ಯುಗಾದಿ - Ugadi - New Year - Lets bring the joy back

 

In today's Urban, stressed times, how can we enjoy Ugadi. How can we ensure that we, our family & friends have a wonderful year ahead? Read on.

South India celebrates late March to Mid April as the "New Year". The southern Dravidian traditions celebrate it with different names.

Karnataka - Kannadiga - Ugadi

Telugu Speakers - Ugadi

Tamil New Year - Puthaandu

Kerala - Malayalam - Vishu Kani

Tulu New Year - Bisu Parba

Konkani New Year - Novem Voros

Kodava - Coorgi New Year - Edmyaar

To the Urban Indian, these celebrations have become symbolic. He is unable to understand the ideas behind the festival.

My brother from London called. The weather there, on Ugadi  didn't feel very fun or festive. Cold outside. The NRI is even more confused.

In South India, the period March - April  corresponds to "Vasantha" Kala / season or Spring. As I look out, I see all the plants in bloom.

This is the season of colorful blooms and romantic moods among young couples.

As I look out, the large Peepal tree / ashvattha tree (Ficus Religiosa) next to my Mysore home is overflowing with tender, beautiful, green leaves.

The Mango tree is a mosaic of young leaves - Rust Red and Tender green.

The revered neem tree is in full bloom, with it's tiny white flowers. 

Life is at its peak.

Our forefathers were joyous too, having cleaned and sold the January harvest. There is no work in the farm. They are planning and hoping for the summer rains and the accompanying tilling - still 2 months away.

This relaxed phase in an agrarian life comes out in the celebration of the New Year. It also spills out as village after village hosts celebrations and feasts for the "Annual Village Festival" "Annual Car Festival".

The Kannada, Telugu & Konkani people celebrate the New Moon day as the New Year. The Tamil, Malayali and Tulu people have adopted the Solar Equinox as the New Year.

An Agrarian New Year in Today's Urban Life

I see a wonderful opportunity to leverage this traditional festival. I make a date with one of my farmer friends. I visit the farm. Spend al day enjoying the greenery, the blossoms, the fruits on the trees, the birds singing in joy. 

Ugadi is indeed a new beginning, an annual renewal. 

Traditional wisdom of Ugadi

Across all these traditions, the key elements of this celebration are:

1. Bitter Neem
2. Sweet jaggery (brown sugar)
3. Sour Mango

The message is strong:

While we hope for a sweet year ahead, get ready for some sour challenges and a little bitter suffering.

Ugadi Best wishes to you.

• May you have the humility to enjoy the many joys of life, family & friendship.
• May you plan ahead to overcome the sour challenges and help friends facing challenges
• May you have the maturity to handle any suffering and ask friends for help in tough times

Together, only together, we can have a great year ahead.

Footnote:

South India, below the Vindhyas, Dravida Desha largely shares a similarity in weather, seasons and the significance of festivals. I have chosen to focus on South India to shine a light on the tie between the celebration, its link to the local weather and seasons.

While Googling I realized how our beliefs, traditions, are old traditions change. Searching for "Puthandu" "Tamil Varsha Pirappu" "Tamil New Year" turned up visuals that were full of Diwali style lamps. Nowhere was the Neem flower, Neem Leaf and jaggery that were the essence of this festiva when I grew up.

The next generation through all these accidental, art driven, media driven messages will imageine the New Year as a Diwali style festival 😀😆