Unique Cultural Identity of Our People Is In Danger

In the present day world, we are very fast loosing the cultural identity of a particular community . Everything is getting globalised. But I think, we need to strive for sustaining our individual cultural identity ( which encompasses so many varied aspects like our traditional knowledge, fairs& festivals,recipes, healing system,food habits, rituals being performed during our family events, vernacular language etc….).

Culture – Culture can be defined as the sum of habits, skills, traditions, customs, religion, beliefs etc.

Heritage – Heritage is the various touchable and untouchable things that are inherited from our ancestors and have cultural or social significance.

Indian civilization is one of the oldest civilizations of the world. Highlights of Indian heritage are its art, architecture, classical dance, music, flora and fauna, the inherent secular philosophy of its people.

Our heritage speaks a volume about our past and how our society has evolved . It helps us better realize our history and traditions and enables us to develop an awareness of ourselves. It helps us understand ourselves and explain why we are the way we are. A country’s rich heritage is a symbol of the strength and pride of its people. Monuments and ancient creations are the property of humanity all over the world. India’s heritage is divided into two categories: natural and cultural. This differentiation is applicable to all countries . Natural heritage includes forests, mountains, rivers, animals and birds; Cultural heritage includes man-made attractions such as temples and paintings etc.

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is considered by member nations of UNESCO comparable to the tangible world heritage zeroing in on intangible parts of culture . Just for example, many of our Odia children do not have any idea about Odia New Year, but wait anxiously to observe the English New Year ( i.e on Ist January). Intangible heritage comprises of nonphysical scholarly riches, like fables, customs, convictions, customs, traditional knowledge , our spoken language etc . Many people may not be aware about a particular day which has been devoted for this purpose . April 18 is observed annually as World Heritage Day or International Day for Monuments and Sites to raise awareness of cultural heritage and encourage the preservation and protection of the world’s most important historic sites.

Here is an appeal to the state government, Odisha. 

A country can apply for ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ status ( given by UNESCO)for only one event in a year. Our state government ( Odisha)should apply for Rathyatra , Durga Puja,  Dhanuyatra and many more with a properly documented and convincing proposal for the said status of ICH. In the recent past ( December 2021), Kolkata Durga Puja has been accorded the status of an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage ( ICH)’ .

Cuttack is known for the two primary celebrations in Odisha, Durga Puja, and Bali Jatra. In excess of 100 Durga Puja pandals are raised around here and you can see probably the most gorgeous Durga Puja pedestals in Cuttack. Another celebration is the Bali Yatra. There are different colonies better known as ‘Sahi’ having their own Durga Puja pandals. Nowadays, several of those Sahis have come up with golden crowns for their Durga idols ( the photos attached) . There also lies very lavishly decorated silver background supports in each of those Durga idols. Let’s have a look at those delicately designed golden crowns.

Case Study of Odia Marriages

Here I would like to take a case study of Odia marriages so as to make it very much understandable about the invasion and dominance of one culture over the other.For example the Baula Pata( ବଉଳ ପାଟ) and Nananda Putuli ( ନଣନ୍ଦ ପୁଟୁଳି) are no more being seen .The traditional bridal attire, a yellow saree with a red border (Baula Pata), is often replaced by elaborate lehengas or heavy silk sarees in various colors, influenced by fashion designers and Bollywood trends.Here I am submitting a video of the groom’s procession to the marriage venue where you can see the groom is arriving sitting on a mare which was earlier not practiced in Odia marriages.

When marriage comes, do not forget the traditional Odia home rituals like …Jai Ragada ( ଜାଇ ରଗଡା), Badi Anukul( ବଡ଼ି ଅନୁକୂଳ)or Badua Pani Gadhua( ବାଡୁଅ ପାଣି ଗାଧୁଆ) etc…. Now marriage is no longer a day-long celebration, it has become a three-day grand gathering with traditions like mehendi (मेंहदी) , turmeric( हलदी ) and sangeet ( संगीत) . After the marriage , the toe ring (ପାଦ ରେ ଝୁଁନ୍ଟିଆ) ,bangles (ହାତ ରେ ଶଙ୍ଖା) and vermilion (ମଥା ରେ ସିନ୍ଦୂର) were the symbols of marriage in the Odia home, now like North and South Indians, we are presenting the Mangalasutra ( necklace) as the symbol of marriage. This is slowly degrading Odia culture and giving birth to another mixed kind of borrowed culture Due to cultural exchange, the customs and traditions of one culture are transferred to another culture, which is a good sign. However, the fact that one’s own glorious culture is distorted in this process is definitely a matter of concern. The identity of any nation is better portrayed through its language, tradition, culture, attire, food etc. Although our saree style had a unique style, we wear kunchapaka ( କୁଞ୍ଚ ପକା) sarees like the South Indians, many have now forgotten our traditional saree wearing style. Seeing the glamour and grandeur of weddings in Bollywood movies, many want to get married in that style. Leaving their homes, ‘destination weddings’ are now happening. Leaving Odia traditions and customs far behind , the bride and groom are now coming to the wedding hall together. Now in traditional Odia marriages , the sisters are also following the custom of stealing shoes like North Indian style. As a result, the sanctity and uniqueness of our wedding tradition is slowly being destroyed . It seems our cultural identity is in danger.

For information on many of such unique facts about Art Forms, Archaeological Monuments ,Cultural and Heritage Resources( both tangible and intangible)etc.  please log in to the following link.

lunarsecstacy.com

Dr. Manoj Mishra

lunarsecstasy@gmail.com

Image source: CUTTACK PUJA FESTIVALS