Saasthri-graphy

Its been an eventful one year since completing college. So many changes in every aspect of life. Something I feel that has changed dramatically - the way festivals are celebrated. Everything is customized to suit one's needs and the person who thrives these times is "Mr. Saasthrigal".

With the start-up Saasthrigals driving with Rayban "on" in a Splendor or a Victor and the big budget double-decker saasthris driving an Ikon or a Sumo, these guys rule the roost on days like Aavani Avittam, Vinayaka Chaturthi and Varalakshmi Viratham. They have their own templates and settings. Of course, "Kalyanam" means "Kaattula Mazhai"...

Now, take Aavani Avittam as an example.

Those days (atleast till 2002 since my birth):
People gather at a common place, usually a temple or a Mut or even houses of their neighbours. One "Master" Saasthrigal (anga avar than Arch Bishop of Canterbury range-la proceedings conduct pannuvar) performs the "Maha Sangalpam". Chanting of the mantras and the abishekam (if in a temple) makes the day.

Post 2002:
Its been the introduction of amendments and clauses to the way things are to be performed. Yes, customizing as we say. If you ask for permission to come late on Aavani Avittam, your boss says, "Hey, what for?!? cassettes are available. Buy one, finish things off and come on time!"

Saasthris do give a handout of the mantras to be chanted on Aavani Avittam - documentation we say in IT - with apt publicity, amendments, acceptable criteria and clauses that are acceptable incase of violations of anything. This year, Varalakshmi Viratham and Aavani Aavittam fell on the same day. I shocked with something our family Saasthri told us; "Varalakshmi viratham can be performed on the previous friday ALSO". Looks like they have convened a meeting of all Saasthris and decided upon this (naatla ivanunga thaan association form pannama irunthaanga-nu nenaichen... remba thappu). There was a "Kurippu" in the handout we were given about this one. My parents and I couldn't help laughing out at the dubious stuff thats happening.

No prizes for guessing the reason for the emergency meeting and the resultant contingency plan... "DOUBLE DHATCHANAI". If you could have these two festivals on two different days, solid 200 (rate correct-a?) bucks man!! We would chat endlessly on things like this in office and end up laughing. What else can we do?!? Everyone of us are at the receiving end. Who is to blame? Whatever be the case, these things go unnoticed. We are in the IT era. No leave. So no other go... :-)

Saasthrigal kaattula eppovume mazhai thaan... All that we can do is drench ourselves and sing in that rain and swooying in that rain!!

P.S: Varalakshmi Viratham in my home was observed on the day it was supposed to be.