Follow
the
Hindu Moon
A guide to the festivals of south India
Soumya Aravind Sitaraman
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Interviews with the author
Soumya Aravind Sitaraman
Soumya Sitaraman is a freelance writer and award-winning artist. She has contributed articles on Indian art, architecture, and culture to several leading magazines worldwide. She serves on the advisory committee of non-profit arts and culture oganisations in Bangalore where she lives with her husband and son...read more
Other books by Soumya Sitaraman
Published November 2007
Random House
India Limited
908 pages
Hardcover, 2 volume set in slipcase
Rs. 3500
ISBN: 978 81 8400 011 5
Genre: Non Fiction, Culture
Richly illustrated with about 1000 photographs
Business
Standard “Living it up in the moon's shadow"
11
November 2007
Q&A
- Soumya Aravind Sitaraman
Follow
the Hindu Moon: A Guide to the Festivals of South India takes the reader
on a journey that must be familiar to many in the four Indian southern
states; of fasting and feasting, of festivities that are intrinsic to
Hindus in the south. Author Soumya Aravind Sitaraman, then an NRI, decided
to catalogue these festivals when, in her quest to explain them to her
young son, she found that there were few publications or books that
described festivals in a comprehensive way. The book, a lavish production
in two volumes (in pretty colours; hot pink for one volume’s cover and
orange for the other) tries to not just give the explanation for festivals
but also recipes for the food that is typical of that occasion.
Here the author speaks to ARCHANA JAHAGIRDAR
What
made you write this book?
The
need to know, the need to explain things adequately to my son who at that
time was only five years old. I felt that there were gaps in our
understanding. And once I started researching the book, it became a joy of
discovery.
How
did you do your research as many of the festivals aren’t documented?
I
verified through several sources for each festival. I asked many people
what they do in their families for these festivals and then I came to a
middle ground. I also read the scriptures, spoke to purohits, read other
books on these festivals. All this gives you a solid understanding.
Since
many festivals aren’t recorded, families over generations do make up
their own variations. How did you account for that?
I
have tried to include some variations in the book. But obviously its not
possible to include all variations so my advice is that one should always
go to one’s grandmother for family traditions in following festivals. In
some cases, if you belong to a region close to a border, the way you
celebrate a festival is influenced by the traditions of two states.
Therefore your own family is the first point of reference. This book gives
you a framework. Also, in our culture, you can form your traditions. Our
traditions are flexible.
Why
are festivals important in the modern context?
Festivals
are really marking of significant dates in the calendar which connects us
spiritually, in a way it connects us to ourselves. It’s also a way of
cleaning one’s slate and doing the right thing.
But
a festival, for instance connected with harvesting, what relevance could
it have for an urban dweller?
By
supporting harvest festivals, you support the farmer and that ultimately
helps the economy. However, it’s not so important how you celebrate a
festival as long as one understands the concept behind it. Also, there is
no compulsion to celebrate any festival. The doer must understand the why
of a festival and modify it accordingly. I find that once people
understand the tradition, then they want to follow tradition. Then they
don’t want short-cuts.
You
started writing this book as an NRI. But do you feel that Indians living
in
Certainly
I feel that. But in the same breath they are also interested in
re-connecting. Many young people are these days living away from their
homes for a variety of reasons. So the separation from tradition is there
but at the same time the interest to go back to roots is also strong.
Since
your son was the starting point for this book, what is his involvement
with different festivals, now that he is older?
My
son is certainly proud and delighted, especially now that he sees the
actual book as he has seen the work and effort that has gone into it. And
when it comes to festivals at home, he does involve himself in all the
festivities.
What
festivals do you celebrate?
I celebrate all festivals though the scale of celebrations varies. But I try and enjoy every celebration in our calendar year.
Asian
Age “Mistress of spices opens door to kitchens of faith”
It
is the first book to elaborately document all the festivals and their
corresponding rituals of the four southern states Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
A
culmination of seven years of work, Follow The Hindu Moon goes into
details to catalogue all essential items one would need to prepare for the
festival.
"While
explaining what all one needs in their puja, I have also attempted to
break down what is the historical significance behind the ingredients and
why do we do it in the way we are supposed to," says Soumya.
India
Today Woman “The Festive Guide”
--November
07
Her
paternal grandmother acted in the first black and white Tamil talkie film
and her maternal grandmother was one of the first women pilots of
She talks to Purvi Malhotra about her book FOLLOW THE HINDU MOON I realized that I needed to learn a lot about our traditions and festivals. I started asking questions and soon discovered that a lot of people did not know more than basics. Culturally specific things that are to describe are well documented to help the reader. My goal is to make sure that the information in the book is helpful, accessible and easy to follow: The gap between modern lifestyles and traditional rituals Modern lifestyles are very individual and nuclear. I have tried to bring in the understanding that our traditions are not rigid. They have survived due to their flexibility. This book provides some of the options, the philosophy behind our approach. The book is lifeline for people who are away from their larger family groups, who are interested in celebrating festivals but need a guide. Plus it is also user-friendly in independent modules.
Mid-day,
To
provide a sumptuous and comprehensive insight into the festivals of
Any
specific reason for choosing South Indian festivals?
As
a Hindu woman living in the
The
book makes a brilliant use of photographs.
My book has around 1,000 coloured
photographs for visual reference and they have been taken by my mother
Usha Kris. This helped a lot because she knew exactly what I wanted in the
pictures.
Follow
the Hindu Moon is available at all leading bookstores and its official
website,www.hindumoon.com
Price:
Rs 3,500
A Random House
India Publication
Soumya Aravind Sitaraman (c) 2007