It may not have the glitz and glamour usually attached with 31st December, but Gudi Padwa- the ethnic new year- has its own beauty, sanctity and charm-- which strangely enough, has not diminished despite the MTV invasion and changing social values. For Nagpurians, what makes Gudi Padwa or any other festival special is the way it brings together people of different communities, castes and creeds and bonds them in a refined and colourful thread of communal harmony. It is heartening to see this glorious ‘coming together’, which has strengthened the communal fabric of Nagpur and given it mesmerising dimensions. Yet, for different people the festival means different things.
The first lady mayor of Nagpur and the very versatile, elegant and distinguished daughter of Barrister Sheshrao Wankhede (the first mayor of Nagpur)--Kunda Vijayakar, gets all poetical talking about Gudi Padwa. Getting nostalgic, Kunda tai (as she is popularly known) says, “It reminds me of my ancestral home. Since we are basically agriculturists, this is the time when the crops are cut and grains are brought in. (Barring this year), it is usually a very happy period. That is why marriages in our area are usually celebrated during the months of April, May and June because people have cash in hand.”
Illustrious litterateur Mahesh Elkunchwar who has awards like Sangeet and Natak Akademy to his credit, sports a childlike glee on his face the moment you ask him to narrate the happiest childhood memories of Gudi Padwa.
With a twinkle in his eyes and a playful smile lurking on his face, he says, “Shreekhand! That is one thing that I have always associated with this occasion. Then of course new clothes and Gudi are all part and parcel of the festival,” and adds as an afterthought, “but I hated the kadu neem and mishri combination, which is usually eaten for good health on the occasion.”
Ask him whether he has turned cynical now, years down the line, when it comes to these traditional rituals and the man of letters states emphatically, “No! Not at all! It is part of our lifestyle--an inseparable part of Maharashtrian ethos!”
Former mayor Atal Bahadur Singh is a seasoned and veteran politician who is quite articulate and polished( a rare combination for sure!). The man who has served on Nagpur University’s Management Council for five terms and happens to be the reigning Chairman of University’s Gadchiroli Sub Centre, waxes eloquent if you ask him about the importance of Gudi Padwa in his life, “In the pre-participation era, I had the Nagpurian oranges in Lahore and then we came here in 1949 and stayed back. In fact, Nagpur is a place which grows on you. Once you come here, you don’t want to leave. It pampers you so much! And Gudi Padwa comes almost at the same time as Baisakhi(which falls on April 13). For Sikhs and Punjabis, Baisakhi is a big festival. Yeh dono he kisano ke tyauhar hein. Moreover, all our good friends are here and we celebrate our festivals together!”
The architect with a ‘Midas Touch’, Habeeb Khan, who is associated with some of the eminent projects-- nationally and internationally, has been a Nagpurian for the past 25 years. Married to a Maharashtrian girl, Habeeb has adopted all the nuances of a true blue Nagpurian, just like a fish takes to water. Despite his urbane image, this man of the world is forthright enough to admit, “It really saddens me to see that our younger generation is more enthusiastic about the English New Year than our ethnic new year,” and adds “but I would not blame the kids for that. May be, we have not been able to inspire them or instill the right values in them!”
As far as he is concerned, Gudi Padwa is “for putting up a Gudi, especially along with my daughters and enjoying traditional delicacies.”
Singer, composer, versatile musician and well known entertainer Pinkoo Joseph gets all excited talking about festivities of any kind. Gudi Padwa for him is an occasion which he loves to celebrate with his Hindu wife and in-laws.
“I belong to this city and all its ways, festivities as well as sorrows are mine too! And I just love the sweets made on the occasion,” says he, drumming his fingers on a table as the festive mood takes over!
This kind of cultural diversity is quite exceptional! And an integral part of Nagpurian culture. As Atal Bahadur Singh puts it rather succinctly, “We have still retained that old-world hospitality of CP& Berar days. We Nagpurians still find time for others!”
Mahesh Elkunchwar goes on to add, “We are more cosmopolitan compared to cities like Pune!”
Habeeb confesses with unabashed pride, “When my clients from abroad come here, they are immensely impressed by the hospitality of our city!”
Kunda tai, in her inimitable regal manner loves to have the last word, “Nagpur mein kuch baat he aisi hai ki har ek koi apna ho jaata hai! Use pyaar ho jaata hai!Yahan ki baat he alag hai!”
Reminds you of the famous ghazal rendered beautifully by Jagjit Singh-- ‘Mere Jaise Ban Jaoge Jab Ishq Tumhe Ho Jayega’....It’s all about love, compassion and bonding after all!
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