Are we changing the traditions for achieving real progress?

When we say 'tradition' what do we really mean? We say that tradition is respecting old customs or rituals or orthodox methods generally accepted by the society or community. And these traditions are always in a dynamic state. They are constantly evolving with time and efforts. Each new generations brings about new thoughts, new ideas, new ways of doing old things. However, we rarely recognise this as a 'positive change' within the context of our culture and traditions. We always talk about, "losing our traditions to the new technological advances instead of admitting what we have gained from the ways that our traditions have kept changing for the better. 

What I feel that instead of blaming the younger generations for not learning the older styles or following older traditions, we need to embrace them for what they know and what they hold our ancient values and find ways to create 'new revised traditions' that will 'include' them. Progress brings prosperity and improvement, and most people are smart enough to know that's more important than tradition. Talking about changing traditions, have you seen the famous Hollywood film 'Fiddler on the Roof'? I remember having seen it as a young collegian. I was so impressed by the Israeli actor 'Topol' playig Tevye and I also liked Leonard Frey as the 'tailor whose first sewing machine is like his first baby'. But most interesting was Molly Picon as village matchmaker who is faced with the challenge of marrying off his five daughters amidst the growing tension in his village and Tevye's emotional song " If I were a rich man?" was super.

Take a simple example of brushing your teeth in olden days. People used to brush their teeth with Charcoal or in India some communities use Babool plant stems as brushes for chewing and cleaning their teeth even today. Our dental care specialists say Charcoal is harmful for the body and come out with tooth paste with lime, salts, spices and so on in the name of progress and changing technology to improve our dental health, some are going back to make use of Babool or Meswak extract in their toothpaste mixing tradition with new technology. Same is the case with Ayurvedic or herbal creams, soaps, shampoos, cosmetics and so on are respecting our traditional Amla, Shikakai, Mehnedi herbs to mix with modern hair care products in the most appealing way.

Even Giant Food chains are now using popular Paneer, tikki and tangy spices in their western burgers to make them suitable for Indian palates, you get Pizzas too with 'Tandoori toppings' and 'pav bhaji spreads' dosas and sandwiches as innovative foods respecting the old and offering the new remix. Come to the Music industry and we often hear the term 'fusion' of Indian classical music with western music or film music making remixes of popular old songs. Talk about fashion industry, we are now seeing use of Paithani sarees for making awesome dresses, or Indian dhotis and sherwanis making into modernly cut suits and dresses. Our ancient footwear like Mojadis and leather Chappals are now sold as traditional footwear without the undesired 'biting' of leather.

Our Ancient old fashioned grand weddings which used to run for 4 days are back with modern touch of destination weddings using famous historical palaces and villas for venues of high profile weddings which uses traditional dresses and decoration patterns with the latest drone cameras zooming in close ups of bride and bridegrooms. Our traditional dances in front of Baraat continues with people decked up with 'heute couture' fashions and use of phetas and pagrees have come back as head gears in festive seasons.

This evolution and revolution of changes of traditions continue to attract us for generations and we should us hold onto the traditions that still make sense today and let go of the ones that are hindering progression toward a healthier happier human existence in an era of modern digital technology and hardware.