Festivus for the restofus....

Well, since I don't *really* celebrate Christmas (not since 2002 when I bought gifts - expensive ones for ALL my friends...only to get NOTHING in return...they all assumed that as a Hindu I didn't celebrate), and Ganesh Chaturthi for me has been destroyed by the immense spectacle that it's degenerated into (atleast in the Konkani community), I suppose Durga Puja is my only outlet for devotion and celebration...

Navratri with it's dandiya nites and Phalguni "Bull Dyke" Phatak nites never cease to provide me with hours of amusement the one night I drag myself to Goregaon or Ghatkopar (or wherever it is Gujjus congregate). Watching Kalpes and Hiral fighting over who gets to dance with Hemal or Rupal, all the time swirling about in skirts hitched up to their chests (I know it's traditional, but seriously, it looks ridiculous!); that's just so much fun. As is the prospect of watching all the Auntiejis and Bas matchmaking in the sidelines...Does anyone even dance at these dos anymore? All I see are people standing about looking at each other. For nine nights no less.

Read an article yesterday about Gujju men who spend upto 50,000 Rs. these nine nights just getting dolled up. The Age of the Gujju Metrosexual seems to have dawned. Eyebrow pluckings, chest waxing and pedicure/manicures...not to mention elaborate costumes and jewellery. This is attractive? Not to me! (Then again, I have yet to find a Gujju guy who's somewhere between Ghatkopar-type and Malabar Hill-type) I suspect I'd get *one* comment from someone offended by this..but c'est vrai mon ami!

Now Durga Puja..more my type. It's weird, I actually get religious around this time of the year...extends through Dussera and onto Diwali. I count myself as an agnostic Hindu but for these 3-4 weeks I actually begin to believe there's a Higher Power governing us all...all the effect of public devotion. One fails to be moved by the sight of thousands of people praying so deply. I go to the Ramakrishna Mission Durga Puja (or "Pujo" as those Bong snobs will have us belive) every year and I love it. I hang out there most of the evening praying, watching people pray and in general people watching. Plus, the Durgas are always so beautiful. I could spend hours just staring into the eyes of one. Plus, I love the words to "Mahishasurmardhini"...my aim is to finish learning it by the time Puja begins in a few days time.

Bong men? Well, all puffy cheeks, protruding eyes and attitude. Not my type either. I'm SO getting a comment from someone for this! I could go to the Lokhandwalla Puja and watch the Punju models coming to pray there....all good looks and no brains. Or to Shivaji Park and see the ghaati crowd show up in the evening. Washed out complexions, terrible accents and inferiority complexes all.

I'm SO going to be single methinks! I've set my expectations SO high, so far only M. has been able to meet them..and we all know how well that turned out. I know what I'm asking Durga this year.

Oh. And Happy Rosh Hashanah people...(to one person in particular!)

Current Music:
Jai Ma Sherowaali - Kaalia (Amitabh/Rekha doing dandiya)

The Halwai downstairs is blasting this so loud on his loudspeakers, I can barely hear myself think!