Celebrating History and Heritage

Here in Stateside, one sees celebrations for founding days for many cities, big or small. I have even come across trips being advertised for a city's founding day. This city had apparently turned 166 years old (I am unable to recall the exact age). One can also see people enthusiastically celebrating such anniversaries.

Looking at this, one can only wonder why can we not celebrate founding days or birthdays for our cities in India? Most of these cities we know of in India are al least 200+ years old, with some venerable 'senior city-zens' amonsgt them. Some notables here (figures in years): Delhi: 900+? Patna: 2000+? Bangalore: ~1000. There are innumerable cities that are as old or older than the above-mentioned.

One might cynically say that 'celebrating city birthdays' are another Western import. True enough, but remember one thing: anything that is plenty is often taken for granted. Food is taken for granted in the West, and history is, in India. We do not need to celebrate a city's birthday to emphasize its importance. But such a celebration creates awareness amongst people from other places, and a sense of pride amongst residents. One the whole, such celebrations could create a shared feeling of pride for all of our history (ancient as well as modern).

In this context, I would like to mention the Madras Day celebrations, due to be held in the third week of August. This festival is to celebrate the 369th founding day of modern Madras City. The city was established on August 22, 1639, and was the first Presidency in British India. Such celebrations need participation from all, hence my post here. Of course, I can hear people say that the British colonized us, and so there is nothing to celebrate. Let me mention here that history includes everything that happened in the past, good and bad. The establishment of a city was definitely a good thing. So, instead of acting like an ostrich, sticking one's head in a bush, let us acknowledge our past and cherish it with pride.

369 years might not sound too old, compared to the cities I mentioned above. True, but one needs to start someplace. Let me also mention that though Madras might be 369 years old, two of its localities are much older. Mylapore is around 500 years old, with some inscriptions dating as early as 1250 CE. Also, it is believed that the saint-poet Thiruvalluvar was born here, anywhere between 100-600 CE. To celebrate Mylapore's rich cultural history came the annual Mylapore Festival. Another locality called Triplicane or Tiruvellikeni is also at least 400 years old, and has its own local festival, based on the Mylapore festival.

I hope people recognize where they come from and have pride in that, and continue to celebrate and value the heritage left with them. I have mentioned celebrations in Madras only, for I am most familiar with that city, and would like to know more about similar festivals elsewhere. I do believe that such celebrations are widespread and growing in our cities.

Happy Birthday Madras!