Well begun is the auspicious feel

 Yes, indeed auspicious happens to be the first day of Navratri. Look at it whichever way, but it is a new beginning. Let us look at it from the perspective of rituals. The fortnight before the Navratri begin is known as 'pitru pandharwada'. 

Literally translated, it means a fortnight dedicated to the forefathers. Naturally, there is a sense of remembrance. It is tinged, however, with the feel of loss, of death, of a 'never ever to return' finality. The sad sense weighs on the very existence as all sorts of rituals get followed. In our vicinity, there is this family who keep the ritual rice et al on the roof. Naturally, there are crows cawing queerly which  would create a very depressing feel, right?

Let us look at it from the agrarian point of view. The 'kharif' crop is almost ready. The excesses of the monsoon are behind us. There is a contented sense of fulfillment. Sure, these days, the climate change is causing quite some disturbance to such a natural cycle. Yet it is not completely wiped out as of now. Hence the Navratri get celebrated as a token of gratitude to the bountiful nature.

Why is it so clearly a women-oriented festival? I think such a sense of festivity is rooted in the agrarian beginning of the human civilisation. Not only does a woman give birth and create a new life, but in addition to this biological fact, there is, moreover, the historical reality. 

Yes, indeed it is women who in a way began, and developed, agriculture as a way of life. This process was a major stage in the growth of civilisation as it ended the nomadic life not vastly different from the beast-like eat-n- procreate mode. It can hence be argued that the 'Navratri', is a mode of tribute to womanhood and its creativity. 

Hence, may be, so many woman-ly associations to this festival. These days, such associations are clearly delineated in the light of (shallow?) feminism and the consumerist market, and thus the Navratri are equally related to 'colours to be worn per day', and the birth and upbringing of a daughter! 

Yet half-baked something is any day, any time much better than negativities, right? Hence the title of this piece; namely, well begun is the auspicious feel.

Pratima@This year indeed well begun is the happy auspicious feel because on this very happy day Marathi has been granted the 'classical language' status. Now is the time to nurture it well!