India's middle classes give festival a makeover
Source: Agencies |
October 15, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TODAY Kanika Syal will wake up before dawn in New Delhi to begin a fast at sunrise, and not eat or drink until she sees the moon at night - all in the hope her husband will have a long life.
Karva Chauth is a centuries-old tradition observed annually in north India, where women dress up and fast for the day to pray for their spouse's good health and success.
"When we were children we watched our mothers celebrate the day," said the 25-year-old Syal, who is making her Karva Chauth debut as a newlywed. "Now it is our turn."
But it's different for the teacher-turned-homemaker, who, as a member of India's rapidly growing middle class, will be doing a lot more than previous generations to mark the festival.
While it is customary for women to apply henna on their hands, buy clothes and expect gifts from relatives, the new generation of fast-keepers is exploring a range of pampering options.
Syal will indulge in a 5,000 rupee (US$102) diamond facial and body spa treatment to ensure she looks her best.
Urban elite
Also on the must-have list for the urban elite are Botox, laser-hair reduction and chemical peel treatments at spas and beauty parlors offering Karva Chauth packages.
"There's a 30 to 40 percent increase in the numbers of patients seeking cosmetic procedures at this time," said Amit Bangia, head of the department of dermatology at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences.
The festival's origins are shrouded in mystery, but a tale tells of a queen being duped by her brothers into breaking her fast before moonrise, leading to the king's death. She is given a second chance, fasts faithfully - and he returns to life.
A booming economy has given India's middle-class more spending power, and malls and luxury stores are wooing women with items such as Swarovski crystal-studded channis, the sieve used to look at the moon before breaking the day's fast.
But not everyone indulges. Shalini Sood Bhaduri, a former marketing professional, finds the festival "absolutely ridiculous."
Some feminists, however, believe it may be too simplistic to dismiss Karva Chauth as a patriarchal custom. Madhu Kishwar, a senior fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in Delhi, sees it as an interesting "game-play between men and women."
Karva Chauth is a centuries-old tradition observed annually in north India, where women dress up and fast for the day to pray for their spouse's good health and success.
"When we were children we watched our mothers celebrate the day," said the 25-year-old Syal, who is making her Karva Chauth debut as a newlywed. "Now it is our turn."
But it's different for the teacher-turned-homemaker, who, as a member of India's rapidly growing middle class, will be doing a lot more than previous generations to mark the festival.
While it is customary for women to apply henna on their hands, buy clothes and expect gifts from relatives, the new generation of fast-keepers is exploring a range of pampering options.
Syal will indulge in a 5,000 rupee (US$102) diamond facial and body spa treatment to ensure she looks her best.
Urban elite
Also on the must-have list for the urban elite are Botox, laser-hair reduction and chemical peel treatments at spas and beauty parlors offering Karva Chauth packages.
"There's a 30 to 40 percent increase in the numbers of patients seeking cosmetic procedures at this time," said Amit Bangia, head of the department of dermatology at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences.
The festival's origins are shrouded in mystery, but a tale tells of a queen being duped by her brothers into breaking her fast before moonrise, leading to the king's death. She is given a second chance, fasts faithfully - and he returns to life.
A booming economy has given India's middle-class more spending power, and malls and luxury stores are wooing women with items such as Swarovski crystal-studded channis, the sieve used to look at the moon before breaking the day's fast.
But not everyone indulges. Shalini Sood Bhaduri, a former marketing professional, finds the festival "absolutely ridiculous."
Some feminists, however, believe it may be too simplistic to dismiss Karva Chauth as a patriarchal custom. Madhu Kishwar, a senior fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in Delhi, sees it as an interesting "game-play between men and women."
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