Today A R Rahman - “Madras Mozart” wins Oscar for “Slum dog Millionaire”. Along with billion plus people of India I am also proud that, a person from my country - India, my state - Tamil Nadu, my city - Chennai(Madras) made to this exclusive league at the entertainment capital of the western world - Hollywood. It is mind blowing to see A R Rahman speaking in Tamil. As so many bloggers are writing on this event on entertainment industry perspective let me put forward my thoughts on a much different perspective - A R Rahman as a symbol of Indian Secularism.

India’s founding father’s, when drafting the constitution of India made clear India will remain a secular country where every citizen has a right to follow and preach the religion he profess. This enlightened clause is the bedrock of Indian constitution. This may look simpler for long established western democracies, but in South Asia where there are countries in which a person can be stoned to death for changing his religion this clause is quite revolutionary. Truly this demonstrated Jawaharlal Nehru’s belief - “Unity in Diversity”.

A R Rahman serves as a brand ambassador of Indian Secularism. There are lots of prominent personalities from minority community excelling in every field of Indian Society - Science and Technology - A.B.J. Abdul Kalam; Sports - Cricketer Azhar / Tennis Sania; Entertainment - Amir / Salman / Sharukh Khan’s; Business - Azim Premji - WIPRO; Politics - Abdullah’s.

So why are we singling out Rahman as a champion of Indian Secular Democracy?

Because most of these personalities listed were born Muslims. But Rahman’s story is little different - his story serves as much stronger point considering the fact that he was not a Muslim by birth. He born in a Hindu family and raised Dilip Kumar. He and his family went through lot of hard ships due to his father’s untimely death. At a point in time he found solace in a religion totally new to him - “Islam”.

We need to understand Islam is a minority religion in India professed by roughly 13% of the population. Its following is even lesser in Tamil Nadu (Rahman’s home state) where the following is less than 5% of the population.

But still Rahman knows in a secular India a person is evaluated only by his character and skills rather than by the caste they born in to or the religion they profess - In a tolerant, secular India what can be achieved by “Dilip Kumar” can also be achieved by “Rahman”. And he was right!!!

True to its nature Indian film industry adored Rahman and gave credits which he truly deserves. Starting from his first movie “Roja” most of his breaks came from majoity community produced / directed movies. On his part Rahman gave a great gift to his country in its 50th Independence Day - “Vande Mataram” album which made National Song of India more appealing to country’s youth. Hope in the days to come Rahman will bring even more glory to India.

Congrats to Resul Pokutty and A R Rahman for achieving this milestone!!! Long Live Indian Democracy! Long Live Indian Secularism!

PS: I guess we discussed on a too heavy topic for too long time. So let us end this article in a lighter note. Is Rahman the only one recent convert to champion Indian secularism? No!!! Definitely not! In terms of popularity, 21st Century’s “Laila-Majnu” Chand Mohammed-Fiza will beat Rahman hands down.

Margazhi is an auspicious month in Tamil year. Tamil calendar consists of twelve months and this is a very special month. It usually comes in december and lasts till the first two weeks of January. This month  is meant to be dedicated entirely for devotion. Ah! I dont beleive the last sentence. Because our predecessors were neither empty headed to advocate an entire month for devotion  nor they had the luxury to sit and happily sing bajans for a whole month. I seriously doubt the purpose of it.What could it be? Voila!! As expected I found the reason behind it. It is a month with strict timelines and exercise shedules framed by our ancestors to make the young girls stay fit and slim.Do my reasoning sounds idiotic? Well. Read through the entire post and then judge.

Here comes a little background about the famous margazhi. Hinduism has two main  sub divisions namely,saivam and vainavam. In saivam the lord is Siva and in Vainavam it is  Vishnu. Noteworthy poets and sages of saivam are known as Nayanmars and they were 63 in number.In vainavam there are twelve such devotees,known as alwars. Tamil literature is highly indebted to both alwars and nayanmars for their splendid contribution.Margazhi is a special month for vainavam. Andal,a female alwar is  the protagonist of margazhi season.  Her work is the famous thirupaavai,collection of songs for margaazhi.The story goes like this. Andal, a mortal girl falls in love with the immortal Lord Vishnu. She loves the lord,pray for him,observe the fasting in margazhi and finally join with the Lord,her goal! (Its like the paramathma Jeevathma concept,I have explained in my earlier post. The Alchemist & HinduismAn ordinary girl acheives her impossible goal as she beleives in her dream. Yes. One of  the many “The Alchemist” stories of Hinduism.)  This fasting is mainly observed by young ladies to garland the man of their choice.

Firstly Bhakthi or devotion in Margazhi is different from that of other months. It is symbolised with colourful kolams and joyful young girls as against the concept of renouncing and old sages. Choosing margazhi as the month for devotion is noteworthy. Margazhi precedes the month “Thai ”,the harvest season. There is a popular saying in tamil.”Thai piranthal Vazhi pirakkum” - When the month Thai comes many opportunities will come. It is the season when crops are harvested and traded which results in money.So it is a spending season. In this month,lot of marriages and all good things will take place. Doesnt it sound sensible to make the girls fit when such an important season comes?

Margazhi fasting has this procedure.During margazhi, Andal wakes up early in the morning. She goes to each of her friend’s house and wake them up. Together they go to pond,fetch water. Then they return home and adorn their houses with kolam.Kolam is an excellent physical and mental exercise. Proficiency in kolam is viewed as an important parameter while considering the brides to be. It is similar to how singing and playing music was considered as a brides to be scoring section in western world. Andal will be singing songs in praise of Lord Vishnu,her interest while doing all these chores. Isnt it similar to a young girl waking up early in the morning,going to the gym or beach along with her friends and exercise listening to Metallica or any good music along with the frequent chats?

Then comes the diet part. People observe fasting during margazhi. Margazhi fasting is not just elimination of non veg items from food. It includes the exclusion of milk products from the diet. Andal specifies it in her song,”Nei Unnom Paal unnom” (We wont consume ghee and milk). Doesnt it sound like a dietician’s advice?

So the system is like this. For one full month girls will wake up very early, gather together,chat their way towards ponds,fetch water,sing and will draw the elaborate kolams  and have limited diet without milk products. Obviously it reduces the extra weight and makes them slim and fit. Apart from the fitness it also develops the quality which are advocated by many current marriage counsellors essential for a succesfull marriage. The quality of moving amiably with ones acquaintances such as neighbours,forming good relations and doing things together. Its like coming out of ones small circle of family and exploring the outer world with your peers.

Andal must be the earliest dietician cum marriage counsellor!!