Date:19/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/19/stories/2006081919720200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Festivals are no more solemn religious occasions

With commercialisation, the significance of most of them is lost, feel our readers

Commercialisation

MOST FESTIVALS, including Ganesh Chaturthi, have become commercialised and are no longer supported by the local community, with a few exceptions. Even Dasara has gone this way. Compact community-based festivals confined to the locality and with entertainment provided by local youth should be revived. Huge idols and processions that disturb the peace have no religious sanction.

B.V. Lakshman,

New Thippasandra

Significance lost

BLARING LOUDSPEAKERS with unsuitable music, ostentatious processions and film-based entertainment have come to characterise many festivals. Some festivals have become merchandising exercises to such an extent that their religious significance is lost.

A. Krishnaswamy,

Basavanagudi

Competition

PEOPLE OF different faiths seem to be competing with one another instead of following religious traditions. Ganesh festival is not an exception. Even the older generation has forgotten the true meaning of festivals and how and why they ought to be celebrated.

While popular entertainment as part of a festival should not be looked down upon, it should have some link to the occasion.

Latha Venkatesh,

Jayanagar

No more gatherings

THE COMMERCIAL angle is too pronounced and spontaneous celebrations are declining everywhere. While we cannot go back to the days when festivals were community gatherings with everyone contributing spontaneously, some kind of reformation is necessary.

Sheila Raj,

Cox Town

Festival sales

PEOPLE ARE being duped by commercial interests in the name of festivals. They have become occasions for "festival sales" than for observing a religious function.

Bereft of their religious reasons and basis, festivals cease to have anything to with our tradition.

Ganesh Prabhu,

K.R. Puram

NEXT WEEK: The debate on the type of mass transport system Bangalore should adopt continues. Proponents of metro rail and monorail systems come out with various data, while the people, want a solution to the city's traffic. Readers can send their opinion to The Hindu , 19 and 21 Bhagwan Mahaveer Road, Bang-alore 560 001, or emailbglreflections@thehindu.co.in

New Thippasandra