers are now available, use them with pleasure, opt for linked to a legend associated with Lord Shiva. with Diwali night being the night of the new moon-the darkest night at the end of the crackers that only sparkle and not create much noise. Bhai Duj or Bhaiya Dooji Day Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and the start of the month of Kartika. The preparations This can actually become a truly community celebra- for the festival begin days or weeks in advance, with the formal festivities starting two The final day of the festivities marks Bhai Duj (Brother's second) in India or Bhai Tika in Nepal. The festival celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. According tions together. Moreover, it automatically cuts down on days before the night of Diwali, and ending two days thereafter. Each of the five days of the quantum of crackers burst and controlled manner Diwali has its own rituals and significance. to Hindu mythology, after slaying Narkasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. This is believed to be the ori- of bursting means having no burning accidents. DHANTERAS DAY gin of the festival. In some regions, the day is known as Yamadwitheya or Yamadvitiya, Besides, we will not witness the perils of environmental The first day of the festivities is celebrated as Dhanteras in northern and western after a legendary meeting between Yama the god of Death and his sister Yamuna (the changes around us. It is worth mentioning that crackers part of India. This day marks the birthday of Lakshmi-the Goddess of Wealthand famous river) on Dwitheya (the second day after new moon). Girls and women perform cause not only intense noise pollution but also a high Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari-the God of Health and Healing, and is thus a puja for the well-being of their brothers which is followed by the ritualistic exchange level of air pollution from noxious gases like sulphur considered an auspicious occasion. Lord Kubera, the God of assets and wealth is also of gifts and food-sharing. dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen. worshipped on this day. It is a major shopping day, especially for articles made of pre- Courtesy : http://festivals.iloveindia.com/diwali/ (The author is a Ex Associate Dean Cum Chief Scientist KVK, SKUAST, Jammu) The Legend of Raj Begum

Maharaj Kaul publicly. Until when she joined Radio Kash- mir in 1954, female singers would sing in a SOME OF THE NOTABLE There have been many guarded manner, similar to their expected excellent Kashmiri singers behavior in society. But Raj Begum’s unin- AWARDS SHE HAS WON: hibited, high-pitch, sonorous voice changed * Sadiq Memorial Award before Raj Begum and there that. She sang from her heart, unmindful of will come many excellent cultural constraints. So, she ushered a new * Robe Of Honor from Jammu And freedom for women in Kashmir. Kashmir Academy Of Art, Culture, And singers after her, but her It is the opinion of many professional Languages unique singing style will singers and music watchers in Kashmir that * Gold Medal For Best Concert In Kash- Raj Begum was the greatest modern Kash- miri Folk Music by Jammu And Kash- remain legendary and miri singer. Like Dal Lake Raj Begum is a legendary symbol of Kashmir. mir State continue to warm our She had the courage to break the social * Silver Shield by Kala Kendra hearts forever. stigma of women singing in public, when she * Bakshi Memorial Committee award along with another great Kashmiri singer * Certificate Of Excellence from Prasar The following songs of Raj Begum have Naseem Akhtar, went to sing for Radio Kash- Bharti (1999) entered the folklore of Kashmir: mir. She was married to Qadir Ganderbali, Subh phul bulbulav tul shore-googa who was a D.I.G. Police with the Jammu And * Government Of Madhya Pradesh Vyasiye gulan aavuy bahar Kashmir State whenhe passed away several State Award (2004) Rum ghyam sheeshas byegur gav bane years ago. She lived at Channapora, Srina- * Jammu And Kashmir State Excel- myon gar. lence In Folk Music (2008) Wal az vyasiye dokh sukh mashrith When I asked her at what age did she tell * Jammu and Kashmir State Cultural sheraw loluk bagh her family that she was going to be a profes- Kyo roze purdan chaaye chaaye soze-jigar sional singer. She told me that it was 21. I Award Winner (Golden Jubilee, 2009) myon asked her this question because in the days * Padma Shri (2002) Wola wav wanay soz great singers she started singing in her child- Gulrez. She went on to sing with Radio Kash- of her youth singing was considered to be a Kya kya wanay aye dost chey hood. As she grew up she sang in weddings. mir until 1986. low-level profession, more so for women, sources that she was poor, as the sole source But as Naya Kashmir movement took root in Raj Begum has sung in many different who would be taken to be of low moral cal- The reason why these songs have become of her income before her retirement had Kashmir, for the first time in their long his- genres: folk, religious, light, romantic, ghaz- iber. I further asked her what difficulties she part of the folk-lore is not only due to the been the Radio Kashmir salary, which is so tory common Kashmiri people started tast- als, etc. No one knows exactly how many faced in the society because of her profes- quality of their lyrics but also quite a bit due meager that it is a cruel joke. Here we have ing freedom. With the freedom came the songs she has sung, as in the beginning days sion. She told me that her husband forbade to the way they were sung. Raj Begum has a the greatest singer of Kashmir having diffi- chance to express their pent-up emotions of Radio Kashmir, there were no recordings her to sing publicly. But after a show of rage deep haunting voice, which pierces the heart culty making two ends meet. In Kashmir suppressed for so long. Radio Kashmir made of the songs sung by singers, as it had about it he let her sing. She also told me that of sorrow. And sorrow is the heart of human artists do not amount to much in public esti- began to broadcast Kashmiri musical pro- no recording equipment. Singers sang live. the renowned ghazal singer Begum Akhtar condition: sad songs are more remembered mation. They cannot make a living on their grams. In 1954, introduced by the well- Often no paper records were kept of the told her to switch to ghazal singing. artistic work. Any nation that does not value than the happy songs. known folk singer Ghulam Qadir Langoo, songs sung. Some people believe she has Further conversation with her elicited its artists is a backward nation, as art uplifts Raj Begum was born at Magarbal Bagh in Raj Begum started singing at Radio Kash- sung a few thousand songs. that though she had been bestowed a thou- the human soul equal in caliber to religion. Srinagar on March 27, 1927. Her father was mir. She attracted immediate attention Raj Begum, along with Naseem Akhtar, sand awards but was hardly rewarded mon- Called aslo as Nightingale of Kashmir, she Ghulam Rasool Sheikh. Like most of the because of the way she rendered songs in broke the cultural barrier of women singing etarily. I learned furthermore from other will be remembered for her melodious voice.