Ganesh Chaturthi – A Sociological View of Ritual as Cultural Performance

 The recently concluded Ganesh Chaturthi festival had all the makings of the Carnival as it is celebrated in other parts of the world from Rio to New Orleans. Typically supposed to end on the 10th day from when the festival starts, the celebrations on the 11th day, which had no particular religious significance, had all the makings of an ‘after party’ with its ear drum shattering >120 DB Bollywood and Drum craze. Posing a fairly serious health threat to older citizens, animals, children and the sick.  

The initial goals of having a Ganesh festival or the Sarvajanik Ganapati* as famously prescribed by the great freedom fighter Lok Manya Tilak were laudable from a sociological point of view. While he was in great distress and pondering about the country’s freedom during his walks at the Girgaum Chowpatty in Mumbai, he was also wondering how to get groups of people together under British rule (which prevented large gatherings). He is supposed to have hit upon the idea of the Sarvajanik Ganapati, a community Ganesha that would bring large groups of people together, which besides circumventing the law, promoted togetherness, sociability and a community feeling.

But the festival when it first started in Mumbai was environment friendly. The celebrations were quiet. Drinking and other revelry may have been frowned upon. Those were the days when the idols were made out of clay and the immersion process did not clog our seas and waterways with tons of Plaster of Paris and dangerous chemicals. Its transgression therefore from religious festival to parade and charade is an interesting one.

The Carnival

The Carnival, which is celebrated in some countries with the Roman Catholic tradition, is a festival that typically takes place in February a little before Lent. The Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus and in many ways is nothing really but a street party.

The etymology of Carnaval as it is referred to in some countries may have originated from the Italian word ‘ carna ‘ for meat, which along with other rich foods and alcohol is typically prohibited during the 6 weeks of Lent. The traditional purpose of Lent, which typically starts on Ash Wednesday, is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance and repentance, atonement and self-denial.

It is not surprising then that the Carnival was a day when all rich food and drink were consumed (in fact it is difficult not to associate Carnival without copious amounts of alcohol). It somehow seemed proper that a day before the lenticular feast of 6 weeks that people would over indulge in preparation for a period of penance.

St Patricks Day

St Patricks Day or the Feast of St Patrick is a cultural and religious celebration on March 17th the death date of St Patrick (AD 385-461). Patrick was a Romano-Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland which explains the adoption of this day in all Irish communities the world over. A public holiday in both the Republic of Ireland and Nothern Ireland it is customary to wear a shamrock or green clothing during the celebrations. Again the Lenten restrictions on food and alcohol are lifted for a day to allow people to enjoy the celebrations.

 Ganesh Chaturthi as Street Party - Idol Worship or Idle Worship?

The roots of how this religious festival has grown and evolved to become a street party is interesting if nothing else from a socio-anthropological point of view.

Lord Ganesha is one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon.  He is the the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. Celebrations are typically held on the 4th day of the first fortnight of Bhadrapada* in the Hindu calendar, which roughly translates into the months of August and September in the Gregorian calendar. Historically it was always celebrated both privately and publicly until the fall of the Peshwas* when it lost the patronage of the State, until Lokmanya Tilak then ensured its revival. However with political and private parties funding the celebrations though often with a very selfish objective and motive of their own, the celebrations have come full circle from the early days.

All religious events and places of worship have historically been also places of social congregation and a key part of ‘building communities’ a phrase that gained much prominence and popularity during Internet 1.0. Historically the role of the Church in building communities in the Catholic faith for example has been nothing short of stellar.

While during Chaturthi prayer in the morning and evening during the days when the Ganesha is brought home is normal, there is no real penance prescribed except on the first day of the festival until the customary puja is over. ( The traditional Hindu would of course abstain from meat and alcohol during this period )

So the social outpouring and release on the final day remains a bit of a mystery. Whilst alcohol drinking is only spoken of in hushed whispers, it undeniably fires the energies of the revelers. And what adds the fuel is the high decibel music, which has no real religious or cultural history associated with the festival.

Whatever it is, there is no doubt that Chaturthi has moved from being a purely religious festival to a giant street and beach party where every one is invited. It’s a place to let your hair down, dance and head-bang and in some cases with some of the best DJs. Not to speak about the special privileges dished out to VIPs for some of more famous and privileged Ganeshas in Mumbai, for an audience with the Lord. In a recent example the police were caught on video in the VIP enclosure accepting bribes to allow a special petition to Ganesha. This has an interesting corollary to the VIP tickets that sell for a premium at some of the large concerts.

In effect, Chaturthi has transformed from a religious ritual into a social institution, which offers an alternative to the seriousness of daily life. Because it brings different social classes together on one single day, it offers temporary social equality in a still caste-ridden nation.

And just like the Carnival in Brazil, Chaturthi has quickly transformed into a cultural performance that makes it rank amongst the greatest shows around the world.

*Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister in the Maratha Empire (1718-1818)

*Bhadrapada is the sixth month of the Hindu Calendar and lasts 31 days

*Sarvajanik means public and belonging to all

*Ganapati is another name for Ganesha

About the Author : Prabhakar Mundkur has spent 35 years in advertising and worked in India, Africa and Asia.  He is currently Chief Mentor with Percept H, a JV between Hakuhodo of Japan and Percept Ltd in India. He is on the advisory board of Sol 's Arc (solsarc.org ) an NGO dedicated to special education for intellectually challenged children. He is also  a member of Whiteboard ( whiteboardindia.org ) which supports senior management of NGOs in financial management, PR, Communication and HR through pro bono expertise.