Almost everyday, there's a major hiccup in our morning routine. While most part of the routine goes off smoothly, like a well-oiled machine, there comes a point, when the girls are ready to be taken to school. They are thinking about myriad things - the books they need to carry, the snacks, lunch, the tests that day, even shoelaces. What just does not seem to get into their scheme of things is, well, the point. Literally. The point.. on the forehead.. the Bindi. Yep. Their father starts by throwing a gentle reminder asking them to go and wear the bindi. And, more often than not, it falls on deaf ears. Then there comes a second reminder, and a third. And then, all hell breaks loose! Now comes the tough part. I need to take sides knowing very well this is going to make or break the morning :)
So here's the point! What's with the bindi that makes it such an important aspect of a woman's, or girl's life in India. Is it religion? Tradition? Aesthetics? Or all of the above?
For the girls, it is a decorative element for the face. Just like the earring or eyeliner. Nothing more. So, as typical kids of this day and age, they give it a miss. Girls tend to look at these with the least bit of emotion - 'if it goes with the rest of the attire, I'll wear it. Else I skip it.' Is it fair to impose old-world thinking on these little girls who are exposed to a whole world of rational thinkers and minimalism?
We are living in a transition stage. We are moving from a traditional to a modern world. We are half-way there. Unable to let go of traditional practices and unable to follow them completely. How do we deal with this transition? We definitely have the responsibility of ensuring that our traditions are upheld. But we need to allow our kids to embrace the future. Quite a balancing act!
I have come to realize that the only way we can get the kids to do something is by free will. They need to love doing it. Gone are the days of fear and hypocrisy. Kids are more straightforward than our generation ever was. We as adults, need to understand that meek obedience is not respect. Respect is in looking up to elders and cherishing their affection, achievements and wisdom. Smothering their independent thinking and insisting on blind obedience may work for us, but definitely not for them. They need to be encouraged to think on their own and express their individuality without fear. We need to listen, respect and debate, rather than impose.
While the bindi may be a small case in point, it throws light on much larger generational tussle. Let's resolve this, not by coersion. But by making the kids love tradition and the fun aspects of it. They will love it and embrace it. And guess what. There's a lot to love in our tradition. So go ahead and find them and have fun propagating them. Yo! B-)
I'm getting late and got to run now. Wondering whose side I took today? Guess! :)
For the girls, it is a decorative element for the face. Just like the earring or eyeliner. Nothing more. So, as typical kids of this day and age, they give it a miss. Girls tend to look at these with the least bit of emotion - 'if it goes with the rest of the attire, I'll wear it. Else I skip it.' Is it fair to impose old-world thinking on these little girls who are exposed to a whole world of rational thinkers and minimalism?
We are living in a transition stage. We are moving from a traditional to a modern world. We are half-way there. Unable to let go of traditional practices and unable to follow them completely. How do we deal with this transition? We definitely have the responsibility of ensuring that our traditions are upheld. But we need to allow our kids to embrace the future. Quite a balancing act!
I have come to realize that the only way we can get the kids to do something is by free will. They need to love doing it. Gone are the days of fear and hypocrisy. Kids are more straightforward than our generation ever was. We as adults, need to understand that meek obedience is not respect. Respect is in looking up to elders and cherishing their affection, achievements and wisdom. Smothering their independent thinking and insisting on blind obedience may work for us, but definitely not for them. They need to be encouraged to think on their own and express their individuality without fear. We need to listen, respect and debate, rather than impose.
While the bindi may be a small case in point, it throws light on much larger generational tussle. Let's resolve this, not by coersion. But by making the kids love tradition and the fun aspects of it. They will love it and embrace it. And guess what. There's a lot to love in our tradition. So go ahead and find them and have fun propagating them. Yo! B-)
I'm getting late and got to run now. Wondering whose side I took today? Guess! :)
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