And culture too?

And culture too?

Had its name been `Kamdivas', it would surely have been one of the major Indian festivals. But today, the common Indian views Valentine's Day from two major perspectives.

First, as a day when lovers celebrate their love, people propose to each other, accept and reject cards and gifts. The second idea is the concern over the growing western influence on today's youth, which in turn, is said to distract them from what some call `our Indian culture.'

There are different versions to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some relate it to the two legendary saints who were martyred and whose lives are part of the recorded history. One of them was said to be a Roman priest and a physician who attained martyrdom during the persecution of Christians ordered by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus and was reportedly buried on the Via Flaminia. The second was the Bishop of Terni, Italy, who was martyred, also in Rome, and his relics were later taken to Terni. It is possible these are different versions of the same original account and refer to the same person, as both of them were known as St. Valentine.

Its roots

Valentine's Day as a lovers' festival traces its roots to the 14th Century. Over the centuries the word `valentine' came to be known as a special greeting card exchanged to observe St. Valentine's Day on the 14th day of February. It's also possible that the `valentine' was the first form of greeting card. The paper valentine came into existence in the 16th Century and by the 18th Century hand-painted copper plates, woodcuts and lithographs became other forms of the `valentine'. Coming back to the Indian perspectives, the first idea is acceptable. Though the second one on the detriment to Indian culture is contradictory in itself.

Many people believe that Valentine's Day has recently been gaining importance and impetus because of the growing influence of the West, through movies and other media. This set of people insists that it's through this westernisation the youngsters are losing their moral and cultural values.

Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love. Though love does not need a specific day for its celebration. Indian culture has always held love in high respect. We have shrines dedicated to love and lovers. We have had the Kamasutra, Meghdoot and the Abhijnana Sakuntalam, all based on or dedicated to love. If not Aphrodite, we have Kamdev, the god of love. We have Krishna whose dalliance with Radha and gopis is much celebrated. Interestingly, Krishna never got married to Radha or any of the gopis. India's common perception in a foreign tourist's mind is the Taj Mahal, which is once again a monument dedicated to love. We have Ram's love for Sita and Shahjahan's for Mumtaz Mahal. Just because his name was St. Valentine and not Kam or Krishna, we cannot brand Valentine's Day as foreign. We have always accepted change, or rather welcomed it. The Aryans, the Greeks, the Arabs, the Moghuls, all have made India their home. They all have together constituted the so-called Indian culture. All of them did not come at the same time. But one after another, and each humbly left its contribution to the very same Indian culture.

We need to realise that our society is one that celebrates love. We are not short of Lailas, Majnus, Heers, Ranjhas, Sonis and Mahiwals. It is love that most of our films celebrate. It is love that we enjoy reading.

And for people who are still confused between Kamdev and St. Valentine, what's in a name?

SALMAN USMANI

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/02/13/stories/2006021300840300.htm